“We’ve also just begun a really promising conversation with Grace Marston, community wildlife officer at Radnorshire Wildlife Trust. She’s leading a project called Wilder Communities and we are exploring how we might collaborate, particularly in finding ways to make use of other areas around the hotel to support urban wildlife. “Grace is especially passionate about creating habitats in built-up spaces, so there’s real potential for exciting developments here.” The Metropole Hotel is a longstanding member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
0 Comments
The vice chairman of regional tourism organisation MWT Cymru is delighted that 13 popular beaches along the Ceredigion coastline in Mid Wales have achieved prestigious Wales Coast Awards. Blue Flags will again be flown at Borth, Llangrannog and Tresaith, while six beaches have achieved Seaside Award status and a further four have secured a Green Coast Award. The Green Coast Award goes to Llanrhystud, Cilborth-Llangrannog, Penbryn and Mwnt, while Clarach, Aberystwyth North, Aberystwyth South, New Quay Harbour, New Quay Dolau/North and Aberporth have achieved the Seaside Award. The awards, managed by Keep Wales Tidy, signify that a beach or marina meets and maintains the highest environmental standards and achieves tough water quality targets They also ensure high standards of information, environmental education, safety and site management. Beaches achieving Blue Flag and Green Coast Award status must meet the overall “excellent” water quality standard and are judged for the provision of facilities for beach users and for demonstrating good management and safety provision. The Seaside Award recognises beaches that comply with recognised water quality standards, public facilities, safety provision and management. Suzy Davies, MWT Cymru vice chairman, is delighted that Ceredigion beaches have continued to maintain their high standards. “These awards are a celebration of the high quality beaches that we have in Ceredigion,” he said. “They are a fantastic natural resource, of which the whole of Wales should be proud. “MWT Cymru is delighted, as always, to see visitors and local residents alike enjoying these beaches responsibly, whilst also contributing to the success story by helping to ensure that they are clean and safe.” Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said: “Most people are familiar with the Blue Flag and Seaside Awards – but it’s just as important that we recognise the wild, unspoilt beaches that stretch along so much of the Welsh coast,” he added. “The Green Coast Award signifies the highest standards of water quality, environmental education and site management. These are the sweeping coastlines that define Wales on the world stage and it’s right that we celebrate these extraordinary places.” Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Economy and Regeneration, thanked the individuals, groups, organisations and businesses across Ceredigion who voluntarily pick up litter, promote environmental conservation, wildlife education and beach and water safety activities along coastline. “Without this long-standing support, we would not be able to put forward so many of our beaches and successfully obtain these prestigious coastal awards, which place Ceredigion amongst the very best of coastal destinations in Wales and the UK, ” he said. MWT Cymru represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality member businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, in partnership with this year’s feature county, Caernarfon, officially launched the 2025 Royal Welsh Show at Bangor University last week. Held in the historic Pritchard-Jones Hall, the event marked the formal countdown to the show, which will be held at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells from July 21–24. Around 200 invited guests, including board members, key sponsors, industry representatives and supporters from across Wales, attended the launch. Guests were greeted by one of show ambassador Rhys Eifion Griffith’s impressive shire horses, Trem Yr Wyddfa Aurora, a fitting nod to the Heavy Horse Village set to debut at this year’s event. Nicola Davies, RWAS Council chair of Council, highlighted the longstanding connections between the university and the agricultural community, noting its proud tradition of supporting rural education since 1884. Vice-chancellor Professor Edmund Burke paid tribute to the farmers of Caernarfon who, 140 years ago, helped found the university. He spoke of the continued contribution made by students and graduates to the agricultural and agroforestry sectors in Wales. Society president John R. Owen reflected on the year so far, thanking everyone who had contributed to and attended the county’s many fundraising events. He also previewed the upcoming Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan Farm, thanks all the organisers. Mr Griffith spoke warmly of the show’s significance to the local community and thank local RWAS members for entrusting him with the role of ambassador and for supporting his vision for the new Heavy Horse Village and its competitions. He encouraged younger exhibitors to become involved in the RWAS committees, highlighting their importance to the show’s ongoing success, before introducing the event’s official 2025 promotional video. Show director Richard Price highlighted this year’s attractions, including the Heavy Horse Village, new competitive classes for heavy horses in the main ring and the Supreme Horse Championship, to be judged by actor Martin Clunes. The Ukrainian Cossacks will return with their thrilling trick-riding display, while celebrity judges, such as Nigel Owens and Meinir Howells, will feature in the sheep section. The evening featured the premiere of Y Gerdd Groeso, a commissioned poem celebrating Caernarfon’s pride as feature county, written and performed on video by renowned Welsh poet Myrddin ap Dafydd. Professor Wynne Jones, RWAS Board chair, thanked the team of staff and volunteers for organising the evening and wish Caernarfon success with its upcoming events, including the Hill Farming Event at Hafod y Llan on June 12 and the annual meeting at Glynllifon College on June 27. The evening ended with a rousing performance by Cor Meibion Caernarfon
The museum is normally open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.
