Entertainment
Rapunzel brings festive magic to Torch Theatre
RAPUNZEL, Prince Nathaniel of Neyland, Mother Gothel, Zephyr the Puffin, Periwinkle and Belinda Beehive brought the Torch Theatre stage to life over the festive period with the hair-larious, zany pantomime Rapunzel.
The professional cast, featuring plenty of local talent, delivered a high-energy production that delighted audiences of all ages from across Pembrokeshire and beyond.
Following the sell-out success of Beauty and the Beast and the hugely popular Jack and the Beanstalk in recent years, Torch Theatre Artistic Director Chelsey Gillard was once again praised for her latest production.
Torch Theatre community reviewers Val Ruloff and Liam Dearden said: “The script was buzzing with the humming sound of a swarm of jokes flying in thick and fast, bubbling to overflow (much like Periwinkle the Sea Sprite) and bursting with energy.”
They added: “The musical score by James Williams is superb. It is such a privilege to have original music composed especially for the Torch pantomime. The numbers brought the whole production to life all over again, just as did the costumes, sets, props, lighting and special effects.
“The music, in combination with the scenes and sets, gave rise to some great set pieces and double acts, including the fabulous Bay Wash pop/rock group in the making, featuring the vocal talents, phantom guitar and drum-playing skills of Prince Nathaniel of Neyland and Dame Belinda Beehive.”
Chelsey Gillard said: “It was uplifting seeing so many of you coming to see Rapunzel – from schools to families. We had more entries than ever into our design competition – over 400 – and we loved coming along on the Milford Lantern Parade.
“The whole company enjoyed having your help on their undersea adventure; booing, hissing, singing and dancing along.”
More than 3,000 school children from across Pembrokeshire saw the pantomime, with six schools successfully securing financial support to attend through the Arts Council of Wales Go and See Fund.
Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch, said: “We were thrilled to see our auditorium filled with so many young people this Christmas. We know that pantomime is often the first spark of theatrical magic for a young person.
“We are grateful to the Arts Council for recognising the important role we play in introducing young people to the arts and helping to make these visits possible. Our commitment to these students continues beyond the curtain call, as every school receives a dedicated resource pack to bring the themes of the panto to life in the classroom. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
With the festive curtain now closed, plans are already well under way for the Torch’s 2026 pantomime, Puss in Boots, featuring a whisker of Western adventure.
Audiences are invited to brush up on their line-dancing moves as Puss helps our heroes find fame and fur-tune in Wild West Wales.
An Early Bird offer is currently available for the brand-new pantomime, which promises original songs, hiss-terical humour and plenty of local references.
A Relaxed Environment Performance will take place on Saturday, December 19, at 2:00pm, with a BSL Interpreted Performance on Tuesday, December 22, at 6:00pm.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
Entertainment
Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to perform at Royal Welsh Show
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
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.
Entertainment
Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings
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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