The Port of Milford Haven and the Torch Theatre have entered into a two-year partnership agreement to support the delivery of both organisations’ ambitious business and social goals for Pembrokeshire.

The partnership will ensure that the Torch Theatre is able to continue its important activities in the community - specifically the Youth Theatre, and this year’s Summer Schools in August - ‘Tall Tales’ (7 to 11 year olds) and ‘Hear Us Roar' (ages 11 - 18) as well as supporting local schools in the delivery of Expressive Arts within the New Curriculum for Wales. The sponsorship deal also includes two Sunset Cinema screenings at Milford Waterfront.

Chelsey Gillard, Artistic Director at the Torch said “We are absolutely delighted to have this agreement in place with the Port of Milford Haven to work within our communities sharing cultural experiences, raising aspirations and bringing communities together. We are neighbours and we share the same desires and values when it comes to engaging with our community, whether that be individuals, groups or the whole community. Financial security is very important to the Torch. We are a charity and not for profit business and this comes at a time when funds have been cut but when the need for engagement with our activities at the Torch have never been more necessary.”

Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven is thrilled to be partnering with the Torch Theatre to deliver positive change across Pembrokeshire communities. Commenting on the new two-year collaboration, he said “As an organisation deeply immersed in our community, we’re investing to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth in and around the port. We’re particularly focused on helping to create a resilient community that has a healthy economy, provides rewarding careers, and is culturally rich, and the work that the Torch Theatre does, especially with young people, is central to that.

“We are lucky to have a professional theatre and arts centre on our doorstep, adding to the cultural vibrancy of Milford Haven, and at a time when theatres are closing, we’re very pleased to provide financial support so that they can continue to offer creative activities, encouraging participation in the arts, and supporting hundreds of young people to achieve their potential, no matter what their background.”


Photo: Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive of the Port of Milford Haven and Ben Lloyd, Executive Director at the Torch Theatre


Notes to Editors

The Torch Theatre is a creative force in Pembrokeshire with long-standing national significance and an international reputation. Our people (our staff, our participants, our collaborators) and our audiences are united in our passion to create and connect, our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and our determination to sustain and develop our provision for the wellbeing of future generations. The Torch has a proud history of serving the people of Pembrokeshire and the creative industries in Wales.

Established in 1977 and comprising a 300 seat Main House, a 102 seat Studio Theatre, a bespoke art gallery – Oriel Joanna Field, and Café Torch, the Torch is an accessible, comfortable and attractive place to enjoy entertainment and the arts, complete with state-of-the-art digital cinema technology with 3D capabilities.

The Torch Theatre is led by Executive Director, Benjamin Lloyd and Artistic Director, Chelsey Gillard and offers over 2000 shows, films, art exhibitions and live broadcasts annually to audiences in excess of 100,000. The Torch Theatre is a limited company with charitable status and is a publicly funded theatre supported by Arts Council of Wales, The National Lottery, Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Town Council.

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Charlotte Spencer
t: 01646 694192
e: charlotte@torchtheatre.co.uk

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes. All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk