Lichfield Garrick is thrilled to announce that actors Alan Booty and Jonathan Houlston will be leading the cast of their upcoming UK Tour of ‘Farm Boy,’ an adaptation of the much-loved sequel to Sir Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’.

Adapted and directed by the venue’s artistic director Daniel Buckroyd, this critically acclaimed play, which has previously toured the UK and transferred to New York, will be performing at The Torch Theatre on Thursday May 22 at 2 pm and 6 pm as part of its UK Tour.

‘Farm Boy’ is Michael Morpurgo’s sequel to his beloved masterpiece, ‘War Horse’. Set on the farm where he lives in Devon,  and based on the real people he has encountered, this heartwarming and compelling narrative pays homage to the generation who fought in the First World War, the world they came home to and how that conflict affected them.

In a recent conversation with Buckroyd, which is available to view on the Garrick website, Morpurgo spoke about how technology is interrupting relationships between older and younger people and how grandparents and grandchildren spend less time sharing stories. Lichfield Garrick hopes that its production of ‘Farm Boy’ can bring families together to share this story that seems to resonate so strongly across the generations.

Alan Booty plays Grandpa and his career includes productions at the National Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and with a host of regional and touring theatre companies, as well as on TV and film. Roles have ranged from King Lear at Brockley Jack Theatre in 2019 to Hermann in a recent critically-acclaimed run of his own play ‘The Loaf’ with Pogo Theatre. Alan is thrilled to be reclaiming his role and is looking forward to bringing the amazing stories that Grandpa recounts to life for family audiences.

Jonathan Houlston plays Grandson. A recent Royal Birmingham Conservatoire graduate, he has already built up a wealth of stage experience, having played Sidney Barnsley in ‘The Making of Lucy’ and Ian in ‘Holes’. His screen credits include a memorable guest lead role in ‘Doctors’ for the BBC, and as a founder of Mad Dragon Theatre Company he performed in its debut production of his own play ‘Physical Education’.

Don’t miss the chance to join Alan and Jonathan for this critically acclaimed show that picks up the story of Albert and Joey where ‘War Horse’ ends, and paints a forgotten history of the changing face of life in rural England.

FARM BOY will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Thursday, May 22, at 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets are priced £15. 

DR RICHARD LEWIS has announced his retirement as Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, bringing a 25-year policing career to a close.

The force, which serves Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Powys, will now begin the search for his successor.

Chief Constable Lewis, who was born and raised in west Wales and has worked across all four counties, described leading the force as “the professional privilege of my life.”

He said: “I have nothing but fond memories of working in this fantastic force, and in policing. It has been a real honour to work alongside PCC Dafydd Llywelyn, a true leader and nationally important figure in Wales who has invested so much in the development of Dyfed-Powys and the safety of its communities.

“I have every confidence that whoever is appointed the next Chief Constable will continue the force’s positive trajectory, which led us to cutting crime by 18% over the past 12 months – by some distance the biggest cut in crime anywhere in England and Wales.”

Following the announcement, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn paid tribute to Dr Lewis, praising his leadership during a period of major change.

Mr Llywelyn said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis for his service and dedication to Dyfed-Powys Police.

“His leadership has been instrumental in guiding the force through significant transformation over the last three years, ensuring we continue to provide an effective and efficient policing service to our communities.

“During his tenure, Dr Lewis has overseen a major force review, delivering essential reforms that achieved £10 million in savings. He has also modernised the force’s infrastructure, including the introduction of a new crime records management system – a critical step in addressing HMICFRS concerns about data integrity.”

The Commissioner confirmed that the process to appoint a new Chief Constable will begin in the coming weeks.

Deputy Chief Constable Ifan Charles will act as temporary Chief Constable until a permanent appointment is made.

Mr Llywelyn added: “On behalf of the people of the Dyfed-Powys area, I thank Richard for his service and commitment and wish him every success for the future.”

Haverfordwest Tennis Club is celebrating game, set and match this week following the official switch on of its new LED floodlighting system.

The installation project over courts one and two was led by chairman Dean Richards, with valuable contributions from Laura Davies and Heath Coombes in the application process and marks several years of painstaking work by the club committee.

And what makes the project even more special is that it coincides with the club celebrating its 90th anniversary at the Parade.

The LED lights were primarily funded by a grant from the county council’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund with match-funding from the Sport Wales Be Active Fund and the Haverfordwest  tennis club and are a welcome addition with the club now boasting over 300 junior and adult members.

The next part of the project will involve creating step-free access to court one to enable wheelchair tennis to take place, making the sport accessible to all.

The lights were officially switched on by club president Brian Hearne.

“I’m aware that there have been challenges in the process of this installation and it’s needed a great deal of time and effort from a lot of people,” commented Brian Hearne.

“I want to congratulate the chairman Dean Richards and his committee on their initiative and commitment to ensure the completion of this project, which is an outstanding achievement.

“I’m sure the members will appreciate this extra playing time these lights will provide and that the club will continue to provide excellent facilities for its increased membership.”

The ceremony was attended by county councillor Thomas Tudor.

““Pembrokeshire County Council is delighted to provide some of the funding for this amazing project which is to the benefit of everybody in Haverfordwest,” he said.

“The Parade is definitely a jewel in the town’s crown.”