Event highlights include:
“This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience, innovation and heritage of hill farmers,” said John Owen, RWAS president. “We are delighted to bring the farming community and the public together at Hafod y Llan, a place that truly embodies the spirit of Welsh farming and conservation.” Admission is £15 per adult, with children under 16 free when accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event runs from 10 am to 5 pm. For further information, email: [email protected] .
Conservationists in rural Wales could be set to play a crucial role in saving endangered vultures thousands of miles away in Africa. The Horstmann Trust in Carmarthenshire has been breeding vultures for more than 40 years, while Falconry Experience Wales at Adfa, near Newtown, Powys welcomed their first two Hooded Vultures two years ago. Barry Macdonald and Luce Green, owners of Falconry Experience Wales, an award-winning raptor conservation and education attraction, hope to start breeding their two-year-old Hooded Vultures, Togo and Hope, within the next four years. It’s hoped that their chicks will eventually be part of the wider conservation programme and also released into the wild in Africa, should the situation improve there. The Welsh conservation work could be crucial to the survival of vulture species. In the last 20 years, vulture populations have crashed by up to 99.9% and nearly 70% of the 23 vulture species are now threatened with extinction. Of the 16 African and European vulture species, 11 are facing extinction. Globally, of the 23 species, 14 are threatened with extinction, including the largest of all the flighted birds, the condors. Falconry Experience Wales also owns Vinnie, an African White-Backed Vulture, the population of which has plummeted by 95%, as part of its collection. The plight of species in South Africa was brought into sharp focus last week when 123 of - 102 White-Backed Vultures, 20 Cape Vultures and one Lappet-Faced Vulture, all listed as endangered or critically endangered - were poisoned in the Kruger National Park. Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species - not just vultures, but also lions whose body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine. The UK’s only dedicated vulture breed for release conservation charity, The Horstmann Trust is home to some of the world’s largest known captive populations, including Hooded, Egyptian and bearded vultures and Andean condors. The trust focuses on conservation breeding of vultures and scientific research into their health and incubation. Its work directly supports other vulture conservation organisations around the world. Vultures are the ultimate agents of balance in the ecosystems and are nature’s waste disposal experts. They clean up animal carcasses quickly and efficiently to limit the spread of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens including rabies, anthrax and cholera. The direct and indirect actions of people are the largest single contributing factor to the dramatic decline in vulture numbers. Poisoning, poaching, powerlines, use in faith based medicine and loss of habitat are just a few examples. Poachers often poison vultures because they signal to rangers when an elephant, rhino or lion has been illegally killed. Barry and Luce are collaborating with the Horstmann Trust, who manage the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) for Hooded vultures, and hope that their pair and future offspring will play an important role within that programme. “We have been aware of the persecution of vultures for years, but the situation has become much more critical,” explained Barry. “If it deteriorates to a point where these vultures are almost extinct in Africa, then the birds bred in captivity will be the only population to help the breed recover.” Falconry Experience Wales has raised more than £5,000 to pay for GPS trackers to be attached to four Hooded Vultures in West Africa, so that researchers can monitor their movements for up to five years. They continue to raise funds for up-to-date surveys, ongoing vital research and poison response action kits. The specially made trackers are attached to a harness on the birds and Barry plans to fly to Africa with a Spanish colleague, hopefully early next year, to fit them on the host Hooded Vultures. Despite the crisis in Africa, he says there is hope. Asia saw a 99% decline in the vulture population a few years ago, as a result of a drug given to cattle which poisoned the birds when they fed on carcasses. The loss of vultures is believed to have directly contributed to the deaths of half a million people due to the spread of diseases. However, the Asian vulture population is recovering now that people understand their vital eco-cleansing role. Replacing vultures in the wild is not a quick