Welsh Country - Issue93 - Mar-Apr 20

Mar - Apr 2020 Issue 93 £2.95

COUNTRYSIDE OUT & ABOUT MEET, EAT, DRINK & SLEEP LIFESTYLE

PLUS: Walking Fishing Stories in Stone

Arts & Crafts Music Pamper

Bookshelf Puzzles

NOTHING TO WEAR

WELSH KITCHEN

GARDENING

WELSH CONNECTIONS

50 Rhosmaen Street

Llandeilo

Carmarthenshire

SA19 6HA

Bob Jones - Prytherch & Co.

Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents, Auctioneers & Valuers

Professionals in Land & Property

E-mail: llandeilo@bjpco.com

Web: www.bjpco.com 01558 822468

Castle Terrace, Llansawel

• A delightful period terraced cottage within the pretty

Cothi Valley village of Llansawel

• The property is in need of modernisation

• Propane gas central heating

• Rear lawn and large rear kitchen garden. Store shed.

• Sitting room; kitchen/living room; 2 bedrooms and

bathroom

Offers in

the region of

£74,500

Bridge Street, Llandeilo

• An attractive period house set in landmark location

• On the fringe of the popular county market town of

Llandeilo

• With commanding views over the river meadows

• Has been the subject of extensive refurbishment

• Flexible accommodation of 10 rooms incl 3

bedrooms

• Gas fired central heating

• uPVC double glazing

• Rear courtyard with stone shed

Offers in

the region of

£179,950

King Street, Carmarthen

• Impressive Period Grade II listed property

• Mixed use premises set in landmark retail location

within Carmarthen

• Impressive retail shop premises

• Spacious first and second floor offering potential

living accommodation

• Adjoining self contained cottage in need of

refurbishment

• Retail area has one large room with display window

to King Street

• The building has a large basement

and an enclosed courtyard to the rear

Offers in

the region of

£235,000

Waterloo Road, Llanelli

• An impressive detached character residence on

fringe of the popular village of Penygroes

• Standing in beautiful grounds of almost 2 acres

with ample off road parking

• Recently refurbished to exacting standards

• The well proportioned accommodation includes 4

bedrooms & luxurious bathroom

• Studio/gym

• Garden store shed. Greenhouse, paved patio and

terrace

Offers in

the region of

£369,500

Drefach, Cross Hands

• An attractive period house in an elevated position

set in lovely location on the fringe of the popular

village of Drefach

• Standing in spacious landscaped gardens

• The property has been the subject of some

refurbishment with further improvement required

• Spacious and versatile 11 room accommodation

including cellar and 3 bedrooms

• A gated entrance to parking area and garage

• Undeveloped grounds

Offers in

the region of

£249,950

Gwynfe, Llangadog

• South facing location at the foothills of the Black

Mountain

• A magnificent period farmhouse been subject of

extensive refurbishment

• Stands in landscaped grounds with 12 acres

productive pasture land

• Vaulted ceiling reception hall & lounge/dining room

with Inglenook style fireplace

• Adjoining potential annexe with two living rooms

and versatile first floor

• 4 bedrooms with en suite shower

room. Principal bedroom has

dressing room

Offers in

the region of

£790,000

Manordeilo, Llandeilo

• An attractive courtyard located detached bungalow

standing in grounds of 1/2 acre or thereabouts

• Within the Towy Valley commanding wonderful views

over dramatic countryside

• Flexible accommodation includes fitted kitchen/

breakfast room with Rayburn & 4 bedrooms

• Double glazing

• Oil fired central heating.

• Spacious paved patio and pretty garden area together

with small pasture paddock

Offers in

the region of

www.welshcountry.co.uk £265,000

2

Llandeilo

• A stunning exceptional country period mill house

residence set in magical location within the Brecon

Beacons National Park

• Commanding lovely views towards Garn Goch and

surrounding countryside

• Has been the subject of extensive refurbishment

• Versatile accommodation over three floors including

5 bedrooms

• Spacious gravelled courtyard

• Idyllic established grounds patio,

lawns, borders and rockeries with

stream boundary.

Offers in

the region of

£465,000

Maesybont Nr Cross Hands

• To auction at an early date unless previously sold

• A superb private equestrian holding of 26 acres or

thereabouts

• Comprising attractive period farmhouse incl 3 first

floor bedrooms in a spacious courtyard

• Excellent stable block, tack room, potential annexe

• Workshop range, horse walker, menage and

exercise arena,portal frame general purpose

building and loose boxes/stables

• Attractive grounds. Productive

pasture land and amenity grazing

Offers in

the region of

£750,000

WELCOME

Croeso Welcome

Issue 93, Mar - Apr 2020

The fun and festivities are now a

distant dream as all those involved

with tourism are gearing up for a

busy and profitable season. Fingers

crossed, let’s hope Easter has some

decent weather to encourage tourists

to see for themselves what Wales has

to offer. Let’s be fair, there’s lots of

choice for everyone, whatever their age

and whatever their tastes. My hope, as

always, is that Visit Wales has got its

marketing act running on overdrive to

ensure that tourists from outside Wales

and inside as well, flock to Wales and

do some serious exploring.

Now onto my favourite topic of

Welsh food and drink and my plea

is for Welsh eateries to try hard to

promote our local food. It’s important

for our industry that eateries not only

serve local food but shout about it

on their menus. I was in ‘Food For

Thought’ in Cardigan recently and

loved their idea of having a blackboard

listing which local suppliers they used.

Plus, whilst having my coffee I saw for

myself Gerwyn delivering milk and

then Tom Samways, the local butcher

on the high street also making a

delivery. This isn’t rocket science, but

just a sensible way for local businesses

to support each other and show locals

and visitors what superb food and

drink we have right across Wales. Plus,

don’t forget that money spent locally

stays in the area and might well create

more jobs. Apologies for talking food

again but as regular readers will know,

it is impossible for me not to!!!

Another worrying issue for me is our

high streets as Wales is losing shops

from its high streets at an alarming

rate. The latest figures I could find

were for the first half of 2019 which

saw the largest increase in shop

closures for five years. How scary is

that? Between January and June there

were 68 closures and only half of those

replaced. Losing 37 Welsh shops was

the greatest fall in the first half of each

of the last five years, while the 31

openings is the second lowest over the

same period. But huge congratulations

to Trechory, Rhondda Cynon Taff

who won the UK’s, yes the UK’s, Best

High Street Award! Hopefully other

Welsh towns will copy Trechory’s

game plan.

It was just as depressing a view

across the UK as a whole, but Wales

certainly had a steeper drop in shops

than the UK average. Obviously this

hasn’t just happened. Why something

hasn’t been done about it? We’re

in grave danger of our high streets

disappearing for ever, but a good start

would be some free car parking instead

of councils using car parks as cashcows.

Happy St Davids Day!

Until next time...

Kath Rhodes, Editor

kath@welshcountry.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 3

T

Contents

16

7

COUNTRYSIDE

6 INTRO - The inaugural National

Children of Wales Awards.

11 FISHING - In January the sun is shining

and temperatures of 17º which Tony Rees

worries could cause a problem with the

eggs of migratory fish and brown trout in

the gravels.

OUT & ABOUT

7 STORIES IN STONE - Geoff

Brookes explains about mining being

Pembrokeshire’s lost industry and the

Garden Pit catastrophe in Landshipping

in 1844, its forgotten disaster.

10 Rewilding’ has become a bit of a buzz

word, no pun intended and Sonai

Goulding explains just a little more.

12 WELSH CONNECTIONS - Gill

Thomas is exploring the White Fortress.

Gaerwen, situated four miles from

Llangefni.

14 WELSH CONNECTIONS - Robert

Pickford discovers Coetan Arthur,

Arthur’s Quoit, which stands on St

David’s Head.

16 WALKING IN WALES - Betws y Coed

is as close to chocolate box twee as

Snowdonia.

20 NEWSROUND - A snapshot of what’s

happening around Wales.

22 NATURE - Spring Herb Soup by Ann

Pettifer

MEET, EAT, DRINK & SLEEP

23 WHERE TO EAT - Fabulous food, much of it

local, in our super selection of bistros, inns, pubs

and restaurants.

24 BEST OF WELSH & BORDERS FOOD

GUIDE - Our easy way to source some of the

best food and drink in Wales & the Borders.

30 WELSH FOOD & DRINK - Local Butchers –

Use Them or Lose Them.

32 WELSH KITCHEN - Chantenay Carrot,

Vegetable and Brown Rice Soup, Asian Cucumber

and Tenderstem Broccoli Salad, Rocket and

Salmon Puttanesca and Arctic Caramel Bread and

Butter Pudding.

34 FOOD LARDER - Latest news from some of our

Best of Welsh & Border producers.

34 LOCAL PRODUCE MARKETS - Please support

our local markets - 'Buy Local & Eat Local'.

35 HOT FROM THE KITCHEN - Super chef

Gareth Johns is worried St David’s Day seems

to attract far more attention overseas than it ever

does at home.

56 STAY A WHILE - Try and escape for a break at

one of our perfect places.

4

www.welshcountry.co.uk

CONTENTS

32

67

Asian Cucumber and

Tenderstem Broccoli Salad

53

LIFESTYLE

36 PARSON & THE PUBLICAN -

Our dynamic duo visit St Mary's

Church and White Heywood Farm,

Craswall

38 PICTORIAL WALES - Talented

photographer Belinda Bean shares

with us some amazing black and

white images.

43 ARTS - Latest news from the

Welsh arts world.

46 PAMPER - Beauty treats and ideas

for Mother’s Day.

52 POTTING SHED - Why was the

cock pheasant cackling in alarm on

top of the hen house?

53 GARDENING - The National

Gardening Scheme takes a look at

the early spring garden.

38

60 BOOKSHELF - Three varied book

reviews for you to enjoy.

61 GRUMPY OLD GEEZER -

Grumpy Old Geezer wonders why

local government settlement is so

unfair.

61 MUSIC - Some marvellous music

for you to enjoy.

62 COFFEE BREAK - Test your skills

with our crossword and sudoku

puzzles.

66 HOROSCOPES - Christine

Chalklin gives her forecast for

March and April.

67 NOTHING TO WEAR? -

Clothing temptation from Crags,

Joules, Sprayway and Jack Wolfskin.

61

REGULAR FEATURES

64 WELSH COUNTRY MARKETPLACE

64 WELSH COUNTRY WEBLINKS

Welsh Country is produced, published

and printed in Wales.

Mar - Apr 2020 5

National Children of Wales Awards

Front Cover Image:

Puffin by Terry Montague, Unsplash

Address:

Aberbanc, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5NP

Tel: 01559 372010

E-mail: info@welshcountry.co.uk

Website: welshcountry.co.uk

To e-mail a member of staff use:

first name@welshcountry.co.uk

Editor: Kath Rhodes

Commercial Manager: Ian Mole

Artistic Designer: Russ Clarke-Wildeman

Illustrators: Katie Radburn, Richard Stockton,

Charlotte Wood

Regular Writers / Photographers:

Ezra Bay, Geoff Brookes, Ian Charlesworth, Christine

Chalklin, Tom Hutton, Gareth Johns, Anthony Rees MBE,

Robert Pickford, Richard Stockton, Charlotte Wood and

Gillian Thomas.

Additional Writers / Photographers:

Belinda Bean, Sonia Goulding, Katie Radburn, Ann Pettifer,

Robert Pickford and Russ Clarke-Wildeman.

Publisher: Equine Marketing Ltd

Next Issue: On sale 1 st May

Subscriptions: Standard (UK) price for 6 issues per year

£14.00 inc p&p.

Welsh Country magazine is a family owned, independent

lifestyle magazine that’s available throughout Wales and

also on subscription. Welsh Country does not belong

to a newspaper group and is not funded by the Welsh

Government.

Welsh Country can be purchased from over 780 outlets,

including Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose.

Please call us on 01559 372010 if you have difficulty

purchasing a copy.

(L-R) Representatives from Trade Centre Wales, Welsh rugby

legend Ian Gough and representatives from Bidfood UK.

The inaugural National Children of Wales Awards has

unveiled a list of high-profile sponsors, who have committed

to support and deliver the event through to its climax on

April 3, 2020.

The Trade Centre Wales, one of the largest and fastest

growing used car companies in the UK, and Bidfood

UK, one of the largest food wholesalers in the UK, have

committed to support the event as headline sponsors.

Mark Bailey, Chairman of the Trade Centre Wales, said:

“We are extremely proud to be supporting the inaugural

National Children of Wales Awards. It is hard to envisage

a more befitting event, closely aligned with our ethos and

values, than recognising the contribution of children within

our great nation.”

Meanwhile, the event has secured the support of a number

of other companies as category sponsors. These companies

are: Andrew Rees & Sons Butchers, Joe’s Ice Cream, RedKite

Solicitors, 1192 Laser & Beauty Clinic, Forrest Print, Iceland

Foods, Princes Gate, MGY, Principality Building Society,

Barclays, Mitre Linen, Thomas Recruitment Group, PwC

and Bibendum Wine.

The National Children of Wales Awards was founded and

launched by Blanche Sainsbury, chair of Bluestone National

Park Resort and the Bluestone Foundation, the company’s

charitable foundation. Blanche Sainsbury explained, “The

support of the local business community so far has been

fantastic and exceeded our expectations. The fact is, that

without this support, these awards would simply not exist.

We are very grateful for those that have committed so far, but

we are still seeking more companies to work with and also

seeking prizes for the auction. I would urge anyone interested

in getting involved in these awards to contact us.”

Fifteen award categories will focus on diversity, bravery,

courage, sporting achievements, and children who help

others through championing causes, caring and fundraising.

The organisers aim to raise £100,000 at the event, which

will be distributed to charities in Wales dedicated to helping

children. The Teenage Cancer Trust, Dreams & Wishes

and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

Children (NSPCC) will all benefit from the event, as will the

Bluestone Foundation.

6


The Garden Pit

STORIES IN STONE

Landshipping is an unassuming little hamlet with an

unusual name, between Haverfordwest and Tenby,

where a quiet narrow road eventually decides to

wander alongside the peaceful estuary. Here in a layby at the

old quayside, with beautiful views across the water, you will

find a modest, but poignant memorial to forty dead miners.

If mining is Pembrokeshire’s lost industry then the Garden

Pit catastrophe in Landshipping in 1844 is its forgotten

disaster.

Coal mining went on in Pembrokeshire for centuries.

Indeed by 1700 coal was the area’s major export. It was high

quality anthracite too. The coal-bearing rocks stretched in a

narrow strip from Carmarthen Bay to St Brides Bay in the

west. The mines were small, but they were productive and

valuable.

Mine owners followed the seam, always, no matter where

it went. After all, their wealth was based entirely on the coal

and consequently mines went beneath the sea. Garden Pit in

Landshipping, Pembrokeshire opened in 1788 and soon the

shaft was 67ft deep and extended out to the eastern branch

of the Cleddau River. Not surprisingly, the pit was known as

a particularly wet one, but it was a productive operation for

the owner, Colonel Sir Hugh Owen, producing 10,000 tons

per year, which was taken away by sea from the purposebuilt

quay. It was the same reason why the more familiar

Saundersfoot was developed – for the transportation of coal.

But the workings around Landshipping were not deep.

It was said that the workers could hear the sound of oars in

boats in the estuary above them. They were working only

three feet below the bed of a powerful tidal river. Conditions,

of course, were dreadful. Ventilation was especially poor, but

then how could it be otherwise, with all that water above?

The Coal Mines Regulation Act had been passed by

Parliament in 1842 and made it illegal for women and

children under ten years of age to work underground. The

law however was widely ignored. It was enforced by just one

inspector who covered the whole of Britain and was required

to give prior notice of a visit anyway and Pembrokeshire was

a long way from anywhere.

The Garden Pit had a chequered history, for it was not

very safe. There had been an explosion in 1830 which killed

five young miners. But death doesn’t only come from fire;

water can be just as deadly.

Garden Pit Memorial, Landshipping, Pembrokeshire

Mar - Apr 2020 7

The part of the mine which was being worked in February

1844 hadn’t been used for a while following a significant

leak of salt water through the roof. However, after it had

been closed for three years, someone decided that it was

safe to open up the tunnel again. On the afternoon of

14th February 1844, there were 58 miners working on the

shift, hacking out coal and dragging it back to the pit shaft.

They were not the happiest group of workers. They were

concerned by the entry of water and left the mine, refusing

to work because it was too dangerous. Their instincts were

dismissed, they were re-assured and sent back.

The first sign of trouble came at about 4pm when a

tremendous rush of wind suddenly shot up the shaft,

involuntarily forcing the hands and arms of those working at

the surface high into the air. Down below men were blown

off their feet and all lights were extinguished as the air was

pushed out, for water had broken in with terrible violence.

On the river itself a series of violent eddies, like whirlpools,

formed in the cold winter water close to shore as it forced its

way into the pit.

A small group of miners gathered at the bottom of the

shaft, pleading for help. Young boys were desperately trying

to climb up the pit shaft. Horses were used to haul four men

and fourteen boys up to safety in the landing tub normally

used for the coal. Nobody else managed to get out. When

they dropped it again, it came back containing nothing but

water.

It had happened so quickly. Forty miners were lost, over

thirty of them trapped at the far end of the workings. The

survivors saw that ‘a portion of the ground underneath the

mud on the side of the river, a little above the low water

mark, had given way and the tide rushed into the fissure so

as to drown the works.’ Those working on the wrong side of

the fissure, further out at the far end of the level, were cut

off.

Men descended the shaft and plumbed the water with

grappling hooks but found nothing. The Carmarthen Journal

said that the inundation ‘took place with the suddenness of a

dream, a few moments of horror and all was over.’

There was a reminder of the disaster the following day

when an explosion happened in the middle of the river,

caused by the pressure of water on air trapped deep within

the mine. Large pieces of timber were thrown into the air as

the ground expelled these remnants of the doomed pit.

What indeed was the price of coal? Disaster, distress and

destitution, for all the local mine workings were ultimately

interconnected and all were flooded, representing a terrible

loss of employment. In moments such as these, lives had

been cruelly ended and other lives changed forever.

Concerts were held to raise money for the families and

contributions were sent to the Pembroke Herald to aid

‘those poor creatures who, by a calamity of so dreadful a

character, are thus unavoidably thrown on the sympathy of

the public…sad indeed the condition of those who, by such

a stroke, are at once deprived of everything.’ The Queen

sent £20 to the fund and, though other contributions were

by necessity much more modest, by April the amount raised

was in excess of £364, the equivalent of over £20,000 today.

Ty Mawr (Big House/Landshipping House), Pembrokeshire

8


STORIES IN STONE

“

What indeed was the price of coal? Disaster, distress and

destitution, for all the local mine workings were ultimately

interconnected and all were flooded, representing a terrible

loss of employment. In moments such as these, lives had

been cruelly ended and other lives changed forever.

”

I have to report that not only have the records of the

inquest been lost, but also I have been unable to find any

reports of any inquest or enquiry in the contemporary press.

Those lost were just ordinary people, barely leaving less than

a thumbprint on history and therefore, perhaps, expendable.

There was no reason for a fuss; these things happen after all.

Mining was a dangerous occupation, everyone knew that.

The manager of the Garden Pit who sent the miners back to

work was exonerated. However, things did not go so well for

the owner Sir Hugh Owen. The loss of the mine provoked

a financial crisis in the Owen family. Ty Mawr, their Big

House at the heart of the estate is still visible, but the land at

Landshipping was eventually sold to the Stanley family.

This was a terrible disaster that had a huge impact on a

small distant community. You will see this when you examine

the details on the memorial stone. It was first erected by

the villagers in 2002 and then in 2019 a new memorial was

rededicated with an updated plaque. It is clear that many of

the dead were related to each other. Some surnames occur

more than once, like Cole and Llewellin. Joseph Picton died

with three of his sons, leaving behind a widow and five other

children. James Davies died with one son, leaving a widow

and five children.

The original memorial listed seven names where the first

was given only as 'Miner'. These are believed to have been

women and children, employed and killed in the pit that day

in spite of the legislation; observance of the law did not seem

to stretch as far as Pembrokeshire. Other names give ages

as low as 9 or 11. In one case a person was listed simply as

‘child’. Research now suggests that this was almost certainly

Joseph Harts. He was four years old.

The Garden Pit disaster was reported right across the

country, from Westmoreland to London, from Cork to Essex,

from Bristol to Dundee, with words like ‘dreadful,’ ‘awful,’

‘terrible,’ destructive,’ ‘fatal,’ ‘melancholy,’ ‘catastrophe.’ But

no one seems to have felt the need to question the illegality of

working practises.

In 1906 the press reported that one of three sisters who

lived in a small cottage in Landshipping, Elizabeth Butland,

had worked in the Garden Pit sixty two years earlier, for

the going rate of 4½d a day. A man was paid 1 shilling.

Two of her brothers, were killed in the disaster, trapped in a

collapsing tunnel beneath a river and you can see their names

on the memorial stone – John, 17 and Thomas, 10. It is such

a humbling detail.

Words and picture 'Garden Pit Memorial' : Geoff Brookes,

'Garden Pit Memorial' inset: Russ Clarke-Wildeman

Illustration: Charlotte Wood

Mar - Apr 2020 9

Where the Wild Things Are

has become a bit of a buzz word, no

pun intended, with the issue lately receiving increasing

exposure from the mainstream media. A

‘Rewilding’

wide-ranging and far-reaching subject, the basic premise is

that we can all do our bit for wildlife by allowing our gardens

and other outside spaces to become wilder and less ‘controlled’,

allowing nature in to create valuable oases of hope

for insects and other wildlife, whose natural habitats are

under increasing and seemingly unrelenting pressure.

