Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Entertainment

Musical treat at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen

Published

on

A SPECIAL charity concert at The Lyric Theatre in Carmarthen this month promises to be a musical extravaganza, featuring the world-famous Cory Band and the acclaimed Bella Voce female vocal group.

Organised by the Carmarthen Tywi Rotary Club, the concert will take place on Saturday, January 18, at 7:30pm. Proceeds from the evening will support local charities and worthy causes.

A spokesperson for Carmarthen Tywi Rotary Club said: “This is a wonderful way to ring in the New Year with the breathtaking Cory Band and the stunning harmonies of Bella Voce. Tickets are expected to sell quickly as the Cory Band, the current Welsh Brass Band champions, bring their exceptional talent to Carmarthen. It’s brass band music at its finest.”

Tickets in demand

Tickets are priced at £22.50 and £20 and can be purchased through The Lyric box office, the Theatrau Sir Gâr website, or by calling 0345 226 3510.

The Cory Band: A global sensation

The Cory Band, formed in 1884 and later named after colliery owner Sir Clifford Cory, is renowned worldwide for its exceptional brass music. Under the baton of musical director Philip Harper since 2012, the band has won numerous prestigious titles, including European, National, and British Open championships.

For an unprecedented 16 years (2007–2023), the Cory Band held the title of the world’s No.1 ranked brass band. Their innovative approach has made them a trailblazer in the genre, and in 2022 they received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for their contributions to the brass band movement.

The band’s repertoire, described as scintillating, engaging, and universally appealing, has earned them acclaim from audiences across the globe. Beyond competitions, the Cory Band has toured extensively in countries including Australia, the USA, and South Korea. They are also the resident ensemble at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Bella Voce: Pembrokeshire’s pride

Pembrokeshire-based vocal group Bella Voce, led by musical director Sarah Benbow and accompanist Seimon Morris, is celebrated for its versatility and stunning performances. Comprising professional women with rich musical backgrounds—including multiple music degrees and Grade 8 qualifications—the group achieves excellence with minimal rehearsal time.

Known for their adaptability across genres, Bella Voce has performed alongside icons such as Max Boyce, the Three Welsh Tenors, and Katherine Jenkins, as well as at prestigious venues including St Davids Cathedral and the Royal Albert Hall.

A Rotary Club spokesperson added: “Bella Voce captivates audiences with their breathtaking sound and extraordinary talent. Their instrumental and vocal soloists add a unique touch to their performances, which makes every concert unforgettable.”

Hosted by a local favourite

The evening will be compered by Robert Lloyd, former editor of the Carmarthen Journal and past president of Llanelli Rotary Club.

This is a rare opportunity to enjoy two outstanding musical acts in one evening while supporting a great cause. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a memorable night at The Lyric Theatre

Entertainment

The authentic sound of The Rolling Stones… with the world’s premier Jagger lookalike

Published

on

CAPTURING the authentic sound and spirit of The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band In The World, NOT THE ROLLING STONES have played festivals, theatres and private gigs throughout Europe, the middle east and the UK. This May, they will appear here on the Torch Stage in Pembrokeshire!

Featuring the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see, truly international tribute act in demand all over Europe as well as the UK, will take you back to the Golden Age of The Stones- from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil… You won’t believe it’s not Jagger!

Based on the Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and active for over six decades, they were one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era and pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock, and Not The Rolling Stones carry on that legacy today.

They have the unique asset of a ‘Mick and Keith’ who stagger audiences with their authenticity, also attested by the many TV and film credits they have between them.

Backed by a superb group of professional musicians that love the music they are playing; they convey their enthusiasm for the work of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.

Not the Rolling Stones will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Friday 16 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Radio 3 celebrates Easter with live broadcast from St Non’s Chapel

Published

on

A musical pilgrimage to one of Wales’ holiest sites

BBC RADIO 3 will mark Easter 2025 with a special series of live broadcasts exploring themes of music, landscape, and pilgrimage—culminating in a live Easter Sunday programme from St Non’s Chapel in Pembrokeshire.

The broadcast, part of Easter: A Seasonal Journey, airs live on Easter Sunday morning (April 20), with presenter Sarah Walker joined at the ancient cliffside chapel—believed to be the birthplace of St David, the patron saint of Wales—by renowned musicians including harpist Mared Pugh-Evans, the official harpist to His Majesty the King, and Filkin’s Drift, the popular Welsh folk duo.

Set just metres from the sea near St Davids, the location provides a powerful backdrop for a programme that explores the spiritual and cultural resonance of Pembrokeshire’s rugged coastal landscape. The event follows a Holy Saturday broadcast from the island of Iona in Scotland.

The live programme runs from 9:00am to 12:00pm, and will include music, interviews and reflections from this iconic Pembrokeshire site.

