ARTISTS showcasing their work at the Torch Theatre’s Joanna Field Gallery this July will exhibit artwork created from the 2023/24 Life Drawing and Oil Painting classes organised by Learning Pembrokeshire. These classes were held at two different locations in Pembrokeshire with Life Drawings at Dinas and the Introduction to Oil Painting held at Haverfordwest.
When the group of artists, now great friends, were invited to exhibit their works, they couldn’t possibly turn down such an opportunity, and this July people visiting the Joanna Field Gallery will be in for an artistic treat.

“The oil paintings are either still-life, portrait or landscape following the three terms of study. We are all amateur artists, and we all live in Pembrokeshire,” said Paul King one of the exhibitors.

The group of artists all have different levels of experience and different motivations and aspirations. For many, this will be their first time exhibiting their work at the Torch and they are all very enthusiastic.

Paul added: “The general feeling is one of great excitement but we’re also nervous and keen to put on a good show. The Joanna Field Gallery is a well-attended and high-quality gallery space which we wouldn’t usually have the opportunity to exhibit in, so we are delighted that we are taking part.”

He concluded: “As a group, we’d like to thank the Torch Theatre and Learning Pembrokeshire as well as Mark Deane, our tutor, and each other for group support.”

Mark Deane, tutor of the artists at Learning Pembrokeshire says that the ability to come together as a cohesive and supportive group has been truly remarkable.

“I am immensely proud to extend my heartfelt accolades to this exceptional group of learners who have participated in our life drawing and oil painting courses. Over the past year, each has brought their unique background and authentic motivation to our shared artistic journey, enriching our classes with diverse perspectives and experiences.

“The camaraderie and encouragement they have shown one another has created a nurturing environment where creativity and learning can flourish. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to guide them through the curriculum, and their enthusiasm and dedication has been a constant source of inspiration for me.

“This experience has resulted in astounding achievements, the success is a testament to the group’s hard work, collaboration, and mutual support. I literally could not have done it without them. Thank you for making this journey so rewarding and memorable.”
Artists taking part in the exhibition include Paul, King, Victoria Elliott, James Miall, Sheila Davies, Graham Howard, Kila Millidine, Terry Smith, Maggie Norwell, Anna Hatton, Tina Trowell, Aline Whitaker, Andy St. Pierre, Melissa Pettitt and Philipa Kohly.

The July Exhibition at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre opens on Tuesday 2 July until the end of the month during Box office opening times. For further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

DESCRIBED by the Guardian as a “brutal confrontation on the miners’ strike picket lines,” Strike: An Uncivil War is Daniel Gordon’s feature documentary that tells the story of the Battle of Orgreave. It was the most violent confrontation between Miners and Police during the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike in Great Britain and can be seen at the Torch Theatre Cinema, on Wednesday 3 July.

The year-long Strike was the most divisive and violent industrial dispute that Britain has ever witnessed, and using powerful personal testimony, previously hidden government documents and a treasure trove of never-before-seen archive material, Strike: An Uncivil War follows the events at Orgreave, which took place on 18 June 1984.

Witness at first hand the stories and recollections of the people on the front lines of this incredible moment in time, which split communities and the nation in two, and which has ripples that still resonate to this very day.

“This is a tough, valuable, forthright film about one of the nastiest, ugliest moments in postwar British history. Since 1985, the debate about fossil fuels has, of course, changed. But it is still staggering that a government planned wholesale mine closures with no thought for and no interest in what would happen to the communities affected,” concluded the Guardian this week, who gave the documentary four stars.

Strike: An Uncivil War (15) will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Wednesday 3 July at 5.15pm. Ticket prices: Standard: £7.50. Concession: £7.00. Under 16: £6.00. To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

A LEGAL challenge against Pembrokeshire County Council for a recently granted approval for a £6m expansion of a south Pembrokeshire holiday park has been turned down, county planners heard.

Back in February, Pembrokeshire planners were informed a legal challenge to a November 2023-granted application for works at Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley/Stepaside had been launched.

The holiday park scheme had previously been backed twice by county planners after a ‘minded to approve’ cooling-off period was invoked as it was against repeated officer recommendations to refuse.

The controversial scheme by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd includes the installation of 48 bases for holiday lodges, a spa facility at a former pub, holiday apartments, a café and cycle hire, equestrian stables, a manège and associated office, and associated works.

It is said the scheme, next to the historic remains of the 19th century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, will create 44 jobs.

Officer grounds for refusal, based on the Local Development Plan, included the site being outside a settlement area.

Along with 245 objections to the current scheme, Stepaside & Pleasant Valley Residents’ Group (SPVRG Ltd) – formed to object to an earlier 2019 application which was later withdrawn – also raised a 38-page objection, with a long list of concerns.

A failed legal challenge to try and overturn a council decision to approve three separate planning applications at Heritage Park was launched in 2021 by SPVRG Ltd, which failed in early 2022; the council awarded costs of £10,000 despite external legal fees paid totalled £34,000 plus VAT.

At the June 25 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee members heard the recent judicial review call by SPVRG Ltd had been refused by the high court, the grounds put forward “not considered to be reasonably arguable”.

Committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock said a council request for SPVRG Ltd to pay costs incurred by the county council in defending the claim had now been submitted.