Entertainment

Popular dinosaur park gets permission to keep facilities open

Published

6 months ago

June 26, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow a south Pembrokeshire dinosaur park attraction to keep some of its facilities running has been given the thumbs-up by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council planners, Simon Meyrick of The Dinosaur Park, Gumfreston sought a certificate of lawfulness to keep three operational buildings at the park, a tourist attraction near Tenby which first opened in the mid-90s.

The certificate relates to three building at the park: a Covered Eating Area, a ‘Dinos Fun House,’ and an ‘Arachno Web’.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period, normally in excess of four years.

A supporting statement, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, said each building had been continuously operated since at least April 2020, a period of more than four years, for the purposes of seeking the certificate of lawfulness under the ‘four year rule’.

It added: “The covered eating area has been present almost since the opening of the Park in 1994; completion would therefore have been in 1995 / 1996 when it was used as an amphitheatre and home to puppet shows and fossil hunts. Over the last 3 / 4 years the same structure has been re-purposed to form a covered eating area reflecting a changing set of priorities, firstly to act as protection from rain and sun reflecting climate change and secondly, to provide more space for families to sit in a more open environment while variations of Covid are still present.”

It said the ‘Arachno Web’ was issued with a Certificate of Conformation (European Rope Course Association) in July 2018, and the ‘Dino Fun House’ was constructed at the beginning of 2020 after the required timber had been delivered by Farmplus in November 2019.

“Whilst there is a history of planning consents relating to the establishment of the Dinosaur Park and its development over recent years, no specific consents have been sought or granted for either the Covered Seating Area, the Dinos Fun House or the Arachno Web. This application seeks to remedy the lack of those specific consents,” the statement added.

A report by officers, granting the certificate, stated: “It is considered that based on the evidence available, on the balance of probability, that the buildings / structure edged red have been in operational use for a period in excess of four years preceding the date of the application for this certificate, and is subsequently immune from enforcement action.”

Entertainment

Milford Haven Round Table’s annual Santa Run start tonight in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 9, 2024

Luke Sinclair

The much-anticipated Milford Haven Round Table Santa Run is bringing festive joy to the community this week, with Santa and his sleigh visiting neighbourhoods across Milford Haven. Beginning tonight at 5:30pm, Father Christmas will make his grand appearance at Milford Haven Rugby Club before setting off on his first route.

A Magical Five-Night Journey

Night 1 (Tonight): Santa starts at Milford Haven RFC, visiting Herbrandston, Hubberston, and Hakin. A live Santa Tracker will be available to keep residents updated on his journey.
Night 2: Santa returns to Hakin and the town centre of Milford Haven.
Night 3: The sleigh will travel to the north of Milford Haven.
Night 4: Santa will visit the Pill area and Howarth Close.
Night 5: The festivities wrap up with a tour of Waterston and Mount Estate.

The Santa Run, a cherished community tradition, supports local causes while spreading Christmas cheer. Organised by the Milford Haven Round Table, the event is a highlight of the town’s festive calendar. Families are encouraged to come out and greet Santa while enjoying the Christmas spirit.

For those keen to follow along, the Santa Tracker link will be posted on the Milford Haven Round Table’s official social media pages. Make sure to bundle up, grab a hot drink, and join the community in celebrating the holiday season!

For more information click here: https://www.facebook.com/milfordhavenroundtable

Entertainment

Choir brings Christmas cheer to Pembroke Castle

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

COLOURFUL choristers filled Pembroke Castle with festive spirit during its Christmas Fayre on Saturday, November 30.

Dressed in an array of Christmas jumpers, ties, and Santa hats, the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir delighted visitors with a programme of 12 songs, complemented by leading several beloved carols.

Musical Director Juliet Rossiter conducted the choir, ensuring their performance ran smoothly. Accompanying them for the second time was the Rev William Lambert, the choir’s new accompanist who has quickly become a valued addition.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, two members of Cor Meibion De Cymru joined the choir on stage for a rousing rendition of American Trilogy, marking a memorable conclusion to their set.

As 2024 draws to a close, the choir plans to bring joy to three local residential homes before taking a well-earned break. Practices will resume in January, and new members are warmly encouraged to join.

Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays at 7:00pm at St Teilo’s Church Hall, Pembroke Dock. Interested singers can contact Choir Secretary Dave Powell on 07572 080401.

PICTURED: Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir on stage at Pembroke Castle’s Christmas Fayre. (Picture: P&DMVC)

Entertainment

James – Music to your ears

Published

2 days ago

December 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE composer, writer and director, James Williams, has worked on every Torch Theatre festive show for the past 25 years. His first show at the Torch in Milford Haven was Christmas Cat and the Pudding Pirates back in 1998 and since then James has been lucky enough to work with several artistic directors and actors along the way.

This Christmas, James, an Associate Director of the Torch, has composed music for the Torch Theatre’s festive pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk as well as Little Red Riding Hood for the Sherman Theatre, written A Christmas Wish for Simply Theatre, Geneva and written and directed Snow White and the Seven Elves for Bluestone Wales.

“Composing for the Torch Theatre this year has been an absolute joy, with a lot of silliness. The script is just fantastic, and the songs are catchy, full of earworms that will stick in your head. We have some incredible singers, and the music is just banging, challenging, popping and a lot of fun with audience participation where people will feel part of the action. The ‘five a day song’ is definitely one you’ll remember,” chuckled James.

But having composed for so many festive pantos here in Pembrokeshire, from where does James get his inspiration?

“It all starts with the script, and I make sure that the songs are relevant to the actions on stage. I try to imagine what it would be like to be in that world and if I can get the character clear in my head, it all comes easily. It’s the words that are harder I find and it can be quite challenging,” explained James who moved to the Carew area from Cardiff just before lockdown.

Over the years, James has worked for several other companies including NTW, WNO, Hijinx, Triongl, Give It A Name and Theatre Royal Plymouth. He’s the composer of the musical The Jolly Folly of Polly the Scottish Trolley Dolly and The Sheep Chronicles in collaboration with playwright Lesley Ross. He is director of the award-winning circus show Flown for Pirates of the Carabina and has directed the MAMT Showcase for RWCMD since the course inception in 2011.

With only five more years of enjoyment before James reaches a huge milestone of composing for the Christmas shows here at the Torch Theatre, Jack and the Beanstalk remains one of his favourites.

Jack and the Beanstalk can be seen at the Torch Theatre from Fri 13 – Sun 29 Dec 2024 with matinee and evening performances. Ticket prices: £23.50 | £19.50 Cons | £75.00 Family. Relaxed Environment Performance on Saturday 14 December at 2pm. BSL Performance – Tuesday 17 December at 6pm.