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The Pembrokeshire Murders: Episode 3 review

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TONIGHT, Wednesday January 13, sees the third and final part of The Pembrokeshire Murders air.

From the opening scene, it’s clear that Wilkins needs to act fast to cage Cooper.

Pat’s death is described as natural from the get-go, but theories will no doubt talk about how ‘Cooper must have done it’. He didn’t.

Her passing weighs heavily on Wilkins’ shoulders, you see that when he breaks the news to Andrew and it could be argued that her passing gives the team that extra bit of energy to finally see Cooper caged for his crimes.
11 minutes into the final part, Wilkins gets his ‘Golden Nugget’, Peter Dixon’s blood is found on John’s bathers after the hem is unpicked, they also find a hair from the Dixon’s daughter.

They’ve got him.

Luke Evans’ restrained joy boils over as he gleefully tells the DNA expert that he bloody loves her and that moment of relief is palpable for Wilkins who can now see the end in sight.
Within 120 seconds, we see Cooper collared by police for his crimes and literally dragged off kicking, screaming and swearing as his scheming is finally brought to an end, although it wasn’t filmed in Letterston where it took place in reality.

Caroline Berry as Pat Cooper (L) and Oliver Ryan as Andrew Cooper (R)

The scene where they find Cooper has tooled himself back up to, we assume, kill again, felt a tad unbelievable, a stretch too far even.
I didn’t particularly enjoy how stupid it made the cunning, clever Cooper seem when the race had already been run and I wasn’t entirely sure it served much of a purpose besides showing us how close the writers think Cooper was to killing again. I didn’t believe this scene was based on fact, until I got told by a friend that it was! I couldn’t believe Cooper didn’t know when to call it a day, unless by that point he genuinely felt he had nothing to lose.

It does however set up the face-off between Wilkins and Cooper that we’ve been waiting for 2 days to see.
The battle of the fathers takes place with Wilkins barely saying a word for the first few questions, but his triumphant gaze at Cooper, who now clings to his ‘ask Adrian’ defence, tells you everything you need to know about the calmness of Wilkins character and Luke Evans, again, plays this scene subtley, Allen’s Cooper though is rebellious to the end.
The victims of the Nolton Hill Estate attack get their chance at closure, their dreadful experiences have been somewhat under-mentioned so it felt rewarding to see a human reaction to part of Cooper’s crimes that are easily overshadowed by the double murders, but shouldn’t be forgotten.
As we hurtle towards the end, we see Wilkins steeling Andrew Cooper up to testify at John’s trial by video-link in a scene that, once again, shows the two standout actors of this production at their very best.
A non-threatening but righteous Wilkins coaxes Andrew into doing the right thing in a touching scene where Andrew finally gets the support he’s been lacking, only this support comes from the Police, not his family as he so dearly craved.

Cooper trips himself up in spectacular fashion during the trial as he’s forced to either admit lying to the court previously, or lying to the court now.
That moment, for me, secured his conviction as he’s finally left speechless and, to be honest, a tad pathetic.
Allen nails Cooper’s outburst as he’s taken down and that anger kicks in as he swears at the judge and finally disappears from view to spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The Pembrokeshire Murders ends with Wilkins’ son deciding to become a Policeman like his dad and the battle of the fathers is over.
Andrew Cooper hated his dad and wanted to be nothing like him, Steve Wilkins son ends up deciding to be more like his father so Steve Wilkins wins the day. Bravo!

‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ is a story we’ve seen on countless cop shows for years. A cold case, a disgruntled cop with a chequered past is brought in to find the truth, through the course of the story he discovers the truth and in doing so mends himself and the lives of those around him.
It’s nothing special.
Until you factor in the true story elements, the superb performances and, to be frank, the local setting. If this was called ‘The Lancashire Murders’ I dare say that maybe I wouldn’t be as forgiving with the misfires as I am with this.

A great adaptation of a meaty story that does what it can with a story seen a thousand times before, the performances of Luke Evans, Keith Allen, Alexandria Riley, Oliver Ryan and Caroline Berry bring real heart and soul and set this apart from the rest. 4/5

Check out this weeks Herald where we’ll be taking another look at a confusing local double murder some say bares all the hallmarks of John Cooper….

