Fast-paced adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles comes to Milford Haven this October

SHERLOCK HOLMES is returning to the Torch Theatre this autumn in a riotously funny adaptation of one of his most famous mysteries.

The Torch Theatre Company will present The Hound of the Baskervilles for a limited run from Wednesday, October 7, to Saturday, October 17.

Adapted for the stage by John Canny and Stephen Nicolson, the production promises a fast-paced mixture of chaos, clues and canine capers as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tale is transformed into a slapstick comedy.

Following the success of The Turn of the Screw in 2025, audiences will once again have the opportunity to see a professional production created in Pembrokeshire and featuring theatre talent from across Wales.

At the centre of the story is a mysterious death, a cursed family and a terrifying howl heard across the moors.

Sherlock Holmes and his trusted companion, Dr Watson, must investigate the supposed Baskerville family curse and save Sir Henry Baskerville before it is too late.

Featuring rapid costume changes, inventive staging and a comedy-packed script, the production has been compared to theatrical hits including The Play That Goes Wrong and The 39 Steps.

Torch Theatre’s award-winning artistic director, Chelsey Gillard, said: “What I love about this version is that it is packed to bursting with joy and adventure.

“The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the best Sherlock mysteries. This play takes everything you love about Conan Doyle’s original and stuffs in as many jokes as possible, resulting in a wonderful theatrical experience like The Play That Goes Wrong or The 39 Steps.”

A British Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place on Tuesday, October 13.

Tickets start at £18 and are available by calling the Torch Theatre box office on 01646 695267 or visiting torchtheatre.co.uk.

Welsh Government plans further safety measures at the Nash Fingerpost following years of concern over collisions and near misses

A PERMAMENT 40mph speed limit and a ban on U-turns are being proposed for the A477 at the Nash Fingerpost Junction near Pembroke.

The Welsh Government has published plans covering a section of the trunk road around the junction with the A4075, which links the A477 with Pembroke.

Under the proposed order, motorists would be prohibited from making U-turns through the gap in the central reservation opposite the A4075 junction.

Officials say the measures are intended to improve road safety and help traffic move more safely through the junction.

The proposed 40mph restriction would cover the A477 from a point approximately 57 metres west of the junction with the lane leading to Lower Nash to a point around 416 metres east of the U6357 road leading to Upper Nash.

The junction has been the subject of longstanding safety concerns, with residents and motorists reporting serious collisions, near misses and vehicles travelling at high speed.

Further improvements were completed at the site in August 2024, including the installation of traffic signals designed to respond to approaching vehicles and changing traffic conditions.

Those works followed the death of motorcyclist Ashley Rogers at the junction and a public campaign calling for urgent safety improvements.

A petition supporting changes at Nash Fingerpost attracted more than 10,000 signatures in just 36 days.

Campaigners said the response demonstrated the strength of concern across Pembrokeshire about the junction and the need to prevent further serious incidents.

If the new permanent order is introduced, the existing temporary speed restriction and prohibition order covering the junction would be revoked.

Copies of the proposed order, accompanying plan and statement of reasons are available for inspection at Pembroke Library and Pembroke Dock Library.

Members of the public and other interested parties have 21 days from July 22 to submit comments or objections to the proposals.

CMA calls for new regulatory regime after households faced cancelled orders and sharp price increases

BEN LAKE MP has welcomed proposals for stronger protections for households that rely on heating oil, following a major investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.

The Ceredigion Preseli MP said people living in rural and off-grid communities should receive protections comparable to those available to customers connected to the mains gas and electricity networks.

Around 1.5 million UK households depend on heating oil. Customers currently lack several protections available elsewhere in the energy market, including consistent support for vulnerable people and access to independent dispute resolution when complaints cannot be settled directly with suppliers.

The CMA launched its investigation after conflict in the Middle East disrupted supplies and caused heating oil prices to rise sharply earlier this year.

Its final report found that the market remained generally competitive and that suppliers had not profited materially from the crisis. Most of the increase was attributed to higher wholesale costs.

However, the regulator concluded that customers remained particularly exposed during periods of disruption, with uncertainty over prices, deliveries and the support available when problems arose.

In Wales, the average retail price rose from 64p per litre in February to 106p in March, an increase of 42p. Across the UK, prices peaked at 123p per litre in April, 92% above February’s average.

The CMA has recommended a proportionate regulatory regime requiring heating oil suppliers to register and meet minimum standards.

Proposed protections would cover the way prices are quoted, how cancellations are handled and access to independent dispute resolution. Suppliers could also be required to explain available payment plans and minimum purchase quantities more clearly.

A register of vulnerable customers has also been proposed, alongside a review of minimum-order rules to determine whether households should be allowed to buy smaller quantities.

Heating oil is generally purchased in bulk, leaving households facing bills of £500 or more at a time. The CMA said allowing smaller orders could make the fuel more accessible to customers experiencing financial difficulties.

Ben Lake old The Herald: “I welcome the Competition and Markets Authority’s call for a new regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers, together with action to compensate households affected by last-minute order cancellations earlier this year.

“Requiring suppliers to meet minimum standards, clearly explain payment plans and minimum purchases, and maintain a register of vulnerable households would help protect off-grid customers during sudden price increases or periods of crisis.

“These recommendations are welcome, but I will also be pressing for similar protections to be introduced for households that rely on LPG.”

The CMA estimates that around 1,700 customers may have had orders cancelled in circumstances that breached their contracts.

Although those customers received refunds, some were forced to place replacement orders at much higher prices, potentially leaving them between £150 and £350 worse off. Others were unable to obtain replacement fuel.

Several suppliers have agreed to compensate affected customers. Those who paid more for a replacement delivery are expected to receive the difference, while customers who did not purchase replacement oil should have their original orders honoured at the agreed price.

The CMA said some suppliers had not yet agreed to provide compensation and warned that it was preparing possible court enforcement action.

Mr Lake said the regulator’s findings reflected concerns raised by constituents across Ceredigion Preseli.

He said: “The conclusions of the CMA’s report will not surprise residents of Ceredigion Preseli.

“Many saw the price of their regular fuel deliveries changing at very short notice during the Middle East fuel crisis. I am also aware of cases where customers were not told the final price until the delivery lorry had arrived at their property.

“Ceredigion Preseli has one of the highest proportions of households in Great Britain that are not connected to the mains gas network. The crisis therefore had a disproportionate effect on the amount many residents were forced to pay to heat their homes.”

Mr Lake welcomed the commitment to compensate affected households but said further information was needed about how eligible customers would receive payments.

He added: “I welcome the announcement that compensation will be paid, but the eligibility and process remain unclear.

“I have asked for further details about how customers can make sure they receive the money they are owed. I am determined that constituents in Ceredigion Preseli should receive every penny of compensation to which they are entitled.”

The CMA will now work with the UK and devolved governments, regulators and the heating oil industry to consider how its recommendations should be implemented.