Entertainment
Pembrokeshire artists get together to showcase work at The Torch

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.

Entertainment
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show – the perfect introduction to live theatre

THE CRITICALLY acclaimed production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show created by Jonathan Rockefeller features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets.
The production faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Busy Spider and of course, the star of the show – The Very Hungry Caterpillar and can be seen at the Torch Theatre this April.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, a vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics, is the perfect introduction to live theatre and has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, now celebrating 50 years, has sold more than 18.2 million copies.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is the world’s #1 show for young children, playing to over 1 million attendees in over 10 countries and the iconic Hungry Caterpillar artwork created by Eric is instantly recognizable.
“We can’t wait to welcome The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show here to the Torch Theatre. Everyone has heard of the Caterpillar or read about him and now you can see the loveable character on the Torch stage with his friends. What better way to spend a morning or afternoon with the three performances we have on offer,” said Anwen Francis, from the Marketing Team at the Torch.
The show has been described by the New York Times as “Bedazzling! Will Mesmerize Audiences!” and as “A Knockout Success” by the Daily Telegraph.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show can be seen at the Torch Theatre on Wednesday 23 April at 2pm; Thursday 24 April at 11am and Thursday 24 April at 2pm. Tickets are: £14.00 | £12.00 Child | £47.00 Family. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
Business
Explore ‘Great Ponds in Art: From Dürer to Monet’ at Twr y Felin Hotel

TWR Y FELIN Hotel is pleased to announce an enlightening art talk titled “Great Ponds in Art: From Dürer to Monet,” presented by esteemed art historian and Ashmolean Museum lecturer, Juliet Heslewood. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, in support of the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens, with 100% of profits donated to the cause.
Attendees will embark on a visual journey through art history, exploring how artists from Albrecht Dürer to Claude Monet have depicted ponds in their work. Juliet Heslewood will provide insights into the artists’ observations and techniques, offering a fresh perspective on Monet’s iconic water lily paintings.

Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, 19th March, 2025
- Time: 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm
- Location: Twr y Felin Hotel, Ffordd Caerfai, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT
- Price: £8 per person (100% of profits go to the Nature Recovery Action Plan for The Havens)

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available through the Eventbrite website (eventbrite.co.uk)
For more information about this event and other offerings from Twr y Felin Hotel, please visit the hotel’s official website.

Twr y Felin Hotel is Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, offering luxurious accommodation and fine dining in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Renowned for its outstanding service and stunning coastal location, the hotel is a multi-award-winning destination for travellers seeking tranquillity and sophistication.
Entertainment
Action for a better world – Exhibition at Cardigan Guildhall

THERE’S a long and proud history of activists who have worked for a better world by rebelling against the status quo when change was needed. The suffragettes and civil rights protesters often spring to mind, but many others have also changed our world for the better over the centuries.
This history will be be brought right up to date at the Cardigan Guildhall Corn Exchange next week. The role of current-day activists will be illustrated in an exhibition of Faces of Rebellion from 17th to 22nd March.

It features the work of Mark Skipper, who uses the name Bitterjug for his art work. He says, “I’m a software engineer with a sketchbook. I’m also a climate activist, and reportage sketcher: I take my sketchbook to protests to capture scenes and atmosphere in ways that photography cannot.”
Mark’s sketches of activists’ faces are surrounded by the person’s own words about how and why they became active, and the variety is striking.
Mark continues, “Faces of Rebellion tells the stories of climate activists as humans in a way the media cannot. Its enduring themes are compassion and community.”
Mark encourages other artists to get involved, and portraits by Solutionairy, from The Netherlands, will also be included. Solutionary gives her background: “I trained as a solution focussed psychologist. We focus on people’s strengths and their unique ways to deal with life’s challenges. With Faces of Rebellion I get to apply this to our greatest challenge. I’m inspired by the variety of stories of courage and kindness in the face of climate breakdown.”
Caroline Juler is a local artist and film-maker who lives in Brynberian. She has made many short videos of Cardigan based climate activists, and these will also be part of the exhibition. “I’ve been very aware of the escalating climate crisis for some time, and recently I’ve been taking a more active part in trying to do something about it. We all bring our own backgrounds and talents to climate work, and these all feed into effective climate campaigning when we work together. I wanted to make the videos to show how this works for some of the many local activists.”

The exhibition has been arranged by West Wales Climate Coalition members, and Philippa Gibson has helped with some of the organisation. She says, “It’s easy to feel disheartened by slow progress, and Donald Trump’s denial of the climate cristis doesn’t help, but we need to be aware that we are part of an “ecosystem of change” that includes COP international climate conferences, national legislation, community action, industry innovation, and individual commitment, including protests and non-violent direct action to to challenge damaging practices.” She added, “All these parts work together to make meaningful impacts achievable. We ALL have a role to play. This exhibition aims to be inspiring and positive.”
If you’d like more information about the exhibition or about local climate campaigning, contact cardiganxr@protonmail.com

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