Other highlights of Radio 3’s Easter programming include:

Choral Evensong from Newcastle Cathedral

Sunday 20 April, 3:00pm – 4:00pm

A special Easter Day service featuring celebratory music by Howells, Paulus, and Vaughan Williams.

Record Review of the 21st Century

Monday 21 April, All day

A day-long celebration of the best classical recordings from the past 25 years. Host Andrew McGregor is joined by guest contributors, including celebrity classical fans Stephen Fry, Cathy Newman, and John Suchet. The day concludes with a full performance of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony (7:30pm).

Located on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path near St Davids, St Non’s Chapel is one of the oldest Christian sites in Wales. Tradition holds it to be the birthplace of St David, Wales’ most revered saint. Today, the chapel ruins remain a place of quiet pilgrimage, with sweeping views over St Brides Bay.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Join TV and radio presenter Hester Grainger live at the Torch

Published

on

THIS June, the Torch Theatre welcomes ADHD coach, speaker and former Wright Stuff presenter Hester Grainger to the stage with her powerful and uplifting show, ADHD: Unmasked.

Expect an evening of open conversation, laughter, and refreshingly honest insights into life with ADHD. In a supportive and inclusive space, Hester invites everyone—whether living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply curious—to share stories, connect, and feel seen.

A well-known voice in the neurodivergent community, Hester is a regular podcast guest and media contributor. Her appearance on ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge went viral, with clips from the episode racking up over 22 million views.

ADHD: Unmasked is an interactive, dopamine-filled evening where Hester shares how to embrace a fast-paced mind, practise self-compassion, and tap into the strengths of neurodiversity. She’ll also speak candidly about family life—raising two autistic/ADHD teenagers and living with her autistic/ADHD husband—as well as navigating ADHD in the workplace, friendships, relationships, and late diagnosis.

Audience participation is welcome, with opportunities to ask questions throughout. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis or are just starting your journey, this event offers connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. You’ll leave feeling empowered, informed—and most importantly—reminded that you are not alone.

Hester began her media career on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, going on to work with Loose Women and Today with Des and Mel. She has featured on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, and hosted her own show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

She has appeared on leading podcasts such as ADHD Chatter, The Hidden 20%, and ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, and her writing has been published by HuffPost, Evening Standard, Reader’s Digest, and Arabian Business.

Alongside her husband Kelly, Hester co-founded Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy providing training, talks, and coaching to support neurodivergent employees. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in their forties, after Kelly’s earlier autism diagnosis.

Hester says: “I’m so excited to tour the UK talking about ADHD—something I’m truly passionate about. Being diagnosed in my forties finally gave me the answers I’d been searching for my whole life. With growing awareness, so many people have questions and want to understand more. This evening will be fun, entertaining, and honest—and nothing’s off limits.”

ADHD: Unmasked comes to the Torch Theatre on Friday 6 June at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £26
Book online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Continue Reading

Business3 hours ago

Floating wind farm boom could bring jobs bonanza to Pembrokeshire

Milford Haven among ports shortlisted for turbine assembly as £1.4bn Celtic Sea energy project nears final stage PEMBROKE PORT in...

Crime12 hours ago

Carmarthenshire kidnap victim speaks out: ‘I thought I was going to die’

THE MUSIC producer lured to West Wales and brutally assaulted in a staged kidnap plot has spoken publicly for the...

News2 days ago

Welsh pensioners to receive state pension increase amidst mixed reactions

STARTING this month, over 600,000 pensioners across Wales will see their State Pensions rise by up to £470 annually, following...

News2 days ago

Spot checks uncover taxi issues in Milford Haven and Neyland

Six suspensions, untaxed vehicle and missing badges found SPOT checks on taxis and private hire vehicles in Milford Haven, Neyland...

News3 days ago

Fire chief praises crews for response to grass fires

Over 250 incidents tackled during dry spell THE CHIEF Fire Officer of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service...

News3 days ago

Man paralysed after being shot during weapons test at Pendine MoD range

Defence firm fined £800,000 over ‘devastating’ safety failure A CIVILIAN weapons expert was left paralysed from the neck down after...

Crime3 days ago

Former police superintendent dismissed for gross misconduct

Misogynistic behaviour spanned three years, hearing told A FORMER senior officer has been dismissed from Dyfed-Powys Police following a gross...

Charity4 days ago

Royal visit celebrates Pembrokeshire charity’s community impact

STAFF, volunteers and visiting pupils at Lower Treginnis Farm were delighted to welcome a very special guest on Wednesday (April...

Business5 days ago

Valero refinery escapes Trump’s new tariffs

Fuel imports spared as US tries to avoid price hikes THE VALERO oil refinery in Pembroke has escaped the impact...

Crime5 days ago

Leaked messages point to leadership crisis at HMP Parc

Staff mocked suicide and bragged about assaults as G4S failed to intervene A CULTURE of violence, cruelty and neglect flourished...

Popular This Week