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Entertainment

History, quests and castle adventures this half-term at Carew Castle

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FAMILIES can look forward to a packed programme of history, hands-on activities and outdoor adventure at Carew Castle this May half-term.

From treasure hunts and medieval encampments to herbs, bats and siege engines, the programme offers plenty of ways to explore the Castle’s history and grounds in a fun and memorable way.

Running daily throughout the holiday, Time Traveller’s Quest invites visitors to step into the past on a self-led treasure hunt through the ages. Using a smart phone, families can journey from the Iron Age to the medieval and Elizabethan eras, and even into World War II, uncovering secrets hidden within the Castle walls.

The activity costs £2.50 per child, with normal admission fees applying.

Medieval action

From Sunday, May 24 to Tuesday, May 26, Bowlore: Legends of Bow and Blade returns with its medieval encampment, bringing sword fighting, archery and armour displays to the Castle grounds.

Visitors can take part in Sword School, try Have-a-Go Archery and handle authentic medieval weapons. Normal admission fees apply, with a small cash charge for some activities.

On Wednesday, May 27 at 2:30pm, visitors can watch the launch of the Giant Trebuchet, one of the Castle’s most dramatic demonstrations.

The huge medieval catapult once hurled stones at fortified walls with devastating force, offering a glimpse into the power and ingenuity of siege warfare.

Bats, herbs and family quests

Later that evening, Carew Castle will host a Night Bat Walk at 8:45pm, giving visitors the chance to discover the wildlife that emerges after dark.

Led by an expert guide and using bat detectors, the walk will explore why the Castle grounds are such an important haven for bats. Tickets cost £10 per person, spaces are limited and booking is essential.

For children who enjoy nature and crafts, Hooray for Herbs! takes place on Thursday, May 28 and Friday, May 29 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm.

Families can enjoy a short tour of the herb beds before gathering ingredients to make toothpaste, lemon balm tea and a traditional nosegay. The activity is free with normal Castle admission.

There is more hands-on fun on May 28 and 29, with Weapons and Armour drop-in sessions from 10:30am to 11:30am, where visitors can try on armour, lift a battle shield and long sword, and learn a few sword-fighting moves.

Later in the day, at 3:00pm, families can join Find the Key!, a guided quest to hunt for the one key that will unlock the treasure chest. Both activities are included free with normal admission.

Creative fun

The half-term programme ends on Saturday, May 30, when Magical Makes with Whimsical Wildlings takes over the Castle’s atmospheric undercroft.

Children can decorate their own crowns, swords, flags, mirrors and shields to take home, with prices starting from £2 per item. No booking is needed.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, said: “There’s a fantastic mix of activities at Carew Castle this half-term, from medieval action and family quests to nature experiences and creative crafts.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy time together, explore the Castle and discover something new.”

Visitors are advised that Carew Castle will close early on Saturday, May 23 for a private wedding. Last admission will be at 1:00pm and the Castle will close at 1:30pm. Carew Tidal Mill, the Gift Shop and Nest Tearoom will remain open as usual.

Nest Tearoom will also be open during the half-term holiday, serving light lunches, homemade cakes and Fairtrade coffee.

Some events have limited spaces or must be booked in advance. Further information is available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

 

Entertainment

Summer Feastival to bring food, music and family fun to Pembrey

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A WEEKEND of street food, live music, circus entertainment and family activities is heading to Pembrey Country Park this month.

Summer Feastival, organised by Street Food Circus, will take place from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, bringing what organisers describe as the “ultimate coastal foodie weekend” to Carmarthenshire.

The event will be held over the summer solstice weekend, with visitors able to enjoy food, entertainment and activities against the backdrop of Pembrey Country Park and the nearby eight-mile beach.

This year’s event includes a new BBC Horizons live music stage, created through a partnership with BBC Wales, showcasing emerging bands and artists from across Wales.

Families will also be able to enjoy the World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle, Attack! Mexican Wrestling, Chris Bullzini’s high wire show, the Incredibly Clever Canine Circus, a free circus school, craft activities with Let’s Make Art, crazy golf from Kiss My Putt, and Bull Axe Throwing.

There will also be an Indie Collectives market featuring Welsh independent makers and crafts, along with a Big Top Picnic celebrating local food producers.

