Entertainment

Keeping it local at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre

Published

3 mins ago

December 18, 2024

WITH the Torch Theatre’s festive panto Jack and the Beanstalk in full swing, its community spirit is more prevalent this year than ever before. With local actors, local stage crew and local support from nearby companies, including Valero and Elder Meadows Nursery, the annual family production is a must for all this Christmas.

Lloyd Grayshon – the memorable Mrs Trott, Freya Dare who plays the cool Agatha Fleshcreep and Samuel Freeman as Terrence Fleshcreep – are all from west Wales, with Samuel from Milford Haven town itself. Gareth Elis, who plays the main character, Jack Trott, has Whitland connections with Carri Munn (Pat the Cow) part of the Torch family having performed on the Torch stage this year in Tachwedd / The Slaughter (Theatre 503) and Elena Carys-Thomas as Fairy Gabby Greenfingers returns following a stint with the Torch Youth Theatre.

Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director said: “I feel it’s important that many of our actors and creative team have a local connection especially as they include local references in the panto – Jack is from Hakin after all! It’s also important for our audiences, particularly young people, to see people like them on the stage.

“At the Torch we help people of all ages develop their creativity and we want our audiences to know that anything is possible, whether you want to become a doctor, a hairdresser, an engineer or even an actor.”

Samuel Freeman started his acting career at the Torch having been an active member of Torch Youth.

“It always feels like a huge honour to be working at the Torch. We are very lucky to have a theatre in Milford Haven that produces original work, as well as receiving high calibre touring productions, cinema and live broadcasts. Growing up with this right on my doorstep was integral to my love of theatre. I had access to the Torch’s fantastic youth theatre program, giving me the chance to experience performing in a professional setting from an early age.

“In a way, things feel they have gone full circle. It is hard to put into succinct words how much joy and pride it gives me to be on the very stage I watched, wishing to be a part of Pembrokeshire brims with talent and culture, and it means the world to me to continue that legacy of great art in our wonderful part of the world.”

Freya Dare, who was the ultimate understudy in the Torch Theatre’s pantomime Beauty and the Beast, covering for Belle, Belle’s Mother and Fairy Shadowmist, is delighted to be supporting her local theatre.

Freya said: “It is so special to perform at this special theatre that means so much to me. I love that I know and work with some of the audience members and get excited to bring joy and fun to a community I care so much about. “

Jack and the Beanstalk can be seen at the Torch Theatre from now until Sun 29 Dec 2024 with both matinee and evening performances. Ticket prices: £23.50 | £19.50 Cons | £75.00 Family. BSL Performance – Tuesday 17 December at 6pm.

To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Community

Early-bird tickets are released for SPAN Arts’ Narberth A Cappella Festival 2025!

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Richard Lewis

SPAN ARTS is delighted to announce the return of the Narberth A Cappella Festival for March 2025. This spectacular and unique festival returns to the town of Narberth for 2025, bringing wonderful A Cappella offerings to Pembrokeshire. Not only this but new for 2025 a tantalising Earlybird offer has just been launched, with discounted festival tickets, priority workshop booking and more!

The Narberth A Cappella Festival, organized by SPAN Arts, is Wales’s premier a cappella voice celebration, attracting participants from across the UK. With over 25 years of history, Narberth A Cappella Festival 2025 will focus on community voices, featuring the much-loved Singing Feast and vocal workshops led by world-renowned practitioners.

The festival will commence with our welcoming Singing Feast, an evening where you can enjoy delicious food, excellent company and joyful singing on the Friday night. On the Saturday you can join our singing workshops which bring talented vocalists to teach vocal sessions in both the morning and afternoon. In the evening, we close our festival with a concert that showcases community a cappella choirs, with a line-up of UK wide and local choirs for you to enjoy.

You will be able to book individual events when SPAN Arts launches their event tickets in the new year or book your “Festival Tickets” that will cover entry to every event across the festival.

But why wait till then? Book Earlybird Festival Ticket offer and secure your place now. Already available to purchase via their website this makes the perfect Christmas gift to give that unique experience to any music enthusiast.

With the Earlybird ticket offer, you can grab yourself a discounted festival ticket that covers all the events of the weekend. It also gets you priority booking for the limited places available at the singing workshops ahead of the general sales release in the new year.

All Earlybirds will also get a free tote bag on their arrival at the start of the festival! But hurry, this offer is only available through the Christmas period and finishes on the twelfth day of Christmas (6 January).

Keep an eye on their website and social media for more announcements about artists, performers and more over the next few weeks.

