Entertainment

Popular dinosaur park gets permission to keep facilities open

Published

2 years 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

Green Man names five finalists for Rising competition

Published

18 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIVE emerging acts have been shortlisted for this year’s Green Man Rising final, with the winner set to open the Mountain Stage at the sold-out Welsh festival.

The final will take place at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff on Tuesday, June 2, hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Huw Stephens.

Now in its seventeenth year, the competition gives new artists from across the UK the chance to perform at Green Man, Wales’ largest music, arts and science festival.

This year’s finalists are Brighton school friends Glasshouse Red Spider Mite, Leeds dance-punk duo Kiosk, Heist or Hit signees The Slow Country, Tall Child — the project of London-based Nigerian/Indian musician Zha Gandhi — and bilingual English-Welsh band Cyn Cwsg.

Organisers said a record number of entries were received for the 2026 competition. The shortlist was chosen by an industry panel featuring representatives from Clash, DIY, NME, Dazed, Wonderland, The Quietus, So Young and BBC Radio Wales.

The winning act will secure the opening slot on Green Man’s Mountain Stage later this summer, along with a week of studio time at Prah Recordings and a physical vinyl release with Dinked Edition.

The runners-up will also appear on the Green Man Rising Stage, which has previously hosted acts including The Last Dinner Party, English Teacher, Westside Cowboy, Silver Gore, Adult DVD and Keo.

Each shortlisted artist will also receive a professional recording at the festival to help showcase their music to labels, agents and promoters.

Green Man managing director and owner Fiona Stewart said: “Launching talent is at the heart of Green Man and our incredible five finalists were chosen from a record breaking number of acts.

“When Rising was launched 18 years ago we could never have imagined how many artists have been supported in their early careers. Our industry panel will choose which band will open the Mountain Stage at Green Man 2026.”

Free tickets for the Green Man Rising final are available via Dice. Those attending will also be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to the sold-out Green Man 2026.

Entertainment

Contemporary art exhibition to mark reopening of Tenby Museum gallery

Published

21 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION featuring work by well-known local artists and craftspeople will mark the reopening of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery’s temporary exhibition space.

The exhibition will run from Monday, May 18, to Friday, September 4, following the completion of an extensive renovation project at the museum.

Organisers say the collaborative exhibition will celebrate the creative talent of Pembrokeshire and the cultural importance of Tenby.

Curator Anita Schwartz said: “We are so excited to bring together such an inspirational collection of original pieces to showcase the creative talents of our local community.

“The artists featured exemplify the continuing cultural importance of this vibrant Pembrokeshire town.”

Artists exhibiting include Naomi Tydeman RI, John Cahill, Kim Carlow, Ivan Black, Guy Manning, Tom Sloan, Graham Hadlow, Alex MacDonald, Anna Warchus, Alec Lewis and Abigail Blaylock-Squibbs.

The exhibition will open with a private view on Friday, May 15, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, giving visitors the chance to meet the artists and view the museum’s recently refurbished galleries.

The event is open to all, but guests are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] by 10:00am on Thursday, May 14.

Works on display will include John Cahill’s North Pembrokeshire Landscape, which was awarded first prize in the Welsh Prize category at the Wales Contemporary Exhibition at Chelsea Barracks, London.

Other featured works include Anna Warchus’ Seaside Plate, Tom Sloan’s Tenby, Guy Manning’s Castle Hill and Naomi Tydeman’s Blue Moon, Newgale.

The exhibition takes place at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby, SA70 7BP.

Entertainment

Monster Jam set to roar back into Cardiff with huge stadium spectacular

Published

2 days ago

May 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES, motorsport fans and adrenaline seekers are set for a spectacular day out when Monster Jam returns to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday, May 16.

The internationally renowned live motorsport event will transform the Welsh national stadium into a giant dirt-filled arena packed with roaring engines, huge jumps, freestyle tricks and head-to-head monster truck action.

Organisers say the 2026 show will feature some of the world’s most famous monster trucks, including Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and the UK debut of Sparkle Smash — a six-ton unicorn-themed truck making its first appearance in Britain.

Stadium transformed

Monster Jam has become one of the biggest family entertainment events to visit Cardiff in recent years, with thousands expected to pack into Principality Stadium for the action-packed afternoon show.

The event will feature racing, stunt competitions and the crowd-favourite freestyle section, where drivers attempt huge jumps, wheelies, donuts and gravity-defying tricks in front of live judges.

Fans will also be able to help score performances in real time, adding to the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Each truck weighs around 12,000 pounds and is capable of launching several metres into the air as drivers battle for points and crowd approval.

Pit Party experience

Fans wanting to get even closer to the action can attend the Monster Jam Pit Party before the main event.

The Pit Party runs from 10:00am until 1:00pm and gives ticket holders the chance to walk the stadium floor, see the trucks up close, meet drivers, take photographs and learn more about how the giant machines are built and maintained.

Organisers describe it as the “ultimate pre-show experience” for families and younger fans.

Major event for Cardiff

The return of Monster Jam is another major boost for Cardiff’s live events calendar, with Principality Stadium continuing to attract large-scale international entertainment and sporting events.

The show begins at 3:00pm on Saturday, May 16, with stadium doors opening earlier in the day for spectators and Pit Party attendees.