Entertainment

First-hand experiences from the Welsh Guards told in new film

Published

2 years ago

October 21, 2024

MARKING a decade since the withdrawal of British combat troops from Afghanistan, a new documentary Helmand: Tour of Duty– airing on BBC Two, BBC Two Wales and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, October 30 at 9pm – tells the intimate, dramatic and revelatory story of ten Welsh Guards deployed to the frontline of the war in Helmand Province in 2009.

It was a period which became known as the British Army’s bloodiest summer in more than half a century. At a time when UK press coverage of casualties was peaking and the fate of the war in Afghanistan hung in the balance, the Welsh Guards were tasked with pushing back an evolving Taliban insurgency whose battlefield tactics increasingly centred on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and intense, close quarters combat. It’s an era marked in Britain’s national memory, but the experience of those on the frontline, both then and in the years that followed, is little understood.

Now, in their own words, and sharing their experiences for the first time on camera, the band of brothers, alongside their wives and mothers, reveal the realities of war, revisiting some of the most impactful, bloody and life changing moments.

Jonathan Jenkinson, Colour Sergeant in the Welsh Guards in 2009, recalls an incident where one of their vehicles hits an IED: “When that vehicle goes up and you see the guys just flying in the air, it’s horrendous. The Taliban, they started opening up on us, firing at us. There was fuel, ammunition everywhere. It was chaos.”

Their bond was unbreakable, yet during their six-month deployment, the regiment took unprecedented casualties, losing a man at nearly every military rank up to Lt. Colonel, while many others suffered life changing injuries.

Speaking about the bond of the Welsh Guards, Gavin Evans, Sergeant, said: “We’re all cut from the same cloth if you like, a big family, we know what our upbringings have been like. We know what our surrounding areas are like, and we just look out for each other.”

Echoing this, Steven Peters, Platoon Sergeant, said: “You get that feel of being part of a team, it’s a brotherhood. You have that connection, and that bond stays strong for a lifetime.”

Told as a gripping week by week narrative, the film also explores the ongoing impact that the tour has had on the rest of many of their lives 15 years later, with the cast reflecting on how they have processed events, particularly in the context of the Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan in 2021.

The 80-minute film has been co-commissioned by BBC Factual and BBC Cymru Wales, directed by Hannah Lowes edited by Tom Dixon Spain and Exec Produced by Hamish Fergusson and Gwenllian Hughes. It is a co-production between Passion Pictures and Kailash Films. It has been commissioned by Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning for BBC Documentaries and Nick Andrews, Head of Content Commissioning for BBC Cymru Wales. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Factual is Tom Pullen and the Commissioning Editor for BBC Cymru Wales is Julian Carey.

Entertainment

Llys-y-frân Lake to launch Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park

Published

3 days ago

May 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW ATTRACTION WILL OPEN AT WEEKENDS BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

LLYS-Y-FRÂN Lake is set to make a splash this summer with the launch of what is being billed as Wales’s largest inflatable aqua park.

The new attraction, at the popular reservoir and visitor destination near Clarbeston Road, will feature a floating obstacle course with slides, launch towers, blast bags and other inflatable challenges.

Visitors will be able to enjoy one-hour sessions on the water, with safety equipment included in the £25 ticket price.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, which runs Llys-y-frân Lake, completed the acquisition of the aqua park from Aqua Parks Group in March. Work is now under way to inflate and anchor the multi-component course in the lake ahead of its opening.

The aqua park will open at weekends before the start of the six-week school holiday period. It will then operate daily during the school holidays, with the season expected to finish in early September.

James Thompson, Head of Visitor Attractions at Dŵr Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of an Aqua Park at Llys-y-frân Lake.

“We look forward to welcoming both holidaymakers and local residents from across West Wales and beyond to experience the Aqua Park.

“This new addition enables visitors to enjoy the water in a safe, fully lifeguarded environment.”

Llys-y-frân Lake, situated north of Haverfordwest in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains, has become one of West Wales’s best-known outdoor attractions.

The site, which includes 350 acres of woodland, grassland and open water, benefited from major investment in 2021 with the opening of a new visitor centre and activity centre. A four-star campsite was added in 2023.

Dŵr Cymru said environmental surveys had been carried out and indicated that the aqua park was unlikely to have a negative impact on local wildlife. The company said measures were being put in place to protect the lake’s habitats and species.

Recent inland bathing water assessments have also confirmed that Llys-y-frân Lake has excellent water quality. Welsh Water said monitoring would continue throughout the summer bathing season.

A community open day will be held at Llys-y-frân Visitor Centre on Sunday, May 17, from 11:00am to 3:00pm, where plans for the aqua park will be on display and staff will be available to answer questions.

The new attraction will add to the existing activities at Llys-y-frân, which include bike hire, walking and cycling trails, mountain bike routes, a pump track, lakeside café and gift shop.

Further updates on opening dates and the full summer timetable will be published on the Llys-y-frân Lake Facebook and Instagram pages.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

4 days ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Entertainment

Dinosaurs set to take over Milford Waterfront

Published

5 days ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PREHISTORIC FUN COMES TO MILFORD HAVEN

DINOSAURS will be roaming Milford Waterfront later this month as Dinomania brings a day of prehistoric entertainment to the town.

The popular dinosaur attraction will take over the waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three interactive shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

Each show will last around 50 minutes and promises plenty of audience participation, prehistoric facts, and family-friendly fun.

Before the ticketed shows begin, visitors are being encouraged to keep an eye out around Milford Waterfront, where Dinomania’s dinosaurs will be out and about during a free walkabout performance between 10:30am and 11:30am.

The walkabout will give families the chance to see the dinosaurs up close and enjoy some entertainment around the waterfront before the main shows get underway.

Milford Waterfront said: “Dinomania will be taking over Milford Waterfront on Wednesday, May 27, with three exciting shows taking place throughout the afternoon.

“Each show lasts approximately 50 minutes and is packed with interactive moments and prehistoric fun.”

Tickets can be booked through the Milford Waterfront website.