Entertainment

John Singer Sargent’s ‘Fashion & Swagger’ to light up the Torch

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IN an unparalleled celebration of one of the late 19th century’s most revered portrait artists, the Torch Theatre is set to host “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” on Tuesday, 16 April, at 7:30 pm. This innovative exhibition, brought to life by Exhibition on Screen, delves into the remarkable artistry of John Singer Sargent, whose portraits are celebrated for their intricate depiction of his subjects’ persona, attire, and the subtleties of their presentation.

The event promises an insightful exploration of Sargent’s influence on modern art, culture, and fashion, featuring interviews with a diverse group of curators, contemporary fashion icons, and style influencers. Filmed at prestigious venues like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Tate Britain in London, the exhibition unveils Sargent’s extraordinary ability to capture the essence of his subjects’ identities, social standings, and the complexities of gender through his art during a pivotal time of cultural transformation.

Phil Grabsky, one of the producers behind this compelling film, shared his enthusiasm for spotlighting Sargent’s genius, stating, “As filmmakers, both director David Bickerstaff and I have been thrilled to make this film about Sargent, someone I consider a truly astounding artist.” Grabsky further reflected on the curious case of Sargent’s fading recognition despite his once-celebrated status and affirmed Exhibition on Screen’s commitment to revitalizing interest in artists who deserve renewed attention.

The exhibition promises a fascinating juxtaposition of over 50 of Sargent’s paintings with authentic items of clothing and accessories donned by his subjects, offering audiences a unique passage into the artist’s creative realm. It underscores how Sargent’s subjects, often hailing from affluent backgrounds, entrusted him with their public images — a theme that resonates with the ongoing dialogue around the construction of identity in the public eye.

Tickets for “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” are available for £13. Those interested can secure their spots by visiting www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contacting the Box Office at 01646 695267.

For further details and imagery, or to arrange press inquiries, please reach out to Anwen Francis (Marketing, Press & Communications) via email at [email protected] or phone at 07854 772640.

ENDS

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Breeding male sloth ‘Casa’ Nova joins the Folly Farm family

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FOLLY FARM has welcomed another sloth to its expanding zoo family, in the form of adorable two-year old male sloth, Nova, bringing its number of sloths up to four!

Linne’s two toed sloth Nova, arrived from Hamerton Park Zoo in Cambridgeshire, as part of the European Breeding Programme for the species. He was born to parents ‘Vee’ and ‘Snuffles’ in November 2021, and as a young male, he has joined young female ‘Button’, who arrived at the zoo last Summer, to make a breeding pair. So, the pitter patter of tiny, two-toed claws could be within Folly Farm’s reach in the coming years!

Nova and Button have been getting acquainted in the Sloth Forest exhibit within Tropical Trails, where they will reside alongside a variety of rare and beautiful birds. But in typical sloth fashion, their union is very much taken at a slow and steady pace. Sloths reach sexual maturity between three and five years old, and with both youngsters currently being just two years old – keepers may have to be patient for a while yet. But to potentially welcome the next generation of sloths as a breeding centre for the species in the future is a very exciting prospect for species – and for the award-winning zoo!

Folly Farm Zookeeper Kim Cartwright enthused; “We’re so excited to have welcomed a breeding pair of sloths at the zoo within such a short space of time as part of a managed breeding programme. Nova has settled into his new home really well and seems pretty chilled, enjoying some sweet potato treats and regular naps. He’s already met our breeding female Button and we’re keeping everything crossed that he’ll be her “Casa” Nova – and we’ll be welcoming some sloth cubs in the future!”

Sloth Keeper at Hamerton, Cathy Evans said: “Nova has very much inherited the best of both his parents with mum Vee’s good looks and dad Snuffle’s easy-going nature. He’s been a firm favourite with visitors and keepers whilst he’s lived here at the park, especially as he often enjoyed napping on his feed dish at the front of the enclosure right on view! This lovely character will be missed by his keepers but we are delighted to hear he’s settling into his new home well and we wish him and Button all the best in their future pairing.”

