News

Pembrokeshire on the big screen: A backdrop for Hollywood and beyond

Published

3 hours ago

September 30, 2024

WHEN it comes to breathtaking scenery, rugged coastlines, and untouched natural beauty, few places can rival Pembrokeshire. Nestled in Wales, this county offers an idyllic setting that has caught the eye of filmmakers from Hollywood blockbusters to indie productions. With its sweeping beaches, historical sites, and dramatic cliffs, Pembrokeshire has become a favourite filming location for some of the most notable films in recent years. Let’s take a journey through some of the big movies that have featured Pembrokeshire as their backdrop.

“Havoc” (2024) – An action-packed affair

Set to be one of the year’s most anticipated films, “Havoc” brings the allure of Pembrokeshire to the big screen. Directed by Gareth Evans and starring Tom Hardy, the action thriller needed a dramatic and intense setting – something Pembrokeshire was more than capable of providing. Though details about the exact filming locations have been kept under wraps, it is known that Pembrokeshire’s rugged terrains were used to create an atmospheric and gripping environment for this high-octane film. As “Havoc” unfolds on screens, audiences will catch glimpses of the county’s unspoilt beauty adding depth to the storyline. There were also scenes filmed in Swansea city centre.

“The Edge of Love” (2008) – A romantic drama in the Welsh heartland

Pembrokeshire served as an atmospheric backdrop for this film, which explores the turbulent life of poet Dylan Thomas. Starring Keira Knightley and Sienna Miller, “The Edge of Love” captured the rugged charm of Pembrokeshire’s coastline, particularly around the town of New Quay. The coastal scenes provided an authentic feel to the historical narrative, transporting viewers to a time when life was as unpredictable as the weather on the Welsh coast. The town’s quaint buildings and panoramic views were seamlessly woven into the film, showcasing Pembrokeshire’s quieter, more serene side.

“Snow White and the Huntsman” (2012) – A fantasy world by the sea

Hollywood met the Welsh coastline in “Snow White and the Huntsman.” This fantasy epic, starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, turned Pembrokeshire’s Marloes Sands into a magical battleground. The beach’s vast, wild stretches of sand, framed by dramatic cliffs, provided a mystical landscape that perfectly complemented the movie’s dark and enchanting atmosphere. Marloes Sands, with its remote beauty, brought an otherworldly quality to the film’s intense battle scenes, creating a setting that was both awe-inspiring and haunting.

“Robin Hood” (2010) – Epic battles on Pembrokeshire’s shores

Ridley Scott’s reimagining of the legendary outlaw’s tale found its perfect medieval canvas in Pembrokeshire. Starring Russell Crowe as Robin Hood, the film’s spectacular battle scenes were filmed at Freshwater West.

With its rolling dunes and vast stretch of sand, the beach embodied the raw, untamed feel of medieval England. Freshwater West’s authenticity and natural grandeur made it a standout location in the movie, and since then, it has become a pilgrimage site for film enthusiasts who wish to relive the action in real life.

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2010) – Magic on the Pembrokeshire coast

Few film franchises have captured imaginations quite like “Harry Potter,” and Pembrokeshire had the honour of becoming part of this magical world. Freshwater West was chosen as the location for Shell Cottage, the seaside home of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour. This iconic location played a key role in some of the series’ most poignant scenes.

The rugged coastline, with its endless horizon and dramatic waves, brought an ethereal quality to the film’s portrayal of a place both remote and comforting, perfectly fitting the tone of the wizarding world during its darkest hours.

“Their Finest” (2016) – Capturing wartime Britain

Pembrokeshire once again provided a historical backdrop in “Their Finest,” a romantic comedy-drama set during World War II. Starring Gemma Arterton and Sam Claflin, the film needed authentic settings to reflect the wartime spirit of Britain. Pembrokeshire’s coastal villages and sweeping shorelines added a sense of nostalgia and timelessness, complementing the story’s themes of resilience and hope. The film made use of the county’s old-world charm to recreate the look and feel of 1940s Britain, showcasing Pembrokeshire’s versatility as a filming location.

Pembrokeshire – Hollywood’s favourite hidden gem

Pembrokeshire has firmly established itself as a location where the magic of film meets the grandeur of nature. Whether providing the setting for sweeping historical epics, fantasy adventures, or poignant dramas, this corner of Wales offers an endless array of landscapes that can transform into virtually any world a story requires. It’s no wonder that both Hollywood blockbusters and independent films continue to be drawn to its shores. As the credits roll on these films, Pembrokeshire stands out as a star in its own right, capturing hearts and imaginations with its timeless beauty.

Business

Cardiff Airport’s passengers can fly to 155 destinations this winter

Published

3 mins ago

September 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

KLM’s winter schedule for this season runs from October 27, 2024, to March 30, 2025. KLM’s network includes 155 destinations, 89 in Europe and 66 intercontinental via its hub in

New to the network is the previously announced American destination, Portland. Additionally, KLM offers 15% more seats to destinations in India compared to last year. The first new A321neo aircraft are also operational on European destinations such as Copenhagen, Berlin, and Stockholm. Furthermore, Premium Comfort is available to book on all Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft.

Spencer Birns, CEO of Cardiff Airport, said: “Cardiff Wales Airport is delighted with the news from KLM. This additional global connectivity is an excellent boost for Welsh tourism and is instrumental in helping to assist families, businesses and our world-famous educational centres of excellence in Wales to stay connected with their respective ties across the World. With flights operating for over 35 years from Cardiff Wales Airport, it is a great success story and we look forward to many more years of partnerships with KLM.”