This more relaxed approach to gardening is one I have

long practiced, latterly in my small patch in Cilcain, North

East Wales. Besides planting hawthorn and rosa rugosa

hedging in recent years as well as a few small trees, we sow

native wildflower seeds annually to encourage pollinators

and other insects into the garden, and allow weeds like

nettles, cleavers and buttercups to grow, although admittedly

these are largely confined to the back of the borders. We have

provided log piles, dug and planted a tiny pond, in reality

little more than a deep hole and allow autumn's leaves to

lie where they fall. A flourishing ivy across the front of our

house provides habitat, shelter and food for scores of birds,

and we never use any sprays or chemicals whatsoever.

As a result, our garden teems with glorious, vibrant, life.

The air is filled with bird song and the busy flurry of wings,

bees fly in and out of the low eaves just above head height,

wasps attend their exquisite papery nest inside an old

abandoned bird box and gangs of sparrows squabble and

bicker in shuddering shrubs. A mouse scavenges bird seed

beneath the apple tree in darting runs from its home among

the stone steps, toads hide from the sun under the cover of

dark-dappled green, and water snails sail across the pond,

tiny submariners of this particular deep. Come the quiet cool

of evening, a blackbird delivers a virtuoso performance from

his usual spot on the roof ridge, as midges dance to his song

in the softly falling dusk. Later, bats swoop and circle the

garden, hawking for unwary moths, while in the church yard

across the way, rooks throng in the canopy of a towering

sycamore, settling in amid raucous croaks and a shuffling of

feathers, before the drawing down of the night. It is a wildlife

sanctuary in miniature, a haven for the wild things who visit

and all are welcome here.

Words: Sonia Goulding

Illustration: Katie Radburn

Website: turningthestones.com

10


FISHING

Brooks & Streams... the Rivers

Natural Maternity Units

Writing this in early January it should be very cold but the

sun is shining and temperatures of 17º are being forecast. If

these temperatures keep up they could cause a problem with

the eggs of migratory fish and brown trout in the gravels.

The survival of eggs to fry has been a topic much in

the news recently and I came across an article written for

Wild Trout Trust Magazine by Dr Guy Mawle previously

Environment Agency Wales.

The Usk, his local river, is famous for its wild brownies. In

the middle and lower reaches, half the trout that he caught

over the last seven years have been over 31cm (12 inches)

with only 1 in 20 measuring 23cm (9 inches) or less. So

where are the little ones? They’re in the tributaries, and

the small streams that feed the tributaries. In the 1990s, a

scientist looked at the life cycle of Usk brown trout for his

doctoral research. Four tributaries and their feeder streams

were electro fished, as well as the main river Usk adjacent to

each tributary. The tributaries, rarely more than 10 metres

wide, were dominated numerically by trout less than two

years old. Trout in the main river were mostly older than

this. He operated a trap on one tributary, recording a major

migration to the main river in April and May by trout mostly

in their third year (2+). So, as in many if not most rain-fed

rivers, the tributaries are used as nursery areas while most

adult fish spend the fishing season in the main river before

migrating back upstream to spawn in the autumn.

Even within the tributaries, the age and size of the trout

reflected stream size. Feeder streams less than 2.75m wide

held trout mostly in their first year (0+) and some in their

second (1+). In contrast, 0+ densities were much lower

in main stems of the tributaries where fish in their second

year (1+) were relatively more abundant. He calculated the

total number of 0+ and 1+ trout in the small feeder streams

from the fish densities he found in his survey and the area

of accessible feeder streams in each tributary system. As

elsewhere, the feeder streams provided a fifth or more of the

wetted area of the tributary systems. What’s more, because

of higher densities, he reckoned that the small feeder streams

produced the majority of 0+ trout as well as a significant

proportion of the 1+ trout in the Usk tributary systems. So,

the trout populations of the Usk, and probably your river if

it’s not a chalk stream, depend on conditions not only in the

main river but its tributaries and their small feeder streams.

It is important as we seem to be moving to a hotter climate

that we try and look after these feeder streams and keep

then as cool as possible. Young trout prefer a temperature of

about 9 or 10°C and start to die when the water temperature

exceeds 22°C for a sustained period. They don’t survive long

at all if it exceeds 26°C. Sections of some streams already

exceed these temperatures in hot summers.

Bankside vegetation will help adapt our rivers to climate

change. Vegetation on the bank helps to moderate extremes

Classic wild stream Brown Trout

“

Bankside vegetation will help

adapt our rivers to climate change.

Vegetation on the bank helps to

moderate extremes of temperature

creating a more stable environment.

”

of temperature creating a more stable environment.

Shading streams can reduce both the mean and maximum

temperature in summer by 2 to 3 degrees on average. There

is a balance to be struck between the benefits of shading

to regulate temperature and allowing light through for

primary production in the stream. While the subsequent

natural regeneration of vegetation may be sufficient in some

places, the planting belts of trees between 2 – 5m wide in

suitable positions along the bank will also have other benefits.

Slowing floods, control of erosion from stream banks, shelter

for trout from predators, food for fish and for invertebrates

from leaf litter. All these extra benefits particularly the

slowing of flood water can be achieved by some simple steps.

Sadly in recent dry summers our most important feeder

streams are drying and the silent loss of many small fry is

having an effect on fish population across Wales.

Since the above article was written the situation in Wales

has gone from bad to worse due to the impacts of pollution

by bad agricultural practice made worse by heavier rainfall

and higher temperatures. Problems include soil erosion

from fields, excessive nutrients and, from dairy farms,

spreading and storage of slurry, basically cattle excreta. The

environment is a devolved issue and Wales lags even behind

England in controlling pollution from agriculture. After

embarrassing publicity, the Welsh Government promised

firm measures at least to control slurry pollution. Mixed

messages now coming from that quarter leave us wondering

if the new legislation to protect Wales’ precious environment,

specifically including trout and salmon, is worth the paper it

is written on.

Words: Tony Rees and Dr Guy Mawle

Picture: Lee Edwards

Mar - Apr 2020 11

Discover Welsh Towns & Villages

Gaerwen

Gaer - Caer…fortified wall - fortress. Wen - gwyn…

white. White fortress. Gaerwen is situated four

miles from Llangefni, sixteen miles from Caergybi

(Holyhead) and eight miles from Bangor. Village life was

once closely tied to the mills in its northern section - Melin

Maengwyn, Melin Sguthan (Union Mill) and Melin Berw.

The three can still be seen gracing the landscape - two are

unused whilst the third has been beautifully renovated into a

dwelling.

The A5 - the Holyhead Road (Ffordd Caergybi) threads

through Gaerwen. North of the village is the A55 - the

Expressway. The North Wales Main Line (Rheilffordd

Arfordir Gogledd Cymru) en route from Bangor to Holyhead

crosses south of Gaerwen. The Anglesey Central Railway

however, ran north through her lands from 1864 until 1993,

connecting to Llangefni and through to Amlch on the coast.

Now unused, the railway corridor is home to an assortment

of wild flowers, grasses and shrub nesting birds, with present

plans to either re-open the rail service or create a walking

and cycling path.

Gaerwen’s countryside was once thickly forested,

sandwiched between Afon Braint to the east and Afon

Cefni in the west. The Malltraeth Marsh is southwest and

beyond thrives the Niwbwrch (Newborough) Forest - here

was the project focus to re-establish the native red squirrel

dominance vs. the grey squirrel on Yns Môn. The success is

seen at Gaerwen as red squirrels with their tufted ears can be

seen scampering along branches and chattering over seeded

“

Gaerwen with her sheep and

cattle farms surrounding the

homes and businesses has an air of

timelessness.

”

finds. The fields are also a haven for rabbits. Brave rabbits

sitting on hummocks of tufted grass and shy ones, bolting at

the snap of a twig underfoot.

On Gaerwen’s southeast, travelling towards Llandaniel Fab

is Bryn Celli Ddu. The Mound in a Dark Grove. No longer in

a dark, thickly treed grove, Bryn Celli Ddu is in a wide open

field. It dates back to the time when pyramids were under

construction - 3,000 BC plus.

Bryn Celli Ddu is a Neolithic burial chamber. Burial

chambers were built to protect the remains of ancestors

and as cemeteries today, enabled the paying of respect to

predecessors. Bryn Celli Ddu has an additional element - a

passage tomb. This is where more than one burial chamber

is connected by a passage. Archaeological exploration has

surmised that its use as a passage tomb was added later - about

1,000 years or so after. That is one theory. The other is that the

passage tomb and burial mound with the standing stones were

both created simultaneously. Items found inside include flint

arrowheads, quartz pieces, a stone bead, mussel and limpet

shells, in addition to burnt and unburnt human bones.

Stepping stones across Afon Braint © David Purchase (cc-by-sa/2.0)

12


welsh connections

Bryn Celli Ddu chambered cairn © Chris Gunns (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Melin Maengwyn Windmill

An interesting fact is the alignment of the passage

opening. At the summer solstice, the rising sun enters the

passageway to the burial chamber and to the carved, stonelike,

petrified tree trunk found within, pouring light into the

whole chamber.

Recent geophysical surveys have found that there’s even

more. Even more in terms of other burial cairns. Four within

the area, spanning from the Neolithic Age to the Bronze.

This goes further back from the 3,000 BC to 5,000 BC. The

entire area, no doubt, has much more to reveal or to keep

secret!

Gaerwen with her sheep and cattle farms surrounding the

homes and businesses has an air of timelessness. Somewhat

understated - a village to simply pass through, with a more

recent industrial quarter added in the south and signposts

for camping and B&Bs - she has offered the world yet

another mystery.

In 1856, eleven late Bronze Age gold bracelets and eleven

penannular lock rings were discovered at an excavation

site at Cae Capel Eithin - Gaerwen. Only two rings and two

bracelets were preserved, the others were sold and used by

goldsmiths - the full value of the gold artefacts unrealised. A

much later discovery, put light on the previously unknown

source of those items during a Bronze Age excavation at

Gaerwen in 1980. A twelfth ring 38mm in diameter, crushed

and two feet below ground was turned up - identical to what

had been salvaged by the British museum.

With the knowledge that the burial of gold items in this

way to be significant, in addition to at least seventeen Bronze

Age burial pits uncovered within this locale, archaeologists

have more than confirmed that this area held immense

importance.

A realm of discovery. Gaerwen - and what of beyond the

hedgerows - under the homes and businesses, the industrial

quarter; beneath the streets - below the earth of Maes

Merddin, Lon Groes, Chapel Street, Ty Croes, Rhos Ellen

or even the A5 - what more secrets may lie there?

Words: Gillian Thomas

Next issue: Gillian visits Holyhead

Getting There

By car: A55 on Ffordd Caergybi -the Holyhead Road.

By train: Take train to Llangefni – then take the bus.

By bus: XB

Mar - Apr 2020 13

Four Thousand Years

Is Not A Long Time

Coetan Arthur, Arthur’s Quoit, stands on St David’s

Head, where Wales meets the western sea. It’s 4000

years since neolithic people devoted themselves to

making this mark, here, in their community. It’s one of the

oldest buildings in the world, older than the pyramids. What

is left of the tomb is construction of bare stone. I want to

discover whether any trace of the meaning of this ancient

place remains.

I get my first view as I reach the top of a small rise in

the path above Porth Melgan. Coetan Arthur is still about

a quarter of a mile away, in a saddle formed by a dip in

the cliffs, between two rock outcrops. Within yards of

leaving that small undulation, it is lost from view. To see

it again I have to walk up a steep slope, until it is revealed

as the ground unfolds to a small plateau. Here the grass is

smoother and freer of boulders. Two lines of stone reach out

from the entrance, beckoning me in. Behind it the land rises

just enough to keep the chamber below the horizon, before

the earth drops steeply to the waves. Rocky outcrops strewn

with boulders hide it from the south and the north.

The full collective energy of a community would have

been needed to make this structure. The capstone, measuring

four by three metres is half a metre thick. It rests on the

ground on one side and is supported on the other by

an orthostat, an upright pillar of rock, one and

a half metres tall. Two other orthostats lie

on the floor. The capstone’s slab of

smooth gabbros rock sparkles

in this afternoon’s sun.

Its not, the harnessing of physical energy that impresses

me most. It is a building that is concealed and revealed as

you move through the landscape. The effect is intimacy on

a windswept headland. That needed forethought, by people

who must have known how to use space and lines of sight.

They must have understood that moving through the land

shifts shape and vista and through them how power and

emotions can be channeled. An idea, an expression of belief

is created, a landscape is sculptured. I don’t know what they

called that. We call it art.

I want to get some sense of how the tomb feels, whether

it is still capable of speaking to me. Bending low, I clamber

into the now empty space beneath the capstone, into the

chamber that would have held the human remains. It is

barely a two metres wide and four metres in length. The

stones, dense and heavy, press in around me. Nothing

grows in here. The floor is hard,

dry and strewn with small

pebbles. There’s no

room to turn

14


welsh connections

“

the

Two lines of stone reach out from

entrance, beckoning me in.

”

around. The light is dimmed and the wind diminished. The

contrast between the open headland and this airless space is

palpable.

It’s empty now but I try to picture it with the meaningful

bones of those held in high esteem placed carefully around.

I close my eyes. I rest my hands on the cool stone. I try to

sense what it would feel like if I believed that, here, there

was an active two way communication between the living

and the ancestors. I wonder if this is even a distinction that

they would have acknowledged. What would I feel if I was a

conduit, between what lay inside this tomb and what moved

outside its walls? Perhaps a balance of responsibility and

power? Was the dominance of the past overwhelming? Did

the future need the permission of the past?

I can never hope to find the precise meaning neolithic

people made for this place, but we do have things in

common. We are a species that knows that we die and that

what is vital to us passes. As I age my mortality and what I

am to leave behind, grows in significance. We still fashion

caskets out of memories that we hope will carry on. We need

to find safe places for their keeping. And so did they. That

has endured across the many centuries between our times

and joins me with them.

I turn and clamber back out into the colour soaked world

of white clouds, a cyan sea and a jumble of emerald and

sage across the slopes of Carn Llidi. A single word rings in

my head; respect. Respect for what these people achieved

here. Respect for their venerated space, one that I have

learnt speaks across time.

Coetan Arthur by bsag on Foter.com

I walk back along the cliffs and turn to see, as its builders

would have done, Coetan Arthur silhouetted against the

cerulean sky. Four thousand years is not a long time.

Words: Robert Pickford

Illustration: Katie Radburn

St Davids Head, Pembrokeshire by Alan Denney on Foter.com

Mar - Apr 2020 15

Llyn Elsi and

Betws-y-Coed

...the self-proclaimed gateway

to the region...

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5

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Llyn Elsi and Betws y Coed

16

©Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 029/20.


WALKING IN WALES

Betws-y-Coed is as close to chocolate box twee as Snowdonia gets. The self-proclaimed

gateway to the region really is a lovely little village, perched on the banks of the Afon

Conwy and the Afon Llugwy and hemmed in on all sides by the picturesque Gwydir

Forest. It’s a great base for hill walking, even though you can’t actually access any of the major

peaks straight from its bustling streets. It’s also an excellent centre for easier walks, as this short

ramble into the forest proves nicely.

1

With the telephone box and Londis store to your left and

the church to your right, walk up the steep road away from

the A5 and continue around to the right to a junction

with a forest track on the left. Take this up into the wood

following waymarks to a major fork.

2

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5

6

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4

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Mar - Apr 2020 17

1

6

2

1

Take the right fork and

continue, still following

waymarks, through the

wood, passing tracks to the

left, right and then left again

before eventually reaching a

major t-junction. Here you

turn left to emerge on the

shores of Llyn Elsi.

3

2

4

3

5

4

6

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1

3

2

This is a beautiful spot

and Llyn Elsi really is an

attractive lake, despite being

a man-made reservoir. It

has a very tranquil feel to it,

and also offers some great

views over Moel Siabod

and the northern mountains

of Snowdonia. Turn right,

through a gap in some

standing stones, onto a

gravel path and follow this

to a memorial erected in

commemoration of the

opening of the Betws-y-

Coed Waterworks. This is a

great spot for a break before

the steep descent.

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3

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18


WALKING IN WALES

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3

Continue past the memorial

to a junction with three paths

leading away and take the

middle one, which is narrow

but well-surfaced. Follow it

through some dense scrub and

over a few boggy patches to a

crossroads with a broad forest

track. Keep straight ahead to

continue down through the

wood to eventually join another

broad forest track.

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4

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3

2

4

3

5

4

Here, turn right to follow the track

uphill as far as a crossroads, then

turn left to drop back into the trees

on a very steep and rocky path. This

zigzags down through the woodland

and finally re-emerges on the track

you walked in on earlier. Turn left

onto this and retrace your steps easily

back down into town.

6

5

Distance:

Time:

Start/Finish:

Paths:

Maps:

Nearest Town:

Tourist Info:

3 miles (4.8 km)

2 hours

Village centre, Betws-y-coed (SH794564)

Good tracks and paths through woodland.

Steep descent at the end.

OS Explorer Series (1:25 000) OL17

Betws-y-Coed

Betws-y-Coed TIC Tel (01690) 710426

www.betws-y-coed.co.uk

Words & Pictures: Tom Hutton

Mar - Apr 2020 19

Newsround

Wales’ Report Roundup - Compiled by Kath Rhodes

Conti’s Café at Llanerchaeron

After the long cold winter months, we’re excited to

welcome the return of spring with the re-opening of our

Conti’s Café at Llanerchaeron.

Amidst the budding snowdrops our busy little café sits

next to the Llanerchaeron National Trust Visitor’s Centre at

the edge of the property’s free car park.

We provide a delicious menu laden with locally sourced

produce, all freshly prepared daily by our chefs. We aim to

cater for all, with gluten free and vegan options available.

Our seasonal specials add variety for our frequent visitors

and our selection of locally produced cakes & scones are

just too tempting to refuse after a refreshing walk along the

surrounding woodland & grounds. Not least forgetting our

multi award winning ice cream as a cheeky treat on those

warmer days.

Our barista made coffees using the fantastic & sustainable

focused Extract Coffee Roasters from Bristol, can be made

specifically to your tastes on ordering. The wonderful

Murrough's Welsh Brew Tea provides all our cafés a with

their breakfast & herbal teas, offering a little bit of ‘Hiraeth’-

(home) in every cup.

The Café is a wonderful place to sit and unwind and the

outdoor seating means it's a haven for your dogs too. There

are lovely walks through tranquil woodland, following the

bubbling River Aeron, including one that ends in Aberaeron,

the beautiful Nash designed harbour town. Or, why not try it

the other way 'round? Start in Aberaeron and end at Conti's

cafe, having worked up an appetite.

Our friendly staff look forwards to welcoming in a fresh

new season starting from February 15 th , open 7 days a week

(limited hours until March 14 th ).

For further information visit: contisicecream.com/llanerchaeron

UNESCO Nomination For North Wales

Minister for International Relations, Eluned Morgan, has

backed a recent announcement that the Slate Landscape

of Northwest Wales has been put forward as a potential

UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If successful, the landscape would become the fourth

world heritage site in Wales, joining the Blaenavon Industrial

Landscape, the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward I

in Gwynedd and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal. In

2016, it was estimated that UNESCO-designated sites in the

UK bring more than £100million into the economy each

year.

The Minister said: “This nomination is a celebration of

the work of the generations of men and women who lived,

worked and shaped our land, and we are connecting with

their legacy through this nomination.

“This is a story that really resonates with local

communities and with visitors - thousands come each year

to experience these spectacular landscapes; to enjoy our

National Slate Museum, ride the Blaenau Ffestiniog and

Talyllyn railways and experience our unique culture, all of

which boost employment and the local economy”.

20


NEWSROUND

Plastic-Free Porthmadog

Daisy Graze At Cowbridge

Making Porthmadog plastic-free – this is the aim of

brand-new initiative launched recently in the town. The hope

now is that with the support of environmental group, Surfers

Against Sewage the town can secure the ‘Plastic-Free’ status.

Councillor Nia Jeffreys who represents Porthmadog

(Dwyrain) on Gwynedd Council said: “As a coastal town

built on land reclaimed from the sea, the effects of climate

change and the damage plastics cause to marine life are

very important issues for those of us who live here in

Porthmadog. I know that a number of individuals and local

companies are doing great work in terms of environmental

efforts. This is an important first step and it was inspiring

to see representatives from local schools, businesses, local

volunteers and Surfers Against Sewage come together to see

how we can develop Porthmadog into a Plastic-Free Town.”

Work will now be carried out to consider what steps can

be taken to cut down of the use of single-use plastic in the

town as well as the introduction of street-recycling bins in

Porthmadog.

The opportunity arose back in January for Daisy Graze

to join the thriving, vibrant farmers’ market in Cowbridge.

This year the market is now held weekly and attracts both

locals and day visitors. Locally farmed meat, artisan bread

and local vegetables are always available with various other

products on sale either weekly, every 2 weeks, or on high

days and holidays. Daisy Graze will attend on 2 nd and 4 th

Saturdays of the month with an eclectic mix of jams, jellies,

chutneys, fruit vinegars and velvety smooth chocolate fudge.

The flavours change during the year depending on what

is available to forage or is grown in the garden. The whole

family gets involved whenever there is harvesting or picking

to be done and a tall husband and a tree climbing 7 year old

are extremely useful at these times!

Joining the market is an exciting adventure for the business

that will introduce it to new customers and hopefully

establish increased product loyalty as well as making some

friendships along the way

To keep in touch follow on Facebook: @daisygrazecaketoppers

David Tress Advanced 2 Day Painting Workshops

Landscape: Expression and Structure

Renowned artist David Tress states, “The course –

demonstrations and practical tuition – will reflect my own

approach to painting, but it is no intention of mine that

members should copy my work. Rather, I aim to tease out

the elements that lie behind my painting so that everyone

is able to pick and choose aspects of what I do that may

be useful for their own work. There are four planned

demonstrations during each course of about three quarters

of an hour each – I may drop in an occasional brief extra

demonstration if there is a particular subject that I think

needs consideration. After each of the four demonstrations I

will read a poem linked to the theme of the course.”

