Entertainment
Manor Wildlife Park welcomes four critically endangered moon bears

FOUR Asian black bears, also known as moon bears, have today (27 June) arrived in Wales for the very first time — ahead of their new chapter at Manor Wildlife Park, Tenby.
The species is critically endangered due to a combination of habitat loss, poaching and illegal wildlife trade — with more than 10,000* moon bears estimated to still be held in bile farms in Asia alone.
But thanks to conservation efforts, Martha, Irene, Gigi (eleven) and Coco (nine) will now call the Moon Forest at Manor Wildlife Park home — complete with bear-shaped swimming pool; enormous climbing frames and hammocks; and plenty of hiding places.
What’s more, in a world first, two tunnels have been built linking the bears and tigers’ enclosures — allowing the species to swap into each other’s domains for enrichment purposes, in future.
Anna Ryder Richardson, owner of Manor Wildlife Park, said: “We are beyond thrilled to welcome our newest residents — four magnificent moon bears — to the park.
“These charismatic creatures, with their striking crescent-shaped chest markings and playful personalities, have already stolen the hearts of our team. We can’t wait for visitors to meet them in due course, and learn more about their journey and the vital work being done to protect the species in the wild.
“Their arrival marks an exciting new chapter in our mission to educate the public about endangered wildlife and support global conservation efforts. And with further new arrivals also anticipated in our tiger and red panda enclosures very soon, we have a very busy and exciting summer ahead!”
Asian black bears are native to 18 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India and Japan, and are known for their distinct V-shaped chest marking and white patch on their chin.
Adult females typically weigh between 65 and 90 kilograms, with a life expectancy of up to 25 years. And whilst there are no immediate plans to breed from the bears, the wildlife park may be advised to do so in future, by the wider breeding programme they are a part of.
Matt Hunt, CEO of Free the Bears — the charity which has helped rescue and rehabilitate over 1,000 of the world’s most vulnerable bears — added: “Free the Bears works with communities, schools and organisations across Asia to change attitudes and raise awareness of the wildlife trade. We also work with government, law enforcement agencies and other charities to create and implement a framework to combat wildlife traders.
“Despite each country facing a unique set of challenges and issues to overcome, and combined with the conservation efforts of wildlife parks like Anna’s, we will continually strive to achieve our mission of protecting, preserving and enriching the lives of bears throughout the world.”
Later this year, Anna plans to host a teddy bear’s picnic event at Manor Wildlife Park, with all funds raised to go towards Free the Bears’ essential work.
Tickets for Manor Wildlife Park can be purchased via the website. To stay up to date with the bears’ progress in the meantime, follow Manor Wildlife Park on Facebook and Instagram.
Entertainment
DJ Yoda brings the ’80s back to life at The Queens Hall, Narberth

Legendary scratch DJ to perform ‘80s Mixtape Live on Saturday 22 November 2025
AWARD-WINNING turntablist DJ Yoda is heading to Narberth this autumn for a night of pure nostalgia, bringing his acclaimed DJ Yoda’s ’80s Mixtape Live to The Queens Hall on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Known for his innovative audio-visual mashups, Duncan Beiny—better known as DJ Yoda—will take audiences on a journey through pop culture’s most iconic decade. Expect a wild mix of classic hip-hop, chart-toppers, retro video games, vintage movie clips and everything in between, all delivered in his signature glitched-out style.
From A-Ha to Alan Partridge, this is no ordinary DJ set. It’s a live performance of the mixtape that started it all—How To Cut & Paste: 80s Edition—celebrating 25 years since its original release.
A pioneer of modern turntablism, DJ Yoda has spent more than three decades performing around the world, from global festivals to exclusive venues. Named “one of the 10 DJs to see before you die” by Q Magazine, he’s collaborated with artists ranging from Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg to Damon Albarn, Diplo and Mark Ronson. In 2015, he was one of a select group of performers invited to appear at Banksy’s infamous Dismaland.
Whether you lived through the ‘80s or just love the sound and style of the era, DJ Yoda’s 80s Mixtape Live promises a high-energy, genre-defying experience not to be missed.
Tickets are available now at thequeenshall.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01834 861212.

