The Princess of Wales Joins Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, in a Special Film Showcasing the Power of Spending Time in Nature
The Princess of Wales, Joint President of Scouts, and Chief Scout, Dwayne Fields, have appeared in a short film discussing the importance of the natural world and its ability to support our health and wellbeing on a visit to the Lake District last month. The Princess of Wales completed her Scout volunteer training in 2013, having served as a local volunteer in Anglesey while living there with The Prince of Wales during his time as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot at RAF Valley.
The film sees The Princess and Dwayne on a walk near the shores of Lake Windermere where they spend time with a group of Scouts aged between 10 and 15 from groups in Cumbria and Greater Manchester as they undertake a challenge to earn their Naturalist Badge.
During their conversation, Her Royal Highness and Dwayne talked about how spending time in nature can help us to deepen connections with ourselves and each other while building our skills of empathy, resilience and our sense of belonging. The two also discussed the impact being in nature can have on young people in building their confidence and skills for later life.
Right to Left: Esmee Chan (from 1st Buddha Light Explorer Scouts, Stretford, Greater Manchester), Kurt Lindhofer (from 1st Ulverston Scouts), The Princess of Wales, Erika Rawlinson (from 1st Ulverston Scouts), Yuxun Choy (from 1st Buddha Light Explorer Scouts, Stretford, Greater Manchester)
During the film, The Princess of Wales says:
“I find it a very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection I suppose, these environments. Not everyone has that same relationship perhaps with nature, but it is so therefore meaningful for me as a place to balance and find a sort of sense of peace and reconnection in what is otherwise a very busy world.”
And Dwayne says:
“I think it’s really important for young people to have access to nature because it’s a space where they can push themselves, they can challenge themselves, they learn leadership skills, spend time making friends and those life-long really great memories that we all hold onto. And I think if we can do that, we’ll build up a generation who is passionate about our natural spaces and passionate about protecting them as well.”
Scouts regularly enable 450,000 young people to engage with and experience wellbeing in nature, a cause which is very close to The Princess’ heart. Taking part in camping, hiking, canoeing and climbing gives young people the ability to develop their team working, leadership and planning skills and helps them become more resilient and supportive of each other.
Right to Left: Erika Rawlinson (from 1st Ulverston Scouts), The Princess of Wales, Jocey Yang (from 1st Buddha Light Explorer Scouts, Stretford, Greater Manchester), Esmee Chan (from 1st Buddha Light Explorer Scouts, Stretford, Greater Manchester)
Reflecting on the film, Dwayne said:
“In an increasingly complex world digital technology has its place, but the few hours we spent in the hills without screens was magical: we are often at our best in the outdoors, and I want more young people to experience outdoor adventures like this for themselves.
“Outdoor adventures can build the vital skills young people need for the rest of their lives, they hugely benefit health and wellbeing, and boost friendships. And with the help of more adult volunteers, we hope to get more young people out into nature in the future.”
The Princess has been Joint President of Scouts since 2020. This was the first time she had met Dwayne Fields, who took on his role as Chief Scout in September 2024.
Feature image: Dwayne Fields, UK Chief Scout, and The Princess of Wales
In glorious sunshine, a throng gathered at Crickheath Wharf, near Oswestry to attend a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony to celebrate the rewatering of another section of the Montgomery canal and it means that the Shropshire Gap – the unrestored section of the canal between Crickheath and the Welsh border at Llanymynech – has been closed by a further 10%.
Tom Fulda, restoration project manager for the Shropshire Union Canal Society, thanked all the parties that made it possible saying,
“Thanks to the funders, Shropshire Council, Canal & River Trust. The volunteers, including those from the Dry Stone Walling Association who helped so much with the wharf wall and a lot of local support too, the Parish Councils and local businesses: there’s Tudor Griffiths, Monty’s Brewery and Henstone Distillery and of course, a multitude of local residents, towpath walkers, and boaters who have expressed their gratitude, support – and encouraging us along the way”.
David Carter, Chair of the society welcomed special guests to cut the ribbon, Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council and Hen Breukelaar, Canal & River Trust Regional Director – West Midlands.
Hen Breukelaar thanked everyone involved in the project saying,
“What a truly amazing achievement and I’d personally like to thank whoever ordered the weather today – what a lovely day for early April – but seriously, I think in a world that is so dominated by worry and negativity, what a fantastic, inspiring example of communities coming together to restore something that is so wonderful. As we arrived by boat, we were filled with such appreciation of the beauty of nature, the biodiversity of this wonderful waterway, it deserves to be restored and cherished by all”.
But what’s a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony? (Sometimes called Topping Off, in the building trade) Well, it’s a tradition that started in Scandinavia in the dark ages, nearly 2,000 years ago and is a symbolic gesture that acknowledges the hard work, dedication and skill of all involved in the completion of construction – or in this case – part of the construction. There will be many more of these ceremonies on the Monty, in the years to come.
And now for the stats:
Over this period there have been 67 Society volunteers involved at different times, 23 of which have joined the Society since the start of the project last year. All but one of these are from the local area around Shropshire, Cheshire and Powys. The exception travelled from Australia to attend, thereby demonstrating our global following!
50 corporate volunteers from Practice Plan in Oswestry, from Openreach, consulting engineers Arcadis and RSK, and several from Canal & River Trust have each offered a day of their time.
In total, over the 15 works parties, the works have been delivered by 6500 volunteer hours.
Over the coming weeks and months, we’re going to be looking at the community gardens which have been created in Wrexham, starting off with the garden in Rhos.
As one of the Low Carbon Communities in Wrexham, Rhosllanerchrugog Community Council has been working with the Decarbonisation and Open Spaces Teams to create a community garden and Tiny Forest on a redundant space at Penygraig in Rhos.
Situated at the former Ysgol y Wern field, the garden helps local people learn the benefits of growing their own, and enjoying the fruits and vegetables cultivated in the space.
With the support of Rhosllanerchrugog Community Council a redundant space has been revitalised and a fully accessible garden has been created with several raised beds and some fruiting trees and bushes.
Being a larger site there is plenty of scope for further development and there are some ambitious plans with proposals for more raised beds, increased tree-planting and a wildflower meadows along with a small orchard.
“A great asset for the community”
Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council, Lead Member for Housing and Climate Champion, said:
“Through working in the garden, residents can grow their knowledge and awareness of how easy it is to support nature and grow your own vegetables, herbs and fruits as well as harvesting rainwater and creating compost.
“You can learn some great skills that will help to combat climate change and then share these with others. The community garden is a great asset for the community.”
Local councillor Steve Joe Jones said:
“The local community has been at the very forefront of giving this piece of land a new lease of life.
“It’s been a collaborative effort, and the garden is proving to be a wonderful place to spend time for everyone. People are getting the chance to learn skills around growing their own plants, fruit and vegetables, and in doing so they are supporting nature.”
Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), Groundwork North Wales has supported the creation of the site and – along with Incredible Edible – has been working with the community to get started on some early planting.
Groundwork is currently running sessions for people to get involved and learn new skills on Wednesdays between 10am-12pm.
Funded by Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery and delivered in partnership with Woodworks CIC, the community garden hosts one of the four new and innovative, small but mighty Tiny Forests being created in Wrexham, with 600 trees planted densely in the previously prepared ground of a tennis-court size plot.
Not many people visit Cardiff to see the salmon leaping. The Taff’s not had a positive image. Robert Minnhinnick wrote that the river was once ‘a quilt of iron dust…a coal vein broken open to the light.’ Many think that it still is. Lacking his erudition, they would be content with just dirty and lifeless, still best kept away from. That is prejudice. At Radyr Weir you can now see salmon and, if you know your business, otter spraint. Worth a try I thought.
At first sight it doesn’t look good. The blackened branches along the banks drip with tattered plastic bags. Collectors of lager cans would have been pleased with their haul. Along the far bank Arriva Trains, painted in a surprising turquoise, ply their regular trade along the ‘Valleys Line’ Their brakes squealing, horns hooting, sounding like dangerous beasts from one of those computer games.
A gentleman, black-coated and stubble-chinned, sits on a bench. A Labrador bounces around him, keen for the diversion of a stick. My enquiry about salmon elicits advice about which part of the weir to watch. Nearby a couple stand in silence, adorned in camouflage gear. He holds the shutter cable of a telescopic camera that is similarly attired. I ask how things look. They talk about the excellent photos they had taken and how it was a shame that I had not been there two days ago, when the salmon were jumping well.
Down on a spit of shingle I have a better view of the weir. From this angle it looks all of its four metres height. The river’s banked up behind it. It seems at first sight to be frozen, glazed over, in a moment’s hesitation. Just a trick of light, an unbreaking wave takes water and energy over the red sandstone rampart. A smooth surge of translucent water slides languorously down the centre of its face. Arriving at the base it shakes itself in a confusion of foam. It pauses and orders itself for the statelier journey on to Cardiff Bay. In the centre of the weir, white bubbling water tumbles down a ramp. That is where the salmon would be, guided by the higher oxygen levels caused by the turbulence.
Although the old industries of coal and iron have long gone the river still plays its part in generating power. The Council’s new hydroelectric scheme has been built into one side of the weir. Fashioning old technology to meet new demands, two steel Archimedean Spirals spin as the press of water twists through them.
I lift my binoculars to my eyes. There on the far side is a dipper, flitting from piles of stones to tangles of branches and across to a jumble of weeds. Grounds for optimism. I knew they needed good enough water to sustain the food that make up their diet. A young heron arrives on uncertain wings. Herons don’t hover but this one hesitates, beating its wings until it is happy that its dangling legs have found a secure footing. Surprisingly this is half way down the slope of the weir. Once comfortable it struts to the edge of the ramp and peers into the pool below as the water rushes past. It combines a creditable optimism about its ability to stand on 45 degree slope in rushing water with what I thought was a less soundly based view that it could swallow a salmon.
The salmon are only out of the water for a short time. I stand stock still, eyes transfixed to the spot where I had been told that they jump. The intensity of staring closes down everything else. The sound of the rush of water wraps like a curtain around me. The trains still pass by, but the rumble is fainter.
Then the salmon came to my eyes. Stripped of their watery surroundings I can see their size and sense their mass. Dark, not silver against the white explosion of water. Dorsal fins sharp. Heads held rigid. I want to cheer as one almost makes it up the weir. Leaping it lands halfway way up the ramp. It twists and turns with all its power. It tries to grasp the slippery stone. It pauses. I imagine it sighing before it rolls back into the pool below.
My logic tells me that it has an impossible task. It knows that this is an urgent necessity. We call it instinct but perhaps what we share this afternoon is focus. Something more than just programming, a concentration of drive and intelligence. I know that some salmon make it because they now spawn again in the headwaters of the Taff.
Suddenly the spell is broken.
‘Any luck mate?’
I look round. A cheerful bloke in a blue and orange waterproof stands next to me. His Jack Russell yaps at my legs.
‘Not bad, about six in the last half hour.’ I reply.
‘Better luck than me. Been up and down here with him most days, only ever seen them once.’
I point out where I have been looking. There are none, they have merged back into the water.
The next train clatters noisily down to Cardiff Central Station. Some faces peer aimlessly out of the grubby windows, other travellers are lost in urgent conversation.
I have witnessed that the Taff is a home for wildlife once again. Partly because the time of heavy industry has gone and partly because people have chosen to make a difference. The banks have been cleared and replanted. The regulations that govern the discharge of pollutants have been strengthened and more strictly enforced. There is of course some way to go but the waters of the Taff sparkle as I leave.
I wave to the couple with the telescope. They don’t notice me. Seeing salmon leap on the Taff, in Cardiff, requires attention.
Words: Robert Minnhinnick from Islands of Lightening.
The newly reconvened and revitalised WISRA – the Welsh Independent Schools Rugby Association – gave their more famous opponents a real battle at Brecon before fading in the closing stages writes Huw S Thomas.
WISRA last played a competitive match against the Welsh Secondary School back in 1998 but now intend to give private school boys the same regular chance of proving their worth as do the two other Welsh junior invitation sides – Crawshay’s and Welsh Academicals.
With three Welsh U18 invitation sides now fielding sides of players not selected by the region, there will be an increased chance of boys making strong cases that there is life outside the region.
The Independent Schools side had players from Christ College, Llandovery College, Monmouth School, Rydal Penrhos and the Catherdal School, Cardiff and although devoid of star players because of representative duties, they were in the game for all but the last ten minutes.
Christ College’s Dan Parry who is much involved with the organisation was pleased with the day.
“It’s a good start on the way to reforming WISRA as all five schools were well represented and contributed whole heartedly.”
“We were in the game until the last ten minutes against a very fit and well drilled Crawshay’s and many of the 27 boys used will have taken benefit from playing at a higher level than usual.”
“The hope is that some of the boys who have slipped the regional net will get the opportunity to show that they have the potential for honours down the line.”
Both Llandovery props Llyr James and Cameron Stewart impressed with their work in tight and loose, Rydal flanker Matt Johnson sped about in the loose along with Cathedral School No 8 Iwan Jones, Christ College centre Rhys Conqeur was a strong mid field runner and Monmouth School’s Joe Salter showed neat touches at fly half
James grabbed a couple ot tries from driving mauls and Conquer finished a flowing movement with a corner try.
Crawshay’s – true to their philosophy – fielded a team drawn from all parts of Wales and fielded seven debutants from the side that had lost to Llandovery College.
They were undoubtedly the better side on the day with captain and Bargoed Youth No 8 Cody Rees a real force in the loose, supported by Merthyr Youth lock Finley Thomas.
Their superior work at the breakdown, more powerful ball carrying and greater awareness of space behind took Crawshay’s home comfortably in the end.
Centre Ioan Thomas – hero of Llandeilo’s WRU Youth Cup final win over Pontypool Utd – looked particularly sharp in mid field, running freely and tackling hard to emphasise his promise, a good example of a player capable of higher things.
WISRA were only 15-14 down at the break, two tries from James and two conversions by Salter trumped by efforts from wing Theo Mc Kerrow (Chepstow CS), flanker Zac Lynham (CAVC) and wing Levi Perry (Bonymaen Youth).
WISRA squad
Finn Thomas crashed through for the opening try of the second half but this was swiftly answered by WISRA’s best try of the day, scored by Conqeur who was put clear by some lovely, swift handling by the backs.
That was as good as it got for the new boys as Crawshay’s took firm hold of proceedings against a tiring opposition.
Pontypool Utd Youth fly half Morgan Cusack capped a fine afternoon, slicing through for a brace of tries two tries and converting his own tries and the chip and chase solo effort from centre Deri Mason (Builth Youth).
Crawshay’s Welsh chairman Richard Brice was delighted with the outcome but equally happy to see WISRA competing so well.
“We had to play some of our best rugby of the year and it will be great to have the Independent Schools go on our regular fixture list.”
“It will give even more players the chance to break through into regional, even representative rugby.”
“There are plenty of boys – often late developers – who have the potential to make a name for themselves.”
WISRA
Tries: L James (2), R Conquer
Cons: J Salter (2)
CRAWSHAY’S
Tries:M Cusack (2), T McKerrow, Z Lynam, L Perry, F Thomas, D Mason
Cons: M Cusack (3)
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, located in Three Cocks between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye, proudly welcomed hundreds of visitors through the doors on Saturday 12th April for the grand opening of its brand-new Entrance Building and Covered Plant Area. The event also marked a significant milestone – the Garden Centre’s 35th anniversary.
Guests enjoyed a full day of celebration, beginning with an official ribbon cutting by renowned TV gardener David Domoney. Shortly after, David gave an inspiring talk to visitors, sharing expert tips and insights into his new book, followed by a book signing session where guests had the opportunity to meet him personally.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, live music from young local musician Elis Jones filled the garden centre throughout the afternoon, entertaining guests as they explored the brand-new facilities and vibrant plant displays. A ceremonial cake cutting and bubbles later in the day provided a fitting end to a joyful event.
David Domoney talk
The first 100 customers through the door received a complimentary goodie bag, and younger visitors were treated to a free plant through the Little Oaks Children’s Club.
Huw Lewis, Finance Director of The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, said:
“It was such a special day for us, made even more memorable by the support and excitement from our customers. After months of hard work, seeing so many smiling faces enjoying the new space was a truly proud moment.”
Shaunagh Cleary, Catering Director, added:
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came along to celebrate with us. The response has been amazing, and we’re thrilled to be entering this next chapter of the garden centre’s journey with the support of our fantastic community.”
Covered plant area
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre will be running exclusive Grand Opening offers throughout the coming week to continue the celebrations.
For more information about the garden centre and upcoming events, visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk or call 01497 847055.
This June, WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, will host its inaugural Dragonfly Festival. Launching on summer solstice, the festival kicks off 93 days of summer activities that celebrate the wonderful world of dragonflies at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre.
Festival goers will be invited to let their imagination run wild, enjoying an immersive experience in wetland nature at the WWT Dragonfly Festival, which runs from 21 June to 22 September and offers a dazzling line-up of dragonfly-themed events and activities all summer long.
Attendees, young and young-at-heart, will be welcomed at the festival hub where colourful flags fly high and mark the start of a great adventure. From there, they can enjoy expert-guided walks to explore the secret lives of dragonflies that dwell in one of the UK’s blue spaces or create a dragonfly masterpiece in a creative workshop. Go pond dipping and discover the wonderful world of minibeasts living below the surface or take part in dragonfly challenges and giant outdoor dragonfly-themed games.
Activities that will captivate festival goers in high summer at WWT Llanelli include giant bubble artists, string puppet theatres, dragonfly safaris and much more. Activity dates to be announced in May.
Jessica Thompson, Marketing Manager at WWT Llanelli, said:
“Dragonflies are the stars of WWT sites during the summer months and at Llanelli we have 22 of the UK’s species living here. It’s a fantastic place to see dragonflies and we’re justly proud of the wondrous winged insects that thrive here. A summer-long festival is a fitting way to celebrate the important role they play in our wetland ecosystems, and we hope many will take this opportunity to enjoy the amazing array of activities we have on offer.”
Participation in the WWT Dragonfly Festival at WWT Llanelli is included with the price of admission and is free to WWT members. Festival visitors booking online in advance, can take advantage of a 10% reduction in ticket prices. There are also reduced price tickets (£5 per adult or £3 per child) for anyone who is in receipt of Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These must be pre-booked up to one day before the visit day.
More information and a full what’s on calendar for the WWT Dragonfly Festival and its 93 days of summer celebrating of the wonderful world of dragonflies can be found at www.wwt.org.uk/DragonflyFestival.
In glorious weather that lasted all weekend we welcomed guests from Shropshire Council, Canal & River Trust and many others on Friday to celebrate the topping out of the re-watered sections.
“The works over the last year have been substantially aided by a Rural Prosperity Fund grant,” said Tom Fulda, Restoration Project Manager, “and progress was rapid with the original scope exceeded for a variety of reasons so there was plenty to celebrate. During this period volunteers contributed 6500 hours of their time”.
Following words of appreciation by Society Chair David Carter, Tom Fulda, CRT West Midlands Regional Director, Henriette (Hen) Breukelaar, and Montgomery Canal Partnership Chair John Dodwell, a ribbon across the canal was cut by Leader of Shropshire Council Lezley Picton and Hen.
“There were plenty of other highlights this work party. A further 30 metres of channel was lined and blocked. But this doesn’t finish the job since blocks finish just below water level. The liner above water level is protected by riprap (large-sized aggregate) covered with soil. All the lining and blocking completed last work party, and this now has riprap applied above the blocks”.
Soil covers the wrip wrap
There's always more to do
This is a relatively straightforward task on the towpath bank with material being delivered by power barrow along the towpath. Not so straightforward for the offside bank without a temporary haul road to provide access. For this, countless buckets of riprap were delivered by wheelbarrow along the newly block channel, carried up the slope, tipped one by one above the blocks and then manually arranged to fully cover the liner. In addition, all the riprap on the towpath bank now has its final soil covering.
Captive audience
Logistics are part and parcel of any project. Some are easier than others. So, with logistics only slightly less complex than fitting a quart into a pint pot, further space was freed up in the channel to continue profiling the banks back towards the re-watered section. Here, several pallets of hollow blocks used for soft-bank construction were stored in the bed of the channel, having been previously moved there to make way for further deliveries in the compound. This had enabled free access to the far end of the work site for the lining and blocking mentioned above but was now obstructing access to profile the channel banks. So, these were moved onto the channel bed in the newly blocked section. As heavy plant cannot drive on the blocks these had to be moved in stages each time a new area of blocking was completed. From their new location the blocks will have just one further move (phew!) to their final resting place in the soft bank retaining wall. Work on this will start next time where the channel widens to a splay on a bend.
Finally, and for the record, the topping out ceremony was not the only occasion a large crowd turned out at this month’s work party to admire the progress. A captive audience?
One member of staff at Ashmole & Co has run a staggering amount of miles over the past 12 months to raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care. Jim Cornock, a Partner with the accountancy firm, will be taking on London Marathon next week, that’s after completing Newport marathon for training last week and he ran Marathon Eryri last autumn for the charity.
Thankfully Jim is not a newcomer to running but is more familiar with half marathon distance rather than a full marathon. He has agreed to take on the 26.2mile challenge around the streets of London for the first time on Sunday, 27 April, to help raise funds for Ashmole & Co’s chosen charity for this year as it has special meaning for him personally.
Jim said,
“Tenovus Cancer Care provide so much support for people with cancer. This one is personal for me as my mum passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of just 61. I have no doubt there were times when she wanted to just ‘turn around’ and go home but like thousands of others facing a cancer diagnosis, she couldn’t. That is what keeps me going during my training runs. I felt like turning back lots of times recently out on my longest runs, but I kept remembering why I am doing this.”
Jim has worked for Ashmole & Co for 31 years this year and became a partner in the Ammanford office in 2004. He works out of the Haverfordwest, Ammanford, Llandeilo and Llandovery Ashmole & Co offices. Jim enjoys all aspects of his role as business adviser, particularly the satisfaction of helping clients achieve their goals.
Jim is married to Pamela and they have two children Rosie and Owen. Owen will be running the London Marathon with Jim for support, although Jim suspects his son might leave him behind when the going gets tough!
Jim added,
“Taking part in the London Marathon will bring to a close Ashmole & Co’s fundraising 12 months for Tenovus Cancer Care. I would like to thank everyone that has supported me during my endless training during this time. It means a lot. I hope Ashmole & Co’s clients and friends will help us raise as much money as possible for this extremely worthy cause.”
Tenovus Cancer Care are a Wales-based charity which gives help, hope and a voice to everyone affected by cancer. Tenovus is there for anyone affected by cancer. Together with its inspiring community of supporters, volunteers and fundraisers, the charity is determined to be there for everyone affected today, tomorrow and beyond.
Any donations to support Jim and Ashmole & Co’s fundraising would be gratefully received. Here is the link to the Just Giving page, or you can donate at any office: Ashmole and co is fundraising for Tenovus Cancer Care
St Davids, Pembrokeshire -Deep concerns are mounting over the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s (PCNPA) proposed reconfiguration of Oriel y Parc Landscape Gallery, a landmark cultural venue in St Davids. The plan would see the gallery’s world-class art exhibition spaces repurposed into a National Park Discovery Centre, effectively downgrading its original mission to showcase Welsh artistic heritage and fine art from the National Collection.
Built with £3.3 million in public and EU funding, Oriel y Parc was purpose-designed as a premier venue to celebrate the landscapes and artistic richness of Wales. It serves as the permanent home for works by renowned British artist Graham Sutherland and has previously hosted exhibitions featuring Constable and other greats, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and benefiting local schools, families, artists, and the wider tourism economy.
Campaigners fear that turning away from its original artistic focus would not only undermine the building’s architectural integrity but also betray the vision that brought it to life.
“How can a gallery thrive when it is no longer given the opportunity to showcase the art it was built for?” ask organisers of the campaign. “The recent decline in visitor numbers is not due to waning interest in art, but rather a lack of ambitious fine art programming since 2018.”
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of PCNPA, stated in a BBC Wales Today interview on March 27, 2025:
“The gallery has to change… audience tastes develop during that time. I think we would be rightly criticised if we hadn’t evolved and tried to meet the needs of current visitors and current residents.”
While campaigners agree that evolution is necessary, they argue that the solution is to revitalise – not repurpose – the gallery’s fine art offering. They are calling on PCNPA to restore the full Class A gallery space for its intended use and to collaborate with the National Museum of Wales and the wider arts community to reinstate a dynamic, high-quality art programme that reflects the gallery’s founding vision.
A petition has been launched urging PCNPA to:
Reinstate the entire gallery space for ongoing exhibitions from the National Collection.
Continue the permanent rotating display of Graham Sutherland’s works.
Protect the architectural and cultural integrity of Oriel y Parc.
Reaffirm its role as a cultural jewel in Wales.
Art is for everyone, and Oriel y Parc must remain a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can access the inspiration and wonder that world-class exhibitions provide.
Join the Campaign
Sign the petition and help ensure Oriel y Parc remains a beacon of art for generations to come.
About the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group: The Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group is a collective of artists, residents, educators, and cultural advocates committed to preserving and promoting Oriel y Parc’s role as a world-class art gallery. We are working to ensure the gallery continues to showcase significant fine art, including works from the National Collection, and remains a vibrant cultural hub for the community and visitors alike.
There are many household chores that I dislike and ironing is certainly the top of my ‘loathe list’. I know a few people who say they don’t mind ironing, but I cannot understand them saying that. However I have no idea why I’d never thought of using a clothes steamer, now I’ve got one to try I now understand what I’ve been missing. But in fairness, I had no idea that you can get iron-like results from any hand held steamer, let alone the new generation of clothes steamer, which is the AeroSteam handheld clothes steamer. I was astounded that in just one stroke with this vertical steamer, it works and the steamer features a monotemp soleplate 140°C that is safe for all ironable fabrics from delicates to your denim jeans. The steamer has a slider button offering you a choice of three modes giving you customised care, one for steaming, a second with steam and soft suction and thirdly steam and turbo suction. There’s also a 100ml tank which gives you 6 minutes’ use. I was amazed and delighted that I achieved iron-like results without any hassle and all without having to use an ironing board!
The AeroSteam vertical steamer uses Tefal’s patented Optiflow technology, which combines steam power with suction, to hold the fabric taut as the steam removes creases, so all you need to use is just one hand and a single-stroke. This steamer smoothed out creases efficiently and effectively, which was all I needed to do. In fact I actually achieved better results than when I ironed, so steaming saved me so much time and effort – and I didn’t lose my temper either.
This is a new innovation in clothes steaming and is Tefal’s easiest handheld steamer and so clever that it uses suction to hold the fabric taut and steam to remove creases for effortless, one-handed steaming. It also gives you 50% faster steaming than traditional handheld models. There’s a 2.6m cord which made it handy to plug in anywhere. Plus this machine is steam ready in 30 seconds and it turns itself off automatically if you leave it unattended, so no need to worry when you have left your house – did I switch off the iron. I also found this perfect on work mornings and my jacket needed de-creasing, it really did take next to no time to give my jacket a quick spruce up.
Tefal offer fast, free delivery, plus it is repairable by Tefal for 15 years, along with UK customer support. Purchasing from a company with such high levels of customer support is yet another reason I rate Tefal so highly.
Spec details:
Steam Output: 20g/min
Water Tank Capacity: 100ml
Auto Shut-Off: Yes
Cord Length: 2.6m
Heat-Up Time: 30s
Kills Up To 99% Of Bacteria: Yes
Net Weight: 1.55k
Price: £159.99
Colour: black & forest green
Visit: shop.tefal.co.uk
Taken from Tefal’s website:
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Innovation is our DNA
We are convinced that innovation is the key to success.
At Tefal, we all use our know-how in technology, ergonomics, daily use of products and consumer’s habit to assess your needs and imagine new solutions, products and services that will improve your everyday life.
We are aware that listening to you is the way for us to offer innovations that will change your habits for the best.
What does Tefal “innovation” mean?
Our research and development team constantly keep an eye on the latest technologies and the latest consumer’s expectations.
In our quest for innovation, we are exploring new fields far beyond a range of basic home appliances. We are going forward: we are consulting universities and their research in specific areas like cooking process as well as master chefs such as Jamie Oliver with whom we worked very closely to deliver top-quality cookware and appliances that anyone can master.
One of the UK’s most popular songbirds is in rapid decline, and garden owners are being encouraged to share their sightings with researchers.
When Paul McCartney recorded the famous Beatles song ‘Blackbird’ at Abbey Road Studios, the distinctive sound of a singing male Blackbird was added to the final mix, courtesy of the studio’s vast collection of sound effects. This particular Blackbird had been recorded three years earlier, in a west London garden. Sadly, that most familiar of sounds has become an increasingly scarce one in and around the English capital’s green spaces in recent years, following worrying declines.
In 2024, The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) launched a pioneering survey to try to map this rate of decline in London’s Blackbirds, and to see whether similar population slumps were occurring elsewhere across the UK.
Initial results from that first year certainly show something of a north-south divide, with signs that Blackbirds are doing better in the north, and particularly north-west England, while they continue to struggle in London, and to a lesser extent the wider south-east. Researchers from BTO are hoping to encourage yet more members of the public to get involved in 2025, especially in our larger towns and cities, so that they can try to identify any further notable changes.
The decline of London’s Blackbirds has been linked to the recent appearance of a mosquito-borne virus which was first detected in England in the summer of 2020.
Usutu virus can be fatal to Blackbirds and concerns are growing as the virus appears to be spreading across south-east England. First identified in South Africa, the virus has been present in mainland Europe for around three decades. Its spread has been linked to climate change, and native UK mosquitoes can transmit the virus during warmer times of the year.
Scientists are trying to better understand the spread of Usutu virus and what the potential impacts might be on the UK’s Blackbirds, whose numbers were already decreasing slightly in Greater London even before the arrival of the disease. BTO researchers are keen to see if anything similar is happening in other large cities across the UK, and how this compares to smaller urban and rural areas.
The Blackbirds in Gardens survey will help BTO scientists better understand how Blackbirds’ use of different garden types varies, to help understand disease transmission risk, and how successfully young are raised, especially at different levels of urbanisation, from rural to urban gardens. Usutu is typically spread by bird biting mosquitoes, which rarely bite humans. When it does occur, human infection is often asymptomatic, and there have been no human cases of Usutu detected in the UK to date.
Although the risk to humans from Usutu virus is extremely low, this is the first time in modern history that a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans) has emerged in the UK.
This BTO survey is part of a wider partnership project, being run in conjunction with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The project, Vector-Borne RADAR, is funded by UK Research and Innovation and Defra to understand the emergence and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses of wild birds in the UK, which are expected to increase as a result of climate change.
Hugh Hanmer, Senior Research Ecologist with BTO said,
“Blackbird numbers have been noted to be decreasing in Greater London for some time. However, from 2020 they started declining more strongly, which coincided with the detection of Usutu virus, which can be fatal for these familiar birds. There is now evidence of a wider decline in Southern England, not seen in other UK regions. This survey seeks to understand why this change is happening and if it is linked to the spread of Usutu, by better understanding how Blackbirds use our gardens.”
Dr Arran Folly, senior scientist with APHA and Vector-Borne RADAR project lead said,
“With Usutu virus now endemic in southeast England, outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases are expected to grow in the UK, especially as temperatures rise due to climate change. Through our Vector-Borne RADAR project, we are working to gain a clearer picture of emerging mosquito-borne viruses. The insights from BTO’s Blackbirds In Gardens survey will be essential for understanding how this virus might be impacting blackbird populations. I encourage all garden owners to get involved and help us track this virus.”
BTO is asking for anyone with access to a garden to take part in the survey. The official start date is Sunday 13 April and runs through until September.
Simply sign-up online at www.bto.org/blackbirds. Here you will find further information, a simple Blackbird identification guide, and full instructions of how to take part.
With preparations well under way for this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival which will take place across the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (May 25-26th), festival manager Tracy James-Lieberman is busy running around – literally – in a final training push ahead of this month’s London Marathon.
Tracy, who lives in Maendy will run for Shelter, raising funds for the fantastic charity that makes such a difference to those experiencing homelessness, those who face the threat of losing their homes and those who don’t have a safe place to call home.
“It’s less than two weeks to go now so this really is the final push and I’ll be pounding the lovely streets and lanes of Cowbridge every day, making sure I’m in the best possible shape for the actual race”, said Tracy.
“When I’m not training for a big one, I usually cover about 30 miles in a week; currently closer to 50 but I live in such a beautiful area, it’s just the perfect spot for getting those miles in come rain or shine.
“If I’m not in the lanes, I’ll be running through town, past the Bear Hotel, through the Old Hall Gardens and all the sites that will be part of the actual festival so it keeps me focused on that too which is perfect.”
Tracy started running eight years ago, competing in a Race for Life in London in memory of her father – both Tracy’s parents were also keen runners and had competed together in a London marathon so it clearly runs in the family; so much so that sister, Michelle partnered up for an Ultra marathon last year and when extra encouragement is needed, husband Mikey is the perfect running buddy!
