Entertainment

Mary Poppins star Glynis Johns laid to rest in West Wales

Published

2 years ago

September 2, 2024

ONE of the final stars from Hollywood’s golden era has been interred in a Carmarthenshire town she frequented during her rise to fame, a local church minister has confirmed.

British actress Glynis Johns, best known for her portrayal of the suffragette mother Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, passed away in Los Angeles in January at the age of 100.

In April, her ashes were brought to the Jerusalem Independent Chapel in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, to be laid to rest alongside those of her Welsh father, the actor Mervyn Johns.

A “lovely” and “solemn” ceremony preceded the burial, during which Send In The Clowns—a song composed specifically for Johns by the renowned Stephen Sondheim—was played, according to Chris Owen, the minister of the chapel.

Mr Owen disclosed that he was approached by Johns’ goddaughter in the United States, who sought to locate the burial site of the actress’s father.

“It was quite a surprise—I hadn’t realised she had any connection to Burry Port,” he remarked, noting that her will had specified her ashes be interred in the family grave.

“It’s really touching. I remember her films from my youth, back in the black and white days,” said Mr Owen, 72.

“While she may be less well-known today, she was quite a celebrated actress in her time.

“Her father had a stronger link to Burry Port, and I’ve been told she used to visit occasionally, to find some respite from the pressures of fame.”

Among those present at the ceremony was Rachael Nicholson, whose grandmother was a cousin of Johns.

“They were close in age and enjoyed spending time together—when she visited—taking dancing and ballet lessons in Pembrey,” Ms Nicholson recalled.

She described the service as “small”.

“Small, considering her stature as one of Hollywood’s greats, but it’s clear that this is where she felt her roots were, and she wanted to return to her family.”

Glynis Johns, a star of stage and screen, died in Los Angeles in January at the age of 100.

Born into a showbusiness family in October 1923 in South Africa, where her parents were performing, Johns was destined for the spotlight.

Her father, originally from Wales, toured with a drama company before returning to Britain, where he acted in several films following World War Two, including The Captive Heart and Scrooge. He passed away in 1992, aged 93.

Glynis Johns followed in her father’s footsteps, making her big screen debut in 1948 as the mermaid Miranda. Her performance in the comedy catapulted her to stardom in the UK.

She later earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the 1960 film The Sundowners, and starred alongside Dame Julie Andrews in the 1964 Disney classic Mary Poppins, a film that went on to win five Oscars.

In 1973, she won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Desiree Armfeldt in Sondheim’s Broadway musical A Little Night Music, where she performed Send In The Clowns—a song she once described as “the greatest gift I’ve ever been given”.

Entertainment

Saundersfoot film to premiere where it was made

Published

6 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE-made feature film is to receive its big-screen premiere next month in the very harbour where much of it was shot.

Near and Distant Things, written and directed by Saundersfoot filmmaker Emily Batty, will be shown outdoors at Saundersfoot Harbour on Saturday, July 18, as part of the Torch Theatre’s Sunset Cinema series.

The drama, filmed in summer 2025, tells the story of a grieving fisherman trying to support his daughter after she returns home, while experiencing dreamlike visions of his late wife.

The film makes strong use of the Saundersfoot landscape, with scenes filmed at the harbour, The Royal Oak pub, Monkstone Point and other familiar local locations.

Emily, 22, who grew up in Saundersfoot and recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a geography degree, has described the project as “a love letter to home”.

She said: “Watching a film set in Saundersfoot, with recognisable faces and locations on screen, in the heart of the harbour itself where we filmed many scenes, feels incredibly full-circle.

***The crew pause for a team-photo (Pic: Rachell Lambert Photography)***

“I can’t wait to share that experience with people.”

The film was made with the support of a small team and a largely local cast and crew.

Emily said the production had only been possible because of the “incredible amount of local support” received during filming.

She also praised composer and sound designer Zach Worthington, whose work helped shape the atmosphere of the film.

She said: “The score and soundtrack feel so entangled with the landscape of home.

“It’s a little bit folk, a little bit Celtic, and rather emotional.”

Emily, who has written and directed the film under the name Emily Florence, said some of the ideas behind the film had been with her for several years.

