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Entertainment

Get up and wiggle with Zephyr the Puffin!

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REHEARSALS are in full swing for this year’s festive pantomime Rapunzel at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven – and the excitement is already building among the cast and crew.

Local actress and choreographer Freya Dare is returning to the Torch stage to play Zephyr the Puffin, a lively, loveable character set to have audiences wiggling in their seats. Having performed in previous productions, including last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, Freya says being back on her home stage feels “like coming home.”

Freya, who runs her own theatre company with her mum, Lynda, creates original plays inspired by classic children’s literature, often weaving in environmental messages.

“I started dancing when I was three,” she recalled. “I was always moving and couldn’t sit still. My amazing mam took me to my first dance class, and I just loved that feeling of freedom and joy. When I took part in a project called The Young Americans at The Lyric in Carmarthen, I knew performing was something special.”

Dance for everyone

Freya believes dance is something everyone can enjoy — whatever their age or ability.

“Dance is like an extension of language,” she said. “It helps you express what words can’t. It brings people together and creates so much joy. I teach dance classes to people of all ages, from little ones to those in their eighties, and you still see the same happiness in every class.”

This year, Freya not only stars as Zephyr but is also choreographing the entire pantomime — a high-energy show filled with sea-themed numbers, comedy routines and audience participation.

“I start with the music and lyrics for inspiration,” she explained. “Our musical composer James Williams creates an incredible range of songs that really express the characters’ emotions. I build the choreography around that feeling — whether it’s quirky jazz moves for a villain or playful gestures for a comic song.

“Last year I even used sign language in one of the fairy songs for Jack and the Beanstalk, so the audience could join in. It was a brilliant way to connect movement, music and meaning.”

A seaside twist

Set around a Pembrokeshire lighthouse, this year’s Rapunzel has a distinct nautical flavour — complete with puffins, shipwrecks and sea shanties.

“I’m taking inspiration from the sea,” Freya said. “There’ll be some Charleston-style rowing, waves of movement, and fun choreography that everyone can copy from their seats. It’s going to be full of energy and laughter.”

Freya previously understudied in Beauty and the Beast and says pantomime season remains the highlight of her year.

“Panto is my absolute favourite season,” she said. “I love seeing audiences let go — shouting out, laughing and dancing along. It’s so special to be part of people’s Christmas memories. I can’t wait for the fun to begin!”


Rapunzel runs at the Torch Theatre from Saturday 6 December to Sunday 28 December.
Tickets: £24.50 | £20.00 concessions | £78.00 family.
Relaxed Environment Performance: Saturday 13 December, 2:00pm.
BSL Interpreted Performance (Liz May): Tuesday 16 December, 6:00pm.

 

Entertainment

Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to perform at Royal Welsh Show

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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).

 

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Entertainment

Safe Online Gambling: Tips for Staying in Control

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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. 

 

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Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

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THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

 

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