As evening falls, the event will move into a more relaxed festival atmosphere, with live music, slower beats and a fire finale from the Pembrokeshire Fire Spinners.

Food will be at the heart of the weekend, with traders including The Dough Thrower, serving 72-hour fermented wood-fired pizzas, Pasta a Mano with handmade pasta from West Wales, Mar y Fuego with seafood cooked over fire, and Mabiko with Zimbabwean and South African dishes.

Other traders include The Queen Pepiada, TNT Tacos, Two Lads Kitchen, Burger Bros, Paletas, Poutine Punks, Churros Hermanos, Drizzle and The Coffee Shop.

Drinks will be provided by Tiny Rebel, SFC’s Bobo bar, Lola’s Cocktails and The Lemonade Stand.

Street Food Circus founder Matt ‘the Hat’ said: “Pembrey Country Park is our biggest event of the season, and it’s a truly spectacular location.

“We’re bringing the best of Welsh street food and a circus-full of entertainment and activities for kids and big kids alike.

“With an on-site campsite, people don’t have to rush home. You can have a beach stroll in the morning, explore the Feastival and park adventures like the toboggan, miniature railway or dry ski slope by day, and let the music drift you into a warm summer evening. It’s the ultimate summer escape.

“This year we are going all out with more food, more music, and a brand-new live stage.”

He said the event will also include the new Little Kooks Clwb, aimed at children who enjoy food-based activities.

Kids’ tickets are free, while an optional Little Kooks Clwb package includes an activity backpack with challenges, ideas and foodie inspiration to take home.

Summer Feastival runs at Pembrey Country Park from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21.

Opening hours are Friday 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 10:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am to 7:00pm.

Tickets start at £9.50, with children admitted free. More information is available at streetfoodcircus.co.uk.

 

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Entertainment

BBC Cymru Wales launches new fund for YouTube-first content

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BBC Cymru Wales has launched a new development fund aimed at creating bold, original factual entertainment content for younger digital audiences.

The Format Fund will support five independent production companies, with each receiving £7,000 to develop an original pilot designed specifically for YouTube-first viewers aged 16 to 24.

The initiative is intended to encourage creative risk-taking and explore what the next generation of factual entertainment could look like in a digital-first media landscape.

BBC Cymru Wales says it is looking for ideas that move away from traditional television production models and instead embrace YouTube-native storytelling, with clear concepts, strong pacing, repeatable formats and striking visuals that quickly capture attention.

Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales said: “As part of a busy summer of piloting and commissioning YouTube content of all shapes and sizes across scripted and unscripted we’re delighted to be heading into this super fun genre.

“We’d love to be in a world where we can scale up these fact-ent pilots into something for the whole of the BBC to enjoy – wishing everyone all the best as they get stuck into it.”

Successful ideas could be developed further with BBC Cymru Wales, with the potential to become returning digital series.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday, July 3.

 

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Entertainment

Duffy set for secret comeback gig after 15 years away from UK stage

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WELSH singer Duffy is set to make her live UK comeback with a secret London show, more than 15 years after her last concert appearance in Britain.

The Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Aimee Anne Duffy, revealed the news to fans in an Instagram story, confirming that the intimate performance will take place on July 5.

Duffy wrote: “I’m doing a secret intimate gig in London on the 5th July, next month, and I would love nothing more than for some of you to attend.

“It’s only small capacity so we can only select a few, but really looking forward to it, I will sing some new songs.

“All my love, Duffy x.”

The performance will include new material and marks her first UK live show since December 2010, when she appeared at Capital FM’s Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena in London.

Duffy became one of Wales’ biggest music stars following the release of her debut album Rockferry, which was powered by the hit single Mercy. The song topped the UK charts for five weeks and helped establish her internationally.

Her second album, Endlessly, followed in 2010, but she later withdrew from public life.

Years later, Duffy revealed that she had been drugged, raped and held captive, explaining her long absence from the music industry.

Her return to the stage comes shortly after confirmation that she will feature in a new Disney+ documentary, which will explore her rise to fame, her life in Wales, her career, and the traumatic events that led to her stepping away from the spotlight.

Duffy also has strong links to Pembrokeshire. After her parents divorced, she moved with her mother and two sisters to Letterston, near Fishguard.

She later attended Sir Thomas Picton School in Haverfordwest, where she completed her GCSEs before returning to North Wales to live with her father.

 

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