For more information contact [email protected] or call 01843 869323

The event will take place 7 – 8 March 2025 at the following locations:

Singing Feast: The Scout Hut, Town Moor, Narberth. SA67 7AG
Singing Workshops: Bethesda Baptist Church, High St, Narberth SA67 7AP
Final Concert: St Andrews Church, 17 Church St, Narberth SA67 7BH

Earlybird festival ticket £58. More tickets to be released in the New Year. Advanced booking required. Visit the SPAN Arts website to book.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss your accessibility needs. For ticket holders who need access support to attend, they offer a free ticket for their companion, carer or personal assistant. Contact 01834 869323 to book your carers ticket.

Entertainment

Ivor the Engine turns 65 with commemorative book reprint

Published

1 day ago

December 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DECEMBER marks 65 years of Ivor the Engine, the much-loved green steam train from the “top left-hand corner of Wales.” First brought to life on television in 1959, Ivor has charmed generations with heartwarming tales set in the fictional village of Llaniog.

To celebrate, Candy Jar Books has re-published the original 1962 picture book. Featuring Oliver Postgate’s captivating storytelling and Peter Firmin’s timeless illustrations, the restored edition is now available in both paperback and hardback.

Created by Postgate and Firmin’s Smallfilms, Ivor the Engine was a pioneer of imaginative children’s television. Its distinctive stop-motion animation, painted watercolour cut-outs, and whimsical bassoon soundtrack helped cement it as a key part of British cultural history.

The series followed Ivor and his driver, Jones the Steam, alongside a memorable cast of characters including Evans the Song and Idris the dragon. Inspired by Dylan Thomas’ Under Milk Wood, the show portrayed Welsh life with charm and humour.

In recent years, Ivor’s legacy has been revived. Stars like Eddie Izzard, Cerys Matthews, and Rob Brydon voiced new audiobook stories during lockdown, reconnecting audiences with the steam engine’s magic. Earlier this year, Ivor was also honoured as the only fictional member of the Great Little Trains of Wales.

With remastered episodes now streaming on BritBox and ITVX, and the restored book back on shelves, Ivor the Engine continues to delight both nostalgic fans and new audiences.

Paperback £12.99 / Hardback £20.00. Available from www.candy-jar.co.uk and in all good bookshops.

Entertainment

How Pembrokeshire has changed in the last few decades

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2024

Staff Writer

Pembrokeshire was officially established as a county in 1536. Since then, not only has it become a popular place to live, but it has also established itself a favoured tourist destination for both Welsh residents and those further afield.

So, how has the well-known county developed in the last 30-or-so years and become the admired seaside county that we know today? Let’s take a more in-depth look at the history of Pembrokeshire, from population and tourism, to house prices and entertainment options.

Population

As a place to live, Pembrokeshire has grown in popularity in the last few decades. Since 1981, over 16,000 more people have moved to Pembrokeshire. As of 2024, the population of Pembrokeshire is 123,700.

Houses

In the last year, house prices in Pembrokeshire were, on average, £238,000. That’s slightly lower than the UK’s national average, which came in at £267,200. In comparison, the average house price in Pembrokeshire almost 30 years ago, in 1995, was just £54,124.

Tourists

Pembrokeshire offers plenty to see and do and has made a name for itself as an ideal holiday destination, particularly in the summer months. With attractions like the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, that attracts around 250,000 people each year, and the highly regarded Pembroke Castle, it’s no wonder visitors keep coming back.

The tourism scene in Pembrokeshire contributes a significant amount to the local economy and, in 2021, an estimated 6.4 million people visited the seaside county. This is an increase of 2.1 million since 2010, which saw 4.2 million tourists.

Entertainment

The world of retail has taken a dive in Pembrokeshire in recent years, with a 9.6% decline in 2015. Considering there has been a 16% decline in UK shoppers visiting retailers since the COVID-19 pandemic, this downward trend is unfortunately likely to continue.

It’s not just shops that have taken a back seat. Despite being a Welsh staple, bingo halls have taken a hit due to the popularity of online bingo games. However, this isn’t a Pembrokeshire-specific issue. It’s estimated there are now only 260 dedicated bingo halls left in the UK.

What is the future of Pembrokeshire?

As a popular and well-known Welsh destination with plenty to offer, it’s unlikely Pembrokeshire will ever lose its popularity as a summer holiday destination and tourism will remain one of its highest economic factors. As Wales has proved itself to be on the more affordable side of the UK, it’s anticipated to remain a popular place to live in Wales.