Held at The King Street Gallery, Carmarthen, the fee is

£160.00 per workshop. The two dates are: 21 st & 22 nd March

and 25 th & 26 th April running from 10am-4pm. There will

be 8 participants in each workshop and your place will be

confirmed upon prepayment.

Contact the Gallery on: 0127 220121 or

gallery@kingstreetgallery.co.uk.

Visit: www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk for more information and the

materials you need to bring with you.

Mar - Apr 2020 21

Spring Herb Soup

by Ann Pettifer

It is dreary January as I write, but as soon as there’s a

moment of sunshine, I can hear the great tit making its singsong

call from the ashes by the road. It’s the first, round here

at least, to start its New Year song, calling to its mate, keen to

get going with the family business. Last week I heard a song

thrush in full flow, below the castle at Llansteffan. Come

the middle of February, there will be a lot of busyness in the

native small bird world, as they hurry to bag nest sites before

the migrants arrive.

March through to June is the best time for foraging for

wild edible leaves, as they start to flourish long before we

have anything cultivated that’s ready to eat (apart of course

from purple sprouting broccoli).

Nettles start to get going in March. Now you may think

it’s odd to be eating such a difficult weed, but as soon as you

cook the leaves, in just enough water to stop them sticking to

the pan, they lose their sting. I go out with kitchen scissors,

and a colander, and I just cut the top two leaves, the bigger

and greener the better, and let them drop into the colander.

Once it’s full, I’ve enough for a nice soup (+ onion, potato,

& stock) or nettle fritters (cooked down, chopped fine, +

flour, & egg) to be fried in whatever fat you like (animal

fats are becoming rehabilitated, health-wise) or just as a

green vegetable with a knob of butter. Now this is the thing

about wild greens: there’s nothing better for you. They are

bursting with vitamins and minerals. They are not sprayed

with chemicals, or molly-coddled in plastic tunnels. In rural

France, people go out picking edible greens – dandelions

especially – in early spring because they think it’s a pick-meup

at the end of Winter. I think they are right.

Another lovely, easy to identify plant is wild sorrel. It’s

lance-shaped, bright green leaves taste like a sharp lemon,

and they will cook down in seconds, to make a thick, tasty

sauce, great with fish. They make a nice soup too. Beware

tho’ – don’t mistake them for Lords and Ladies (cuckoo

pint) which also have very green, lance-shaped leaves. Once

you have learnt to identify sorrel, it will be a part of your

cooking forever. Sorrel is a classic hedgerow plant, and it

flourishes in profusion, especially along the frost-free coast

path. Jack-by-the-hedge is also called Hedge Garlic. If you

pinch one of its heart-shaped leaves, like green silk, you will

smell why. The leaves give a nice tang in a salad. He shoots

up in no time in early May, two foot high in a week, topped

with a creamy spray of tiny four-petal flowers.

The young leaves of wild garlic are mild enough to be

eaten – well, just about – but they really are best in a soup.

My favorite spring herb soup has sorrel, nettles, wild garlic,

the first shoots of lovage, first bits of fennel, and parsley.

You always need an onion and something to give a bit of

bulk, like potato, or red lentils – or some of both. But here’s

a thing, last year I discovered that ground elder leaves also

make a great spring soup, combined with any or all of the

above. I won’t even try to describe it, if you’ve got it in your

garden, you know about it because it’s so invasive. We have

those other invaders, the Romans, to thank for its presence

here. There are no exact recipes for these spring leaf culinary

treats. If I say, put in a handful, it depends on the size of

your hand, but go on-put in a handful!

Happy foraging!

Words & Illustrations: Ann Pettifer

22


Where to Eat

WHERE TO EAT

Mannucci’s

A beautiful little Italian restaurant, set

in the grounds of Aquaserena Spa. Our

family is from Tuscany and we pride

ourselves on serving fantastic homemade

Italian food, amazing deserts,

and scrumptious drinks. We are on the

coastal way, just up the road from Mwnt

Beach near the little village of Penparc.

Booking essential.

Brongwyn Mawr, Penpanc, Cardigan

SA43 1SA

cardiganholidays.co.uk/bistro.html

+44 (0)1239 613644

Restaurant,

Pembrokeshire College

Experience the difference between

eating out and dining at The Restaurant

at Pembrokeshire College. Training

for careers in some of the UK’s top

establishments, our hospitality students

aim to provide first class customer

service alongside mouth-watering

cuisine. Restaurant open on Thursday

evenings, term-time only. Go to the

website for full menu and events.

Pembs College, Haverfordwest, SA61 1SZ

restaurant.pembrokeshire.ac.uk

+44 (0)1437 753 165

Ty Morgans

Ty Morgan’s is situated in the small, but

busy town of Rhayader, the gateway

town of the beautiful Elan Valley Dams.

There’s a day time menu, a bistro and

an evening bar menu with a varied

selection of wonderful food. There’s

a coffee shop, a bar area and outside

courtyard.

Rhayader, Powys, LD6 5BH

www.tymorgans.com

+44 (0) 1597 811666

The Hive

The Hive Bar & Grill and award winning

honey ice cream. Situated in a historic

converted wharf overlooking the

picturesque harbour town of Aberaeron.

American style food with an European

influence. Our menu includes local crab

& chilli risotto, Hive burgers, ribs, steaks

& more. Check out our website for full

menu & events.

The Hive, Aberaeron, Ceredigion,

SA46 0BU

www.thehiveaberaeron.com

+44 (0)1545 570445

Conti’s CAFÉ

Offers outstanding quality across the

board; from our relaxed atmosphere, to

our menus laden with the best of local

produce - not forgetting our sublime,

world renowned ice cream. Our brandnew

upstairs seating, Italian wines, and

artisan spirit selection, is perfect for

tranquil evening gatherings.

The Coach House

The cafe serves fresh, local, seasonal

homemade food. Alongside a selection

of Welsh gifts/produce, local artists

regularly exhibit. The Coach House

sits in the grounds of St Dogmael’s

Abbey and hosts an award winning local

producers market every Tuesday. We

are open every day 10-4 and dogs are

very welcome.

Blas Restaurant

Twr y Felin Hotel’s AA Two Rosette

restaurant Blas – meaning ‘Taste’ in

Welsh – offers a menu influenced by

the season and locality, with dishes

designed to reflect Wales and its

produce. Open daily for breakfast,

brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and

drinks, we welcome resident and nonresident

guests alike.

Food For Thought

An established family run café

with a passion for our menu and

mouthwatering daily specials including

vegan and gluten-free choices. From full

English breakfast to afternoon teas. Inhouse

baked yummy cakes,Tea Pig Teas,

speciality coffees and hot chocolates

can be enjoyed in our cosy coffee

lounge or unique dining area.

Conti’s Café, 5 Harford Square, Lampeter,

SA48 7HD

www.contisicecream.com

+44 (0)1570 422223

Shinrig, St Dogmaels, Pembs, SA43 3DX

www.stdogmaelsabbey.org.uk

+44 (0)1239 615389

Blas Restaurant, Twr y Felin Hotel, St

Davids, SA62 6QT

www.blasrestaurant.com

+44 (0)1437 725555

13 Pendre, Cardigan, Ceredigion,

SA43 1JL

C Food For Thought

+44 (0)1239 621863

WELSH

FOOD & DRINK

Are you a Welsh food producer,

retailer or use Welsh produce

in your café, restaurant or hotel?

CLAIM YOUR FREE

LISTING TODAY!

www.welshfoodanddrink.wales

Mar - Apr 2020 23

Best of Welsh

Conwy Kombucha Limited, Conwy

and Borders

Our Best of Welsh and Borders listing

is your guide to sourcing a mouth

watering array of produce from Wales

and its Borders. Most producers have

mail order services available or you

can meet our producers, passionate

about their wonderful produce, at

your local food markets and food

festivals throughout the year. You can

also visit our website where you can

read their latest news and find links

straight through to them.Welcome to

the cream of the Welsh crop…

North Wales Mid Wales

South West Wales South Wales

BUY LOCAL - EAT LOCAL

north wales

Welsh Lady Preserves

Gwynedd

We have been proudly creating jams, curds,

chutneys, mustards and sauces since 1966.

Lovingly handmade in open copper pans,

our award-winning preserves are made with

care by our family to yours.

+44 (0)1766 810496

www.welshladypreserves.com

Purple Moose Brewery

Gwynedd

Award-winning brewery producing eight

regular beers in cask, keg and bottle. Silver

medallists of the 2019 International Beer

Challenge award. Available throughout

Wales and beyond and from our online

shop.

+44 (0)1766 515571

www.purplemoose.co.uk

The Coconut Kitchen

Gwynedd

Developed, over 11 years, by Head Chef

Preechaya from The Coconut Kitchen

restaurant in Abersoch. All her best dishes

are available in retail packs, fully seasoned

and ready to cook in minutes.

L coconut1kitchen

www.thecoconutkitchen.co.uk

Daffodil Foods

Gwynedd

Manufacturers of fresh chilled dairy

desserts and fruit compotes from our new

production site near Pwllheli. Raspberry

Panna Cotta and Lemon Posset are

available as twin packs and individual

portions under retailer own label brands.

+44 (0)1766 810 862

www.daffodilfoods.co.uk

South Caernarfon Creameries

Gwynedd

Wales’ oldest farmer-owned dairy cooperative.

Nestling in the foothills of

Snowdonia, we are dedicated, quality

cheese makers and distributors of Welsh

dairy products under the Dragon brand.

+44 (0)1766 810251

www.dragonwales.co.uk

Hufenfa’r Castell

Gwynedd

Delectable dilemmas of delicious ice cream,

with Welsh whole milk, double cream,

British sugar blended with fresh fruits and

flowers from the hills & gardens of Harlech.

Magical flavours from spring to autumn.

+44 (0)7810 164547

www.hufenfa.co.uk

Llaeth y Llan

Conwy

Family run business taking local Welsh

wholesome milk and creating yummy

artisan yogurts in all kinds of flavours

and sizes. They’re available through

independent shops, delis, multi-retailers

and wholesalers throughout Wales.

+44 (0)1745 540256

villagedairy.co.uk

Blas ar Fwyd

Conwy

Blas ar Fwyd is a North Wales based fine

food & wine retailer, wholesaler & caterer

with a Wales-wide distribution network,

quality delicatessen and cafe-bar.

+44 (0)1492 640215

www.blasarfwyd.com

Conwy Brewery

Conwy

Cask and bottled ales of the highest quality

with the best range in north Wales. We

are proud of our Welsh roots; all beers are

brewed and bottled at our brewery.

+44 (0)1492 514305

www.conwybrewery.co.uk

Siwgr a Sbeis,

Conwy

Based in Llanrwst at the heart of

Snowdonia. Producers of traditionallymade

cakes, desserts and quiches, with

many recognised awards for both products

and business. Chilled deliveries throughout

North Wales, Mid Wales and the Borders.

+44 (0)1492 641940

www.siwgrasbeis.co.uk

24


best of welsh & borders

Conwy Kombucha Limited

Conwy

Blighty Booch Kombucha and Blighty

Brew Organic Loose-leaf Tea started in

2018. Importing organic tea from the High

Mountains of Hunan China using it to make

our traditionally, slow and small-batch

brewed Kombucha.

+44 (0)7976116784

www.blightybooch.com

The Little Cheesemonger,

Denbighshire

A specialist Cheese shop full of Artisan

goodies with a wide selection of fine

cheese from Wales to Europe. Gift hampers,

Wedding Cheese Towers and hand selected

foods from small producers.

+44 (0)1745 591906

www.thelittlecheesmonger.co.uk

Celtic Spirit Company

Anglesey

Situated on the Isle of Anglesey, Condessa

specialise in the production of award

winning liqueurs: Elderflower Gin, Rhubarb

and Raspberry Rum, Sloe Gin, Praline Welsh

Cream & Black Cherry.

+44 (0)1407 730021

www.celticspirit.co.uk

Toffoc Ltd

Anglesey

Triple distilled finest UK grain vodka, infused

with our unique toffee, giving that golden

taste only found in TOFFOC. Available from

all Welsh ASDA stores.

+44 (0)1248 852921

www.toffoc.com

Condessa Welsh Liqueurs

Anglesey

Situated on the Isle of Anglesey, Condessa

specialise in the production of awardwinning

liqueurs: Original Welsh Cream,

Praline Welsh Cream, Apricot, Black Cherry

& Sloe Gin.

+44 (0)1407 730021

www.condessa.co.uk

Sabor De Amor

Wrexham

Sabor de Amor sauces and condiments

use authentic recipes made with natural

ingredients. Sharing the flavours of Spain

with their Paella sauce, Salsa Brava, Alioli

and Tapenade. Vegan & GF.

www.sabordeamor.com

info@sabordeamor.com

MID WALES

T Samways

Ceredigion

A high class, PGI registered, butcher with

traditional values using modern technology

to help produce meat that tastes as it used

to, but surpassing the rigorous modern food

safety standards.

+44 (0)1239 621225

C T Samways High Class Butcher

Merlin Cheeses

Ceredigion

Offering a range of handmade and unique

tasting cow’s milk Cheddar cheeses

created by infusing different herbs, spices

and fruits. We sell to wholesale, to shops, at

Food Festivals and online.

+44 (0)1974 282808

www.merlincheeses.com

Tŷ Nant Spring Water Limited

Ceredigion

Award winning Tŷ Nant Natural Mineral

Water in iconic cobalt and crimson bottles,

a unique ripple-effect plastic range, and

TAU Spring Water in clear bottles, enjoying

a deserved reputation for world-wide

excellence.

+44 (0)1974 272 111

www.tynant.com

The Big Bite

Ceredigion

Delicious home-made baguettes,

sandwiches and cakes all made using

quality ingredients. We also stock artisan

scotch eggs & sausage rolls , and made to

order gourmet salad pots, all great food for

on the go!

+44 (0)1239 613006

thebigbite29b@hotmail.co.uk

Foxhill Preserves

Ceredigion

Hand-made in Cardigan Bay - artisan

preserves and cordials, using traditional

small batch methods, unique recipes and

locally grown produce. A local product,

sourced locally, supplied through local

retailers.

foxhillpreserves@gmail.com

+44 (0)1239 811593

Da Mhile Distillery

Ceredigion

Independent award winning farmhouse

distillery and tasting gallery in west Wales

producing organic whisky, gins and orange

33 liqueur. Wales distilled. Tours available:

Mon-Fri: start 3pm.

+44 (0)1239 851528

www.damhile.co.uk

Cardigan Bay Brownies

Ceredigion

The home of the best chocolate brownies

in west Wales! Succulent moist brownies in

the most delicious flavours from traditional

choc & salted caramel to Turkish delight &

Nutella.

+44 (0)7403624801

nerys1971@icloud.com

Llanllyr SOURCE

Ceredigion

Llanllyr water is one of the finest and most

perfectly balanced spring waters in the

world. Plus our range of ginger ale and

beers, tonics, lemonade, bitter lemon and

club soda.

+44 (0)1570 470788

www.llanllyrsource.com

Cnwcy Manal Cakes

Ceredigion

Bespoke bakes in Wales. Specialising in

custom

GOLDEN

made cakes, cupcakes

FORK

& baked

bouquets for WINNER

all occasions to make your

special day extra special ..... Made with love

Best Food and Drink

just for you.

+44 Product (0)1239 810213 from Wales

C Cnwcymanal www.afonmel.com Cupcakes

New Quay Honey Farm

Ceredigion

The Great Taste, Golden Fork winners 2019.

Family-run bee-farm producing a large

range of coarse filtered honey and awardwinning

meads. Available to wholesale,

trade and in our visitor centre and via our

website.

+44 (0)1545 560822

www.afonmel.com

info@afonmel.com

Queens Bakery

Ceredigion

Traditional bakers with wide range of

breads to suit all tastes. Delicious range of

cakes/ pastries always available. With local

beers speciality gins artisan cheeses great

for gifts or to treat yourself.

+44 (0)1239 612110

Welsh Gluten Free Bakery Products

Ceredigion

Gluten Free Bakery products for Coeliacs,

a range of breads, tarts and other options

from shops in the area. Try our Great Taste

Award 2017 Brown Seeded bread or try our

new bloomer bread and Italian flat breads.

+44 (0)1559 363766

www.wgfbakeryproducts.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 25

Caffi Carn Alw Market Hall

Ceredigion

Serving lite bites, quality coffee and

speciality teas. We source produce locally

and then create into our homemade,

wholesome Mediterranean themed

dishes served to a high standard. A warm

welcome awaits.

+44 (0)1239 621695

C Caffi Carn Alw Upper Market Hall

The People’s Market

Ceredigion

Created to show case local food drink &

craft producers in and around Lampeter,

held at the Victoria Hall every 2nd and 4th

Saturday of the month between 10am &

1pm.

+44 (0)7891 632614

C The People’s Market, Lampeter

Deli Delights

Ceredigion

The Deli Delights Kitchen Cookery

Workshops for Adults and Children, also

available at a venue to suit you. Now

offering Residential cookery holidays, see

website for details.

+44 (0)1239 810928

www.delidelightswales.co.uk

Crwst

Ceredigion

Offering something special, a place to

brunch, lunch, dine with family and friends,

including four legged friends, in a relaxed,

contemporary atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Open 7 days a week.

+44 (0)1239 611 278

www.crwst.cymru

Teifi Farmhouse Cheese

Ceredigion

We use traditional methods, using organic

raw milk and local ingredients, to make

high quality multi award-winning artisan

cheeses. In fact, Teifi Cheese are the most

highly awarded cheesemakers in Britain.

+44 (0)1239 851528

www.teificheese.co.uk

Cegin Mam Gu

Ceredigion

Vegan food producer supplying independent

retailers in Mid and West Wales with

delicious plant based savoury food using

the finest ingredients and local produce.

Catering services also available, please

contact for further details.

+44 (0)7376 113621

C @ceginmamgu

Aberaeron Seafood

Ceredigion

Behind The Hive we have a selection of fresh

fish and shellfish using locally sourced fish

whenever we can, preparing the fish for you

for ease of cooking. Open Thurs Fri & Sat.

+44 (0)7707 019191

Watson and Pratts

Ceredigion

Independent food shop specialising in

organic and local food. Onsite bakery

producing fresh bread and pastries daily.

Shop in Lampeter or shop online. Bulk

organic fruit and vegetables also available.

+44 (0)1570 423 099

www.watsonandpratts.co.uk

Postance Poultry

Ceredigion

Committed to welfare and quality, ensuring

their produce is treated to the highest

standard. Allowed to grow at a natural pace

with access to pasture and processed on

farm using traditional plucking methods.

+44 (0)1239 814944

C @ TheChickenLady2012

Siop Fferm Cherry Picked

Ceredigion

With a wide selection of delicious food and

drink, much sourced locally, an ideal stop as

one travels along the coast road between

Aberystwyth & Cardigan. A great coffee

stop & much more.

cherrypickedfarmshop@gmail.com

C @siopffermcherrypicked

Coed Mawr Farm Apple Juice

Powys

Pure organic apple juice hand-picked

and pressed, producing an artisan quality

medium dry juice with an elegant flavour.

Perfect for gourmets, fine dining or

mountain hikes, plus chefs’ kitchen culinary

delights.

(0)1982 570707

www.coedmawrfarm.co.uk

Derwen Farm Shop

Powys

Specialising in quality local fresh free-range

meat, local & international cheeses & daily

deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables, local

& seasonal. An in-store kitchen produces

mouth-watering cakes, pies, pastries &

quiches.

+44 (0)1938 551586

www.derwenfarmshop.co.uk

Montgomery Waters

Powys

Mineral & spring waters of outstanding

natural taste. The hills of Montgomeryshire

provide an excellent variety of minerals

which contribute to the fine taste of our

still, sparkling and flavoured water.

+44 (0)1588 622900

www.montgomeryspring.co.uk

Pennant Valley Game

Powys

Game Meat products locally and ethically

sourced from the beautiful surroundings of

Mid Wales. Tradition and innovation meet to

provide quality, unique, tasty Welsh produce.

+44 (0)1691 860297

wildwelshmeat.co.uk

Welsh Sausage Company

Powys

Award-winning Welsh farmhouse sausages

using Welsh pork, beef & lamb. Available

in a range of flavour combinations from

Traditional to Mediterranean & Indian

inspired. Sausages as they used to be!

+44 (0)1938 553365

www.langfords-foodhall.co.uk

Fingers and Forks

Powys

A family run catering business operating

throughout mid Wales and the Marches.

We are dedicated to using only the finest

ingredients and whenever possible source

from local producers, many of whom are

organic.

+44 (0)1597 850095

www.fingersandforks.com

Monty’s Brewery

Powys

Founded near Montgomery, Monty’s

Brewery produces a range of regular and

seasonal beers. Specialising in gluten free

beers including award winning Dark Secret,

Masquerade and new low alcohol beer 1267.

+44 (0)1686 668933

www.montysbrewery.co.uk

Morgan’s Brew Tea

Powys

We have a tea selection of 46 teas to tickle

your taste buds. From black tea to caffeine

free, from Herbal Infusions to Fruit infusions,

all mixed for your enjoyment.

(0)1938 552303

www.morgansbrewtea.co.uk

Ty Gwyn Cider

Herefordshire

Award winning farm cider served in many of

Monmouthshire and Herefordshire’s leading

gastro pubs and restaurants. Purchase from

their cider shop/licensed cider bar or from

specialist retailers. Trade enquiries welcome.

+44 (0)1981 241181

www.tygwyncider.co.uk

26



SOUTH WEST wales

Little Grandmas Kitchen

Carmarthenshire

Award-winning artisan chutneys, curds,

preserves, marmalade and mustards

all traditionally handmade in St Clears.

Available to both the trade and public via

our website, quality retail outlets and food

festivals.

+44 (0)1994 231648

www.littlegrandmaskitchen.co.uk

Cothi Valley

Carmarthenshire

For delicious hand made baked products

from croissants, Eccles cakes, fruit pies

and many more sweet pastries to savoury

pies, pasties, pork pies, and sausage rolls.

