Entertainment

Wales risks long-term cultural damage without new law, warns commissioner

Published

2 weeks ago

February 25, 2026

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.

Entertainment

Evita delight for Milford Haven audiences

Published

3 hours ago

March 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD Haven Amateur Operatic Society received another standing ovation on Wednesday evening for its 2026 production of Evita at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.

The popular musical, featuring the iconic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been drawing enthusiastic audiences as the society brings to life the powerful and emotional story of Eva Perón’s rise to prominence as Argentina’s First Lady.

Special guests attended the performance, including Matt Hampson, representative for NODA Wales and Ireland, and the society’s newly elected President Mrs Marion Harris BEM.

They were welcomed at the theatre by Tanya Rendell, one of the performers taking on the role of Eva, alongside Lisa Jenkins, wardrobe mistress and committee member for the society.

***Performers bring the story of Eva Perón to life during Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Evita at the Torch Theatre (Pic: Supplied).***

The production has been warmly received by audiences, with the cast and crew rewarded with another standing ovation following Wednesday night’s performance.

Members of Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society thanked everyone who has supported the show so far and encouraged theatre-goers to come along for the remaining performances.

The production continues at the Torch Theatre this week, promising audiences a memorable evening of music, drama and storytelling as the remarkable life of Eva Perón unfolds on stage.

Cover image: Guests and society members gather at the Torch Theatre ahead of the latest performance of Evita (Pic: Supplied).

Entertainment

How the Cheltenham Festival Captivates Racing Fans Every Year

Published

2 days ago

March 10, 2026

Staff Writer

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest events in the horse racing industry, attracting thousands of attendees every year. But when and why did it become so popular? In this article, we’ll take a brief look at the Cheltenham Festival, including its history and rise to fame.

What is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is a popular annual horse racing event that spans four days in March. It’s held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and, over the course of the event, hundreds of millions of pounds are bet, making it one of the largest betting events in the jumping calendar.

History of the Cheltenham Festival

The festival loosely dates back to 1860, but it was known then as the Grand National Hunt Meeting and took place in several locations over the years. However, it was primarily held at Warwick Racecourse during this period. It wasn’t until 1911, after several upgrades to the racecourse, that the festival settled at Cheltenham, where it has remained ever since.

Growth in Popularity

Once the festival had found its permanent home at Cheltenham, traction rapidly increased, with several key milestones in particular contributing to its increasing popularity:

The introduction of the Gold Cup in 1924
Golden Miller success – between 1932 and 1936 the horse ‘Golden Miller’ won five consecutive Golden Cups, drawing considerable attention to the festival
Television coverage – in 1964, the BBC began covering the festival, opening it up to a much wider audience

But for the most part, its popularity comes down to the quality and competitiveness of the racing, and the atmosphere it generates. The ‘Cheltenham Roar’ simply can’t be replicated anywhere else, and allows for a truly unforgettable week of entertainment.

Races

The four day festival was originally just three days, but in 2005, a fourth day was added. The festival now consists of 28 races, which include both grade 1 hurdles and chase races.

Each day has its own theme:

Day 1: Champion Day
Day 2: Style Wednesday (Ladies Day)
Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday
Day 4: Gold Cup Day

Betting at Cheltenham

Horse racing and betting go hand in hand and the Cheltenham Festival is certainly no exception, marking the largest betting window in the racing calendar. The event is a significant time for bookies and punters alike, with most bettors turning to sites like oddschecker to make more informed decisions in an attempt to boost their chances of securing the record-breaking prize money.

Will You Be Watching?

The festival kicks off today with The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – will you be joining the thousands of other spectators watching?

Entertainment

Curtain rises tonight on ‘Evita’ for Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society

Published

3 days ago

March 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Local performers take to the stage at the Torch Theatre for opening night of the iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical.

MILFORD HAVEN AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY will raise the curtain tonight on its latest production at the Torch Theatre as the company presents the iconic musical vita.

After months of rehearsals, the cast, orchestra and backstage team are ready to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s epic story of Eva Perón to the stage. The production marks one of the society’s most ambitious shows to date, featuring powerful music, dynamic choreography and a talented local cast.

Members of the society say they are thrilled to finally welcome audiences for opening night and are looking forward to sharing the production with theatre-goers throughout the run.

The show opens this evening at the Torch Theatre, promising an evening of memorable music, drama and spectacle as Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society brings the legendary story of Evita to life.

Tickets are available here.