fix. Barry explained that vultures don’t begin breeding until aged five to seven years and only raise one chick if successful. “We have never bred birds before at Falconry Experience Wales, so this will be a new venture for us,” he added. “It’s only because of the threat of extinction that we have become involved. “Our pair of Hooded vultures were bred in captivity in the UK but their ancestry is Guinea in West Africa.” In addition to the vultures, Barry and Luce have also recently welcomed a Steller’s Sea Eagle, one of the world’s largest eagles which is classified as vulnerable by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. The declining population is believed to be between 3,600 and 4,670 mature individuals, including 1,900 breeding pairs. The Steller’s Sea Eagle breeds in Russia and over-winters in Northern Japan. Falconry Experience Wales is a member of MWT Cymru, an organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) has announced the 12 successful candidates from across Wales for its prestigious 2025–26 Rural Leadership Programme. This fully funded initiative offers participants a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills, expand networks and contribute to the future of Welsh agriculture and rural communities. The programme is supported by a generous legacy from the late Mr N. Griffiths and match funding from the Glamorgan County Advisory Committee. The participants are:
The RWAS Rural Leadership Programme aims to nurture the next generation of rural leaders in Wales. Over the course of a year, participants will develop self-awareness and understanding of leadership styles, build connections with key industry figures, enhance communication and media skills, visit important institutions in Cardiff and London, participate in specialised workshops and sessions and attend RWAS events, including the Royal Welsh Show. The programme begins with a residential session in North Wales from June 10–13, followed by further sessions in Cardiff and London in October. “We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of individuals to our Rural Leadership Programme,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “Each participant brings unique perspectives and experiences to the cohort and we look forward to supporting their development as future leaders in Welsh agriculture and rural affairs.” The successful candidates will be formally introduced at the Royal Welsh Show awards ceremony on Monday, July 21.
A record crowd flocked to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's Spring Festival at Llanelwedd at the weekend. The two-day event showcased the very best of rural Wales against the backdrop of perfect spring weather and the stunning Mid Wales countryside. This year's festival celebrated the RWAS’s Welsh heritage while appealing to a diverse audience from all walks of life. "We couldn't have asked for better conditions," said John Owen, president of the 2025 feature county, Caernarfon. "The sunshine brought out record crowds and the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxed and friendly throughout. It's been the perfect start to Caernarfon's year as feature county." Geraint James, festival director, said: "We've worked extremely hard to create an inclusive festival that balances agricultural heritage with family entertainment, and this year's attendance figures confirm we're moving in the right direction. “The refreshed branding and expanded activities have attracted visitors from across Wales and beyond. What's particularly gratifying is seeing people from all backgrounds coming together - from farming families sharing their expertise to first-time visitors discovering rural Welsh culture and traditions. “This festival truly bridges the gap between rural and urban communities." RWAS chief executive, Aled Rhys Jones, added: "This year's Spring Festival has been an outstanding success. The relaxed, family friendly atmosphere that makes this event so special was evident throughout the weekend and we're extremely grateful for all the support we’ve received from our visitors, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers. “Our attention now turns to the Royal Welsh Show and we hope to see everyone back on the showground in July.” Families made the most of the open spaces and variety of activities across the showground. Children were particularly delighted by Will's Petting Farm and Emma's Donkeys in the Country Life area, where they could meet and interact with the animals. The Panic Family's Circus Big Top proved immensely popular, with youngsters and adults alike trying their hand at circus skills. The Woodville Re-enactment Group transported visitors back to the middle ages with their authentic displays, while the more adventurous enjoyed watersports on the lake or marvelled at the impressive stunts from Builth Bulls