Farm reared and local fillings used wherever

possible.

richardbeard01@btconnect.com

C @cothivalley

Rhosyn Farm Produce

Carmarthenshire

Welsh Meat supplier of the year in Wales

2017/ 2018. Old Spot pork, sausages,

bacon, Herdwick lamb and mutton and

Guernsey goat. Box scheme, farm gate and

telephone sales. Reared and butchered on

our farm!

+44 (0)7976703554

rhosynfarm@gmail.com

Welsh Cottage Cakes

Carmarthenshire

Producing and distributing the most

popular Bara Brith in Wales along with a

wide range of tasty cakes in two sizes.

Traditional Taste, True Value and Excellent

Service throughout the Principality.

+44 (0)1558 824213

www.welshcottagecakes.co.uk

Ty Te

Carmarthenshire

Delightful, traditional tea shop serving great

homemade meals, cream teas, delicious

cakes and light lunches. We also offer a

fantastic outside catering service for any

event or gathering.

+44 (0)1239 712881 / 07779 590470

www.cenarthtearooms.co.uk

Aardvark Alternatives

Carmarthenshire

Shop & Cafe, Supplying Local & Welsh

produce. Catering for Vegan, Gluten free &

other dietary requirements.

+44 (0)1267 233445

C AardvarkAlternatives

Cowpots Luxury Jersey Ice Cream

Carmarthenshire

Local jersey milk / cream makes Cowpots

farmhouse dairy products- available from

our shop Shake Jacket Roll, Mill Street,

Carmarthen, + The Cowshed Bistro on the

farm and other good stockists.

+44 (0)1994 240434

www.cowpotsicecream.co.uk

Carmarthenshire Dairy Products

Carmarthenshire

Manufacturer of a wide range of award

winning cheeses available Wholesale, Retail

and at shows and events.

www.carmarthenshirecheese.co.uk.

+44 (0)1267 221168

sales@carmarthenshirecheese.co.uk

Myddfai Market

Carmarthenshire

Myddfai Community Hall & Visitor Centre

has a wide selection of locally made crafts

and art, over 70 artisans and a lovely cafe

with home-made dishes using local produce.

+44 (0) 1550 720 449

www.myddfai.org

Shirgar Welsh Butter

Carmarthenshire

Shirgar Welsh Butter is an award winning

premium Welsh Butter, traditionally salted

for a rich taste. Freshly churned and packed

in the dairy county of Carmarthenshire.

+44 (0)1269 846958

www.shirgar.co.uk

Jin Talog

Carmarthenshire

3 Star, Great Taste 2019 award winning

Gin. Distilled in rural Carmarthenshire by

Anthony and David. An organic, small batch,

single botanical Juniper gin designed for

lovers of classic gins.

+44 (0)1994 284011

www@jintalog.wales

Pembrokeshire Sea Salt Company

Pembrokeshire

Multiple Great Taste Award winning, hand

harvested sea salt from the Pembrokeshire

National Park. A range of sumptuous sea

salts for every dish, indulgent cosmetic

scrubs and gifts suitable for every occasion.

+44 (0)1348 811136

www.pembrokeshireseasalt.co.uk

Dolwerdd Dairy Sheep

Pembrokeshire

A selection of hard and soft cheeses, yogurt

and ice-cream from their own sheep milk

giving a sweeter taste and higher nutritional

content compared to cows milk.

C Defaid Dolwerdd Dairy Sheep

defaiddolwerdd@gmail.com

Cardigan Bay Shellfish

Pembrokeshire

Family run boat fishing cardigan bay, for crab,

lobster, scallops, spider crab, hand line sea

bass, mackerel, coracle caught Teifi sewin and

salmon and other products when available.

+44 (0)1239 621043

www.cardiganbayfish.co.uk

Gwaun Valley Meats

Pembrokeshire

Award winning Traditional Butchers, quality

meats, and homemade sausages, burgers &

faggots. Order online via our Website also.

+44 (0)1348 840838

www.gwaunvalleymeats.co.uk

Blas y Tir

Pembrokeshire

Blas Y Tir, home of Welsh Produce, where

we work with our team of expert growers

to bring you a variety of award-winning

potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

+44 (0)1437 766716

www.blasytir.com

Tan Y Castell

Pembrokeshire

Baking an extensive range of

award-winning traditional Welsh products

in Pembrokeshire. Available for retail,

wholesale, ambient & frozen markets.

+44 (0)1834 861997

www.welshcakes.com

Mar - Apr 2020 27

Andrew J Rees & Sons Ltd

Pembrokeshire

Quality wholesale and retail butchers with a

Pig Roast and BBQ service. With customer

service a priority, you can guarantee the

right meat for your needs.

+44 (0)1834 861892

www.andrewreesbutchers.co.uk

Celtic Wines Ltd

Pembrokeshire

Wine merchants supplying the highest

quality wines, spirits and beers. Well over

500 different wines from all four corners of

the world ranging from the unusual to the

sublime.

+44 (0)1646 681369

www.celticwines.com

St Dogmaels Local Producers'

Market

Pembrokeshire

Weekly Tuesday market - all year

around. 9am-1pm. Quality local produce;

vegetables, meats, cheeses, baked

goods, bread, cakes, seafood, preserves,

condiments, ciders, spirits and locally grown

plants. The Abbey. St Dogmaels, SA43 3DX

+44 (0)1239 615389

C @localproducersmarket

Farmers Food At Home

Pembrokeshire

Great Taste Award winning Chilli Jam is

just one of the many Homemade Jams

(such as Strawberry & Pimms), Chutneys

and Pickles, all made from homegrown,

hedgerow foraged or local produce.

+44 (0)7960 093716

www.farmersfoodathome.co.uk

C Farmers Food at Home

Templeton Direct

Pembrokeshire

The bespoke online retail arm at Templeton

Beer Wine & Spirit Co, supplying the home

drinking connoisseur with the great beers

& wines you enjoy at your favourite pub or

restaurant.

+44 (0)1834 860992

www.templetondirect.co.uk

Brooksgrove Farm

Pembrokeshire

Brooksgrove Farm is a small family farm

growing fruits and flowers. Inspired by our

seasonal produce, we’ve created a range

of top quality products available from good

retailers and from our website.

+44 (0)7854 212945

brooksgrove.co.uk

T Glyn Davies

Pembrokeshire

Traditional local butchers specialising in

local meat, poultry and game. Also offering

a good selection of marinated and rubbed

meats – perfect for the grill or BBQ.

+44 (0)1239 820246

t.glyn.davies@googlemail.com

Cwm Deri Vineyard

Pembrokeshire

Producing an extensive range of grape

& traditional country fruit wines, liqueurs

& mead. Vineyard, shop & stunning

conservatory restaurant open all year. Mail

order available. Come & taste!

+44 (0)1834 891274

www.cwm-deri.co.uk

Bluestone Brewing

Pembrokeshire

Using their own Preseli spring water this

family Farm brewery produces a selection

of award winning ales with bold flavours.

Visit the onsite tap house & visitor facility

to try for yourself.

+44 (0)1239 820 833

www.bluestonebrewing.co.uk

Oscar’s Kitchen

Swansea

Homemade chutneys, relishes, pickles,

jams, jellies and marmalades, syrups and

chilli sauces. Made in Wales by a Welsh

woman! Firm favourites are caramelised

red onion chutney, lemon chutney and

apple and ginger chutney.

+44 (0)7540 377400

C Oscar’s Kitchen

Welsh Brew Tea

Swansea

Special blend of quality African and Indian

teas perfectly complement Welsh waters

yielding flavour/colour relished by tea

drinkers. Also full range of speciality teas,

coffee and drinking chocolate.

+44 (0)1792 363391

www.welshbrewtea.co.uk

SOUTH wales

White Castle Vineyard

Monmouthshire

Wales' premier Welsh wine producer,

offering vineyard tours, wine tasting

and accompanying Welsh artisan

platters. Visitors are warmly invited to

visit our tranquil setting in the beautiful

Monmouthshire countryside. Corporate

days welcome.

+44 (0)1873 821443

www.whitecastlevineyard.com

Apple County Cider Co

Monmouthshire

Award winning cider producer specialising

in single variety ciders made from 100%

apple juice. Available in bottles or straight

from the vat. Orchard walks, cider tasting

and farm shop open for visitors. Simply

Scrumptious!

+44 (0)1600 750835

www.applecountycider.co.uk

WELSH

Find awesome places to buy,

eat and enjoy Welsh Food & Drink

www.welshfoodanddrink.wales

FOOD & DRINK

28



Tudor Brewery

Monmouthshire

A family owned/managed traditional

brewery crafting quality award winning

Beers, Ales and Stouts. The artisan ethos

allows the team to focus on delivering

quality from the first taste to the last.

+44 (0)1495 214808

tudorbrewery.co.uk

Dragonphyre Chocolat & Spices

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Award winning truffles and chocolate

bars suitable for the health conscious

and vegans alike. Spices that’ll take

your culinary skills to another level and

chocolate making courses to inspire you.

All available to order online.

www.dragonphyre.co.uk

Gwynt Y Ddraig Cider

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Our award winning range of ciders are

produced using established recipes. Each

cider has a contemporary and unique

flavour - we have something to suit every

taste! Mail orders available via the website.

+44 (0)1443 209852

www.gwyntcider.com

Ooh La La Patisserie

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Delicious Artisan french macarons

handmade in the South Wales valleys. Each

macaron has been lovingly hand filled with

sumptuous flavours to delight. Naturally

gluten free and vegetarian.

+44 (0)7425 172967

C @Oohlalapatisserie

Samosaco

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Experts at producing a variety of nutritious

& authentic Indian snacks & meals using

locally sourced ingredients. Based in a

purpose built accredited facility in south

Wales.

+44 (0)1443 800554

www.samosaco.co.uk

Elizabeth Kay Sugarcraft Classes

Rhondda Cynon Taf

With 29 years professional experience

across all sugarcraft, the fully equipped

teaching space gives each student their

own workstation, with classes being

relaxed and enjoyable. Based at Tower

Business Centre Hirwaun.

+44 (0)7769 224151

C Elizabeth Kay Sugarcraft Classes

Drwytho

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Evolving from a love of herbs and a passion

for cooking. Our herb infused oils can

be used in so many ways, along with our

vinegars, dressings and Harissa.

+44 (0)1685 877349

www.drwytho.co.uk

Clams Hand Made Cakes

Blaenau Gwent

Craft Bakery of the year 2018 (Wales)

BIA. Lovingly handmade by real people for

discerning customers. Loaf Cakes,Round

Cakes,Tray Bakes, Muffins, Scones. Cakes

freeze beautifully. Suitable for vegetarians

plus 'New' Vegan range.

+44 (0)1495 357620

www.clamscakes.co.uk

Cwm Farm Charcuterie

Neath Port Talbot

Artisan producers of award winning salami.

Great Taste Award winning laverbread

salami and 23 Gold Awards at the Royal

Welsh. Find them at numerous local

farmers’ markets and Cardiff Riverside or

shop online.

+44 (0)7446 555102

www.cwmfarm.co.uk

Daisy Graze

Vale of Glamorgan

A small individually run business which

produces Artisan Preserves and Conserves

made from natures bounty. Hand cut Jams,

Chutneys, Fruit Vinegars, Wild Garlic Oil and

silky smooth extremely chocolatey Fudge.

+44 (0)800 0025422

enquiries@daisygraze.co.uk

Cwm Rhondda Ales

Rhondda Cynon Taf

Producing highest quality craft ales full of

flavour that are firmly rooted in the rugged,

natural environment in which they are

brewed. Representing the latest step in the

Jones family farm.

+44 (0)1443 777491

www.cwmrhonddaales.co.uk

Castle Dairies

Caerphilly

Our family business has been churning

award winning butter since 1967 from

the finest quality Welsh cream. We

produce branded and own label butter

and spreadable butter for retailers and

foodservice customers.

+44 (0)2920 883981

www.castledairies.co.uk

Blaenafon Cheddar Company

Torfaen

An award winning Food Tourism

Destination; Family business producing

handmade cheeses.

Visit us Mon-Sat 10-4pm. Pwll Mawr our

Mature Cheddar is aged in Big Pit Mining

Museum. A free visitor attraction.

+44 (0)1495 793123

www.chunkofcheese.co.uk

Ancillary Trades & Training

Cambrian Training Company

All of Wales

They are one of the leading training

providers in Wales and specialise in

delivering Apprenticeships and Jobs

Growth Wales opportunities across a

range of industries to support employers &

individuals.

+44 (0)1938 555893

www.cambriantraining.com

Food Centre Wales

Mid and South-West Wales

A dedicated food technology centre

offering advice, technical services and

training to business start-ups, SMEs and

existing food manufacturers, including an

innovation and manufacturing hub with

unrivalled facilities.

+44 (0)1559 362230

www.foodcentrewales.org.uk

SAI Global

Provides food manufacturers, processors

and retailers with assurance services such

as training and audits to 2nd party and 3rd

party GFSI schemes - BRC, FSSC and IFS

as well as ISO 9001/ 14001

+44 (0)7807 835942

www.saiglobal.com/assurance

Mar - Apr 2020 29

Butchers - Use Them or Lose Them

As a butcher’s daughter you’ll understand that I

have a very soft spot for independent butchers, I

just can’t help that. Obviously over the years, our

shopping habits have changed dramatically as supermarkets

still maintain their stranglehold with two German

supermarkets added to this mix. Yet despite having lots of

supermarkets to choose from I’m still impressed with many

local butchers on our high street. They excel on service,

product variety and the advice and help that they offer. It

goes without saying that our butchers need ongoing support

from HCC, Hybi Cig Cymru, Meat Promotion Wales, but

of course they cannot survive and grow their businesses

without our regular custom. When I visit a high street

butcher I’m impressed with how they cleverly gear up for

the BBQ season and create ‘dishes’ that are quick and easy

to prepare for those that feel they haven’t much time for

cooking or really can’t be bothered! Ten out of ten for those

butchers that are also selling vegetables at the front of their

shops and for those that have the space, have generated a

mini deli section. For me anything that makes the shopping

experience easier and friendlier is a winner. All I ask is

please give your local butcher a try because if you don’t, the

chances are Welsh butcher numbers will continue to dwindle

and butchers will quickly become as rare as hen’s teeth!

Kath Rhodes

Andrew Rees, Narbeth

Independent butchers play a key role in local

communities. Providing a friendly service to residents and

getting involved in local events and organisations. You will

get personal advice on preparing and cooking meat. Also,

importantly how to store meat. Local independent butchers

see providing this advice as an important part of their role.

Butchers play a vital role in local economic development.

We support and promote local produce. Buying off local

Farms and displaying the traceability of the meat is very

important to us. Local independent butchers play a vital

role in the High Street which extends beyond just the sale

of meat. Providing we focus on quality and provenance of

our meat and ensure that our standards of customer service

exceed those available at larger retailers there will always be

a future for us.

30


welsh food & drink

Will Lloyd, Machynlleth

I’ve been asked about meat production in Wales. The last

40 years has been a real rollercoaster with EEC Regulations,

foot and mouth disease, BSE, more veterinary controls, and

generally more costs to run a small abattoir / cutting plant

and retail meat business. But if you stay in something long

enough ‘the wheel goes round’ meaning in the ‘80s they

wanted to close all small abattoirs and the way The Ministry

Of Agriculture tried to do this was to put massive costs on

these old buildings, making sure that the spending of those

hundreds of thousands would not be justified with the small

throughput the abattoirs had.

I was 19 and dangerous, meaning that I was not going to

see a long established, well-run family business closed by

people with clipboards.

After spending over £280K to be compliant I am proud of

my facilities and was glad that my late father ‘Billo’ saw and

appreciated the effort both mentally and financially. He was

proud of me and what we had achieved.

My dad used to sell what he wanted, I sell what the

customer wants, which is a big difference.

Our shop in Machynlleth caters for traditional comfort

foodies with lambs liver, neck of lamb cawl, roasted crackled

belly pork squares to the ‘new’ younger housewives who

want ‘more ready meats’ such as lamb steaks in garlic and

rosemary, minted lamb racks, pork in sweet chilli or lime

and chilli and a host of sausage from Welsh dragon, pork

and leek, lamb and mint, beef and horseradish.

Cater for ‘traditional and new’ but be different from the

enemy!

All of a sudden. it’s ‘OK ya’ to have a small abattoir in

your town as people boast the “leg of mountain lamb that

we are having for Sunday lunch comes from Huw Thomas,

Nant Y Gaseg Farm”, likewise the “slow cooked shoulder of

Salt Marsh lamb comes from Rees Brothers, Penmaenbach

Pennal”. Both these farms are about 5 - 6 miles from our

abattoir.

Traceable, local, low carbon footprint product and

completely sustainable, we are doing it and have been for

40 years or Tesco and Co would have swallowed us up and

do you know, by doing it our way we are helping to save

the planet - as an aside. Is this ok? Please do use your local

butcher or risk losing them.

Tom Samways, Cardigan

I first started butchery 22 years ago at the age of 14.

There have been many changes over the years which have

seen butchers shops evolve from simply selling just your

standard pork chops and mince to now the convenient oven

ready range. We first started doing fresh oven ready foods

about 6 years ago and since then have seen a really a massive

increase from customers who want good quality, freshly

made and easy to cook meals. Gone are the days when ‘the

wife’ will spend all day at home looking after the children.

Most households these days have 2 full time workers so we

look to offer good quality, convenient food that doesn’t cost

the earth. I genuinely think that if we hadn’t gone down this

route then the shop in Cardigan wouldn’t be here today.

The advantage of taking this route is that people who

come into the shop for our oven ready foods will also buy

all the usual cuts. They also buy steaks, sausages and bacon

- all their meat for the week because they put their trust

our products. We’ve seen a massive increase in trade in the

amount of steaks we sell and that’s because we’ve installed a

Dry Ager. Initially our customers weren’t sure what to make

of it as no-one else in the area had one. But our customers

trusted us and once they had tasted the finished steaks they

were amazed with the flavour.

Our business is built on our personal service, sourcing the

product locally and giving our customers a reason to trust

us. One of the biggest changes I’ve witnessed in butchery

which I never thought I’d see is how butchers are now

working with each other. Gone are the days where your

biggest competitor is the butcher down the road. Our biggest

competition is the supermarkets who drive down the price

for the farmer to offer cheap meat. Four times a year myself

and many butchers from around the country get together

for a premier Welsh butchers’ meeting where we swap ideas,

recipes and have chats about what’s selling, what’s new and

where the trade is going. The club itself is expanding with

every meeting and it’s great to see that butchers are thriving

across the UK. I’ve worked in the same shop for the last 20

years and took that shop over just 2 years ago. I think with

the help of other butchers and a passion for the job there’s

no reason why we can’t do another 20 years.

Mar - Apr 2020 31

Chantenay Carrot, Vegetable

&Brown Rice Soup

Rocket and

Salmon Puttanesca

Serves: 2

You’ll need:

2 tbsp cold-pressed rapeseed oil

1 medium onion, halved and sliced

2 garlic cloves, finely sliced

2 celery sticks, trimmed and thinly sliced

120g Chantenay carrots

1 tbsp finely chopped thyme leaves

100g wholegrain rice

1 stock cube

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 medium leeks, sliced

2 sprigs thyme, chopped

What next?

1 Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan and add the

onion, garlic, celery, Chantenay carrots and thyme.

2 Cover with a lid and cook gently for 15 mins, stirring

occasionally, until the onions are softened and

beginning to colour.

3 Add the rice and pour in 1.2 litres cold water and the

stock cube. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to

a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 15 mins, stirring

occasionally.

4 Season the soup with plenty of ground black pepper

and salt to taste, then stir in the leeks. Return to a

gentle simmer and cook for a further 5 mins or until

the leeks have softened.

5 Adjust the seasoning to taste and blitz half the soup

with a stick blender, leaving the other half chunky, if

you like. Top with the thyme and serve in deep bowls.

For more recipes visit: chantenay.co.uk

Serves: 2

You’ll need:

2tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

½ tsp chilli flakes

50g black olives, chopped

1 tbsp capers, chopped

200ml passata

2 salmon fillets

200g spaghetti

1 bag Fresh & Naked rocket

What next?

1 Fill a kettle with water and bring to the boil.

2 Heat the oil in a frying pan and gently cook the garlic,

just when it starts to become golden, add the chilli, olives

and capers cook for 1 minute then add the passata and

stir.

3 Pour the boiling water into a large saucepan and cook the

pasta according to the pack instructions.

4 Lay the salmon fillets on top of the sauce, season with

pepper and cover tightly with foil. Leave to gently bubble

and steam for 8-10 minutes.

5 When the salmon is cooked, carefully lift out of the pan

and set aside on a warm plate. When the pasta is cooked

drain and return to the pan, add the rocket, along with

the sauce. Stir well so it’s totally coated and the rocket is

wilted. Taste to check the seasoning.

6 Divide the pasta between 2 plates, flake the salmon over

the top and serve.

For more recipes visit: freshandnaked.co.uk

32


welsh kitchen

Asian Cucumber &

Tenderstem Broccoli Salad

Arctic Caramel Bread &

Butter Pudding

Serves: 2

You’ll need:

1 large cucumber

200g Tenderstem® broccoli, cut in half lengthways

1 red onion, thinly sliced

2 spring onions thinly sliced

1 small handful coriander, chopped

Sea salt

For the dressing:

3 tbsp mirin

3 tbsp rice wine

1 tbsp of sesame oil

1 tsp sugar or to taste

1 tsp chilli flakes or to taste

3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Sea salt and pepper

What next?

1 Either with a mandolin or using a vegetable knife,

thinly slice the cucumber lengthways. Place in a

sieve and sprinkle with sea salt to draw some of the

liquid out of the cucumber. Pat dry after 5 minutes.

2 Steam the Tenderstem broccoli for 3-4 minutes.

3 Mix all the dressing ingredients together and season

with salt and pepper.

