Entertainment
Carew Castle’s ‘Glow’: A festive wonderland of light and music awaits
CAREW CASTLE is thrilled to invite families and visitors of all ages to experience Glow – a magical event illuminating the season every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 15 December, between 4:30pm and 7:30pm.
Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a stunning display of lights throughout the Walled Garden, creating an enchanting atmosphere that leads into the heart of the festivities. At Nest Tearoom, visitors can indulge in seasonal treats, adding warmth and flavour to the experience.
This year’s event brings new areas and captivating displays, transforming the Castle into a Christmas wonderland with fresh elements designed especially for the 2024 season. Children are invited to join Santa’s Workshop Trail, an interactive adventure where they can hunt for clues hidden around the Castle, with a special treat awarded upon completion. Entry to the trail costs £2 per child.
Committed to sustainability, Glow’s impressive display uses only the most energy-efficient LED lights, designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising visual impact. The lighting setup uses approximately 85% less energy than traditional bulbs and can even operate from a single household socket.
Visitors will notice that all lighting is focused on the Castle’s east face and east range, illuminating beautifully preserved rooms such as the Lesser Hall, undercroft, chapel and kitchen, all decorated for the season and open to explore. To safeguard the resident bats, who have their own spaces within the Castle and are cherished members of the Carew community, lighting and access to certain areas are limited at night.
Adding to the festive spirit, local choirs and musical groups will fill the Lesser Hall with seasonal melodies each weekend, bringing an extra touch of holiday magic to the experience.
Due to high demand, visitors must pre-book arrival slots to secure entry. Tickets are available online, priced at £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children aged 4-16 years. This nominal fee helps maintain and enhance Glow each year, ensuring it remains affordable for the community.
Free entry is offered to holders of annual passes, Carew parish residents, wheelchair users, and accompanying carers, though these visitors must also book online and present proof of eligibility.
Visitors purchasing tickets for daytime admission to the Castle and Grotto are welcome to attend Glow on the same evening without further booking.
For a full schedule of live performances, and for Castle and Nest Tearoom opening hours through November and December, please visit www.carewcastle.com
Advertorial
André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert
CELEBRATE the holiday season with André Rieu’s dazzling Christmas Concert, “Gold
and Silver,” exclusively in cinemas and on the Torch Theatre screen on Saturday 7
and Sunday 8 of December! This magical event embodies the festive spirit of
Christmas, bringing joy, warmth, and sparkle to the big screen.
Get ready to be transported to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is
André’s winter wonderland! Under the sparkle of 150 chandeliers and 50 Venetian
candelabras, feel your heart warm with the magical melody of all your favourite
Christmas classics.
André Rieu will be joined on stage by his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra, along
with special guest artists and the young and talented Emma Kok.
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate music, love, and Christmas sparkle, with André
Rieu’s new Christmas Concert “Gold and Silver” at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven
on Saturday 7 December at 7pm and Sunday 8 December at 2pm.
André Rieu’s 2024 Christmas Concert: Gold and Silver ticket prices: £20 / £19
concessions. To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office
on 01646 695267 or visit the Torch Theatre website.
Entertainment
Staying in? Top entertainment ideas for a chilly Pembrokeshire evening
When Pembrokeshire’s cool evenings and misty breezes invite you to stay inside, it’s the perfect time to enjoy cosy indoor activities. Whether you’re alone, with family, or entertaining friends, there are many ways to make the most of a cosy evening at home. Here are some ideas to ensure your chilly Pembrokeshire night is filled with comfort, creativity, and enjoyment.
1. Create a Pembrokeshire-inspired feast
Channel the beauty of Pembrokeshire into your kitchen by preparing a locally inspired feast. Seafood dishes are an excellent choice, as Pembrokeshire’s coastal charm offers plenty of fresh options. Try preparing Welsh mussels in garlic butter or a simple but rich Pembrokeshire fish chowder. If you prefer something heartier, try baking traditional Welsh rarebit or cawl (a Welsh soup) to warm you up.
Pair your meal with a local ale, cider, or even a classic Welsh whisky, such as Penderyn, to elevate the experience. Cooking a meal with a local twist not only enhances the Pembrokeshire ambiance but also brings a taste of the region to your table.
2. Play games at home
When the cold sets in, staying in for a game night can turn any evening into one filled with laughter and friendly competition. Classic board games like Scrabble, Codenames, or Pictionary are a go to and perfect for families and friends of all ages to enjoy. For those seeking something more interactive, video games offer endless options, from co-op adventures to multiplayer sports.
3. Try Your hand at the casino
If you’re looking for something a little more thrilling for your evening in and fancy your chances playing with real money, why not take it to the next level with online casinos. Accessing casinos online is easier than ever and you can revel in the excitement of poker, blackjack, or slots all from the comfort of your own home.
UK players can use domestic sites that are regulated by the UKGC and are part of GamStop, or opt for international sites that bypass GamStop, which offer a wider variety of options including more games and bigger betting opportunities. International sites, like the non-GamStop casinos reviewed by republicworld.com, are quickly gaining popularity amongst players in the UK and beyond as they are known to not only offer large libraries of games but also offer unique bonuses and promotions to players.
Whatever your style, staying in for a game night keeps everyone entertained, cosy, and connected.
4. Set up a mini home cinema
Turn your living room into a cosy cinema by arranging blankets, pillows, and dim lighting. Pick a theme or genre, like classic Welsh films or adventure movies, and settle in for a relaxing night of entertainment. Pembrokeshire’s landscapes have inspired several movies, so you might even spot familiar places on screen, making the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
Prepare some popcorn, warm drinks, or Welsh cakes for a local touch. Watching movies or bingeing on a favourite TV series is an ideal way to unwind, and the comforts of home make the cinematic experience all the better.