Outside of training in Cowbridge Tracy hasn’t stopped this year, keeping up the miles while on holiday in Spain and even combining two city breaks with half marathon efforts in both Lisbon and just last week in Prague, which turned out to be quite the local affair after bumping into members of the Cowbridge Moovers running club who will also be helping out at this year’s festival.
Summing up her marathon efforts, Tracy said:
“I really do feel so privileged to be part of a team that can make such a difference to those experiencing homelessness.
“The London Marathon is a big challenge but the fight against the housing emergency is huge – having a safe home means absolutely everything to me so I’m going to go all out to hopefully raise as much as I can.
“I’ve had some fantastic support so far, from festival traders sponsoring my vest to generous friends and family going all out for which I am so grateful.
“Times are hard and it’s so difficult to ask for financial donations but if anyone does have even a little to spare for a great cause and could take two minutes to check out my fundraising page, that would be absolutely amazing and very, very appreciated.
“We’re nearly there now and I’m so excited to be doing this! Roll on April 27th, thank you to everyone again for all the brilliant support, wish me luck!”
Spring is a crucial time for lawn care, setting the stage for a lush, healthy lawn throughout the warmer months. With the right approach, you can ensure your lawn thrives, providing a beautiful green space for relaxation and enjoyment.
Knowing what your lawn needs this spring and treating it correctly will bring a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Here are our essential spring lawn care tips to help you get started:
Clean Up
Winter can leave behind a mess of fallen leaves, twigs, and debris, which can block out sunlight, suffocate grass, and encourage lawn disease. Begin your spring lawn care routine with a thorough clean-up. Rake away dead leaves, remove debris, and clear any obstacles that could hinder grass growth. If left unattended, accumulated debris can lead to damp, compacted areas that encourage moss and fungi growth. Grass clippings should also be collected and removed after mowing to keep your lawn looking its best.
Mowing
Regular mowing is key to achieving a lush lawn, but timing and technique are crucial.
Before the first cut of the year, ensure your mower blades are sharp for a clean cut.
Lawn maintenance is about paying attention to the finer details, and the sharpness of your mower blades plays a big role. Mowing with a dull blade will roughly rip through your grass, meaning it will begin to pull the grass up by the roots rather than trimming it – creating some ugly patches in your lawn. This will also leave your lawn more susceptible to disease and pests.
For the initial mow, set the mower to a higher cutting height, trimming just the top of the grass. Gradually lower the cutting height over the following weeks. Avoid scalping the lawn, cutting it too low, as this can stress the grass and make it vulnerable to weeds and diseases.
Your lawn should be maintained between 25mm (1”) and 50mm (2”) in length. During dry periods or in shaded areas, it’s best to increase the cutting height to promote healthier growth and retain moisture.
Aeration & Scarification
Aeration and scarification are essential annual lawn care practices that improve the overall health of your lawn. Aeration helps relieve soil compaction and enhances air, water, and nutrient circulation to the roots, promoting stronger grass growth. Scarification removes thatch and moss buildup, allowing the grass to breathe and absorb nutrients more effectively.
Spring is the perfect time to schedule aeration and scarification to set your lawn up for success. Speak to GreenThumb to learn more about our Machine Work services and how they will enhance your lawn’s resilience and appearance – Book A Free Consultation – GreenThumb
Treating Bare Patches
After enduring the harsh winter, your lawn may have developed bare patches. To encourage new growth, rake the affected areas to loosen the soil, sow quality grass seed, and lightly cover it with topsoil. Keep the area moist by watering regularly. For successful germination, the ground temperature should be above 5°C.
GreenThumb’s Overseeding and Top Dressing treatments can provide the nourishment and protection needed for healthy grass development. This process enhances lawn density, filling in patchy areas and promoting long-term growth.
Weed Control
As the weather warms up, weeds will begin to emerge, competing with your lawn for nutrients and space. Many weed seeds remain dormant in the soil over winter, while others spread from nearby areas. Consistent treatments are necessary to keep weeds at bay and maintain a healthy, uniform lawn.
GreenThumb’s weed control treatments effectively target common lawn weeds, preventing them from taking over your grass. GreenThumb’s tailored solutions ensure long-term protection, keeping your lawn weed-free and in top condition.
Checking for Lawn Pests
Spring is the time to watch for signs of Leatherjackets and Chafer Grubs, which can cause significant damage to your lawn. These pests feed on grass roots, leading to yellow or brown patches and thinning grass. Other indicators include birds pecking at the lawn in search of grubs.
If you suspect an infestation, GreenThumb offers targeted treatments to combat these pests, preventing further damage and restoring your lawn’s health. Addressing the problem early can help avoid costly lawn repairs later in the season.
Managing Moss Growth
Moss thrives in damp, shaded, and compacted areas, often taking hold after a wet winter. It competes with grass for nutrients and space, leading to a weak, patchy lawn. To reduce moss, it’s essential to address the underlying causes. Scarification, proper mowing practices, and the application of a balanced fertiliser can significantly improve lawn health and prevent moss from returning.
GreenThumb’s specialised treatments help control moss while promoting stronger, healthier grass growth. A well-fed and aerated lawn is naturally more resistant to moss, ensuring a greener, more vibrant appearance throughout the season.
Book a free lawn consultation
Taking care of your lawn requires time and effort, but GreenThumb can make it easy with their expert treatments and care plans. Whatever problem your lawn is facing, GreenThumb’s tailored solutions will ensure you have a green space to relax and unwind this year.
If you have any questions or would like GreenThumb to help improve your lawn, book your free lawn consultation here: Book A Free Consultation – GreenThumb
Pylons Through the Cradle of Welsh Civilisation: A Taliban-Like Attack on Our History, Culture and Commerce?
Outraged landowners and heritage advocates call for urgent action from Cadw and Welsh Government.
Carmarthenshire, 8 April 2025 – Welsh landowners, residents, and heritage supporters have issued an urgent call to Cadw and the Welsh Government to halt proposed plans to construct towering pylons across historic landscapes in the Tywi and Usk valleys — areas widely recognised as some of the most culturally and historically significant in Wales.
In an open letter to Cadw’s leadership, Trevor Jones of Manordeilo — writing on behalf of concerned citizens across the affected regions — condemns the plans as a “Taliban-like attack” on
Welsh heritage, citing the irreversible damage the pylons would inflict on ancient landscapes, Roman roads, and Cadw-registered sites.
“This is not just about electricity — it’s about identity,” says Jones. “The Tywi and Usk valleys are the cradle of Welsh civilisation. To disfigure them with steel monstrosities is to scar the soul of Wales.”
The letter criticises the Welsh Government’s complicity in allowing private infrastructure developers (notably Green GEN Cymru, reportedly backed by CIG/Investment funds such as Vespas) to push forward with plans that, campaigners argue, offer no public benefit and threaten tourism, history, and natural beauty.
The author calls on Cadw to:
Publicly oppose the overhead pylon routes.
Campaign for underground alternatives, which are more cost-effective and sustainable; Defend decades of investment in protecting Welsh cultural landmarks.
And, if unable to act, to consider resigning in.
Citing the looming court action over land access warrants (scheduled for 7 April), Jones warns of a growing grassroots movement preparing to resist the project through legal, public, and media channels.
“We need voices in power – those who love our land and understand its history – to stand up now, or Wales risks losing something it can never get back,” the letter concludes.
Litter picking heroes across Powys are celebrating after the biggest and most successful ‘spring clean’ of the county.
Between 21 March and 6 April, a record breaking 671 volunteers took part in 55 clean-ups, collecting a staggering 622 bags of litter. It was a true team effort, with 128 organisations getting involved alongside individuals and community groups.
The litter picks were organised as part of Keep Wales Tidy’s Spring Clean Cymru campaign, which encouraged people all over Wales to clean up their local neighbourhoods and favourite beauty spots.
The 622 bags consisted largely of discarded plastic and glass bottles, cans, food wrappers, vapes, dog poo bags and general litter. While the more unusual finds included cuddly toys, an umbrella, a shopping trolley and a worryingly well-preserved crisp packet from 1992!
It is hoped that the success of Spring Clean Cymru will inspire other people to look after their local environment. With 12 Litter Picking Hubs in Powys providing equipment to borrow for free, it’s never been easier to get involved.
Powys County Council Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, Cllr Jackie Charlton, regularly volunteers with her local group, Llangattock Litter Pickers. Cllr Charlton said:
“As a keen litter picker myself, I’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm shown by communities across Powys during this year’s Spring Clean Cymru. I’d like to thank each and every volunteer who has taken part, as well as our incredible waste team and partners who have made the events possible.
“This year we doubled the number of litter picking events from 2024, with volunteers collectively dedicating over 830 hours to clean up our communities. I hope that we can maintain the momentum to ensure our county is kept clean, green and beautiful all year round. I’d like to encourage everyone to visit their nearest Litter Picking Hub, grab a litter picker and get involved!”
Jodie Griffiths, Keep Wales Tidy Project Officer, who supports litter picking across Powys, said:
“Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this year’s Spring Clean Cymru. While it is upsetting to see the disregard some people have for our beautiful area, it’s always amazing to see others giving up their time and working together to overcome this.
“We hope will inspire more people to get involved in litter picking throughout the year. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, and the Litter Picking Hubs make it easy to get hold of the right kit for free.”
If you’re feeling inspired, why not get involved and borrow some litter picking equipment from one of the Powys Litter Picking Hubs. To find your nearest Hub, visit: en.powys.gov.uk/article/8026/Volunteer-Litter-Picking
On 12 April a new exhibition celebrating contemporary Welsh art will open at the Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest. The CYFOES: Celf Cymru Heddiw · Contemporary Welsh Art exhibition will showcase a selection of new artworks, all created within the past decade, from the Art Collection at the National Library of Wales.
The exhibition will include oils, sculptures and mixed media works, and will include works by both young and established artists. The majority of works are by female artists.
The CYFOES exhibition will offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of contemporary art in Wales, dealing with modern influences and topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic and identity. It will also represent the changing face of art in Wales today as bold new ideas and fresh perspectives on Welsh culture are conveyed through the works on display.
Exhibition highlights include Dannedd Dodi by Anya Paintsil, HorseHead by Dr Adéọlá Dewis; Blodeuwedd by Natalia Dias and Moelni Maith by Lisa Eurgain Taylor.
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales said:
“The Library is home to over 60,000 works of art, and it is essential that we share as many as possible with the public. Our gallery at the Riverside Library enables us to share them with audiences beyond our site in Aberystwyth. The contemporary works in this exhibition are an opportunity for us to show how we continue to collect to ensure that the collection reflects contemporary Wales.”
Mari Elin Jones, Interpretation Officer at the National Library of Wales said:
“We are glad of this opportunity to share a special selection of works of art by some of Wales’ leading contemporary artists and extremely proud to be able to share so many works by female artists. The aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the richness of contemporary art in Wales and its continued vitality in interpreting the world today.”
Events will be held to coincide with the exhibition, details of which will be published on the National Library of Wales’ website over the coming weeks.
Showing alongside the CYFOES exhibition is the permanent exhibition Pembrokeshire: Past and Present, focusing on the history, culture and landscape of Pembrokeshire.
Both exhibitions will run until Saturday 11 October 2025.
£500 grants available to fund local initiatives around death, dying, and bereavement.
Compassionate Cymru is excited to announce the launch of a new grant fund aimed at fostering compassionate communities across Wales, supporting local initiatives focused on death, dying, and bereavement. The Compassionate Communities Grant Fund is offering grants of up to £500 to help bring people together during some of life’s most challenging times.
Compassionate Cymru, a movement committed to creating a considerate and caring nation, recognises the importance of a compassionate response when people face the challenges of death, dying, and bereavement. Compassionate Cymru believes that by developing compassionate communities, Wales can become a place where people support one another when they need it the most.
To help spark and support these local initiatives, Compassionate Cymru has launched a small grants fund and is inviting applications for grants up to £500. The fund is designed to encourage the development of compassionate activities whether this is in a workplace, care home or in the local community. Examples could be a small workplace wanting to start a group to support those whose lives have been affected by cancer, or an art project with people living in care homes who want to talk about end of life, or a tea and coffee morning to kick start a Death Cafe etc.
The grant programme, funded by Macmillan Cancer Support and administrated by Age Cymru, is flexible, allowing it to be used for one-off events or ongoing programmes. Activities can be held online or offline, depending on the needs of the local community.
Heather McLean, Director of Communities and Systems Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support said:
“Macmillan Cancer Support is privileged to support Compassionate Cymru and Age Cymru’s work to help ensure everyone receives the care and support they need at the end of their life and during bereavement in Wales.
“For people living with cancer, finding out that they are nearing the end of their life can be distressing. The right support can make the world of difference to people’s wellbeing.
“Local initiatives like the ones Compassionate Cymru is kickstarting will be a vital piece of the puzzle for helping ensure people in Wales have access to the right support for them, when they need it. And for anyone who needs support with a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan’s experts are just a phone call away to provide support, information or simply a listening ear.”
Further information and support on end-of-life care for patients and their loved ones can be found on the Macmillan website. The free Macmillan Support Line is open 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 from 8am-8pm.
Compassionate Cymru encourages communities across Wales to apply and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those navigating death, dying, and bereavement.
Long before short haul flights abroad were even thought of, we Brits liked to roll up our sleeves, turn up our trousers legs and even don our bathing suits as we holidayed at home. Numerous ‘hot spots’ around our coastline became ‘the places to see and be seen’ as our ancestors enjoyed the health benefits of the fresh air and the seaside location. In Wales, our long sandy beaches – often with a magnificent mountainous backdrop – became a magnet for those seeking rest and relaxation from everyday life in the towns and cities.
Feature image: Pier and Pavilion, Colwyn Bay, Wales, ca. 1890 – 1900 (Source)
A Picture of the Past
Before the nineteenth century, taking a holiday was a pastime only favoured by the wealthy upper classes. It was fashionable for young men – and some young women accompanied by a guardian or chaperone – to take off on a ‘Grand Tour’, visiting European cities to enjoy the sights and expand their knowledge of art, culture and traditions.
For those who preferred a change of scene on British soil, the Welsh equivalent of the English spa towns of Bath, Leamington and Harrogate could be found at Llandrindod Wells in Powys, attracting visitors to their pump rooms where cold water, mineral treatments and thermal baths were believed to improve wellbeing after illness. Trefriw in north Wales, with its close proximity to the coast, provided the prefect retreat for respite and recuperation and in 1874, when the current bath and pump house was built, Trefriw offered ‘hydrotherapy’ – bathing in, or drinking waters from a natural spring – to the public as a health restorative.
Sadly, the working classes were not quite so fortunate and were often only allowed one day off per week, which was intended for church going and time with their family. Before the introduction of the public Bank Holiday in 1871, workers could enjoy additional free time on religious occasions such as May Day, Easter or Christmas – the word ‘holiday’ deriving from the term holy day.
During the Industrial Revolution, the custom of holding a Wake, a religious festival held to commemorate the anniversary of a church or chapel, had been adapted into a regular summer break, especially for those working in the mill towns of northern England. Each area was appointed a particular Wakes Week in their annual calendar, during which all the cotton mills would close. Workers were given the time off, bunting went up, wells were dressed and flowers were gathered for decoration as fairs and celebrations were held in the towns.
But the growth of the railway network saw the working classes begin to use Wakes Week as an opportunity to travel affordably around Britain. With north Wales virtually on their doorstep, the Lancashire factory workers and those from the industrial cities of Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham naturally migrated to the developing Welsh seaside resorts.
Rhyl Promenade
Families would alight from steam trains, buses and charabancs to enjoy a day trip or even a week by the sea in Rhyl, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. Further down the coast, Barmouth, Pwllheli and Aberystwyth attracted holidaymakers eager for the freedom of the beachside location, a world away from their confined factory work and cramped conditions back home, whilst in the south, Tenby, with its cliff top walks and its Royal Victoria Pier, was popular with late nineteenth century travellers.
Depending on their finances, the working classes would stay in basic ‘digs’ or well regimented ‘bed and breakfast’ accommodation, presided over by landladies who instilled strict rules about the use of hot water and meal times, often expecting guests to vacate the premises each day by 9am and not return until 5pm.
A Window of Opportunity
Former Baptist preacher, Thomas Cook, believed that the lives of the working classes could be improved by guiding them away from alcohol through education. In 1841, he organised a special train to take a group of Leicester temperance supporters to a meeting in Loughborough. His venture proved an instant hit.
By 1845, after numerous other planned excursions, he arranged trip to Liverpool which included low cost rail tickets, a handbook detailing the journey – the forerunner of today’s holiday brochure – and a supplementary charge for travelling by special steamer to north Wales. His trips to Wales, with its castles and beautiful scenery, were extremely well attended and he soon began to expand his itineraries to include locations further afield, even advertising his tours at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Image: Thomas Cook (Source – CC BY-SA 3.0)
Making Memories…
For both the Victorians and later the Edwardians, certain requirements became synonymous with the perfect seaside holiday. A sandy beach with clean water to bathe in was paramount – inspiring the Blue Flag awards for cleanliness in later decades. One of the first bathing machines was introduced back in 1735 and the design gradually developed to enable maximum discretion whilst donning swimwear before entering the water.
Usually about six foot long and eight feet high, the Bathing Machine was like a sentry box on wheels which allowed bathers, especially women, to change from the restraints of their outer wear into a bathing suit in privacy. Some ‘machines’ were constructed with canvas walls whilst others were more robust wooden creations, either modestly decorated or emblazoned with brightly painted advertisements. All were wheeled into position by the water’s edge (either by man or horse power) allowing the bather to enter the surf via a set of steps whilst their clothes remained dry within a compartment inside. When their seaside experience was complete, the bather would return to the machine, dry off with the towels provided, change back into their street wear and alight from a door at the back of the contraption, their dignity intact!
Further diversions included a pier to promenade along, with the addition of a pavilion to showcase the latest entertainment, guaranteed to lure visitors for both matinee and evening performances. The ancient artistry of Punch and Judy puppetry amused the hoards of children who were mesmerised by the puppet characters, whilst donkey rides – introduced to the beaches of Britain in the 1890s – created the ultimate attraction for those with a love of animals. Llandudno remains the epitome of the nineteenth century elegant resort with its pastel coloured beachfront accommodation and its sweeping promenade. Richard Codman first set up his ‘Professor Codman’s Wooden Headed Follies’ show here in 1860; today, the Codman family Punch and Judy show continues to be as popular as it was over 150 years ago.
Tradition soon dictated that holidaymakers should take home a souvenir of their trip and manufacturers responded with a whole host of affordable seaside knick-knacks, shell-ware and ornaments decorated with mottos, or the gilded words ‘A present from…’ to provide a lasting reminder without breaking the bank. The 1870s saw the arrival of the postcard, enabling the traveller to write home and tell friends and family of their exploits whilst away. Initially, these cards were decorated with topographical scenes or historic landmarks, but later, cartoon style images appeared, embellished with saucy captions which appealed to the outgoing nature of the 1930s holiday maker. As a result, the souvenir industry became a staple trade in seaside resorts, providing seasonal jobs for many locals and becoming a vital part of the holiday culture for visitors.
The war years inevitably limited travel and amenities and seaside towns concentrated more on defences from the enemy rather than deckchairs and donkeys. By the late 1940s, a new era dawned with the Golden Age of the holiday camp. In 1947, Billy Butlin took back his Llyn Peninsula camp from the Admiralty and Butlin’s Pwllheli with its famous Redcoat staff opened to the public, specialising in affordable accommodation, food and entertainment for all the family.
The Butlins camp at Pwllheli in 1961 (Source – CC0)
But even when Travel Agents appeared on our high streets giving the promise of ‘guaranteed’ sunshine in foreign climes, we continued to treasure the nostalgic memories of the British seaside holidays of our youth. In the twenty-first century, with the latest financial difficulties, we have seen a resurgence of holidaying at home. Wales offers some of the best beaches in Britain, so after one of our worst winters, let’s hope for a glorious holiday season so we can get out there and recreate those summers by the sea!
Words: Karen Foy
First published in Welsh Country Magazine May – June 2014
The highly anticipated National Tourism Awards for Wales took place on the 27th of March at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. Hosted by Visit Wales, the event celebrated the best of the tourism industry throughout the country.
In November 2024, the railway was awarded the ‘Go Attraction of the Year’ award at the Regional Go North Wales Tourism Awards and as a result, qualified for these National Wales Awards.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ General Manager, Paul Lewin and Stephen Greig, the railway’s Visitor Experience Manager, attended the awards ceremony in March and were both delighted to pick up the prestigious prize.
Paul Lewin said:
“Receiving this award is a huge honour and is testament to the hard work of all our staff and volunteers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work.”
Stephen Greig said:
“This is a fantastic achievement, and we are very proud that we can display both our ‘Go Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Best Attraction’ awards at our stations for our visitors to see. Now, the challenge is to build on these achievements during the upcoming season, continuing to provide our passengers with an unforgettable experience; there’s no time for complacency.”
Having received the award, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have now turned their attention to the start of a new season. Their first passenger trains of the new season set off on Saturday, 29th of March and they will now hope for a busy 2025!
A firm favourite in the foodie calendar, the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival is back for 2025 with a whole host of tasty treats to tempt festival goers across the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (Sun 25 – Mon 26 May).
As always, there is guaranteed to be something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more.
Alongside the regular favourites that festival goers love to see, we’re being promised plenty of new and exciting additions for 2025, including Cwtch and Crumb with their mouthwatering brownies and blondies and a tantalising taste of Egypt courtesy of the Three Gizas and their fresh and flavoursome signature Koshari bowls.
The Old Hall Gardens will be buzzing with lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy and the ever-popular food demos will also be back to add extra entertainment; this year in the Town Hall on High Street and taking place on the hour from 11am-3pm each day.
A huge hit last year, the Vale Food Trail is once again set to launch at the festival, offering a whole programme of fun family activities hosted by Food Vale – the local food partnership for the Vale of Glamorgan – bringing even more to the bustling Old Hall Gardens site.
The beautiful Bear Hotel is also back on board, opening its doors to even more exhibitors in the hotel’s stunning St Quentin’s Suite; a mini-festival within the festival!
In a perfect fit, Hensol Castle Distillery return to sponsor the festival, adding a tonic with some of the distillery’s award-winning gins and spicing things up with the increasingly in demand Hensol Castle Spiced Rum available to try and buy.
As well as the Park and Ride bus service from Forage Farm, Cowbridge Comprehensive School will this year offer a Park and Walk for those happy to enjoy a lovely leisurely short stroll into town.
Speaking ahead of this year’s event, Festival Manager Tracy James-Lieberman said:
“We’re gearing up for another great one this year, again combining our old favourites that festival goers love to come and see with lots of new faces and added entertainment.
“As well as the main Arthur John site, with the Old Hall Gardens, food demos at the Town Hall and even more exhibitors at The Bear Hotel, we’re now across four sites which is fantastic and adding more and more each year.
“There’ll be such a variety of amazing produce available to sample, buy and just generally enjoy and so many other things going on to make it the perfect way to spend the Bank Holiday; we look forward to welcoming everyone!”
Event details:
Sunday 25th – Monday 26th May 2025
Sun: Arthur John site 9.30am – 6pm / Old Hall Gardens 9.30am-5pm
Mon: Both sites 9.30am – 5pm
Tickets:
Day pass – £5 Weekend pass – £8 Children under 11 are free.
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day at the festival’s Arthur John Car Park site.
Free park and ride from Forage Farm / Park and Walk from Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
One of Wales’ leading work-based learning providers is calling for better collaboration between schools, employers and training providers to inform young people and their parents about apprenticeships.
“A significant gap remains in the quality of joint marketing activities between schools, employers and training providers to effectively promote apprenticeships”.
“This gap is often attributed to a lack of awareness among careers officers in schools and a reluctance to present apprenticeships as a viable option for all pupils, regardless of academic attainment.”
She believes best practice for promoting apprenticeships involves directly engaging with employers to foster strategic and operational relationships while investing in the sector.
“Many employers in Wales have successfully embedded apprenticeships into their career pathways, making them a crucial component of their recruitment and retention strategies,” she added.
“As the leading provider of work-based apprenticeships in Hospitality and Food & Drink Manufacturing, Cambrian Training has built strong employer relationships, enabling a deep understanding of business needs and ensuring apprenticeship programmes align with their delivery models”.
“It’s vital that young people, their parents and teachers have access to all the available information of the different education options. We also need parity of esteem between the academic and vocational routes, so that our young people can take informed decisions that lead to successful life-long careers.”
Faith’s comments come as Wales tries to reduce the number of young people aged between 16 to 24 not in education, training or employment (NEET). The year ending September 2024 showed that the NEET rate was 10.7% and individuals aged 24 accounted for the highest rate at 18.8%.
Recent UK research commissioned by Grant Thornton UK LLP reported growing recognition of the benefits apprenticeship can offer school leavers. However, almost one in five (19%) of young people surveyed don’t believe they have received good careers advice about school leaver apprenticeships.
Most young people felt pressure from parents and teachers to go to university and only just over one in five (22%) are considering or currently doing a school leaver apprenticeship.
The Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee has launched The Routes into post-16 education and training inquiry, examining the quality of information given to learners about the full range of post-16 options in Wales.
The inquiry will also examine how effective careers support is at compulsory school age, changes in post-18routes, Welsh-medium provision, equity of access, Post-16 destination data and the Welsh Government’s role.
Cambrian Training Company is supporting careers initiatives aimed at schoolchildren and their parents to raise awareness, knowledge and interest in apprenticeships.
The company attends apprenticeship and careers fairs across Wales and sponsors the Culinary Association of Wales and the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC).
The WICC features competitions and skills classes to give young people a chance to try their hand and learn more about the industry and job opportunities.
Cambrian Training Company also collaborates with Menter a Busnes and Tasty Careers in Food & Drink schools programmes to promote careers in Welsh food and drink and hospitality
Feature image: Cambrian Training Company promoting apprenticeships at the Apprenticeship Fair held in the Senedd during National Apprenticeship Week.
1. POP Square Medium Kitchen Storage Container, 1.6L
I have always wanted someone to give me a treat and show me an easy way to organise my larder. I love being able to find things quickly, without having to move packets and jars in my search, plus I don’t like having half-used packets that don’t stay fresh and often fall over and if I am being honest and my larder really does look a mess. That is however rather strange as I always want everything looking neat and tidy, so perhaps I am a little OCD in that respect. So with slight OCD in mind, I cannot understand why I constantly ignore an untidy larder – that’s so weird! So I am chuffed that I have now discovered that OXO have created a range of POP containers, which is precisely what I need. The first one I tried was this POP Container which has a 1.6L capacity and it is the ideal size for a 1lb of coffee or 2lbs of brown sugar. This POP Container range is a space-efficient solution and perfect for keeping any dry foods fresh and your kitchens, or in my case my larder, organised.
With this container you can create an airtight seal simply by pushing the button on the top and then the airtight is engaged. Press the button again and it pops up for easy opening. The POP Container range has a great variety of shapes and sizes to give you more choices for storing everyday must-haves such as flour, sugar, coffee, cereal, oatmeal, grains, pasta and spices. The POP range is made with a BPA-free construction and these canisters take tidying to the next level! The difference this range has made in my larder is amazing, but I still need more. You can stand them on top of each other and they are still stable, so you just have to POP it, Fill it and then Stack it. I can’t believe that I love this range so much, it’s rather odd that I am getting obsessed with this range of POP Containers, but I most certainly am.
My family however have been rather sneaky as they don’t think these containers should be just for the kitchen or larder, they want them for their bedrooms, the home office and even in the garage. Of course they are right and anywhere you need more organisation these POP Containers are your perfect solution.
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OX want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better- guaranteed.
2. POP Square Tall Kitchen Storage Container, 2.1L
This was another size and shape in the POP Container range that I found useful as I continued my larder re-organisation and this one worked perfectly to store my spaghetti and linguine.
With airtight seals, one-handed opening and dozens of modular shapes and sizes, this new and improved POP Containers are just what you need for a pantry/larder makeover. Each POP Container features a clear, BPA-free body, rounded corners for easy pouring and a convenient fill line to avoid overfilling. Different sizes are designed to fit different pantry/larder staples like flour, pasta, and sugar and opening the container is so simple, just push the button. The button even pops up to serve as a handle for the lid!
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OXO want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better- guaranteed.
3. Good Grips Twist & Stack Storage Container, Set of 2, 900ml
The Good Grips Twist & Stack is a 900ml container and comes in a twin pack. This set is designed to simplify your food storage while delivering durability and convenience. The containers are leakproof, stain-resistant containers that are built to last. They resist warping and staining that you might get from everyday use, plus they are easy to clean. Whether you are preparing meals, storing leftovers, or packing snacks for on-the-go, the 900ml size is perfect for any task.
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OXO want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better- guaranteed.
4. Good Grips Twist & Stack Storage Container, Set of 2, 550ml
The Good Grips Twist & Stack Container is also available in a 550ml size and again comes as a 2-Pack. This set is designed to simplify your food storage whilst delivering durability and convenience. These leakproof and stain-resistant containers are built to last, so there is no need to worry about them warping or getting stained from everyday use. These containers will help when you are preparing meals, saving and storing leftovers, or packing snacks for on-the-go. You’ll find this set is so useful wherever you need storage and of course it is not just in the kitchen. Mine have gone into the garage, the bathroom and the office.
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OXO want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better- guaranteed.
5. Good Grips Twist & Stack Storage Container, Set of 2, 350ml
This is another Good Grips Twist & Stack 350ml container and comes as a handy 2 pack. These have been designed to simplify your food storage while delivering durability and convenience. These containers are built to last and are leakproof, stain-resistant, resisting warping and staining from everyday use. Whether you’re preparing meals, storing leftovers, or packing snacks for on-the-go this 350ml size will make any task much easier.
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OXO want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better-
Size: 350ml
Price: £15.20 normal price £19.00
Visit: johnlewis.com
Taken from the OXO website:
About Us
We Believe in a Better Way
At OXO, we look at everyday objects and activities and we see ways to make things simpler, easier, more thoughtfully designed–better.
We notice things. We notice pain points and pains-in-the-neck. We notice problems people don’t realize are problems until we solve them. We see opportunities to improve a product or a process, or a part of everyday life, and we make things that make things better.
Our products make everyday life easier, in every room of your home. From cooking and baking to brewing and entertaining to cleaning and organizing, to everyday adventures with little ones. We design tools that fit comfortably in your hand and in your life.
Everything we make is built to last—our products are engineered for functionality and durability—it’s why we guarantee them for life.
Sam saw an opportunity to create more thoughtful cooking tools that would benefit all users and promised Betsey that he would create a better peeler.
The OXO Better Guarantee
For 30 years, we’ve made tools that delight and exceed expectations. Our curiosity drives us. Your satisfaction inspires us. And we hope our attention to detail is why you’ll reach for our products again and again. If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, we want to hear about it. We’ll replace it or refund you, because we’re here to make it better–guaranteed.
Our History
OXO was born of love. Our founder Sam Farber designed the first OXO peeler for a pair of hands he loved more than his own. Sam and his wife Betsey were cooking together when Betsey’s mild arthritis made using old-fashioned metal peeler a struggle. They knew there had to be a better way.
They created the now-iconic OXO handle—with its distinctive ergonomic form and signature non-slip grip—and paired it with a sharp stainless steel blade. OXO was born, and the brand changed the way we prepare food—and think of household tools— forever.
Design and Engineering
We frame our product development process through the lens of Universal Design and engineer items that pair innovation with purpose. We’re always on the lookout for ways to make everyday tools and tasks easier—even enjoyable. Our boundless curiosity and restless search for better inform everything we do; if we can’t make something better, we don’t make it.
Making everyday better, every day.
We Give Back
After 30 years of making every day better around the home, it’s time to do better for the planet. OXO is joining the 1% for the Planet community, donating 1% of our annual sales to environmental non-profits that address the most pressing issues of our 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.
It’s 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 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 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.
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.
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, located in Three Cocks, is proud to announce the grand opening of its brand-new Entrance and Plant Area on Saturday 12th April, coinciding with the centre’s 35th anniversary.
The special event promises to be a memorable day, combining the unveiling of the exciting new development with a celebration of 35 successful years serving the local community.
Mark Cleary, Garden Centre Founder at The Old Railway Line, commented:
“We’re incredibly proud of the growth and success of the garden centre over the last 35 years. This new development marks an exciting new chapter for us, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating it with our customers and local community. We look forward to welcoming everyone for what promises to be a fantastic day.”
Event Highlights Include:
9:30am – Doors Open and Ribbon Cutting: The official opening of the new Entrance and Plant Area will be marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by renowned TV gardener David Domoney.
Goodie Bags for Early Visitors: The first 100 customers through the door will receive a complimentary goodie bag (one per household), packed with seasonal treats and gardening favourites.
Free Plant Giveaway for Little Oaks Club Members: All children visiting as part of the Little Oaks Children’s Club will receive a free plant on the day. New members can sign up in-store to take part.