4 Combine with the cucumber and Tenderstem

broccoli with the red onion, spring onions and

coriander. Toss with the dressing and serve.

For more recipes visit: tenderstem.co.uk

Serves: 4-6

You’ll need:

45g butter

10 slices raisin bread

3 eggs

300ml double cream

1 carton Arctic Iced Caramel Coffee

3 tbsp demerara sugar

What next?

1 Butter the raisin bread and cut the slices in half,

diagonally. Lay the slices in an ovenproof baking dish

so that the corners overlap.

2 Beat the eggs in a bowl or large jug with the cream and

Arctic coffee until well combined. Pour all over the

bread.

3 Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan and allow the

pudding to soak while the oven comes up to heat.

4 Sprinkle the sugar, thickly, over the top and bake for

35-40 minutes so that the centre of the pudding has a

wobble, but there’s no runny liquid.

5 Serve with extra pouring cream.

For more recipes visit: arcticicedcoffee.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 33

Food Larder

FareShare Cymru

Globally, one third of the food we produce is wasted. With

awareness and scrutiny of the problem rising, FareShare

poses a solution.

FareShare Cymru is part of the nation’s biggest charity

fighting hunger and food waste – and saves in-date surplus

food by redistributing through a network of over 100

projects across Wales. Including, homeless shelters and

school breakfast clubs that use the food to create hot meals

for people at risk of hunger, loneliness or isolation.

Over 500 companies, from farmers to hauliers,

manufacturers to supermarkets and big brands to

independent producers are involved. In 2019 FareShare

Cymru saved over 511 tonnes of food; creating over 1

million meals. However the charity is still only accessing 1%

of all available surplus food within the industry, so suppliers

please get in touch.

Sarah Germain, from FareShare Cymru, said: “Surplus is

inevitable, but food waste doesn’t have to be. Not only does

redistributing surplus food boost a businesses’ sustainability

credentials, it can also engage customers and staff. If you are

a food business with surplus, we urge you to get in touch.”

Kellie Schofield, Sustainability Manager at IPL said:

“Working with FareShare made us focus on what’s really

important in terms of surplus and food waste, whilst

knowing that we’re helping vulnerable members of the

communities in which we operate”

If you are in the food industry and have surplus food

either on a regular or ad hoc basis contact Ashley Calvert of

Landsker: ashley@landsker.co.uk

Welsh Spreadable Butter In M&S Stores

Castle Dairies, a family run business based in Caerphilly,

are butter specialists and one of the most celebrated and

renowned butter producers throughout Wales.

In January Castle Dairies launched their award-winning

Welsh Spreadable Butter into M&S stores across Wales. A

much sought after traditional salted Welsh spreadable, which

contains Welsh butter, it’s made from only the finest natural

ingredients. Welsh Cream is carefully churned and hand

salted to produce a sumptuously creamy and well-balanced

butter that spreads straight from the fridge. It was awarded

a 1-star Great Taste Award in 2019, a highly commendable

and competitive award. Comments from judges included,

‘‘A smooth pale golden butter with a balanced salt level. This

soft butter has a creaminess and leaves a lovely mouthfeel.’’

Castle Dairies Welsh Spreadable Butter is now available

from M&S stores across Wales, RRP £3.20 (500g tub) and

is also available in Waitrose and Morrisons.

For more information visit: castledairies.co.uk

Market Dates Not To Miss

Aberystwyth Farmers’ Market

North Parade

7 th and 21 st March

4 th and 8 th April

from 10am - 2pm

Lampeter Peoples’ Market

Victoria Hall, Lampeter

7 th and 21 st March

11 th and 25 th April

from 10am - 1pm

Myddfai Farmers’ Market

Myddfai Community Hall

29 th March

26 th April

from 12pm - 4pm

St Dogmaels Local

Producers’ Market

The Coach House Visitor Centre

Every Tuesday throughout the year

from 9am - 1pm

34


food lARDER

Project To Support Aspiring Entrepreneurs

A project has been launched in Carmarthenshire which

aims to inspire and support aspiring entrepreneurs living in

rural areas.

Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion launched the

Springboard project, a rural enterprise initiative funded by

Welsh Government to help people access tailored skills,

knowledge and experience to start their own business.

The Springboard project is currently travelling, delivering

10 roadshows for anyone who has a business idea.

Led by Coleg Sir Gar, the project works in partnership

with successful businesses including Wrights Emporium

and Coal Town Coffee where

the project was launched.

Springboard is tailored to

tackle the challenges faced by

those in rural areas to access

entrepreneurship training as

well as access free, higher level

fully-funded skills tailored to

each individual.

Andrew Cornish, Coleg Sir

Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion

principal said: “Colleges are working closely with Welsh

Government and Regional Skills Partnerships to drive high

levels of skills development though bespoke, high level and

new training programmes which will support learners on the

project.”

Kirsty Williams, Minister for Education, added:

“Supporting our rural economy is very important to me,

so I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government’s £50 million

EU Transition Fund being used to tap into the talent in our

smaller communities.”

Contact the team on 01554 748370 or

stuart.mathias@colegsirgar.ac.uk.

Still Hot

from the

Kitchen

‘We’re often first in Wales! No, seriously, in the calendar, our

very own St. David is the first, on the 1 st of March, to appear

in the firmament and we should celebrate that. It has always

puzzled me slightly, that the Feast day of our patron Saint

always seems to attract far more attention overseas than it

ever does at home, a reprehensible state of affairs and one

we should seek to rectify with alacrity - and quickly too!! In

my chequered career I have had the pleasure and honour to

represent my country at St. David’s Day events across the

world from the USA to Japan and yet rarely is our patron

Saint accorded the same honour in his homeland. Surely, the

least we can do in the hospitality industry is to offer our own

tributes to him in an appropriate manner.

I would admit, food wise, it’s not the easiest time of year

for a celebration menu, but there are lots of good things

around if you’re prepared to search a little. There’s good fish

and shellfish around. The colder months improve the flavour

and texture of their flesh considerably, plus we still have all

the delicious Winter vegetables to go with them. Lamb is

now approaching hogget status, at one year old, but none the

worse for that. Indeed it has a depth and richness of flavour

many prefer - try marrying it with caper or traditional onion

sauces or something different like tomato and olives to offset

that richness.

Early forced rhubarb is in full swing. Try it with oily

fish such as mackerel or in a dressing for pork as well as

the more traditional sweet uses and if you know someone

with a vac-packer, do give it a try. It comes out cooked, but

crunchy - amazing!!

After the ‘Hungry Gap’ HFW, Hunger Free World, we

can look forward to a Spring and Summer of food festivals

and celebrations of our wonderful produce. Do please try

and support them with your attendance (and purchasing!),

otherwise these events are in danger of disappearing. I’ll be

appearing myself at a few this year, so do please come along

and say: Shw’mae?’ See you around!

Gwyl Dewi Hapus i bawb!

Gareth

Gareth Johns is chef at The Wynnstay Hotel, Machynlleth, Powys

Picture: Charles Dark

Mar - Apr 2020 35

Parson

The

Publican

and the

...visit St Mary's Church and White Heywood Farm, Craswall

In the words of the Parson

Long and low, Craswall church is a simple building

with a single roof line topped by a small wooden

bell-cote. As far from grand as it is possible to

be, this is a church for farming folk who for generations

have struggled to make a living off the upland pastures.

Nothing fancy in their lives or their church,

no unnecessary or expensive frills

or furbelows, yet it speaks of

their determination to gather

together for worship,

education and fun.

It seems the church

was built when

the Priory was

suppressed in

the 1460s for

being a foreign

foundation

and the

suggestion is

made in the

guide book

that the east

window was

relocated from

there – evidence

of both recycling

and the ever

thrifty hill farmer

I suggest. Beautiful

in its simplicity, the

interior of the church is

furnished with free standing

wooden pews whilst around the

walls are numerous large wooden pegs

upon which one imagines the men would hang

their hats, although it is hard to believe that there were ever

as many people in the church as there are pegs, so they

might well have had other uses as well. At the east end the

sanctuary is simple with altar, pulpit and modern stone font

providing all that is necessary for Divine Service. Although

very plain traces of pre-Reformation decoration remain

on the roof timbers above the altar where delicate flowers

and foliage point to a more colourful past. At the west end

a gallery, lit by a dormer window, provides extra seating

up a narrow stair. Under the gallery a small door leads to a

vestry.

In the eighteenth century the west end was separated

by a wall from the rest of the church and this space used

as a schoolroom, entered through the substantial porch.

Originally linked through an arched opening

to the church, this was blocked up

to make a much smaller door.

The OLV – Old Licensed

Victualler - suggests that

those at the back were

fed up with the

draughts.

It is fashionable

these days to talk

about making

churches more

available

to the

community

and this is to

be welcomed,

but it is not

new. Craswall

church has

been doing just

that probably

since it was built.

The schoolroom

is just one example.

When a new school

was built in the nineteenth

century this room was used

by farmers to store their fleeces in

before they were taken down the hill.

Fitted with a large shuttered window and a

fireplace I dare say it has seen its fair share of meetings both

sacred and secular. Outside I draw my chum's attention to

the stone seat that runs around the south and west walls of

the church, the court for hand tennis on the windowless

north side, of which faint red lines can be traced in the

plaster and the cockpit in the north west corner of the

churchyard, now overgrown with trees. It is not hard on an

evening such as this to imagine the locals gathering to pass

the time in gossip, flirting and games.

36


parson & the publican

In the words of the Publican

Supper is to be taken with Pauline and Philip,

local farmers who repurposed one of their barns

following the catasrophe of Foot and Mouth back in

2001 which saw their livestock culled. Theirs is a not an

uncommon story of hill farmers struggling to make a living

in the face of all the odds. After every animal except the

donkey was slaughtered these fourth generation farmers

looked at ways to diversify. A talented self-taught cook

Pauline started making savoury pies and quiches which

she sold at the busy little Thursday market in Hay-on-Wye.

Demand grew and encouraged by her success she started

providing Sunday lunches in the farmhouse. The big

decision was then made to convert the old stone barn into

a restaurant. Philip went off to pull a pint or two at the

nearby Bulls Head and is now a dab hand behind his little

bar dispensing, amongst other beverages, some excellent

pippin juice from Gwatkin’s Moorhampton Park Farm in

the next valley at Abbey Dore.

The secret to their success is simplicity; meat reared and

given free range of the lush green pastures and natural

spring water coming off the ‘Black Hill’ is cooked and

served by the family. We were welcomed into the spacious

stone barn and of course made our way to the bar where

Philip was at his station. Wanting ‘something local’ Phil

recommended the cider.

‘‘Hit the nail on the head there’’, says my old chum the

Parson.

Puddings are classic with treacle and walnut tart coming

high in the batting order and a really naughty thick creamy

Pavlova smeared with Pauline’s home-made lemon curd, a

generous chunk of which I notice is placed before the old

codger.

We are much taken with White Haywood Farm restaurant

and B & B and it is clear that we are not alone in this.

Departing guests one and all declare it to have been a

splendid evening. Senior Management informs me that an

impending visit of family from distant shores is threatened.

I have promised them Thursday’s famous fish and chips;

besides as we left Pauline offered to show me the bedrooms

next time and who knows Philip may be shearing!

The Parson is Reverend Ian Charlesworth.

His co-writer and navigator is watercolourist and former

innkeeper Richard Stockton.

Mar - Apr 2020 37

Elemental Pembrokeshire

by Belinda Bean

‘A

different way of looking at life’s simplicities’ is how Belinda has previously described her work. Her muse

the beautiful coasts and caves of Wales, the artist chooses to ignore traditional ideas of allure, embracing the

aberration, the crookedness and the uncertainty of nature. Where the natural world fails to be flawless is where

Belinda is her most inspired, fervent in her intent of capturing ‘inadequacies’, beautiful in their own right - encapsulating

the enriched and dramatic atmosphere of the Welsh coast. Belinda’s art, in its portrayal of landscapes bearing the scars

of time with pride, tells the enthralling tale of a country renowned for its myth and its mystery. It is not hard to see, when

observing her work, the power and strength of the simple and often over-looked; in Belinda’s monochrome depiction of

Pembrokeshire and beyond, time stands still, view her art to see Cymru in an entrancing light.

Her work exhibited at numerous venues around the country, a lecturer of photography for over sixteen years and

possessing a Master’s Degree in Photography, Belinda is a Pembrokeshire based photographer specialising in fine art and

event photography of a highly professional quality. Photographic work is available to purchase; prints, canvases and cards.

Also offered by the artist are a vast range of photographic tuition courses, tailored to either individuals or small groups.

For more information please visit: pembrokeshirestudio.co.uk

38


Pictorial Wales

Mar - Apr 2020 39

2

3 4

40


Pictorial Wales

1

2

3

4

5

6

Sunlight breaking through the storm

clouds producing a silhouette of the jetty,

Pembrokeshire (pages 38 & 39)

Amroth winter tide, Pembrokeshire

I liked the balance of the elements in this

image and the light on this day is why I love

Pembrokeshire

Pendine Sands on a summer’s morning using

a slow shutter speed, Pembrokeshire

Stacked stones on Amroth beach,

Pembrokeshire

Pentre Ifan, Nevern, Pembrokeshire

5

6

Mar - Apr 2020 41

7

8

Storm cloud Tenby, Pembrokeshire

Lone tree whilst doing the costal path,

Pembrokeshire

7

8

42


Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts

Nick Treharne’s 20:20 Vision - A Portrait of Wales

Penarth based photographer

Nick Treharne embarked on

his 20:20 Vision – A Portrait

of Wales project in 2018 with

the aim of building a broad

photographic portfolio of

contemporary life in Wales. A

new exhibition showcasing the

photographs is soon to open at

The National Library of Wales

in Aberystwyth.

20:20 Vision is deliberately

wide in scope, allowing the

photographer to freely travel

throughout the country, taking

pictures on his travels. Much

of the work is observational

in nature as Treharne sought

out engaging moments in the

streets, the countryside and

in many events across Wales.

Portraits of people met along

the way are also featured.

Culminating in an exhibition

of twenty striking photographs,

the project is a fascinating

record of Wales and its people

as we enter a new decade.

Nick Treharne’s 20:20 Vision

- A Portrait of Wales will open

at The National Library of

Wales in Aberystwyth on

Saturday, 25 th April 2020.

For more info visit: library.wales

Spring In Ucheldre

Magical Mozart In March

Spring comes to Ucheldre,

an Arts Centre in Millbank,

Holyhead, bringing fresh

ideas and activities for all the

family. We are witnessing the

literal growth of a new project

begun last year in an outside

space. Our new kitchen garden

project, Run by Wild Elements,

a local, not for profit, team who

inspire people in North Wales

to get outdoors and connect

with nature. This has become

a really interesting addition to

our already lovely gardens and

amphitheatre. Chiming too

with our aim to create a place

where people can come be

creative and thrive.

Moving indoors, through the

cloister of this old chapel with

its stained glass filled arches,

you enter our main Gallery

space. Ucheldre is hosting an

exhibition of work by members

of the Anglesey Arts Forum

to coincide with their Easter

Open Studios event.

As well, artists who don’t

have a studio come along and

work in our gallery, inviting

questions and conversation.

Beyond broadcasts and

films screened at Ucheldre we

have a spectrum of live events

taking place. For example,

dancing up a storm, James

Wilton Dance do literally

bring us The Storm, a creative

work that will astound you

with its athleticism and touch

you emotionally in a way

that words simply can’t. In

stark contrast the Barking

Dog Theatre bring us Easter

panto, with Teddy’s Picnic and

Treasure Island.

There is always an open

invitation to, watch, listen and

do at Ucheldre so come and

join in.

For more information call

Ucheldre on 01407 763361 or

email: box-ffice@ucheldre.org

Whether you’ve loved opera

all your life, or haven’t yet

given opera a go, Mid Wales

Opera’s fresh new production

of Mozart’s The Marriage of

Figaro is promises to be a real

treat for audiences across Wales

and the Borders.

MWO’s Spring tour sees

the return of award-winning

Russian soprano Galina

Averina (Pamina in their

2017 production of Mozart’s

The Magic Flute) as Susanna

alongside Harry Thatcher as

Figaro, Benjamin Bevan as the

Count and an international

cast of professional

performers in addition to

talented young singers from

Wales International Academy

of Voice.

North Wales chamber music

specialists Ensemble Cymru

will perform MWO’s Music

Director Jonathan Lyness’

own reduced orchestration

of Mozart’s score and the

(stunning but currently secret)

set and staging will bring a

fresh new twist to this timeless

classic.

The tour opens at Hafren,

Newtown on February

29th before visiting Theatr

Brycheiniog (4/3) Theatr

Clwyd (8/3) Aberystwyth

Arts Centre (10/3) Pontio

in Bangor (14/3) The Torch,

Milford Haven (18/3) The

Riverfront Newport (21/3)

Ffwrnes Llanelli (25/3) and

The Courtyard in Hereford

(28/3).

For more information visit:

midwalesopera.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 43

Arts and Crafts

TO ADVERTISE

IN THE ARTS

SECTION OF

WELSH COUNTRY

CALL

01559 372010

welshcountry.co.uk

C Welsh Country Magazine

M@welshcountry

ORIEL RHOSYN

A gallery and craft shop based in the

vibrant town of Ystradgynlais displaying

artists & crafters from the Swansea

Valley & South Wales. A unique collection

for all tastes & budgets. Every 1 st Sunday

of the month starting Sunday 8 th of

March with Matt Steele, there will be a

series of monthly one person shows.

22 Commercial Street, Ystradgynlais

Swansea SA9 1HD

www.orielrhosyn.co.uk

C @orielrhosyn

+44 (0)7904 396780

CERYS REES

The Illustrator, Cerys Rees resides in

the inspirational town of Llandeilo.

Cerys has work published with

Fisherton Press and has worked with

Guardian Journalist, Ellie Levenson.

Cerys’ work is inspired by her love of

animals, working in watercolour and

pencil.

Cerys’ studio is based in Llandeilo,

illustration commissions warmly

received.

cerys44@gmail.com

+44 (0)7734548123

Waterfront Gallery

A charity and social enterprise, dedicated

to promoting and supporting artists and

craft workers in South West Wales.

Showing an eclectic mix of 2D and 3D

work from gallery artists and makers in

exhibitions throughout the year.

18 th July - 21 st September 'Landscape

Legends', Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am

till 4.00pm.

The Old Sail Loft, Discovery Quay,

Milford Haven Docks, SA73 3AF

www.thewaterfrontgallery.co.uk

+44 (0)1646 695699

PAUL JASPER IMAGES

Greetings cards and Photographic

prints from Wales.

Greetings cards - 70 designs. High

quality photographic cards with

envelope and cellophane wrap. Quantity

discounts and free delivery.

Photographic Prints - Choose from 50

in two sizes with mount and cellophane

wrap. Fits standard sized frames.

pauljasperimages@aol.com

L @jaspersimages

www.jaspertrees.co.uk/

pauljasperimages.htm

Olwen Jones

- Animal Portraits

Original horses, livestock, wildlife

and pet portraits in pastels or oils.

Immortalise your special pets and

companions in fine art so that you

and future generations can enjoy

and remember. Items available for

personalisation include prints, mugs,

cards, key rings, and magnets. Contact

Olwen to discuss your requirements.

Gwyddelwern, Denbighshire, LL21 9DU

olwenjoneshbc@googlemail.com

+44 (0)1490 412472

Julia Harris

Happy and arty 2020, the year that

could be your journey into the wonderful

world of art, with one of my art

workshops. Designed to suit all abilities,

from absolute beginner to those wishing

to improve their skills and held at

Craig y Nos Country Park in the Upper

Swansea Valley. Visit my web site to

book your place.

The Studio at Ty Newydd, Dan y Fron,

Abercraf, Swansea Valley SA9 1XX

www.juliaharris.wales

+44 (0)1639 731222 / +44 (0)7973

717207

Gwili Pottery

Have you ever wanted to try making a

pot on the potters wheel?

We will help you gain new skills and

enjoy learning to make pots on the

wheel, which you can then return a few

days later to paint and we will then fire

them for you. Booking Essential!

Llangeler, Llandysul, Carmarthenshire,

SA44 5ET

gwilipottery.com

+44 (0)1267 253449

Tweedies

Meet our newest creations Georgina

and Florence, handcrafted in Shetland

and Welsh tweeds. Posh Bears are

all OOAK and like all Tweedies are

colourful, award winning originals

created with a whole lot of love, making

beautiful, unique gifts to treasure

always.

See our website for latest designs.

Bespoke bears undertaken.

Sarah Jane Brown

As part of London's annual Wales

Week event, Sarah Jane’s paintings

will be on display at the Exhibition of

Contemporary Welsh Art in the London

Welsh Centre from 29 th February to 1 st

March. Other work can be seen at Oriel

Coffi in Llanidloes, Etcetera Gallery in

St Davids and Off The Wall Gallery in

Cardiff.

CHARLOTTE WOOD

Passionate illustrator produces

work for advertising, book covers,

greetings cards, packaging, editorial for

companies and private commissions.

Inspired by nature and impressionists,

illustrations are full of sensitivity and

experimentation. Exhibited in shows in

Wales and London. A unique drawing

style which has led to working with the

likes of famous illustrator Quentin Blake.

CAERWEN ART STUDIO

Designer and maker of magnificent

Welsh themed totem poles. Colourful,

bold and bright to enhance your outside

space with a unique, one-off sculpture.

Eternally enchanted by my love and

appreciation of the local Pembrokeshire

habitat my totems celebrate the diverse,

rich culture of animals, trees, land and

seascapes.

