MILFORD Haven Amateur Operatic Society received another standing ovation on Wednesday evening for its 2026 production of Evita at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven.

The popular musical, featuring the iconic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, has been drawing enthusiastic audiences as the society brings to life the powerful and emotional story of Eva Perón’s rise to prominence as Argentina’s First Lady.

Special guests attended the performance, including Matt Hampson, representative for NODA Wales and Ireland, and the society’s newly elected President Mrs Marion Harris BEM.

They were welcomed at the theatre by Tanya Rendell, one of the performers taking on the role of Eva, alongside Lisa Jenkins, wardrobe mistress and committee member for the society.

The production has been warmly received by audiences, with the cast and crew rewarded with another standing ovation following Wednesday night’s performance.

Members of Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society thanked everyone who has supported the show so far and encouraged theatre-goers to come along for the remaining performances.

The production continues at the Torch Theatre this week, promising audiences a memorable evening of music, drama and storytelling as the remarkable life of Eva Perón unfolds on stage.

Cover image: Guests and society members gather at the Torch Theatre ahead of the latest performance of Evita (Pic: Supplied).

TWENTY projects across Wales have received grants of up to £500 to hold events or services that enable communities to support people through grief or ill-health.  

£10,000 of funding was given to the projects which reached more than 500 people and included group sessions for bereaved children, creative workshops for those grieving the loss of loved ones through suicide and remembrance events for veterans.

The funding from Macmillan Cancer Support was delivered through Age Cymru in its role as secretariat of Compassionate Cymru. As well as directly supporting projects, the programme also brought organisations together to share, learn and grow their ability to support people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. 

Though Age Cymru primarily works to support older people in Wales, the Compassionate Cymru funding was available to any charity or organisation that supported people of all ages through dealing with grief and loss.

Sandy Bear is a children’s bereavement charity based in Pembrokeshire, but operates across Wales, providing one-to-one and peer-group support to ensure children and young people are able to understand death, to fully express grief; and to manage loss in a positive way that equips them for life in future.

Through the funding, around 50 bereaved children across Wales were able to attend group sessions run by the charity, giving them a safe space to explore their feelings and process their grief with other children facing similar challenges.

Lee Barnett, C.E.O, from Sandy Bear, said the sessions not only provided immediate emotional support but also helped the charity reach more children. “Children felt listened to, supported, and less alone in their experiences. Many reported increased confidence in talking about their loss, a greater sense of connection with others, and an improved understanding of their own emotions. For many children, this was their first opportunity to engage with specialist bereavement support in a structured, compassionate setting, which was invaluable.” 

Kelly Barr from Age Cymru who managed the project, said: “To lose a loved one is never easy, but for many people in Wales, they are trying to grieve while also dealing with profound personal or situational challenges. Whether that is mental health, financial or even just the circumstances of loss, where bereavement may be sudden or unexpected. 

“Thousands of children across Wales experience bereavement every year, and for them it can be a confusing and frightening experience, with many not knowing how to process the feelings they have or what life will look like for them after a loss.

“That’s why we are so proud to have been able to work with our partners at Compassionate Cymru and Macmillan to help make such a difference across Wales. The variety of events, workshops and support systems that were empowered by this funding was wonderful to see, and of course they would be nothing without the fantastic people and organisations behind them.”   

For more information about Age Cymru, you can contact your local Age Cymru office, call us on 0300 303 44 98, or you can go to www.agecymru.wales.

Council confirms negotiations with insurer ongoing following 2022 fire

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has confirmed that negotiations with its insurer over the fire that destroyed Manorbier Church in Wales VC School are still ongoing, despite councillors voting to move ahead with the process of closing the school.

The small rural school has been operating from Jameston Community Hall since the original building was badly damaged by fire in October 2022.

Last week, during a meeting of full council on Thursday (Mar 5), members voted to authorise the publication of a statutory notice to discontinue the school.

Insurance negotiations not highlighted during debate

During the council debate on Thursday (Mar 5), councillors were told that the insurance settlement offered following the fire fell “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school.

However, no indication was given during the meeting that negotiations with the insurer had not yet been finalised.

The council has since confirmed to the Herald that discussions over the claim are still ongoing and that the final settlement figure has not yet been agreed.

The decision means the formal closure process will now begin, with pupils expected to transfer to nearby St Florence School if the proposal ultimately goes ahead.

However, in response to questions from the Herald, the council confirmed that the insurance claim relating to the fire has not yet been finalised.

A communications officer at the Council said on Thursday (Mar 12) that negotiations with the insurer are continuing.

“The total value of the insurance settlement offered or received in relation to the Manorbier School fire – negotiations with the insurer are ongoing so we are unable to comment,” he said.

The council also confirmed that the insurance claim has not yet been settled.

Rebuild costs estimated at around £2.6m

During the council debate, Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Guy Woodham told councillors that the insurance settlement offered following the fire was “far below the estimated cost of reinstating the school to a suitable operational standard.”

Feasibility work previously presented to councillors suggested the cost of rebuilding or reinstating the school building would be in the region of £2.6 million.

The council has confirmed that the insurance policy carries an excess of £200,000.

When asked whether any insurance funds had been allocated elsewhere within the council’s capital budget, the authority said none had been used.

Campaigners argued insurance should fund rebuild

Supporters of the school have repeatedly argued that insurance money from the fire should be used to rebuild the village school.

The consultation process attracted 252 responses, with 228 opposing the closure and only 20 supporting it.

Many parents and residents also raised concerns that the school had previously been expected to be rebuilt following the fire.

At a Cabinet meeting in March 2023 the council agreed to support the reinstatement of the school subject to feasibility work and the development of a business case.

However, the subsequent analysis concluded that rebuilding the school would not represent value for money in the context of pupil numbers and the wider school estate in the Tenby area.

Questions remain over insurance position

The confirmation that insurance negotiations are still ongoing raises further questions about the financial context surrounding the decision to close the school.

While councillors were told that the settlement offered by insurers falls “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school, the council has not yet disclosed the value of the insurance cover that was in place at the time of the fire.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council to confirm the insured reinstatement value of the Manorbier School building when the fire occurred in October 2022.

If the building was insured for significantly less than the estimated rebuild cost, it could raise wider questions about insurance cover for public buildings across the county.

The Herald has therefore also asked the council to clarify whether other schools and council-owned buildings are insured at their full reinstatement value, and when those insurance valuations were last reviewed.

For now, the council says negotiations with its insurer are still taking place.