***Saundersfoot Harbour was used as a filming location and will now host the premiere (Pic: Rachell Lambert Photography)***

She said: “Some of the images within the film have been in my head since I was 18.”

She added that Pembrokeshire remains a major source of inspiration for her future work.

“I have a couple of screenplays in the works – I never stop writing – and I’m looking to get agented,” she said.

“I’m excited to continue to tell stories, in whatever capacity that may be.

“I can say that Pembrokeshire is still my muse, and I don’t think I’m done telling stories about home.”

The outdoor screening will take place on the harbour decking, with gates opening at 6:00pm and the film beginning at 7:00pm.

The film is rated PG, but includes themes of bereavement, mental health, domestic abuse and references to suicide which some viewers may find upsetting.

Emily said she hoped the premiere would be a moment of shared pride for the village.

She said: “So many people helped bring this film to life.

“There’s something very special about sharing a story set in Saundersfoot, surrounded by the landscape that inspired it.”

Tickets are available through the Torch Theatre website, with advance booking recommended.

Entertainment

Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to perform at Royal Welsh Show

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE HAWKSTONE FARMERS’ CHOIR, winners of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, will perform at the 2026 Royal Welsh Show.

The choir will sing in the main ring on the afternoon of Monday, July 20, the opening day of the show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

Formed by Jeremy Clarkson as part of an advertising campaign for his Cotswolds-based brewing business, the choir has since grown into a national success story, using its platform to raise awareness of mental health within the farming community.

Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to the Royal Welsh Show.

“Their performance on the Monday in the main ring, in front of thousands of visitors, will be a truly special occasion.”

He added that it would be the choir’s first official performance in Wales since winning Britain’s Got Talent, and said many choir members had strong links with the Royal Welsh.

Lead soloist Rosie Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Mid Wales, said: “What an honour to be invited to sing at the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

“This fairytale journey just keeps growing, but the greatest thing to come from it is the community we’ve built within the choir and beyond.”

The Royal Welsh Show is one of Europe’s leading agricultural events, celebrating Welsh farming, food and rural life.

Picture caption:

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir (Pic: Britain’s Got Talent / ITV).

Entertainment

Safe Online Gambling: Tips for Staying in Control

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Staff Writer

In many cases, online gambling is a harmless hobby. However, for others, gambling can become problematic without the right considerations. Thankfully, there are many ways to keep gambling habits restrained to prevent addiction. With that in mind, here are some safe online gambling tips to help you stay in control and keep gambling fun.

Set Financial Limits

Licensed operators must offer tools that allow people to set personal budgets. And from 30 June, they must also provide customers with an opportunity to set deposit limits, which refers to the amount a customer pays into their account over a set duration. These kinds of tools can be invaluable for people who struggle knowing when to stop or have a habit of chasing losses.

Similarly, most reputable casinos also have time limits, to ensure you aren’t spending too much time gambling. Additionally, if you feel you’ve lost control entirely, you can also self-exclude yourself from all sites by registering for an account with Gamstop Online.

Avoid Gambling Under the Influence

Gambling under the influence, after consuming alcohol for instance, can impair your judgement and lead to impulsive decisions. It’s essential that you only gamble while sober and when you’re not experiencing any particularly strong emotions, so you can make more informed, level-headed decisions.

This is especially true when using the fastest payout casinos or high intensity games, as it can be easy to get caught up in the fun, lose money fast, or make more impulsive decisions.

Know the Signs of Problem Gambling

When you gamble, you are taking a risk. Not just financially, but emotionally too. It’s important that you recognise the signs of problem gambling, so you can address any problems early to prevent further harm.

Some of the common signs of problem gambling include:

Frequently chasing losses
Using money intended for savings or essential expenses for gambling
Borrowing money from friends or relatives to gamble
Feeling agitated, angry, or anxious when not gambling
Having a preoccupation with gambling
Feeling out of control or impulsive when gambling
Not engaging in other hobbies or withdrawing from social activities
Concealing or lying to loved ones about gambling habits

Maintain Gambling Best Practices

To prevent your gambling habits from becoming a problem. Be sure to set yourself financial and time limits, avoid gambling when under the influence or when experiencing strong emotions, and get to know the early warning signs of problematic behaviour so you can address any issues quickly.