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A new year but the same January traditions 

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December is a fairly extravagant month for most, with many people overspending on groceries, eating out, engaging in more frequent social gatherings, and purchasing numerous gifts However, January is often much more steady, with people trying to compensate for their indulgence in December by cutting back on their spending. 

Whilst January is a time for steady living, it doesn’t mean it has to be a dull month! There are plenty of ways you can keep January in Pembrokeshire interesting without breaking the bank. Here are a few things you can do both offline and online to keep busy whilst reducing your spending after the holiday period. 

Online entertainment

Nowadays you can find almost anything online, from things to watch to games to play. The internet offers endless possibilities for entertainment. Similarly, you can visit any country you like on the TV via YouTube, or you can learn a new hobby without expensive lessons. 

Try online gaming 

Online gaming is an excellent way to occupy yourself. Whether you prefer a simple racing game or want to completely immerse yourself in a fantasy world, there is something for everyone. Gaming with others online is also a great way to stay connected without the need to go out and spend money. 

You could even take the thrill of gaming up a notch and try online casinos. Online slots can be a fun way to pass the time and playing for real money could add some excitement to your evenings. And those winter-themed slot motifs will sure make you feel better. 

Binge watch a new TV series

Starting a new TV series can be very exciting, and with plenty of affordable streaming services available such as Netflix or Disney Plus, it’s easy to find a show, or several, that will keep you engaged for the entirety of January. 

New hobbies

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to start fresh and trying a new hobby is a good place to start. There are plenty of hobbies that involve little to no cost, such as baking, gardening, running, and reading. These are just a handful of low-cost hobbies you could take up. 

Group activities 

Consider doing group activities with friends which will allow you to split the costs. You could compete in a bake-off or ‘come dine with me’ style competition. Alternatively, if you still fancy going out, places like Thorpe Park or Go Ape offer group discounts which can help to reduce expenses.

You can still have fun and cut back! 

By being a little more strategic, you can still enjoy January even whilst cutting back after an expensive December. From online gaming to trying new hobbies, you can keep busy without spending a fortune. 

Entertainment

A trivial comedy for serious people at The Torch Theatre

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NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE 2025 brings The Importance of Being Earnest like never before, directed by Max Webster (Donmar’s MacbethLife of Pi), to the Torch Theatre screen on Saturday 22 February. Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.

This hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London, will appeal to everyone who likes Holby City, Notting Hill, Mamma Mia and Macbeth – what a combination and what appeal! Fans of Oscar Wilde’s witty, expressive writings and plays, as well as fans of classic literature will enjoy this night of comedy, with satire thrown in.

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Described as a ‘flawless piece of comic theatre’ by Broadway World and ‘A sparkling new production … that’s fiercely faithful to Wilde’s wickedly subversive spirit’ by the Daily Mail, The Importance of Being Earnest has received rave reviews and five and four stars.

The Importance of Being Earnest will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Saturday 22 February at 7pm. Tickets for the screening are priced at £15. Concessions: £13 and Under 26: £8.50. Visit the website for further details on www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

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Entertainment

History of Welsh music videos charted in new website

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WELSH-LANGUAGE television has played a more important part than commercial record labels in the development of Welsh music videos over the past 50 years, say researchers.

As the 24-hour MTV channel made its entrance on to the global stage in the early 1980s, it was the arrival of S4C which helped shape music video making in Wales at the time.

The finding is included in a new website documenting the development of Welsh music videos over a period of more than fifty years, which launches on Welsh Language Music Day (Friday 7 February).

The fideos.cymru website stems from a unique research project led by two lecturers at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies, Dr Greg Bevan and Dr Kate Woodward.

They say the project has highlighted significant differences between the dynamics driving the production of Welsh-language and Anglo-American music videos.

Dr Greg Bevan said: “There is no doubt that the music video has had a fascinating history since the format really took off in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The political, industrial and social landscape of Wales was very different at that time and these contexts are reflected in the videos that were being created.

“One of the main differences that has emerged as part of our research is that Anglo-American videos are produced with the primary aim of selling and promoting mainstream songs as part of a wider marketing drive by the big record companies. That commercial imperative has been less evident in Wales. Here, the need to promote cultural arts in a minority language has been a crucial factor, alongside other anti-establishment, subcultural influences.”

As part of the project, the researchers interviewed some of Wales’s leading artists and producers about their experience of making music videos, including Dafydd Iwan, Cerys Hafana, Geraint Jarman, Eddie Ladd, Rhys Mwyn, and Dafydd Rhys.

Dr Kate Woodward told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We wanted to speak directly to the people who have been involved in making Welsh music videos over the years and share their insights with a wider audience through the website. What we found was that the television industry in Wales – and S4C in particular – was mainly responsible for driving music video production by providing not only a platform for broadcasting content but also the necessary funding, in contrast to the Anglo-American trend where record labels were the main drivers.

“The iconic series Fideo 9 on S4C played a key role in the development of the Welsh music video, producing around four new videos every week when they were on air between 1988 and 1991. Bandit was on air between 2004 and 2011, and Lŵp has been offering a cross-platform stage for Welsh music since 2019. We are also now in a new era where artists are increasingly likely to create their own videos independently and promote them on various social media streams.”

Music Video Fund

In addition to launching the website, it was also announced today that a small fund is available for applications to support the production of two new Welsh music videos.

As Dr Woodward explained: “We are keen for our research project to contribute to the ongoing development of the Welsh music video by supporting current content creation as well as examining and analysing the scene’s historical development.”

The closing date for applications to the music video fund is 16:00 on Friday 28 February 2025 and further details are available online: https://fideos.cymru.

Image: Dr Kate Woodward and Dr Greg Bevan from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University.

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Entertainment

Haverfordwest to host free family film screening this Sunday

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A FREE cinema screening of The Sloth Lane, an unreleased animated film, will take place in Haverfordwest this Sunday (Feb 9) as part of Escapes’ first-ever family-friendly event.

Escapes, supported by the BFI and National Lottery funding, is offering families the chance to watch the heartwarming film ahead of its official UK release on Friday (Feb 14). The initiative aims to bring people together through independent cinema, with free screenings at over 80 venues nationwide.

The Sloth Lane follows a speedy sloth named Laura and her quirky family as they move to the big city in their rusted old food truck, determined to make their business a success. The film delivers a feel-good message about embracing life’s adventures.

The Sunday matinee screening is designed for families, allowing bookings for up to two adults and three children per order. All screenings will feature descriptive subtitles to ensure accessibility.

Escapes has already provided over 65,000 free cinema tickets across the UK, showcasing everything from cult classics to Oscar-nominated films. The initiative will continue throughout 2025, bringing a new free film to cinemas each month.

Tickets for The Sloth Lane are available now at escapes.cinematik.app.

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