Gardening Talk with David Domoney: Following the opening, David Domoney will deliver an engaging talk, sharing his knowledge and insights on gardening techniques and seasonal tips.
Afternoon Cake Cutting and Live Music: The celebrations will continue into the afternoon with live music and a ceremonial cake cutting to mark the garden centre’s 35th anniversary.
Fellow Founder, Christina Cleary, added:
“From planting customers’ hanging baskets by hand in the early days to expanding into the award-winning centre we are today, it’s been an amazing journey. We’re proud of our roots and excited to celebrate this new chapter with everyone who’s been part of our story.”
All are welcome to attend the event. Whether you’re a long-standing customer or visiting for the first time, the day offers something for everyone. A day full of gardening inspiration to family-friendly fun.
For more information, please contact The Old Railway Line Garden Centre on 01497 847055 or visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk
I recently tried & tested the packing cubes from Mia Tui and was most impressed with how easy and practical they were, so of course I welcomed the chance to give their Oxford Folding Backpack a work-out. Well I was so pleased I did because the Oxford backpack is a good size, it’s strong but a very lightweight backpack. It’s also really cute as you can fold it into the small zipped pocket on the front of the backpack when not in use. Now I thought that was such a clever idea because when this backpack is folded down it can be put into a handbag, a pocket, a suitcase, or a bag, ready for when it is needed. As a holiday bag, beach bag, swimming bag, gym bag, student bag, you’ll find endless uses for it and it certainly takes some of the stress out when you are travelling to use as a useful extra as it will also fit into your hand luggage.
This bag was really roomy, so lots of room to pack those essentials, the straps, which are extendable, were comfortable on the shoulders too, which is obviously important, you don’t want narrow straps cutting into your shoulders. It also had a carry handle which was another useful element on this backpack, it was easy to unzip and I appreciated the bottle carrier. I found this bag really useful and versatile with its zip fastening, two outside pockets and it is made in a lovely showerproof and sturdy fabric. Being water resistant it is also machine washable, but do machine wash on a cold cycle and without fabric conditioner.
This is such a multipurpose, quality bag and great value for money. Mind you as I am now a huge fan of the Mia Tui company, I am not surprised at all that this backpack was a winner for me and with so many colours and designs to choose from, I was spoilt for choice. You’ll certainly find plenty of uses for this backpack and sure your family will too!
Sizes: Folded bag: H17cm, W20cm & D4cm | Unfolded bag: H38cm, W28cm & D14cm
Weight: 250g
Colours: black, flamingo, French navy, leopard, navy spot, pink & navy animal, pink daisy, purple multi spot, purple palm and wildflower.
Price: £20.00 | Visit: miatui.com
[Cardiff, 4 April 2025] – The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Cymru Master Builder Awards. From elegant extensions and cutting-edge sustainable builds to complex public sector restorations, this year’s winners showcase the incredible range, quality, and craftsmanship of Wales’ best building professionals.
The 2025 awards, sponsored by Development Bank of Wales, were judged by Tim Phillips, a veteran Quantity Surveyor and columnist for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, and Joanne Ridout, WalesOnline’s Property Editor and one of Wales’ most passionate voices in home design and restoration. Together, their combined expertise in construction, cost management, and property storytelling brought both rigour and heart to this year’s judging process.
Each award celebrates builders who have gone above and beyond, transforming homes, businesses and public spaces through dedication, innovation, and skill. The awards highlight not just exceptional finished projects, but also the stories behind the builds – the challenges overcome, the relationships nurtured, and the communities impacted.
Excel Home Design Ltd delivered a thoughtful and transformative second-storey extension in Flemingston. The project included a new master suite, spacious bathroom, bespoke staircase, and the creation of a sunlit book nook, providing functional yet beautiful living spaces for a growing family. The client’s vision was expertly brought to life by Russell Everett and his team, who showed meticulous attention to every architectural and aesthetic detail.
Overcoming a steep driveway and the lack of crane access, the team creatively navigated logistical obstacles using scaffolding and strategic planning. Built within budget and completed on time, the home now features upgraded bedrooms, modernised bathrooms, and enhanced exterior finishes that elevate the entire property.
Client Testimonial:“We first heard of Excel builders from neighbours for whom Excel completed a beautiful new bathroom and extension to an exceptionally high standard. This was achieved to an amazing standard. The upstairs bathroom has to be seen to be believed… The sunlit book-nook created under the Velux window on the stairs is a favourite haunt for the kids. Throughout, Russell and his team were polite, courteous and considerate. Everything was completed to a very high standard, with nothing less than the best being acceptable.” – Steve Petley
Tim Phillips:“This loft conversion is simply stunning… 30% increase in floor space, sunlit reading area, enviable master bathroom… exceptional carpentry/joinery… beautiful aesthetics earned this a ‘favourite’ from me.”
Atlantic Dwellings Limited transformed a compact Penarth home into a light-filled, industrial-meets-modern family haven. The project included demolition and a new kitchen/diner/living area, along with a mezzanine home office. Despite the challenges of a narrow access route and structural instability in the original rear annex, the team delivered a truly unique renovation that felt both expansive and intimate.
A standout feature is the large triangular roof light with expressed structural rafters that filter sunlight in dynamic ways. From polished concrete floors to a bespoke timber feature wall and repurposed skateboard lighting, the space is playful, functional and architecturally daring.
Client Testimonial:“What a great team, the guys were brilliant and incredibly hard working. One thing that makes them stand out from the others is their consistency and timekeeping. It was helpful as Paul was very flexible around my work commitments which helped greatly for the regular project meetings.” – Damien & Hannah Hatton
Joanne Ridout:“Absolutely stunning… mezzanine is a wonderful way to create usable space… visually pleasing and practical.”
Tim Phillips: “Design objective absolutely achieved… special features like triangular windows, exposed rafters, planted wall… Lego used to mock up the roof — brilliant!”
In what can only be described as a futuristic dream home, Project One Design & Management reimagined a bungalow into a tech-forward luxury residence on Caerphilly Mountain. Powered by Control4, the home features voice-activated systems inside and out, 92 integrated speakers, four cinema zones, and custom Xylo joinery. The project also includes a bespoke spa, intelligent lighting, and high-end fixtures sourced from Armani, Missomni, and Gaggenau.
To achieve this vision, the team demolished half the house and erected a steel frame, navigated extensive cabling across two acres, and built multiple plant rooms. From the floating kitchen island to the scalloped slate cladding and concealed sound systems, the build is a masterclass in complexity and creativity.
Client Testimonial:“Watching Skyfall leave paper and become reality has been the high point of my life.”
Joanne Ridout: “A transformation that is breath-taking… a visual feast… conceived and constructed to the highest level.”
Tim Phillips:“Mind-boggling Bond-style transformation… tech features like 92 garden speakers… kitchen with Molteni island and Gaggenau suite… one of my top 3.”
In Cardiff, Project One delivered an exquisite kitchen extension blending high-end function and artistic form. Custom-made cabinets crafted from Italian Xylo boards, Gaggenau appliances, and a brass Rimex-coated island elevate the culinary space. Bespoke lighting from Lee Broom and a cleverly disguised slatted wall concealing the utility room reveal the team’s flair for thoughtful design.
Every detail was executed to the highest standard, including a single-piece roof light installed without crane access and a fully integrated Sonos sound system. The plaster mouldings and floor tiles were custom-designed, with every visual line carefully considered.
Client Testimonial: “WOW! That’s all we can say! We didn’t think we’d find this level of work and design in Cardiff… Seeing our kitchen on the Lee Broom website and social media was huge bragging rights!” – Hugh Jewsbury
Joanne Ridout: “Utterly breathtaking… elegant and visually seamless… slatted wall links spaces… the difference from before to after is remarkable.”
Tim Phillips:“Client felt like celebrities… appliances built to spec… bespoke storage and mirrored base island… would be a thoroughly deserving winner.”
Talbot Green Construction & Landscaping transformed a former bedroom in a Victorian property into a hotel-inspired en suite bathroom, complete with a sauna, walk-in shower, and freestanding marble bath. Balancing modern luxury with historical sensitivity, the team reinstated period panelling and cornices alongside contemporary marble finishes.
Structural challenges such as removing load-bearing walls and levelling uneven floors were expertly handled. An MF grid ceiling allowed for clean service routing, creating a sleek finish.
Client Testimonial:“Working with Talbot Green Construction couldn’t have been easier from start to finish. The wealth of experience they brought to the project proved invaluable… Their attention to detail was second to none and we could not be happier with the end result.” – R. Morgan
Joanne Ridout: “Simply stunning and so elegant… a transformation that will still look stunning in 100 years… solutions required to change space were impressive.”
Tim Phillips:“Execution and delivery… what a job they did… images could be taken from a five-star hotel suite… a favourite shortlist and worthy of this award.”
Commercial/Public Sector Project Winner: R & M Williams – Palace Theatre, Swansea
R & M Williams undertook the monumental task of restoring Swansea’s derelict Grade II-listed Palace Theatre, transforming it into a collaborative tech and events hub. Once a crumbling shell, the building now features six floors of restored history, flexible workspaces, and retained theatre character – including salvaged stage equipment, bricks, and ornamental ironwork.
Navigating a pandemic, unstable structures, and hundreds of design unknowns, the team worked hand-in-hand with Swansea Council and Cadw to preserve and reinvent the landmark.
Client Testimonial:“This project concluded as a far more challenging endeavour than anyone had ever imagined… RMW acknowledged project challenges and brought on-board the right team-members. They were approachable, understood the issues and wanted to work with us and the Design Team to find the right solutions for successful delivery.” – Tracy Nichols, Swansea Council
Joanne Ridout: “On the brink of being lost forever… now a massive success… a leading light to other owners.”
Tim Phillips:“Grade II theatre in dangerous disrepair… now state-of-the-art flexible space… this nomination justifies its place in my favourites.”
Sustainable Building Award Winner: MJ Construction – Cardiff
MJ Construction delivered a showstopping sustainable build by extending and updating a period farmhouse into a future-ready eco-home. The project incorporated air-source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, a private water borehole, and a subterranean kitchen extension with a living roof. The house is entirely off-grid for water and garden power, a rare feat in residential construction.
Despite the challenges of a remote, weather-exposed site, MJ Construction maintained efficient delivery and constant client engagement. The outdoor space includes a landscaped garden, infinity pool, and fire pit – making the entire home a showcase of comfort, engineering, and environmental responsibility.
Client Testimonial: “With Mike’s dedication and guidance this development was organic, with minimal stress and inconvenience… the whole experience was enjoyable and our opinions felt heard and we were supported as his clients.”
Joanne Ridout: “Ticks so many sustainable and future-proof boxes… reusing materials, local sourcing, salvaging… only small electricity needs — commendable.”
Tim Phillips:“Dream became a fantastic reality… engineering and mechanical detailing exceptional… phenomenally well-designed and executed.”
Apprentice of the Year: Callum Jones, MJ Construction
Callum Jones is a shining example of resilience and potential realised. Joining MJ Construction at 16 as a labourer, Callum has grown into a talented carpenter through sheer determination, hard work, and mentorship. Now studying towards Level 3, Callum dedicates weekends to perfecting his skills and actively supports his team on high-end projects.
Overcoming a difficult upbringing and personal loss, Callum is admired by colleagues and clients alike. His story is a testament to the power of opportunity, mentorship and perseverance.
Employer Testimonial:“Everyone likes having him as part of our team… He is talented, driven and deserves to succeed in life! He’s earned it through grit, determination, self-drive and self-belief.” – Michael Lewis, MJ Construction
Davies Contractors Ltd stood out for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and team development. With 140 staff and a digital-first approach, the company boosted project efficiency by 25% through the Joblogic platform. Their Green Building Initiative aims to cut carbon emissions by 30% by 2025, while their Davies Development Program invests in skills and leadership for all employees.
Amid economic uncertainty and supply chain challenges, Davies Contractors diversified their sourcing and supported the regional economy through local partnerships. Their resilience, ethical leadership, and client-first mentality make them an exemplary force in the Welsh construction sector.
Russell Everett and the entire team at Excel Home Design have been honoured as Outstanding Builder of the Year. From their visionary designs to flawless delivery, the team is known for exceptional attention to detail and relentless client care. Their most recent project – a barn conversion with vaulted ceilings, bi-fold doors and a hidden utility suite – is a masterclass in elegant, functional design.
Excel’s values go beyond the build site. The company mentors apprentices, supports local youth teams, and maintains strong ties with the community.
Client Testimonial: “Russell and his team have taken full ownership and responsibility for the entire project since day one… Russell’s commitment to training and mentoring of the next generation is evident… Excel represent the very best of the construction industry.” – Anonymous Client
Buglife and Wrexham University School of Art have launched an innovative collaboration, “Ecology Meets Art Practice”, bridging science and art to raise awareness about the critically endangered Scarce Yellow Sally stonefly (Isogenus nubecula).
The partnership, led by Sarah Hawkes, Buglife’s Natur am Byth Scarce Yellow Sally Conservation Officer, and Ali Roscoe, Senior Lecturer in Fine Art and Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Fine Art and MA Painting at Wrexham University, engages BA Fine Art and MA Art and Design students in exploring the unique lifecycle of this rare insect—found in the UK only in Wrexham County’s River Dee.
Students are developing creative works examining fascinating questions about invertebrate life, such as the transition from aquatic to terrestrial existence. Their projects will culminate in a public exhibition in early 2027, bringing invertebrate conservation to new audiences through artistic interpretation.
“The students are already generating inspiring ideas that look at biodiversity through a different lens,” shares Sarah. “We’re excited to see how this multi-disciplinary approach can highlight the importance of these often-overlooked creatures.”
A field expedition to the River Dee is planned for late April or May, giving students the opportunity to observe adult Scarce Yellow Sally stoneflies during their brief emergence period. The partnership is one of a number of activities taking place across Wales as a part of Natur am Byth; Wales’ flagship conservation programme.
Made up of a partnership of nine environmental charities and Natural Resources Wales the programme will take action for endangered species, build connections with Welsh communities and their natural heritage whilst furthering commitment to protecting Wales’ biodiversity through innovative public engagement.
60% of Xennials fear gardening is at risk of becoming a dying art. And almost half (43%) claim to not have the time to garden and a further 45% say they haven’t got the knowledge and lack the confidence to be gardeners.
That doesn’t mean they don’t want a garden. According to research commissioned by GreenThumb, the UK’s leading lawn care provider, the vast majority, 96% of homeowners under 48 years old, say having a garden or outdoor space is their top priority and almost half (40%) would pay more rent or mortgage to ensure that they have one.
So why, if they don’t garden is it so important? The majority (75%) want their own outdoor space in order to relax, but more than half say the main reason for having one is to improve their mental health with a further 46% saying it provides somewhere to escape.
And these motivations mean a significant proportion of 42–48-year-olds would give up social media (30%), sacrifice holidays (27%), give up going out altogether (27%) or never have a lie in again (25%) – all to ensure they get their green space.
GreenThumb’s research also shows the main goal for one fifth of Xennials, those under 48, in the UK (20%) is to simply know how to take care of their lawn.
So, GreenThumb, who service over 35 million square metres of lawn across the UK, are reasserting their commitment to sharing their knowledge by partnering with Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club.
Having previously funded Series 1, GreenThumb’s Head of Marketing Saul Peake said;
“We saw the need for more voices, different perspectives and honest, straightforward advice to drive home that gardening is for all. And our new research has only served to reinforce that commitment; from offering our own free lawn care consultations to alignment with the intentions of Series 2.”
Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club Series 2 will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player this March, and will run for 16 episodes covering all kinds of gardens, gardeners and homes.
Sam Bendel, Series Producer for Penny Lane Entertainment, shared:
“With Alan as our anchor, our diverse range of experts – from well-known faces to plantfluencers – reflects the full spectrum of today’s horticultural world, from ecology and biodiversity to community gardens, houseplants, grow-your-own and garden design. All sharing tips and tricks to help everyone get their hands dirty with confidence.”
Again, this mirrors GreenThumb’s research which showed how Xennials want to expand their garden knowledge. Four in ten (40%) say that they want to grow their own flowers and plants, and more than a third (34%) say that they want to grow their own herbs and food.
Wales has so much to offer photographers – epic landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, beaches and wildlife, as well as human interest – historic buildings, architecture and cultural heritage. I love living here and consider myself incredibly lucky to do so. Over time, my passion for photography has become my profession and last year I was afforded the opportunity to collect some highlights of my portfolio in print.
The book is called “Wales In Photographs” and includes 126 images covering a whole year of my photographic journey – from snowy, mountainous vistas among the peaks of Snowdonia to pastel pink summer sunsets along the Gower coast and everything between.
Below is a collection of my favourite images from my book, which is now available online and in bookstores nationwide. Personally signed copies are available via my website: www.mathewbrowne.co.uk
Feature image: This spectacular sunset over Lake Vyrnwy was an obvious choice for the cover image – the best sunset I’ve ever seen.
Photo Gallery
Spring bluebells at Margam
One of the famous puffins of Skomer Island
A summer sunset at Three Cliffs Bay
Fairy Glen is a magical gorge in North Wales, but treacherous to reach!
The full moon rises above Church Rock off the Pembrokeshire coast.
Afon Lloer tumbles down towards Llyn Ogwen as Tryfan looms large in the distance
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What is it About the Montgomery Canal? It Disappeared, Only to Reappear Later – Much Later
Canals have been a vital part of this country’s development from the eighteenth century – at the very dawn of the industrial revolution – and are still the threads that knit together communities throughout the land. Much of the industry that once thrived on the banks of the cut have long since disappeared or the canal itself is just a distant memory, but there are exceptions, take the Peate family from Maesbury Hall, Maesbury, situated just outside Oswestry on the, now restored section of the Montgomery Canal which forms part of the Shropshire Union Canal system. Yes, they have watched it thrive, decline, finally close and be nearly forgotten but then, almost miraculously, over half a century later, seen it rise from the mud and become navigable once more.
Feature image: Maesbury Hall mill around 1920.
The story of the Peate family at Maesbury Mill starts way back in 1846, when a corn mill replaced a malt kiln, and the milling business, A&A Peate was incorporated with an arm from the canal being built so that boats could be unloaded directly into warehouses, ready for grinding then reloaded for shipped throughout the area. The canal at this time saw steady trade, mainly of agricultural products such as lime, animal feeds, cheese, stone as well as the ubiquitous shipment of coal. Francis Peate, who still lives at Maesbury Hall takes up the story,
“The milling business steadily grew throughout the latter part of the 19th and early 20th century, with corn initially coming from a radius of about 40 miles, but later from Canada, via Liverpool and Ellesmere Port and shipped to Maesbury for processing then the finished product delivered all over the region. The narrowboat fleet was initially owned and run by the Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Company until 1921 when they ceased trading, and we bought 11 boats from them. These boats were family boats with husband, wife and children all living aboard. Of course, railway companies had owned the Shropshire canals for ages and with, what they called, the Grouping of the railways in the 1920s everything changed dramatically”.
Fiona & Francis Peate at Maesbury Hall Wharf 2025
Partly resulting from the lack of funding during the First World War, the government decided that the railways should be reorganised and go from, in the region of 120 companies, to just four – known as the Big Four. These large companies inherited just about all the UK canal system but had little interest in developing – or even maintaining – the waterways as they had the massive task of getting to grips with a sprawling railway network. London Midland & Scotland Railways (LMS) took over the Shropshire Union and found it expensive to run and not very profitable.
Francis continued,
“Staffing levels and maintenance went downhill on the canal, and it was causing problems for our fleet, the locks were in poor condition and the channel was silted up so, towards the end of the 1920s, a decision had to be made to somehow change the shipping and distribution arrangements. LMS offered to lay a rail line to the mill, but my grandfather refused, choosing instead to buy a lorry. The powers that be at LMS were furious and said that the new lorry was too heavy to travel over Gas Works bridge, a bridge over the railway in nearby Oswestry, so they had to take quite a long detour. Sadly, in 1932, most of the boats were sold to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company so our involvement with the canal ended and, just a few years later, in 1936 there was a breach in the canal, which was not repaired so in 1944, the canal was formally abandoned”.
The Maesbury Hall mill arm today
So that was the end of the A&A Peate fleet [1]– but by chance – not the end of their association with canals as one of the boats, Cressy, built during the First World War, was sold in 1929 to Kyrle Willans, an uncle by marriage of L.T.C (Tom) Rolt, legend of the canal restoration movement. Kyrle had it converted to steam power at Beech’s Dock, at Frankton Locks on the Monty for a doomed project. It was then sold to someone in Leicestershire but in 1936 it was purchased by none other than Rolt. He had it converted at Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury on the Oxford canal, to his specified ‘design for living’ as a liveaboard. He then travelled some 400 miles around the network and wrote the classic book, Narrow Boat, which was first published in 1944 – and is still in print.
“It’s amazing that one of the narrowboat fleet gained such notoriety later on but what I found more unlikely was the return of the canal. It was a wonderful surprise when, in the 1990s they told us they were restoring the canal to just past Maesbury Marsh at Gronwen Wharf, and once again there were boats moored on the cut”. Said Francis, “Certainly, as a child, I never imagined that the canal would come back to life – but that’s the strange thing about canals – people have such an affinity with, and love for waterways that against all the odds, waterways survive – and thrive”.
Sadly, Maesbury mill stopped milling after a fire in 1972, and other buildings burnt to the ground in 2002 but, rather like the canal, the refurbished wharf has attracted lots of small businesses, some canal related and is now a busy hub.
Maesbury Hall Mill on fire in 2002
The restoration of the Montgomery canal is now far past Maesbury Hall Mill and has reached Crickheath, where the Tramway Wharf was rewatered in late 2024 and the restoration team of the Shropshire Union Canal Society, which have now restored a long stretch of the cut, are working hard to get to, School House bridge and then to close the Shropshire Gap forever as they reach the Welsh Border at Llanymynech.
Another great example of a canal reappearing – against all the odds.
Carmarthen School of Art at Coleg Sir Gâr is showcasing the work of BA fashion design and textiles students in collaboration with the National Wool Museum, on Saturday, May 3.
With a mix of intricate textile designs and cutting-edge fashion pieces, the exhibition celebrates innovation, craftsmanship, and the power of design.
The exhibition is a great opportunity to gain an insight into the creative process, technical skills and design concepts that bring the creative works to life.
Live demonstrations will be given by students during the day, allowing an opportunity for the public to engage in hands-on workshops and learn more about studying at Carmarthen School of Art.
Interactive activities for all ages include:
Hand embroidery for adults using traditional embroidery techniques to create decorative stitches on fabric.
Hand weaving on a table-top loom – hand weaving on a compact loom, discovering how intricate patterns are created.
Tote bag decoration with stencils – customising a tote bag using stencil designs and fabric paints.
Pompom Making – a fun and simple craft for all ages, creating colourful pom-poms to take home or use in textile projects.
Children’s hand sewing activity – a hands-on introduction to sewing for little ones using pre-cut leather shapes with punched holes, large plastic needles, and colourful thread or wool for keyrings and keepsakes.
Hand weaving on small wooden frames – Experiment with weaving on a smaller scale, perfect for beginners wanting to explore the art of textiles.
Fashion illustration book – Using a collection of fashion illustrations created by students, illustrate your own fashion designs.
Live demonstrations – fabric manipulation, sewing and construction.
Weave and Wear is a free event open to the general public taking place at National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre from 10am to 3pm.
Angharad Griffiths, BA fashion design programme director at Carmarthen School of Art said:
“I am delighted to see our second-year fashion and textiles students come together for this exciting collaborative event at the National Wool Museum.
“This exhibition and interactive live event will celebrate their creativity, craftsmanship, and dedication, providing a unique platform to engage with the community while showcasing their skills.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight the innovation within our degree courses and inspire visitors of all ages and I have no doubt that their work will leave a lasting impression, demonstrating the talent and passion that define our students.”
I am really impressed with OXO the company as they are experts in designing crafted kitchen tools and creating storage solutions that not only work well, but stand the test of time. Their company mission is to look at everyday objects and activities and find ways to make things simpler, easier and without a doubt in my view, thoughtfully designed. That is easily proved with their Good Grips Produce Saver, the Herb Keeper which is designed to keep herbs such as parsley, cilantro and thyme, fresh for longer, of course this appeals to me as dislike having to waste food and throw herbs away because they haven’t lasted. Using the Herb Keeper is far better for my pocket and I do like using fresh, rather than dried herbs. I also found that the Herb Keeper worked well for asparagus and spring onions as well.
The Herb Keeper basket’s ventilation pattern allows ample air flow which is why your herbs will stay fresher for longer. The removable basket is designed to hook and hang so you have easy access to your herbs. There is a secure, hinged lid that opens for quick and easy access during food prep, whilst the integrated water fill line ensures optimal hydration but without overwatering. Whoever designed this Herb Keeper has even thought to create it so it is slim enough to be a fridge-friendly and to store neatly on your fridge shelves or inside the fridge door. It is also suitable for your dishwasher.
This is the perfect solution for preserving fresh ingredients with very little effort from me – so no wonder I think this is a great idea!
All OXO products have their Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OXO want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund, because their ethos is to make things better G- guaranteed.
Size: 11.3 cm x 16.1 cm/4.5in x 6.1in x 9.0in
Price: £15.00
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Good Grips Produce Saver Medium Bin
This Produce Saver Medium Bin from OXO’s Good Grips range has been designed to keep long vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers and celery, fresh and organised. It is the ultimate storage solution. With a removable inner basket that promotes air circulation for longer freshness and also doubles as a colander for easy rinsing, while the adjustable divider helps reduce food waste by keeping produce visible. With a pivoting lid for easy access, a comfortable handle for moving it, plus it’s stackable, so that really does make life much easier and if it stops me ignoring food and therefore wasting it – I am happy. This Medium Bin is also dishwasher-safe so you have the ultimate fridge storage solution.
If you are looking for engagement, wedding, or new home gifts then checking out the OXO Good Grips range will be a huge help!
All OXO products have the Better Guarantee, so if you’re not happy with your purchase OX want to know about it and offer a replacement or a refund because they are here to make it better- guaranteed.
Size: 35.1cm x 18.9cm x 11.8cm/13.8in x 7.4in x4.7in
Price: £25.00
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Siân Gwenllian MS Calls for Welsh Government Action on Inheritance Tax Threat to Family Farms
Siân Gwenllian MS has urged the Welsh Government to take decisive action in assessing the potential impact of inheritance tax changes on family farms and rural communities. Speaking in the Senedd this week, she raised concerns about the far-reaching consequences that any alteration to inheritance tax could have on Wales’ agricultural sector, food production, and the future of the Welsh language.
“We’ve heard a number of times in this Chamber about the damaging impact that changes to inheritance tax could have on family farms and rural communities. And, whilst I understand that this is a decision taken by another Government – and there’s been no change announced today, by the way – isn’t there a responsibility on you not only to convey the arguments, but also to assess the possible impact on Wales – for example, to assess the impact of the change on the ability of Wales to produce food into the future and how that aligns with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015; for example, to assess the impact of the change on the use of the Welsh language and how the threat to the family farm aligns with the ‘Cymraeg 2050’ strategy?
“Having assessed and uncovered the impact, your Government could create a better argument over the need to either reverse the change or for taking steps to mitigate its impact.”
Siân Gwenllian has consistently championed the interests of rural communities and the agricultural sector, highlighting the integral role family farms play in preserving the Welsh language, sustaining local economies, and contributing to national food security.
She has now called on the Welsh Government to undertake a thorough assessment of these risks and develop a robust case to protect family farms from any detrimental changes.
By ensuring that these concerns are formally evaluated, the Government will be in a stronger position to challenge policy changes that could undermine Wales’ rural communities and cultural heritage.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has added the Ancient Cattle of Wales to the RBST Watchlist. The breed is now included in the Watchlist’s Priority category, marking it as one of UK’s cattle breeds requiring the most urgent support for continued survival. This Priority categorisation reflects the breed’s current very small population size, narrow geographic concentration, and concerns at the recent decline in new births registered.
The full new RBST Watchlist, showing the latest position for each of the UK’s native livestock and equine breeds, will be published in April 2025. The current Watchlist (published in April 2024) can be found at www.rbst.org.uk/rbst-watchlist. Recognition on the RBST Watchlist will bring new support for conservation and promotion of the Ancient Cattle of Wales.
The breed, which comes in six colour variations is believed to possess unique inherited traits. Evidence reports the presence of coloured cattle in Wales dating back to the time of Hywel Dda in the 10th Century, where the existence of native Welsh cattle of varying colours is recorded. Over time, particular colours tended to be more popular in certain areas. However, numbers declined until the Ancient Cattle of Wales were kept and bred only in a few remote hill farms in Wales, appreciated for their hardiness and suitability for the terrain and inclement weather.
During the late 1970s, a small number of dedicated farmers identified the remaining coloured cattle in the uplands of Wales, and since its formation in 1981 the Ancient Cattle of Wales Society (Gwartheg Hynafol Cymru) has detailed the breed standard, created a herd book for pedigree cattle, and worked on increasing the breed’s population. This recognition on the RBST Watchlist will enable the application of RBST’s expertise, resources and network to support the Ancient Cattle of Wales for a thriving future.
Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price said:
“The Ancient Cattle of Wales is a valuable breed for today’s farming needs, as well as for its irreplaceable heritage value. The breed is excellent for conservation grazing that supports the environment and biodiversity, and it is a good economical beef breed in hill and upland situations. However there has been a really concerning decline in new birth registrations over the last few years, as well as several well-established herds being disbanded following retirement of their owners. The breed is in a grave situation right now, but RBST is looking forward to working with the Ancient Cattle of Wales Society to secure a more stable situation. Ultimately, we want to see the breed thriving again: these hardy cattle can make a key contribution in the UK’s future farming, where food production goes hand in hand with the environment.”
Ancient Cattle of Wales are hardy, medium-sized cattle with large ears and soft, thick hair. The breed’s six colour varieties include white with black or red points, belted, red, blue, smokey/mouse, and ‘line back’ (any colour with a white line along its back, tail and underside). Originally a dual-purpose animal, today the breed is an excellent beef animal, producing a high-quality carcass with tender, well-flavoured meat and doing well on less-favoured grassland.
The breed has been recognised on the RBST Watchlist following a formal application by the Ancient Cattle of Wales Society (Gwartheg Hynafol Cymru), and assessment by RBST against the criteria required for recognition as a native breed.
Mike Lewis, Chairman of the Ancient Cattle of Wales Society (Gwartheg Hynafol Cymru) said:
“We are delighted to have been accepted as part of the RBST family. With registered cattle numbers in the low hundreds, I and the wider ACW Society look forward to working with RBST to continue to promote and protect this very special Welsh breed. To be where we are now with this unique historic Welsh breed has only been made possible by the dedication and belief of past and current members.”
Prominent Carmarthenshire farmer, and Member of Parliament for Caerfyrddin, Ann Davies, has been shortlisted for the Agricultural Ambassador of the Year prize at the National Women in Agriculture Awards 2025.
The annual awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of women making a significant impact in the agricultural industry, with this year’s final set to be held in London in May.
Born and raised in rural Carmarthenshire, Ann’s agricultural journey began in 1992, with her and her husband starting as tenant farmers on a dairy farm near Llanarthne. Alongside her work on the farm, she went on to work as a peripatetic music teacher, and lecturer in early years learning at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, before becoming the joint owner of a local children’s nursery alongside one of her three daughters.
Ann was elected as a County Councillor on Carmarthenshire County Council in 2017, and was appointed as a cabinet member of the Council in 2021 originally under the portfolio of Communities and Rural Affairs.
As County Councillor, she became a prominent voice in local campaigns against the development of pylons routes in rural Carmarthenshire. In 2023, she was also appointed Chair of the Carmarthenshire branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW).
She was elected Member of Parliament for the new Caerfyrddin constituency in 2024, and as one of four Plaid Cymru MPs in Westminster, has adopted a wide portfolio including; work and pensions, education, transport, and crucially, environment and rural affairs.
As Member of Parliament, Ann has spoken on a vast number of occasions at Westminster regarding the pressing issues facing the agricultural sector and rural communities, including the UK Government’s controversial changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR), the future of farming, and food security.
Despite her Parliamentary duties, Ann continues to work on the farm – often out milking in her wellies – whilst her Sunday mornings are spent in chapel, before a Sunday lunch on the farm providing an opportunity to catch-up with her three daughters and many grandchildren.
Commenting on Ann Davies’ nomination, Farmers’ Union of Wales President, Ian Rickman said:
“Everyone at the FUW is absolutely delighted with Ann Bremenda’s nomination for this prestigious award.
For decades, as a farmer, County Councillor and hardworking FUW County Chair, Ann has been an unwavering champion for rural Wales. Since being elected Member of Parliament for Caerfyrddin last year, she has taken this understanding, enthusiasm and dedication towards our rural communities to the heart of Westminster, promoting a range of issues championing our countryside and the agricultural sector.
At a challenging time for Welsh farming, having a friend like Ann fighting our corner is invaluable, and we wish her well for the award ceremony.”
