A RECORD breaking 150 entries have been received for the Giant’s Golden Object Competition at the Torch Theatre, beating last years’ number of 84 where young people were asked to design a dress for Belle for the Beauty and the Beast pantomime. Five schools in the county have sent their entries in and many individuals with the winner being announced in the next few weeks.

With just under two months before the annual festive pantomime at the Torch Theatre, young people under 18 years old were asked to design a large golden object for the Giant’s castle for the evergreen pantomime of Jack and Beanstalk.

The winning design, keeping everyone on their toes, will be a difficult one to build as designer Kevin Jenkins explains.

“I really liked the fact that it was both gold and silver, as well as being covered in a range of different jewels, such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The winner thought it would be both the perfect item for the Giant to have kept locked away from everyone but also something that was a little bit fun and silly (just like our pantomime!).”

Tim Howe, responsible for Youth and Community at the Torch, who doesn’t want to give too much away before the winner is announced, said:

“The design team will now have the really tough task of making the winning golden object as we can’t just buy these things off the shelf you know! Our team of wonderful theatre professionals will be scouring every shop they can find so that they can create this very special golden object – and don’t forget it’s got to be big enough for the Giant too!”

“We were amazed by all the brilliant entries that young people across our county came up with. The designs have been terrific – what imaginations you all have! And we can’t wait to surprise the winner in the next week or so – who knows, we could be knocking on your door very soon!” concluded Tim.

All ‘Golden Objects’ designs will be displayed in the Torch Theatre’s Joanna Field Gallery throughout December for all to see.

Jack and the Beanstalk will feature on the Torch Theatre stage from Fri 13 Dec – Sun 29 Dec 2024 with matinee and evening performances. Ticket prices: £23.50 | £19.50 Cons | £75.00 Family. Relaxed Environment Performance on Saturday 14 December at 2pm. BSL Performance – Tuesday 17 December at 6pm.

To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk

ANGLE Lifeboat was requested to launch at 12:28pm yesterday to assist Dyfed-Powys Police and St Govan’s and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Teams with an ongoing incident at the Green Bridge of Wales.

The lifeboat launched shortly after and began making best speed to the area. As the lifeboat was passing Sheep Island, the crew were stood down as the incident had been safely resolved by police officers.

With no further assistance required, the lifeboat returned to station and was back alongside her berth and readied for further service by 1:15pm.

THE RETAIL trade union Usdaw has voiced deep concern following today’s release of police crime statistics, which reveal sharp increases in shoplifting across Welsh constabulary areas for the year ending June 2024. The data shows that shoplifting has surged across England and Wales, continuing a post-pandemic trend with a 29% increase – the highest rate seen in two decades.

The Office for National Statistics reports a 33% rise in shoplifting across Wales, with individual constabularies showing significant spikes:

• Dyfed-Powys: 19%
• Gwent: 43%
• North Wales: 9%
• South Wales: 42%

Usdaw’s annual survey in 2023 of over 5,500 retail workers uncovered that 60% had experienced violence, threats, or abuse related to shoplifting and robbery incidents.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “Retail stores are increasingly targeted by organised crime gangs, who often use weapons and intimidation to carry out theft. This is far from a victimless crime – repeated incidents of shoplifting lead to anxiety, fear, and sometimes physical harm for retail workers. The current rise in shoplifting is yet another indicator that we’re facing an epidemic of retail crime.”

Usdaw welcomed the newly elected Labour Government’s commitment to tackling retail crime, noting key policies in their legislative agenda aimed at safeguarding shop workers. Lillis continued: “We’re encouraged by proposed measures such as protection for shop workers, an end to the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, and additional funding for uniformed patrols and town centre banning orders for repeat offenders. These steps are vital to ensuring shop workers receive the respect and protection they deserve.”