Community

Review: Flamingo Bingo, a carnival of colour and chaos

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2022

BINGO may sound like something your Nana would do on a Friday night at the local social club, but unless your local includes smoke machines, loud music, and confetti cannons, Flamingo Bingo is a whole different game.

What a sight I was greeted with as one of the last people to arrive — The Parkhouse Centre, Withybush on Easter Sunday (April 17) evening full of Pembrokeshire people drinking and singing their hearts out, all ready for the night ahead. We were given our books and bought decently priced beers in quantity and shoved them under our arms before making our way to our table.

Dancing and singing followed, with djs Jack Evs and Jonno T warming up the party mood with cheesy pop and upfront house music. By 8 p.m., the venue is hopping, with girls dancing around their tables.

The evening’s MC, Steve Bartram, then took the stage with his guitar, playing major sing-along hits like Delilah and that one Stereophonics song everyone knows before putting the crowd in line for the bingo!

The games function similarly to traditional bingo, or at least how I imagine bingo to function despite never having played it myself. There are five games in all, and each has two opportunities to win: the first is to earn a full line, and the second is to get the first full house. The numbers come in thick and fast, so focus is required, but there are plenty of dance breaks as well.

I had come prepared with my own sparkly bingo dabber, a dabber I will never use again because after the many bottles of Corona I consumed, I lost my poor dabber amongst all of the confetti that fell from the ceiling that night. This fast-paced game is a whirlwind and obviously it’s tough to keep track with the game after a couple of beers. But it was totally worth it!

According to what I’ve heard, most bingo in the UK is played in silence with the grannies, with no music playing and a monotone voice reading the numbers, but this event has entirely transformed the game.

After every three to four numbers called, an absolute classic song (imagine Mousse T’s- Horny) was blasted out every time 69 came up then every single person was up on their feet dancing away. Wow, what an atmosphere! Every single person in the Park House Centre Haverfordwest, had a smile on their face, including the security!

With multiple false calls and faces in the spotlight, the game is like a marathon, with opportunities to win wacky prizes like a vacation to Bendidorm, a Henry Hoover, along side many other prizes…I mean who doesn’t want to take a Henry Hoover home at midnight?

This night is not to be missed! 5/5

EXCLUSIVE: The next Flamingo Bingo at The Park House Centre, Withybush will be held on the 25th June, with info TBA, tickets will be available soon, keep an eye on their Facebook page HERE

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

6 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.