Ebbw supporters went away from Church Bank far from happy with the WRU’s decision to play the showpiece cup final of semi-pro rugby in Wales on a Thursday night and not to play it at a neutral Principality Stadium.
They were disgruntled that the lower level Premiership, Championship and Division One Cup finals were to be played at the Principality Stadium on Saturday April 5 but the higher profile SRC final on a ground that greatly favoured one side.
There were moans that Pontypridd – Cross Keys, Llanelli Wanderers – Tondu, Bridgend Athletic – Caernarfon would be having their week end at the Principality whilst Llandovery and Ebbw Vale players – and supporters – were denied the lifetime chance of being at Wales’s national stadium.
“The game should have been be played at the Principality Stadium. The WRU have made this cup competition a Mickey Mouse cup.” said Tony Parker.
Lyndon Evans added:
“Why is this cup final on a Thursday night at Llandovery’s home ground?”
“The WRU cup final was always special and either played at the national stadium or neutral ground so why has Llandovery got the benefit of home advantage and why is it held on a Thursday night?”
“Surely a neutral venue such as Builth or Brecon or Merthyr on a Saturday afternoon would have been a fairer option and financially beneficial to both sides? Who dreamed this up?”
Even diehard Llandovery supporter Gerwyn Williams had some sympathy with Ebbw.
“If the WRU want to televise a game either in the league or cup, it needs to be changed to a Friday or Saturday. Thursday night is weird!”
Club Chairman Peter Rees commented:
“I agree and that is an option that the clubs have proposed for 2025-2026 but the Union don’t have any say on the matter as the TV dictates it (sic) to them.”
“The only option currently may be that the clubs try to persuade the WRU NOT (sic) to try to get it on any form of TV but that would be to the disadvantage of club sponsorship”
Coleg Sir Gâr’s construction team hosted the Welsh heat of a bricklaying competition which was organised by the Guild of Bricklayers.
A junior and senior competition was held to include emerging and more experienced competitors who were given a technical drawing of a bricklaying design that they had to construct to professional standards within a given time.
Amongst the colleges taking part were Coleg Gwent, NPTC, Cardiff and Vale, Coleg Sir Gâr, Coleg Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Gower College Swansea.
Coleg Sir Gâr student Joshua Pritchard won first place in the Junior competition and Coleg Ceredigion student Tomos Edwards won first place in the Senior category.
The judges included several representatives from the Guild of Bricklayers, including Steve Barlow, lead judge and president Bill Bowman.
This event was also supported by the construction industry which provided materials and prizes for competitors with Wienerberger Ltd providing the bricks, Waters and Morris supplying the mortar, Cyfle and Towy Works supplying tools.
Craig Chesby, deputy head of construction at Coleg Sir Gâr said:
“We were thrilled to be asked to host the Guild of Bricklayers competition at our construction centre.
“I’m thankful and appreciative for all the support from everyone involved with the event from the guild members, suppliers, tutors, employers, technicians, competitors and everyone else that makes these types of events possible for the future talent within our industry.
“It was great to see so many competitors taking part and so many emerging bricklayers coming into and working in the trade.
“Bricklaying is a highly skilled craft that requires precision, technical expertise and problem-solving abilities which this competition tested. Their work is not just physically demanding but also requires a deep level of craftsmanship, making them essential to the construction industry.”
The Guild of Bricklayers is an association formed in 1932 to promote and maintain the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork.
Laura Anne Jones has called for the Welsh Government to step in prevent the closure of the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal.
The canal has been fed by the River Usk for almost 230 years, and takes 81% of its water from the Usk, but now the Canal and River Trust have lost an appeal to the environmental watchdog Natural Resources Wales to continue the practice.
Ms Jones met with Mark Evans, Director of Wales and South West Canal and River Trust, due to the urgency around this, and heard that new regulations on abstraction licences, which are used to take water from a source for various purposes, will mean that water to the canal will have to be cut off at a much earlier point than previously.
Alasdair Kirkpatrick, proprietor of the family business Beacon Park Boats, says that even with average to high levels of rainfall, the canal will become unnavigable if the water supply from the Usk is restricted. Mr Kirkpatrick is now faced with closure, which would leave 30 members of staff redundant.
The canal is visited by millions of people every year, and generates over £20 million annually from marine facilities, commercial boat operators, private boaters and the 290 pubs, restaurants and cafes within a mile of the water.
The canal, which flows through Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, has been voted “Britain’s prettiest canal”, and is home to the kingfisher, the water vole and the otter.
Welsh Water are reportedly ready to provide the water the canal needs from their surplus from Llandegfedd Reservoir, at an estimated cost of a million pounds per annum and additional capital investment.
Ms Jones is pressing the Welsh Government to provide this cash, which she says is “a drop in the ocean compared to the economic, social and mental health benefits this canal brings, and what could potentially be lost.”
Laura Anne Jones MS, Senedd Member for South Wales East, said:
“It’s terrible that the canal is in danger of becoming unnavigable, but thankfully there is a solution on the table.
“It is important that we protect the River Usk, but also, we need to take urgent action to save our beautiful canal, because with the water already restricted the consequences of the canal closing could be disastrous for local people.
“As local Councillor Jan Butler’s petition rightly points out, we need to act NOW to save it.
Welsh Country thanks the Conservative Senedd support staff for telling us of the above and the Wales and South West Canal and River Trust for the further back ground information below.
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal Water Abstraction
The future of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal is at risk after restrictions have been put in place on the historic feed of water that supplies the canal.
Planned enforcement of water abstraction licence conditions has severely limited the water we can abstract from the River Usk and its tributaries to supply the canal.
Being faced with having to now pay for the water, but without any new income to help pay for it, our charity is facing the stark reality that we may only be able to provide a limited supply.
Given the scale of the economic, environmental and social impact, we are seeking support from Welsh Government to find a solution, to avert the potentially catastrophic consequences for the canal and the local businesses who depend upon it.
What has happened?
Since the canal was first built 225 years ago, it’s depended on water abstracted from the River Usk and its tributaries. Our abstractions were not regulated, but in 2017, our exemption from the Water Resources Act 1991 was removed, requiring us to apply for water abstraction licenses.
We appealed against the conditions attached to two licenses, raising concerns about limits placed on water supply, with consequences for the natural environment and local economy. The recent result of these appeals means we’re now required to severely limit water abstractions to the levels set out in the licences.
The River Usk at Brecon is the main feed to the canal and provides around 80-90% of the water required to meet water demands.
What could this mean for the canal?
The canal faces a precarious future. On top of our substantial annual investment into the canal we cannot afford to pay significant amounts each year to secure the water supply that the canal has relied upon for its 225-year existence.
At times use of the locks could be restricted
Locks could be closed completely to safeguard the canal from running dry
It could impact the boat hire companies who use the canal
A negative impact for the local economy who benefit from one of the main features of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
The rich wildlife who rely on the canal could suffer
The structure of the canal, which is over two centuries old, could be damaged by a lack of water
What are we doing?
We are now working with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and other stakeholders to explore other water supply options.
We are working with Welsh Government to raise awareness of the impact a restricted or closed canal could have on people, the local area, economy and wildlife.
We’ll continue communicating with boaters, local businesses and stakeholders to provide them with the latest information and encourage their support to help us keep the canal alive and open.
Strengthen fragile skin, minimise fine lines and wrinkles, diminish dark circles and calm puffiness under eyes. This new 10ml eye serum is charged by a patented and concentrated synergistic combination of Pharma quality caffeine that is encapsulated with Eye Bright, Cucumber and Quince Extract. All combined with Witch Hazel Extract that boosts your skin’s surface distribution as it uses thin film technology. SOS Eye also helps generate the collagen cascade to support under eye rejuvenation. You can strengthen your fragile eye skin, minimise fine lines, wrinkles, diminish dark circles and calm any puffiness from under your eyes. It is packaged in a distinctive 10ml tube with roller ball to massage around the eye area. I found it so cooling and the eye cream very effective.
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Bruce has been involved with the formulation of many famous cosmetic brands both in the UK & North America, holds numerous chemistry and cosmetic patents and sits on several EU advisory committees. Now semi-retired and in all the years working in the industry, he finds that the one issue that still dominates, is skin SENSITIVITY.
“Children through to pensioners , all, at some time will suffer from skin itching and irritation. We have the urge to scratch – which only makes matters worse. So I have used my extensive experience to develop SOS SERUM. Although i say it myself…it is a brilliant product!” BRUCE GREEN
Following the success of the SOS Serum, the range has been extended to include six other fabulous products.
There is no memorial to Peter Ham. No stone, no statue, no plaque. His ashes were scattered to the winds at Morriston Crematorium in Swansea in 1975. And if there was such a memorial, what would it say?
Peter Ham 1947 – 1975. Free at last? Perhaps.
Of course, his memory lives on. He has been survived by his music. He still has an admiring audience. And you would like to think that his group Badfinger are remembered for their music. But that is not the case. Sadly they are more famous for their disintegration and for their tragedy. Theirs is a cautionary tale, a story of how the naivety and idealism of youth was manipulated and abused. Rock and Roll doesn’t rule the world. It never did. Accountants do.
Feature image: A rare, early photo of the Iveys in their Swansea days. L to R: Mike Gibbins, David Jenkins, Peter Ham, Ron Griffiths
Peter William Ham was born on 27 April 1947 and he was brought up in the Townhill area of Swansea. Always musical, playing first the harmonica and then the guitar, he had dreams. His group was first called “The Panthers” and modeled themselves on The Shadows and then they became “The Wild Ones”. Peter Ham was enthusiastic and talented. His group developed a local reputation. They changed their name then to “The Iveys,” after Ivey Place in Swansea and also, perhaps, in the hope they could tap into the success of “The Hollies.”
They were playing the local dancehalls across South Wales and getting plenty of work.
After appearing at The Regal Ballroom in Ammanford, they were approached by Bill Collins, a manager who wanted to take them on. Suddenly they were professional, concentrating entirely on their music. It seemed that their dreams might soon become real.
Collins moved the band to London. A new member joined, Tommy Evans, and their reputation grew. Then, in 1968, The Iveys were offered a recording contract by The Beatles’ Apple label. Not only that, but in 1969 Paul McCartney heard their demos and wanted to produce them. They changed their name again, this time to Badfinger, based apparently on an alternate title for the song “With A Little Help from My Friends”.
McCartney took them into the studio to record one of his own songs and suddenly they had made it. Success. “Come and Get It” was a hit, across Europe and in America.
They would not have recognised the great irony in their first hit record, this piece written by Paul McCartney, in which he expressed his bitterness about the financial confusion of the Apple Corporation – “If you want it, here it is, come and get it but you better hurry ‘cos its going fast.” Prophetic words. The kids who bought the record wouldn’t have known it, but the song was about money. How could they have realised? But if ever one song could come to encapsulate an entire career, it was this one.
Immediately they needed a financial manager for their forthcoming American tour. So in 1970, Badfinger enlisted a New York business manager named Stan Polley. He was highly recommended and the group had little reason to doubt him, but it is said that he had well established connections with organized crime and a facility for complex and dubious financial arrangements. They would soon learn about this, to their considerable cost.
Their music was developing. Badfinger had moved on. They went for a harder edge, a more progressive sound, and they found themselves tuned perfectly into the spirit of the times.
Their album, ‘No Dice”was very well received. Their music was infectious and well crafted. Peter Ham was writing his finest material and composed the band’s biggest selling single to date, “No Matter What.” There was also a song on the album that unexpectedly achieved international recognition.
The American singer Harry Nilsson heard “No Dice” and issued his version of the Ham/Evans composition, “Without You”. An international success. A standard. That one song should have guaranteed a prosperous future, an artistic and commercial achievement. A song that was subsequently recorded by so many different people and in so many different ways. It was a great and enduring song, sufficient you might think to retire upon. But I guess it’s not the way the story goes.
Peter Ham with the American Singer Harry Nilsson
Oh yes, Badfinger were stars in name, but in reality they remained financially destitute. The band had made a lot of money, but nobody knew where it was. The more famous they became, the more impoverished they appeared.
Badfinger, like so many others, became a vehicle by which accountants could make a serious amount of money.
In 1972 their contract with Apple now completed, Polley moved Badfinger to Warner Brother Records for a reputed $3 million. The question would always be, what happened to it? They had finished their commitments to Apple with an album called “Ass” which had a sleeve on which they represented themselves as a donkey, following a carrot on a stick representing the promises of Polley.
But the new contract meant they had to produce another album for Warner Brothers immediately. It was a huge strain. Their lyrics reflected their growing despair. “We’re the pawns in someone else’s game” wrote Peter Ham.
In 1974, a Warner Executive discovered that all the money from their joint account with Badfinger had disappeared and thus refused to market their work, threatening the group with breach of contract. $600,000 of advance money in a shared account wasn’t there. Nobody in the band knew where the money had gone. Their record company was keen to find out too. It had been filtered away by the American management company and as a result there were no Badfinger records available anywhere. Their business and musical affairs were now in a state of collapse. Peter Ham, composer of one of the most successful songs of his time, part of a group that sold an estimated 14 million records worldwide, couldn’t even pay his phone bill.
Peter Ham resigned from the group for a brief period in 1974 but it eventually all became too much to take. He had written three, million-selling singles, had toured America six times, had songs covered by innumerable artists and had co-written a song generally considered a standard. Yet he was penniless. Everything seemed to be closing down.
On the evening of 23 April 1975, he hanged himself in his garage. He wasn’t quite 28 years old.
His suicide note, addressed to his girlfriend and her son, blamed Stan Polley for his misfortunes:
“Anne, I love you. Blair, I love you. I will not be allowed to love and trust everybody. This is better. Pete. P.S. Stan Polley is a soulless bastard. I will take him with me.”
Peter Ham was survived by his girlfriend Anne and daughter Petera, who was born one month after his death.
Badfinger disbanded after Ham’s death, but the lawsuits and bankruptcies didn’t cease on either side of the Atlantic.
There was still money to be made out of Badfinger, though only by the lawyers. By 1977 Tom Evans was working as a plumber. Band members occasionally tried to revive the group and at one point there were two rival bands, both called Badfinger, but the brief glory days had gone, along with Peter.
But tragedy wouldn’t leave the band alone.
On 19 November 1983 Evans argued on the telephone, apparently about the publishing royalty division of the song “Without You.” Following the argument, Evans hanged himself in the garden at his home.
Ammanford-based theatre company wins two major categories, celebrating their powerful work with young people
A youth theatre project based in Ammanford has scooped two prestigious titles at the inaugural Welsh Cultural Impact Awards. Dyffryn Aman Youth Theatre, a project of Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company, was shortlisted in three categories and went on to win Community and Education Project of the Year, as well as Facilitator of the Year.
Mess Up The Mess Theatre Company is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has been transforming young lives through theatre and the arts since 2005. With a strong focus on reaching some of the most marginalised young people in the community, the company runs workshops and productions that empower participants to explore their identities, raise their voices, and build confidence.
At the heart of this work is Dyffryn Aman Youth Theatre, which has delivered weekly bilingual drama sessions in Ammanford and Gwaun Cae Gurwen since 2007. Open to young people aged 11–25 and free to attend, these sessions attract over 45 participants each week. The workshops provide a supportive, creative space where young people can develop performance skills, make new friends, and engage in important conversations.
Former participant Cerian Wilshire-Davies shared how the theatre group changed her life:
“Growing up rurally and working class, there were very few opportunities to engage in creative activities. Mess Up The Mess gave me a free space to gain confidence, make friends, and explore themes important to me. The experience shaped my identity, developed my facilitation skills, and led to my current role as a Lead Artist on their Queertawe project. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.”
The Facilitator of the Year award went to Joanne Shackley for her inspiring work on the company’s Yfory Project, which brings together young people across South Wales to lead community action initiatives. Joanne, who began her journey with Mess Up The Mess at the start of her career, now also works with Carmarthenshire Theatres, using her expertise to help local venues become more inclusive and representative of their communities.
Artistic Director and founder Sarah Jones said:
“We are thrilled to have won these awards and to have Joanne’s enormous contribution recognised. Jo has been with us since 2012, and we’ve grown together as artists and facilitators. We’re deeply honoured to be acknowledged alongside inspirational organisations from across Wales.”
In addition to their wins, Mess Up The Mess’s Queertawe project—delivered in partnership with Swansea’s LGBTQI+ community—was shortlisted in the Culture and Health category. This groundbreaking project continues to amplify LGBTQI+ voices through creative expression.
The Welsh Cultural Impact Awards are organised by Get The Chance! and celebrate the vital work arts organisations are doing to create positive change in communities across Wales.
“…when i put down a green, it doesn’t mean grass; and when I put down a blue, it doesn’t mean the sky”, Henri Matisse
At the dawn of the 20th century, Fauvism burst onto the art scene with an explosion of unrestrained colour. Henri Matisse and André Derain, the movement’s leading figures, rejected the muted tones and academic traditions of the past, instead using pure, unmixed colours straight from the tube. Their goal was not to imitate nature but to express its emotional impact through colour alone.
Colour as a means of personal expression
Matisse’s Woman with a Hat (1905) epitomised this liberation, depicting his wife in a riot of green, blue, and red tones that bore no relation to natural skin colour. Critics were scandalised, but Matisse saw colour as a means of personal expression rather than representation. Derain, in works like The Turning Road, L’Estaque (1906), took a similar approach, filling landscapes with fiery reds and electric blues, transforming ordinary scenes into something vibrant and dynamic.
Scots in on the act
Across the Channel, the Scottish Colourist J.D. Fergusson was deeply inspired by Fauvism. His Parisian paintings, such as La Terrasse, Café d’Harcourt (1908), reflect the same uninhibited joy in colour. He absorbed Matisse’s ideas but developed his own rhythmic, expressive brushwork, using colour to suggest light and movement rather than simply describe form.
Modern art changed forever
Fauvism was short-lived, but its radical use of colour changed modern art forever. By setting colour free from its descriptive role, Matisse, Derain, and Fergusson paved the way for Expressionism and beyond, proving that colour could be a language of pure feeling.
Broad Horizons 2
And today in Caernarfon, we see this freedom of expression in the original oil paintings by Dermod Ruddock. No more so than “A Puff of Smoke, Milngavie” after JD Fergusson with Ruddock’s unique style of using oil sticks to paint his rich textures with. Dermod Ruddock’s solo exhibition at Life: Full Colour art gallery runs from 5th April to 26th April 2025. We look forward to welcoming you to our historic venue on Stryd y Palas.
This hairbath, or shampoo, has been created with both sustainability and high-performance in mind, it is offering you a clean, eco-conscious haircare experience that nurtures your scalp and hair, but it is also being kind to the planet. Now that makes sense to me. The hairbath has an eco-conscious formulation as it has been made with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients like Fermented Willow Bark, Green Coffee Bean Extract and Pumpkin Seed Oil, all these products are free from harmful chemicals, parabens, sulphates and synthetic fragrances.
Recyclable and sustainably sourced is the ethos of the Innersense Company as they are committed to both ethical sourcing and reducing environmental impact. There are two new products as there is also a super conditioner, they come in recyclable packaging, ensuring that your beauty routine is as sustainable as it is effective.
Both products nourish your scalp, reduce flaking and inflammation whilst hydrating and strengthening your hair strands with gentle, clean ingredients. It is wonderful that you now can achieve effective and clean beauty.
To use, just apply a small amount to your hands then you can work it into a light lather as you massage into your scalp using your fingertips. Then rinse thoroughly.
This hairbath has been formulated for all hair types and textures. It is a lightweight formula that works to create a balanced environment for healthy hair growth. It is infused with fermented Willowbark to help reduce a flaky scalp and green coffee bean extract to promote circulation to the scalp whilst boosting hair density. In addition to this, the pumpkin seed oil offers not only volumising and antioxidant benefits, but intensely hydrates and smooths strands. I really found this hairbath worked so well for my hair and happy I am helping the planet too!
If you are wishing and hoping for your hair to look and feel smooth and strong, then you must try this conditioner along with the hairbath as this is a gentle, yet powerful treatment conditioner that also cares for your scalp. This formula works to strengthen each strand of your hair, moisturising and clarifying and that is all thanks to a blend of natural heroes. Fermented Willowbark, rich in salicylates, that reduces flaking and offers gentle antimicrobial action. Niacinamide supports hair growth, boosting your scalp and strands for fuller-feeling hair. Moisture-locking rice proteins reduce visible split ends and damage by smoothing your hair cuticles. Mango and coconut offer ultimate nourishment, hydrating your hair. Add to all that a fresh fragrance of peppermint, sage and rosemary, this really is luxurious hair care that we all deserve.
After cleansing with hairbath, then just apply 1-2 pumps to your palms and distribute from mid-lengths to ends, it’s easy to use your fingertips or maybe you’d prefer just to comb the conditioner through. Leave on for 1 – 5 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.
This hairbath and soothing conditioner make a beautiful dream team, I was impressed! They would also be a great gifting idea too!
In front of the S4C cameras and a healthy four figure crowd which included WRU President Terry Cobner, the Drovers swept aside Ebbw Vale – five tries to one – to become the first ever winners of the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup.
They followed up last year’s Premiership Cup final win over Merthyr with a stunning second half display of running rugby to bring yet more silverware to Church Bank.
They will ever be known as the last club to win the old WRU Cup one year and become the first club to win the Super Rygbi Cymru Cup the next.
The Drovers have now won four finals in18 years, three WRU Cups in 2007, 2016 and 2024 and now the inaugural SRC Cup, the last three trophies under the leadership of coach Euros Evans.
With two league wins over Llandovery this season to their credit, the visitors travelled to Church Bank with confidence, supported by two busloads of vocal fans, but could not match the high tempo game of the defending league and cup champions.
Captain Lee Rees with WRU President Terry Cobner
“We reserved our best display of the season for the Cup final” beamed Evans.
“We were very disappointed with ourselves in the way Cardiff outplayed us a few weeks ago but we got right back into the groove today.”
“There was little in it for the first 40 minutes but once we got that early try early into the second half, our confidence grew and we got three more tries.”
“But bravo to our defence, too. It is not often that Ebbw are reduced to one try in a match.”
Evans sportingly acknowledged that the wind which had so favoured them in the first half, dropped completely after the break and the injury to replacement scrum half Jonathan Evans, soon after he had come on affected Ebbw rhythm.
But the final was a classic example of ambition and adventure getting the better of set piece and contact area power and once Llandovery matched the Steelmen in these areas, the die was cast.
Home skipper and scrum half Lee Rees was back to bobby dazzling form in open play and got his side’s first try when sizzling over from a surging maul by his forwards.
Ebbw’s trademark catch and drive got them a close range try in the first half, scored by skipper Joe Franchi, playing is 200th game for the Gwent club but they trailed 13-7 at half time.
Rees’s excellent half back partner Ioan Hughes gained huge ground with his kicks as well as putting over a conversion and two penalties in a classy display of controlled rugby.
Soon after the break, Llandovery showed that they too can score from a close range line out with hooker Taylor Davies crashing over before they really cut loose with three tries in a dozen minutes.
With flanker Jack Pope in the sin bin, the 14 men conceded tries to wings Harri Doel and Kian Abraham plus flanker Osian Davies who were at the end of fine free flowing interpassing by backs and forwards alike.
Doel finished clinically wide out, Abraham‘s try was a fine chip and chase in close space and Davies galloped over to cap a fine performance in the loose..
It could have been worse for the flagging Steelmen as tries for No 8 Nathan Hart and Rees were chalked off for an earlier infringement and forward pass respectively.
With lock Joe Powell running like a stag, full back Jac Davies causing untold problems with his stabbing counter attacks and Rees ever threatening, Llandovery were in complete control against a spent force.
Llandovery flanker Osian Davies on his way to scoring Llandovery’s fifth and last try.
The last word was fittingly from replacement fly half Jack Maynard whose conversion of the Osian Davies try celebrated his 200th game for the club.
Llandovery
Tries: L Rees, T Davies, H Doel, K Abraham, O Davies
Cons: I Hughes (3), J Maynard
Pens: I Hughes (2)
Ebbw Vale
Try: J Franchi
Con: E Lloyd
Llandovery: J Davies; K Abraham, Adam Warren, R Jones, H Doel; I Hughes, L Rees (capt); J Hughes, T Davies, B Watkins, E Scragg, J Powell, O Davies, N Hart, S Worrall Replacements: D Dallavalle, G Williams, G Jones, E Sheldon, J Evans, J Maynard, L Morgan, G MacDonald
Ebbw Vale: M Richards; E Bowden, C Davies, D Franchi, R Gardner; E Lloyd, R Harries; L Garrett, J Franchi (capt), A Williams, D Bartlett, C Gregory, J Pope, R Jenkins, S Parry Replacements: I Morris, M Williams, A Court, C Regan, L Young, J Evans, K Rees, M Jones
Saval, a washed rind cow’s milk cheese, has been named Best Welsh Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025. Made by Caws Teifi in Ceredigion, Wales, Saval took this coveted prize among hundreds of entries into the 29th edition of these Awards, which were hosted by the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival near Shepton Mallet in Somerset.
Saval is a Caerphilly-based washed rind cheese with a soft and buttery centre, shrouded in a pink and wrinkled rind. This latest achievement marks the 10th time that Caws Teifi has won Best Welsh Cheese at the British & Irish Cheese Awards, having last picked up the trophy in 2022 with Celtic Promise.
Robert Savage, managing director of Caws Teifi, said;
“A huge congratulations to our amazing team! Special recognition to our founders Patrice, Paula and John, our dedicated directors John-James and Robert. The pioneering affineurs Pat and the late James Aldridge, and of course, Tim Mitchell, our head cheesemaker for the past 23 years. I couldn’t be prouder! Thank you to all our customers for your continued support—here’s to more award-winning cheese.”
All special trophy winners were announced during the British & Irish Cheese Awards Dinner on the evening of Friday 21 March, and the Supreme Champion Cup was presented to Burford, a washed rind, Alpine-style cheese from King Stone Dairy in Gloucestershire.
Around the UK, the Best English Cheese trophy went to Clara, an ash-coated goat’s cheese log from Harvey and Brockless, and the Best Scottish Cheese trophy went to Anster, a delicate, pale and crumbly cheese from St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company.
Organised by The Royal Bath & West Society, the British & Irish Cheese Awards 2025 assessed nearly 600 entries on Friday 21 March, with the help of 52 judges from across the industry. The expert panel, made up of cheesemakers, cheesemongers, cheese experts, buyers and commentators, judged entries in their individual classes during the morning session, awarding Bronze, Silver and Gold accolades. During the second round, all Gold award winners from each category were judged alongside one another to identify the category winners, before all category winners were judged in the final round to find this year’s Supreme Champion and Reserve Champion.
Hosted by the Bath & West Food & Drink Festival, the British & Irish Cheese Awards judging hall was open to the public over the weekend of 22 to 23 March. Festival visitors were invited to witness the incredible scale of the judging arena, cast their votes in the People’s Choice Award, and even join the festival’s brand new Guided Cheese Tours.
There are currently numerous Government backed schemes available which provide funding for people to make their homes more energy efficient. Energy Saving Grants can help people access this funding.
They have helped thousands of people throughout Wales obtain grants for energy saving measures such as Loft insulation, Wall insulation, Solar panels and replacement heating systems to be installed.
The Government funding schemes are designed to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty throughout the UK.
According to the Welsh Government’s latest estimates (April 2022), up to 45% (614,000) of all households in Wales were in fuel poverty. This figure is now likely to be a lot higher due to continuously rising energy bills. A household is regarded as being in fuel poverty if they are unable to keep their home warm at a reasonable cost. This is measured as any household needing to pay more than 10% of their household income to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.
Unfortunately Wales has one of the highest fuel poverty rates in Europe. This is due to a combination of many properties in rural areas being ‘off grid’ with no access to the mains gas network; and also due to a high proportion of old housing stock with solid brick or solid stone walls, which are very inefficient at retaining heat. Although solid stone walls can be very wide, they are not as efficient as cavity walls at containing warmth inside the home.
Some of these Government grant schemes include the Energy Company Obligation, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Local Authority Delivery scheme, the LA Flex scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Unfortunately these grant schemes are vastly underutilised due to widespread misconceptions. Many people mistakenly believe they’ll be ineligible for a grant because they aren’t in receipt of certain benefits.
Although some of these grant schemes require applicants to be in receipt of benefits to apply for funding, the good news is that Energy Saving Grants can help some people obtain funding even if they are not in receipt of any tax credit or benefit.
In some Council areas including Ceredigion, Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot residents can apply for an energy saving grant if they are not in receipt of any benefit.
To qualify, the property must not have mains gas central heating; and the total income of the property must be below £31,000 per year, or alternatively there must be somebody living in the property with a chronic medical condition that is made worse by living in a cold home (eg. respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions or limited mobility).
A representative of Energy Saving Grants explained that the amount of funding available is based on the amount of carbon dioxide that will be saved by installing a particular measure. ‘As a general rule of thumb, properties that do not have mains gas central heating receive the highest amount of funding, as these properties are generally more expensive to heat.’ Therefore properties which use Oil Boilers, LPG boilers or solid fuel (such as coal or wood) are entitled to receive the most funding as these fuels produce the most greenhouse gases and are generally the most expensive way of heating a property.
Some properties have qualified for grants of up to £60,000 to be made more energy efficient. This work has included insulating the loft and walls of the property and installing solar panels and electric central heating systems (heat pumps) along with new radiators, to provide heat and hot water. If required, then ventilation systems are also installed in kitchens and bathrooms to extract excess moisture from the property to stop condensation problems. This work has been carried out at no cost to the homeowner.
Depending on the construction of the property, either cavity wall insulation or internal wall insulation is installed to retain heat within the home. If the roof is suitable, then solar PV panels can be installed to generate free electricity for the property. If a property currently uses Oil, LPG or solid fuel as its main source of heating, then an air source heat pump may be installed to generate heat and hot water. Heat Pumps work efficiently in a property that is well insulated and which has solar panels installed, to provide the electricity to power the heat pump.
Energy Saving Grants are able to guide people through the funding application process which can often be confusing for people who have no prior experience of applying for a grant. The service is provided at no cost to the applicant.
The service is available to private homeowners and private landlords and tenants throughout Wales. Unfortunately they are unable to obtain funding for residents living in social housing, but they advise social housing residents to contact their housing association.
As is the case with most grant schemes, the amount of funding available is limited and can change at any time. For more information of the grants available, you can visit their website at: www.energysavinggrants.org or you can call them on 03302 230333 to speak to an energy advisor.
After having an initial telephone conversation with an energy advisor, the next step is for an independent retrofit surveyor to visit the property to determine which measures are suitable. This is a no obligation assessment of your property and there is no cost for this survey. If your property qualifies for a grant, then you will be informed in writing of the options available. Any funding that you receive does not have to be repaid. All work is installed by a Trustmark registered company and is supplied with a guarantee of up to 25 years (the length of warranty is dependent upon the measure being installed).
In March, Pembrokeshire artist Sarah Jane Brown will show her landscapes at the Exhibition of Contemporary Welsh Art & Photography, back for its 7th year at the London Welsh Centre.
Opening to the public on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March, the event celebrates Welsh creativity, with work by Sarah Jane and other talented Welsh artists and photographers. It launches with a Private View on Friday 28th March.
The London Welsh Centre is a cultural and community centre that promotes Welsh culture and language in London. It hosts a wide range of cultural activities with a distinctly Welsh flavour.
The art exhibition is part of Wales Week London, the largest annual showcase of activities and events that celebrate and promote everything great about Wales, and takes place from 20th February to 8th March.
“It’s wonderful to be part of such a vibrant community of people making lots of noise about Wales in London,” says Sarah Jane. “I love this busy exhibition at the London Welsh Centre, and am excited to be exhibiting my paintings again this year. I plan to bring the stunning coastal landscapes of Pembrokeshire into the lives of London visitors, to give them an insight into my experience of living in this beautiful part of the world.”
Contemporary artist Sarah Jane Brown paints the Welsh coast, using the landscape to describe thoughts and emotions. Her work echoes traditional notions of the sublime, reminding us that being in a wild and rugged landscape is both humbling and uplifting. Light, space, colour and movement are her hallmarks, from which she aims to create moments of reflection. Original paintings and prints will be available to purchase at the exhibition.
Sarah Jane studied Fine Art Painting at Carmarthen School of Art, graduating with a first-class honours degree. In 2020, she was awarded full membership of the Guild Society of Artists, part of the Fine Art Trade Guild. She has exhibited in many solo and group shows. Highlights include prestigious exhibitions with the Royal Cambrian Academy in North Wales, the Royal Society of
Marine Artists and the ING Discerning Eye at London’s Mall Galleries. Recently she featured on Channel 4’s TV series ‘The UK’s National Parks with Caroline Quentin’, and BBC Radio 4’s broadcast ‘The Shipping Postcards’.
Represented by Etcetera Gallery in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, and Art Unlimited in Bridport, Dorset, Sarah Jane’s work can also be seen at her studio on the Pembrokeshire coast. She holds regular open studio events and painting workshops, and online learning is available via her website sjbfineart.com. Her work is collected internationally.
