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Entertainment

St Donat’s Fantastic Fête and Saundersfoot Harbour Festival dates confirmed

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STREET FOOD CIRCUS says it has launched its 2024 programme with two new events joining its regular line up across south Wales.

The first new venture, Fantastic Fête, will take over the grounds of St Donat’s Castle on the Vale of Glamorgan coast for the first weekend in August [Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th]. Street Food Circus is reimagining the classic summer fête – remixing folk traditions with the unexpected – from magical morris dancing to the world’s biggest bouncy castle. 

Food and feasting will take centre stage at the event, with a street food line-up bringing cuisines from around the world alongside a farmers’ market, pop-up pub and a lido swimming pool for people to swim and relax around.

Street Food Circus founder and ringmaster, Matt the Hat, explained: “We’ll have the best street food Wales has to offer – but this is about more than just the food. This will be our biggest event to date. We’ve been cooking it up for years with family activities, entertainment and a fantastical walk through the castle gardens to the main event. And after dark, as the sun sets on this epic castle by the sea you can expect a very special evening finale,” he said.

Moving west, the second new event, Saundersfoot Harbour Festival will run over the first weekend in September (Friday 6th – Sunday 8th). Street Food Circus will be bringing the pirate spirit to the National Events Deck at Saundersfoot Harbour with street food and entertainment based around the harbour’s life-size Coastal Schooner.

As well as bringing the travelling street food line-up to the town, visitors can expect a gravity-defying pirate circus show, sea shanties and lots of walkabout entertainment for families. 

The 2024 SFC programme also sees the return of its two spring and summer residencies.

For five weekends in April and May [19 April – 19 May], Forest Feastival returns to the Merthyr Mawr Estate, bringing a family friendly global feast to these unique woodlands by the sea. As well as a rotating line-up of street food favourites – and some new faces – Forest Feastival includes circus performers, live music, cabaret and DJs in the evening sessions and for the kids, a circus school and marshmallow fire pits.

The Big Banquet rolls into Caldicot Castle for the spring half term weekends, including the late May bank holiday [24 May – 2 June]. Centred around long-table communal banquet dining under a big top, Street Food Circus transforms the castle grounds with a free circus school, fire shows and one of the UK’s best-known high-wire acts, Chris Bullzini, performing eight metres above the crowds.

Street Food Circus has curated a line up of more than 40 traders to appear across the four events. These include returning favourites like Keralan Karavan and Bao Selecta, well-known names appearing for the first time, like Hill’s Burgers and traders who launched last year making a welcome return such as Straight Outta Canton, Two Lads Kitchen and Pot Heads.

Matt added: “We’re always looking for that perfect balance of SFC stalwarts and to find and support the new talent emerging on the street food scene. We know we’ve got some people who come year in, year out to visit their favourites, and those who want to try something new every time they visit. 

“Central to our mission as Street Food Circus is to give a platform to new traders – many of those who started with us have gone on to open their own bricks and mortar restaurants over the years. So we’re thrilled to be adding lots of new flavours from all over the world to the line up this year. From Africa and Afghanistan to Indonesia and Nepal – you’re guaranteed to find something you’ve never tried before,” he said.

New traders for 2024 include award-winning birria tacos from Bristol’s Gourmet Warriors, traditional Himalayan-inspired recipes from Mandela Street Food and authentic Indonesian dishes from Waroeng Nona.

Desserts come from Rebel Crumble, Bake Off The Professionals champion Minto’s Patisserie and SFC favourite Pwdin.

Full trader listings and event details for 2024 Street Food Circus events can be found at streetfoodcircus.com. Tickets go on sale on Friday 8 March 2024.

Community

Conservation area consultation for Cresswell Quay approval expected

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PLANS to hold a public consultation on making one of south Pembrokeshire’s most scenic estuarial villages, home to a CAMRA award-winning pub, a conservation area are expected to be backed by the national park.

At the July 24 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s meeting approval is sought to initiate public consultation for designating Cresswell Quay as a Conservation Area.

Cresswell Quay, home to the Cresselly Arms, is “one of the most scenic villages within the National Park and is highly significant as a very early coal port, retaining several buildings of architectural importance,” a report for members states.

There are some 500 conservation areas, defined as “areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance” across Wales, 14 in the national park.

The report for Park members adds: “The designation of a conservation area at Cresswell Quay would recognise the special architectural and historic interest of the village and would ensure that future development either preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation area.

“The designation would introduce controls over the demolition of buildings which would require conservation area consent and affords greater protection of works to trees. Officers consider that part of the special interest of Cresswell Quay is the relationship between the village, the estuary and its wooded setting, which is unusual in a Pembrokeshire context.”

It adds: “To date, the Conservation Areas within the National Park have been designated inhouse. However, Cresswell Quay is the home of the Buildings Conservation Officer and to avoid any potential conflict of interest or wider public misconception, the public consultation will be undertaken by Linda Jones of Babb Architects, Whitland and Emily Holder, Conservation Assistant, supported by members of the Strategic Policy team.”

Initial engagement with key landowners and the three community councils of the area has already taken place, and a public drop-in event – if consultation is backed – is planned for early August.

Further information on the consultation will also promoted at events including the Pembrokeshire County Show and Martletwy Show.

Earlier this year the Cresselly Arms won the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year award for the whole of Wales.

The Cresselly Arms averaged 89 points out of a maximum 120 after surveys were conducted across the country by members of other branches.

The recommendation before Park members seeks approval for a formal consultation, as well as drafting a conservation area appraisal and management plan.

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Community

Landslide-hit coastal path expected to reopen in next few weeks

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A LANDSLIDE-HIT Pembrokeshire coastal path, delayed due to a further landslide, is expected to “God willing” reopen in budget by the start of August, councillors heard.

