Entertainment
Dolly Parton ‘tickled pink’ by curiosity about her Welsh roots
DOLLY Parton has expressed her delight over the interest in her Welsh heritage, saying she is “tickled pink” about the curiosity. The country music star traced her ancestry to South Wales for a TV programme.
In a brief clip played on Radio 4’s Today Programme, Parton mentioned she couldn’t “give away all the secrets yet”. She added that “all the juicy details” will be revealed when her documentaries air later this year.
Parton, born in Tennessee, has sold over 100 million records worldwide. Her niece, singer Jada Star, found it “a lot of fun” to discover their Welsh roots.
“Finding out about that side of our family is really extraordinary,” Jada said. “Especially with everything we’re uncovering about our musical connections—how it’s always been with us—is wonderful.”
Jada suggested that some of Parton’s music, and her own, may have been inspired by their Welsh heritage. “A lot of music, especially from the Appalachians and east Tennessee where we come from, reflects where those people settled. The skill of hearing a story and then relaying it memorably, so it lives on forever, is a big part of Welsh music. These are stories passed down for centuries.”
Jada also mentioned she is currently learning Welsh and hopes to use it when she visits the country. “I’m trying my best. I’ve got that little owl on Duolingo working double time for me. I can do some morning and afternoon greetings. I’m trying not to butcher it, and I hope everyone can help me when I get there.”
This isn’t the first time the “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” singer has been linked to Wales. During a 2008 concert at the Cardiff International Arena, Parton reportedly told fans she had Welsh ancestry.
Entertainment
Anna Ryder Richardson roars back to Manor Wildlife Park after six-year break
ANNA RYDER RICHARDSON, the celebrity founder of Pembrokeshire’s Manor Wildlife Park, has returned to lead the zoo after a six-year hiatus. Her comeback follows widespread speculation about her involvement with the park, which she and her ex-husband, Colin MacDougall, purchased and transformed in 2008.
Ryder Richardson, a former TV presenter and interior designer, stepped away from the park in 2018 after her divorce. The couple had invested heavily in redeveloping the once-dilapidated site into a popular family attraction, including the construction of a £300,000 rhino house and the introduction of various species such as lions, zebras, and parrots.
In a statement, Ryder Richardson expressed her enthusiasm for her return. “I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park,” she said.
She further highlighted her commitment to the local community, saying: “Starting with our locals, who have supported us since 2008 when I bought the park, with the park being open all year round. I would love to open up conversations with schools and groups of all ages, from toddlers, teens, and the elderly, to find out how we can tailor days to suit them.”
Manor Wildlife Park is preparing to mark two significant events today, 4th October—World Animal Day and the birthday of its white rhino, Zamba. Residents and visitors are encouraged to take part in the celebrations and support the park’s ongoing conservation efforts.
Ryder Richardson had previously spoken to the Daily Mail about her decision to step away, stating that the “stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage.” Despite the personal challenges, her passion for the animals and the park has brought her back to continue its development.
For more details about Manor Wildlife Park or to make group bookings, visit their official website or email [email protected].
Entertainment
Get ready to power-up: ‘Dubtendo’ lands at ‘Eddie’s Rocks’
Hold on to your Mario hats, Pembrokeshire! After years of waiting, the kingdom is about to power-up with the most exciting event in ages—Dubtendo is landing in Haverfordwest, and it’s bringing the nostalgia and rave energy back to West Wales in a way we haven’t seen in years. On Saturday, December 14th, get ready to level up your night at Eddie’s as the retro gaming vibes, giant Mario Kart battles, and a high-energy music lineup will have you screaming Lessagoooo!
But here’s the scoop: Dubtendo’s humble beginnings were right here in West Wales, starting in the student haven of Aberystwyth, where it first took its fans on a journey through beats and retro gaming sillyness. However, it’s been years since this iconic experience has made its way back to these shores, and this return promises to be bigger and bolder than ever!
The lineup is a true Super Smash, featuring Badger, Diagnostix, Local (Live), and the Dubtendo Allstars, along with a crew of local DJs and artists ready to bring the party to life. And if you’re a fan of nostalgia, you’re in for a treat—the Retro Games Lounge is set to take you on a trip down memory lane, with Giant Mario Kart races, performers, and epic decor to immerse you in a pixel-perfect wonderland.
It’s been a long wait, but West Wales is finally getting its 1-Up! So, grab your mates, hit the “start” button, and power up for a night to remember. Tickets are available now, and with this lineup, they’ll go faster than a blue shell on the final lap!
🎟️ Tickets are available here
Get ready to mash those buttons, because this Dubtendo is going to be game-changing! 🍄
MORE INFO ON DUBTENDO HERE:
EVENT POSTER:
Entertainment
Get ready for a fangtastic night at ‘Flamingo Bingo’s Halloween Special’
The dead are rising, and so is the excitement in Pembrokeshire, as West Wales’ biggest and wildest Halloween party returns. Flamingo Bingo is back on Saturday, 26th October, bringing spine-tingling thrills, ridiculous dance-offs, live music, and a dash of naughty fun to The Hangar in Milford Haven. This isn’t your granny’s bingo – it’s a night of pure mayhem with a devilish twist!
Bingo halls may once have been the domain of the quiet and the tame, but Flamingo Bingo is here to turn that stereotype on its head. Prepare for a haunted house of bingo madness, where the only thing scarier than missing a number is the confetti cannon that’ll rain down as soon as someone scores a win. With smoke machines swirling and the music cranked up to 11, the atmosphere will be electric.
Expect five rounds of bingo with prizes to die for – from quirky treats to a Henry Hoover (yes, you could end your night with something to suck up those cobwebs!). But if that’s not enough to get your heart racing, how about a £50 prize for the best fancy dress? Throw on your sexiest ghoul outfit, or perhaps something a little more devilish – the crowd will be judging!
And speaking of devilish, every time the notorious number 69 gets called, the crowd will go wild with cheeky grins and dance moves that might make the spirits blush. With classic tunes like Mousse T’s “Horny” keeping the room buzzing, you can expect some seriously sinful dance breaks between rounds. So even if you miss out on that full house, there’ll be plenty of chances to shake your tail feather.
The night will be filled with spooky surprises – beware of false calls, as those unlucky enough to get it wrong will face hilarious forfeits. And don’t think you’ll get off easy. With every dab and missed number, the tension rises – and so does the fun. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and keeping track might get tricky after a few drinks. But that’s all part of the intoxicating chaos!
Flamingo Bingo promises an unforgettable mix of bingo and pure, unbridled mischief. With prizes, laughter, and a few unexpected twists, you’ll be howling with joy all night long. Whether you’re there to win big or just let your inner party animal out to play, this Halloween special will be the most fun you’ve had in a bingo hall – or anywhere else for that matter.
So grab your tickets, round up your mates, and prepare to be scared… but in all the right ways. The Flamingo Bingo Halloween Special is the party you don’t want to miss – where the prizes are insane, the tunes are banging, and the innuendos fly as freely as the confetti!
Tickets available here: https://fatso.ma/0mEI
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