One of the UK’s most successful soul and acid jazz bands – The Brand New Heavies – will be performing at this year’s Ascona Group Child of Wales Awards.

They will be headlining the red carpet-style evening on October 2 at the Swansea Building Society Arena, with sponsors firmly on board for its milestone fifth year.

The announcement comes at a time when a number of live events across the UK are facing cancellation due to sponsorship shortfalls, making the continued growth of the Welsh awards even more significant.

Rising to prominence in the 1990s with hits including Midnight at the Oasis, Dream On Dreamer and Never Stop, The Brand New Heavies have sold millions of records worldwide and remain one of Britain’s most recognisable live soul acts. But their influence extends well beyond their own releases. Grammy-winning producer Mark Ronson has credited the band with shaping his early musical direction, describing their impact on his career as transformative.

BBC TV presenter Gethin Jones will be returning for the fifth time as host of the annual black-tie awards, which recognise the remarkable achievements and courage of children and young people from across Wales.

He will be joined by 700 guests, including winners and their families, sponsors, celebrities, sporting stars, influencers and members of the media, who will hear the winners’ stories and see The Brand New Heavies perform.

Founder and organiser Blanche Sainsbury said, “Reaching our fifth year feels incredibly special and to have sold every table so far in advance, while welcoming The Brand New Heavies to help us celebrate, is both humbling and heartwarming.

“What began as a vision to recognise extraordinary young people has grown into something woven into the fabric of Welsh business and community life and we’re deeply grateful to our sponsors, many of whom have supported us since the beginning, and to the new businesses joining us this year.

“At a time when events across the UK are facing uncertainty, the continued backing we receive here in Wales speaks volumes about the commitment to celebrating and investing in our young people.”

Headline sponsor Ascona Group returns for 2026, alongside a strong line-up of corporate partners including Azets, BDP Wales, Blue Tiger, Bluestone Wales, Browne Jacobson, Cariad Occasions, Castell Howell, CJCH Solicitors, Gower College, Green Hat Consulting, JCP Solicitors, LBS Building Merchants, Lunar 3D, Owens Group, Route Media, Simply Elegant, Sinclair Group, Swansea Building Society, Swansea City FC, Team Wales, Thomas Carroll, Trade Centre Wales, Ultra Evo Group and Westacres. The awards choir will once again be led by Mark Jermin.

Nominations for the 2026 awards opened in January and organisers say they have already received powerful and inspiring stories from across Wales. The nominations window remains open until June 30, and members of the public are encouraged to put forward someone they believe deserves recognition.To nominate, visit: Nominate | Child of Wales Awards.

A POWERFUL new youth theatre production inspired by the shocking felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree is taking to the stage at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre this week, with support from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

The famous tree, which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, made headlines worldwide in 2023 after it was illegally cut down, sparking outrage across the UK and beyond. That real-life event now forms the backdrop to Torch Youth Theatre’s spring production, which explores themes of community, responsibility and environmental connection.

Young performers from across Pembrokeshire will bring the story to life, combining humour with more serious reflections on friendship, conflict and the pressures facing young people today.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch Theatre said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority on this production. Their support is invaluable, and we cannot wait to see our young actors blossom on stage. Anyone familiar with the Torch Theatre Youth Theatre knows we exist to celebrate young people and the incredible things they are capable of.

“Youth Theatre is about so much more than the final performance; it’s a safe space for difficult conversations. We’ve tackled topics like toxic relationships and the reach of online influencers head-on, and seeing our cast transform these real-world challenges into art has been a massive boost for their confidence and mental health. But don’t be deceived — it isn’t all heavy. There are moments of genuine humour throughout. After all, young people know better than anyone exactly when the only thing left to do is laugh.”

The National Park Authority said it was proud to support the production, describing the original Sycamore Gap tree as a symbol shared across the UK’s protected landscapes.

Marie Parkin, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “As an organisation we were deeply saddened by the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree. For generations, it stood not only as an iconic feature of Northumberland National Park, but as a powerful symbol within the wider family of UK National Parks of the beauty, history and shared heritage that bind our protected landscapes together.

“The public response to its felling demonstrated the strength of feeling people have for these treasured landscapes and the vital role they play in supporting mental health, cultural identity and community connection.

“The Youth Theatre production is a fantastic way of raising awareness and understanding of our National Parks and the issues surrounding the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree, and we’re delighted to be supporting the show.

“We very much look forward to joining Youth Theatre members in the coming months to plant a sapling of the Sycamore Gap tree in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park — a powerful sign of hope, resilience and our shared commitment to nurturing the next generation’s connection to nature.”

As the story unfolds on stage, audiences are invited to consider questions of accountability and truth, as tensions rise, friendships are tested and long-held grudges emerge. Will the police uncover what happened first, or will members of the Eco-club get there ahead of them?

Torch Youth Theatre presents Al Smith’s Sycamore Gap this February as part of the National Theatre’s NT Connections programme.

Sycamore Gap runs at the Torch Theatre from Wednesday (Feb 25) to Friday (Feb 27), 2026. Tickets are £10 (£8 concessions). For more information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk
or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

WALES risks suffering “long-term damage” to its cultural life unless the next Welsh Government introduces new legislation to protect the sector, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales has warned.

Derek Walker said falling funding levels and growing inequality of access were pushing culture towards crisis, with the potential to undermine Welsh identity, language and community cohesion for future generations.

The warning comes as a new Green Paper report highlights how sustained financial pressures have reduced provision, increased job insecurity and limited opportunities to take part in cultural activities across Wales.

Mr Walker is calling for a dedicated Culture Bill to place culture on a statutory footing — similar to protections already in place for the Welsh language and active travel — ensuring public bodies prioritise cultural wellbeing in decision-making.

Funding pressures and inequality

Since the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act was passed, public funding for culture has fallen by around 17%, according to the Commissioner’s office.

Mr Walker warned that without intervention Wales could face a “two-tier” system in which access to cultural opportunities depends increasingly on income or location.

He said: “Without decisive action, we risk long-term damage to a sector that contributes £1.64 billion to our economy each year and supports 37,000 jobs.

“Culture is not just about performances and institutions; it is the stories, places and traditions that bind us together as a nation and shape how future generations understand what it means to be Welsh.

“Seven in ten people in Wales take part in arts and cultural activities. This is not a niche issue — it is integral to our daily lives, our mental and physical wellbeing, and our sense of belonging.”

Calls for legal protection

The proposal builds on recommendations made in the Future Generations Report 2025, which urged Welsh Government to introduce a Culture Bill during the next Senedd term between 2026 and 2030.

Jane Richardson, Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, told the Senedd’s Culture Committee that legislation should focus on public access rather than institutions themselves.

She said: “A Culture Act isn’t about protecting institutions of Wales. It’s about safeguarding the cultural access and enjoyment of Wales within the context of future generations.”

International experts have also supported the approach. Alexandra Xanthaki, United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, said embedding cultural rights in law would help ensure both dominant and marginalised communities could participate fully in decision-making.

Next steps

The Commissioner is inviting public bodies, organisations, businesses and communities to respond to the Green Paper findings before a deadline of April 1.

A practical guide for public bodies on working with freelancers in the cultural sector has also been published to support the initiative.

Mr Walker said legislation would help ensure culture is treated as essential infrastructure rather than an optional extra.