Arwyn Watkins, OBE, - “embrace Welshness in our culinary creations”. Hospitality businesses across Wales are losing sales and customers if they don’t use Welsh food and drink products on their menu. That’s the wake-up call from Arwyn Watkins, OBE, president of the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW), an organisation representing chefs and butchers across Wales. He highlights market research undertaken by the Welsh Government Food and Drink Insight Programme, which has been exploring the attitudes of customers towards Welshness since 2017. “The pivotal question asked is: Does Welshness matter? The answer is a resounding ‘yes’,” Mr Watkins told the Welsh International Culinary Championships Awards Dinner at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport. “Latest research for 2023 speaks volumes about the value of our heritage in every dish we serve. The preference for dishes made with Welsh ingredients rose from eight in 10 in 2017 to an astounding nine in 10 last year. “This is not just a trend; it’s a call for authenticity and quality that only Welsh ingredients can provide. However, a concerning gap has emerged - only two thirds of businesses recognise the significance of offering Welsh food and drink. “This disconnect between what businesses think their guests want and what they actually want is a wake-up call. We must bridge this gap, for Welsh food and drink is far more important than many businesses realise. “More than half our guests would like more local or Welsh items on the menu and four in 10 would willingly pay a premium for dishes with Welsh ingredients. This isn’t just an opportunity; it’s a golden ticket for us to showcase our Welsh produce whilst maximising our revenues.” The research also revealed that six in 10 visitors were more likely to visit a venue with Welsh products on the menu, with a quarter admitting that an absence of these options was a deterrent. Nine in 10 believed that venues should promote their use of Welsh food and drink. “This is a stark reminder that we’re not embracing Welshness and we’re not just missing an opportunity, we’re losing customers,” he stressed. “Welshness matters. It’s not just a badge of identity, it’s a powerful catalyst for sales and profit. Let us be proud of our heritage, embrace Welshness in our culinary creations and proudly promote this in every dish we serve. “In doing so, we not only pay homage to our rich culture, but also pave the way for a thriving, prosperous future in the Welsh culinary scene.” View the research results at https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/welsh-food-drink-performance/value-welshness
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Junior Chef of Wales winner Sam Everton receives the dragon trophy from Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths and CAW president Arwyn Watkins, OBE. Talented Mid Wales chef Sam Everton has chalked off a bucket list wish by becoming the new Junior Chef of Wales. Sam, 25, a lecturer at Coleg Ceredigion in Cardigan and part-time junior sous chef at Y Seler, Aberaeron, said he felt “honoured” to receive the dragon trophy after competing against seven other young Welsh chefs in the final. The final was held at the successful Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC), organised by the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) over three days at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport. After receiving the trophy and a gold medal from Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths at the awards dinner last night (Wednesday), Sam said: “I knew I did well in the final but I never imagined I was going to win. “What an honour to represent Wales again to show that I am the best in my field. All the hard work and training has paid off. Winning this competition was in my bucket list and it’s a huge achievement.” Sam, whose commis chef was one of his students, Tyler Richardson from Y Seler, has previously competed for Wales and the UK in WorldSkills competitions around the world. He plans to compete for the National Chef of Wales next year, as he bids to become the first chef to win the two titles in consecutive years since Danny Burke. In the final, Sam cooked a starter of potato salad comprising laverbread gnocchi, infused root vegetables, Caerphilly cheese, toasted turnip top and watercress veloute. His main course was a celebration of Welsh Beef with locally sourced sirloin, braised beef cheek, textures of mushroom and onion and truffled beef reduction. Sam will now compete in the semi-final of the Craft Guild of Chefs’ 2024 UK Young National Chef of the Year competition. He will also be invited to attend the Worldchefs Congress and Expo to be held at ICC Wales in May, 2026. He also won a set of engraved Friedr Dick competition knives and £100 of Churchill products. Runner-up and silver medallist was Ged Jones, chef de partie at Carden Park Hotel, near Chester who lives in Connahs Quay, in his first competition. Other silver medallists were Katie Duffy, chef at The Halfway, Llanelli; Rhys Yorath, chef de partie at Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol; Dylan Evans, commis chef at Henrock, Windermere and Rosie Koffer, chef de partie at Chartists 1770 at The Trewythen, Llanidloes. Bronze