Entertainment

Other Voices Cardigan celebrates record attendances

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2024

THE fifth Other Voices Cardigan 2024 Festival was a record breaker, having attracted more than 15,000 music fans from across the world to the pretty Mid Wales coastal town over three days.

The event, which ran from October 31to November 2, featured a curated programme celebrating music, friendship, language, ideas and culture from both sides of the Irish Sea and beyond.

Festival highlights included stellar performances from Nadine Shah, Bill Ryder Jones, and Fabiana Palladino.

St Mary’s Church audiences were treated to an acoustic performance by Manics’ frontman James Dean Bradfield, who performed special renditions of the classics ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, ‘A Design for Life’, and ‘Ready for Drowning’.

Other Church performers this year include Charlotte Day Wilson, Melys, Victor Ray, and Georgia Ruth.

Providing an extraordinary and inspiring programme across a myriad of musical genres, events took place in cafes, bars, places of worship and arts venues.

More than 42 established and emerging acts from Wales and Ireland played the Music Trail and around 300 artists and crew worked and performed. The festival also boosted the local economy, with many businesses reporting increased foot traffic and sales during the event.

Over the past weekend, the festival saw more than 15,000 individual event admissions to more than 100 performances across the weekend, representing a 36% increase on 2023.

Visitors from outside Wales also increased significantly by 41%, with music fans coming from Ireland, Italy, New York, Sweden and Germany.

“This year has been another fantastic success,” said Dilwyn Davies, chief executive of Mwldan, co-producers of the event. “We’ve celebrated the vibrancy and vitality of the music scenes on both sides of the Irish Sea, and the spirit of our communities.

“The audience response has been incredibly positive and joyous, and we can’t wait to bring everyone together again in 2025.”

Phillip King, founder of Other Voices, added: “Cardigan/Aberteifi came alive with great music and stimulating and provocative banter when Other Voices came to town this past weekend.

“The event is growing and expanding year on year, attracting more visitors to this beautiful town. It’s a real delight to bring Other Voices across the Irish Sea, to collapse between Ireland and Wales and to bring us together in a way that deepens and strengthens every aspect of our relationship.”

Church performances were live-streamed on Other Voices YouTube channel and simultaneously streamed to the big screen at Mwldan in Cardigan. Highlights will be later broadcast on BBC Wales TV, BBC iPlayer and RTÉ and RTÉ Player via media partners. The event was presented by BBC DJ and Other Voices regular Huw Stephens.

Other Voices Cardigan is staged with the support and investment of Welsh Government and Government of Ireland, The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and The Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund.

The festival is produced by South Wind Blows in partnership with Mwldan and Triongl. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by Ceredigion County Council.

Entertainment

Filming for new season of S4C crime drama Cleddau returns to Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Production crew spotted in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton as series set for 2026 release

FILMING has returned to Pembrokeshire this week for the next season of Cleddau — the hit S4C crime drama released in English as The One That Got Away.

The production crew has been seen in Pembroke Dock, Neyland and Burton capturing new scenes for the upcoming 2026 series. Local photographer Gareth Davies shared images of the team working along the estuary, describing “a real buzz” in the area as cast and crew returned after the success of the first season.

Crime thriller rooted in the Cleddau estuary

Cleddau follows a murder investigation that reopens buried secrets in a quiet west Wales community. The show has been praised for its atmospheric storytelling, strong performances and striking use of local Pembrokeshire scenery — with the Cleddau estuary itself forming a central part of the series’ identity.

Residents have reported seeing cameras and production vehicles around familiar walking routes, waterfront areas and estuary-side villages as the crew makes full use of the landscape that inspired the show’s name.

Local interest and economic boost

The return of filming has been welcomed locally, bringing attention, visitors and activity into communities along the waterway. For many residents, the excitement lies in spotting familiar places on screen when the new season airs next year.

The new series of Cleddau is expected to be broadcast in 2026.

Entertainment

Cardigan Theatre brings Beauty and the Beast to Mwldan this Christmas

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Festive panto promises magic, music and family fun

CARDIGAN Theatre is set to bring festive magic to Theatre Mwldan this Christmas with a fun-filled production of Beauty and the Beast, running from 21–29 December. The pantomime is written and directed by Jonathon Preece and promises all the traditional panto sparkle audiences love.

The story follows once-proud Prince Louis (Emily Davies), who angers Agatha the Evil Enchantress (Kelly Lewis). As punishment for his selfishness, she transforms him into the fearsome Beast (Steve Green). His only hope of breaking the spell is to find true love – or remain a beast forever.

Meanwhile, brave and kind-hearted Belle (Ruby Lemoine) sets out to rescue her eccentric father Marcel (Tom Loveday) who on his way to the “Big Invention Competition”, gets lost and stumbles into the enchanted castle and is taken prisoner by the Beast. Determined to save him, Belle is joined by her loyal friend Jaques, the village silly billy (Sarah Harris), flamboyant Dame Madam Fromage (Rhys Davies), and Gavin (Paul Robinson), the vain village heart-throb who is convinced Belle should marry him!

Inside the castle, Belle encounters a host of enchanted objects, including Tick Tock (Lilwen), Flambe (Bryce), and Mrs Kettle (Manon), who provide humour, magic and plenty of encouragement as they try to help the Beast win Belle’s heart and break Agatha’s curse.

With songs, jokes, colourful characters and plenty of audience participation, the production promises festive fun for all ages.

Beauty and the Beast runs at Theatre Mwldan from 21–29 December. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

Cardigan Theatre can be followed on Facebook and Instagram for updates on future shows.

Entertainment

Glow returns to Carew Castle with magical illuminations and Santa’s grotto

Published

4 days ago

November 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CAREW CASTLE and Tidal Mill has launched its annual Christmas spectacular, with the first night of Glow transforming the historic fortress into a shimmering winter wonderland.

The medieval walls are now bathed in colour, with vivid light displays bringing new life to one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic landmarks. Visitors on opening night were greeted by glowing ramparts, candlelit walkways and festive scenes created inside the castle rooms, including a decorated Christmas tree, a stained-glass style installation and a traditional medieval feast display.

Glow runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4:30pm to 7:30pm until 14 December, offering families the chance to explore the castle after dark in a way that is rarely possible. The illuminated trail has become one of the county’s most popular seasonal attractions, drawing visitors from across West Wales.

A major highlight for younger visitors arrives this weekend, as Santa sets up his magical grotto inside the castle walls. Children can meet Father Christmas every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 4:00pm until 14 December, with each child receiving a gift. Organisers say booking is essential, with limited spaces available.

Carew Castle’s team said they have worked for weeks to prepare the site for the festive season, aiming to create a magical experience for families and returning visitors. Early reactions from guests at the launch night suggest the event could be one of the strongest yet.

Tickets for both Glow and Santa’s Grotto can be booked via events.pembrokeshirecoast.wales.