The coast path between Wiseman’s Bridge and Coppet Hall/Saundersfoot, known as the Tramway, experienced ‘substantial rock falls’ late last year and in January.

The January major fall happened at the Coppet Hall end of this section of path, while the November landslides were closer toward the Wisemans Bridge end of the path.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said that the work to stabilise the cliffs and tunnels so that the path can be re-opened is likely to cost around £600,000.

At the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed the works, with a hoped-for finish date of the start of the summer holidays.

However, the council recently said those works had now been delayed until early August “as a consequence of additional works required, including the occurrence of another landslip along the path,” with additional remedial works needed.

A question submitted to the July 18 meeting Pembrokeshire County Council, by Cllr Alan Dennison, will ask: “In the Cabinet meeting of March 11, the following was resolved: That the inclusion of the Saundersfoot to Wiseman’s Bridge cycle track cliff stabilisation works (‘the Scheme’) in the capital programme, at a capital cost of £600,000 in 2024-25, be approved, noting that this is a cost to be met by council funds unless external funding is secured to reduce this cost commitment. It is now paused pending further stabilisation works that are required.

“Can the Cabinet member confirm whether the land that has slipped is council owned or private land and if council, what further cuts will have to be made to services to fund the cost to stabilise the cliff?”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said that, despite the third rockfall “at no stage has the stabilisation work been paused or suspended”.

He told members the land in the third landslip was privately owned but had been historically maintained by the council, and it was expected the total works were still expected by be within the £600,000 cost; with more than £300,000 in grants already secured, and potentially more expected.

He told members that “God wiling” the pathway was expected to reopen at the start of August.

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Entertainment

The most anticipated releases of computer games in 2024

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Over the past decades, eSports has developed significantly and gifted us with many games that can be considered bestsellers. In 2024, we can expect a number of games that may also become popular and receive positive reviews from fans. The year promises a combination of innovative technologies, captivating stories, and new development ideas. These games have the potential to change the gaming landscape and introduce new mechanics that will help advance eSports. From expansive open-world adventures to innovative competitive games, 2024 is set to deliver an impressive lineup. Here’s a detailed look at what gamers can expect in the coming year.

Gaming Innovations on the Horizon

Technological progress plays a key role in the gaming industry. In 2024, we are witnessing a significant jump in graphics and gameplay mechanics thanks to new hardware capabilities, the release of new video cards and components, and creative approaches to development. Also, thanks to the integration of artificial intelligence into games, improved NPCs have been created that have their own intelligence, which increases the realism and interactivity of games. This development is expected to bring a more dynamic and responsive gaming environment. Furthermore, these innovations are impacting eSports platforms by automating certain functions, such as dota 2 schedule, as updates and real-time information affect the dynamics of gameplay. This automation not only simplifies tournament management but also improves the quality of viewing by providing more accurate and timely updates, which enhances the fan experience.

eSports Highlights and Upcoming Tournaments

Competitions and events are a crucial part of eSports. This year, the eSports scene is gearing up for outstanding tournaments scheduled throughout the year. Among them, the CS 2 Major and Dota TI are among the most prestigious and recognizable in the history of eSports. The International for Dota 2 will take place in September this year in Copenhagen. This tournament is the most anticipated in its discipline and boasts the largest prize pools in eSports. It features the top teams that have passed special qualifiers to compete in these events. For CS 2, notable competitions include the Major and the Esports World Cup 2024, which are among the most exciting CS 2 events this year. These events not only attract massive audiences but also ensure a high level of competition, making each match thrilling. Thus, eSports fans are ready to cheer for their favorite teams at the top eSports tournaments.

Major game releases of 2024

As always, fans eagerly anticipate the release of new and exciting games. One of the most awaited games is Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. After the success of the first installments in this game series, fans have been waiting for a continuation, but the development of the new game was halted. The good news and surprise came with the announcement that this game will be released in 2024. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl uses Unreal Engine 5 to create highly realistic graphics, immersing players in the game world from the very first glance.

Among the most interesting new releases this year are Helldivers 2 and Tekken 8. Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios. This game quickly gained popularity due to its gameplay, with notable similarities to the movie Starship Troopers. As for Tekken 8, the game needs no introduction, as everyone is well familiar with its previous versions. Tekken 8 has improved graphics and introduced some new gameplay mechanics, making the game even more engaging.

The Influence of Community and Fan Engagement

In eSports, the role of the community and fan engagement continues to grow. Game developers are increasingly involving players and fans in the development process through beta testing and feedback sessions. This allows developers to hear the community’s opinions and improve the game accordingly. This collaborative approach helps strengthen the connection between developers and their audience. Additionally, fans create content such as mods and custom game modes, which enriches the gaming experience. These community contributions often make the game more interesting and extend its lifespan, creating a dynamic and evolving gaming environment. Media, bloggers, and streamers also play a significant role in engaging fans. The media publishes eSports news, while bloggers produce unique content and host streams. Together, these factors greatly enhance the popularity of eSports and place it on par with other sports.e life of games, creating a dynamic and evolving gaming environment.

Conclusion

In summary, 2024 is set to be an exciting year for the gaming community. With a wide range of anticipated releases, technological innovations, and significant eSports events, there is much to look forward to. The combination of cutting-edge developments and engaging gameplay mechanics promises to offer players unforgettable experiences across various eSports disciplines. As the year progresses, gamers and eSports enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enjoy new game releases, while teams will have the chance to participate in thrilling competitions. Gaming companies and organizations are ready to invest heavily to create intriguing new content, and the gaming community is prepared to cheer for their favorite teams. Whether you are looking to explore new games or watch high-stakes tournaments, 2024 has something for everyone.

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