This winter, the Premium Comfort class can be booked on all Boeing 787 and 777 aircraft. This newest class offers passengers comfortable seats with extra legroom and a unique catering concept. KLM will add three new A321neo aircraft this year and will also fly these to Paris, Prague, and Vienna. KLM expects to put a total of four of these aircraft into service this year.

On several European destinations, KLM will fly more frequently this winter. From October 28, there will be six flights per day to Billund and two flights per day to Belfast. Additionally, KLM will fly three times a day to Bilbao and four times a week to Malaga and Alicante. Capacity to Bremen will be increased to four flights per day. KLM will also fly three times a week to Rovaniemi (Finland), up from twice a week last winter.

This winter, KLM will fly to nineteen destinations in North America (Canada, USA, Mexico). In the USA, KLM will fly to Portland three times a week this winter, a new destination taken over from Delta Air Lines. Additionally, KLM will fly five times a week to San Francisco, increasing to a daily flight midway through the winter season. Furthermore, KLM will fly four to five times a week to Edmonton in Canada.

KLM will fly daily to Paramaribo this winter, which is one extra flight per week. Sint Maarten will be combined with Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), with frequency increased to five times a week. During the Christmas and spring periods, the number of flights to and from Curaçao will increase.

KLM will fly daily to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Panama. Buenos Aires will be combined with Santiago de Chile, as it was last year. San José will be serviced four times a week, combined with Liberia (Costa Rica) after the runway maintenance is completed. Additionally, there will be six flights per week to Lima and the combination of Quito and Guayaquil.

KLM will fly seven times a week to Lagos this winter. Additionally, KLM will fly daily to two destinations in South Africa: Johannesburg and Cape Town. Capacity to Cape Town will be increased from the Christmas period to the end of the winter season with two extra flights per week on Tuesdays and Sundays. There will also be daily flights to Nairobi and Accra. This winter, passengers have the option to fly to three destinations in Tanzania: a daily flight to Dar es Salaam combined five times a week with Kilimanjaro and twice a week with Zanzibar. Furthermore, Kigali in Rwanda and Entebbe in Uganda will be serviced five times a week this winter.

Capacity to Asia has not yet fully recovered from the COVID pandemic, and due to rerouting around Russia, flights take longer than usual. This winter, the same schedule as last winter will be flown. KLM will fly daily to Shanghai and Beijing and four times a week to Hong Kong. KLM will also fly daily to Tokyo Narita and three times a week to Osaka. Seoul in South Korea will be serviced five times a week. Passengers can fly daily to Bali with a stopover in Singapore. Additionally, KLM will fly six times a week to Jakarta with a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Bangkok is reachable every day with a daily flight. In India, Delhi and Mumbai will be serviced daily, and there will be a flight to Bengaluru five times a week.

KLM will fly daily to Dubai this winter. The route to Riyadh and Dammam will also be flown six times a week.

Business

Celtic Freeport CEO accepts Patron role at SPARC Alliance

Published

22 mins ago

September 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

LUCIANA CIUBOTARIU, former Head of Trade and Investment for Thames Freeport and now CEO of Celtic Freeport, has enthusiastically accepted the role of Patron for the SPARC Alliance. Luciana is deeply committed to empowering young females, particularly in underrepresented sectors, and looks forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure the continued success of this initiative.

The Celtic Freeport is at the heart of the green economy in south west Wales and will accelerate innovation and investment, especially in port infrastructure and sustainable energies.

The SPARC Alliance, established last July by Pembrokeshire College and Pembrokeshire County Council, with substantial support from RWE, Blue Gem Wind, Floventis (Cierco Energy), Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, and the Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Fund, aims to engage young females in STEM careers.

A key priority for the Freeport is advancing the skills agenda to prepare the region for growth, this includes addressing gender disparities in engineering and construction sectors. SPARC is set to play a pivotal role creating an equitable talent pipeline that meets industry demands over the next 10 years.

Co-leads, Hayley Williams (Pembrokeshire College) and Rob Hillier (Pembrokeshire County Council) jointly commented, “We are thrilled to have Luciana as the face of the SPARC Alliance. Not only is she an inspiring role model for young women, but her expertise will also be invaluable in guiding SPARC’s development. With an imminent increase in high-value jobs, Luciana’s support will inspire the next generation of female talent to contribute to and thrive within our region,”

News

Appeal for CCTV footage following yacht club break-in in Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

September 30, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS of Milford Haven are being urged to come forward with any CCTV footage following a break-in at the local yacht club in the early hours of Saturday morning. The incident occurred at the Gelliswick Beach/Pembrokeshire Yacht Club area between 2:00am and 3:30am, during which multiple outboard motors were stolen.

The yacht club’s own CCTV captured the perpetrators in action; however, authorities are seeking additional information to aid the investigation. Specifically, they are asking for footage from around Gelliswick Beach, the Yacht Club area, or even the back road entrance and golf club route leading down to the beach from the main road.

Anyone who may have CCTV footage of unusual activity or vehicle registration details during this time is being urged to come forward. This information could be crucial in identifying the individuals responsible for the theft.

If you can provide any information or footage, please contact the authorities as soon as possible. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated in helping to resolve this incident.