Entertainment
Torch Theatre welcomes new community reviewer Emma Cox

Pembrokeshire graduate brings passion for arts, music and storytelling to the role
THE TORCH THEATRE has announced the newest addition to its team of Community Reviewers — Pembrokeshire native and recent Bath Spa University graduate, Emma Cox.
A former pupil of Pembroke School, Emma holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism and Publishing and brings with her a unique blend of creativity, cultural insight and musical curiosity. Deeply rooted in Pembrokeshire and driven by a lifelong passion for the arts — especially music — Emma is excited to lend her voice to the Torch’s programme of live performance, film, and music events.
“The Torch is a huge part of the creative life of Pembrokeshire,” she said. “It helps keep local arts and culture thriving, and it’s incredibly exciting to be even a small part of that.”
Emma’s interest in storytelling has always gone hand in hand with her love of music, particularly the raw energy and cultural dynamism of 1970s rock and soul. She said: “I’ve always been drawn to the music of the ’70s — it’s an era full of experimentation, honesty, and cultural shift. That really shows up in both the music and the films of the time. I find it endlessly inspiring.”
During her degree, Emma built a wide-ranging creative portfolio, writing on topics including fashion, culture, international affairs, and the arts. Her work has explored the influence of music and subcultures, including the emergence of a new wave of punk in Pembrokeshire, where local bands and young people are reviving the spirit of early punk to address today’s social issues.
She has also contributed to projects linked with Bristol Pride and Bath Carnival, and taken part in wider conversations around media representation and diversity. Through social media marketing and magazine design, Emma developed a passion for the evolving role of creative platforms in shaping public discourse.
“I see publishing as a powerful storytelling tool — one that continues to evolve alongside digital platforms and social change,” she said.
As she embarks on her new role, Emma aims to bring a fresh, music-loving perspective to her reviews, combining thoughtful critique with an eye for the cultural and creative significance of each performance.
“This is a new venture for me,” she said. “While I polish my reviewer’s voice, I hope to bring you along for the ride with thoughtful and exciting reviews.”
Entertainment
Flu-like outbreak forces Eisteddfod cancellation amid public health scare

Emergency declared as festival-goers fall ill — site cleared to reopen Thursday
THE LLANGOLLEN International Musical Eisteddfod was forced to cancel its headline event on Wednesday evening (July 9) after a sudden outbreak of illness prompted the Welsh Ambulance Service to declare an extraordinary incident.
Multiple attendees fell ill with flu-like symptoms, leading to the cancellation of the evening concert — which was set to feature Sir Karl Jenkins conducting One World, his symphonic celebration of peace.
Festival organisers said the nature and scale of the incident meant it was the first time in the Eisteddfod’s history an event had been cancelled in this way.
A spokesperson confirmed: “Following Public Health Wales advice, the incident related to a flu-like outbreak and affected multiple people at one time. We take the safety of our audience, performers and volunteers extremely seriously.”
Medical teams on site were supported by the Welsh Ambulance Service, who confirmed the declaration of a public health incident due to the number of people affected simultaneously.
The festival had been running as normal throughout the day, with over 4,000 performers from 35 countries taking part in cultural performances, parades, and competitions.
Just hours before the cancellation, organisers had sent out a schedule for what was expected to be the busiest day of the event so far, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
Despite the disruption, organisers have now confirmed that the site has been declared safe to reopen on Thursday (10 July) from 9:00am.
“We are pleased to report our site has been cleared to reopen,” the Eisteddfod said in a further statement issued late Wednesday evening.
No further details have been released about the cause of the illness, but Public Health Wales is continuing to monitor the situation.
The Herald understands that stewards, medical staff and volunteers acted quickly and professionally to contain the incident and support those who were unwell.
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