medallists were Aizel Reyes, commis chef at The Celtic Collection, Newport and Abbie Williams, a learner at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw Campus. The junior chefs had three hours to cook a creative, two course dinner for six people, with a starter suitable for a vegetarian diet and a main course using two different cuts of GI Welsh Beef. A minimum of four Welsh GI products had to be used in the dishes. CAW vice president and judging panel chairman Colin Gray congratulated all the finalists. “They are the future of our industry and are all winners in our eyes for having the courage to compete,” he said. Headline sponsors of the WICC are the Welsh Government, Castell Howell, Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales, ICC Wales, Cambrian Training Company, Kentaur, Churchill, MCS Technical Products, Roller Grill, Radnor Hills, Dick Knifes, Cygnet Gin, Capital Cuisine, City & Guilds, Compass Cymru and Ecolab. Violinist Ezo Sarici and Turkish pianist Deniz Cengiz who will be playing at Gregynog Hall on Thursday night. Tickets are still available for a performance by Sinfonia Cymru violinist Ezo Sarici and Turkish pianist Deniz Cengiz at Gregynog Hall at Tregynon, near Newtown on Thursday night (January 18). Gregynog Hall bills the concert as an “absolute treat to banish the winter blues”. Ezo, who started music aged four at the Royal Academy of Music ‘First String Experience’ programme, fell in love with the famous Music Room at Gregynog when she performed there with Sinfonia Cymru last year. She studied at Junior Guildhall before attending the Yehudi Menuhin School. She has performed in concert halls including The Royal Festival Hall, Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. This time Enzo returns to Gregynog with internationally acclaimed pianist Deniz who also began her musical education at the age of four in Istanbul, Turkey. The performance starts at 7pm and the duo’s repertoire will include Brahms Sonatas, Piazzolla and Gershwin. View a brief film of one of their performances at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS17IPuEDq4 . Tickets cost £15, with free admission for under 18s and students, and can be booked by calling the Gregynog Hall on 01686 650224, emailing [email protected] or popping into the coffee shop. Gregynog Hall is one of Wales’ leading country estates and former home of art collectors and public benefactors Gwendoline and Margaret Davies who were passionate about music. They converted a billiard room into the Music Room and formed a choir, mainly from estate employees and their families. From 1932 to 1938, an Annual Festival of Music and Poetry was held at Gregynog Hall, conducted by such musical luminaries as Sir Henry Walford Davies and Sir Adrian Boult. Elgar, Vaughan Williams, Holst and George Bernard Shaw were amongst the list of other distinguished guests who visited. The Davies sisters together created one of the most important private collections of art in Britain and donated 260 works to the National Museum Wales, where it has become a national treasure. The collection includes works by French Impressionists and post-Impressionists Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Pissarro, Sisley and Berthe Morisot. Some pictures, a lot of furniture and many books owned by the sisters still remain at Gregynog. Royal Welsh Show could lose more than £1 million if schools are open during event The Royal Welsh Show could lose more than £1 million if the Welsh Government shortens the school summer holiday in Wales by one week. That’s the stark warning from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) which is strongly opposed to a new plan to amend school term dates in Wales. The RWAS is urging the public to respond to the Welsh Government’s consultation before the February 12 deadline at https://www.gov.wales/structure-school-year . Under the proposal, schools would be open during the Royal Welsh Show, which traditionally takes place during the first week of children’s summer break. The RWAS has raised the issue with Minister for Education, Jeremy Miles MS, and is collating evidence to support its objection. The show, one of Wales’ major cultural festivals, is a highlight for many families and young people across Wales. Almost 250,000 people visit the largest agricultural event of its kind in Europe. The show pumps more than £40 million into the rural economy and visitors spend around £10 million over the four days. The RWAS says it’s not against the principle of modifying the school year but urges the Welsh Government to reconsider the dates. It wants to ensure that the show is always held during the school summer holiday. “We are extremely concerned about the impact these changes will have, including taking away the ability for young people, families, teachers and school staff to attend the show, which represents a large proportion of our visitors,” said a spokesman. “Thousands of children compete at the Royal Welsh Show each year, in both young farmer competitions and young handler and junior classes. The proposed change would remove the opportunity for them to compete at the show and to learn and showcase their skills. “Preliminary calculations show that the change would lead to a loss of income in excess of £1 million from reduced gate sales, membership and camping revenue. The changes would also lead to reduced attendance, affecting the trade for our exhibitors and catering vendors, not to mention the wider economic impact on the several businesses who benefit from the event both regionally and nationally.” The RWAS is also concerned the change would impact families, volunteers, the Welsh language and culture and the show’s park and ride service which uses school buses out of term time. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, new chief executive of the National Library of Wales. A man with experience of developing and delivering ambitious plans has been appointed chief executive of the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. Dr Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, who takes up his new role in the spring, succeeds Professor Pedr ap Llwyd, who has announced his retirement after five years in the role. He was previously director of Welsh language, Welsh culture and external relations at Aberystwyth University and was responsible for the New Life for the Old College project on behalf of university. This current project will transform the Grade 1 listed building into a cultural and creative centre. Having extensive experience of higher education, the Welsh language and culture, Rhodri was chairman of Mudiad Meithrin’s board of directors for six years and a member of the Welsh Language Partnership Council for 10 years. Educated in South Ceredigion, he achieved a degree in History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University along with a Diploma in Librarianship before completing a Master's Degree and Doctorate at Cardiff University. “The National Library of Wales is undoubtedly one of the nation's leading institutions and it is a huge privilege to be appointed chief executive,” he said. “I am really looking forward to working with the library's staff, trustees and partners and to promoting its mission among the people of Wales and beyond. “Yes, there are challenges to be tackled, the most obvious of which is the financial crunch that affects everyone. But there are also opportunities in promoting our culture in all its rich diversity and in taking the library's incredible expertise and resources to new areas and audiences.” Ashok Ahir, the library’s president, said: “We are proud to appoint Rhodri Llwyd Morgan in this key role and are very much looking forward as a board to working together to continue shaping the library for the future. “He is an individual who understands the library and its national and international importance and is experienced in high-level leadership in a number of areas. His experience as a leader will show the way to our dedicated staff in a period of change for our institution and for the sector.” Plans unveiled for statutory registration and licensing scheme for visitor accommodation in Wales9/1/2024 Plans to introduce a statutory registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales have been announced by the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden today (Tuesday, January 9) with legislation expected to be introduced to the Senedd before the end of the year.
In a statement from Welsh Government: The registration and licensing scheme is intended to deliver a register of visitor accommodation types and to enable providers to demonstrate compliance with safety and quality requirements. It is intended to enhance the visitor experience and visitor safety expectations in Wales by ensuring anyone who lets out visitor accommodation meets a relevant set of standards. This follows a public consultation, extensive engagement with the sector, as well as a recently published survey that found 89% of visitors considered it important the accommodation they stay in is operating safely. Many parts of the world have already adopted licensing, certification or registration schemes across their visitor accommodation sectors and the Welsh Government has been considering best practice to design one that is simple and easy to use for accommodation providers in Wales. Across the UK, Northern Ireland has had a certification scheme established for all visitor accommodation since 1992, with Scotland having recently introduced a licensing scheme for short term lets. The UK Government is also pursuing a registration approach for short term lets. In Wales, the first phase will be a statutory registration scheme for all accommodation providers, which will – for the first time – provide a register on the broad range of visitor accommodation available across the country and will include details on who is operating in the sector, where they are operating, and how they are operating. Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden said: “Tourism makes an important contribution to the Welsh economy and to Welsh life so this information will be crucial in helping us better understand the sector, as well as helping to inform future policy decisions at a local and national level. “The visitor economy is changing rapidly, and while the growth of online booking platforms has brought many benefits, there are concerns around compliance with existing requirements and the impact of short-term lets on housing stock and our communities. “I’d like to thank businesses across the visitor economy for the enormous resilience they’ve shown through the unprecedented challenges of recent years. The input from the sector, visitors and communities has been invaluable to our work so far. We will continue this engagement as we develop the scheme.” Once a registration scheme is fully established, the intention is to follow with a licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation. This will initially focus on confirming compliance with safety requirements visitor accommodation providers should already be meeting, before looking at introducing quality standards at a later stage. The Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru commits to a statutory licensing scheme for holiday lets as part of a package of measures to address the negative impact second homes and short-term holiday lets can have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people in communities. Designated Member Siân Gwenllian said: “Our plans for a statutory registration and licensing scheme for all visitor accommodation in Wales will help ensure the safety of visitors and seek to enhance the visitor experience. “The plans will also create a more sustainable tourism offer – delivered in line with the needs and concerns of communities, particularly around housing. “This will result in strengthened controls on residential properties operating as short-term holiday lets, leading to greater fair play for all.” Whilst there are several other trees of this species growing in selected gardens in the UK, a “coning” is a very rare experience. The exciting discovery was made just before Christmas when the huge tree was undergoing routine maintenance by Herefordshire based tree surgeons, Abortech. “We are absolutely thrilled and very excited about this event,” said Austyn Hallworth, head of marketing and public relations for Hergest Croft Gardens. “This discovery is so horticulturally important and crucial for its survival outside of North America that we have sent seeds to specific centres throughout the UK and Europe in an effort to propagate and cultivate for the future. “The seeds were harvested by Abortech who scaled the tree using ropes. It was only when they reached the top that they realised the fir had coned. “The original Abies Bracteata at Hergest Croft Gardens was planted in Park Wood in the 1930s and was scaled by Dick Banks in the 1960s when he entered the cones in a Royal Horticultural Society competition and won a gold medal. “Sadly, this tree has since died but the three remaining examples are its children, as they were seedlings taken from it.” Hergest Croft Gardens has been owned by five generations of the Banks family who have planted exotic trees and gardened there. The estate has more than 130 ‘Champion Trees’, 5,000 rare trees, plants and shrubs together with National Collections of Maples, Birches and Zelkovas. A popular Welsh Marches tourist attraction, Hergest Croft Gardens is described as "one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the British Isles". It has six distinct areas - Hergest Croft, the Azalea Garden, the Maple Grove, the Kitchen Garden, the Park and Park Wood. The estate also has the third tallest trees in Great Britain - a Douglas Fir standing at 200 feet and more than 160 years old. The tree register is a charity which collates and records a database of notable trees throughout the UK and Ireland and has the largest database in the world. Hergest Croft Gardens is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent company representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, the Welsh Marches, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia.
Corris Railway Society members hope that readers will vote for them via www.steamrailway.co.uk/read/hra-awards before the closing date of January 8. The railway has produced a 3- page booklet, illustrated throughout in colour, telling the story of the Falcon locomotive from start to completion. The book costs £3 and can be purchased from the online shop at www.corris.co.uk . Public service trains on Corris Railway resume at Easter but the volunteer workforce will be busy with maintenance and restoration work ahead of the new season. The spectacular landscape which is ideal for cyclists, runners and walkers. A promotional film is being launched this morning (January 2) to share the rural market town of Rhayader, branded The Outdoors Capital of Wales, with the rest of the world. Situated in Powys, in the middle of Wales and heart of the Cambrian Mountains, an Area of Astounding Natural Beauty, Rhayader punches way above its weight and now has Welsh celebrity Charlotte Church singing the town’s praises. The ‘Voice of an Angel’ star has narrated the new film - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rgyNVTIuUylN7Rr5UL0UqgWAyDtLRLDB - which promotes the range of exciting outdoor activities and events that the town and nearby, spectacular Elan Valley have to offer. A singer-songwriter, actress and television presenter, Church shot to childhood stardom as a classical singer and now runs a wellness retreat, The Dreaming near Rhayader. She was happy to add her voice to the film when approached by Rhayader 2000, the organisation that promote tourism in partnership with the town