Exhibition of Contemporary Welsh Art & Photography 2025
Public Exhibition: Saturday 29th March 10am – 5pm, Sunday 30th March 10am – 4pm
Private View: Friday 28th March, 7pm onwards Address: London Welsh Centre, 157-163 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, London WC1X 8UE
Feature image: Freeing up space, oil on canvas, 60 x 90 cm
This is 100% Kalahari Melon Seed Oil, which has been sourced from the harsh landscapes of the Kalahari Desert. It is packed with essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants that nourish, hydrate, protect and revitalise your skin and let’s face it, this is what we are all looking for. I love how this oil left my skin looking much smoother, more radiant and feeling deeply nourished.
The company have sourced the best botanicals from across Africa and extracted from the resilient Kalahari Melon, which is native to South Africa and this beautiful oil is rich in linoleic acid, vitamin E and a unique blend of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. The Kalahari Melon is known for its ability to thrive in extreme desert conditions and is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that nourish and support healthy, glowing skin, but also protects your skin against environmental stressors such as pollution and UV rays. It also provides long-lasting moisture, leaving your skin plump and smooth and as it is rich in antioxidants, it restores your skin’s natural glow and combats free radicals. You’ve no need to worry that it is an oil and will be greasy, it isn’t greasy at all. It’s lightweight and as the oil deeply hydrates, it enhances your skin’s elasticity. It also promotes a smooth, youthful appearance and it is therefore suitable for all skin types.
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Apply as the last step in your routine before sunscreen. Just take 2-3 drops of Kalahari Melon Seed Oil to your fingertips and gently massage into your face and neck. A gua sha or jade roller works great with this oil. Follow with your favourite moisturiser if needed.
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OUR STORY
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Our products are crafted with the utmost care. Sustainably sourced botanicals, cherished for their medicinal properties and rich in natural oils, vitamins, antioxidants and omegas, are formulated by our team of pharmaceutical and dermatological specialists to protect, nourish, and renew sensitive skin.
At the heart of our brand is a simple truth: nature knows best. And it is this truth that guides everything we do. We are proud to offer a skincare collection that is rooted in African ancestry, a range that honours the past while empowering the women of today.
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, nestled in Three Cocks between Brecon and Hay-on-Wye, is thrilled to announce that they raised an incredible £1,103 at their Quiz & Curry Night on Friday, 21st March in support of Greenfingers charity. An impressive £513 of this total came purely from the half-time raffle.
Retail & Event Manager, Mathew Lewis, expressed his gratitude, stating,
“We’re pleased to have raised this fantastic total and want to say a huge thank you to our local community for coming along and helping us raise such a significant amount for an amazing cause. Your support truly makes a difference.”
The event was a huge success, with over 120 attendees enjoying an evening of trivia, delicious curry, and fundraising fun. The generous support from customers who participated in the quiz, purchased raffle tickets, and donated to the cause was key to reaching this fantastic total.
Greenfingers is dedicated to creating well-designed outdoor spaces in children’s hospices for life-limited children, providing them and their families with a peaceful and therapeutic environment to enjoy together.
The Old Railway Line Garden Centre is always looking for ways to support important causes through fundraising events. With more charity events in the pipeline, keep an eye on their website and social media for upcoming announcements.
For more information about The Old Railway Line Garden Centre and upcoming events, please call 01497 847055 or visit www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk.
Hay-on-Wye, Wales – Hay Regenerative Soils CIC is thrilled to announce the expansion of our community composting initiative, thanks to support from Hay Castle, and funding from the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership. The new community composting site at Hay Castle will compost the Castle’s food waste and provide residents, businesses, and growers with an accessible, sustainable way to recycle food waste into biologically rich compost. This plate to garden model means local regeneration in gardens, allotments, and on farm land. This initiative marks a significant step towards a truly circular economy for Hay-on-Wye, where waste is transformed into a local resource, regenerating soil health while reducing landfill waste and carbon emissions with our e-bike powered collection service.
“So much of our health is tied to the unseen world of bacteria and fungi,” says Hay Regenerative Soils CIC. “Understanding how the Soil Food Web interacts with our own gut microbiome reveals the incredible benefits of partnering with microbial biodiversity to heal the soil, grow food, and counter decades of damage from farming intensification.” Healthy soil is the foundation of thriving ecosystems, food security, climate resilience, and our own wellbeing. By composting locally, we will be working with farmers, growers, and gardeners to restore soil biodiversity, support carbon sequestration, and enhance plant resilience, all while cutting food waste and Hay-on-Wye’s carbon footprint.
Our new Hay Castle Community Composting Hub will:
Offer a weekly food waste drop-off point for individuals and small households
Provide a monthly food waste collection service for local residents
Support local businesses and events with a food waste pickup service
Deliver regenerative compost back to members every spring
Run workshops and educational sessions on soil health and composting
This initiative is not just about waste reduction; it’s about regenerating the land, creating a local resource and new circular economy, and fostering a direct relationship between people and nature.
How It Works
Our membership model ensures that food waste stays within the community, cycling back as high-quality compost to all participating members. Options include:
£6 per month – Weekly food waste drop-off at Hay Castle
£12.50 per month – Monthly home collection service (Hay-on-Wye residents only)
Free Slots for low-income and disabled residents
Get Involved
Join us for our upcoming event Launch Day and Induction Events on Thursday 24th April + Saturday 26th April: 10am – 4pm at Hay Castle.
Celebrate the official opening of the composting site with a food waste offering, learn about our mission, and get inducted as a new member.
Funded by the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership
This project is made possible through the Brecon Beacons Local Nature Partnership’s Connector Grant Programme, part of the wider Local Places for Nature initiative. The programme aims to create, restore, and connect “Gateways to Nature,” allowing communities to access and enhance local green spaces. Nature’s resilience depends on connectivity—both in how ecosystems function and how people interact with their natural environment. This composting hub is a direct response to that principle, offering both environmental benefits and a tangible way for people to engage with regenerative practices.
For more information, membership details, or to get involved, contact: Hay Regenerative Soils CIC
On the south-facing slope of the large hill behind my home there is a cluster of trees, larch in fact, that stand sentinel above the other trees on the slope facing out into the bay. True, there are other, more numerous, clusters of trees all over the hill, but this small stand, clustered here, seem a group apart.
I can never walk the mountain path without stopping to look at them, to contemplate them and their sheer differentness. For one thing, they seem to wear different moods within different areas of the one stand. Those facing outward over the town, the ones that get the most sun, naturally seem brightest and strongest, their outlook sunny, whereas those facing inward toward the mountain seem more sullen by dint of their resting in shadow for most of the time. There is always a damp, misty coolness that radiates out from the base of these trees, their trunks and lower branches covered in damp algae, bringing to life the chill darkness of the woodlands inhabiting the imaginations of the Brothers Grimm.
But still, for all the differences between them, there seems a unity about them, best represented by one of those on the outer fringes of the group, more exposed and partially blown over by the storm, now leaning against one of the inner trees like a lover on the shoulder of its partner.
There may be no need for any anthropomorphic similes to bring these trees to life. Research articles I recently read suggest that all trees in a given area are interconnected by surface fungi which act as arboreal neural transmitters as well as miniature roadways down which the trees share carbon dioxide and water, the strongest and oldest trees helping to nurture and support younger saplings, guiding them toward growth and maturity. It has also been recorded that trees under attack by insects can release particular chemicals that trigger similar protective chemical releases in other trees that have “picked up the message” and reacted accordingly: HROOM! HROOM!
Whatever the truth may be about the trees and their ways of silent communication, I prefer to think of things in a less scientific manner, standing and watching as they stretch up, antennae in the air, picking up some indistinct message from the ether (sssh…sssh…sssh…) Maybe if I stay and listen long enough, the signal will become clearer and I’ll be able to work out what it means.
Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum (Boxed)
Charlotte Tilbury is an international make-up artist to the stars and she’s also Chairman, President, Chief Creative Officer and Founder of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, not to forget that she has been awarded an MBE too! Charlotte Tilbury is an inspiring female entrepreneur and one of the most highly regarded visionaries, innovators and makeup artists of all time. Her make-up work gives her the best insight into what additional products are required and then creates them herself and this dark spot serum for the face & eye area is just one of the many products she has created. Clinically proven to reduce the appearance of under-eye dark circles, post-blemish marks, hyperpigmentation, sunspots, age spots and redness and it cleverly does this all with laser-like precision! This dark spot correcting radiance recovery serum will be a blessing for so many people as Charlotte combines science and her own special magic with every product she creates. This product has been clinically proven for every skin tone and every skin type, with 98% of testers saying they would now delay having a laser treatment**
**Independent consumer trial tested on 209 people over 6 weeks
If you are looking for skin that appears brighter and softer with radiant, youthful-looking skin clarity, this dark spot serum should be a must-have in your skincare routine!
We are living in generation overexposure! Our skin experiences the effects of UV rays, hormones, blue light, stress and long hours on a daily basis. There are so many environmental factors that affect our skin, and after years spent visibly concealing these concerns with my makeup tricks, I knew I needed to invent an advanced solution that would help actively target and fade their appearance with skincare. I couldn’t find anything that was universal, fast-acting or precise enough, so I worked with industry-leading scientists to create my own breakthrough dark spot serum for the face + eye area!
Powered by world-first Precision-Fade Evenskin™ Technology, my silky-smooth dark spot serum uses hyper-intelligent skin tech designed to reduce the appearance of all forms of dark spots without affecting your natural skin tone. The ultra-focused delivery system is infused with Adaptive Amber Microalgae Extract to reduce the appearance of excess surface melanin and make your skin tone look more even. It also features brightening vitamin C and calming tranexamic acid to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and prevent the appearance of further discolouration, as well as Biomimetic Barrier Shield Technology that boosts your skin barrier.
My mission has always been to make skincare easy for everyone, everywhere! With my dark spot serum, I was inspired by the precision of lasers and wanted to create a super-targeted formula that reduces the appearance of dark spots without impacting the entire skin tone. I worked with my team to create a delivery system akin to the precision of lasers with first-to-market Precision Fade Evenskin™ Technology. This advanced skin tech means that everyone can even the look of their skin tone with zero recovery time – it’s so precise that 98% of users said they would delay having a laser treatment!**
It is laser-like precision, bottled!
Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum is clinically proven across every skin tone + skin type. The before and after results will blow you away!
*Independent clinical test, tested on 69 people over 6 weeks
**Independent consumer trial tested on 209 people over 6 weeks
PRECISION-FADE EVENSKIN™ TECHNOLOGY: targets and fades the appearance of all forms of dark spots while letting your beautiful, natural skin tone shine through!
VITAMIN C + TRANEXAMIC ACID: your antioxidant-rich support act for ultimate skin radiance! Vitamin C is a brightening powerhouse and reduces the appearance of redness, while tranexamic acid has a visibly calming effect! Together, they help reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.
BIOMIMETIC BARRIER SHIELD TECHNOLOGY: strengthens the skin barrier and helps reduce moisture loss for skin that feels retexturised and soothed. Helps boost overall skin radiance.
These were our LARGEST EVER CLINICAL TESTS and they are some of THE BEST RESULTS I HAVE EVER SEEN!
AFTER JUST 6 WEEKS:
52% Reduction in the appearance of dark spots.
53% Reduction in the appearance of post-blemish marks.
Reduces the look of hormonal pigmentation.
Reduces & brightens the look of under-eye dark circles. Strengthens the skin barrier.
Increases the look of radiance & luminosity.
Independent clinical test, tested on 69 people over 6 weeks*
Independent clinical trial, tested on 34 people over 6 weeks**
Tested + Proven Across All skin TONES + TYPES
98% AGREE THEY WOULD DELAY HAVING A LASER TREATMENT*
98% AGREE SUNSPOTS APPEAR REDUCED**
97% AGREE AGE SPOTS APPEAR REDUCED**
91% AGREE SKIN HAS A GLASS-LIKE GLOW*
96% AGREE POST BLEMISH MARKS APPEAR REDUCED***
*Independent consumer trial tested on 209 people over 6 weeks
**Independent consumer trial tested on 105 people over 6 weeks
*** Independent consumer trial tested on 104 people over 6 weeks
Although I love Charlotte’s range of products I was still blown away by the results I saw using her Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum, it was amazing. I used it not only on my face but under my eyes as well. I applied morning and evening onto my clean, dry skin but I did also remember only to use after I’d toned and before I used Charlotte’s Magic Cream moisturiser. I’d rate this as a magical product and if you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift this would certainly fit the bill. It would be wonderful if a couple of siblings perhaps shared buying this, but I am sure Mum will be impressed with the results she’ll achieve – and this will last much longer than a bunch of flowers, a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates!!
Magic Cream Moisturiser (Boxed)
This is Charlotte’s World famous and Award-Winning miracle moisturiser that is powered by Charlotte’s signature Cushion & Lift Mesh Technology that actually cushions your skin with supercharged ingredients. As expected with a Charlotte Tilbury product it has been clinically proven to make your skin look smoother, firmer and it gives your skin a glow of gorgeous radiance, whilst also making your makeup last longer. This is Charlotte’s iconic magic cream that she says is her secret to immediate skin revival, not forgetting that a lot of science is also involved to achieve this clever cream. Magic Cream is the No. 1 Face Cream in the UK Prestige Skincare Market** with its cushion and lift mesh technology that creates a smooth cushioning layer on your skin for you then to apply your make-up.
I call it the MAGIC DEW of YOUTH and LUMINOSITY in a refillable jar; it’s SKIN CONFIDENCE for everyone, everywhere!
CUSHION & LIFT MESH TECHNOLOGY: a 4% blend of Rosehip Oil which is rich in antioxidant Vitamin F plus skin-cushioning emollients & Oat Extract which is rich in alpha-glucans. Together they soften and smooth the feel of skin and lift the look of facial contours, creating the perfect base for makeup. This technology has been my best-kept secret in my world-famous magic cream, until now! · VITAMIN C & E: to brighten + even the look of skin. · PLUMP EFFECT PEPTIDE COMPLEX: to smooth + plump the look of skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. · HYALURONIC ACID: to keep skin hydrated for up to 24 hours. · ALOE VERA: to help calm, smooth and moisturise the look of skin · FRANGIPANI FLOWER EXTRACT: combines moisturising benefits with a delicate, calming scent. · CAMELLIA OIL: moisturises for a dewy-looking complexion. · SHEA BUTTER: nourishes and softens the skin.
CLINICALLY PROVEN, LOVED BY YOU
In 28 seconds…
SKIN IS INSTANTLY 2X MORE HYDRATED*
In 28 days…
97% AGREE SKIN LOOKS SMOOTHER**
SKIN APPEARS 72% MORE ELASTIC*
In 8 weeks:
Skin APPEARS 2X FIRMER**
WRINKLES APPEAR REDUCED 54% REDUCED ****
SKIN BARRIER IS BOOSTED UP TO 42% ****
TESTED WITH MAKEUP OVER A FULL 12 HOURS OF WEAR….
94% AGREE MAKEUP LASTS LONGER†
98% AGREE CREASING WAS REDUCED†
93% AGREE MAKEUP STAYED LUMINOUS ALL DAY†
92% AGREE PORES APPEAR REDUCED†
95% AGREE MAKEUP IS LESS PATCHY†
*Tested on 33 people.
**Tested on over 129 people over 4 weeks.
***Tested on over 29 people over 4 weeks.
****Tested on over 29 people over 8 weeks.
***Independent user trial on over 120 people 12 hours after application of Magic Cream and foundation.
Magic Cream is Magic Skin! For best results, massage in with Charlotte’s 5-step ‘Tilbury Tap’ facial technique. Not only is it perfect for indulging in a moment of relaxing self-care, but the ‘Tilbury Tap’ technique uses upward, outward and sweeping motions to help boost circulation for smoother, plumper, lifted looking skin!
COMPLEXION BOOST
Start from the lower cheek, sweep the cream out & up. Tap fingertips across the cheeks, avoiding the eye contour.
DEFINE CONTOURS
Place fingers under cheekbones and, applying light pressure, smooth outwards and upwards along the cheekbone
DEFINE JAWLINE
Gently pinch chin with fingers, moving up and along your jawline in one sweeping motion.
SMOOTH FURROWS
Starting in the middle of the forehead, massage in circular motions moving out to the temples. Pat the excess into the skin using your ring fingers.
MASSAGE NECK AND DÉCOLLETAGE
Applying gentle pressure, massage along the décolletage and up to the neck in an upward lifting motion Charlotte’s Magic Cream contains a magic matrix of supercharged ingredients that are expertly blended and clinically tested to work in synergy for visible results!
I certainly appreciate that there’ is lots of science involved in creating this product, but if there is one product I never want to be without it is this magic cream. I call it my miracle as the improvement in my skin is amazing. I cannot believe that there is any Mum who will not adore this magic cream as a Mother’s Day gift. I also think it is worth spoiling Mum with something really special that will make her feel so good when she applies this Magic Dew Of Youth & Luminosity In A Jar.
This year’s Wonderwool Wales show in the heart of Mid Wales will have a truly international flavour, as an exhibitor from America will be showcasing their products.
Kimberly Perkins from Cat Mountain Fibre Arts, Colorado, who produces hand dyed, multi-textured, yarn bundles and knitting and crochet patterns, will be exhibiting on stand M1 in Hall 1 at the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells during the popular weekend show on April 26 and 27.
Wonderwool Wales director Chrissie Menzies has also had an enquiry from an Icelandic producer whom, she says, is likely to attend in 2026.
It will be the first time an American business has exhibited at Wales’ premier wool and natural fibre festival, although a tour group from across the Atlantic has been coming to the event for a number of years and will be attending again this year.
Cat Mountain, Kimberly
“The booking from Cat Mountain Fibre Arts is probably a direct result of the tour group that attend every year, and we are delighted to welcome them,” explained Chrissie. “A few of them may also have attended the felt workshop that I organise each year for Rowan Tree Travel, following the show.
“Cat Mountain Fibre Arts had originally planned to share a stand with Phoenix Fibre Mill from Colorado, but they have had to pull out due to a family illness. I hope even more American producers will be encouraged to attend in the future.
“It’s good for Welsh tourism, as I’m sure they will want to visit other places whilst they in Wales.”
Kimberly, who founded her business in 2008, said she is working on a new pattern for the show where she will be exhibiting multi-textured bundles of Fusion Yarn.
She specialises in natural fibre yarns which she hand-dyes in her studio in Fort Garland. Her exclusive colourways are inspired by literature, art, nature and the southern Colorado Rocky Mountains.
“I heard about Wonderwool Wales from a customer at The Knitting and Stitching Show many years ago and I am hoping to meet and network with other artists and shop owners,” said Kimberly.
“I love visiting the UK and am always looking for an excuse to come. I will be taking a few days’ holiday in Wales in April. In particular, I want to visit Hay on the Wye, and hike part of the Offa’s Dyke Path.”
Chrissie revealed that advance ticket sales are ahead of the same time last year and that there will be up to 15 new exhibitors at the show, taking the total to 220 stands, the same as 2024.
A special installation to mark the 80th anniversary of VE (Victory in Europe) Day this year, which is being created by a group of knitters in France and across the world, will be a centrepiece at the 19th Wonderwool Wales.
The knitters are so enthusiastic that the installation is going to be much bigger than originally envisaged.
“It has grown from eight to 10 metres and could well be even larger by the time of the show!” said Chrissie.
“People from around the world are knitting panels for the installation which is quite amazing. They previously knitted an 80 metre, 3D wool art depiction of the D-Day landings, which toured the UK, before going off to America in April, and wanted to do another one for VE Day just for Wonderwool.”
She joked:
“I hope they stop knitting soon otherwise we won’t have enough space in Hall 3 for it!”
The VE Day project is being organised by Tansy Forster and her fellow knitters who also headed The Longest Yarn installation for D-Day. More than 1,000 knitters from across the world contributed to that project.
Limited tickets are available for the Woolschool Workshops at Wonderwool Wales 2025, including Bringing Eyes to Life, Peg Loom Weaving, Quirky Birds, Dorset Buttons and Art Yarns.
The British Coloured Sheep Breeders’ Association will be adding colour to the show by bringing sheep for the first time this year.
An award-winning two-day event celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, attracting around 6,000 visitors from across the UK and worldwide.
Sheep Walk fashion shows, demonstrations and have-a-go sessions hosted by some of the exhibitors are regular features of the popular event.
Wonderwool Wales covers everything from the start to the end of the creative process. Exhibits of sheep, raw and hand dyed fibres, yarn for knitting and crochet, embellishments, equipment, dyes and books can be found alongside superb examples of finished textile art, craft, clothing and home furnishings.
Tickets for the show and the Woolschools are available online at www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk . For the latest news about the show, like Wonderwool Wales Ltd on Facebook or follow on Instagram @wonderwoolwales .
Sport Caerphilly proudly hosted the 20th Annual Disability Six Nations Rugby Festival at the Centre for Sporting Excellence, celebrating two decades of promoting inclusivity and accessibility in rugby. The event brought together over 400 pupils from 18 schools across Wales and the Bristol area, reflecting its significant growth since inception.
Organised in partnership with Dragons RFC, the Welsh Rugby Union, Bargoed RFC and Coleg y Cymoedd, and sponsored by AJM Embroidery and the Phylyp Butler Memorial Cup, the festival featured a variety of rugby activities tailored to accommodate all abilities.
Mike Sage, Community Manager at Dragons RFC, commented,
“Participating in events like the Disability Six Nations is integral to our mission of promoting rugby for all. It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm and joy these young players bring to the game.”
Councillor Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member for Leisure, added,
“The smiles on the children’s faces said it all. I’d like to thank the organisers for arranging such a fantastic inclusive event and the schools from across Wales for travelling to the Caerphilly County Borough. We look forward to welcoming you again next year. I am proud of our sports development officers and staff who have run this event for 20 years, this is a great achievement for our borough!”
The festival’s success highlights the importance of community collaboration in creating opportunities for all individuals to engage in sport, fostering both personal development and community cohesion.
North Powys National Garden Scheme held their annual meeting for garden owners and volunteers at Tregynog Community Centre on March 15th, with over 70 in attendance.
Following a welcome introduction by North Powys NGS Area Organiser Susan Paynton, we heard from Jude Boutle, our Treasurer, who reported over £50,000 raised from garden openings, sales of teas & plants and donations in the 2024 season. There was a most enlightening talk from Jamie Burt of Ponthafren, and Richard Edwards from Cultivate, who explained the use of funds from the NGS Community Garden Grants. It was interesting to hear from two of the local beneficiaries and realise how much difference opening our glorious Powys gardens makes to the amounts raised for our health & wellbeing charities.
Susan Paynton & Gillian Fynes
Presentations were made to Gillian Fynes, who has opened her garden for ten years, and Betty Gleave, who has astonishingly achieved over thirty years of opening her garden for the NGS. Without the help and support of our wonderful garden owners we would not be able to make a significant difference to the over £3.5 million donated by the National Garden Scheme last year.
After the meeting, tea and homemade cakes were well received, and the hall buzzed with chatter as garden owners and volunteers alike looked forward to the new season. With five village openings, three special events and nearly 70 gardens opening their gates to visitors, it promises to be a busy year for the National Garden Scheme in North Powys!
WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre partners with Aardman to launch Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt
This April WWT Llanelli is partnering with British animation studio, Aardman, and the Royal Entomological Society, to bring families an epic minibeast wetlands adventure unlike any they’ve seen before.
The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt (5 April – 1 June) offers families an opportunity to dive into the wonderful world of insects alongside well-known comedy character, housefly Lloyd, who features in Aardman’s children’s comedy series, Lloyd of the Flies.
Lloyd will be joined by new friend and enthusiastic wetlands ‘tour guide’ Dart, a colourful emperor dragonfly character created exclusively for WWT visitors.
Dart, who loves to share facts, will help families explore the wetlands alongside Lloyd, as the pair search for Lloyd’s family and friends, including Lloyd’s little sister PB and his best friend Abacus the woodlouse, before checking in to stay at a newly opened Bug Hotel.
There are over 24,000 insect species in UK and a total of 22 dragonfly species have been recorded at WWT Llanelli – so Dart is in great company.
The Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt will help visitors discover the nature-bursting superpowers of the amazing habitats at WWT Llanelli, while learning about the creatures that live there with fun facts from the Royal Entomological Society and WWT.
From hands-on family-friendly activities such pond-dipping and minibeast hunting, to weaving a web and other insect focused activities, there’s lots to do and plenty to see at WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre.
Families can also ‘shrink down’ to fly size and see the world through an insect’s eyes, by downloading Aardman’s augmented reality app: Lloyd of the Flies AR Bug Hunt. Available to download free from both the Google Play and App Store, the app includes fun interactive activities like trying on insect antennae, rolling a maggot ball, and superimposing Lloyd’s face on each other.
Matthew Walker, creator and director of Lloyd of the Flies, said:
“I created Lloyd of the Flies because I love bugs and their weird world, so I’m thrilled that Aardman is partnering with WWT to create a Wetland Bug Hunt for all the family to enjoy.
“Lloyd is used to life indoors – inside a rotting apple in a compost bin with his parents, little sister PB, and their 224 maggot siblings – so being outdoors in wetlands is a big adventure for Lloyd and his family and friends! They’ll need all the help they can get to reach the Bug Hotel, which I’m sure the children of Carmarthenshire and south Wales will delight in giving.”
Jessica Thompson, spokesperson at WWT Llanelli, said:
“This is an exciting partnership with Aardman, and we hope many will come along to explore the worlds within our wetlands with Lloyd and his new friend Dart – an experience truly not to be missed.
“At WWT Llanelli, we’re simply bursting with insects that call wetlands home, from everyday creatures, like woodlice, ants and bees, to species that can only be found here. These include the impressively large golden-ringed dragonfly, which is the longest British species of dragonfly, and arachnids like the beautiful flower crab spider that sits camouflaged in the giant oxeye daisies waiting to catch some dinner.
“There’s so much to see, do and learn between 5 April and 1 June at WWT and we’re sure it will be a very special adventure that families will love.”
Simon Ward, CEO at the Royal Entomological Society said:
“We are delighted to build on our partnership with Aardman, with this wetland adventure and WWT at their sites. We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of insect scientists, Lloyd and his new friend Dart are ideally placed to help us encourage children and their families to see the world through the eyes of an insect and appreciate their vital role in the health of humans and the planet.”
If families want to make even more of their time on the hunt, they can purchase an exclusive WWT Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Activity Pack (£4) at the visitor centre. It includes a 16 page activity booklet, Lloyd headband, stickers and pencils, all in a WWT Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt bag.
Webpages with activities visitors can try when they go home will also be available at www.wwt.org.uk so that they can learn how to protect insects in their gardens, ponds and parks.
Participating in the Lloyd of the Flies Wetland Bug Hunt activities at WWT Llanelli is included in the price of a WWT admission ticket or is free to WWT members.
A new brand to me but Tata Harper products are certainly impressive. They would make perfect gifts for mothers who deserve lots of indulgence on Mother’s Day, so that they can give their skin the care it really does deserve. This range has been cleverly curated to address a range of skincare needs, but let me start with the Rejuvenating Serum idea for your mum so that her skin can be pampered, look radiant and also make her feel younger. This is an age-defence serum with micro-smoothing technology that targets fine lines, wrinkles and dry skin to ensure that your skin becomes firmer and looks much more youthful. Any mum will love to try this serum and combat any visible signs of aging she might have and restore her skin’s vitality. This might be a product a couple of siblings might want to purchase together to share the cost.
This is a rich, multi-functional anti-aging cream that provides extra-strength hydration, while transforming visible signs of aging. With 11 rejuvenating benefits packed into one luxurious formula, Crème Riche is the all-in-one skincare hero that all mums will adore. It is a considered purchase, but it really is luxurious and again a few siblings might easily split the cost, thus ensuring mum will get a gorgeous gift that will last much longer than a bunch of flowers or a box of chocolates!
What a sumptuous anti-aging lip crème this is. I am a huge fan as my lips always seem to be dry whatever the weather. This lip crème combines the comfort of a balm but with the vibrancy of a lipstick and that certainly works for me. Balms are a regular purchase for me but as this also has a fabulous lipstick colour as well, plus looks beautiful when worn is perfect for me. It comes in five stunning shades and it delivers to your lips a plumping moisture and a soft-shine finish so that your lips are irresistibly smooth and rejuvenated.
Colours are:
Bare: for a natural, non-tinted finish
Blasé: a nude pink
Bubbly: a pink
Juicy: a raspberry
Risqué: a deep berry red
I adored this lip crème and now I am hooked I must order the others colours too! This is also a lovely gift idea for children to treat mum or grandma on Mother’s Day.
Visible results, visible process. That’s Tata’s promise. Our crown of flowers is our stamp of approval that the green bottle you’re holding has been created to our level of standards and is of the highest quality and freshness possible.
No outsourcing.
No shortcuts.
We do it all ourselves. With our own people. On our own farm.
We are a real skincare company.
OUR PLACE
From our farm to your beautiful face. Open your bottle. Inhale. Smell that? It’s what our Lab smells like every day. We’re inviting you behind-the-scenes on the farm to learn about our unique formulation process and small batch production. For freshness sake.
Uncompromising Beauty, Uncompromising Women
A pioneer in natural luxury skincare, Tata couldn’t find 100% natural products that were up to her impeccable standards of efficacy, quality, and purity. So she started Tata Harper Skincare to make them – for herself, and for women like her who refuse to risk their health for beauty. If she doesn’t feel that a product is perfect, we won’t launch it.
Ashmole & Co accountancy firm’s dedicated payroll team is going from strength to strength with the recent appointment of Matthew Price as a Payroll Clerk in the Carmarthen office.
Day to day, the payroll team are the hidden heroes for local clients as they administer their pay systems. Nine years ago Ashmole & Co had just one payroll clerk and now, with Matthew joining, they are a strong team of thirteen.
Matthew, who lives with his family in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, handles and processes a range of payrolls for various clients. He calculates payable hours, commissions, bonuses, taxes and deductions as well as maintains and updates payroll records. He is also on hand to resolve any queries clients may have.
“We are delighted to have Matthew join our payroll team. I am proud of the work our dedicated payroll service does for local companies. Administering payroll can be time consuming and burdensome for companies, diverting their energy and resources away from the core activities of their business. That’s where our expert team can help and take that burden off their shoulders.”
Prior to working with Ashmole & Co Matthew was a retail assistant at Londis in Tenby, which is a family run/owned business. Since the age of 12 he spent every summer holiday working in Londis. After his dad’s unexpected passing in January 2023 Matthew took on the responsibility of handling the overdue accounts and processing the payroll.
Matthew said,
“The insight I had into my family’s Londis business inspired me to pursue accounting / payroll as a full-time career, and that is when I applied to join the team at Ashmole & Co. The most rewarding part of my job is being able to gain and maintain good relationships with various clients as well as being able to apply the skills I have acquired throughout my training to help clients with any issues they may have.”
Up until the age of 17, Matthew lived in St Florence, Pembrokeshire and studied his GCSEs and A Levels at Ysgol Greenhill. In his spare time he plays football for St Florence and enjoys renovating his family home with his grandad.
Payroll registration, advice, compliance, investigations, bureau service and CIS contracts are all part of the service Ashmole & Co can provide.
For those interested in pursuing a career in payroll it is worth considering applying for the Ashmole & Co Apprenticeship Scheme. A clear path of progression can be followed, with multiple academic accreditations available to secure, including a Foundation Degree and even a Masters. The career path starts from entry-level payroll assistant roles, progresses to supervisory and managerial positions and reaches up to Payroll Manager.
For further details on Ashmole & Co’s 2025 Apprenticeship Scheme visit the website: www.ashmole.co.uk and apply online, or, email your CV to: ashmolehr@ashmole.co.uk. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2025.
I cannot believe that this polish has been created, as it has made one of my dreams come true, that’s because Nails INC have created a 4-in-1 formula that has a built-in base coat, a treatment, a colour and a top coat, but in case that’s not enough for you, it is touch dry in 50 seconds and will give you up to 8 days glossy wear! Wow, Wow, Wow this really is a revolution in nail care and I am not at all surprised that it comes from Nails INC, one of my favourite nail brands ever! It is just 1 bottle that does everything, yes everything! It is hard to believe, I agree, but this nail polish combines every stage of your nail routine into one bottle. It has been formulated with a bio-peptides and glass particles for a glossy chip-resistant at-home gel polish finish which gives you up to 8 days of wear. This is your 1-step shortcut to nailing the perfect mani and without having the hassle and expense of going to a salon. Plus I also appreciate that the Nails INC brand is cruelty free and vegan too.
It’s Topless is so easy to apply and in next to no time you have an immaculate, professional-looking finish. The Nails INC brush is brilliant and I can understand why it is patented, so it is exclusive to Nails INC and is a wide-hugging brush that has been cleverly and ergonomically designed to work with the shape of your nail bed and minimize the number of strokes required. This brush certainly works for me and even though I am certainly not a nail tech, the results I get are amazing. The Nails INC bottle cap also works as a built-in mani station, in that the cap is shaped so you can rest your finger on it which helps keep everything steady so you can apply your polish more easily.
