Entertainment

The Pembrokeshire Murders: Episode 3 review

Published

4 years ago

January 13, 2021

Andy Chandler

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

Anna Ryder Richardson roars back to Manor Wildlife Park after six-year break

Published

23 hours ago

October 4, 2024

Luke Sinclair

ANNA RYDER RICHARDSON, the celebrity founder of Pembrokeshire’s Manor Wildlife Park, has returned to lead the zoo after a six-year hiatus. Her comeback follows widespread speculation about her involvement with the park, which she and her ex-husband, Colin MacDougall, purchased and transformed in 2008.

Ryder Richardson, a former TV presenter and interior designer, stepped away from the park in 2018 after her divorce. The couple had invested heavily in redeveloping the once-dilapidated site into a popular family attraction, including the construction of a £300,000 rhino house and the introduction of various species such as lions, zebras, and parrots.

In a statement, Ryder Richardson expressed her enthusiasm for her return. “I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park,” she said.

She further highlighted her commitment to the local community, saying: “Starting with our locals, who have supported us since 2008 when I bought the park, with the park being open all year round. I would love to open up conversations with schools and groups of all ages, from toddlers, teens, and the elderly, to find out how we can tailor days to suit them.”

Manor Wildlife Park is preparing to mark two significant events today, 4th October—World Animal Day and the birthday of its white rhino, Zamba. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take part in the celebrations and support the park’s ongoing conservation efforts.

Ryder Richardson had previously spoken to the Daily Mail about her decision to step away, stating that the “stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage.” Despite the personal challenges, her passion for the animals and the park has brought her back to continue its development.

For more details about Manor Wildlife Park or to make group bookings, visit their official website or email [email protected].

Entertainment

Get ready to power-up: ‘Dubtendo’ lands at ‘Eddie’s Rocks’

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

Luke Sinclair

Hold on to your Mario hats, Pembrokeshire! After years of waiting, the kingdom is about to power-up with the most exciting event in ages—Dubtendo is landing in Haverfordwest, and it’s bringing the nostalgia and rave energy back to West Wales in a way we haven’t seen in years. On Saturday, December 14th, get ready to level up your night at Eddie’s as the retro gaming vibes, giant Mario Kart battles, and a high-energy music lineup will have you screaming Lessagoooo!

But here’s the scoop: Dubtendo’s humble beginnings were right here in West Wales, starting in the student haven of Aberystwyth, where it first took its fans on a journey through beats and retro gaming sillyness. However, it’s been years since this iconic experience has made its way back to these shores, and this return promises to be bigger and bolder than ever!

The lineup is a true Super Smash, featuring Badger, Diagnostix, Local (Live), and the Dubtendo Allstars, along with a crew of local DJs and artists ready to bring the party to life. And if you’re a fan of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat—the Retro Games Lounge is set to take you on a trip down memory lane, with Giant Mario Kart races, performers, and epic decor to immerse you in a pixel-perfect wonderland.

It’s been a long wait, but West Wales is finally getting its 1-Up! So, grab your mates, hit the “start” button, and power up for a night to remember. Tickets are available now, and with this lineup, they’ll go faster than a blue shell on the final lap!

🎟️ Tickets are available here

Get ready to mash those buttons, because this Dubtendo is going to be game-changing! 🍄

MORE INFO ON DUBTENDO HERE:

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Entertainment

Get ready for a fangtastic night at ‘Flamingo Bingo’s Halloween Special’

Published

2 days ago

October 3, 2024

Luke Sinclair

The dead are rising, and so is the excitement in Pembrokeshire, as West Wales’ biggest and wildest Halloween party returns. Flamingo Bingo is back on Saturday, 26th October, bringing spine-tingling thrills, ridiculous dance-offs, live music, and a dash of naughty fun to The Hangar in Milford Haven. This isn’t your granny’s bingo – it’s a night of pure mayhem with a devilish twist!

Bingo halls may once have been the domain of the quiet and the tame, but Flamingo Bingo is here to turn that stereotype on its head. Prepare for a haunted house of bingo madness, where the only thing scarier than missing a number is the confetti cannon that’ll rain down as soon as someone scores a win. With smoke machines swirling and the music cranked up to 11, the atmosphere will be electric.

Expect five rounds of bingo with prizes to die for – from quirky treats to a Henry Hoover (yes, you could end your night with something to suck up those cobwebs!). But if that’s not enough to get your heart racing, how about a £50 prize for the best fancy dress? Throw on your sexiest ghoul outfit, or perhaps something a little more devilish – the crowd will be judging!

And speaking of devilish, every time the notorious number 69 gets called, the crowd will go wild with cheeky grins and dance moves that might make the spirits blush. With classic tunes like Mousse T’s “Horny” keeping the room buzzing, you can expect some seriously sinful dance breaks between rounds. So even if you miss out on that full house, there’ll be plenty of chances to shake your tail feather.

The night will be filled with spooky surprises – beware of false calls, as those unlucky enough to get it wrong will face hilarious forfeits. And don’t think you’ll get off easy. With every dab and missed number, the tension rises – and so does the fun. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and keeping track might get tricky after a few drinks. But that’s all part of the intoxicating chaos!

Flamingo Bingo promises an unforgettable mix of bingo and pure, unbridled mischief. With prizes, laughter, and a few unexpected twists, you’ll be howling with joy all night long. Whether you’re there to win big or just let your inner party animal out to play, this Halloween special will be the most fun you’ve had in a bingo hall – or anywhere else for that matter.

So grab your tickets, round up your mates, and prepare to be scared… but in all the right ways. The Flamingo Bingo Halloween Special is the party you don’t want to miss – where the prizes are insane, the tunes are banging, and the innuendos fly as freely as the confetti!

Tickets available here: https://fatso.ma/0mEI