AN EXHIBITION of evocative new paintings by Narberth-based artist Mark Crockett will be on display at the Joanna Field Gallery in the Torch Theatre throughout April.

Titled Rear View Mirror, the exhibition offers a deeply personal reflection on Mark’s life since falling seriously ill in 2021. His work captures the fleeting beauty of early morning and dusk — those quiet, in-between moments when the day begins or ends, and where change is always present.

A graduate of art college in the late 1980s, Mark left painting behind after a disagreement with a tutor. What followed was a colourful and unconventional life spent travelling the world — living in converted buses and caravans, restoring stone houses in the Portuguese mountains, fire-breathing at music events, DJing in clubs, surfing, and working as a wedding photographer.

“I didn’t touch a paintbrush for 35 years,” he said. “Then I became seriously ill with an autoimmune condition. Some days I couldn’t even walk. It was a dark time, and I didn’t know how to deal with losing the life I had. One day, for reasons I can’t explain, I picked up a brush — and the paintings just started to fall out.”

Mark now lives with his Canadian wife in a former Post Office building they are restoring together. Despite his return to painting, he never intended to exhibit his work.

“I wasn’t painting to sell or show them — I just needed to do it. It was for me,” he explained. “I’ve always drawn and painted since I can remember. My dad’s a sculptor and painter, my brother’s a digital artist, and now my daughter has just finished a foundation course at UAL. So we’re three generations of artists.”

Rear View Mirror is Mark’s first solo exhibition. “I’m nervous, but excited too. It’s strange — and lovely — to see all the work together in one space.”

His pieces often suggest untold stories or invite the viewer to consider a new perspective. One of his most recent works, Armistice Day, depicts a single red poppy on the far bank of a river — a quiet reflection on personal and collective loss.

Mark shares more of his work on Instagram @papersurfer and at www.papersurfer.com. All images © papersurfer studio 2025.

Rear View Mirror will be on display throughout April during Box Office opening hours at the Joanna Field Gallery, located within the Torch Theatre. For more information, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Get ready for an epic night of nostalgia as NostalgiaFest rolls into Tenby this September. On 27th September, the De Valence Pavilion will host a live tribute event that promises to take you on a full-throttle trip back to the golden age of punk rock and skate culture.

This isn’t just any gig – it’s a high-energy, heart-pumping experience where the legendary soundtrack of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater meets the anthems that defined a generation. Whether you were a die-hard skater or simply cranked up the volume to the iconic tunes of the late ’90s and early 2000s, NostalgiaFest will have you reliving the thrill all over again.

As soon as the first note hits, you’ll be moshing to a live tribute to the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater soundtrack, which helped shape the skateboarding scene. From Primus to Goldfinger, Rage Against the Machine to N.W.A., the energy will be electric, bringing back memories of those adrenaline-fuelled sessions at the skate park.

But the nostalgia doesn’t stop there. NostalgiaFest will feature full tribute sets to some of the most iconic bands from the era. Expect face-melting metalcore from Killswitch Engage, punk anthems from The Offspring, and the unmistakable sounds of nu-metal with Limp Bizkit. Pop-punk queens Paramore and Avril Lavigne will bring the attitude, while indie rock legends Jimmy Eat World will round off the night with their unforgettable vibes.

The De Valence Pavilion, located in the heart of Tenby, provides the perfect setting for this vibrant event. Its intimate, alternative atmosphere makes it the ideal venue for fans of punk, skate culture, and nostalgia.

Tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss out on this chance to relive the soundtrack of your youth. The crowd will be filled with like-minded punks, skaters, and fans, all united by their love for the golden era of music and culture. Get ready to feel the energy, make new memories, and join in the celebration that will be talked about for years to come.

Get your tickets now – this is one night you won’t want to miss!

TICKETS: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nostalgiafest-tony-hawks-pro-skater-soundtrack-live-support-tickets-1298946286309?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Wales has a lot to offer, and Pembrokeshire in particular is a terrific place to visit. Now we are entering spring and the weather has started to improve, plenty of exciting activities, both indoor and outdoor, are presenting themselves. So, if you’re looking for some inspiration on things to do in Pembrokeshire this spring, here are five ways to spend your time. 

