Entertainment

What are the best Welsh versions of Monopoly?

Published

2 weeks ago

November 22, 2024

Monopoly board game, laid out on a table.

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.

Entertainment

Milford Haven Round Table’s annual Santa Run start tonight in Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Luke Sinclair

The much-anticipated Milford Haven Round Table Santa Run is bringing festive joy to the community this week, with Santa and his sleigh visiting neighbourhoods across Milford Haven. Beginning tonight at 5:30pm, Father Christmas will make his grand appearance at Milford Haven Rugby Club before setting off on his first route.

A Magical Five-Night Journey

Night 1 (Tonight): Santa starts at Milford Haven RFC, visiting Herbrandston, Hubberston, and Hakin. A live Santa Tracker will be available to keep residents updated on his journey.
Night 2: Santa returns to Hakin and the town centre of Milford Haven.
Night 3: The sleigh will travel to the north of Milford Haven.
Night 4: Santa will visit the Pill area and Howarth Close.
Night 5: The festivities wrap up with a tour of Waterston and Mount Estate.

The Santa Run, a cherished community tradition, supports local causes while spreading Christmas cheer. Organised by the Milford Haven Round Table, the event is a highlight of the town’s festive calendar. Families are encouraged to come out and greet Santa while enjoying the Christmas spirit.

For those keen to follow along, the Santa Tracker link will be posted on the Milford Haven Round Table’s official social media pages. Make sure to bundle up, grab a hot drink, and join the community in celebrating the holiday season!

For more information click here: https://www.facebook.com/milfordhavenroundtable

Entertainment

Choir brings Christmas cheer to Pembroke Castle

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

COLOURFUL choristers filled Pembroke Castle with festive spirit during its Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 30.

Dressed in an array of Christmas jumpers, ties, and Santa hats, the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir delighted visitors with a programme of 12 songs, complemented by leading several beloved carols.

Musical Director Juliet Rossiter conducted the choir, ensuring their performance ran smoothly. Accompanying them for the second time was the Rev William Lambert, the choir’s new accompanist who has quickly become a valued addition.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, two members of Cor Meibion De Cymru joined the choir on stage for a rousing rendition of American Trilogy, marking a memorable conclusion to their set.

As 2024 draws to a close, the choir plans to bring joy to three local residential homes before taking a well-earned break. Practices will resume in January, and new members are warmly encouraged to join.

Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays at 7:00pm at St Teilo’s Church Hall, Pembroke Dock. Interested singers can contact Choir Secretary Dave Powell on 07572 080401.

PICTURED: Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir on stage at Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Fayre. (Picture: P&DMVC)

Entertainment

James – Music to your ears

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE composer, writer and director, James Williams, has worked on every Torch Theatre festive show for the past 25 years. His first show at the Torch in Milford Haven was Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates back in 1998 and since then James has been lucky enough to work with several artistic directors and actors along the way.

This Christmas, James, an Associate Director of the Torch, has composed music for the Torch Theatre’s festive pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk as well as Little Red Riding Hood for the Sherman Theatre, written A Christmas Wish for Simply Theatre, Geneva and written and directed Snow White and the Seven Elves for Bluestone Wales.

“Composing for the Torch Theatre this year has been an absolute joy, with a lot of silliness. The script is just fantastic, and the songs are catchy, full of earworms that will stick in your head. We have some incredible singers, and the music is just banging, challenging, popping and a lot of fun with audience participation where people will feel part of the action. The ‘five a day song’ is definitely one you’ll remember,” chuckled James.

But having composed for so many festive pantos here in Pembrokeshire, from where does James get his inspiration?

“It all starts with the script, and I make sure that the songs are relevant to the actions on stage. I try to imagine what it would be like to be in that world and if I can get the character clear in my head, it all comes easily. It’s the words that are harder I find and it can be quite challenging,” explained James who moved to the Carew area from Cardiff just before lockdown.

Over the years, James has worked for several other companies including NTW, WNO, Hijinx, Triongl, Give It A Name and Theatre Royal Plymouth. He’s the composer of the musical The Jolly Folly of Polly the Scottish Trolley Dolly and The Sheep Chronicles in collaboration with playwright Lesley Ross. He is director of the award-winning circus show Flown for Pirates of the Carabina and has directed the MAMT Showcase for RWCMD since the course inception in 2011.

With only five more years of enjoyment before James reaches a huge milestone of composing for the Christmas shows here at the Torch Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk remains one of his favourites.

Jack and the Beanstalk can be seen at the Torch Theatre from Fri 13 – 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.