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.

A NEW theatre production exploring the joys, pressures and complexities of modern motherhood in Pembrokeshire is set to premiere in Haverfordwest next month.

Pembrokeshire writer Ceri Ashe, known for Bipolar Me, 99er, Farmers Townies & Grocles, has teamed up with comedy writer-producer Angharad Tudor to create Enjoy Every Minute / Joia Bob Munud, a community-rooted performance commissioned by SPAN Arts and Unlimited.

The project grew out of the pair’s own experiences of motherhood and mental health, and began with a series of creative workshops held in 2025 for mothers of children aged four and under. Thirteen free places were offered to local mums with no previous creative experience, with weekly sessions taking place at Milford Haven Library and the Pill Social Centre.

Participants took part in poetry, storytelling, singing and movement sessions, with children welcome but the focus firmly on giving mothers time to explore their own creativity and wellbeing.

Ceri Ashe and Angharad Tudor said: “While we valued mother-and-baby groups, we felt something was missing in Pembrokeshire — a space for mums to explore creativity, connect honestly, and take time for themselves. To see it grow into a fully-fledged creative project rooted in the community has been a true pinch-me moment for us both.”

The resulting stage production features a cast of professional Pembrokeshire actors including Anna Monro, Anna Collcyz, Maya Jones, Tessa Ryan, Ceri Ashe, Cathy Davies and Janine Grayshon, alongside a chorus of community singers.

Alternative lyrics to well-known nursery rhymes — written by mothers who took part in the workshops — form part of the performance, capturing the humour and realities of parenting life.

The show blends poetry, storytelling, music and physical performance, aiming to offer an honest and heartfelt portrayal of motherhood while celebrating resilience and community connection.

A British Sign Language-interpreted performance will take place during the 4:00pm showing.

• Creative team:
• Director: Ceri Ashe
• Assistant Director: Siobhan McGovern
• Musical Director: Sara Benbow
• Movement Director: Tessa Ryan

The performances will take place at Albany Hall in Haverfordwest on Saturday, March 14, with shows at 12:00pm and 4:00pm. The production runs for approximately ninety minutes.

Tickets operate on a pay-what-you-can basis starting at £5, with free tickets available for carers.

SPAN Arts, a Narberth-based community arts charity with more than thirty years of work in Pembrokeshire, commissioned the production as part of the Unlimited Partner Commissions programme, supported by National Lottery Awards for All funding.

For tickets and information visit span-arts.org.uk or call 01834 869323.