More than 50 young performers will take to the stage in 133 sustainably sourced costumes

MORE than 50 young people from across Pembrokeshire are preparing to bring the legend of Robin Hood to life at the Torch Theatre this month.

The theatre’s Summer Youth Show, Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight, will feature 133 costumes, all of which have been sourced with sustainability in mind.

Supported by the Port of Milford Haven and the Ingles Charitable Trust, the production will run for three nights only, from Monday, July 20, to Wednesday, July 22.

Costume designer Fi Russell has been responsible for creating a distinctive look for the large cast while working within the production’s budget.

She said: “There are more than 130 costumes in this show, so it has been a challenge to source that many outfits within budget while also making them identifiable, rooted in each character and fun.”

Fi trained in scenography at Aberystwyth University before specialising in theatre design and completing a postgraduate diploma at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

She has now worked as a professional theatre designer for more than 15 years.

Fi said the audience’s experience is central to her approach when designing costumes.

She explained: “I love thinking about how the audience will understand, react and respond to the costumes.

“For this show, I have used really strong colour distinctions between the different character groups to make the story as easy to follow as possible.”

Fi’s recent work includes designing the set and costumes for Le Navet Bete’s fast-paced comedy Oh Zeus! and working with magicians The Great Baldini and Peter Clifford on The Curious Case of the Masked Magician. Both productions are currently touring the UK.

Environmental considerations have also played an important part in the preparations for the Torch production.

Fi added: “Sustainability and the environment are really important to me and are embedded in my work.

“We are hiring and borrowing many of the costumes rather than buying new ones, and we will make sure that no clothing goes to landfill at the end of the show.”

Robin Hood: The Legend of the Black Knight will be performed at the Torch Theatre at 6.30pm on Monday, July 20, Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22.

Tickets cost £10, or £8 for concessions, and are available through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

Keeping players safe when gambling online is critical. As hackers have adapted to new safety measures and scams have become more sophisticated, the need for identity verification is more apparent than ever before. 

Thankfully advanced identity verification is successfully preventing fraud, supporting anti-money laundering measures, and protecting player accounts, and we’ll explore how in this article.  

What is KYC? 

KYC (know your customer) is a process used by many banks, financial services, and businesses, including online casinos, to verify the age and identity of a customer, authenticate documents, and assess potential risks (in the case of gambling, this includes problem gambling and affordability issues). 

KYC regulations are becoming increasingly important as criminals alter their strategies to tackle more stringent security measures. However, they do create a lengthier registration process and many people express privacy concerns over sharing their personal documents online, which is why many gamblers seek out no-KYC casinos, despite the safety and security KYC provides. 

How Does KYC Improve Online Casino Safety? 

KYC has a number of safety advantages: 

Reduces the Risk of Fraudulent Behaviour 

KYC checks can flag those providing false information, using stolen identities, or engaging in any other fraudulent transactions and activities. This adds an extra layer of protection which increases the safety and security of a platform.

Prevents Money Laundering 

Online casinos are at a very high risk of money laundering, so knowing who is moving money around and why is essential. These detailed identification processes make it much more difficult for criminals to launder money though online casino sites. 

Lowers the Rate of Problem Gambling 

Gambling can be highly addictive. Gaming online, while convenient, does give people access to gambling 24/7, which can easily fuel an addiction. KYC can help operators filter out problem gambling, by monitoring player activity and spending to identify those at risk. Flagging these behaviours quickly allows people to evaluate their habits and seek help early on, lowering the risk of developing a dangerous gambling addiction. 

Safety is Crucial When Gambling Online 

The best new online casinos are the ones that take player safety and financial security seriously. By implementing proper safety measures and identifying individuals accurately, online casinos can protect themselves and their players, prevent fraud, and create a more positive gambling experience. 

While registering for online gaming using a KYC casino can take longer and feel more disruptive, it’s crucial that you stick to sites that follow these regulations to help keep you safe online. 

A CALL for permission for works clearing part of the 2026 Eisteddfod site ahead of this year’s festival in Pembrokeshire has been given the go-ahead county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Cardiff-based Angharad Davies sought permission for the removal of multiple small sections of hedge on a temporary basis for the forthcoming Eisteddfod at Glanrhyd Road, Llantood/Llantwd.

A supporting statement said: “Preparation works have been undertaken to reduce hedge growth in several locations where openings are required for festival access, with all arisings shredded and retained within the hedgerow to support natural regeneration.

“Any openings created will be carefully excavated, with the soil set aside and preserved for reinstatement upon completion, ensuring that all materials are returned as found. Where herringbone stonework is uncovered, we will reinstate it to match the original as closely as possible, typically engaging a specialist local stone mason experienced in traditional methods.

“Following the event, reinstatement works will be completed prior to leaving site, and we will return in November to plant a mix of seven hedgerow species and we will consult with yourselves to ensure the selected species are appropriate and in line with your recommendations, maintaining the character and biodiversity of the site.

“Where possible, we have incorporated original gates into a number of the proposed openings to retain the character and integrity of the site, ensuring consistency with existing features.

“In selecting locations for access points, we have prioritised sections of hedgerow with minimal growth to reduce the extent of intervention required and to minimise impact of the surrounding vegetation. This approach supports efficient installation while maintaining the natural appearance and structure of the hedgerows.”

The application was unconditionally approved by county planners.

The 2026 festival, running from August 1-8 at Llantwd holds particular historical significance, marking the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod, held in 1176 at Castell Aberteifi.

With this year’s Maes located close to the original site, the event is expected to be a landmark occasion for the region and for Wales as a whole.

The National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe and one of the most prominent events in the Welsh cultural calendar, attracting approximately 175,000 visitors annually.

The festival celebrates Welsh language, literature, music, and the arts, with a diverse programme of competitions, performances, exhibitions, and community activities.

The Eisteddfod proclamation took place in Narberth last May, with hundreds attending.

At the time, Narberth County Councillor Mark Tierney posted: “One of the biggest parades through Narberth in a long time and we provided the warmest of welcomes to visitors from near and far for the Eisteddfod proclamation procession.”