council. “It was wonderful narrating the excellent promotional video for Rhayader The Outdoors Capital of Wales,” said Charlotte. “This really is a magical part of Wales with incredible countryside, spectacular landscapes and warm and welcoming people, which encouraged me to open The Dreaming Retreat near the town. “I wish Rhayader 2000 every success with this video and hope it helps to attract many more visitors to the area where there’s so much to do, see and enjoy in the magnificent outdoors." Rhayader town centre from the air. The film and two shorter social media clips were made by Tremio over the past year, with supplementary photography for Rhayader 2000 website https://rhayader.co.uk/ captured by Mogwai Media. Kerena Pugh, of Rhayader 2000, thanked everyone who had contributed to the film which she described as a huge community effort. “The work that has gone into rebranding ‘Rhayader the Outdoors Capital of Wales’ has really made a difference and will continue to help the town to grow,” she said. “Film is a great way to showcase what Rhayader has to offer visitors. The combination of superb aerial footage from Sam Cook at Tremio and contributions by local people has produced something magical. “With Rhayader already internationally famous for the Hafod Hardware Christmas adverts produced by owner Tom Jones, we wanted to continue the creative use of film to show the varied activities, breathtaking scenery and the welcoming community spirit that we have here all year round.” Mr Cook said he had been inundated with volunteers during the making of the film, which he described as being “special”. Rhayader’s Mayor Councillor Rhys Thomas added: “This is another step on the exciting journey to make Rhayader a destination in its own right.” He congratulated Rhayader 2000 for working with the town council to create a vision for local tourism and thanked MWT Cymru and the Cambrian Mountains Initiative for helping to promote Rhayader. MWT Cymru chief executive Val Hawkins said the film not only promotes Rhayader as the Outdoors Capital of Wales but also captures the strong community spirit. The film is dedicated to the late Liz Lloyd, a Rhayader 2000 founder who died in 2022. She served the organisation for 22 year and helped to promote local tourism, businesses and the community. “Liz was very passionate about Rhayader and was part of many organisations and volunteer groups that do great work in the town,” added Kerena. “A donation to Rhayader 2000 made by her family from the funeral memorial service contributed to making the film.” Rhayader 2000 is a member of MWT Cymru, an independent membership organisation representing around 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Snowdonia. Caban Coch Dam in the beautiful Elan Valley.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways have been shortlisted for two prestigious awards at the upcoming HRA (Heritage Railway Association) 2024 Annual Awards. New double Fairlie locomotive ‘James Spooner’ has been shortlisted for the Coiley Award for Steam Locomotive Engineering and marketing lead, Osian Hughes has been shortlisted for the HRA Award for Rising Stars. The Coiley Award is awarded to a HRA member organisation which has completed an outstanding engineering project in the overhaul, restoration or preservation of a steam locomotive or self-propelled vehicle. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s newest double Fairlie, ‘James Spooner’ is the fifth new build loco built by Boston Lodge works since 1979. It was officially launched on October 20 last year in a ceremony staged at Blaenau Ffestiniog station. The start of work on the new double Fairlie was announced in early 2016. The outstanding efforts of both staff and volunteers at Boston Lodge workshops, along with significant financial contributions from supporters, have resulted in what is one of the most significant engineering achievements in the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ recent history. The newest locomotive pays homage to the original James Spooner of 1872 and several Victorian-era features on the early double Fairlies have been incorporated in the design, including the iconic boiler-mounted bells, stovepipe chimneys, square sand boxes and an open cab. Osian has also been shortlisted in the Rising Star category. Since joining the company in 2020, he has made a significant contribution to changing its business model with his positive attitude and problem solving ability. He has worked hard to learn about the company and the world of railways, taking an active role in Great Little Trains of Wales (GLTW) and with the Wales on Rails project. The project connects GLTW with the community rail partnerships in Wales to encourage leisure rail travel into and around the country. A fluent Welsh speaker, he has worked with the Welsh Language Commission to create a Welsh language development plan for the company so that improvements can be monitored. He recently organised an exhibit of loco and carriages at the National Eisteddfod, manned largely by Welsh speaking staff and volunteers to highlight the importance of the language to the company. The 2024 HRA Awards winners will be announced in Brighton on Saturday, February 10. |
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