Entertainment

Pastel passion on display at the Torch

Published

3 weeks ago

May 31, 2025

Deborah Thomas to debut first solo exhibition

MILFORD HAVEN artist Deborah Thomas is preparing to unveil her first solo exhibition this June at the Joanna Field Gallery in the Torch Theatre.

A self-taught pastel painter, Deborah rekindled her love of art later in life after a break of more than twenty years. “After a long time away from painting, I picked up a pencil and decided to draw again,” she said. “I experimented with pastel chalks and pencils and quickly fell in love with the level of detail I could achieve.”

Deborah, who cares full-time for her elderly mother Diana, describes painting as a form of escapism. “I don’t paint as often as I’d like to, but when I do, I’m transported into my own little world. I need to be in that creative space to truly work.”

Her interest in art began at Milford Central School and continued briefly during a stint at art college in Newton Abbot, Devon. She cites the British comic strip Andy Capp, created by Reg Smythe, as an early inspiration. “I used to love sketching Andy Capp—it really got me into drawing as a child.”

After leaving school, Deborah stopped drawing entirely for over two decades. Her return to the craft began with a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, sparking a creative journey that has since produced works such as The Violin, Celtic Barn Owls, White Thunder (a bald eagle), White Iceland Falcon, Beagle, and Mum and Baby Fox.

“Having this exhibition at the Torch Theatre means a lot to me,” she said. “I’m excited, though a little nervous. I always aim to improve with every piece. I’m my own worst critic, but I do the best I can.”

One of her earliest works—a lion’s head—is proudly displayed in the home of her son Gregory, who now lives in Australia.

Deborah Thomas’s pastel exhibition will be on display throughout June at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. The gallery is open during Box Office hours. For more information, visit torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

Programme unveiled for Fishguard Festival of Music 2025

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

International stars and Welsh talent set to perform across the region

THE 2025 Fishguard Festival of Music will run from July 18 to 31, bringing a packed programme of classical and contemporary music to venues across Fishguard, Goodwick, and beyond.

The festival will open with a performance by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra at ST DAVID’S CATHEDRAL, featuring celebrated soprano REBECCA EVANS CBE as the soloist.

Now in its 53rd year, the festival continues its mission to showcase international excellence alongside emerging and homegrown talent, with concerts taking place at locations including THEATR GWAUN, BETHEL CHAPEL, NEUADD Y DDERWEN, RHOSYGILWEN, and open-air performances on THE PARROG in GOODWICK.

Artistic Director GILLIAN GREEN MBE said: “It’s a pleasure to share this year’s programme, which draws inspiration from our past and looks boldly to the future. Audiences will experience a rich variety of classical music performed by some of the finest artists working today.”

The line-up features names from across the UK and further afield, including the AQUARELLE GUITAR QUARTET, harpist MARED PUGH-EVANS, and percussionist DELIA STEVENS alongside harmonica virtuoso WILL POUND.

The festival also includes talks by composer and broadcaster GERAINT LEWIS, and a special appearance by the NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF WALES, who will close the festival at ST DAVID’S CATHEDRAL on July 31.

This year’s full programme includes:

Friday, July 18 – Welsh National Opera Orchestra with Rebecca Evans, St David’s Cathedral
Saturday, July 19 – Delia Stevens & Will Pound, Theatr Gwaun
Sunday, July 20 – Free open-air performances, The Parrog, Goodwick
Monday, July 21 – Ryan Vaughan Davies & David Doidge, Neuadd y Dderwen, Rhosygilwen
Tuesday, July 22 – Aquarelle Guitar Quartet, Bethel Chapel
Wednesday, July 23 – Mared Pugh-Evans (harp), Bethel Chapel
Thursday, July 24 – WNO Chamber Ensemble, Neuadd y Dderwen
Friday, July 25 – Kosmos Ensemble, Theatr Gwaun
Saturday, July 26 – Geoff Eales Trio, Theatr Gwaun
Sunday, July 27 – Geraint Lewis talks at Twr y Felin and St Peter’s Church, plus Young Music Makers of Dyfed at Theatr Gwaun
Monday, July 28 – Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Bethel Chapel
Tuesday, July 29 – Saints and Stones Tour, various locations
Wednesday, July 30 – Laura van der Heijden & Jâms Coleman, Neuadd y Dderwen
Thursday, July 31 – National Youth Orchestra of Wales, St David’s Cathedral

More information and tickets are available through the festival’s official website.

Entertainment

Movie motors and muscle cars roar into Haverfordwest Airport

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Runway closed as high-octane driving experience arrives in Pembrokeshire

HAVERFORDWEST Airport has been transformed into a race track this weekend as nearly 30 iconic cars roll into town for a special Driving Experience Day.

The event, organised by Car Chase Heroes, kicked off on Saturday (June 21) and features a fleet of high-powered supercars, classic motors, and famous film vehicles — including a replica of the Italian Job bus and a police interceptor.

Petrolheads young and old are being given the chance to take the wheel, with the company allowing children as young as 10 to drive some of the cars, even without a licence.

Among the standout vehicles are a Porsche 911, Mustang GT350, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Jaguar E-Type, and a Bond-style DBT. Prices start at £49 for a driving session, which includes a spin in a chosen supercar and a high-speed passenger ride with a professional racing driver.

The event is taking place on the main runway of the privately-operated airfield, which was recently taken over from Pembrokeshire County Council by Haverfordwest Airport Limited. The runway is closed for the duration of the event, from 5:00pm on Friday (June 20) until 8:30am on Sunday (June 22).

Organisers described the venue as a “stunning airfield circuit” and said they were thrilled to bring their popular experience to West Wales.

Entertainment

Thousands mark 40 years of Pride in the Welsh capital

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff comes alive with colour, music, and celebration as Pride Cymru commemorates historic milestone

THOUSANDS of people took to the streets of Cardiff on Saturday (June 21) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the city’s first ever gay rights march.

The annual Pride Cymru parade brought a wave of colour and celebration to the capital as it made its way through the city centre, ending near Cardiff Castle.

This year’s event holds particular significance, marking four decades since LGBTQ+ campaigners first marched through Cardiff to demand equality and recognition.

Crowds gathered from early morning to cheer on the vibrant procession, which featured community groups, charities, drag queens, floats, and flag-waving supporters from across Wales and beyond.

Hundreds of people travelled up from Pembrokeshire to take part in the celebrations, arriving by bus, car, and train to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and mark this historic occasion.

Among the headline performers this weekend are singer Ella Henderson, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, and dance duo Booty Luv, entertaining festival-goers at the main stage.

Organisers say the event not only celebrates diversity but also reflects on how far the LGBTQ+ community has come in Wales since 1984 — while acknowledging the challenges that still remain.

The parade kicked off at 11:00am and continued throughout the day, with live music, speeches, and street parties across the city. Rainbow flags adorned shops and buildings as Cardiff stood united in a show of pride and solidarity.