Cardigan’s Giant Lantern Parade preparations have begun in earnest after Small World Theatre launched a fundraiser for this year’s theme of ‘Eisteddfod Y Garreg Las’.

Planned to take place on Friday December 5, the organisers have this year set themselves a £5,000 crowdfunding goal through Localgiving.

“We’ve submitted an application to Ceredigion County Council for the costs to organis and create Gwyl Y Golau / Festival of Light, and we’re proposing that we recreate the Light Trail to extend the joy of the Parade,” explained director Ann Shrosbree.

“Last year’s Trail was beautiful and included lighting up and adding giant stars to Cardigan Castle and The Guildhall. And this helped make Cardigan one of the finest festive destinations in Wales in the run up to Christmas.”

Financially supporting this crowd funder will enable Small World to levy the funds to run lantern-making workshops to keep the parade at the heart of the community.

And local businesses are looking forward to joining in with yet another major event in Cardigan’s bumper calendar.

“We had great fun making the otter giant lantern last year with the help of Small World’s

Artists,” commented Vicky Walker who runs the popular ‘Mundos’ gift shop in Pendre.

“ The otter took pride of place in our Christmas window, entertaining our existing customers as well as attracting lots of new ones to Mundos. A competition to ‘name the otter’ raised £300 for this year’s lantern parade and we’re delighted to see that the enthusiasm for the Parade is starting early this year.”

Ska and reggae bands ‘The Chalk Outlines’ and ‘Bad Bananas’ kick off the appeal with a summer fundraiser on Saturday  August 1, and people are being urged to buy their £12 tickets in advance to avoid disappointment through Small World’s website.

Also looking forward to it is Ceredigion County Councillor Clive Davies.

“Cardigan has come to rely on the Giant Lantern Parade happening each year,” he said. “Over 300 lanterns were made last year as well as giant lanterns and the postponed event attracted

11,000 visitors, despite the wintery weather. It’s important to support our local creatives who work so hard behind the scenes to make the magic happen.”

If anyone has any fundraising ideas, or is keen to volunteer at the Parade, they are asked to get in touch with Sam Vicary via [email protected].

Anyone wishing to donate, should visit Small World Theatre’s website.

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven was filled with music, colour and community spirit on Sunday (May 18), as the Ukrainian music group VILNI and the Milford Haven Town Band joined forces for a powerful charity concert celebrating unity across cultures.

Titled Music of Unity, the free concert attracted a full congregation, with standing room only by the time the choir took to the front of the historic church. Dressed in traditional Ukrainian embroidered blouses, the performers from VILNI moved the audience with a series of stirring songs that spoke of hope, resilience, and homeland.

The event was a touching show of solidarity from the local community, with many attendees waving small flags or wearing blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. The concert was followed by a community gathering in the church hall, where guests shared refreshments and took part in a raffle to raise funds for Ukrainian families affected by war.

The Milford Haven Town Band added a local musical flavour to the event, performing several pieces and supporting the vocalists with warm brass harmonies.

One attendee told The Herald: “It was one of the most moving afternoons I’ve experienced. The music was beautiful, but it was the togetherness in the room that really stood out.”

Organisers thanked everyone who donated, with all proceeds going towards humanitarian support for Ukraine. Donations were accepted by cash or card, and raffle prizes included hampers, vouchers, and locally crafted gifts.

Photos from the event show a vibrant gathering of people of all ages, brought together by music and a shared sense of compassion.

Music, markets, cruises and fireworks at heart of Milford Haven’s event calendar

PEMBROKESHIRE’S pretty Milford Waterfront is planning an impressive events programme this year with a whole mishmash of seasonal happenings.

Kicking off the activities, on 24^th May, the Milford Haven Round Table will stage the ever-popular Big Beer Festival. Offering an impressive line-up of real ales, lagers and ciders, as well as summery fizz and Pimms. There will also be a street food zone for event goes to enjoy some tasty foods.  Adding to the festival vibe will be a programme of live music featuring the UK’s No. 1 Stereophonics tribute band, The Phonics, along with talented local acts.  Tickets cost £25pp for a four-drink token and commemorative glass.

In June the focus will be on the water, when the Waverley Paddle Steamer – the world’s last seafaring paddle steamer – glides into Milford waterway. There are two on-the-water options, including on the 2^nd June an afternoon/evening sailing from Milford Haven to Pembrokeshire Islands Explorer Cruise taking in views of Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay & Ramsey Island (tickets £57 adults and £28.50 children). While on 24^th June, departing Mackerel Quay by coach at 4pm, there’s a trip to Tenby for an evening cruise past Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire Coast to Milford Haven. The trip sails at 5.30 – 8:30pm (tickets £40 adults and £20 children), with return coach travel back to Milford Waterfront. For more information www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

More family-focused fun will entertain the crowds on 5^th July at the Milford Haven Carnival. Impressively organised by local Round Table, street entertainers, decorated floats and dressed-up walkers will parade through the town before finishing at the waterfront finale with live music, a fun fair, street entertainers and pop-up refreshments. Entrance fee is £1.

August plays host to the Milford Waterfront Weekender. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s programme will be bigger and better. It will run across three days from Friday 8th to Sunday 10^th August (midday to 9pm on Friday and Saturday and midday to 7pm on Sunday).  A vibrant mix of live music and entertainment from Pure West Radio plus an impressive market and street food and drinks bar line up, visitors can expect a one-stop-shop of the very best of what South West Wales has to offer.

November means one thing and that’s fireworks. Famed for hosting Pembrokeshire’s biggest, most spectacular and free, over-the-water fireworks display is Milford Haven Round Table stages. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 1st November from midday to midnight. More than just an impressive pyrotechnic extravaganza, the event features live music, a fun fair and delicious street food – all overlooking the pretty 300-berth marina and Milford Haven Waterway.

For more information: www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk/whats-on

For full event listings and updates, visit:
👉 www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk/whats-on