Community

Pop-Up museum launching in Haverfordwest on March 25

Published

2 years ago

March 16, 2024

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN MUSEUM said this week they are excited to announce the opening date for a new pop-up museum and exhibition space, funded by UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Levelling Up agenda.

The pop-up museum opens its doors on March 25 in Riverside Shopping Centre, Haverfordwest, just in time for the Easter break!

The museum temporally closed in 2023 in preparation for construction works at Haverfordwest Castle, to make way for the creation of a new flagship heritage attraction on the site.

While the museum eagerly awaits its new home, curator Simon Hancock and the museum’s volunteers are delighted with the new pop-up museum, located in the old GAME store within the Riverside Shopping Centre on the Eastern bank of the River Cleddau. The pop up is likely to stay there until 2027 when it will move back into a refurbished home at Haverfordwest Castle as part of the new attraction.

The pop-up museum will be open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm and open all year round including bank holidays (except Christmas and New Year).

The museum holds a wealth of hidden gems, revealing fascinating and little-known stories from Haverfordwest’s past. Haverfordwest is a historic market town and Pembrokeshire’s administrative hub, with heritage assets such as the castle and multiple stories that reveal its Norman origins, its mediaeval history and more recently its role as a primary trading port, once rivalling Bristol. A number of notable people either came from or lived in Haverfordwest, for example Gwen John (1876-1939). You can find out more about their stories by visiting and talking to one of the knowledgeable museum volunteers.

When you visit, expect to discover more on Haverfordwest’s interesting archaeology, including the recent exciting archaeological discovery of the Dominican Friary of St Saviours on the former Ocky White’s store site. There is a fascinating array of objects made in Haverfordwest during Victorian times and a case of locally-found treasures dating from medieval times.

The exhibition space will change regularly and includes digital and interactive displays as well as more traditional displays on a variety of themes including Haverfordwest Port, Castle and the Llewelyn Churn Works. There will also be a variety of paintings including some by artist David Lindley and a display on famous people of Haverfordwest – covering the wide variety including artists, musicians, explorers and athletes.

An exciting addition is the new museum shop selling a range of Haverfordwest-themed products including biscuits, chocolates, fudge, tote bags, water bottles and lollipops.

Tim Evans, chair of trustees for Haverfordwest Town Museum told The Herald: “We are very excited about this new chapter in the museum’s life. It’s such a great opportunity for us, moving to a location where we will see a much larger footfall. We’re really hoping to engage and involve a whole new generation in the history of our special town.”

The museum is still on the lookout for new volunteers and wants to welcome a diverse range of people to get involved – you don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the town’s history to become a volunteer. Training will be provided and there is a wide variety of roles available.

If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in any aspect of the pop-up museum please email the museum’s curator Simon Hancock at [email protected]

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is supporting this project, was set up to provide funding for communities across the UK in order to breathe new life and grow the economy in regions of the country which need additional help. Haverfordwest is currently the focus of a number of projects supported by this funding, aiming to boost the economic regeneration of the town.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

9 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)