News

All the world’s a stage for Torch youth director Tim Howe

Published

11 months ago

January 29, 2025

Cast your eye over the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s alumni, and the role call is a strong one.

Leading names including Daniel Day-Lewis, Jeremy Irons, Miranda Richardson, Helen Baxendale, Pete Postlethwaite and Stephanie Cole all crossed the threshold with an unblinkered determination to do everything within their grasp to make their belief in the theatre their fundamental purpose in life.

“Being offered a place at the Bristol Old Vic was slightly surreal, to be honest, but I knew I had to accept,” explains Tim Howe, who is the senior manager for youth and community at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

“I was offered quite an exclusive directing course, and thinking of all those names that had walked through the doors before me was slightly intimidating. But the time I spent there changed my entire perspective.”

Born and raised in Northamptonshire, Tim knew from a very young age that his life was going to revolve around the theatre.

“I never had that overall defining moment when I knew that this was where I’d end up, but the theatre has always been an important part of my life,” he explains.

“I was lucky in that I had parents who believed that if I wanted to do a particular thing, then I should be allowed to give it a go. And even though they weren’t in the least bit theatrical – mum was a nurse and dad worked in education – they supported me all the way.

“As a result I began to feel the ambition, the hope and the aspiration to make drama work.”

His aspiration was further enhanced by his drama teacher at Bishop Stopford School in Kettering.

“It was just a bog standard secondary school but our drama teacher didn’t just care about teaching but about enabling her students to experience absolutely everything in putting on a production. And this included writing the entire show to answering letters from parents. We were never treated like kids and this went a long way in helping us believe in ourselves.”

Following A levels, Tim received an unconditional offer to study drama at Aberystwyth University.

“I didn’t visit the town until the very first day of term,” he says.

“ I remember travelling down the hill to the college thinking where in the world had I got to? And in many ways, Aberystywth is a bit like being here on Milford Haven. You either love it or you hate it but the surroundings fitted my creativity so well.

“Sometimes I was working on five or six productions so it was pretty intense and sometimes stressful, but the way in which we were taught was exceptional. The tutors were really good at dampening people’s egos without it ever feeling toxic and they never made us fall out of love with drama.”

As a result of his degree course at Aber, Tim applied for a place at the Old Vic.

“It was quite an exclusive course for directing, and I went along to the audition not really thinking that I’d get offered a place.”

But two days later, Tim discovered that he’d been accepted.

“It totally changed the way in which I viewed directing,” he explains. “In a production there are lots of actors but only one director, so it’s very easy to start feeling the pressure of how to make the thing work. I’m telling people all the time, to stop trying to be original, because this sets you up to be disappointed. Just embrace the fact that we’re forever borrowing ideas from other people, myself included, and this is what helps us to enjoy a production and find our own sense of ownership.

“And this is what I’m finding with the young people I’m working with here at the Torch. It’s easy to assume that young people are more self conscious than adults, but if you create the correct space for them to perform in, then they lose all sense of their inhibitions. It’s only embarrassing if you’re embarrassed .”

Following his time at the Old Vic, Tim did some freelance directing in London before being appointed the director in residence at Eton College, Windsor.

“This was another rather surreal experience where I met some wonderful people such as the fantastic Patricia Hodge who I sat next to at dinner and King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales.

“But being at Eton opened my eyes to how unfair it is that students at schools such as this have so many more opportunities than other children,” he said.

“Surely all children should have the right to study drama as well as all the other arts at their respective schools, but sadly the money just isn’t there.”

From Eton he spent some time at Beijing before returning to the UK and directing in St Ives and the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. In January 2023, he was appointed senior manager for Youth and Community at The Torch.

“It’s a wonderful theatre for children and young people as it’s a producing theatre, which is quite unique for a theatre of this size. We produce around three of our own shows a year which gives the youngsters a wonderful insight into how an entire production is put together. They also get the chance to share the space with professionals…people who were once like them and who had the aspiration to follow their dream.

“In many ways I feel as if I’m opening the door for these children by giving them the space, the guidance and the opportunity to talk about how they want to move forward, just like I was given the opportunity all those years ago.”

The Torch Youth Theatre meets on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and caters for children between the age of 7 and 18. For further information, visit the Torch website.

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

News

Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

Published

5 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Herald Sport

CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.