Folly Farm is also home to elderly sloth residents Tuppee and Lightcap who are enjoying their twilight years in their more peaceful enclosure in Tropical Trails, away from the youngsters. Tuppee is around 30 years old and Lightcap is one of the oldest sloths in European zoos at around 41 years old! So not only is the zoo providing care for the older residents at its sloth ”retirement home”, it’s hoping this new breeding pair will bring a new lease of life into Tropical Trails with a “sloth nursery” for the species!

For more information on days out at Folly Farm, visit the website www.folly-farm.co.uk, search Folly Farm on Facebook @FollyFarm. Check out Instagram or X @FollyFarmWales and follow @follyfarmwalesofficial on TikTok.

You can adopt sloths at Folly Farm via their website at:
https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/adopt-an-animal/sloth-adoption/

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How to spend your weekend in the UK: Fun things to do 

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EVERY avid tourist or explorer should visit the UK at least once. Why? This region is home to some of the most coveted sites in the world, ranging from Stonehenge to Buckingham Palace. Each year, millions of people visit the UK just to explore these exceptional places. You should do the same—the experience will provide you with memories you’ll cherish forever. 

As you also know, visiting different hotspots scattered across the UK can expose you to boredom and exhaustion. But you can keep your spirits up by visiting reputable online casinos with the best slots and welcome bonuses. The freebies you’ll receive from these platforms will allow you to play thrilling games and stay entertained, especially when traveling for extended periods becomes unavoidable. 

Here is a list of a few activities that can make your UK trip worthwhile. 

  • Visit the Best Land-Based Casinos 

The UK is home to many glamorous gambling establishments. The biggest, and arguably the most popular, is the Hippodrome Casino. Before becoming a casino, this establishment was a comedy theater that later transformed into a nightclub, circus, etc. You should check out this historic landmark. 

Other casinos that you should consider visiting include Rialto, Grosvenor, Empire, and Bally. Visit them and play one or two of your favorite gambling games. While doing so, prioritize responsible gaming to avoid negative consequences like immense financial losses. 

  • Explore the Giant’s Causeway 

The Giant’s Causeway is a marvel of nature. It was formed by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption that happened over 60 million years ago. The process started when Ireland and North America were still attached. As of today, The Giant’s Causeways is made up of approximately 40,000 interlinked basalt columns. 

Your trip to the Giant’s Causeway should cover a few must-see spots. First, if you are a massive Game of Thrones (GOT) fan, stop by filming hotspots like the Cushendun Caves, where the Red Priestess and Davos Seaworth came ashore. Don’t forget to check out The Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbor, and the Old Bushmills Distillery. 

  • Pay Reverence to Stonehenge 

Stonehenge is an infamous tourist destination in the UK. Locals and tourists often visit this place because it’s associated with many exciting myths. Some believe Merlin, a powerful wizard prominent in Arthurian legend, created it. Others believe Stonehenge is a teleportation port that can be opened with magic spells. 

Don’t conclude your UK trip without visiting the infamous Stonehenge. And don’t limit yourself to the popular stones alone. Check out other hotspots in this region, including Bluestone Vineyards and The Salisbury Museum. 

  • Check Out Buckingham Palace 

The prestigious Buckingham Palace was built in 1705 and has acted as the official residence for UK sovereigns since then. Countless revered figures have lived in this location for many years, from Queen Victoria and Edward VII to King George V and George IV. 

If visiting Buckingham Palace isn’t included in your itinerary, add it today. Once you get there, ensure you explore the Front Façade, view the Queen’s Gallery, and see the changing of the guard. 

Conclusion 

A complete UK trip should include visits to infamous destinations like Stonehenge, the Bucking Palace, and Giant’s Causeway. You shouldn’t ignore glamorous establishments like the Hippodrome and Bally, which have made gambling a thriving industry in the United Kingdom. 

If you have yet to go sightseeing in the US, add it to your bucket list. Remember to include the destinations reviewed here on your list of must-visit places. Happy travels! 

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