News

Hollywood stars in Pembroke

Published

9 years ago

May 3, 2016

RICHARD BURTON and Elizabeth Taylor may have portrayed a piece of history together in the epic 1963 film Cleopatra but they probably didn’t ever envision that more than fifty years later they would be portraying Tudors in Pembroke, the birthplace of Henry VII and the Tudor dynasty.

A refurbished Pembrokeshire eatery has made exactly that happen. The Dial Inn Hotel and Restaurant in Lamphey has incorporated these two truly iconic stars, as well as Britain’s own blonde bombshell Diana Dors, into their new bar area but yet still managed to ensure that the Tudor heritage of Pembroke is fully reflected in these new works of art.

Manager and art lover, George Hill (35), commissioned local artist Lee ‘Trashcan’ Minton (49), to paint portraits of the stars for three bar panels at the Inn, a quirky place renowned for its good food, character and beautiful décor.. The bar area already has three magnificent portraits of Henry VII, his wife Elizabeth of York, and the mother of Henry VII Margaret Beaufort, hanging proudly on the main wall. These are an immediate and striking feature for visitors entering the pub.

It was these three grand portraits that Pembroke based artist and tattoo artist Lee drew on for inspiration for his new portraits which he painted in acrylic on canvas. Lee has recreated his own version of the original Tudor portraits but has given them an intriguing twist by giving them with the faces of Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Dors. The transformation of the famous trio, who all have links to Wales, into Tudors, was unveiled this week and has already become a real talking point for customers of the Dial Inn.

George said, “The Dial Inn is proud to own these unique and cleverly constructed works of art. I commissioned Lee for the work because of his excellent reputation, but the portraits have completely exceeded my expectations. The response from our customers has been wonderful and I think they have encouraged everyone to want to learn more about the Tudors and their links to Pembroke”

Artist Lee, who also runs a tattoo studio on Main Street in Pembroke, is also delighted by the response so far. He said, “I really enjoyed the challenge of incorporating Hollywood icons into the theme of the pub and I am thrilled that George and his customers appreciate the twist I have given to the original Tudor portraits.”

The portraits are now on permanent display in the bar of The Dial Inn and somehow it seems fitting that the legendary stars are now permanently reunited in a way that is meaningful for Pembroke.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.