Just to recap, the Key benefits of It’s Topless are:
Gel-like manicure at home
1-step manicure routine
Extreme long wear of up to 8 days*
No base coat or top coat needed
Includes bio-peptides which are known to help strengthen, protect and moisturise
Vegan, cruelty free and 21 free
To use just apply two coats of It’s Topless to your nails and that’s the only step you need to take as your mani is now done!
*Top tip: Try to apply your Nails.INC cuticle oil on a regular basis to keep your nails nice and nourished.
It’s Topless has to be my favourite nail polish ever and the choice of colours available range from neutrals, to darks, to pinks and red, literally a colour for everyone. A bottle of Nails INC It’s Topless would make a great gift for children to give to Mum or Gran on Mother’s Day.
Please don’t forget that Nails INC give you:
A 30 Day hassle free returns.
Free Delivery to United Kingdom (minimum spend of £30).
Nails.INC is the UK’s leading and award-winning, British beauty brand founded by Thea Green MBE. Renowned for first to market product innovation and trend-led premium colour quality.
Urgent Plea To Confront Wales’ Leading Cause Of Death Among Young People In Their Early 30s, States Samaritans Cymru
Every day, we lose someone in Wales to suicide. According to the Office for National Statistics, suicide rates in Wales rose in 2023, becoming the leading cause of death for young people under 35.
Samaritans Cymru highlights the urgent need for increased action in their latest impact report for 2023 and 2024, which launches today at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay. The launch is supported by John Griffiths MS and Sarah Murphy, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Samaritans Cymru urges everyone to confront this crisis head-on and take bold steps toward change.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said:
“This report shows the valued contribution the Samaritans are making to support people and to prevent suicide in Wales.
“I am proud of the continued investment and support Welsh Government provides to the listening service.
“We will soon be publishing our new Suicide Prevention and Self-harm Strategy, which will set out our approach to preventing suicide and supporting those with suicidal thoughts.
“Third sector organisations like the Samaritans will play a vital role in delivering our ambitions.”
This event offered the opportunity to reflect and celebrate Samaritans considerable impact in Wales and the dedication of volunteers in Wales. It was also an opportunity to look forward and find out about Samaritans Cymru’s plans and how you can support in making Wales a nation of better listeners.
Neil Ingham, Executive Director for Samaritans in Wales said:
“Suicide isn’t inevitable; it can be prevented. Each of the 386 lives lost to suicide in registered in 2023 was a tragic loss, leaving behind a ripple effect of heartbreak for all those connected to them. For every suicide, it’s estimated that 135 people knew that person.
“We believe that listening is a powerful way to respond to the increasing need for emotional support, and it’s a skill that Samaritans want to share throughout the nation. We want to build a Wales where listening becomes second nature to everyone.
“This report showcases our unwavering commitment to preventing suicides across Wales and supporting the most vulnerable communities. Wales is a unique nation, characterised by diverse communities with distinct needs. Addressing suicide is a shared responsibility and isn’t an issue for just one sector, organisation or government department to solve.”
Key highlights from 2023 and 2024 showed the true impact of Samaritans volunteers across Wales:
Volunteers in Wales answered 225,000 calls for help through our national helpline; equates to one call every 10 seconds.
Volunteers across 5 branches responded to 2,000 calls for help in Welsh.
Volunteers in Wales answered over 7,500 emotional support emails and responding to 5,000 webchat contacts.
The top 5 reasons for calling Samaritans were; Mental health/illness, family, isolation/loneliness and relationship problems.
As a result of our rail partnership, 200 life-saving interventions were recorded on the rail network in Wales over 2 years.
Prison Listeners in Wales responded to more than 5,300 requests for emotional support from fellow inmates.
Samaritans staff and volunteers work with research data and in partnership with other organisations to identify where the risk is and how we can best support those who are at their most vulnerable.
Beyond the phone lines, Samaritans branches and volunteers in Wales also offer targeted community outreach services and work to make sure that people in distress across Wales know that they’re never alone on their journey.
Haverfordwest volunteer said:
“I’m in very poor health with visual impairment and mobility problems. Being a volunteer with Samaritans helps me to overcome my daily personal challenges.
“Speaking to callers, listening to them quietly, makes me realise how difficult other people’s lives are. The support of other volunteers also adds to the quality of my everyday life. After every duty I have a sense of achievement, of time well spent hopefully easing others’ problems.”
Welsh speaking volunteer said:
“I’m very proud that we have a Welsh helpline. When you want to speak about your worries or the things that put pressure on you, it’s really important that you can speak in your mother tongue. This is where deeper feelings can be expressed.”
Thomas Johnes had a mad idea, that you could tame and order a landscape as wild and extensive as the Ystwyth Valley. Like others he believed that human intervention could improve what nature had created. But the Hafod Estate, no matter how beautiful, was always a wild and unsustainable dream.
You can find the estate on the B4574 in Ceredigion as it leads away from Devil’s Bridge. It was once owned by the monks of Strata Florida, but with the dissolution of the monasteries it passed into the ownership of the Herbert family, who were interested in exploiting the timber and the mineral resources.
Feature image: Eglwys Newydd Church (also known as St Michael’s Church, Hafod)
Thomas Johnes was born in Ludlow in 1748 and educated first at Eton and then at the University of Edinburgh. He became an MP; he took a military commission. But his life changed on a visit to the family property at Hafod which became his through inheritance. He was captivated by the estate. He wrote to a friend to tell him that he had found paradise. Hafod became a passion that never left him.
His first wife Maria died in 1782 within a year of their marriage. He then married his cousin, Jane Johnes, in the face of considerable family disapproval. Together they took up residence at Hafod and in 1784 their only child, Mariamne, was born.
They built a mansion designed by Thomas Baldwin of Bath and the building was finished in 1788. It was built in Bath stone, which glows in the gentler climate along the Avon but the soft stone was not a wise choice for driving Welsh rain. It weathered quickly.
In 1793 he employed the architect John Nash, to add a library and a conservatory. It was a grand building, sheltering in its green valley and was painted by Turner, one the many famous figures who was drawn to the estate. Coleridge is said to have based the ‘pleasure domes’ of Xanadu in his poem ‘Kubla Khan’ upon the shape of the Hafod building that stood in the valley below him when he came to visit. The house was regarded as ‘one of the most attractive and admired seats in the principality’ and was noted for its library. It contained a printing press and produced literary texts, particularly of French Chronicles from the Middle Ages, about which Johnes, a noted translator, was something of an expert. Every effort was made to create a cultured environment that reflected the very best of human achievement.
Johnes was clearly a benevolent man and devoted his energies to the estate and its people. He built cottages, employed doctors and started a school for girls. His influence was everywhere. Over a period of five years more than 2 million trees were planted. He certainly brought employment to the area as he tried to carve something out of the wilderness. The estate was designed to be enjoyed on foot, providing an enormous variety of experiences. His intention was to provide sketching stations where the privileged could stop and sketch the views that lay before them.
His visitors stayed either at Hafod itself or in the Hafod Arms at Devil’s Bridge, which was built for the purpose. From there they would travel up to the estate to look at the interior of the house, the kitchen garden and then they would follow the paths until it was time to go home, admiring ‘majestic mountains and romantic rocky precipices, rivers foaming in cataracts’.
Yet the whole project was dogged by fire, destruction and tragedy.
Whilst Thomas was away in London, the house was destroyed in a fire in 1807 which ‘broke out early in the morning; and, with the exception of a very small portion of the books rescued from the flames by the intrepidity of Mrs. Johnes, the whole of the library, consisting of many thousand volumes, several of the paintings, and nearly all the splendid furniture of the house, were consumed.’ Jane and Mariamne then watched the destruction of their home from a hill on the estate. What an awful sight it must have been, with the flames lighting up the vast darkness of the valley.
Hafod House circa 1795 by John Warwick Smith (CC0 1.0, Public domain)
The house was re-built by Baldwin again, at great expense, but the drain upon the estate was immense and it was funded largely by the sale of timber. But the greatest tragedy of all was Mariamne. She was very intelligent and she had a great interest in the natural world. She was educated by tutors, who taught her music, drawing and languages but it was botany that was her greatest love and from an early age she corresponded with the leading naturalists of her time. But there was a problem. When she was 10 years old she became chronically ill. There have been a number of subsequent diagnoses, which have included tuberculosis and congenital syphilis. Certainly she was very ill. She suffered from tumours and curvature of the spine and required a steel brace to support her. She never married and died suddenly in 1811, aged 27, on a visit to London and in some ways Johnes’ purpose disappeared with her. Yet in 1810 everything was possible. He built an arch over the road at the highest part of the estate to mark the golden Jubilee of King George. But Mariamne’s death tore the heart out of the family and all the energy that had maintained the estate suddenly dissipated. It was too great a task and the money was running out.
In 1815 the Johnes moved to Dawlish and Thomas died a year later in April 1816. Paradise had made him bankrupt. It had absorbed his time, his energy, his money and then destroyed him.
It was sold for £70,000 to the Duke of Newcastle in 1833. He was a highly unpopular owner but he made one significant contribution to the sad history of Hafod. The Johnes family had commissioned a statue of their beloved Mariamne from the great Victorian sculptor Francis Chantry. But Johnes was unable to pay for it and it remained in London until the Duke settled the bill and moved it to Egwlys Newydd on the estate.
Johnes replaced the original church on the estate in 1801, with something far more elegant, designed by James Wyatt who restored Salisbury Cathedral. Behind the church there are the railings which surround the Johnes family vault. Within it lie the remains of Thomas, Jane and Mariamné, absorbed into the soil to which they devoted their lives.
Chantry’s sculpture within the church brought many to see to it and yet this too was hunted down by tragedy. In April 1932 the church, which had just had a new heating system, caught fire. The nearest telephone was at Devil’s Bridge and by the time the Fire Brigade arrived from Aberystwyth, the roof had already fallen in. Their jets of water, cracked the overheated marble of the statue. It shattered into fragments.
It is still there, a suitable symbol for the failed project that the Hafod estate became. A thing of beauty that time has taken away from us. It is the final tragedy of the Johnes family. The vicar told me it would cost too much to have it properly restored or replicated, so it still sits there, forlornly speaking of sorrow rather than art.
The estate was owned by a succession of timber merchants. But it seemed to need more money than it could generate. Where once it was the most visited place in Wales, it became lost and forgotten and by 1946 it was declared derelict. In 1958 what remained of the mansion was demolished by explosives as a health and safety measure.
The ruins are still there. You can scramble over them as I have and you can see features appearing through the rubble – a brick arch, a cornice.
The Hafod Estate Trust is now helping the estate to re-emerge from beneath the tangled embrace of the rhododendrons and the undergrowth. You can take fantastic walks through the estate, with different levels of difficulty. (The Gentleman’s Walk. The Ladies Walk) the walks are now tamed and clearly marked but they remain wild and isolated. You can find yourself down the river and suddenly think you are in Alaska.
Mariamne’s garden is slowly emerging too. We know now that the garden paths were originally made from crushed quartz, which would have sparkled so much in the sunshine.
A £14 million project to restore the Montgomery Canal has been granted an 11-month extension by the UK Government.
It was due to be finished by the end of March this year, but Powys County Council and Glandŵr Cymru (the Canal and River Trust in Wales), who are delivering the scheme in partnership, now have until the end of February 2026 to complete it.
The finished work:
Refurbishment of the canalside cottages, next to Y Lanfa, in Welshpool, which are currently being used as a temporary home for the town’s library.
Restoration of the Grade II listed Aberbechan Aqueduct, near Newtown, which plays an important role in maintaining water levels and had previously been ‘at risk’ of collapse.
Dredging and bank works between Llanymynech and Arddleen which featured on the BBC’s Countryfile programme.
The work that still needs to be completed:
The extension and improvements to Y Lanfa in Welshpool, which is the permanent home of the town’s library and the Powysland Museum. (Work started in January.)
A new road bridge over the canal at Carreghofa Lane in Llanymynech. (Construction to begin in April.)
A lifting replacement for Williams Bridge, near Llanymynech.
A new biodiversity area with ponds at Wern, near Pool Quay.
A new biodiversity area with ponds next to the River Vyrnwy, near Llanymynech.
Further dredging and bank works at Llanymynech.
The work has been impacted by higher-than-expected construction costs and difficulties in acquiring all the land needed for the original plans.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for agreeing to alter the memorandum of understanding, so we have an additional 11 months to complete this project,” said Councillor David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys. “It’s regrettable that there have been delays, but we are confident that everything can be finished now within the extra time we have been granted.
“Restoring the canal, and creating new wildlife areas alongside it, will bring an economic and ecological boost to the area. It will also help to improve the wellbeing of Powys residents by providing them with more suitable and inspiring places to walk, canoe and cycle.”
“The extension being granted to the project provides us with important additional time to undertake the work that forms a major part of the restoration of this section of the canal, which is set to bring an important boost to the local area.
“We are grateful for the extension and are continuing our work to deliver on the project, making good progress on the construction of new bridges, nature areas and dredging that’s required to benefit this historic manmade waterway.”
The project was originally funded as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up programme and the amount received will remain at £13,937,565, despite the time extension.
The council has also received £164,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards the work on Y Lanfa and £140,000 from Welsh Government towards the work on the canalside cottages in Welshpool, as part of its Transforming Towns programme.
Work on Aberbechan Aqueduct was also backed with a Historic Building Grant from Cadw.
These extra funds will allow the full scope of the restoration project to be completed.
Feature image: A newly dredged section of the canal between Llanymynech and Arddleen.
This has to be the ‘pearfect’ – excuse the pun – Mother’s Day pick from Jo Malone London. I am a massive fan of Jo Malone London, the brand is a huge favourite of mine and the selection of fragrances and the range they have created is rather mind-blowing, plus their packaging is totally beautiful and a delight to unwrap as they are artfully wrapped in an exclusive cream and yellow box.
The fragrance of English Pear & Freesia encourages me to imagine I am stepping into a sunlit orchard and, once there, I am exploring two distinct scents, but each with succulent English pear at its core. English Pear & Freesia makes me feel this orchard is steeped in golden sunshine, warming the russet curves of luscious pears. The sensuous freshness of the just-ripe fruit wrapped in elegant white freesias, enhanced with rose and rooted in patchouli, is totally glorious.
The Top Note is William Pear, this accord of mellow scented fruit is fresh and ripe with a juicy facet, the Heart Note is Freesia, quintessentially English, as cool white freesias imbue the heart of the fragrance with a delicate, yet distinctive scent. On a Base Note of patchouli, the sensuously deep, woody note that enhances the longevity of the fragrance.
To use, spritz generously onto your wrists, neck and pulse points and your body heat will help to diffuse the fragrance as the day goes on. Wear alone or layer with another cologne or your favourite bath & body products.
This is such a beautiful gift for Mother’s Day, if I’m honest I always think flowers are lovely, but don’t last long and flowers are pricey, so to be able to give a fragrance that will last will make this day even more special for your Mum. Perhaps two siblings can share the cost of this fabulous fragrance.
Please do check out their website as they have lots and lots of wonderful gift ideas.
Kindness is woven through the fabric of everything we do. We strive to protect the environment and take a considered approach when creating our products; from recycled and recyclable packaging, to making products in facilities that harness renewable energy to reduce emissions, to better transparency around our responsibly sourced ingredients and respect for local communities. It’s a work in progress, but we are committed to doing better, working to centre responsible practices that address the environmental impact at the heart of our company. And, as a company with a proud British heritage, we are determined to deepen our commitment to Made in Britain through our production and ingredient selection.
Packaging Promise
We are ever mindful of our responsibility to package products in a responsible way to help protect the environment and show kindness to our planet. More than 80% of our current packaging is recyclable and we are on a journey to ensure this only improves.
Through our parent company we are proud to be a founding member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), which brings together businesses, educational institutions and government agencies to collectively strengthen and advance the business case for more sustainable packaging.
Goals
Our target of having at least 75% of our packaging recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled or recoverable by 2025 has been met early. We are proud that as of March 2022, more than 87% of our packaging is either recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled or recoverable.
One hundred per cent of our forest-based fibre cartons will be FSC-certified by 2025, which means they will be made from materials coming from responsibly managed forests.
As of March 2022, more than 90% of our cartons are FSC-certified.
Materials
We design with sustainability and recyclability in mind. This helps focus our selection of materials and decorations to ensure we create products that get us closer to our goals.
Our classic gift boxes are recyclable and made from FSC-certified materials with at least 70% recycled materials. Our black tissue paper contains 20% recycled fibres fibre/content and is also recyclable while our shopping bags are crafted from FSC-certified and recyclable paper.
Less than 8% of our products by weight are packed in plastic and our bath & body bottles use PET, a widely recyclable material.
Reuse & Refill
We encourage you to reuse our wrapping materials including gift boxes, ribbons and cotton drawstring bags. Whether for practical purposes or decorative effect, these elements can be given a new lease of life with a fresh purpose.
The Marine Conservation Society’s State of Our Beaches 2024 report shows that glass bottles were present on almost half (49%) of Welsh beaches surveyed
The charity is calling on Welsh Government to promptly introduce a Deposit Return Scheme that includes glass
In Wales, 119 surveys were recorded in 2024, this is an increase of 8% from the previous year. A total of 1,073 volunteers participated in the charity’s beach clean programme, gathering and recording all litter items found along 100-metre stretches of beach. This data contributes to the charity’s dataset of over 30-years, allowing them to identify common litter items, sources and trends, and use this evidence to campaign for cleaner and healthier seas.
Volunteers in Wales found an average of 120 litter items for every 100 metres of surveyed beaches. This is up 4% from the previous year, suggesting that despite ongoing efforts, the issue of beach pollution still persists.
Volunteer surveys revealed an average of 10 drinks-related litter items, such as cans, plastic and glass bottles, were found per 100-metre stretch of beach with drinks-related litter present on 99% of beaches surveyed. The Marine Conservation Society is calling for a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales to align with the rest of the UK, and for it to include glass.
Elise Lavender, Parliamentary Affairs Officer for Wales at the Marine Conservation Society said,
“We support the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales that includes glass, and allows reuse. We are calling on the Welsh Government to implement this as close as possible to the October 2027 date for the UK-wide scheme. Bringing this forward will help to ensure a smoother transition, improve recycling efforts, and contribute to a more sustainable future for Wales.”
A total of 175 glass bottles were collected by volunteers across beaches in Wales, and were recorded on almost half (49%) of cleans. The charity’s data shows that the presence of glass litter on beaches is steadily increasing, with 2024 marking the 9th highest year since records began 31 years ago. Glass litter on beaches also poses a significant threat to marine life and beach goers alike, as sharp edges can cause serious injuries.
With drinks-related litter present on nearly every clean, along with glass found on almost half, shows that this remains a serious issue. The charity’s beach clean data reinforces the urgent need for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) inclusive of glass to be introduced in Wales to help reduce beach litter by moving towards a society of reuse, refill and repair.
The proposed DRS will see consumers pay a small deposit on top of the price of a drink, which you get back when you return the empty container to a designated collection point. The scheme aims to promote recycling and reduce litter, with proven success shown in other countries around the world, such as Finland, Lithuania and Sweden. Ireland’s implementation of a DRS last year has had a significant impact, with the annual Coastwatch survey reporting over an 80% reduction in drinks-related litter per kilometre of beach, highlighting the urgent need for a similar system in Wales.
While England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are progressing with a UK-wide DRS set to launch in October 2027, Wales has opted to introduce its own version, which will also include glass containers.
For the last 10 years players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund the Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning programme.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said,
“Beach cleans are about more than just removing litter. The information collected by Marine Conservation Society volunteers contributes towards valuable datasets identifying pollution sources and trends over time so we can all take action to reduce marine pollution and protect our seas.
“I’m delighted funding raised by players of Postcode Lottery is supporting beach cleans, where every piece of litter collected and recorded brings us a step closer to healthier oceans.”
More information on how to get involved in a Marine Conservation Society beach clean, or organise your own, can be found on the charity’s website.
Devil’s Bridge Rum embodies the pinnacle of artisan spirit craftsmanship, with deep roots in the enchanting landscapes of Wales. Since our inception in 2020, we’ve quickly risen to acclaim, proudly becoming the UK’s most-awarded rum, celebrated both nationally and internationally.
Celebrated Heritage and Acclaimed Flavours
Our signature spiced rum is a homage to Welsh heritage, specifically inspired by the traditional tale of a very brave Welsh woman and her dog who cleverly beat the Devil. Infused with Welsh Bara Brith sweet bread this unique flavour serves as a distinctive taste profile that is deeply embedded in local tradition.
A Testament to Excellence
Devil’s Bridge Rum has garnered extensive accolades for its excellence and unique character. In 2021 alone, we clinched Gold at the prestigious World Rum Awards and the London Spirits Competition, followed by a victory at the Great British Food Awards. Our momentum continued into 2022 with a win at the Startup Awards Wales, reinforcing our status in the spirits industry. In total, we have won 9 global awards so far and have been featured on television due to our quality and innovation.
Artisanal Craftsmanship and Diverse Offerings
We pride ourselves on a diverse range of rums and artisan liqueurs, crafted to cater to all occasions. Among our bestsellers is the Dark Cherry Liqueur, which many customers say nostalgically reminds them of Cherry Drops, a testament to its delightful appeal.
Our premium rums start their journey in the revered distilleries of Jamaica and Barbados, crafted using traditional pot and modern column stills. This meticulous process is enhanced by ageing the rum for six years in ex-bourbon oak barrels in the Caribbean’s warm climate, which intensifies the ageing process. Back in Wales, we perfect the recipes, adding local flavours and finishing touches.
Each bottle from Devil’s Bridge Rum is not only a spirit but a piece of art, hand-labelled and sealed with real cork, designed by top Welsh talent. Our commitment to craftsmanship and quality shines through every detail.
Timeless Appeal
Our products are crafted to be timeless, embodying the spirit and lore of Wales. Whether you are a connoisseur or a casual enthusiast, our spirits promise an experience that’s not just tasted but deeply felt, a true celebration of Welsh spirit and artistry. Join us in experiencing the legacy and future of Wales’s finest spirits.
I love discovering a new company, especially one that is helping me as I keep trying to make my life greener and saying no to plastics! Well now Purdy & Figg have come to ‘help me’ with their Counter Clean subscription kit that includes three cleaning concentrates, plus a refillable and recyclable glass spray bottle and a luxury, super soft cloth. The subscription cost is £15.00 every three months. My starter pack included the 100ml glass bottle and three concentrates of, Lemon & Marjoram, Patchouli & Cedarwood and Orange & Petitgrain. Just to let you know Purdy & Figg have for this spring only, a limited edition scent Gentle Chamomile which was inspired by the birth of co-founder Purdy’s first granddaughter. It was designed to bring a sense of calm to her home, perhaps that’s one fragrance your home needs too. For new customers they get a free bottle of Chamomile, worth £8.00 with their first order.
Purdy & Figg have created one powerful spray cleaner for your entire home that is safe to use on every surface, therefore giving you a simple cleaning routine. To use Counter Clean, simply pour the whole 20ml bottle of cleaning concentrate into your Bottle for Life and slowly fill to just the neck with tap water. Just give the bottle a gentle shake to mix and then enjoy your uplifting clean! As a guide the 300ml bottle of Counter Clean, including the one 20ml concentrate, contains about 230 sprays. A typical household will get through one of the 300ml bottles in two to four weeks, unless you get a bit addicted to wiping down your surfaces, which is very surprising indeed that I have!!!! It’s really rather strange, as house work has never been something I enjoy doing, but thanks to Purdy & Figg these sprays are encouraging me to keep on top of my surfaces, that is a very large plus!!!
Counter Clean is pH neutral which means it is safe to use on most surfaces. For stone, granite, marble, quartz or other sealed surfaces use Counter Clean daily to keep them sparkling. Work on your glass downwards so you can avoid streaks on vertical surfaces like mirrors, screens and windows. With wood just wipe away and dust and grime, then spray to clean and finally pat dry for an even finish. The company recommend that you do a patch test first on any particularly sensitive or precious surfaces that you might have. Just spray onto a cloth and wipe a small patch to see the results.
This is a tried & tested natural formula that took over 4 years of research and development. The company tested 670 plant-derived ingredients and trialled 200 natural essential oils. Purdy & Figg manufacture cleaning concentrates are made in England, where they are subjected to stringent health regulations. Every Purdy & Figg concentrate is made in a state-of-the-art laboratory and the company promise to never cut corners when it comes to your health or safety.
I loved being able to change to a slower and very much kinder approach to allow me to look after my home and I love the ethos of Purdy & Figg as they use all-natural ingredients and pure essential oils, that works for me.
Price: 90-day plan £15.00 instead of £48.00.*Please do check out subscription options below.
We offer lots of subscription options, including switching your scent refill pack, changing the frequency of your deliveries or cancelling your membership altogether. Subscriptions are set to a 90-day frequency by default, but you can always move your next billing date if you need to in a few easy steps. We understand there might be times when you need to stop your deliveries, and we’ll always respect your decision to leave – even if we’ll miss you.
If you have any trouble managing your subscription, our Customer Experience Team is always on hand to respond to your questions and requests as soon as possible. They’re very friendly.
Signature & Seasonal Scents:
We offer two different scent collections with your Counter Clean subscription – Signature and Seasonal scents. Our Signature scent pack is available all year round, and contains our three best-selling scents – Uplifting Citrus, Balancing Floral, and Grounding Vetiver. Our Seasonal scent pack contains three limited edition new scents blended for every season.
About Us
Back in 2018, best friends, nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturalist Charlotte Figg decided to make cleaning products they’d actually feel good using – both for themselves and for the environment.
Fed up with highly toxic cleaning products in plastic packaging, they decided to do something about it.
They both firmly believed in the power of natural cleaning and its benefit to health & home, so they started experimenting with formulas in their garage. It’s there that they conjured up their first product, a multi-surface cleaner infused with pure essential oils, Counter Clean.
Spurred on by Purdy’s two sons, Charlie and Jack, the duo teamed up with Chemist Dr Anna Slastanova to develop a range of natural, beautifully-scented and refillable cleaning products that could stand up against the ‘big guns’.
We launched our hero product, Counter Clean, at the beginning of 2022 and haven’t looked back since. The game changing cleaner has been designed to clean all surfaces in the home whilst leaving behind the most incredible spa-like scent.
We’ve since scaled up production at our Hertfordshire-based factory to help meet the demand for a planet-friendly cleaner that’s both effective and a pleasure to use.
We’re a growing family business with Charlie and Jack at the helm whilst Purdy and Charlotte work in the ‘lab’ with Dr Anna to develop new products that transform the way the world thinks about cleaning – from a chore to a pleasure!
The glint of sunshine, lace curtain mist,
in stately quadrille on the ridge,
fades in, fades out the adjacent mount
where steep escarpments form a bridge
upon the which, with a flexing nerve,
and drive of legs in hand of will,
the walker reaches towards the height
of Snowdon’s challenge, rocky thrill,
combined with drizzle of tumbling stones,
disturbed by crunching rhythmic boots
as moves progress up the steepening track
against the mock of engine hoots:
the warmth of café and coffee cup,
as rope of comfort, dangles down
to draw the hiker across the rocks
until they reach the mountain’s crown,
where clouds pass over, the vista fades
as early June brief scatters snow,
the breeze is chilled and the fingers freeze,
hot soup, warm room the things to know.
To climb by train an attractive choice,
in ancient carriage, plume of smoke,
but walker seeks both the calm and power
which, through the soul, will pride invoke.
Discover the Wild Wonders of WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre: A Haven for Nature Lovers
Nestled on the picturesque Carmarthenshire coastline, the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty and diversity of wetland wildlife. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher, a family seeking a fun-filled day out, or simply someone who appreciates the tranquillity of nature, this exceptional reserve promises an unforgettable experience.
A Sanctuary for Diverse Wildlife
WWT Llanelli is a vital habitat for a plethora of wetland species. From the iconic shy water voles to the elusive dragonflies that dance above the reeds, every corner of the reserve teems with life. The centre provides a safe haven for migratory birds, offering essential feeding and resting grounds during their long journeys. In winter, visitors can witness the spectacle of thousands of birds gathering on the estuary, a truly breathtaking sight.
Engaging Activities for All Ages
At WWT Llanelli, there’s something for everyone. Families can embark on exciting pond-dipping adventures, discovering the hidden world of aquatic creatures. Children will delight in the wild play areas, where they can climb, swing, and explore to their heart’s content. The centre also offers a range of guided walks and talks, providing fascinating insights into the reserve’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
Unforgettable Experiences and Encounters
Get Lost: Lose yourself in a 456-acre wetland reserve full of precious wetland habitats and unrivalled landscapes.
A Photographer’s Dream: Capture beautiful images of wildlife and hone your skills with a glorious variety of birds from around the world in the exhibit areas.
Pond Dipping: Delve into the underwater world and discover dragonfly nymphs, water beetles, and other aquatic inhabitants.
Birdwatching: Explore the hides and screened viewpoints to observe a wide array of bird species, including black-tailed godwits, redshank, spoonbills and more.
Rare Birds: Meet a stunning collection of captive birds from around the world, including flamingos, storks, cranes, and nenes.
Canoe Safaris: In the summer holidays, visitors can paddle through the tranquil waterways and experience the wetlands from a unique perspective.
Guided Walks: Join knowledgeable guides to learn about the reserve’s wildlife, habitats, and conservation projects.
Wild Play Areas: Let children unleash their energy in the adventure playgrounds, complete with den building, mud kitchen and a giant maze.
Animal Talks: During school holidays you can join spotlight talks to find out more about the resident flamingos and storks and learn about their fascinating behaviours and adaptations.
Seasonal Special Events: Throughout the year, WWT Llanelli hosts a variety of special events, from dawn chorus walks to bat detection evenings.
Immerse yourself in nature: Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world.
Discover diverse wildlife: Encounter a wide range of bird species, mammals, and insects.
Enjoy family-friendly activities: Create lasting memories with fun and educational experiences for all ages.
Support conservation: Contribute to the protection of vital wetland habitats.
Experience breathtaking scenery: The café boasts panoramic views of the Burry Inlet over to the Gower.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the magic of WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre. Plan your visit today and embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply a connection with the natural world, WWT Llanelli promises an experience that will leave you inspired and refreshed.
A Commitment to Conservation
WWT Llanelli plays a crucial role in wetland conservation, working to protect and restore these vital habitats. The centre’s efforts contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the safeguarding of endangered species. By visiting WWT Llanelli, you’re supporting vital conservation work and helping to ensure the future of these precious ecosystems.
Plan Your Visit
WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre is open year-round, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the changing seasons and the diverse wildlife that thrives in the wetlands.
We’re open 363 days a year, only closing for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Location: Situated on the beautiful Carmarthenshire coast, easily accessible by car and not far from the popular town of Llanelli with its public transport links.
Facilities: The centre boasts a visitor centre, café, shop, and accessible facilities for all visitors.
Accessibility: The reserve features accessible pathways and hides, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the wonders of the wetlands.
Events Calendar: Check the WWT Llanelli website for a full schedule of events and activities.
Please visit our website for the latest events and activities on offer, and to book tickets.
Energy Saving Grants Urges Every Household To Check Their Eligibility for Free Government Energy Grants
As fuel poverty becomes ever more widespread due to the recent energy price cap increase and Winter Fuel Payment cuts, Energy Saving Grants has issued a rallying call to homeowners, landlords and tenants to take five minutes to check their eligibility for the many free – and woefully under publicised – Government grants available to improve home energy efficiency. With well over £4 billion up for grabs, the free grants could cut energy bills and keep homes warmer this winter says the organisation.
The funding given to energy grants is intended to help combat rising energy costs and support the nation’s carbon reduction goals – but Energy Saving Grants say they are hugely underutilised due to widespread misconceptions. Many people mistakenly believe they’ll be ineligible for a grant because they aren’t in receipt of certain benefits.
With a staggering 67% increase in the aggregate fuel poverty gap in Wales between 2020 and 2023, Energy Saving Grants is renewing its pledge to bridge this gap by providing clear guidance on programmes such as the ECO funding scheme, Local Authority Flex scheme (LA Flex), and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).
The ECO funding scheme places an obligation on energy companies to improve home energy efficiency, particularly for those receiving benefits or tax credits. It offers a range of solutions, including loft insulation, wall insulation, solar panels and new boilers. They all give long-term savings and reduced carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, the LA Flex scheme offers support beyond traditional eligibility criteria. For instance, households with an annual income below £31,000 or individuals with health conditions aggravated by cold homes may qualify, even if they are not on benefits. Similarly, the GBIS targets low-income households and poorly insulated properties, helping homeowners to reduce heat loss and lower energy bills.
