Entertainment

Two days of tradition and entertainment at Pembrokeshire County Show

Published

10 months ago

August 20, 2025

WALES’ largest county show kicks off today (Wednesday, August 20) at the County Showground in Withybush, Haverfordwest, with thousands expected to attend the two-day event.

The Pembrokeshire County Show is a summer highlight for locals and visitors alike, offering a packed schedule of livestock competitions, equestrian events, rural crafts, and high-energy entertainment. The showground gates opened at 7:30am and will remain open until 4:00pm today and tomorrow (Thursday, August 21).

This year’s show also features several new additions, including a live dinosaur experience from Rentadinosaur, offering meet-and-greets and interactive shows for younger visitors. A newly expanded Taste of Wellbeing Zone offers everything from reflexology and nutrition advice to mental health support and counselling. The Castell Howell-sponsored Food Hall has moved to a new location, while the Country Market returns with over 60 artisan stalls. Crowds have also been gathering to see the Gentle Giant Black Shire Horses from Moylegrove, and with GCSE results day falling on Thursday (Aug 21), a dedicated careers area will be available with representatives from emergency services, the military, Pembrokeshire College, and the Hywel Dda Health Board.

Visitors can enjoy a wide range of attractions, including over 40 artisan stalls in the Country Market area, a lively fairground, showjumping displays, dog agility demonstrations, vintage machinery, horticultural exhibitions, and countryside sports displays. There are also falconry shows, wood carving demonstrations, sheepdog trials, and a dedicated children’s activity zone featuring crafts, face painting and storytelling.

New for 2025 is the “Taste of Wellbeing” zone, where attendees can explore healthy food options, wellness advice, and self-care products. The Learning Pavilion is hosting talks and interactive sessions on sustainability, biodiversity, and farm safety.

The Milford Waterfront pop-up market is also on site in Zone A, opposite the Castell Howell Food Hall, showcasing Pembrokeshire businesses and local produce, including artisan cheeses, baked goods, handmade gifts, and local art. The Castell Howell Food Hall itself hosts chef demonstrations and food sampling throughout the day.

Live music will be performed throughout the day on the main entertainment stage, with performances from local bands, folk groups and school choirs. A Grand Parade of prize-winning animals and vehicles will take place as a show finale on Thursday afternoon.

Tickets are priced at £17 for adults and £8 for children aged five to sixteen, with under-fives and carers entering free of charge. Tickets are valid for either day but can only be used once. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Free onsite parking is available, and dogs on leads are welcome throughout the grounds.

Haverfordwest train station is just two miles from the showground, and shuttle services and bus connections are available. For those arriving by car, stewards are on hand to direct vehicles and ensure smooth entry. Disabled parking and accessible facilities are provided.

The show features hundreds of exhibitors and expects up to 10,000 visitors across both days. A wide range of competitions are taking place, including livestock showing, equine classes, pig and poultry judging, and homecraft, cookery, and produce contests.

The Craft & Horticulture section includes cut flowers, vegetables, preserves, baking, and children’s art. Prize-giving for these events will be held at 4:15pm on Thursday in the Parkhouse Exhibition Centre. All trophies and exhibits must be collected by 5:30pm.

Navigating the showground

The 2025 Pembrokeshire County Show is divided into several themed zones to help visitors make the most of their day:

Zone A includes the Agriculture & Machinery displays, Dog Agility Arena, Vintage Tractors, and the Livestock Arena. This is where you’ll find cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry competitions, alongside heavy machinery and trade stands.
Zone B covers the Crafts & Horticulture, West Wales Wool, Young Farmers area (YFC), and the Learning Pavilion. This area is close to main food courts, coffee stands, and information points.
Zone D is home to the Equine Rings, Show Jumping Ring, Horse Walk, and the Milford Waterfront Pop-Up Market near the Country Market and Countryside Park. The Funfair and Public Catering Bar are also in this zone, with toilets and a water refill point nearby.

Entrances and access:

Main public access is through Gate 5 and Gate 6.
Gate 1 is used for livestock vehicles, Gate 3 for coach drop-offs, and Gate 4 for equine exhibitors.
There is free public parking near Gate 5 and additional parking for badge holders and disabled visitors.
First Aid stations are located near the Poultry section and near Gate 2.

Facilities:

Toilets, including disabled access, are clearly marked.
Bars, coffee stalls, and food outlets are distributed throughout the grounds.
Mobility hire and information offices are near Gate 5 and the central shopping avenue.

A downloadable version of the map is available at pembsshow.org to help plan your visit.

Organisers say the show is a chance to celebrate Pembrokeshire’s farming heritage and community spirit, while also supporting local businesses and rural innovation. The event acts as a key gathering point for producers, tradespeople, educators and families alike.

Full competition schedules and downloadable maps are available on the official website. For more information and tickets, visit www.pembsshow.org

Entertainment

Saundersfoot film to premiere where it was made

Published

3 days 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

5 days 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

5 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.