Biking Activities. Younger visitors were thrilled by rides in the Mini Off Rovers in the display area, while the educational treasure hunt proved enormously popular. Children received special stamp cards upon arrival and eagerly explored the showground collecting stamps from various stands throughout the festival. Those who completed their cards proudly received 'Spring Festival Expert' certificates, creating lasting memories while learning about the diverse aspects of rural life. Separately, downloadable educational resources, created in partnership with Twinkl, focusing on native and rare breed livestock, provided additional learning opportunities for families. The festival welcomed hundreds of four-legged visitors alongside their owners. The RWAS Ltd Canine Section's Crufts qualifier attracted serious competitors, while the feature county's Fun Dog Show provided entertainment for casual participants and spectators alike. Scurry Dogs demonstrations were a highlight in both the display ring and Country Life area, with many visitors taking the opportunity to let their own pets try new skills. "As someone who's grown up attending agricultural shows, it's brilliant to see so many dogs and their owners enjoying the festival," said Rhys Griffith, ambassador for Caernarfon and judge of the heavy horse classes. "The festival has something for everyone - from impressive heavy horses to family pets competing in fun classes. That inclusive atmosphere is what makes this event so special." The Gwledd|Feast area became a vibrant hub as visitors relaxed and refuelled while enjoying musical entertainment. Wales's finest street food vendors reported exceptional trade throughout the weekend, while the Food Hall showcased the best of Welsh produce, with many stallholders selling out of their artisanal products by Sunday afternoon. The variety of displays and demonstrations across the showground ensured there was something to interest every visitor. Highlights included the impressive skills of the Wood Choppers and MWMAC, traditional craft demonstrations from Gwent Spinners & Weavers, stick making by Bond Sticks & Stitches and gun dog displays by the BASC. The improved Wool Zone attracted significant interest, as did the vintage machinery and vintage tools displays, which offered a nostalgic glimpse into rural life of yesteryear. In the display ring, Joseph's Amazing Camels, the Gentle Giants & Friends Shire Horse display team and Meirion Owen and his Sheepdogs provided spectacular entertainment throughout the weekend. The festival showcased an impressive array of livestock, with more than 100 cattle, nearly 700 sheep, more than 110 pigs, more than 250 goats and almost 800 horses, ponies and donkeys entered in competitions. New classes this year included Red Poll and Dexter cattle and Castle Moorit Sheep. The livestock and equine champions were: Supreme beef champion: Glebedale Toblerone, a Beef Shorthorn bull exhibited by Tim Bodily, Monmouth. Reserve: Shelsleys Kwagga exhibited by David Powell, Worcestershire. Dairy youngstock champion: Salfach Thor Caramel, an in-calf Jersey heifer exhibited by Salfach & Nantgaredig Jerseys, Carmarthenshire. Reserve: Nantgaredig Thor Poppy, also from Salfach & Nantgaredig Jerseys. Cattle young handler: Molly Edwards, Carmarthenshire. Cattle breed tradestand Award: Ancient Cattle of Wales. Supreme sheep champion: William Evans, Pembrokeshire with a Kerry Hill. Reserve: D. C. L. & C. J. Williams, Powys with a Hill Radnor. Sheep breed tradestand award: Welsh Mountain Sheep. Goats. Angora champion: Marchgwyn Evan exhibited by Stephen Prentice, Carmarthenshire. Reserve: Chrido Gigi exhibited by Chris Tyler. Fleece champion and reserve: Cwmysewrdy Agoras, Powys. Pygmy champion: Sunnymount Zebedee exhibited by Tim Bee, Monmouth. Reserve: Penrhiw Jazz exhibited by Jill Osborne, Gwent. Dairy goats supreme champion: Chatterbox Texas; reserve: Chatterbox Stargazer, both exhibited by Adrian Bull, Wiltshire. Equine supreme champion: Royal Craftsman exhibited by Jane Brace, Bridgend; reserve: Silverwoods, exhibited by Charlotte Elizabeth Arthur, Swansea. Full Equine and Livestock results can be found on the RWAS website https://rwas.wales/spring-festival/competitions-festival/results-festival/