“Many people believe they won’t qualify for these grants, particularly if they’re not on benefits, or aren’t aware they exist,” said Andrew Williams, Funding Consultant at Energy Saving Grants. “We’re here to dispel those myths and want to encourage every home in the country to check their eligibility. These are genuine, government-backed grants – not loans to repay down the line – and they can make a real difference to families struggling with rising energy costs.”
While these schemes are entirely legitimate and free for eligible participants, navigating the application process can be daunting. That’s where the organisation steps in, offering free advice and application support to ensure individuals receive the assistance they need.
“Fuel poverty is a challenge that affects thousands of households, but help is available,” Williams added. “Energy Saving Grants encourages all homeowners, private landlords, and tenants to explore their eligibility. Whether through insulation, energy-efficient heating systems, or renewable energy measures, these grants offer a way to make homes warmer, more sustainable, and more affordable to run. You may not think you’re eligible, but it costs nothing to ask – and you may be pleasantly surprised!”
Energy Saving Grants was established in 2003 to help individuals and organisations access Government funding for energy-saving measures. Operating throughout Wales, the organisation provides free, expert advice to homeowners, tenants and landlords. Their mission is to simplify the often-confusing grants process, ensuring eligible households can take full advantage of available schemes.
For free advice on eligibility and applications, visit the Energy Saving Grants website: energysavinggrants.org
This is Charlotte Tilbury’s award-winning, clinically-proven hydrating serum for youthful-looking skin. Plus it works on all skin types. It can be the supercharged secret to your skin’s best future! It helps skin appear firmer by 49% in 8 weeks. The serum is infused with Polyglutamic Acid, so that your skin is 2X more hydrated in 1 hour! It also helps reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles and is delicately scented with a soft, spa-inspired blend of rose & lemon.
Charlotte has collaborated with expert scientists and globally-renowned facialists to bring you this ground-breaking serum that addresses the most universal skin concerns. It delivers clinically-proven results for hydrated, youthful-looking skin. With a magic matrix of ingredients, expertly blended in a high-performance elixir to give your skin a magic boost! You can awaken your skin’s potential with the power of potent ingredients, featuring Replexium™ for younger-looking skin, Golden Vitamin C for a brighter-looking complexion and the hydration powerhouse Polyglutamic Acid, which is a supercharged skincare ingredient that’s over 4X more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid.
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I am sure many of you will be fascinated with the science behind this magic serum, so when you have time, please read the following:
Taken from Charlotte’s website:
A magic matrix of supercharged, CONCENTRATED 20% skincare ingredients including:
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MOISTURISES for up to 24 hours!
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Visual reduction in the appearance of wrinkles by 34% in 8 weeks*.
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93% agree skin looks younger**!
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Following the harsh weather conditions endured over the last three work parties, this time we were blessed by warm, spring sunshine. Ideal for lining and blocking.
Friday started with a visit from Jason Leach, Head of External Programme Delivery at Canal & River Trust, who performed a health and safety audit. Following a site tour and inspection of our procedures and records, Jason declared our performance “impressive” and also commented favourably on volunteer engagement and site tidiness.
“In terms of activities, the main focus for this work party was to start lining and blocking a further section of prepared channel”. Said restoration project manager, Tom Fulda, “This next section, the final part of Phase 1B, takes us a further 135 metres towards the Schoolhouse Bridge. Once complete, the remainder of the works will be undertaken from the Schoolhouse Bridge end of the site, and we shall relocate to a compound by the bridge later in the year”.
Many previous sections have benefitted from access along a temporary haul road constructed on the opposite bank to the towpath, but for the remainder of this project we don’t have that luxury. Instead, materials are delivered to the work area along the bed of the channel. Just as well then that the site was dry – this volume of traffic would have created a quagmire in different circumstances. Volunteers adapted quickly to the change. No comments were heard lamenting the absence of the fabled block delivery chute (previously used to deliver blocks to the work area from the haul road) and by Sunday afternoon, a remarkable 47 metres of lining and blocking had been achieved. Over 3,500 blocks were used, each laid by hand. Blocks finish just below water level and admittedly the banks above water level still require completion, but nevertheless this is a work party record length, certainly for the current project and possibly the greatest of all time. (The current project manager is confident he will be corrected if this assertion is wrong).
Constant supply of blocks loaded from the compound.
Elsewhere, and after a long wait for suitable weather conditions, the haul road alongside the re-watered section completed last year was removed and the site restored to its original condition. Although still bare, these re-watered sections no longer look like a building site and will green up rapidly over summer. The banks will be reseeded in the next few weeks with a blend of local native grasses and wildflowers.
Finally, we are extremely grateful for the words of encouragement from Anna Turner, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, received after the last work party:
“I love reading your newsletter, it is a total inspiration to see photographs and read what you have done in all weathers. You are an incredibly dedicated and resilient team that are achieving so much that will be enjoyed by so many including our future generations. Well done.”
We are always looking for new volunteers and members. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should see shropshireunion.org.uk/work-party-schedule for details of dates and contacts.
The Open Spaces Society,(1) which campaigns to protect rights of way, commons, and open spaces in Wales and England, has expressed its delight that the Welsh Government will introduce provisions before the Senedd to repeal the 2026 cut-off date for public rights of way.
Speaking in the Senedd on 3 March,(2) Julie James, Counsel General and Minister for Delivery, said that the Government would bring forward amendments to the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill in stage 2 committee.(3)
Says the society’s general secretary, Kate Ashbrook:
“It is splendid news that the Welsh Government is acting now on its commitment to repeal ‘Path Extinguishment Day’, which remained set (in Wales) for 1 January 2026—only nine months away.(4) This will save countless unrecorded paths from extinction.
“These iniquitous provisions, which at the beginning of this century were a sordid trade-off for greater freedom of access to open country, have been a source of endless frustration and worry for all of those concerned with improving access to the countryside. Now the Welsh Government is delivering on its earlier commitment to repeal, and we warmly welcome its fulfilment. We look to the Government in Westminster to act with equal celerity and determination.”
Kate added:
“The Welsh Government included these repeal provisions in the Bill in a consultation draft in 2022.(5) It then withdrew them following the topsy-turvy positions of Defra Ministers in relation to implementation in England. The society sought the assistance of the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee to ask the Minister to restore the provisions to the Bill,(6) and we are pleased that both the committee and the Minister responded favourably. We are delighted to have been able to influence this outcome.
“We look forward to members of the committee(7) accepting the amendments to restore the repeal provisions to the Bill, at its stage 2 proceedings later in the spring.”
Notes
The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and is Britain’s oldest national conservation body. It campaigns in England and Wales to protect common land, village greens, open spaces and public paths, and people’s right to enjoy them.
The Minister said (para.496): ‘…I am informing Members today that I intend to bring forward amendments at Stage 2 and the committee may then vote on their inclusion or otherwise. If any Member wishes to speak to me about this approach ahead of the Stage 2 proceedings I’m more than happy to hear from them, and I’m keen to ensure that, where we are repealing legislation, the Senedd is satisfied with the basis on which those repeals are being taken forward.’
The provisions are contained in sections 53–56 of, and para.4 of Schedule 5 to, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The provisions have not yet been brought into force in Wales (but in England, the provisions have been brought into force, but with the cut-off date set back to 1 January 2031). These provisions would extinguish rights of way which were not recorded on definitive maps and statements at the cut-off date.
BBC Radio Shropshire’s Genevieve Tudor visited the Oswestry Town Museum the other day to find out more about a ghost boat – a narrowboat called the Usk, which resurfaced at Crickheath during the Shropshire Union Canal Society’s restoration of the waterway. The story will feature in a BBC series, Secret Shropshire soon.
Chris Bryan-Smith from SUCS said,
“The story goes that the 24-year-old skipper of the Usk, George Benbow was killed in an accident on the Shropshire Union Canal in 1886 and following that the boat was unlucky with boatmen refusing to work on her, so eventually, she was left to sink at Crickheath. All that is true, but does George still walks to towpath at dusk – who knows”.
Mark Hignett from Oswestry Town Museum said,
“We are thrilled to have the ironwork from the Usk and lots of other artifacts from the canal restoration on display and we are planning to do further projects and research so that the story of the canal can be told in more detail. It certainly does seem to be a secret part of Shropshire’s history”.
The Oswestry Town Museum is situated in the Guildhall at the Bailey Head and is well worth a visit.
Feature image: Chris Bryan-Smith, Genevieve Tudor & Mark Hignett
The Annual Regional Meeting for the National Garden Scheme in Wales & The Marches took place on Wednesday 5th March at Hafod Yr Afon in Newtown. Over fifty Committee members from the various counties in the area attended, together with representatives from the NGS Head Office in Surrey.
Susan Paynton, Regional Chair Wales & The Marches, confirmed a total of 376 gardens, nearly seventy of which are new to the NGS, will be opening in this area. Our new leaflets, advertising the gardens which can be visited in 2025, can be found in Garden and Tourist Information Centres & major supermarkets. George Plumptre, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, was delighted to report over £3.5 million had been donated to our nursing and health beneficiaries in 2024. The impact of these donations has been life changing for the many people who live with health conditions such as cancer and Parkinsons and has been an invaluable support to many of the nursing staff, health professionals and care workers associated with these charities. Funding support is also given to community gardens, horticultural workers and the Army Benevolent Fund. More information about the 2024 Impact Report can be found on www.ngs.org.uk.
George Plumptre has recently announced his retirement as NGS Chief Executive after 15 years in the post. Susan Paynton presented him with a beautiful plate based on the NGS logo and specially designed by a local potter in Carmarthenshire. The inscription read “Thank you from Wales and The Borders”. George’s dedication & ability to inspire will be much missed.
If you are interested in the Special Event being held at Vaynor Park near Berriew on April 30th, don’t forget to head to the National Garden Scheme website very soon to purchase your ticket. The event, priced at £25 pp includes a personal talk and tour with owner, Kate Corbett Winder and Head Gardener, Rupert Redway, followed by tea & cake in the stable yard. The gardens will be brimming with over 3,000 tulips, magnolias, euphorbias and trilliums. Tickets are limited so to avoid disappointment, book in very soon.
A team of Welsh chefs cooked up a selection of delicacies, inspired by top quality food and drink products from Wales, at a St David’s Day reception held at 10 Downing Street, London last week.
The team, representing the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), prepared a selection of mouthwatering savoury and dessert canapes for VIP guests from politics business, culture and entertainment.
Guests included Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, cast members from Gavin and Stacey, actor Michael Sheen and rugby stars Alun Wyn Jones and Ken Owens, to name but a few.
This year, the whole Welsh team was from The Celtic Collection, headed by Michael Bates, executive chef.
The other chefs were Justin Llewellyn, head chef at The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff, Matthew Owen, head chef at Steak on Six, Mich Le Cuziat, senior sous chef at The Olive Tree & Garden Room, Liam Morgan, demi chef and food and beverage director Glenn Lewis, all from The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.
Their menu, themed ‘Bite into our culture’, included a selection of savoury and dessert canapes. The savour delicacies included cured salmon, Welsh gin, compressed cucumber and lemon jel; prawn cracker crisp, crab, sweetcorn, coriander and lime salsa; mini whipped Pembroke potato shepherd’s pie; ‘Welsh Rarebit’ served on onion bread with local beetroot chutney; compressed watermelon, crumbed Welsh goats’ cheese, avocado and lime gel and savoury choux, salt beef and horseradish crème fraiche.
The dessert canapes were Welsh cake with strawberry jel and Welsh clotted cream and cinnamon and Merlyn chocolate liquor tart and scored meringue.
The Celtic Collection executive chef Michael Bates meeting Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer at the reception.
Mr Bates, who devised the menu and selected team for the reception, said:
“It was another amazing experience for all the whole team who were very proud to showcase produce from Wales and represent the Culinary Association of Wales at such a prestigious event.
“There was a great buzz in the room and everybody seemed to be enjoying celebrating St David’s Day and everything about Wales. The canapes went down very well, particularly the shepherd’s pie and Welsh Rarebit, and we were delighted to receive such positive feedback. The team loved the experience.”
CAW president Arwyn Watkins, OBE, executive chairman of Cambrian Training Company and Trailhead Fine Foods based in Welshpool, was one of the invited guests.
“It was a great opportunity to showcase top quality Welsh food and culinary skills and the team from The Celtic Collection was able to deliver in style for the Culinary Association of Wales at short notice,” he said.
“As Wales is preparing to host the Worldchefs Congress & Expo at ICC Wales in May, 2026, I took the opportunity to spread the great news whilst networking with guests, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens.”
Welsh food companies exhibiting at the reception included Village Bakery, Wrexham, Trailhead Fine Foods, Welshpool and Joe’s Ice Cream, Swansea.
Castell Howell supplied most of the food ingredients while Glyndwr Vineyard, Cowbridge, supplied red and white wines, Radnor Hills the bottled water and Trailhead Fine Foods the salted beef.
Feature image: The Culinary Association of Wales team outside 10, Downing Street.
St John Ambulance Cymru Collaborates with Children’s Commissioner for Wales on Youth Empowerment
St John Ambulance Cymru Cadets can now learn more about youth empowerment thanks to a collaboration between the charity and the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes recently visited the charity’s building in Pontarddulais and took part activities regarding children’s rights with the local group of Cadets – St John Ambulance Cymru volunteers who are aged 11-17.
The new Youth Empowerment theme is just one of the subject areas of the newly updated Grand Prior programme that St John Ambulance Cymru Cadets can choose to complete to achieve their Grand Prior Award, which is the highest accolade a Cadet can receive.
Cadets must complete a project based in their community along with modules in 12 different subjects to achieve the Grand Prior Award, which involves developing skills in areas such as leadership and communication, as well as first aid.
The Prior for Wales, Paul Griffiths and Angela Overment, the charity’s Director of People, Culture and Experience, joined staff and volunteers, as well as representatives from the Commissioner’s Office to hear more about the work that had gone into producing the new theme.
Prior for Wales, Paul Griffiths OBE KStJ JP DL said:
“It was an honour to welcome the Children’s Commissioner for Wales to meet our dedicated volunteers in Pontarddulais and to let our fantastic Cadets show some of the valuable work they do to learn new skills and valuable life lessons.
“Our ongoing commitment to increasing youth empowerment is illustrated by the launch of our new ‘Llais’ Youth Advisory Panel, which consists of ambassadors aged under 25, who represent the children and young people who both volunteer for St John Ambulance Cymru as well as those we serve in the wider community.”
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes MBE, said:
“It was a pleasure to meet the young people and volunteers at St John Ambulance Cymru and to hear about the ways they are being supported to learn about and access their rights.
“I was particularly pleased to hear a commitment to elevating children’s voices in their work through the establishment of a new youth advisory panel. Giving children meaningful and regular opportunities to influence decision-making is a vital aspect of a children’s rights approach.”
To find out more about St John Ambulance Cymru’s opportunities for young people, which range from Badgers (5-11 years old), Cadets (11-17), Young Adults (16-25) and University students, please visit www.sjacymru.org.uk/young-people.
Local preserves producers FOXHILL have found success at the Artisan World Marmalade Awards (@marmaladeawards), receiving a GOLD Award for their RED GRAPEFRUIT marmalade. These jars now number among the best in the world for Artisanal production.
This marmalade was particularly enjoyed by the judges who were impressed with the marmalade’s appearance, colour, consistency, aroma and flavour.
The Marmalade Awards has received even more entries this year, with over 3000 jars from more than 30 countries worldwide including Iran, Cyprus, Greece, Hawaii, Hong Kong, USA and Japan. The Artisan jars are judged by an expert panel including head judge, Jane Maggs (founder of Wild & Fruitful), food historian Ivan Day and Fortnum & Mason Grocery Buyer Syrie Gwyn Palmer. The accolade of the roundel that has been awarded denotes a marmalade of exceptional quality.
“The Artisan marmalades we judged this year have been of exceptionally high standards. This really is a competition of the giants of the preserving world. I know that FOXHILL PRESERVES will have huge success with their wonderful marmalade which was very justifiably recognised as one of the special jars in the competition.”
– Beatrice Hasell-McCosh, Director of the Awards
The Artisan Gold and Double Gold award winners have the opportunity to take part in a workshop for and receive their awards at a Presentation Ceremony on Friday 25th April. Dalemain will stock Gold and Double Gold marmalades in their World Marmalade Shop at Dalemain throughout the year with marmalades from the UK, Japan, and around Europe and beyond, available to taste and buy.
Owners and artisan marmalade makers Marie & Rose say:
“It is a real pleasure to have won this award against competition from all over the world. We have been making 30 different marmalade varieties for six years now so it is a great thrill to have our hard work recognised among such a strong field. The Gold award for Red Grapefruit marmalade means we now have four award winning marmalades – Lime (Gold), Lemon & Lime (Gold), Dark & Stormy (Great Taste Award).”
Foxhill marmalade can be purchased at St Dogmaels Local Producers Market on Tuesday mornings, also at Local Markets in Cardigan Guildhall, Lampeter, Aberystwyth & Aberporth. For the full list of Artisan Marmalade Awards available to buy, visit www.marmaladeawards.com . The Marmalade Festival will take place on Saturday 26th April.
The Awards are sponsored by Fortnum & Mason, Westmorland Family, Rathbones and Lycetts and are proud to raise money for palliative care around the world. To date the Awards have raised over £320,000 for palliative care around the world and for Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland and a number of other charities worldwide.
Rowan Griffiths, Senior Gardener at Hergest Croft Gardens, has been recognised at the inaugural Visit Herefordshire Awards, receiving the Judges’ Commendation for Conservation Community Champion. The award celebrates his excellence and dedication to Herefordshire’s tourism industry, particularly in conservation and horticulture.
The award was presented by TV presenter and broadcaster Jules Hudson, best known for hosting Escape to the Country, at a prestigious ceremony held at Lyde Court, near Hereford.
Rowan’s commitment to conservation has previously been acknowledged on a national level—he was the recipient of the 2023 Roy Lancaster Award, presented by the Royal Horticultural Society to an individual under 35 who has made an exceptional contribution to horticulture.
Speaking about his latest achievement, Rowan Griffiths said:
“I am hugely honoured to receive this award. It is a testament to the Banks family in creating a garden of global significance at Hergest. With so many wild-origin plants of scientific importance in the collection, we take our ex-situ conservation role working with partners such as Plant Heritage and the BCGI very seriously. We also hope that visitors will be inspired by the amazing diversity of plant life on show at Hergest, often from increasingly fragile parts of the world.”
Austyn Hallworth, Head of Marketing & PR for Hergest Croft Gardens, added:
“We are absolutely thrilled that Rowan has received this award. His passion, dedication, and enthusiasm are unparalleled. However, it is also a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire team at the gardens.”
Hergest Croft Gardens, set in the heart of Herefordshire, is home to the National Collections of Zelkovas, Birches, and Maples, along with 130 champion trees and over 5,000 rare plants and shrubs. The gardens will be open daily from 29th March 2025 until 2nd November 2025, welcoming garden enthusiasts, conservationists, and visitors from across the country.
For more information about Hergest Croft Gardens, visit www.hergest.co.uk
Marmalade Awards grazed by Daisy Graze the artisan food producer of marmalade, preserves and jam.
Janine Gray the owner of Daisy Graze told Welsh Country:
“I am so pleased to announce that I entered 4 marmalades in @marmaladeawards this year and did incredibly. Silver for my Lemon and Lime. Maintained my Bronze for my Seville Orange. Another Bronze for my Blood Orange and for the new kid on the block, Grapefruit, a commended. Can’t tell you how much the recognition means.”
These awards are a true recognition of their quality with judging carried out by a small panel of experts. Indeed the 2025Marmalade Awards has received even more entries this year, with over 3000 jars from more than 30 countries worldwide including Iran, Cyprus, Greece, Hawaii, Hong Kong, USA and Japan. The Artisan jars are judged by an expert panel including head judge, Jane Maggs (founder of Wild & Fruitful), food historian Ivan Day and Fortnum & Mason Grocery Buyer Syrie Gwyn Palmer. The accolade of the roundels that have been awarded denote marmalades of exceptional quality.
Indeed the Marmalade Awards and festival are only made possible by all the people who enter each year, carefully wrapping their jars and taking the time to make and send their marmalade to Dalemain.
There is also a huge amount of work that the volunteers put in each year from unwrapping the entries to decorating the displays. The judges are also volunteers taking time out to use their world class knowledge to help us find the best of the best.
We are exceptionally lucky to have partnered with key organisations, Fortnum & Masons, Rathbones, Westmorland Family and Lycetts who support the Awards and Festival with sponsorship, support and great enthusiasm which allows us to continue.
Janine commented at the time of the awards:
“It is a real pleasure to have won this award against such strong competition from all over the world. We have been making our marmalade for several years and it is a great thrill to be recognised among such a strong field.”
The Marmalade Awards said of Daisy Graze from Dinas Powys
A small independently run business which produces Artisan Preserves and Conserves. Specialising in hand cut, award winning Jams and Marmalade as well as Jellies and Chutneys, Fruit Vinegars, Wild Garlic Oil, Seasonal Cordials and silky smooth extremely Chocolaty Fudge.
Using home grown and foraged ingredients as much as possible and working closely with local Wildlife Societies to use forgotten varieties of fruit.
You can purchase from several local retailers or find Daisy Graze every Saturday at Cowbridge Farmers Market 9-1.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has expressed concern following the release of UK Trade figures which revealed a significant increase of sheep meat imported to the UK in 2024.
Data released by the UK Government showed the UK imports of sheep meat surged by 40% on the year, reaching 67,880 tonnes, marking the highest level since 2018.
Increased imports from New Zealand (an increase of 14,300 tonnes) and Australia (6,500 tonnes increase) now account for 86% of UK sheep meat imports, marking an increase from 78% in 2023.
Analysis by Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) suggests a range of factors are responsible for the rise in imports, including lower prices from the Southern Hemisphere, new Free Trade Agreements, and a record level of deadweight prices in the UK.
Data by DEFRA also showed UK sheep meat production had declined by 7% in 2024, while UK beef production in 2024 increased by 4%.
“The surge in sheep meat imports from New Zealand and Australia poses a very real threat that could undermine the livelihoods of Welsh sheep farmers and the sustainability of our rural communities.
“The increased imports are perhaps unsurprising, and follow the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ longstanding warnings that previous governments’ liberal approach to trade negotiations with New Zealand and Australia could drastically undermine Welsh farmers and domestic food production.
“Increasingly we are witnessing a potential displacement of high-quality Welsh and UK lamb – a product of world-leading sustainable farming practices – in favour of imports that have travelled thousands of miles.”
Gareth Parry, Farmers’ Union of Wales’ Head of Policy added:
“The tighter throughput of livestock across the UK reflects current confidence levels of the sector, whilst the resulting record-high prices are causing difficulties for processors and retailers across the supply chain which, in part, increases the attractiveness of cheaper imports.
“In reality, however, inherent to the increase in food imports is a reduction in the UK’s food security, both through the displacement of domestic production and through additional reliance on food produced many thousands of miles away.”
If you love the fragrance of Almonds, as I do, then this shower oil from L’Occitane will be perfect for you. Almonds have long been a hallmark of L’Occitane en Provence and of course are what this iconic oil is all about. This spring, L’Occitane are celebrating this much loved product along with their Almond Supple Skin Oil which I shall review later.
Comforting, luxurious and deliciously scented with the olfactory delights of sweet almonds, the Almond Shower Oil is a best-seller for L’Occitane for a good reason, it is beautiful. Every time you use this super shower oil is an indulgent everyday moment of joy to nurture your body and your mind. You’ll find your bathroom is filled with the delicious scent of warm almond and a subtle hint of vanilla, transporting you in mind and spirit to the almond fields of the Valensole Plateau, Provence. When it has contact with water, the oil becomes a nourishing milky veil that gently cleanses and moisturises your skin and leaves it feeling supple and soft to the touch. The Almond Shower Oil is also great for shaving, leaving you with silky smooth skin after use.
Vegan friendly formula containing 99% readily biodegradable ingredients.
Why not treat Mum for Mother’s Day to probably the best shower oil she’s ever used?
This Almond Supple Skin Oil is a luxurious, daily body oil that unveils the secret to smooth, firm, and deeply nourished skin as it delivers to your skin unparalleled hydration and moisture. This wonderful oil has been infused with 50% sweet almond oil, an ingredient that is celebrated for its richness, it also features a harmonious blend of naturally revitalizing ingredients,
including squalene, vitamin E, and omega-9 fatty acids. Each component is a botanical treasure, enhancing your skin’s elasticity. You will find this Almond Supple Skin Oil absorbs effortlessly, no stickiness or greasiness as it cloaks your skin in a delicate, veil of the scent of fresh almonds and provides 48 hours of long-lasting moisture for your skin.
I am sure that you will love this body care perfect pair as they will bring everyday moments of joy to your daily wellness routine, leaving your skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated skin after each use.
This supple skin oil will make the most beautiful gift for Mother’s Day and perhaps a sibling can treat her to the shower oil as well.
Until the beginning of the last century, the almond tree was an emblem of the Provençal landscape. But little by little, almond cultivation was abandoned to make way for more profitable crops such as lavandin, and, by the 1950s and 60s, the tree had all but disappeared from the region. L’Occitane en Provence is committed to sourcing its almonds from producers in the south of France and the Mediterranean basin in order to help revive this traditional industry. Since the early 2000’s, we have partnered with Jean-Pierre Jaubert to revive the ancient art of almond tree cultivation in the south of France, and he has now replanted over 17,000 almond trees. His land covers 50 hectares, and his passion and know-how goes back three generations. Through multi-year contracts, L’Occitane en Provence maintains a sustainable partnership and relationship with Jean-Pierre, working hand-in-hand to ensure sustainable farming practices, using only organic fertilisers. Thanks to the regenerative agriculture strategy Jean-Pierre deploys, and the installation of a rainwater retention basin alongside building of 300 beehives to promote biodiversity, the land, biodiversity and iconic almond trees of Provence flourish once again.
Almonds have long been a hallmark of L’Occitane en Provence, integral to many of our most loved products. Celebrating their remarkable versatility, we are dedicated to sustainability by ensuring no part of the nut goes to waste. Even the hard shells, often discarded by the confectionery industry, are transformed into natural exfoliants in our products.
Sign up now and join Spring Clean Cymru 2025 – 21 March-6 April
Communities across Wales are invited to join Spring Clean Cymru 2025 and help pick up the litter that pollutes our neighbourhoods, beaches and parks.
The 2024 event saw 5,000 volunteers take part in 700 events across Wales. Keep Wales Tidy hopes to beat that in 2025, making this year the most successful spring clean yet.
Families, friends, community groups, schools, businesses and individuals can get involved between Friday 21 March and Sunday 6 April 2025.
Participants can register their own event – such as litter picking their street, local park, beach or other beauty spot – or sign up to join an organised clean-up on the Keep Wales Tidy website.
Spring Clean Cymru is part of the Great British Spring Clean, run in England by Keep Britain Tidy and in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Every single piece of litter collected and safely disposed of makes a difference in protecting the environment in Wales, whether you pick up one bag or 100.
This year Spring Clean Cymru will kick off with a World Record Attempt. Keep Wales Tidy, and other likeminded organisations are partnering with leading environmentalist Kate Strong and freshwater expert Dr Numair Masud to break a new Guinness World Record for Most Participants in a River Clean-up (at Multiple Locations). The attempt will begin in locations along the River Taff, including Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Cardiff’s Taff Embankment from the stroke of midday on Friday 21 March.
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire said:
“Every year we are inspired and humbled by the thousands of people across Wales who take part in Spring Clean Cymru and give their time to make a cleaner Wales for everyone. Our message this year is #LoveWhereYouLive and we really see that in the commitment of those who take part.
“In an ideal world, there would be no need for people to spend time litter picking, but we are continually grateful to everyone who does so, making their local communities and beauty spots cleaner and safer for everyone.”
He added:
“Litter picking is a great way of coming together as a community, getting active outdoors, and benefitting your health and wellbeing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never taken part before – all the information you need is on our website. Every single piece of litter picked up makes a difference and we’d love for you to join us in looking after and protecting the environment in Wales.”
You can register or search for a Spring Clean event near you on the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru
As Spring arrives the days lengthen and warmth returns there is no better time to get out and appreciate the Welsh landscapes and seascapes. Woodlands are filled with bluebells and ramsons while the coastal path is lined with wild flowers. Butterflies emerge and it is a time of bird migration. Summer visitors like swallows arrive, while other birds pass through on their flyways from wintering grounds in the southern hemisphere to northern summer breeding grounds. Most waders hug the coast but dotterel prefer the lonely windswept uplands of the Elenydd, like this one photographed on the summit of Pumlumon Fawr. As warm air passes over the winter cold waters of the Irish Sea, banks of sea fog lap the coast and creep inland along valley floors. The warmth of last year was exceptionally good for atmospheric coastal scenes in April and May.
I often get asked when and where I take photos for my postcards and in response I have produced the book ‘The Best Places to Photograph in Ceredigion’. It is a handy paperback guide to the wildlife and scenery of inland and coastal Ceredigion, it is not intended to be a definitive guide but a starting point for anyone wishing to explore Ceredigion. It is available direct from my website: janetbaxterphotography.co.uk or Amazon.
Feature image: Sea mist along the Ceredigion coast, Llangrannog, Ceredigion.
Photo Gallery
Dotterel, Pumlumon fawr summit, Ceredigion.
Puffin in bluebells, Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire.
Heart of the community: Pub Helps to Support Local People to Overcome Loneliness and Social Isolation
Publicans Rhiannon Metters and Jason James are making it their mission to support people in the isolated farming community of Tal-y-coed, Monmouthshire.
Their pub The Halfway is the hub of this rural community where many people including farmers, live and work alone, meaning they have little opportunity for social interaction.
The area has a population of around 730 people and limited services with no local shop or public transport links to nearby more populated areas. The nearest supermarket is over a 20-minute drive and the road can be closed in bad weather.
The publicans’ contacted Pub is The Hub for help and advice in order to tackle the lack of services and activities for people in the local community.
Expert help and a Community Services Fund grant from Pub is The Hub were provided to help with the opening of a village store and community marquee.
Pub is The Hub, is a not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services. It has supported a number of projects in rural areas across Wales after receiving a grant of £25,000 from The Royal Countryside Fund.
Publican Rhiannon Metters celebrates the opening of the village store with Pub is The Hub advisor Roger Belle.
The Halfway has launched a new village store inside an area of the pub, which stocks a range of essentials from bread, milk, cheese, bacon, honey and ham. There are plans to eventually move this into an outbuilding for more space and to stock more products from local suppliers.
A new marquee has also been erected, which is being used as a community hub to support social interaction, community cohesion and promote health and wellbeing. It is also the centre of a range of community events and is being used as the base for the new local produce market.
The marquee and village store will also support local businesses and the rural economy by providing an outlet for local farmers, producers, crafters and other enterprises.
The village shop will also be used to provide opportunities to create partnerships with schools and youth service providers to ensure young people are given an insight into local produce, reducing carbon footprint and how the shop can help to support the rural economy.
The Halfway has also been using a craft box, supplied by Pub is The Hub in partnership with charity Creative Lives, to help engage local people in more creative activities.
Partnership working: The Halfway launched the new services with support from other organisations and suppliers. (Left to right: Rebekah Gibson, Community Development Coordinator for Monmouthshire County Council; Chris Irving, Strategic Lead for Monmouthshire, for Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO); Jane Mills, co-owner Caerwent Craft Chocolate; Jo Webb, Community Spaces Outreach Officer at GAVO; Publican Rhiannon Metters and Kevin Garrod from Monnow Valley Cider.
Publican Rhiannon Metters has been using the craft box to help engage more families with the pub and support younger visitors, as well as engaging older customers to get creative. The boxes feature basic drawing tools including paper, pens, charcoal and pastels, watercolour and acrylic paints, as well as origami materials & air-drying clay.
Metters said:
“We are situated in an isolated rural community with the pub being the social hub of the area. It is so important that we support local people ensuring they are not feeling isolated and alone. We are very passionate about making sure this is a pub for everyone in the area.
“The village store here in this isolated rural area is such a support for people in the local community with the marquee enabling us to run more community events supporting both local people and suppliers.”
She added:
“The craft box offers a great way to encourage conversation over a shared activity. It’s helped me to further create a place where the community can come together and using creativity to do this works so well.”
Pub is The Hub regional advisor Roger Belle added:
“These publicans are the real heroes of this local community and have made the pub the hub of this rural village.
“Offering these services and activities to support people in this area of Wales is proving to be a lifeline to overcome social isolation and loneliness.”
Pupils of Ysgol Llandybie Primary School are benefiting from Ashmole & Co’s financial support. The Ammanford office of the accountancy firm has helped the school with the annual purchase of the online maths resource called MyMaths.
Llandybie Primary School uses the online resource to help pupils and parents with the teaching of maths at home. The MyMaths programme allows teachers to set tasks for pupils as well as provide them with tutorials to show them the mathematical concepts being taught. It is able to assist in all areas of mathematics from shape to space, data to financial literacy.