Orleton, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4HU

www.tweedies.biz

+44 (0)7917 264237

C @sjbfineart

www.sjbfineart.com

sarah@sjbfineart.com

Orleton, Ludlow, Shropshire, SY8 4HU

Charlotte.wood1@hotmail.co.uk

www.charlottewoodillustrator.com

+44 (0)7503 024183

Caerwen, Glandwr, Whitland SA34 0UA

lindydennis@hotmail.co.uk

+44 (0)1994 419150 / +44 (0)7546

532527

44


To Showcase Your Work Here

Contact Ian: 01559 372010

Arts and crafts

KATIE RADBURN

I am Katie Radburn, a recently

graduated illustrator and surface

pattern designer. I create illustrations

for a range of media such as

books, magazines, brochures and

advertisement. My goal is always to

make a page eye catching, bright and

inspiring. I have exhibited my illustration

work in Cardiff and London. Please feel

free to contact me with any enquiries,

questions or commissions.

katie.radburn@btinternet.com

+44 (0)7895 924125

katieraddesigns

TREFRIW WOOLLEN MILLS

Traditional Welsh tapestry bedspreads

and fabric, brushed tapestry travelling

rugs, tweeds, purses, throws and

cushion covers woven in Snowdonia,

North Wales can be purchased online or

in our shop.

Weaving can be viewed Monday –

Friday except Bank Holidays.

Trefriw Woollen Mills, Main Road,

Trefriw, Conwy Valley, LL27 0NQ

www.t-w-m.co.uk

+44 (0)1492 640462

Simply SEW SPECIAL

Distinctive handcrafted bags, purses,

wallets and accessories that are stylish,

practical and eye catching.

My products are carefully made using

top quality materials including designer

cottons, wool, Harris Tweed, tapestry,

faux leather and cork fabric.

Many are unique or limited edition, so

your purchase may be exclusive to you.

Llandysul, Ceredigion SA44 4LG

C @SimplySewSpecial

+44 (0)7377 062 733

CLAIRE COTTERILL MOSAICS

Claire Cotterill is a UK artist and

specialises in making bespoke mosaic

installations for interior and exterior

environments. She regularly runs

courses teaching others how to make

mosaics. If you would like to commission

a unique artwork for your home or

garden or would love to learn how to

make your own, please get in touch.

@claire_cotterill_mosaics

C @ClaireCotterill.MosaicDesign

clairecotterillmosaics.co.uk

info@clairecotterillmosaics.co.uk

+44 (0)79822 456178

FOR MORE

INFORMATION AND

BACKGROUND

ON THESE

ADVERTISERS SEE

FETTLE AND FIRE

I’m Cilla and I’ve been potting and

teaching pottery for 30 years, producing

simple, but eye catching designs, often

with a sense of humour. You can see

a selection of my work in the Guildhall

Market Cardigan but I also produce

bespoke work creating the most

wonderful gifts with a personal meaning.

Cilla Lewis, Cardigan, Ceredigion

Wilson.mike@sky.com

+44 (0)1239 621695

Oriel King Street Gallery

A destination for contemporary,

fine and applied art collectors. Bimonthly

exhibitions of new work being

showcased with the Spotlight room

highlighting a different member each

month & the Chate room available

for rent to artists staging their own

exhibitions. Vacancies for new Members

in all fine and applied art disciplines.

33 King Street, Carmarthen SA31 1BS

www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk

+44 (0)1267 220121

Crafts from the Valley

A fantastic selection of crafts made in

Wales. Lovingly made craft items that

make the home so much more homely

or make ideal gifts. Now with two little

shops based in Craig-y-Nos Country

Park, there is a far bigger range of

artisan craft pieces with something for

everyone to choose from.

Craig-y-Nos Country Park,

Pen-y-Cae, SA9 1GL

C @craftsfromthevalley

craftsfromthevalley@yahoo.co.uk

+44 (0)7460 835344

Oriel Rhosyn works with arts groups around Ystradgynlais

Oriel Rhosyn is a new gallery and craft shop located in the

vibrant town of Ystradgynlais.

Opened in December 2019 by glass artist John McVeigh it brings

a much needed gallery to the area.

Likened to the wardrobe in Narnia, the entrance corridor opens

out into two rooms of local hand-made crafts.

You'll find a selection of textiles, jewellery, wood turning,

pyrography, willow weaving, glassware, ceramics, handmade soaps

and other fragrant items that add to the assault on the senses.

Venture up the stairs and you will find the gallery. In the front

rooms are displayed paintings of all sizes and prices, photography,

ceramics, sculpture and more glass work by both established and

upcoming artists.

‘Welsh Lowry’ Nick Holly has painted a selection of work

especially for the gallery, including a large and small study of the

Gorsedd in Ystradgynlais.

In the third upstairs room local amateur art groups will be

encouraged to display with a hope to encourage and develop local

art.

So if you are looking for a small gift or a piece of artwork for your

home, Oriel Rhosyn has a wide range for all tastes and is even open

on a Sunday for those who work during the week.

Visit: www.orielrhosyn.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 45

Pamper

Beauty Products & Gift Ideas

2

1

3 4

5

Mother's Day

22nd March

1 Midas Touch Face Serum Duo (Boxed)

An intensive hydrating and firming super serum that is

suitable for sensitive skin. A scientific brand which is why

it is superior to many others. It is deeply hydrating and

nourishing as it lifts, firms, plumps and tightens your skin,

whilst fine lines and wrinkles are lessened and elasticity

and collagen production is increased. Dermatologically

and clinically tested. It’s a must-try. £69. emmahardie.com

2 Morris & Co Hand Care Treats (Boxed)

Three essentials for hands and nails with shea butter,

jojoba oil and luffa fruit powder and scented with the

green tea and jasmine fragrance. In the Wilhelmina

print and designs from the Morris & Co. archive. £17.

heathcote-ivory.com

3 Peony & Blush Suede Cologne (Boxed)

Imagine peonies in full, gorgeous and delicately fragile.

Then the flirtatious bite of a juicy red apple combined with

the opulence of jasmine, rose and gillyflower all mingling

with the sensuality of soft, blush suede, so luxurious,

it’s beyond delicious and wonderfully feminine. Get

siblings to share this purchase for Mum on Mother’s Day

100ml/£98. jomalone.com

4 Maskologist Hydrogel Mask (Boxed)

Infused with naturally derived rose essential oils and

petal, this mask has been formulated to deliver optimum

hydration and necessary antioxidants, nutrients and

minerals to replenish your skin giving it a healthy

youthful glow. This would be such a treat for Mum. 4

masks/£84.50. maskologist.com

5 Spacemasks (Boxed)

Held in place by ear loops these star print sleep masks

are rather clever. They start to warm up immediately you

open the pack as the iron particles react to the oxygen

in the air. Staying warm for 20 minutes, they give off a

jasmine fragrance. Although I didn’t float off to space as

the company suggests, my tension lifted as I drifted off to

sleep. Pack of 5. £15. spacemask.com

46


PAMPER

1

Heathcote

& Ivory

3

2

The Trellis Collection features a floral design

inspired by botanical illustrations from the RHS

Lindley Library. This company always have a

great range of gifts which are just perfect for

Mother’s Day or general gifting.

Visit: heathcote-ivory.com for more ideas.

1 Perfume Gel & Hand Cream Set (Boxed)

A hand cream and a perfume gel for pulse

points both fragranced with the signature

Trellis scent. £13.

2 Flower Blooms Drawer Liners (Boxed)

Each scented liner is infused with the fresh,

green floral fragrance to leave drawers

fragrant. Imagine green leaves and rosebuds

wrapped in sunshine with peony, hints of

mandarin and jasmine on a trellis of musk and

mystical amber. £9.

3 Flower Blooms Scented Soap

Embossed with the iconic RHS tree logo,

tripled milled and scented, it’s wrapped in

paper and works well as a cleansing bar.

Lovely child’s present for Mum. £6

Hair Care

1 Three Dream Cocktails

Use the kale-infused if your hair is prone to breakage,

or coconut to hydrate and silken hair for dull and

dehydrated hair and finally if your hair is super fine then

the carb infused one is for you. This is how to turn your

blow-dry session into a luxury treatment whatever hair

problems you might have. This is a brand that works, so

do try. £23 each. colorwowhair.com

1

2 Volumiser

An easy way to add volume and shine, whilst also

thickening and strengthening fine, limp hair, all with just

one product. This product is humidity resistant too and

great for all hair types including dry & damaged hair.

£11.70. mukme.com

3 Volume Shampoo & Conditioner Gift Pack (Boxed)

Even if your Mum has fine, limp hair, this will work to

give volume, whilst moisturising and strengthening. A

marvellous Mother’s Day gift. £16.75. mukme.com.

2 3

Mar - Apr 2020 47

Face It!

2

3

1

4

1 Atoderm Shower Oil

Ideal for dry, very dry or irritated sensitive skin.

This silky oil is creamy, silky, subtly scented and

not greasy. Your skin will feel soft and smooth and

comfortable once more. £9. bioderma-uk.com

2 Ultrasun SPF 50 (Boxed)

This delivers very high sun protection as well as

moisturising. Offering anti-ageing care, plus it’s also

water resistant. It absorbs quickly, so you can ditch

your daily moisturiser!! £24. marksandspencer.com

3 Anti-ageing Retinol Serum (Boxed)

Containing highly active retinol and hyaluronic acid

to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles and

help create an even, clear complexion. It’s a lovely

lightweight, gel textured serum that I’m sure you’ll

love it as much as I do. Use night and morning.

During daytime use additional sun protection such

as Ultrasun (Item 2). £39. skinsense.co.uk

4 Lipstick Crayons (Boxed)

These are certified organic lipstick crayons in six

gorgeous shades. They are rich, ultra-pigmented

colours with a stain finish and are smooth and creamy

to apply. Comfortable to wear as well as long-lasting.

So easy to use. Colours shown: Tan Nude, Pink

Nude & Rose Petal. £19.50. inkaorganic.com

I am thrilled to introduce to you a new brand I’ve discovered

and obviously I simply had to share my love of this brand with

you. Powered by clinically proven ingredients, Doll 10 purely for

your skin looking and feeling good. So with no nasties, they are

cruelty free. When you get into this brand, I’m sure you’ll not

only look better, but you’ll feel better too when you’re all ‘dolled

up’! See the rest of the range by visiting: doll10.com

1 Luxurious Lips

Double-ended with a lipstick and a gloss, but of course

you can wear each alone. They are enriched with sweet

almond and jojoba oils to nourish and soften your lips

and DuraQuench IQ for anti-ageing and anti-radical

protection. Perfect for gorgeous lips. Check out their

colour selection. £19.97

Doll 10

2 2 The Point

This double-ended long-wearing, high pigment liquid

liner allows you to create many looks. One end offers

you a precision felt tip that paints on pigment and

creates a crisp smooth line, whilst the other is a superfine

and flexible brush tip that glides across the lash line for

incredibly fluid application. It’s easy to get creative with

this. Three shades to choose from £18.43

3 Arch Master (Boxed)

A fabulous 3-in-1brow sculptor. The soft, custom

designed, angled skinny brow pencils

work to create natural-looking hair so

you can define and outline the shape

of your brows. The creamy brow

powder is soft and subtle to fill in

sparse areas and create fuller-looking

brows. The tinted brow mascara will

volumise your natural brow hairs,

hold hairs in place and colour any

greys. Your brows need this! Select

from 3 colours. £18.43

1

2

3

48


PAMPER

1

2 3 4

5

6

Skincare

1 Inika Organic Avocado Oil Hand Cream (Boxed)

This range contains up to 5% active botanical ingredients

– double the industry standard. It’s a luxury cream

that doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky as it creates

a barrier against dehydration and daily aggressors.

Enriched with Avocado oil known for soothing and

healing. You’ll love this. £29. inikaorganic.com

2 Ultra-Rich Wet Skin Moisture Miracle

This is an impressive ultra-rich luxurious lotion for dry

skin that locks in 5 x more moisture for up to 72 hours.

It’s the easiest way to relieve dry, thirsty skin thanks

to SmartMoisture technology and it’s enriched with a

buttery blend of shea & cocoa oils. £10. sanctuary.com

3 Double Strength Retinol Night Serum (Boxed)

Formulated with retinol and hyaluronic acid this superb

serum works to help tackle visible signs of ageing

whilst it adds a dewy, plump and hydrated glow to

your complexion. It’s enriched with 0.6% retinol, plus

lamellar-encapsulated hyaluronic acid. Lots of science

behind this brand, but trust me it works, skin looked

fresher and more radiant. 30ml/£46. skinsense.co.uk

4 Morris & Co Body Lotion (Boxed)

Formulated with pink clay, almond, olive and evening

primrose oils, aloe vera, vitamin E and cocoa butter.

This is ideal for keeping your skin feeling silky soft and

fragrant. £14. heathcote-ivory.com

5 Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser

This is clinically proven to remove your waterproof

makeup, pollution from your skin and SPF. You’ll see

that your skin is purified, balanced and hydrated and

you’ve then got the perfect canvas for doing your makeup.

Suitable for all skin types. £25. renskincare.com

6 Heath Hand Salve (Boxed)

A non-greasy salve with anti-pollution benefits to moisture

and protect dry, overworked hands. It contains shea

butter and pro-vitamin B5 to soften and moisturise whilst

Allantion soothes and protects. £10. heathlondon.co.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 49

Leighton Denny

The King Of Nails

A nail brand that helps you get a professional manicure.

Visit: leightondennyexpertnails.com

1 Plumping Top Coat (Boxed)

A plumping top coat which gives a super high

gloss, gel like finish. £12.

2 Nail Illuminator (Boxed)

This is perfect if you have dry discoloured

nails and don’t always wish, or are not

allowed to wear colour at work. Apply 1 or 2

thin coats to dry nails and allow to dry. £12

2

1 3

Gadgets & Gizmos

Shark Anti Hair Wrap

Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Model NZ801UKT

If you have pets then this

is the perfect machine is

for you as it has Anti Hair

Wrap Technology that

really leaves the brush-roll

tangle free. It glides with

ease from carpets to hard

floors, removing large and

small debris as it goes. You

can clean stairs, under

furniture and any hard-toreach

places thanks to its

clever Powered Lift-Away.

This is a necessity for all

pet owners, plus the 5

year warranty is amazing.

£349.99. sharkclean.co.uk

3 Slick Tips (Boxed)

This is a super hydrating cuticle oil which

works well to alleviate sore or split cuticles

whilst also strengthening them. £12.

Scoof

This is what every cafetière

user needs! Use it during

prep as a stirrer to improve

coffee taste and then as

its blades are designed to

collect the collect the waste

coffee grounds in three

twists. So collecting coffee

grounds for recycling as

compost/fertilizer rather

than put down sinks or

drains, is easy-peasy!

Suitable to fit 4, 6 and 8 cup

cafetières and dishwasher

proof. £9.95. amazon.co.uk

Clip & Go Micro Mug

A clever idea as this mug has a unique vented

locking lid. This is an ideal solution for hot

soups and meals on the go, making it easy to

transport your cans of food or food on-the-go

without any fuss. Size: w125mm, h135mm,

d110mm. 4 Colours £3.99. addis.co.uk

50


St Davids Cathedral Festival

Gwyl ˆ Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi

Friday 22 – Sunday 31 May 2020

Festival Launch with Oliver Tarney

Ar Log

Dame Evelyn Glennie with Trio HLK

The British Sinfonietta & Stephen Richardson

Jackie Morris & The Bookshop Band

Vicars Choral & Vox Angelica

Olivier Latry Organist of Notre Dame Cathedral

VOCES8 with Rachel Podger (violin) “Guardian Angel”

BBC National Orchestra of Wales with Eric Lu (piano)

Florilegium

Whitland Male Voice Choir

Festival Celebration Party with Jack Mac Jazz Quintet

Simon Pearce Piano Recital

St Davids Cathedral Choir

Young Organist’s Platform

Young Musician of Dyfed Finalist

Ancient Connections

Festival Exhibitions

NOSON AGORED

OPEN EVENING

11.03.2020

MERCHER 3.30 - 7PM WEDNESDAY

ABERTEIFI | ABERYST W YTH | CARDIGAN

#StDavidsCath

Tickets on sale from 9 March.

festival@stdavidscathedral.org.uk

01437 722002 / 07506 117901

stdavidscathedralfestival.co.uk

01239 612032 (Aberteifi | Cardigan)

01970 639700 (Aberystwyth)

enquiries@ceredigion.ac.uk www.ceredigion.ac.uk

Gŵyl Tyddyn a Chefn Gwlad

Smallholding & Countryside Festival

16 & 17 Mai / May 2020

MYNEDIAD

AM DDIM

I BLANT

KIDS

GO FREE

Dathliad o dyddynnu a bywyd gwledig

A celebration of smallholding and rural life

#GŵylTyddyn #SmallholdingFestival | cafc.cymru rwas.wales

e6025 Petersens RWAS Spring Smallholding Festival 128x190mm.indd 1 31/01/2020 14:37

From the

Potting

Shed

“We need more mixed corn”, clucked mother hen, the old

pullet, as she rattled the tin. “That last bag didn’t seem to

last long”.

“Perhaps”, I replied in my usual subtle manner and

looking over her shoulder at her beloved little flock racing

across the orchard at the sound of her, ‘chuck-chuck’

and rattling tin, “perhaps if you stopped feeding the wild

population as well it would last longer”.

“How can you say that?” She responded throwing a welljudged

handful in the direction of the cock pheasant with his

usual harem of four hens. “That cock bird saved our chucks

from disaster”.

Perfectly true, for in the depths of the dismal, grey, soggy

winter we were alerted one morning by the cock pheasant

cackling in alarm on top of the hen house. Despite a gloomy

daylight he had spied a marauding fox sneaking along the

green lane leading from the wood. Although alerting all and

sundry, we were too late for one pullet that he snatched,

but between the brave cock’s alarm calls and our shouts we

saved the remainder.

Although by no means proven, it has been said that the

Romans brought the first pheasants with them. The first

documented evidence is a few years before the Norman

Conquest. The birds are indigenous to Asia from the

Caucasus Mountains in the west to Mongolia and China to

the east. The early residents which became known as Old

English pheasants were from the west of its range and it

wasn’t until the 18th century that the species from further

east with the distinctive white ring-neck appeared. Due

to increase demands from ‘industrial’ sized shoots, game

farmers appear to be breeding more ring-necks but the

smaller, darker birds without the distinctive marking can still

be seen.

Two species of escapees from country house estates

are now recorded as self-supporting wild British birds.

The Golden pheasant is now well established in the East

Anglian brecks and the Lady Amhersts happily nest in the

south-eastern Midlands having escaped from Woburn in

Bedfordshire. But the most stunning, rarely seen outside

captivity or inside a Victorian glass case, is the Reeves

“

Although by no means proven,

it has been said that the Romans

brought the first pheasants with

them. The first documented

evidence is a few years before the

Norman Conquest.

”

pheasant. The cock bird with its pure white head, black eye

stripe, bright chestnut body with black lacing and white wing

feathers again with black lacing sports a six foot barred tail.

“I’ve seen the day”, said Uncle Dick as we leaned on the

gate watching the pheasants quietly feeding in the orchard;

“when I’d ave”, and changed the subject at mother hen’s

scowl.

“Did I ever tell you the night that me and ‘Tickler Tait’

was poaching long tails (pheasants) on Squire Morgan’s

estate?” “Well the best roosts were on the edge of the wood

where the lawn ended; but it was just by the house so we

had to be real quiet”. “Old Tickler had this silent dog called

Sper, short for whisper, he’d bought off a gypsy in the pub

one night; guaranteed never to bark or growl, a real poachers

dog”. “So there we were creeping through the wood; Tickler

with his air rifle looking up for roosting birds and me hangin

on to Sper’s chain”. “When suddenly I sees Tickler raise the

rifle and in an instant there’s such a squawking and this great

bird comes crashing down through the branches, scares

the dog, that bolts and starts howling with its chain rattling

between the trees”. “All the lights come on in the house and

there’s the Squire shoutin about to fetch is gun an all”.

“By damned says I to Tickler, you shot the old boy’s

peacock”.

“What did you do?” I asked

“Followed the dog”, he replied chuckling, “silent enough,

never saw it again”.

Words: Ezra Bay

Illustration: Richard Stockton

52


The Early Spring

GARDENING

Blackbird and thrush are now perfecting their songs and

the robin’s watery undertones of winter have changed to a

bold, strident assertion of his territorial rights. In the garden

things swiftly start to accelerate towards an outburst of floral

activity. The waning delights of the snowdrop, hellebore and

aconite are overtaken by a multitude of narcissus, anemone,

crocus, camellia and magnolia.

One of the challenges facing small gardens, is to ensure

that all space is fully utilised. Walls and fences provide

invaluable growing areas and with a little thought their

ornamental value can be doubled. I have a west facing wall

to my conservatory which might be considered difficult,

since it receives the sun for barely an hour daily, even in

summer. Nevertheless, its light shade has proved the perfect

situation for Actinidia kolomikta. This relative of the kiwi

fruit produces thin textured leaves whose tips are white

fading to pink, providing a highly ornamental display for

several weeks. It has proved hardy but can be scorched by

ill timed spring gales. Next to it I have close planted twining

Dregea sinensis, a close relative of the highly scented

greenhouse climber Hoya carnosa. It is hard pruned each

spring as the actinidia leaves appear and by the time those

leaves fade to a dull green, the gloriously scented flowers of

the dregea appear and last throughout the summer. Both

plants merely require a good fertile soil and occasional feeds

of fertiliser.

A further method which has proved useful in extending

the flowering period, is to underplant early robust perennials

with later flowering climbers. I have used annuals such

as Ipomoea lobata and Tropaeolum peregrinum (canary

creeper) but prefer the perennial tubers of Tropaeolum

tuberosum, which although virtually hardy are best

lifted each autumn. The best form is ‘Ken Aslet’ which

commences flowering early in the summer, whereas the

type plant only starts to flower as the days grow shorter.

The tubers are also edible (but expensive) and even if you

are tempted, there is no truth in the rumour that they are an

aphrodisiac.

Dregea sinensis

“

When the cold, harsh winter has given its last breath,

When the sky above shows life instead of death,

When the claws reaching to the frozen sky become

decorated with leaves,

When the animals-long in hiding- scurry from trees,

”

We know winter has ended.