1. Take Part in a Pub Crawl

Pub crawls are the perfect activity no matter the weather, but when the sun finally starts to make an appearance, the overall experience is only improved. Sitting in a beer garden is a staple in British culture and there’s no better way to do it than by taking part in a pub crawl. 

Pembrokeshire is home to a plethora of first-rate pubs that provide everything from the finest lagers, ales, and stouts, to entertainment including live sports, pool tables, dart boards, and classic pub quizzes. Whether you go alone or take your friends, enjoying a pub crawl across Pembrokeshire is a great way to spend the day.

2. Head to Folly Farm 

If you’re holidaying in Pembrokeshire as a family, Folly Farm is the go to place to visit. The farm has everything you need for a fun-filled family day out, with a fully fledged zoo, a sizable barn, a well equipped fairground, and several options for food and drink. The farm also has a variety of activities, including feeding lions, penguins, giraffes, rhinos, sloths, and goats. 

The extensive range of animals in both the barn and the zoo make this the perfect day out. The barn is home to all kinds of farm animals including goats, horses, donkeys, lambs, chickens, plus ferrets and mice. And the zoo hosts a huge variety of exotic animals such as giraffes, lemurs, meerkats, and parrots, as well as tortoises, crocodiles, and fruit bats. It’s also one of only seven zoos in the UK that cares for Eastern black rhino – a critically endangered animal. 

Folly farm is fun, educational, and adventurous, so it’s definitely not something to miss out on! 

3. Visit Tenby 

Tenby is a delightful coastal town that features a fascinating medieval wall, a stunning harbour with boat trips that facilitate seal watching, two impressive beaches, one of the largest parish churches in Wales – St Mary’s Church which is over 800 years old, and a market that originally opened in the 1860s and now sells everything from mouth watering Malaysian cuisine to a selection of traditional Welsh treats.

If you’re interested in historical monuments, you can also walk up to Tenby Castle. The castle was built by The Normans in the 12th century and now only a small tower remains, but the old town walls are mostly intact. 

4. Walk the Pembrokeshire Coast Path

Pembrokeshire Coast was voted the second best coastal destination in the world and is one of the best places to visit in Wales – particularly with the warmer weather approaching. The coast spans 186 miles (299km), so whether you prefer a short stroll or walking for hours on end, there is an option for everyone. 

The coastal path is located in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and is home to a variety of eye-catching views including cliff tops, sheltered coves, and vast beaches, as well as tons of wildlife. Walking the path is easy since it’s well marked, and the mesmerising views make it a truly wonderful place to be when visiting Pembrokeshire. 

5. Indoor Options

Whilst spring is approaching and the weather should begin to give us more sunshine and less ice, the UK can still be pretty unpredictable, so it’s always good to have some indoor options for days out as a back up.

Luckily, Pembrokeshire has plenty of exciting things to do indoors as well as outdoors, that are highly entertaining whether you’re traveling as a family, with friends, in a couple, or going solo. 

1. Trampoline Park

Trampoline parks are an ideal activity for almost all ages. Hangar 5 Trampoline Park in Pembrokeshire is a great option if the weather hasn’t worked out in your favour. If you have energetic children that are difficult to tire out, this could be an ideal place to release some of their excess energy. 

• Go Karting 

If you’re looking for something indoor that has a little extra thrill, go karting is a fantastic alternative. You can enjoy go karting whether you’re a beginner or are more experienced on the track, meaning it’s ideal for everyone. There are a couple of establishments that facilitate go karting in Pembrokeshire, so you have options no matter where you’re staying. 

Enjoy Everything Pembrokeshire Has to Offer 

With so much to do in Pembrokeshire, the choices are almost endless. Pub crawls, Folly farm, a day out in Tenby, walking the Pembrokeshire Coast, and enjoying activities such as trampolining or go karting are just a handful of options available to you when visiting this beautiful part of the world.