Laura Craddock, Partner in Ashmole & Co’s Ammanford office, said,
“We are always keen to offer our support locally. We are more than happy to help fund the online resource MyMaths to help train the local accountants of the future from a young age.”
Llandybie Primary School Head Teacher, Rhian Pritchard, said,
“We are keen to continue using online resources to enhance our pupils’ learning experience but they come at an extra cost. We are grateful to Ashmole and Co for the donation which will enable us to continue the provision of online maths learning.”
Ashmole & Co Chartered, Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancy and auditing practices in south Wales, operating from 13 offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest.
Feature image: Llandybie Primary School year 6 pupils with Head Teacher, Rhian Pritchard and Ashmole & Co Partner in the Ammanford office, Laura Craddock.
If your skin is giving you cause for concern, then I’ve found a serum that amazes me as it seems to be more like a face lift in a bottle. Shoppers have sworn by this cult beauty buy for 20 years giving this product a 4.8* star rating. But why I didn’t find this lovely product earlier is very annoying to me! Now this isn’t just another hydrating serum and of course there are so many on the market, but this is a powerhouse formula infused with Elizabeth Grant’s signature Torricelumn™ complex, Collagen, Vitamins A, C and E, with also a plant stem cell technology that goes beyond surface hydration to repair, restore and visibly transform your skin at a cellular level. Torricelumn is hailed as a ‘magical substance’ and the secret to age-defying, glowing skin, so this is one for you to try, or maybe just give large loud hints for Mother’s Day or a birthday perhaps!
Torricelumn™ is a powerful proprietary anti-aging ingredient compound that has revolutionised skin care. The power of Torricelumn™ was first discovered by Elizabeth back in 1948 and over the years the company have perfected the formula to help you target and improve the 5 main signs of ageing: wrinkles, firmness, hyperpigmentation, dryness and dullness. This award-winning, best-selling serum is perfect for all skin types and skin concerns. Using just 1-2 drops your skin will look and feel rejuvenated, hydrated, smoother and certainly look much more radiant. As this serum has been formulated with Torricelumn in its purest, most concentrated form, you’ll find it works as an intensive skin care treatment to visibly plump and rejuvenate the look of your skin and in the formulation there’s also plant stem cells to help repair and revitalize your skin. Plus it is light-weight and has a fast absorbing formula for optimal efficacy and results, your skin will feel deeply hydrated all day. I was amazed and delighted with the effect it had on my skin.
This is an impressive and revolutionary serum that is clinically proven to reduce 5 signs of aging in 14 to 28 days. The moisturizing Torricelumn™ and enriched with advanced plant stem cell technology and amino acids. Creating a blend with superior antioxidant activity and soothing anti-inflammatory properties. This is just one product that you’ll find has multiple benefits for your skin, so that does make life easier. The Supreme Essence of Torricelumn™ can seamlessly fit into your multi-product routine, or stand as the only product of your routine, of course the choice is yours. You can even use it as a hydration booster, to heal a sunburn or as an anti-aging serum.
It is suitable for all skin types and perfect for:
Sensitive skin
Dry skin
Normal/Combination skin
Oily skin
Dehydration
Fine lines & wrinkles
Redness
Dullness
Uneven skin tone
After cleansing, apply 1-2 drops of serum into your hands and then just gently press into your skin.
In the course of clinical studies conducted in Germany by Derma Consult GmbH among 20 participants for 28 days:
100% of participants saw an increase in skin hydration
100% of participants saw an increase in skin firmness
100% of participants saw an increase in skin smoothness
100% of participants saw a decrease in wrinkle depth
Our Story
In 1948 London, England, it was unusual for women to run a business. That didn’t stop Elizabeth Grant. She had something revolutionary to share with the world.
Near the end of the Second World War, Elizabeth’s face suffered severe damage after a bomb blast. She tried it all in an effort to heal her skin and restore her self-confidence. As she researched, she discovered a natural substance used to treat war wounds. She commissioned a special serum with this substance and used it to treat her damaged skin.
What she had created was life-changing. Within eight months, her skin improved remarkably—she started living again. Suddenly something that brought her shame became the source of compliments. Everyone needed to know her skin care secret.
The rest, as they say, is history. This miracle blend, Torricelumn™, along with Elizabeth’s vision, transformed the company from a small home-based business into a global sensation. Our line has grown from our Supreme Essence of Torricelumn™ into a multi-product line for all concerns, from hyperpigmentation to fine lines and redness.
Today, Elizabeth Grant Skin Care remains a family-owned business with all operations happening under one roof in Toronto, Canada. From development to manufacturing, we keep it all in-house to protect the quality we have become known for over the years and to eliminate unnecessary costs that add to higher pricing.
3 Generations of Women
We keep it in the family. While Elizabeth Grant, at 100 years of age, remains part of the company, she is not alone. Her daughter-in-law Marion Witz and granddaughter Margot Grant Witz accompany Elizabeth as President and Vice President. Three generations of women walking with you through the beautiful journey that is ageing.
Wrexham awarded ‘2024 Tree City of the World’ for a third, successive year with recognition from The Arbor Day Foundation, Food and Agriculture Organization.
On the 4th March 2025, The Arbor Day Foundation has once again named Wrexham as a ‘2024 Tree City World’ in honour of its continued commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit the City and surrounding communities.
This is now the third year in a row in which Wrexham has been honoured with this prestigious global award, acknowledging the hard work and dedicated commitment of staff and volunteers in their continuing effort to maintain, protect and enhance trees and overall canopy cover across urban and rural communities within the County Borough.
The Arbor Day Foundation is a United States-based global nonprofit organisation with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. Its network of more than a million supporters and partners has helped the organisation plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities across more than 60 countries since 1972. The international Tree Cities of the World programme recognizes cities and towns that leverage urban forestry to enhance the livability and sustainability of their local area.
“Across borders, trees bring people together. No matter what country we live in or what language we speak, we can all benefit from the positive power of trees,” said Michelle Saulnier, Vice President of Programs at the Arbor Day Foundation. “We’re proud that Wrexham continues to be among the Arbor Day Foundation’s global network of tree champions planting towards a better future.”
In cities and neighborhoods, trees are proven to help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce storm-water runoff and flooding, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, reduce anti-social behavior, encourage investment and lower energy costs for homeowners.
Correct, pro-active management of trees and their valued role within a connected green infrastructure network can assist in combatting both climate change and declining levels of biodiversity.
Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead Member for Economy said,
“We are delighted that, once again, the city of Wrexham has been recognized as a Tree City of the World and we are proud to re-affirm our standing within a global network of towns and cities dedicated to protecting and enhancing their tree stock and promoting the values of trees, through community engagement and good asset management.
“Our tree planting schemes throughout this previous autumn and winter have seen over 5,600 trees planted throughout the county and within our city centre. With the valued assistance of local volunteers, we have planted a variety of tree species from native broadleaved whips to large standard trees. This award acknowledges our commitment to continue establishing an increased canopy cover across Wrexham to 20%.
“Our commitment to trees has also been acknowledged by judges as part of our successful Gold award entries into Wales and Britain in bloom last year.”
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Environment Services, said,
“Receiving the title of Tree City of The world for a third year in succession is once again, recognition for the repeated hard work and efforts of council staff and the vital contribution of members of the public in various communities, over the last twelve months, to plant and manage the trees which prove so vital for our health and well-being and for our local economy.
“As a council, we again gratefully accept this wonderful, prestigious recognition and we will continue in our commitment to the planting, protection and enhancement of individual trees and woodlands which collectively create Wrexham’s urban forest.”
To earn Tree Cities of the World recognition, a city must uphold five core standards: establish responsibility for the care of trees; enact a law or policy that governs the management of trees and woodlands; maintain an updated assessment of local tree resources; allocate sufficient resources for a pro-active tree management regime; and hold annual celebrations of trees to raise their profile and values and to encourage the involvement of local businesses and residents.
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Cities of the World program is operated in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.
Whatever the season, even during summer, we know there will still be plenty of wet weather for us to bear, be that going camping or caravanning, kayaking, paddle boarding, or taking to the water on a yacht or a boat. Then there are festivals, outdoor concerts, dog walking, or tackling a coastal path. With all these ideas in my head I am so pleased that Grubs has just launched its brand new Coastal Boot Collection for this Spring/Summer Season. Even if you are facing a grey, gloomy day as the sun is still resting, these brilliant boots will cheer you up as well as keeping your feet dry and secure. They’re also slip free as they have great traction and grippy soles, which you’ll be grateful for if you are tackling a rugged coastal path. I loved the fact that these booties can easily be slipped on and off, then I can take the dog on the beach and enjoy the comfort these booties offer, but of course with dry feet. During the summer I don’t want to wear wellingtons as I feel over-dressed in them, so these handy booties are most certainly a summer must-have for me. Plus I found them ideal for doing a potter around the garden and even used them on the school run. Wales, is known for its green and pleasant land and has a reputation for rain, or at least unpredictable summer showers, so these booties are just what is needed to keep your feet dry. For those of you lucky enough to have a caravan or a mobile home you’ll appreciate how useful these boots are, but do check out the whole range of the new Coastal Collection and ensure that whilst you holiday in Wales or Great Britain you have the correct footwear! We all know it is never the weather to blame just the wrong footwear or clothing!
So let me recap and give you a few more details of the Grubs Bowline 4.0 Bootie. They offer you superior insulation, waterproof protection and excellent grip in an ankle height design, so you are able to have the comfort of a shorter Bootie with no risk of sacrificing quality. They are ideal for all-day wear as this bootie features Grubs insu-foam ultra bootie construction that offer you outstanding stretch, comfort and warmth. In fact these booties were so comfy I now call them my wellie slippers!!! The Aqua-Grip outsole ensures that you get reliable traction on a variety of surfaces, including boat decks, while the Superdri lining keeps feet dry and fresh throughout the day. The Gats sole is equally at home on a deck, caravan park, campsite, beach, coastal path etc. as it provides excellent grip, they are also non marking and do not pick up small stones or become clogged up with mud. I am impressed that the team at Grubs have covered everything I need in these brilliant booties. I really don’t think that the team
Please do check out the Grubs website as the have a great selection of boots and wellies, plus they are a UK company based at Bolton, Lancashire.
They use lightweight shoeboxes made of recycled materials that are recyclable. They keep print on the boxes to minimum and inks are now water based and nontoxic. The boxes are redesigned to use 20% less card and be 15% smaller giving the additional benefit of packing more product into a container. This reduces the container per pair cost as well as reducing the carbon per pair.
They have cut rubber and plastic waste to an absolute minimum of total usage. 100% of the waste rubber in production is recycled into the next rubber batch resulting in an average 20% recycled content in the boots. Nylon and Polyester face fabric is stripped and returned for recycling. The base yarn is made from 20% recycled plastics. All transportation packaging is reused, such as outer cardboard cartons, to pack and ship goods onwards to our customers.
Regular readers will know that I am getting quite an obsession with reed diffusers, as I find them the perfect way to scent a room and with having a dog I do get quite worried that family and visitors must enter a fragrant home, not one that has the aroma of a dog kennel!!!
I wasn’t aware that L’Occitane had reed diffusers in their range but now I have tried one I am totally delighted with it. They have a number of fragrances but the one I tried was Tubéreuse Gardénia which had top note of citrus, orange blossom and green notes, heart notes of gardenia, tuberose, violet and jasmine with base note of cedarwood, sandalwood and musk, it is an amazing fragrance.
I love the simplicity and ease of a diffuser and that they are so easy to move from room to room, but I am a greedy soul and like lots of diffusers in most rooms. The diffuser comes with 10 quality reeds and it is your choice whether you use all of them for a stronger fragrance or just use a few reeds if you wish to fragrance a smaller space such as a cloakroom or bathroom. This would make such a wonderful Mother’s Day gift and perhaps a couple of siblings can join together to give mum a special treat.
Imagine walking into a serene oasis that exudes refined elegance, transporting you to a realm of tranquility and bliss. Tubéreuse Gardénia Home Diffuser Set is the ultimate companion for those seeking to create a soothing sanctuary within their home. This enchanting blend of white florals combines the sensuality of tuberose with the sweetness of gardenia, crafting a unique poetry of scents that will captivate your senses.
Our Tubéreuse Gardénia diffuser expertly weaves together an intoxicating bouquet of white flowers, carefully balanced to evoke an unforgettable sensory experience. The fragrance unfolds with top notes of bright citrus, orange blossom, and fresh green, laying the foundation for a delicate yet alluring scent. As the aroma evolves, middle notes of gardenia, tuberose, violet, and jasmine burst forth, filling the air with an intricate tapestry of sweetness. As the fragrance settles, base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, and musk bring a grounding sensuality to the scent, leaving an air of serenity that’s unmistakable. Each note expertly layered to create a harmonious balance, Tubéreuse Gardénia Home Diffuser Set is the epitome of sophistication and elegance for any room, from the bedroom to the living room or peaceful workspace.
Elegantly crafted in a stylish apothecary jar, it is not only a source of delightful fragrance but also an exquisite decorative piece for any room. Its timeless design seamlessly blends with your home decor, adding a touch of sophistication and charm.
An award-winning specialist Welsh veterinary network established to tackle antibiotic resistance has reached a milestone and is nearing complete Wales-wide veterinary livestock practice coverage.
The Veterinary Prescribing Champion (VPC) network has welcomed an additional 12 vets and four new practices in the last year. The network now has 72 members, covering almost 90% of eligible veterinary livestock practices in Wales and reinforcing its role in promoting responsible antimicrobial use.
The VPC network is part of the Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol / Responsible Antimicrobial Use) programme.
Funded by the Welsh Government and led by Mentera, the Arwain DGC programme helps vets, farmers, and horse owners in Wales to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by promoting animal health and productivity, training, the application of new technology, data gathering and analysis, and research.
The VPC network is led by Dr Gwen Rees from Aberystwyth University and aims to support vets to prescribe antibiotics responsibly in Welsh farm veterinary practices.
Dr Rees, who is Arwain DGC’s Veterinary Development Manager, said,
“I’m delighted to see the VPC network go from strength to strength – it’s a real testament to the hard work and motivation of Welsh vets to be leaders in the field of antibiotic stewardship.”
Participating vets receive ongoing training, regular workshops and discussion groups to maintain a unified approach to prudent antimicrobial dispensing within and between veterinary practices – which they then disseminate to their practices. Topics include disease control, health management systems, and behavioural change strategies to drive responsible prescribing. Soft skill development, such as motivating change to promote prudent antimicrobial use, is also included.
Ruben Vines of Pembrokeshire Farm Vets
A significant success of the VPC network has been the participatory development of a voluntary code of conduct and series of clinical guidelines to support practices in their prescribing.
Mo Kemp of Calcoed Vets in Holywell highlighted how being part of the VPC network has helped her better advise farmers on reducing antibiotic dependency. She said,
“I was keen to be involved with the VPC network to improve engagement with farmers and re-ignite discussions about best treatment practices.”
Meanwhile, Ruben Vines of Pembrokeshire Farm Vets, one of the network’s newest members, sees the network as “an exciting opportunity to collaborate with other vets and health professionals and drive meaningful change in reducing antimicrobial use.”
AMR is classed as a ‘One Health’ challenge – as antibiotic resistance threatens the health of humans and animals. The World Health Organisation has warned that AMR is an issue where “without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill.”
Award-winning VPC Dr Joseph Angell of Wern Vets praised the impact of the Arwain DGC project, saying that it has been “hugely impactful in Wales”, and it is a “great example of academics, vets, and farmers working positively together on a major public health issue.”
He said,
“The outcomes are clear and speak for themselves, with a major countrywide reduction in antimicrobial use, the recovery of antimicrobial sensitivity in some areas, and successful case examples of farmers and vets collaborating to achieve tailored reduction whilst maintaining and improving animal welfare and production outcomes.”
Dr Angell said the issue of antimicrobial resistance is real, and he hoped in the future, the Arwain DGC programme would be replicated in other countries and combined with GP prescribing “to ensure a more integrated approach with a One Health focus.”
Feature image: Ruben Vines of Pembrokeshire Farm Vets
New for spring/summer this year is the Sawel jacket from Sprayway. The brand’s ethos is ‘Function First’ and Sprayway always achieve this and most certainly have with this super Sawel ladies jacket. This jacket has been designed to take on day to day outings and adventures as well as those which go way beyond! This Sawel is a true Gore-Tex all-rounder but if you are not aware of Gore-Tex, you are really missing out as Gore-Tex is durably waterproof, reliably breathable and totally windproof, it is a fabric I love and that is because it works. But back to the Sawel jacket which you’ll find is at home in the hills and mountains of Wales as it is when dashing out on the school run or walking the dogs on the beach.
The Sawel jacket is a classic 2-layer Next Gen Gore-Tex with ePE membrane laminated to a 75D plain weave recycled polyester face fabric, with an FC-free DWR finish. The jacket also has a mesh and taffeta lining which gives you all day comfort. There’s also a grown on fully adjustable hood with stiffened peak that offers you full protection from intermittent summer showers, with adjustable cuffs and a draw cord adjustable hem, all to give you a fit that works for you. This is such a versatile jacket which I would expect from Sprayway as they are a company whose range uses the industry’s most technically advanced and durable materials to ensure that you have the right product to take you wherever your plans take you. The Sawel also features storm guard protected pockets, which are so important for safely storing personal items when out and about on the hill, the beach or around town – there’s nothing worse than losing your keys or your phone! The Gore-Tex ensures the Sawel is fully waterproof, windproof and breathable so there is no risk of the unpredictable Welsh summer catching you out and the fabric will also stay breathable so you are kept comfortable and dry, even if you are undertaking an energetic climb.
I am sure you’ll love this Sawel ladies jacket and that it will quickly become a stand-by favourite to wear most days. Sprayway always create clothes that are practical and keep you warm and dry, that ticks all my boxes and please try and check out their website as there is a men’s jacket, the Arderin, if your partner feels he’s missing out!
In 1974, above a laundrette in Chorlton, Greater Manchester, two lads with a little bit of cash in their back pockets set about making functional and affordable 4oz PU coated Nylon cagoules for the sailing market – Sprayway was born. On paper John & Simon were polar opposites, but when they worked together it clicked. Simon was a numbers and operations man, while John had a head for product and marketing; one liked their tea milky, the other strong. Yet it was their complementary individual passions that formed the basis of their relationship and set the tone that is still the heart of the brand today.
John’s ‘Function First’ design ethos that formed our first jacket is still reflected in every product we make. Great fit, functional features and the best fabrics at competitive price, all come as standard on our products – always have and always will.
Simon’s forward thinking set us apart from the competition. He adopted next day delivery on all our orders; although expected as standard today, it was unheard of in the 90’s. His can-do above-and-beyond customer service approach still runs through our team.
These simple things formed our brand DNA and make us who we are today.
Sprayway
As part of our 50th birthday celebrations we invited Sprayway founders John Hunt and Simon Wright to come and talk a bit about the early days of the brand. They were joined by Henry Iddon and Max Leonard, authors of Mountain Style, the first book to celebrate the vintage style and visual heritage of the UK’s outdoor clothing brands. The talk uncovered some never before heard stories about the brand’s beginnings and painted a better picture about how one of the UK’s most popular outdoor clothing companies made their name.
Fair Wear
Sprayway is a member of Fair Wear Foundation; an independent non-profit organisation whose mission is to improve labour conditions in the garment industry. Sprayway are signed up to the 8-point FWF Code of Labour Protectors, which is based on UN and ILO principles.
FWF publicly reports on the progress of member companies towards implementation of the Code.
Harbourmaster Hotel in Ceredigion is The Times and The Sunday Times Best Places to Stay 2025 winner in Wales
The Angel Hotel in Monmouthshire wins Best Foodie Hotel
This week The Times and The Sunday Times reveals its definitive list of the 100 Best Places to Stay from across the UK. The guide will be available on Monday 10th March via the online interactive guide and as a supplement within the newspaper on Sunday 16th March.
Harbourmaster Hotel in Ceredigion is named the best place to stay in Wales by The Times and The Sunday Times. The guide says, “cracking value fish dishes and striking sea views make this hotel on the west coast of Wales a real catch”. The judges praise this pioneering boutique bolthole for its “bold splash of style and substance” and “warm, Welsh hospitality”.
The Angel Hotel in Monmouthshire wins Best Foodie Hotel, with the guide saying its “dining options are as generous as the portions” and praising its frequently changing menu and locally sourced ingredients.
Claire Irvin, Head of Travel of The Times and The Sunday Times, says;
“The judging process for this year’s Best Places To Stay awards has been as rigorous as ever, as our criteria combines with the ever-increasing importance our readers place on value for money in travel to find a shortlist worthy of their visit.
This value is subjective – our readers covet multiple breaks across the year and are lucky to have the time and money to spend on them – however, each trip needs to be individually unique and memorable. And with international destinations easier than ever before to reach, UK hotels have their work cut out to compete on all levels. Luckily for us, they are rising to the challenge as never before.
The price points of each hotel chosen may differ but they all share the same commitment to consistency and excellence our readers – and their hard-earned cash – deserve.”
Susan d’Arcy, Hotel Expert at The Times and The Sunday Times, adds;
“One of the things that has impressed us most when travelling around the country this year is the welcome. Hotel teams appreciate that there’s a lot of choice out there and they’re really going the extra mile to deliver friendly and knowledgeable service. It makes all the difference to a stay.”
The guide is split into ten regions: London, Southeast, Southwest, Central, East, North & Northeast, Northwest, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. With writers from The Times and The Sunday Times travelling from the Scottish Highlands to the coasts of Cornwall, and bustling boroughs to coaching inns hidden away in the deep countryside, there’s something for every taste, budget and location.
There are also winners in thirteen different categories; Affordable, Beach, Blow-the-Budget, Boutique, City, Countryside, Disruptor, Family-Friendly, Foodie, One-to-Watch, Pub Stay, Romantic, and Sports.
The guide focuses on the things that really matter; hotels with the essentials of comfort, great service and value, as well as personality and warmth.
Caerphilly County Borough Council are pleased to announce that a new Chartist mural in Blackwood town centre has now been completed. This is an excellent example of collaborative working, enhancing the town centre and creating a point of interest as visitors approach the town.
The side of the Flourmill pub facing the High Street is located at the entrance to the town centre and was identified as a suitable location for painting. CCBC engaged with the manager and owner of the Flourmill building and commissioned Andy O’Rourke of Malarky Arts to create the mural.
The mural reflects the Chartist movement and the key point in history in November 1839, when thousands of working-class men from the South Wales Valleys, including a group from Blackwood led by Zephaniah Williams, marched on Newport in protest and met with other contingents along the way. The mural honours the proud heritage of the Chartist uprising and the key role that Blackwood residents played in the rebellion.
This project was funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Levelling Up (2022/25) Programme, with a focus on strengthening social fabric, fostering a sense of local pride and belonging, and investing in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties.
Jo Hillier-Raikes, Principal Officer for Town Centres and Business Support, commented:
“Once again, we are absolutely delighted with the quality of work that Andy has delivered and the positive reaction from the public. Andy has delivered similar projects for us in Bargoed, and he worked exceptionally hard to design a long-lasting and fitting testament to the Chartist movement, which was repeatedly highlighted as a desired theme in our discussions with stakeholders. It is anticipated that the artwork will instill a sense of pride amongst local residents, and we would encourage people to visit Blackwood to see this wonderful piece of artwork for themselves.”
Pembrokeshire-based luxury hotel group recognised for Customer Service Excellence and People Development
Retreats Group Ltd, a leading name in luxury hospitality in Pembrokeshire, is proud to announce its success at the prestigious Business Growth Wales Awards held last week in Cardiff. The group was honoured with two awards, Customer Service Excellence and People Development, cementing its reputation as a trailblazer in Welsh hospitality.
Customer Service Excellence
Winning the Customer Service Excellence award is a testament to Twr y Felin Hotel’s unwavering dedication to providing an extraordinary guest experience. As Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, Twr y Felin seamlessly blends luxury, culture, and heritage, ensuring that visitors enjoy a unique stay.
“At Twr y Felin, we believe that hospitality is about creating lasting memories,” said Emma Bowen, General Manager. “Every team member is trained to anticipate and exceed guest expectations, offering personalised touches that make each stay exceptional. From bespoke experiences to celebrating guest milestones with thoughtful gestures, we ensure every interaction is meaningful and memorable.”
The hotel’s outstanding reputation is built on a proactive approach to service. Whether arranging exclusive local experiences, accommodating specific guest needs, or offering unexpected delights such as handwritten notes and locally sourced treats, Twr y Felin consistently goes above and beyond. The property’s renowned Blas Restaurant further enhances the guest journey, delivering a culinary experience that celebrates the finest Welsh ingredients with impeccable service.
People Development
Retreats Group’s second award, People Development, recognises its deep commitment to staff growth and well-being. The group’s ethos is simple: employees are their ‘internal guests,’ just as they deliver a 5-star experience to visitors, they ensure their team receives the same level of care and support.
“Our success is driven by the passion and dedication of our team,” Emma Bowen continued. “We believe in creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow professionally and personally.”
Retreats Group has developed a comprehensive Employee Experience Programme prioritising reward, recognition, and development. Employees benefit from work-life balance initiatives such as a 50% contribution towards Pembrokeshire leisure memberships and access to trained Mental Health First Aiders. A strong culture of recognition is fostered through the Team Recognition Programme, where employees can nominate colleagues for outstanding contributions, with quarterly rewards celebrating their achievements. Career progression is actively supported, with staff receiving industry-specific training, including leadership courses, to enhance their skills and development opportunities. In addition to professional growth, personal development workshops covering resilience, confidence-building, and sign language awareness provide employees with valuable life skills. Open communication is a cornerstone of the group’s ethos, with regular one-to-one meetings, monthly newsletters, and an active company Facebook group ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and a supportive workplace culture.
This holistic approach has created a motivated and empowered workforce, ensuring Retreats Group continues to set the standard for excellence in hospitality.
With these two prestigious awards, Retreats Group Ltd reaffirms its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences and investing in its people. As the company continues to innovate and evolve, it remains dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in Welsh hospitality.
Retreats Group Ltd is a luxury hospitality group operating award-winning properties in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, including Twr y Felin Hotel, Roch Castle, and Penrhiw Priory. Renowned for their commitment to service, design, and guest experience, the hotels offer an unparalleled blend of history, culture, and contemporary comfort.
If you are constantly battling with your hair and your skin, both feeling dry and irritating, then your water could well be the cause of these problems. Your water might be hiding chlorine and other impurities that can damage your hair and skin but this Shower Head 2.0 could quickly become the solution for you. I am impressed how clever this shower head is as it is able to boost your water pressure by 2x. It also removes over 90% of chlorine, as well as heavy metals like copper, iron and lead from your tap water. By installing this Hello Klean Shower Head you will save your hair and skin from dryness and irritation. By changing your water you are able to untap and achieve consistently better hair and skin, which for me is good news.
The Hello Klean’s 2-step circular filtration system reduces unwanted metals, chlorine and impurities in hard water and saves 25% more water with each use as it also boosts your water pressure by up to 2 times.
All you have to do is remove your old shower head and attach the Hello Klean Shower Head to the hose. Then just run your water for 30 seconds and you are ready to go. It has only taken you a minute and you have now created a powerful, yet gentle stream of water. This shower head is a smart addition to every shower, even handheld ones and comes with comes with 1 refillable casing and 2 recyclable cartridges. The carton is fully recyclable, while the shower head case is designed to be refillable for long-term use. When it’s time to replace the filter, simply recycle the casing and compost the pouch.
I loved the difference this shower head made to my hair and my skin and actually really enjoyed my showers as they were now more spa-like showers. I also appreciated that there is a 1-year warranty.
Hello Klean Consumer Perception Trial 2024 showed: 88% of users notice softer skin and hair within 1 month.
Feeling stuck with your hair and skin? I’ve been there. Every time I changed my postcode or went on holiday, my beauty routine fell apart—hair clumps in the drain, tight, sensitive skin. I tried everything: new routines, supplements, you name it. Frustrated, I dug deeper and found the real culprit. That’s what inspired me to create Hello Klean, to create products that make water work for you, never against it.
x Karlee
Our Story
Once you change your perspective on water, you’ll see everything else fall into place.
Water Optimisation
Optimising your water is the key to unlocking better hair and skin. We ditched the clunky, industrial systems for sleek, easy-to-use beauty solutions that address hard water’s hidden problems. Whether you’re stepping into the shower or out, our solutions are designed to give you the results you’ve been missing.
Your water has a dirty secret. We’re here to spill it.
Every time you shower, heavy minerals, metals and other impurities sneak into your routine and wreak havoc on your hair and skin.
Clare Britton, the Events Co-ordinator at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways is currently busy planning what promises to be one of the stand-out events in the Heritage Railway calendar for 2025… the ‘Railway 200 – FR Platinum Jubilee Weekend’!
This exciting event will celebrate two momentous landmarks – 2025 marks both the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway (part of the national ‘Railway 200’ celebrations) and the 70th anniversary of the recommencement of passenger trains on the Ffestiniog Railway, under the new regime.
Spanning the summer solstice, it promises an action-packed long weekend, celebrating seventy years of running trains in the new era with a mix of nostalgia and looking forward to the future. Spread over four days, there are trains recreating different eras of the Ffestiniog, opportunities to ride on the Welsh Highland, the chance to spend some time at Boston Lodge Works, the lynch pin of the railway; and to be there for the grand cavalcade!
This ‘200 Wheels on the Cob’ cavalcade will undoubtedly be the highlight of the weekend, taking place on Sunday, 22nd of June. This will be a cavalcade of Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ engines throughout the years, lining up in formation across the iconic Cob embankment.
Clare first came to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways as a child and has fond memories of visiting with her parents, then later, as a volunteer. This event brings back many fond memories for her and many others who got involved with the railway in the same manner.
Below, Clare provides an overview of the highlights taking place throughout the 4-day event:
Thursday, 19th of June 2025
A normal busy day on both railways but if you can, make sure you arrive early as things kick off this evening. To help you to get here, there are extra services from Blaenau at 17:35 and 20:50 that connect with the Conwy Valley TfW service.
The event commences this evening with Simplex, ‘Mary Ann’ crossing the Cob, recreating that exciting day back in 1955 and there is a chance to go for a ride to Boston Lodge and savour this historic moment.
Friday, 20th of June 2025
The early bird trains for the late seventies/early eighties make a return so why not join the 07:00 service hauled by diesel ‘Upnor Castle’
Lots of memories from the sixties with trains to Minffordd and Tan y Bwlch.
Whilst the Ffestiniog is back in the sixties, Hunslets ‘Linda’ & ‘Blanche’ will take a ‘Ladies Day Out to Caernarfon.
Some special event opportunities will also take place so that visitors can experience a trip on an infrastructure train or take a ‘Moelwyn’ hauled inspection train to Dduallt.
There will also be an early evening train, hauled by Merddin Emrys and Prince, running non-stop from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, in both directions.
Saturday, 21st of June 2025
If you missed the ‘Early Bird’ on Friday, you have another chance today, this time steam hauled! This service should give a good view of a spectacular ‘200 wheel’ goods train which you cross at Tanygrisiau.
More trains from the sixties and then in the afternoon, on to the seventies with some careful recreations of crossing trains at Dduallt – recreating those ‘over and under’ photographs snapped on Kodak Instamatics back in the day!
Linda will be running one trip up to Minffordd and one trip to Tan y Bwlch with a 1950s style flying flea, made up of 4-wheel carriages and bogies just like the relief trains of days gone by!
If you are still hungry for trains, there are two evening services to Blaenau to make the most of the longest day. However, if you would rather have a pint and a chat, Spooners will be open along with ‘The Top Yard Arms’ bar at Boston Lodge.
Sunday, 22nd of June 2025
The last day of the event promises to be extra special as we join the country to celebrate 200 years of railways, as we bring you the ‘200 Steam Wheels on the Cob’ spectacle, a Grand Cavalcade from Boston Lodge to Porthmadog! The locos will be in order of preservation-era milestone; and there are a few opportunities to have a once in a lifetime part in this epic spectacular.
Take part in our special event auction on Sunday, 4th of May 2025, where a selection of Cavalcade footplate passes will be going under the hammer, allowing you an opportunity to bid on a once in a lifetime experience! (more details to follow).
Aside from the cavalcade there will be a wide variety of services to entertain, including a special ‘Snowdonia Star’ coming from Caernarfon to join and watch the cavalcade.
Boston Lodge will be open throughout the weekend to ticket holders with exhibits and stalls, locos under restoration, footplate rides and a chance to look at some of the changes that have taken place with thanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Refreshments and the ‘Top Yard Bar’ will be on-hand to provide food and drink!
Spooner’s Café and Bar and Tan y Bwlch tearooms will also be open to keep visitors fed and watered.
Former Baptist preacher, Thomas Cook, believed that the lives of the working classes could be improved by guiding them away from alcohol through education. In 1841, he organised a special train to take a group of Leicester temperance supporters to a meeting in Loughborough. His venture proved an instant hit.
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