Camille Gotera

Garden

Actinidia kolomikta

Tropaeolum tuberosum

Mar - Apr 2020 53

Spring also brings an

abundance of gardens

opening under the National

Garden Scheme.

Llwyngarreg in

Pembrokeshire is a garden

to visit at any time of year

but in spring it is a paradise.

Paul and Liz O’Neill have

recently planted hundreds

of daffodils, adding to the

thousands already planted.

Add to this magnolias,

erythroniums, drifts of

drumstick primulas,

rhododendrons and unique

living willow sculptures

(which children of all ages

adore) and you have a gem

of a garden.

Llwyngarreg

In Ceredigion, near Lampeter on the site of

a 12th century Cistercian monastery stands

Llanllyr, a large early C19 garden renovated

and replanted since 1989. The four acre garden

contains original wood carvings and other

features including a formal water garden,

fountains, bog and gravel gardens, large pool

and an allegorical labyrinth and mount. A

garden of year round appeal, containing many

interesting and unusual plants.

Llanllyr

In the far north lies Plas Llwynonn on

Anglesey. A Plas Newydd Estate grade 2 listed

building surrounded by semi-formal and wild

gardens totalling 15 acres. A flowering carpet

of wild garlic and bluebells thrives under the

woodland canopy and there are picnic areas

and benches throughout the gardens and

wood. Enjoyment is further enhanced by an

abundance of birdlife and rare red squirrels.

Plas Llwynonn

54


GARDENING

Gardens Open

March & April

If stated please contact the owners to arrange your visit:

Bryngwyn Hall

This year we welcome Bryngwyn Hall, Powys to

the NGS, a stunning grade 2 listed 9 acre garden with

60 acres of parkland, design inspired by William Emes.

Spring highlights include Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’,

varieties of hamamelis, early flowering daphnes, corylopsis

and chimonanthus. The garden is also now carpeted with

thousands of daffodils, camassias and fritillaries leading

down to a serpentine lake. There are many unusual trees and

uniquely, a poison garden containing over 100 poisonous

plants.

Mon 13th April 1:30pm-6pm

Also Sun 7th June & Sun 23rd Aug & by arrangement

Llwyngarreg, Whitland Carmarthenshire SA34 0XH

Adm. £5, child free

Paul & Liz O’Neill: 01994 240717

Sat 18th April 11am-4pm

Also Sun 21st June

Plas Llwynonn, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll,

Anglesey LL61 6DQ


Tues 21st Apr 10am-4pm

Bryngwyn Hall, Llanfyllin, Powys SY22 5LJ


Sun 26th April 12:30-5:30pm

Llanmaes Gardens, Llantwit Major, Vale of

Glamorgan CF61 2XR

Old Froglands, Brown Lion House, Church Cottage

& Westwinds


Old Froglands

Llanmaes is a pretty village in the Vale of Glamorgan

with an attractive village green and a C13 church. Old

Froglands is an historic farmhouse with streams and

woodland areas linked by bridges where ducks swim and

chickens run free. Plantings are varied with interesting

foliage. Westwinds is a much loved and continuously

developing cottage garden. Church Cottage with a

pretty rear garden is newly acquired and the owner is still

discovering its unknown delights. Brown Lion House is a

freshly renovated garden with mature trees and shrubs and a

well established fish pond.

Sun 26th April 2-5pm

Pilstone House, Llandogo, Monmouth NP25 4TH


By Arrangement

Llanllyr, Talsarn, Ceredigion SA48 8QB

April-Oct by Arrangement

Also Sun June 21st 2-5pm

Adm. £4.50, child free

Mr & Mrs Robert Gee: 01570 470900

Another garden opening for the first time is Pilstone

House in Monmouthshire, a 19th century garden covering

several acres in a spectacular south facing position

overlooking the River Wye. Surrounding the house are lawns,

terraces with mixed herbaceous planting and established

trees and shrubs. There is a large pond with a cascade of

water spilling over millstones and the remains of an original

cider mill.

We await the arrival of swallows and swifts, which will

herald the advent of summer and the floral treats to come!

Pilstone House

Words: Rob Dyer

Pictures: National Garden Scheme, Rob Dyer

& Jan Pearson (Old Froglands/Llanmaes Gardens)

Over 3,700 exceptional gardens to discover

Your perfect garden awaits: ngs.org.uk

Mar - Apr 2020 55

Stay a While

H Hotel

B Bed & Breakfast

G Guest House

S Self Catering

C Camping

T Touring

R Restaurant with Rooms

# Dog Friendly

Wales has a magical blend of

landscapes, beaches, historic villages,

market towns and cities and boasts

some fabulous places to stay so you can

relax and explore. From little gems to

country house hotels, we’ve found some

perfect havens to escape to and enjoy

the best Wales has to offer.

Brynarth country guest house

B#

Lledrod, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 4HX

Relax at this renovated 17th Century farmhouse,

nestled within the beautiful countryside at the foothills

of the Cambrian Mountains, amongst some of the most

stunning scenery in the Ystwyth Valley. Cosy guest

rooms, welcoming lounge, licensed snug bar and 8

acres of grounds and gardens. Ideally located to visit

the many attractions Mid Wales has to offer.

+44 (0)1974 261 367

www.brynarth.co.uk

The Cammarch GS#

Llangammarch Wells, Powys, LD4 4BY

Offering you a warm and friendly welcome, this wonderful AA 4 star guest

accommodation is set in stunning countryside and close to Builth Wells and Brecon

Beacons National Park. Our new bar area offers local beers, traditional bar meals and

bar games. A great place from which to explore and enjoy the best that Wales has to

offer.

+44 (0)1591 620545

www.cammarch.com

Rooms at Blas B

Newport, Pembrokeshire, SA42 OPH

Situated in the heart of the popular village of Newport, behind the superb café Blas @

Fronlas. Rooms at Blas have a selection of 3 rooms – double, twin and a cosy double,

either ensuite or with own bathroom. All rooms have a digital tv, towels, dressing

gowns, mineral water and tea/coffee making facilities. Included in the room prices is

breakfast served in the café and is available from 8.30am onwards.

+44 (0)1239 820065

www.blasatfronlas.com

Penbontbren Luxury Bed &

Breakfast BS#

Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 6PE

A 5 Star, ‘Visit Wales’ luxurious Bed and Breakfast and

self-catering cottage situated in 32 acres of beautiful

west Wales countryside. Recently refurbished and

beaming with character, each suite boasts a spacious

sitting room, private gardens and sumptuous décor.

Penbontbren is the perfect base to make the most of the

beaches, towns and attractions west Wales has to offer.

+44 (0)1239 810248

www.penbontbren.com

SLEBECH PARK COUNTRY ESTATE H#

Haverfordwest, SA62 4AX

Nestled in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park, Slebech Park Estate has been welcoming the weary

traveller for a millennia. Runners up in the AA ‘Unique Accommodation’’ awards for the UK in 2018, The Estate

offers award winning Five Gold star Luxurious accommodation & fine foods in our 2 Rosette riverside restaurant

supplemented from our organic kitchen gardens.

Slebech Park is one of Wales’s most important historical and ecological country estates with breath taking views &

walks perfect to relax & unwind in, leaving the rigours of the modern world far behind you.

+44 (0)1437 752000

www.slebech.co.uk

56


Stay a while

The Stackpole Inn R

Stackpole, Nr Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. SA71 5DF

Winning both the Pembrokeshire Tourism Best Eating

Out Experience 2016 & the ‘Best Pub & Bar in Wales’ at

the National Pub and Bar awards, eating out & staying

in Pembrokeshire has never been so good, with quality

food such as fresh locally line-caught fish, wine, real ale

& accommodation in a beautiful location.

+44 (0)1646 672324

www.stackpoleinn.co.uk

West Arms Country Inn & Dining HR#

Lllanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, Nr Llangollen LL20 7LD

Nestled in the foothills of the Berwyn Mountains you’ll

find this charming 16th Century Inn.

Relax in one of 16 characterful rooms steeped in history

and relish seasonal dishes lovingly prepared by award

winning Chef, Grant Williams.

Featuring roaring inglenook fireplaces and exposed

wooden beams, this romantic hidden gem is licensed for

weddings for up to 55 guests inside and 220 in its garden

and is also available for meetings and exclusive use.

+44 (0)1691 600665 www.thewestarms.com

Plas Dolau Country Estate GS#

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3HP

Plas Dolau is set in 25 acres of peaceful countryside

in the heart of the Rheidol Valley, 3 miles from the sea

and the town of Aberystwyth. Looking for a quiet break

in the country? Why not come and unwind at our farm

guest house or stay at our country house hostel.

+44 (0)1970 617834

www.plasdolau.co.uk

Ceridwen Centre BSC#

Llandysul, Carmarthenshire, SA44 5XE

Much more than an organic farm in North Carmarthenshire with varied conventional & glamping accommodation

for up to 60 people, Ceridwen now also offers pizza nights, a bar, regular foodie events, workshop & meeting

spaces, catering for weddings and all family and business occasions. CLA Rural Business Highly Commended 2017.

Visit Wales Gold Award for Glamping Accommodation 2018 - Bus.

+44 (0)1559 370517

www.ceridwencentre.co.uk

Parc-Le-Breos House BG

Parkmill, Gower, Swansea, SA3 2HA

A beautifully appointed Victorian hunting lodge in

the grounds of the old deer park, twenty minutes

walk from Three Cliffs Bay. Beautifully furnished

throughout and full of character. Enjoy locally

sourced food in our evening restaurant or indulge

in an afternoon tea overlooking the extensive

gardens and views beyond.

+44 (0)1792 371636

www.parc-le-breos.co.uk

The Castle Cottage Restaurant

with Rooms R

Harlech, Gwynedd, LL46 2YL

“The only hotel at the top of the steepest street in

the world” Fford Pen Llech official Guinness World

Records with a gradient of 37.45%. Rugged 450-yearold

exterior belies the contemporary interior & modern

design bringing together natural materials and up-todate

fixtures and fittings. A warm welcome, excellent

food and wine are the hallmarks of this family run 5 star

establishment. Visit Wales Gold Award 2019.

+44 (0)1766 780479

www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk

Nanteos Mansion H#

Rhydyfelin, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 4LU

This outstanding Grade I listed 18th century Georgian

manor house with resplendent gardens, has twenty-two

sumptuous rooms plus a 4-bedroomed serviced mews

house, with many original ornate, decorative features

and contemporary fittings. The yr Eos restaurant and

library bar provide innovative, refined menus using locally

sourced produce to showcase the best cuisine in the

region. Whether a short break or a fantastic wedding

guests will receive the highest levels of personal service

and be able to enjoy the 40 acres of woodland and

garden at their leisure.

+44 (0)1970 600522

www.nanteos.com

Mar - Apr 2020 57

The Plough Inn H#

Rhosmaen, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 6NP

Relax in tranquil surroundings at this charming 4 star boutique hotel and AA rosette awarded restaurant. Idyllically

set in the Towy valley, where a traditional Welsh welcome awaits you. 23 well-appointed en-suite rooms with queen

sized beds, wireless broadband internet access, sofas and disabled facilities, all impeccably serviced, with attention

to detail. Leisure facilities include gymnasium and sauna. Visit our website for current offers.

+44 (0)1558 823431

www.ploughrhosmaen.com

Trefloyne Manor HS

Penally, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 7RG

An elegant house situated in the heart of the

Pembrokeshire countryside. Combining a country club

setting and the elegance of a homely hotel with the

picturesque views of the countryside. Designed to

provide you with a memorable experience, whether

it be an evening meal, weekend stay, a cherished and

luxurious wedding or even business meeting.

+44 (0)1834 842165

www.trefloyne.com

Oakeley Arms Hotel HS

Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3YU

Hotel with six recently renovated charming self-catering cottages. Situated in the pretty village of Maentwrog

and surrounded by the lush green hills of the Vale of Ffestiniog in the very centre of Snowdonia National Park this

is the perfect base to enjoy endless excursions and activities such as the close by Zip World, Ffestiniog Railway,

Portmeirion and of course your choice of water sports, walking, climbing and cycling both on the road & mountain

biking. Being fully licensed, food and drink can be enjoyed either in the bar, the restaurant or in the beer garden.

+44 (0)1766 590277

www.oakeleyarms.co.uk

Tal y Bryn B

Llannefydd, Denbigh, LL16 5DR

Luxury 5 star accommodation nestled on the outskirts

of Denbigh with wonderful views of the Clwydian

Hills. You’ll receive a very warm welcome from Falmai

Roberts the proprietor. With an excellent breakfast on

offer, including the delicious Llaeth y Llan Welsh yogurt

which are produced on the premises. It also boasts a

wonderful garden which guests love to explore, you

may never want to leave this idyllic hidden gem.

+44 (0)1745 540208

falmai@villagedairy.co.uk

For more information and special offers

from these establishments see...

Croft Farm and Celtic Cottages S#

Nr Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, SA43 3NT

Andy and Sylvie have developed these beautiful, award

winning cottages over 30 years, creating the perfect

eco-friendly holiday farm for fun family breaks. Most

cottages have log burner, garden hot tub and are dog

friendly. On-site facilities include indoor heated pool,

sauna, gym, play park, play barn and soft play. Located

just over 4 miles from Pembrokeshire coast and

beaches.

+44 (0)1239 615179

www.croft-holiday-cottages.co.uk

C Welsh Country Magazine

welshcountry.co.uk

M @welshcountry

58


Stay a while

Why visit Wales?

Ceibwr Bay, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Wales is a land of beautiful scenery from

stunning coast to soaring mountains and

the many valleys, rivers and streams in

between.

But Wales is not just scenery, it has a

vibrant culture that is alive and well across

so many fields (no pun intended). Just

wandering around the country starting

in the North West with Ucheldre Centre.

Based in Holyhead it makes stopping

there before a ferry or coming off a ferry

so worthwhile. A very eclectic mix of arts

emanates from the historic building, film,

dance, art exhibitions and of course the

promotion of local arts such as a Charity

Entertainment Night on 28 th March.

Opening with mediumship from Islwyn

Owen and Eifion. Featuring music from

Caine’s acoustic project, Sera, Matthew

Joseph, Beth Frazer and more. All profits

will be donated to Alaw Ward & Awyr

Las helping transform the lives of patients

across North Wales.

From the eclectic to very much the

traditional. Agricultural shows are the

social backbone of the Welsh rural

community and are a fascinating day

out for visitors as well. Most know of the

Royal Welsh Show but there are many

local shows across Wales such as Llanfyllin

Show. These local shows are run by

volunteers dedicated to the continuance of

local and in many cases, family traditions

for the benefit of the local community and

any others that wish to visit. It is so good

that Sian Lewis at just 24 becomes the

secretary of what is known as ‘the friendly

show’. Following in the footsteps of her

grandfather, her late grandmother and

her step mother Sian said “I have been

attending Llanfyllin Show since I was in a

pram and I don’t think that I have missed

one since I was born. Serving the show is

a family tradition.” Thank you Sian for

helping to keep this super show alive and

going forward. All are welcome to visit on

8 th August in Llanfyllin.

Originating from the farming side of

Wales and the sheep that graze its verdant

pastures, is their wool, and it is wool that is

celebrated over the weekend of 25 th & 26 th

April at Builth Wells with Wonderwool.

Once you have visited this wondrous event

you will never look at wool again in the

same light. With so many different types

of wool and not only from sheep. With

wools from 5cm thick to the finest merino,

angora, cashmere wools as skeins, or as

maps. Yes maps! Some of many examples

of wool hangings on show at the event.

To just show how diversified is the

cultural side of Wales, we look at worms.

Oriel y Parc Gallery in St Davids is a

showcase for the Pembrokeshire Coast

National Park and has many superb

exhibitions, but over the spring up until

the 28 th June the gallery hosts Wriggle:

The Wonderful World of Worms.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Authority Chairman, Cllr Paul Harries

said: “The National Park and surrounding

waters are blessed with a variety of

wonderful wildlife, and while we often see

species such as seals and seabirds featured,

Wriggle will put worms and other unsung

underground heroes in the spotlight. “The

exhibition promises to be fun for the whole

family, with fascinating facts, folktales and

games based on worms and similar slithery

species, in addition to the ‘Wriggloo’

experience.”

So come and Stay in Wales and enjoy

Wales, its stunning scenery, its incredible

food and drink, but also its culture in its

widest and most varied sense.

Picture: 'Ceibwr Bay, Pembrokeshire'

by Russ Clarke-Wildeman

Wriggle: The Wonderful World of Worms, Oriel y Parc Gallery, St Davids

Mar - Apr 2020 59

Bookshelf

Here is our latest selection of book reviews

Editor's Choice

Title: The Mum Who Got Her Life Back

Author: Fiona Gibson

Publisher: Avon Books /£7.99

This is a book that many Mums will relate to. When

Nadia’s twin kids leave for university her Glasgow flat

feels huge, empty but very tidy. Nadia is now a HEN; a

Happy Empty Nester. She’s got her own life back and

a budding romance with Jack makes her feel alive once

more. But when her son drops out of uni and returns

home, Nadia’s empty nest is no longer empty and

peaceful. But can Nadia and Jack’s relationship survive

having a sulky teenager around them? A funny story that

many will enjoy and relate to.

Title:

Walking Wales:

Wye Valley Way

Dr Jacqueline Jeynes

Pen Coed Publishing/£15.00

Title:

Author:

Publisher:

The 8 Week Blood

Sugar Diet

Dr Michael Mosley

Short Books/£8.99

If you’ve struggled with

you weight and you wish to

regain control of your health

then this book will explain

why we pile on dangerous

abdominal fat and then

shows how to shed it fast. Dr

Mosely demolished common

myths, such as lose weight

quickly than you’ll inevitably

put it back on. Eating foods

high in sugar and easily

digestible carbohydrates,

makes us fat and it putting

us at risk of type 2 diabetes,

strokes, dementia, cancer

and a lifetime of medication.

This book includes a

detailed 8-week programme

with menu plans.

Author:

Publisher:

This book follows the

journey Jacqueline and her

aunt Jenni, two pensioner

ladies, as they trek 136

miles along this marked

trail from Chepstow to the

source of the River Wye,

Plynlimon. Walking for 15

days over mixed terrain,

was tough but what a

challenge! Also included are

images from artists from the

18th - 20th centuries giving

a beautiful visual history of

the Welsh towns along the

River Wye. Although this

is a personal journey story,

hopefully it might inspire

you to take up the challenge

as well.

In Knives We Trust by Geoff Brookes

In this atmospheric murder mystery set in Swansea in 1880, the search is on to find Daniel Guy who has

attempted to murder his wife. Soon other murders expose dark secrets and a dangerous conspiracy.

The first in a series featuring Inspector Rumsey Bucke. £8.99 from www.geoffbrookes.co.uk

60


Music

Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Elgar

Cellist Kanneh-Mason is back with

th new album of works anchored

around Elgar’s Cello Concerto which

is probably the best known work

in the classical canon written for

solo cello. Recorded at Abbey Road

Studios shows his careful and thoughtful approach to this

iconic work featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and

conducted by the celebrated Simon Rattle. Make sure you

listen to this.

Frigg

Frixx

This is the tenth album of Finland’s

hottest musical exports. The

sizzling Scandinavian septet

have established themselves as

top notch in folk music with their

heart-busting, life-affirming, feel

good tunes thanks to their meticulous musicianship. This is

outstanding music making.

Colin Thackery

Love Changes Everything

This is the debut album from war

veteran and winner of Britain’s Got

Talent 2019, Sergeant Major Colin

Thackery and he is the oldest solo

artist in the world at 89 to sign his

first record deal. Enjoy his heartfelt

versions of ‘Love Changes Everything’, ‘Wind Beneath My

Wings’, ‘We’ll Meet Again’ as well as a delightful version of Ed

Sheeran’s ‘Supermarket Flowers’ and a duet with the ‘Forces

Sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn with ‘From the Time You Say

Goodbye’.

Pavey Ark

Close Your Eyes And Think

Of Nothing

From Hull and fronted by singer

songwriter Neil Thomas, Pavey

Ark are a fast-rising alternative folk

band. This is their debut album that

shows off each individual player

into one cohesive voice. It’s quite amazing how a group has

managed to get this far so quickly. They played Glastonbury

and Cornbury and in 2019 Bearded Theory. Songs recognise

the difficult complexities of humanity, but still finds love,

beauty and hope as the key to survival time and again.

Listen to this and enjoy.

Stephen Fry

The Mythos Suite

A unique CD as it combines the

superb storytelling talents of

Stephen Fry and music from awardwinning

British composer Debbie

Wiseman OBE. Debbie’s music

was inspired by Stephen’s Sunday

Times bestseller Mythos, a collection of vivid works retelling

Ancient Greek myths and legends and updated for the

modern age. Wiseman created a five-track suite of longform

compositions showcasing musical tales from the dawn

of time, with themes representing Persephone, Marsyas,

Rhea and Sisyphus.

Grumpy

Old Geezer

wonders why local

government settlement is

so unfair...

grumpy old geezer

I have complained

about this unfairness in

previous issues but my

words of wisdom, have

been unheeded, no surprise

there then. So there’s no level playing field as the Welsh

Government distributes its £15 billion block grant funding

across its 22 authorities, plus they’ve also been given an

£600 million bonus.

I’m raging, realising how unfair the Government’s

distribution process of the provisional Local Government

Settlement continues to be. Mark Isherwood, Shadow

Minister for Local Government and the Welsh Conservative

Member for North Wales, suggested that this is further

evidence that the Welsh Government cannot be trusted

to distribute fair funding across the 22 local authorities

in Wales. I don’t know Mr Isherwood, but I am certainly

agreeing with him, as I guess many of you will too.

Let me explain what has happened. There are five

authorities that see the largest increase and amazingly, four

have a Labour-run administration! But if that wasn’t bad

enough, they are sitting on reserves totalling some £301

million. Yes dear readers, £301 million.

