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Hollywood movie star visits port

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tallboatMILFORD HAVEN welcomes Hollywood royalty for the next two weeks, in the form of a ship called the Earl of Pembroke. The recently refurbished schooner has taken time out of a hectic movie schedule to take part in a Beagle Trust activity. 

The Herald spoke with the ship’s captain, Gerith, who gave some background on the boat and the reason why Pembrokeshire has the pleasure of her company. “The boat was a timber trader before but it sank, then in the early 80’s it was revived in Gloucester. The person who bought it decided to build a replica of the Endeavour (the vessel James Cook commanded). The Endeavour was bigger but he liked the shape and the rigging of it, and his intention was to put it in movies. He wanted to call it the Endeavour, but he couldn’t get the name because the Royal Navy still owned it. “Before it was the Endeavour it was the Earl of Pembroke, hence the name. For the last 20 years it has been used in movies, being docked in Charlestown and Bristol. We are here for the Beagle Trust, filming a documentary with under privileged adults to do scientific experiments in the bay; pollution orientated experiments with Southampton University, then we are off to Londonderry. We have some movies in hand but I haven’t signed the deals so far!” The Herald also spoke with second engineer Kenny, who gave a little bit of information about some of the films in which this celebrity boat has starred. “Unlike a lot of movie boats, she is a fully functional boat rather than just made-to-look-like one. She has been used in quite a few movies, Cutthroat Island, the first Alice in Wonderland film, Cloud Atlas, Hornblower, the Count of Monte Christo, the Three Musketeers, Moll Flanders and Longitude. “If we use her in a film all the stuff for safety has to be kept on deck so the props department have to do quite an amazing job. The films aren’t as well paid as you think. We still rely on donations. Even £100,000 just disappears, it’s absorbed very quickly”. He added: “On board we have a permanent crew of seven, but to do something like a trans-Atlantic voyage we would need a full crew of 15. The guys who are on here now actually live here; this is their home.” Commenting on the sea legs needed for a boat with no stabilisers, as you would have on a modern cruise ship, he said: “It’s harder for me to stand here on the quayside than it is on the boat. To me the land is moving! She does roll, especially in a swell. At 3am this morning I woke up head butting the hull! Everyone has their own coping mechanisms on sea sickness, for me, I just come and sit on deck for ten minutes.” There is a possibility that the boat could re-enact the Darwin journey which would involve a voyage around the world that could take two years, a voyage which has never been repeated since Darwin completed it. Kenny finished by saying he hoped the boat would be ready and prepared to take visitors on board this weekend: “We will have a gangplank on and visitors can come on for a pound and also donate. Get the kids down, we are dressed as pirates. We get them playing with the wheel, get them involved, and it gets the adults involved too.” The Earl of Pembroke will be docked in Milford Port, adjacent to Pirate Pete’s for the next two weeks.

 

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Entertainment

Little Pigs at Home offers a peaceful sanctuary escape in Pembrokeshire

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Visitors can stay among rescued animals, enjoy countryside calm and unwind with tours and vegan beauty treatments near Tegryn

TUCKED away in the Pembrokeshire countryside near Tegryn, Little Pigs at Home offers visitors the chance to slow down, switch off and enjoy a truly different kind of rural escape.

Run by husband-and-wife team Susan, known as Suki, and Aaron, Little Pigs at Home Animal Sanctuary provides a safe and caring home for pigs that have been abandoned, surrendered or need specialist support. Some arrive frightened, some have ongoing health needs, and others require long-term care. At the sanctuary, they are given exactly that.

The sanctuary has become known not only for its rescue work, but also for offering visitors the chance to experience life among the animals in a peaceful countryside setting. Guests regularly highlight the quiet location, beautiful surroundings and the joy of meeting the animals as some of the most memorable parts of their stay.

Alongside the sanctuary is Rosehaven Retreat, where visitors can stay overnight in on-site cabin and caravan accommodation surrounded by the calm of rural Pembrokeshire. Many guests say the setting offers a welcome escape from busy everyday life, with the peaceful atmosphere and rolling countryside helping them to properly unwind.

For families, the chance to wake up to the sounds of the animals and watch the pigs heading out in the morning has proved especially popular. Children, in particular, quickly fall in love with the pigs and other rescue animals, making it a memorable break for younger visitors as well as adults.

