STEAM enthusiasts will have a rare chance to see a legendary locomotive in Pembrokeshire this weekend as the iconic LMS Black Five 45212 arrives as part of The Railway Touring Company’s “The Great Britain XVII” rail tour.

Pembrokeshire is one of the highlights of the nine-day steam adventure, which sees passengers travel across Britain aboard some of the country’s most celebrated surviving locomotives. Tickets for the full experience, including seating, onboard dining, and hotel accommodation, cost up to £4,500.

The LMS Black Five – fully titled LMS Stanier Class Black 5 45212 – was built in 1935 by Armstrong Whitworth in Newcastle. Designed by Sir William Stanier, the Black Fives were known as the “maid of all work” class, thanks to their versatility handling both passenger and freight duties.

Only 18 of the original 842 Black Five locomotives survive today, and 45212 remains one of the few certified for mainline operation. It even appeared in the 2017 film Murder on the Orient Express, starring Kenneth Branagh.

The steam engine will travel from Bristol Temple Meads to Pembrokeshire on Sunday, April 27. Part of the journey will be diesel-hauled, but the stretch from Pembroke Dock to Whitland will be pure steam, departing Pembroke Dock at 2:06pm, stopping at Tenby at 2:33pm, and reaching Whitland by 3:00pm.

After a diesel leg to Fishguard Harbour, where it arrives at 4:01pm, the locomotive takes over again for a fully steam-powered run back towards Cardiff Central, passing Clarbeston Road at 4:31pm, Haverfordwest at 4:42pm, and arriving at Milford Haven around 6:04pm.

The tour, which departs London Victoria on Saturday, April 26, is The Railway Touring Company’s flagship event. Now in its 17th year, “The Great Britain” tour is regarded as one of the most ambitious steam journeys in the UK, covering over 2,000 miles of scenic railway.

Kelly Osborne, managing director of The Railway Touring Company, said: “The highlight of day two will be the spectacular scenery of Pembrokeshire National Park as we travel to Pembroke Dock, Fishguard and Milford Haven. Leaving Fishguard Harbour, our historic engine will face a 1 in 50 gradient – meaning passengers are guaranteed a memorable climb!”

More information about the tour and other steam-hauled adventures can be found at www.railwaytouring.net.

BALLET Cymru returns to the Torch Theatre this June with a powerful and emotionally charged new production of Giselle — a ghost-filled tale of love, betrayal and heartbreak.

This innovative interpretation of the classic ballet reimagines the story through a distinctly Welsh lens, telling the tragic story of Giselle, a young girl who falls deeply in love, only to die from a broken heart.

Featuring Adolphe Adam’s haunting original score, the production showcases inventive choreography by Darius James OBE and Amy Doughty, along with striking costumes and immersive video projection that elevate the performance into a visual and emotional spectacle.

Ballet Cymru, an award-winning international touring company based in Wales, is known for pushing the boundaries of classical ballet through its commitment to inclusion, creativity, and collaboration.

“The Torch Theatre enjoys welcoming Ballet Cymru to its stage, and their continued success shows how popular they are in this area. We’re looking forward to being enchanted by this bold new production,” said Anwen Francis from the marketing team.

Giselle will be performed at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Wednesday 4 June at 7:00pm. Tickets are £19 / £18 concessions, with under 8s just £11. For more information or to book, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

HAVOC, the biggest feature film ever shot entirely in Wales, premieres today (Friday, April 25) on Netflix. Backed by Welsh Government agency Creative Wales, the high-octane action-thriller stars Tom Hardy and is written and directed by Welsh-born Gareth Evans, known for The Raid, Apostle, and Gangs of London.

The film follows a deal gone wrong, with a bruised detective battling through a criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s estranged son. Production took place at Great Point Studios in Cardiff, Dragon Studios in Bridgend, and on location throughout South Wales.

Wales is rapidly emerging as one of Netflix’s key global production hubs. Recent hits like Sex Education—filmed at multiple South Wales locations over four seasons—were made possible through Creative Wales support, creating hundreds of local jobs and over 60 trainee placements. Many of these roles have led to permanent employment for young Welsh creatives.

According to a new economic impact report by Netflix, its Welsh-based productions have contributed over £200 million to the UK economy since 2020, involving more than 500 businesses across Wales.

In recognition of its Welsh roots, HAVOC will be available with Welsh-language subtitles, continuing Netflix’s commitment to accessibility and cultural inclusion. Previous Welsh-subtitled releases include The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds, and Dal Y Mellt, the first Welsh-language drama on Netflix originally produced for S4C.

HAVOC is the latest in a series of high-profile productions supported by Creative Wales. Past successes include HBO’s House of the Dragon, Amazon’s Young Sherlock, and the acclaimed biopic Mr Burton.

To date, Creative Wales has invested £28.6 million in the screen sector—an investment projected to generate over £342 million for the Welsh economy. For every £1 invested, nearly £12 has been returned, funding over 420 trainee placements and apprenticeships and helping to build a sustainable pipeline of Welsh creative talent.

Anna Mallet, Vice President of Production, UK at Netflix, said: “From Sex Education to The Crown, and now HAVOC, some of our most beloved titles were filmed or produced in Wales. Blessed with incredible creative talent and beautiful natural landscapes, Wales is an amazing place to make entertainment. We’re proud that our Welsh productions continue to create enduring cultural and economic opportunities.”

Jack Sargeant, Culture Minister for Wales, added: “We are immensely proud of our Welsh creative industries, which employ over 35,000 people. With world-class infrastructure for film and television, we’re delighted to work with Netflix, HBO, Amazon and others to bring major productions to Wales. These collaborations support jobs, skills development, and bring significant investment into our economy—while showcasing the best of Wales to a global audience.”