Entertainment

St Donat’s Fantastic Fête and Saundersfoot Harbour Festival dates confirmed

Published

2 years ago

March 7, 2024

STREET FOOD CIRCUS says it has launched its 2024 programme with two new events joining its regular line up across south Wales.

The first new venture, Fantastic Fête, will take over the grounds of St Donat’s Castle on the Vale of Glamorgan coast for the first weekend in August [Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th]. Street Food Circus is reimagining the classic summer fête – remixing folk traditions with the unexpected – from magical morris dancing to the world’s biggest bouncy castle.

Food and feasting will take centre stage at the event, with a street food line-up bringing cuisines from around the world alongside a farmers’ market, pop-up pub and a lido swimming pool for people to swim and relax around.

Street Food Circus founder and ringmaster, Matt the Hat, explained: “We’ll have the best street food Wales has to offer – but this is about more than just the food. This will be our biggest event to date. We’ve been cooking it up for years with family activities, entertainment and a fantastical walk through the castle gardens to the main event. And after dark, as the sun sets on this epic castle by the sea you can expect a very special evening finale,” he said.

Moving west, the second new event, Saundersfoot Harbour Festival will run over the first weekend in September (Friday 6th – Sunday 8th). Street Food Circus will be bringing the pirate spirit to the National Events Deck at Saundersfoot Harbour with street food and entertainment based around the harbour’s life-size Coastal Schooner.

As well as bringing the travelling street food line-up to the town, visitors can expect a gravity-defying pirate circus show, sea shanties and lots of walkabout entertainment for families.

The 2024 SFC programme also sees the return of its two spring and summer residencies.

For five weekends in April and May [19 April – 19 May], Forest Feastival returns to the Merthyr Mawr Estate, bringing a family friendly global feast to these unique woodlands by the sea. As well as a rotating line-up of street food favourites – and some new faces – Forest Feastival includes circus performers, live music, cabaret and DJs in the evening sessions and for the kids, a circus school and marshmallow fire pits.

The Big Banquet rolls into Caldicot Castle for the spring half term weekends, including the late May bank holiday [24 May – 2 June]. Centred around long-table communal banquet dining under a big top, Street Food Circus transforms the castle grounds with a free circus school, fire shows and one of the UK’s best-known high-wire acts, Chris Bullzini, performing eight metres above the crowds.

Street Food Circus has curated a line up of more than 40 traders to appear across the four events. These include returning favourites like Keralan Karavan and Bao Selecta, well-known names appearing for the first time, like Hill’s Burgers and traders who launched last year making a welcome return such as Straight Outta Canton, Two Lads Kitchen and Pot Heads.

Matt added: “We’re always looking for that perfect balance of SFC stalwarts and to find and support the new talent emerging on the street food scene. We know we’ve got some people who come year in, year out to visit their favourites, and those who want to try something new every time they visit.

“Central to our mission as Street Food Circus is to give a platform to new traders – many of those who started with us have gone on to open their own bricks and mortar restaurants over the years. So we’re thrilled to be adding lots of new flavours from all over the world to the line up this year. From Africa and Afghanistan to Indonesia and Nepal – you’re guaranteed to find something you’ve never tried before,” he said.

New traders for 2024 include award-winning birria tacos from Bristol’s Gourmet Warriors, traditional Himalayan-inspired recipes from Mandela Street Food and authentic Indonesian dishes from Waroeng Nona.

Desserts come from Rebel Crumble, Bake Off The Professionals champion Minto’s Patisserie and SFC favourite Pwdin.

Full trader listings and event details for 2024 Street Food Circus events can be found at streetfoodcircus.com. Tickets go on sale on Friday 8 March 2024.

Entertainment

Torch Theatre summer schools return for young performers

Published

6 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE TORCH THEATRE’S popular summer schools are returning this July and August, offering two weeks of creative theatre-making for young people aged seven to 18.

Spaces are strictly limited, with the programme divided into two age groups: Heroic Tales for children aged seven to 11, and Playmakers for those aged 11 to 18.

A number of Torch Youth Theatre members have previously taken part in the summer schools, including Zane, who described the experience as a valuable opportunity for young people of all backgrounds.

Zane said: “It’s a great opportunity for everyone, including people who are new to Pembrokeshire or visiting the area on holiday, to attend and get a taste of Torch Youth Theatre.

“Young people get to meet others from all walks of life and discuss topics and ideas they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to explore.”

Zane will also appear in the Torch Youth Theatre’s summer production, Robin Hood: Legend of the Black Knight, this July.

Heroic Tales

Heroic Tales will run daily from 10:00am to 3:00pm between Monday, July 27, and Friday, July 31.

During the week, participants will create and perform their own play based on the idea of a library coming alive after the lights go out and the doors are locked.

As fewer people borrow them, the books face the terrifying prospect of being thrown into the recycling bin. To save their stories, they must search their own pages for inspiration and launch a heroic mission before their final chapters are shredded.