To clarify further, I’ll start with The Vale of Glamorgan,

which was previously Conservative-run, they’ve gone from

a 0.1-percent decrease in the 2019 - 20 settlement, to a 4.9

percent increase, but could that have anything to do with

the fact this council is now run by Labour? It really doesn’t

make any sense to me and I wish someone could explain

to me how this system works if a Labour bias is incorrect.

To me, this funding allocation does smack of bias, it seems

prejudiced and is without doubt, very unfair.

Conwy stands 21st out of 22 with a 3.4-percent increase,

Wrexham is 20th with 3.5 percent, Flintshire 19th with 3.7

percent, Anglesey, where 30 percent or more of workers

are paid less than the voluntary living wage, is 18th with

3.8 percent, while Monmouthshire is at the bottom with a

3-percent increase. Three of these councils are non-Labour

run, excluding Flintshire. I must also highlight Wrexham,

which has three of their four wards with the highest poverty

rates in Wales. Doesn’t this authority seriously deserve more

investment? Wrexham has the potential for a brighter, more

economically sustainable future, but how is this ever going

to happen?

Instead of the North creating a hub of activity, to

me it feels abandoned and this is something the Welsh

Government must address now. I’d suggest an independent

review of this funding formula to be undertaken urgently

and a new formula is devised so that local authorities in

Wales and their residents can then benefit from a fair

and impartial settlement. Let’s make 2020 the year this

Government flattens out their many unlevel playing fields.

Mar - Apr 2020 61

Coffee Break

Try our puzzles to test your logic skills

Crossword

Use the clues given above the crosswords to fill in the

answers and complete the grids as best as you can.

Answers on page 65.

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Tropical bird (6)

2 Asinine (7)

3 Ambit (5)

5 Yelled (7)

6 Relative (5)

7 Mistakes (6)

8 Varieties (5)

14 Injured (7)

16 Foreshorten (7)

17 Barrel maker (6)

18 Wild and savage (5)

19 Blot (6)

21 Flower (5)

23 Part of a play (5)

ACROSS

1 Utensil (5)

3 Path (5)

7 Disregarded (7)

9 Send out (5)

10 Military command (5)

11 Mythical beast (7)

12 Taste (6)

14 Movie house (6)

18 Bet (7)

20 Deduce (5)

22 Unsuitable (5)

23 Roamed (7)

24 Finished (5)

25 Small boat (5)

DOWN

1 Mariners (7)

2 Possessed (5)

3 Boredom (6)

4 Legal excuse (5)

5 Svelte (7)

6 Beer mug (5)

8 Relating to country life (5)

13 Tycoon (7)

15 Dialect (5)

16 Condense (7)

17 Worshipped (6)

18 Forgo (5)

19 Graded (5)

21 Criminal (5)

1 Pub (6)

4 Take for granted (6)

9 Weird (7)

10 Take place (5)

11 Expiation (9)

12 Sense organ (3)

13 Stage whisper (5)

15 Paragon (5)

20 Sphere (3)

22 Vortex (9)

24 Tine (5)

25 Ameliorated (7)

26 Cure (6)

27 Extremely bad (6)

62


1

2

puzzles

Picture: Toni Cuenca

Sudoko

The goal of Sudoku is to fill in a 9 x 9 grid with numbers so

that each column, row, and 3 x 3 section contain the numbers

between 1 to 9. Your task is to use logic to fill in the missing

numbers and complete the grid. Answers on page 65.

1

2

Mar - Apr 2020 63

Marketplace

www.stdavidscathedralfestival.co.uk

22 nd May - 31 st May 2020 with a wide selection of music and choral

works performed in the wonderful cathedral setting.

Full programme now available. Tickets on sale 9 th March.

www.rwas.wales

Today our work includes providing support for business, social welfare

and education in rural communities and the organisation and staging of

Society events; Smallholding and Countryside Festival 16 th & 17 th May 2020.

www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk

25 th & 26 th April 2020 at Royal Welsh Showground

showcasing the best in wool and natural fibre with a

fantastic range of Welsh and British wool and artisan

products – hands-on Woolschool workshops and displays.

www.cowbridgefoodanddrink.org

Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival May 2020. With over 100 exhibition

stands this event works with the town of Cowbridge to make a festival

weekend for all the family. Free Park & Ride facility. 24 th & 25 th May 2020.

C

Festivals & Shows

www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

Theatrau Sir Gâr | Carmarthenshire Theatres. Three unique

performing arts venues in Carmarthenshire showcasing a wealth

of entertainment for West Wales audiences.Visit us at The Ffwrnes

Llanelli, The Lyric in Carmarthen or The Miner’s Theatre

in Ammanford.

Gŵyl Fwyd Crymych Food Festival

The emphasis is very much on local produce. A variety of food and drink

including meats, cheese, bread, honey, wine and ice cream, plus original

and interesting crafts from local artists. 31 st August.

www.welovemerthyr.co.uk

With a wonderful selection of food stalls, chef’s demonstrations,

live entertainment, craft stalls, children’s activities, the family food

zone and much more. 2020 Festival - Saturday 18 th July

www.cardigan-food-festival.co.uk

Saturday 22nd August 2020 will be the Cardigan River and Food Festival.

Now in its 22nd year showcasing the very best of Welsh Food and Drink

plus a full programme of entertainment and river events.

Aberystwyth Sea2Shore

Celebrate Cardigan Bay Coastal Heritage with the finest local

food, drink and crafts plus activities for kids, chef demos and live

entertainment. A great day out for all the family 9 th August, 2020!

breconbeaconsfoodfestival.co.uk

Brecon Beacons Food Festival bringing the best food and drink

producers in and around the Beacons, plus a wide range of

entertainment and chef demonstrations. A free entry event!

5 th October 2019.

Hay Winter Food Festival

Bringing the best of food & drink to Hay on Wye on Saturday 30 th

November from 10am transforming the Memorial Car Park into a

dazzling al-fresco marketplace bursting with Welsh flavour.

Pamper

facebook.com/pureindulgencewithrhian

Offering therapies at a beautiful health club in the quiet village

of Penparc called Aqua Serena. Also bookings for hen parties,

pamper parties, either at someone’s home or through holiday

packages.

Arts & Publishing

www.AManInAShed.co.uk

In Pencarreg you will find a treasure trove of handcrafted items

all made from our ethically sourced local wood...

Oak, Yew and Beech to name just a few.

www.midwalesopera.co.uk

Touring Mozart’s 'The Marriage of Figaro' with Ensemble Cymru

and a cast of international singers. February 29 th – March 28 th .

All details on the MWO website.

www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk

Wales’ most vibrant arts centre and a national centre

for arts development. Its wide-ranging programme

across all art forms makes it a national flagship for the arts.

www.ucheldre.org

The Ucheldre Centre in Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey is one of the

leading arts centres in the country. The diverse programming weaves

together two major strands: performers and artists of international standing.

www.hiraeth.me

Hiraeth is a story told in three parts. Dark Celtic fantasy novels about a

hidden Druid community. Set in modern day Wales and Ireland, Hiraeth is

strongly influenced by Celtic history and mythology.

www.pencoedpublishing.co.uk

Pen Coed Publishing is based in Ceredigion with a wide

range of non-fiction titles on Exploring Wales, Risk Management,

WWII POWs in Japan, Art history, Memoir and Travel.

Learning

www.llyfrgell.cymru and www.library.wales

Books, maps, manuscripts, archives, bibliography, pictures, and

photographs dealing with Welsh history and culture. Located in

Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.

www1.bridgend.ac.uk

Horticultural Courses from part time introduction to

practical horticulture skills and landscaping techniques

to a full time HND for those wanting more academic

learning. Suitable for all ages from 16 to 80.

www.mwmac.co.uk

mwmac a leading Welsh Training and Assessment specialist

for the Land-Based Industries; including Agriculture, Amenity

Operations, Arboriculture, Forestry, Forest Machinery,

Grounds Maintenance, Horticulture, Landscaping, Plant

Machinery, Trees & Timber, Utility Arboriculture.

64


To Showcase Your Business Here

Contact Ian: 01559 372010

marketplace

Home & Gardening

www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk

A family run, independent Garden Centre, Farm Shop and

Restaurant, awarded ‘Best Garden Centre in the UK’

in 2019, offering the best quality products alongside

delicious, fresh, local food and drink.

www.calor.co.uk

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is used as an alternative to mains

gas in rural off grid areas across the UK - with thousands of homes

enjoying the benefits of its efficiency, versatility, controllability,

convenience and green credentials.

www.trefhedyn.co.uk

Locally run garden centre in Newcastle Emlyn,

Trefhedyn grow their own plants in the nursery

allowing control of quality and prices. You can buy either from their nursery or in store.

www.showertraydoctor.co.uk

Shower Tray Doctor offers a mobile, economic

and professional service to repair broken or

cracked shower trays in Caravans, Motorhomes

and Static Homes. Now offering a power jet washing service for static homes

and caravans.

In Knives We

Trust by Geoff Brookes

In this atmospheric murder mystery set

in Swansea in 1880, the search is on to

find Daniel Guy who has attempted to

murder his wife. Soon other murders

expose dark secrets and a dangerous

conspiracy. The first in a series featuring

Inspector Rumsey Bucke.

Available in popular bookshops

or online: geoffbrookes.co.uk

£8.99

Coffee Break Solutions

1

Crossword Solutions

2

horticulturewales.co.uk

We support Welsh Horticultural Businesses in promoting short

supply chains and encouraging collaborative Clusters to optimise

economic returns; we aim to help reduce food waste and single

use plastic waste.

brightandshinestoves.co.uk

Fire is our passion. Creating for you that lovely warm comforting

glow. Providing quality, highly efficient stoves that enhance your

home.

Travel & Recreation

Sudoku Solutions

www.mtaa.co.uk

Merthyr Tydfil Angling Alliance offers superb wild brown trout fishing

on the rivers Taff and Usk in the picturesque setting of South Wales.

From £10 per day. £65 per season. Contact: sec.mtaa@gmail.com

www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk

Castell Henllys Iron Age Village set within thirty acres of beautiful

woodland and river meadows. Home to expertly-recreated Iron

Age roundhouses from 2,000 years ago, part of the

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

www.festrail.co.uk

Our award-winning railways in the heart of Snowdonia offer

outstanding scenery, comfortable carriages and historic steam

engines. Glorious coastlines, ancient oak woodlands, mountains,

rivers and castles to enjoy on your journey. Book now for 2020 trains.

www.llanwrtydcommunitytransport.org.uk

We are a community transport organisation, which has broadened

its activities to include glass and recycling waste collection from

local sources including many events in Mid Wales.

www.bodrhyddan.co.uk

Open between 14:00-17:00; Tuesdays & Thursdays,

June - September, with 90 min tours starting at 14.00pm and then

every half hour until 16:00, £7 for adults, £4 children. Booked

parties welcome all year.

1

LEGALESE: Welsh Country is published bi-monthly by Equine Marketing Ltd.

at Aberbanc, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 5NP. Reproduction of any material,

in whole or in part, is strictly forbidden without prior written consent of the

publishers. All material is sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken,

Welsh Country will not accept liability for loss or damage. Dates, information

and prices quoted are believed to be correct at the time of going to press but are

subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions.

Neither the editor or publisher accepts responsibility for any material submitted,

whether photographic or otherwise. All rights reserved ISSN no: 1746 - 4080

2

Mar - Apr 2020 65

Horoscopes

Your forecast for March and April

Christine Chalklin

Inspirational Astrologer

and Life Coach

March suggests a shift in cosmic

energy as stern Saturn arrives in

the innovative sign of Aquarius

on the 22nd. We will all feel the

volatile impact of Uranus ruled

Aquarius as we question the

boundaries we have created in

our life and begin the process

of restructuring them. Rather

than holding on to old habits, we

should become more interested

in experimenting and breaking

free from whatever the status

quo has been. Saturn will

retrograde back into Capricorn

in July, but for now it’s all change.

Venus moves into Taurus on the

5th, just as nature beckons and

the first signs of spring are on

their way. The full moon is on

the 9th in Pisces and the new

moon in Aries falls on the 24th,

just a few days after the spring

equinox on the 20th. April:

Mars, the planet of courage and

enterprise, starts the month

in close alignment with stern

Saturn; reaffirming that projects

will flourish if we cultivate

patience and persistence.

Powerful Pluto and expansive

Jupiter start the month together

in Capricorn; some deep

truths will be revealed, but this

unusual cosmic pattern also

spell opportunity and change.

Venus, the planet of love and

romance, enters playful Gemini

on the 4th suggesting that

April is the perfect month to

improve your social life, meet

others and link up with likeminded

people. Mercury arrives

in Aries with a flourish on the

11th, communication goes up a

gear, but beware of quick and

often rash judgements. The full

moon is in well balanced Libra

on the 8th and the new moon

culminates in down to earth

Taurus on the 23rd.

NAVIGATE YOUR WAY TO

SUCCESS in 2020 - take a

look at your year ahead and

plan with in-depth knowledge

and cosmic awareness. Tune

into your highest potential and

be alerted when positive and

productive planetary cycles

are working in your favour.

Consultations are available

on Skype or telephone,

please contact me for more

information.

Christine Chalklin

Inspirational Astrologer and Life

Coach.

Christine_chalklin@hotmail.com

Website: yourguidinglight.org

Telephone: 07813 483549

Facebook: @restyleyourlife

ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20

Dynamic Mars, your ruler,

dominates a pivotal part of your

chart, joining Pluto, Saturn and

Jupiter this strong planetary

activity is aimed at making

personal freedom and selfassertion

more important than

ever before. The powerful new

moon in your opposite sign on

the 18th of April brings some

tough choices. Mercury in your

sign from the 11th ensures that

you stand your ground on an

important matter.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 21

Demanding Saturn arrives at

the highest point of your chart,

over the next few years you will

be challenged like never before.

Optimistic Jupiter highlights

your soul journey and the

many things that still have to

be accomplished. April sees

the arrival of Venus into your

financial sector, your earning

ability is ripe for change, do take

advantage of any opportunity to

get new plans underway.

GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21

Mercury, your ruling planet,

returns to direct motion on the

10th, you can breathe a sigh

of relief as your life returns to

normal! Finances and resources

are in the spotlight this month.

Venus arrives in your sign on

the 4th of April; keep yourself

focussed as you have the power

to be very persuasive in any

negotiations. This should turn

out to be a profitable and

productive month.

CANCER JUNE 22 - JULY 22

March suggests that

relationships are very important,

as a heavy planetary emphasis in

this area of your chart restores

your sense of optimism and

courage, particularly with a

certain someone. April offers

a renewed sense of confidence

that enables you to push ideas

forward. The Libra full moon

on the 18th puts your home and

family in the spotlight, a tough

career decision may need to be

made.

LEO JULY 23 - AUGUST 23

This month sees the arrival

of demanding Saturn in your

opposite sign. This new cycle

may sharpen your intuition

and judgement, making you

more receptive to new ideas.

Remember that is best to rely

on facts rather than feelings.

April suggests that some new

opportunities will present

themselves as a much higher

profile leads you to being in the

right place at the right time.

VIRGO AUGUST 24 - SEPT 22

The full moon in your sign

on the 9th helps you to apply

your energies to constructive

pursuits. The Sun, Mercury

and Neptune are all prominent

around this time and highlight

inspirational and intuitive

experiences. Your focus is on

achievement during April as

new and exciting ideas to push

you forwards occur. Venus

arrives in Gemini on the 4th

offering an energetic boost to

your courage and confidence.

LIBRA SEPT 23 - OCT 23

The month’s events hinge

around Venus, your ruling

planet, arriving in the most

resourceful area of your chart

on the 5th. The Equinox on

the 20th shows that freedom

and individuality are more

important than ever. April: Be

sure to talk to partners and

colleagues about the bigger

issues and dig deep to unearth

new truths. The new moon in

Taurus on the 23rd suggests

financial rewards coming your

way.

SCORPIO OCT 24 - NOV 22

This month’s planetary

activity turns your attention

to communicating trust and

intuition, by doing this you’ll

benefit most from a harmonious

atmosphere. Saturn enters your

domestic area on the 22nd,

a restructure is inevitable.

Mercury and the radiant Sun

are strong for you in April,

it will pay off if you use your

exceptional organisational skills

to perform everyday jobs and

plan your schedule in a more

efficient way.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 23 - DEC 21

March is dominated by a

restructure of your personal

finances and earning capacity.

As strict Saturn arrives in

Aquarius on the 22nd you’ll

find that if you stick to your

plans you have a really good

chance of succeeding. The

Sun and Mercury in fiery

Aries during April suggest that

a long term creative project

can finally proceed. Venus in

Communicative Gemini helps

you get your own way.

CAPRICORN DEC 22 - JAN 20

Saturn, your ruler, arrives at

the financial area of your chart

on the 22nd. Challenges and

change are on offer and you’ll

need to make some important

decisions. The equinox on the

20th will reveal more about

changes of the inevitable kind.

Love and romance is highlighted

in April as Venus and maverick

planet Uranus bring some

exciting surprises your way. The

Taurus new moon on the 23rd

is pivotal.

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 18

March is a very important

month as Saturn arrives in your

sign on the 22nd. It’s not a bad

thing at all since Saturn is one of

your ruling planets. For wacky

and rebellious Aquarius this

move can bring you some much

needed stability and serenity.

April is all about getting your

message across, communication

is direct and some inspirational

energy helps with structuring

and assessing your life goals.

PISCES FEB 19 - MARCH 20

The powerful full moon in

your opposite sign of Virgo on

the 9th brings much needed

clarity and focus into many areas

of your life. This is a time for

illuminating new beginnings,

particularly where love and

romance are concerned. April

suggests that your finances need

to be addressed, dynamic Mars

is in unpredictable Aquarius all

month, allowing you to work in

pioneering and innovative ways.

66


SECTION TITLE IN COLOUR

Nothing to wear?

Women’s Mannix Jacket from Craghoppers

From the Duke Of

Edinburgh Award

Collection, this is a

great hooded fleece

jacket with 2 pockets.

There’s insulation

with a knit-look fabric

that has been cleverly

constructed with

stretch panels for

ease of movement

whilst giving you

warmth. It’s made

from 100% recycled

materials. It’s also

easy to wash and

wear. I’d rate it as

the ultimate expedition

companion and a stylish

cover-up in cooler

conditions, but also

perfect for walking the

dog on the beach.

Sizes:

Colours:

Stockists:

Website:

RRP:

8 - 20

blue navy, charcoal,

cloud grey,

sriracha marl

08448 111022

craghoppers.com

£55.00

Elvina Button Front Woven Shirt from Joules

This is a fabulous shirt

with a gorgeous navy spaced

flower print which makes

you think that if Spring

isn’t quite here as yet, its

certainly on its way. The

fabric is 100% Viscose and

thankfully for me anyway,

it’s also machine washable.

Do not tumble dry, but

just give a quick iron on a

low heat. I found this shirt

worked great with jeans but

was easy to dress up for a

girl’s lunch when teamed up

with a skirt. Check out their

website to view the latest

new products.

Woodville Jacket from Sprayway

A super down fitted jacket

for the spring season, with

a shorter length and a

removable faux fur trim on

the hood. The TecSHELL

50D polyester peached

fabric with a DWR coating

is soft to the touch and

also quick to dry. There’s

a zoned fleece lining for

additional warmth and

comfort, insulated double

storm flap on centre

front zip, stretch inner

draught excluder cuff, two

zipped hand pockets and

an inner zipped security

pocket. What a great jacket

to see you through the

changeable Spring Welsh

weather and still looking

super smart.

Sizes:

Colours:

Stockist:

Website:

RRP:

Okinawa Jacket from Jack Wolfskin

8 - 20

deepwell, malbec,

mink, woodland

01613 665020

sprayway.com

£190.00

This is a fabulous fleece jacket

for women that works for both

spring and autumn. The jacket

is made from a warm Nanuk

fleece fabric that has a striking

Japanese pattern on the

knitted front with two

front pockets. This is

sure to be your go-to

jacket as it is so lovely

and warm and actually

a really robust jacket

that I’m sure you’ll

enjoy wearing.

Sizes:

Colour:

Stockists:

Website:

RRP:

6 – 20

navy

0845 2507170

joules.com

£59.95

Sizes:

Colours:

Stockists:

Website:

RRP:

XS - XXL

midnight blue

0800 96537546

jack-wolfskin.co.uk

£120.00

Mar - Apr 2020 67

The Old Sail Loft, Discovery Quay, Milford Docks, Milford Haven SA73 3AF

Artists have the opportunity to win £11,000 in prizes

as Wales Contemporary / Cymru Gyfoes.

The competition celebrating everything that

makes Wales Welsh, returns for a second year.

Picture: Moss Carroll, Calon Ddaear, exhibited as part of Wales Contemporary 2019, winner of the Young Artist Prize.

Wales Contemporary / Cymru Gyfoes is an international open competition for 2D and 3D

artworks in any medium, excluding photography and film. Developed by the Waterfront Gallery

in association with the Welsh Government, Wales Contemporary seeks to celebrate all aspects

of Wales by inviting artists to submit work that is inspired by its ancient heritage, art history,

traditions, landscape (rural, urban or political) and contemporary culture.

Entries on Tuesday 14 th April 2020 judged by a panel including three eminent artists.The

subsequent exhibition will be displayed at the Waterfront Gallery from 13 th June - 18 th July 2020

and then the Senedd and Pierhead Building, Cardiff from 5 th August - 10 th September 2020.

1st Prize – £4,000

Highly commended 2-dimensional work - £2,000

Highly commended 3-dimensional - £2,000

Young Artist Prize (25 and under) - £1,000

Prize for artists born, educated or resident in Wales - £1,000

The following prize will be presented during the touring exhibition at the Senedd in Cardiff:

Following the two exhibitions there is public choice prize of £1,000

68

Details of the competition and entry form can be found at:

walescontemporary.artopps.co.uk


Welsh Country - Issue93 - Mar-Apr 20

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