Bill Hamblett’s father helped write the 1956 film script — and his childhood brought him into the orbit of Gregory Peck

THE MAN helping bring a giant lantern parade to life at Fishguard and Goodwick’s Ar Ymyl y Tir/On Land’s Edge Moby Dick-themed festival in September has a remarkable personal connection to the great white whale itself.

Bill Hamblett, director of Cardigan’s Small World Theatre, was a near-neighbour of Hollywood star Gregory Peck during his childhood in California. Even more unusually, Bill’s father, Charles Hamblett, was one of the screenwriters who helped shape John Huston’s classic 1956 film Moby Dick.

“Basically, dad was one of the guys employed to turn Herman Melville’s prose into screen dialogue,” said Bill, who has run Small World Theatre with his wife Ann since 2008.

“He’d decided to go from being a journalist and poet in the UK to trying to crack Hollywood.”

Bill remembers growing up in Santa Monica during the late 1950s and being aware of famous names passing through his family’s world — even if he didn’t fully understand their importance at the time.

“As a kid in Santa Monica I remember being dropped round at Gregory Peck’s house,” he said.

“And I’m pretty certain that John Huston’s daughter, Anjelica, came round to ours for my sister’s birthday party.

“But I’m afraid I don’t have strong memories of Gregory Peck – I wasn’t a particularly starstruck little boy!”

The experiences Charles Hamblett gained during the 1954 Moby Dick shoot off Fishguard later inspired him to write the surreal fantasy novel The Crazy Kill. In the book, Peck becomes ‘Gregory Pinch’ and Huston is reimagined as ‘John Simpson’, in a story that draws on real events but twists them into fiction.

“The Crazy Kill is essentially a pastiche of Moby Dick written in the slang of the 1950s,” Bill explained.

He added that his father’s life was filled with unusual encounters and unexpected chapters.

“You could say dad had a varied and interesting career – he used to hang out with Dylan Thomas, Brendan Behan and all those guys,” he said.

“He also dropped acid as part of the CIA’s secret experiments and later wrote an article about the experience.”

Charles Hamblett later teamed up with journalist and poet Jane Deverson to publish the influential 1964 book Generation X, exploring the emerging mod and beat youth culture.

For Bill, his father’s work remains a striking behind-the-scenes snapshot of the era — and a rare insight into how a major Hollywood production came to west Wales.

“The Crazy Kill’s insight into Huston and Peck is absolutely spot-on and a remarkable snapshot of how Hollywood came to west Wales to make a film about a whale in the middle of the ocean,” he said.

“Huston got that film completed through sheer grit, guts and tenacity and looking back it was a remarkable cinematic achievement – they lost three of those bloody model whales during the filming!”

Bill says it feels strange that, decades later, the story of Moby Dick has returned to his life through the festival.

“And, as a three-year-old child, I was on the periphery of it all,” he said.

“Now that I’m 73, Moby Dick is once again coming back into my life. I mean, you couldn’t make it up, could you?”

For more information about the Ar Ymyl y Tir/On Land’s Edge festival, visit onlandsedge.co.uk.

CAREW TIDAL MILL will offer free admission after 3:00pm on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, to mark National Mills Weekend.

The special offer gives visitors the chance to step inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most distinctive historic buildings and discover more about Wales’ only intact tidal mill.

For anyone who has enjoyed a walk around the Millpond but never been inside, the weekend provides an ideal opportunity to explore a rare piece of industrial heritage.

National Mills Weekend is the UK’s annual celebration of milling heritage, coordinated by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Each May, hundreds of windmills and watermills across the country open their doors to the public, helping to raise awareness of the importance of conserving these historic landmarks.

Grade II* listed Carew Tidal Mill is one of only five restored tidal mills in the UK and is regarded as a nationally significant survivor of early renewable industrial technology.

Although milling at the site ended in 1937, the original machinery remains in place, giving visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Visitors can explore the Mill’s history through interactive displays, exhibitions and audio commentary, learning how water power was harnessed for centuries as a source of sustainable energy.

Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, said: “Carew Tidal Mill is a remarkable example of Wales’ industrial heritage and an important reminder of how natural resources were once used to power local communities.

“National Mills Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors inside and share the story of this unique building.”

Free entry to Carew Tidal Mill will be available from 3:00pm to 4:30pm on both days. Last admission is at 4:30pm and the Mill closes at 5:00pm.

Free admission applies to the Mill only and does not include entry to Carew Castle.

Visitors are advised that access to the Tidal Mill is via steps.

More information is available at www.carewcastle.com.

WHILE the outcome of any slot machine is random and there’s no way to predict whether you will win or lose, there are a few factors that can affect how much or how often a slot machine pays out winnings. 

So, let’s take a deeper look at slot machine volatility and how it can affect the gaming experience for players. 

What is RTP?

Before we discuss volatility, it’s important to know another term: RTP. Return to player –  typically referred to as RTP – is the percentage of all bets returned to players over a certain period of time. 

Higher RTP slot machines generally provide better long-term value while lower RTP games favour the house more, but do tend to offer bigger jackpots and more engaging bonus features. 

How Volatility Affects Slot Machines

Volatility refers to how much and how often a game pays out winnings. Even if two slot machines have the same RTP, they may still have very different results if their volatility levels aren’t the same. NetBet casino, for example, has tons of games with the same RTP, but the outcome of each may still vary wildly because of their volatility – this is something to keep in mind when choosing a slot machine. 

Slots with high volatility pay out larger amounts less often, while slots with low volatility pay out more regularly, but in smaller amounts. This means long-term, they do have the same RTP, but from a short-term perspective, the upshot can be very different. 

How RTP and Volatility Can Affect Gameplay 

A game that pays out less frequently may sound less appealing, but for many people this just adds to the thrill of the game and makes winning feel more rewarding. Low RTP slots are typically more immersive and engaging too, catering to players who like a more stimulating gaming experience. Casual players, however, are more likely to favour the platforms that pay out more frequently.  

Choose Your Platform Wisely 

Before you even look at the games on offer, verifying the safety of your chosen casino is your primary priority. For those looking for online entertainment in Pembrokeshire, the relevant regulatory body is the UK Gambling Commission. You should only use platforms that hold a valid UKGC licence, as this ensures the operator follows strict consumer protection and fair play guidelines. Checking a site’s credentials takes only a few seconds: simply scroll to the footer of the webpage to find the UKGC logo and the operator’s account number. You can then search this number on the public register via the Gambling Commission website to confirm it is active.

Once you know the platform is regulated, you can start looking at your odds. While you cannot guarantee a win based on the Return to Player rate or volatility of a specific slot machine, understanding what these factors mean can help you make a more informed decision about which games suit your preferences.

The most important thing to remember is that no matter what kind of slot machine you choose, gambling responsibly is crucial. Slots are purely games of chance. Treat them as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money. Always set strict budgets, take regular breaks, and never chase your losses. By managing your time and spending carefully, you ensure your gaming remains a safe and enjoyable experience.