Playmakers

The Playmakers summer school will challenge older participants to rehearse and perform a complete play in just one week.

The Torch has selected a contemporary play written specifically for young people, featuring themes and characters they will recognise from their own lives.

Participants will be guided through a professional rehearsal process, beginning with a first-day table read and ending with a final performance.

Playmakers will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm between Monday, August 10, and Friday, August 14.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch Theatre, said: “Torch Theatre summer schools are a real highlight of our year, and we’re very excited about this year’s offerings.

“Both schools place the development of young people at their heart, ensuring they not only have a creative and enjoyable time, but also develop important social skills, teamwork and self-worth.

“The best thing is that no previous experience is needed.”

Places can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

Anyone wishing to discuss the summer schools or find out more about Torch Youth Theatre can email [email protected].

Entertainment

Torch Theatre reveals full Sunset Cinema line-up for summer 2026

Published

11 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Outdoor screenings will take place at waterfront and historic locations across Pembrokeshire, including Milford Haven, Saundersfoot, St Davids and Pembroke Castle

DECKCHAIRS, blankets and picnics will be at the ready as the Torch Theatre’s popular Sunset Cinema returns for another summer of outdoor screenings.

The 2026 season will take audiences from Mackerel Quay in Milford Haven to Saundersfoot Harbour, Tŵr y Felin in St Davids and the spectacular surroundings of Pembroke Castle.

Working with media partner Pure West Radio, the Torch Theatre will tour Pembrokeshire with a large LED screen designed to provide a clear picture in daylight and in changing weather conditions.

This year’s programme includes family favourites, Hollywood classics and blockbuster adventures, with screenings of Finding Nemo, Back to the Future, Shark Tale, Jaws, Jurassic World, The Greatest Showman, How to Train Your Dragon and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

The season begins at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with a double bill. Finding Nemo will be shown at 2.30pm, followed by Back to the Future at 7pm.

The following evening, Saundersfoot Harbour will host a premiere screening of Near and Distant Things, a new film by local filmmaker Emily Batty that was shot in and around Saundersfoot.

Sunset Cinema programme

Friday, July 17, Mackerel Quay, Milford Haven

Finding Nemo at 2.30pm
Back to the Future at 7pm

Saturday, July 18, Saundersfoot Harbour

Emily Batty’s Near and Distant Things at 7pm

Saturday, August 8, Saundersfoot Harbour

Shark Tale at 2.30pm
Jaws at 7pm

Saturday, August 15, Tŵr y Felin, St Davids

Jurassic World at 7pm

Friday, August 21, Milford Haven Port Authority

The Greatest Showman at 7pm

Friday, August 28, Pembroke Castle

How to Train Your Dragon at 2.30pm

Saturday, August 29, Pembroke Castle

Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet at 7pm

The Torch Theatre’s Sunset Cinema season will run from Friday, July 17, until Saturday, August 29.

Tickets can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

Entertainment

Free waterfront cinema screening to celebrate start of school holidays

Published

1 day ago

July 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES are being invited to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a free outdoor screening of Disney-Pixar favourite Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront.

The Torch Theatre will launch its 2026 Sunset Cinema season at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with the marina and Milford Haven Waterway providing the backdrop.

Sponsored by Milford Waterfront, the family screening will be shown on the Torch Theatre’s new outdoor LED cinema screen. Gates will open at 1pm, with the film beginning at 2.30pm.

Admission is free, although tickets should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre.

The entertainment will continue into the evening with a screening of the 1980s classic Back to the Future at 7pm.

Tickets for the evening film can also be purchased through the Torch Theatre website. Audiences are encouraged to arrive from 6pm and bring their own chairs and blankets.

A selection of food and drink vendors will be available throughout the afternoon and evening.

Lucy Wonnacott, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Summer starts here. We’re delighted to kick off the Torch Theatre’s 2026 Sunset Cinema season and the school holidays with a free waterside screening of Finding Nemo.

“Then, as the sun goes down, film fans can buy tickets to join us for the ultimate time-travelling adventure, Back to the Future.

“There’s something special about watching a great film by the water, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends and visitors for a day of cinema, community and summer memories at Milford Waterfront.”

Chelsey Gillard, from the Torch Theatre, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to be partnering with Milford Waterfront to offer this special Sunset Cinema screening completely free for our community.

“Watching Finding Nemo on Mackerel Quay is going to be absolutely magical. Bring a deckchair, gather the family and join Nemo, Dory and Marlin for an unforgettable adventure on the big screen.

“Let’s just hope Bruce the shark doesn’t decide to make an appearance. What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term and kick off the summer holidays.”

Tickets for both screenings should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre booking office.

Further details about events taking place at Milford Waterfront this summer can be found on the Milford Waterfront website.

Photo caption: Families can enjoy a free outdoor screening of Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront on Friday, July 17.