5. Indulge in a cosy reading session
If you’re a book lover, a chilly Pembrokeshire evening is the perfect opportunity to curl up with a good read. Create a cosy reading nook with a soft blanket, a cup of tea, and perhaps a crackling fire or some candlelight. Books about Pembrokeshire’s coastal heritage, history, or fictional stories set in Wales can make your reading experience even more special.
6. Experiment with arts and crafts
Embrace your creative side and try some arts and crafts. With a little imagination, you can create beautiful items inspired by Pembrokeshire’s landscape. Try watercolour painting scenes of the rugged coastline, sketching local wildlife, or crafting holiday decorations using natural materials like pinecones, twigs, and dried flowers.
Crafting can be a relaxing, therapeutic way to pass the time, and it allows you to make something meaningful. Whether you’re painting, knitting, or creating home decor, crafting provides a hands-on way to add some warmth to your home while also engaging with Pembrokeshire’s natural beauty.
7. Plan an indoor picnic
Who says picnics are only for summer? Set up a cosy indoor picnic with a blanket on the floor and a spread of tasty snacks. Include some Pembrokeshire favourites, such as locally made cheeses, bread, chutneys, and seasonal fruits. If you have a fireplace, set it up near it to create an even warmer and cooler atmosphere.
8. Try a virtual tour of local sites and landmarks
Pembrokeshire is known for its incredible historical sites and natural landmarks, but visiting them on a cold evening might not be appealing. Instead, take a virtual tour of nearby places like St. David’s Cathedral, Pembroke Castle, or the stunning coastal paths. Many online platforms offer virtual tours that provide detailed views of historical landmarks, scenic landscapes, and unique areas of interest.
Exploring the region virtually lets you appreciate Pembrokeshire’s beauty without stepping outside. Plus, you’ll have the chance to discover new places to visit when the weather is warmer.
9. Enjoy a hot drink and stargaze from the indoors
Pembrokeshire is known for its stunning night skies, so even when it’s chilly outside, you can enjoy stargazing from the warmth of your home. Get comfortable near a large window, perhaps with a telescope if you have one, and take in the starry sky with a warm drink in hand. Hot chocolate, mulled wine, or a hot toddy are all excellent choices to keep you warm as you stargaze.
Adding a touch of background music, such as ambient or instrumental tracks, can make the experience even more magical, especially when you’re cosy and enjoying the Pembrokeshire night sky from the comfort of your home.
Entertainment
What are the best Welsh versions of Monopoly?
Monopoly is one of the most beloved board games in history, enjoyed and argued over by groups of players since the 1930s. The original board was named after streets in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the London version of the game is iconic, but now fans can find editions of just about any locale, from Hong Kong to Preston.
There are no fewer than six Welsh Monopoly games to choose from, including a Welsh-language version, and the newest, set in the mountainous locale of Snowdonia, which launched in Portmeirion earlier this year. Let’s check it out.
Rhifyn Eryri/Snowdonia edition
There’s no doubt that Monopoly is a phenomenon — it’s a sprawling empire of a franchise, with video games and theme parks, as well as a Monopoly casino site. A review describing this particular platform explains that it gets its name because it devotes an entire section to “custom Monopoly games”, giving players a hybrid board-game/casino experience. With the Monopoly name so widespread across game types and genres, it’s unsurprising to see the game take on not only the world’s great cities but also the wonders of the natural world. Released in March this year, the Snowdonia edition was launched with a special event at Portmeirion and Porthmadog.
The public was invited to suggest landmarks, towns, and organisations when the game was announced, and Yr Wyddfa took the prestigious “Mayfair” square on the board. The highest mountain in Wales is a national symbol and a major tourist attraction year-round – so arguably has the prestige to be able to take the place of one of London’s most affluent streets. At the other end on “Old Kent Road” is Ty Hyll (‘ugly house’ in English), the mysterious 15th century house in Betws y Coed. Legend tells that it was built overnight to pass a law that such rapid construction on common land meant the house could stay. In between are all manner of other iconic landmarks from the region.
Other Welsh Monopoly editions
But the Rhifyn Eryri/Snowdonia edition isn’t the only Welsh version of the classic game — there are actually five others. 2000 saw the release of the first Wales edition, featuring Brecon Beacons, Holyhead, and Caernarfon Castle, amongst plenty of other locations which reflect Welsh history, identity, and natural beauty. Although the rules for that edition came in Welsh and English, a Welsh language (Yn Cymraeg) version also hit the market in 2007, with a distinct board layout — players pass Ewch, rather than Go.
Monopoly fans can also work their way around the capital city of Cardiff, landing on the Millennium Stadium, the National Museum and Cardiff Castle, amongst many others. There are also editions for Anglesey, Swansea, and Newport.
Roots of Monopoly
Monopoly originated from “The Landlord’s Game,” created in 1904 by Lizzie Magie, an American game designer, to demonstrate the unfairness of land monopolies. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Charles Darrow, an unemployed salesman, played a homemade version of the game with friends and decided to publish it.
He modified the rules and sold the game to Parker Brothers, who bought the patent from Magie and credited Darrow as the creator, launching it in 1935. Monopoly was a huge success, symbolising both the allure and pitfalls of capitalism, and has been providing rainy-day entertainment ever since.
The idea of owning an iconic mountain might seem a bit strange, but there’s no doubt that the Rhifyn Eryri/Snowdonia edition of Monopoly is an interesting and fun entry in the franchise. With many instantly recognisable landmarks, the region is well suited to the classic game.
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