Guests can also book guided tours to meet the animals, learn their stories and see first-hand the dedication involved in caring for those with complex needs. For many visitors, spending time with the animals becomes the true highlight of the experience.

Anyone can book a stay, but visitors do not need to stay overnight to enjoy what Little Pigs at Home has to offer. Tours and treatments can also be booked separately.

Adding to the appeal, Suki also runs an on-site vegan wellness salon, offering a range of relaxing treatments in a calm and welcoming setting. The salon adds another dimension to the experience, allowing visitors to combine a countryside retreat with a little extra pampering.

Income from overnight stays and salon treatments helps support the sanctuary’s day-to-day work, alongside donations from people who want to help give rescued animals a safe and loving home.

Together, the sanctuary, retreat and salon offer something genuinely unusual — a place where visitors can relax, reconnect with nature and directly support animals in need at the same time.

Rosehaven Retreat stays are available through Airbnb, with prices typically ranging from £70 to £90 per night.

To find out more or book, visit:

Airbnb: http://airbnb.com/h/nannyjillscabin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CS9YT79XJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

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Entertainment

Mark Simmons to bring new comedy tour to Torch Theatre

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Award-winning stand-up known for his one-liners and crowd work will perform in Milford Haven on Tuesday, May 5

COMEDIAN Mark Simmons will bring his latest stand-up show to Pembrokeshire next month when he appears at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.

Simmons, who has appeared on Mock The Week, BT Sport and ITV, is due to take to the stage on Tuesday, May 5, with his new tour, Jest to Impress.

The comic has built a strong following for his rapid-fire one-liners and quick-witted improvisation, and the new show promises more of the sharply crafted material that has helped make him a popular live act across the UK and beyond.

His debut tour was a major success, selling out more than 200 dates over two years across the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

Now back on the road in 2026, Simmons is performing a brand-new set packed with fresh one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions.

He has also found further success with his podcast, Jokes with Mark Simmons, in which he talks to fellow comedians including Gary Delaney, Sarah Millican, Milton Jones and Penn & Teller about jokes they wrote but, for one reason or another, could never quite make work.

Simmons has picked up a number of accolades in recent years. He won the Victoria Wood Panel Prize at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, was named Best Act at the UK Comics’ Comic Awards in 2022, and was runner-up in Dave’s Top 10 Jokes of the Fringe in the same year.

The Evening Standard has described him as a “master of the crisp, clean, one-line zinger”.

The show is suitable for audiences aged 14 and over.

Mark Simmons – Jest to Impress can be seen on the Torch Theatre stage on Tuesday 5 May at 8pm. For more information contact the Torch Theatre’s Box Office on 01646 695267, visit the website www.torchtheatre.co.uk.

 

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Crime

Henry Tufnell responds after four youths stabbed in Tenby

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MP says community will be deeply shocked by events at railway station

HENRY TUFNELL MP has said he is deeply saddened by the stabbing of four young people in Tenby and has offered support to those affected.

Responding to the incident at Tenby railway station on Tuesday night (Apr 7), the MP said his thoughts and prayers were with the friends and families of those involved.

Mr Tufnell said the wider community would be shocked by the events, which saw four youths suffer stab wounds during serious disorder at the station.

He also praised the emergency services who responded to the incident.

In a statement, Mr Tufnell said: “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the events last night in Tenby, resulting in the stabbings of four young people. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those involved.

“I know our community will be deeply shocked by these events, but we are all so grateful for the vital services of the emergency first responders on the scene.

“I will be providing support in any way I can, and I encourage anyone affected to contact me.”

In his last day in office before campaigning begins for the Senedd election, Samuel Kurtz MS also responded to the stabbings, describing the news as “truly shocking and deeply upsetting”.

The Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member said his thoughts were with the victims, their families and everyone affected by the incident.

He also thanked the emergency services for their swift response and ongoing work at the scene.

In a statement, Mr Kurtz said: “Some truly shocking and deeply upsetting news coming out of Tenby. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“I also want to extend sincere thanks to the emergency services for their swift response and continued dedication in such difficult circumstances.

“There must be zero tolerance for knife crime. This kind of violence has no place in our communities and cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Those responsible must face the full force of the law.

“We all deserve to feel safe where we live.”

British Transport Police are leading the investigation following the disorder at around 9:50pm. A 16-year-old youth and a 19-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault.

 

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