A leading Welsh work-based learning company has declared its involvement in the weekend’s Royal Welsh Spring Festival at Llanelwedd a great success. Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, which has offices across Wales, welcomed more than 250 visitors on both days of the event to its pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground. The company attended the event to inform visitors about career opportunities in Wales via apprenticeships and to promote the Welsh hospitality and food and drink industries. Cambrian Training Company is the leading provider of Hospitality and Food & Drink Manufacturing Apprenticeships in Wales. The company also delivers apprenticeships in Business & Administration, Leadership & Management and Sustainable Resource Management. On Saturday, the company’s professional cookery training officer, Andrew Addis-Fuller gave three full-house cookery demonstrations using salt beef. This new product has been launched by Cambrian Training Company’s sister business, Trailhead Fine Foods, who exhibited in the festival’s Food Hall. On Sunday, it was hospitality training officer, Scott Morgan’s turn in the spotlight, giving masterclasses in mocktail making. In addition to hundreds of mocktails, visitors consumed around 500 Welsh cakes made to Andrew’s secret recipe. Among the visitors who complimented Cambrian Training Company and Trailhead Fine Foods on the salt beef dishes, Welsh cakes and mocktails was Marian Owen, wife of this year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's 2025 president, John R. Owen. The company will again be gifting its Cambrian Training Company Pavilion to the host county, which is Caernarfon this year, at the Royal Welsh from July 21-24. Faith O’Brien, Cambrian Training Company’s managing director, said the festival was “very successful and really positive” for the company. “Our mission was to support the festival, promote the hospitality and food and drink sectors across Wales - and all the different roles within them - and to raise the profile of apprenticeships as successful career pathways,” she said. “We welcomed around 250 people to our pavilion on each of the days and they were looking to understand what apprenticeships have to offer. “We met quite a few parents who were disappointed that their children had chosen either further or higher education courses instead of an apprenticeship and were unable to find employment. “We also met a school head of year who identified the need for apprenticeships to be better promoted in schools as an option for students, which is something we have been saying for years. “Quite a few young people came in wanting to know how they could enrol on an apprenticeship. Hopefully, they went away armed with the information they need to find an employer who supports apprenticeships.”
Experience the Titanic’s last meal at a ‘Queen of the Ocean’ dining experience at the Metropole Hotel in October. A leading Mid Wales hotel will be transporting guests back to 1912 and the tragic maiden voyage of The Titanic later this year. The Metropole Hotel & Spa in Llandrindod Wells is inviting guests to attend a theatrical re-enactment of the Titanic’s last meal in a ‘Queen of the Ocean’ themed dining experience on October 11. Captain Smith and his crew, from Histoire Productions, will welcome guests on board the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage and is encouraging them to “embrace the elegance of 1910s fashion” by wearing era-specific clothing, although it’s not mandatory. The evening will begin at 7pm when Mabel Bennett, the first class stewardess, calls guests to their tables, imagining that it’s April 10, 1912 and first-class passengers are about to board the “unsinkable” Titanic. A three-course meal, replicated from an actual menu found on a first-class survivor, will be served throughout the evening, as guess watch the captain and some of the female crew respond to the impending disaster. “Much of the evening is interactive, however, the final 30 minutes are thought-provoking, respectful and emotional,” said Lauren Bingley, The Metropole Hotel & Spa’s sales manager. “The night is accompanied by a projection of the Titanic’s voyage and an original soundtrack.” The package offered to guests includes overnight accommodation, the three-course set menu, immersive Titanic theatre dining experience, a Welsh breakfast for two, full access to the hotel’s Rock Spa facilities, and discounted rate for two-night stays with evening meals included on additional nights. Rates range from £195 to £265 per room. To book a place or for more information, visit: https://www.metropole.co.uk/offer/queen-of-the-ocean-experience/ . Lauren explained that the hotel is keen to introduce “unique guest experiences”, having previously introduced popular murder mystery events. “We think ‘Titanic’s Last Meal’ will work well at the Metropole Hotel, which changed its name from The Bridge in 1911,” she said. “It should be a great event with Histoire Productions who specialise in creating immersive theatre and dining experiences.” A Murder Mystery weekend is also planned for Saturday, December 6. Contact Lauren on [email protected] for more information. The hotel has been awarded a Local Places for Nature grant by Powys County Council for its biodiversity garden. “We aim to turn our large solar panel garden into a thriving biodiversity habitat and sensory garden,” explained Lauren. “We've teamed up with a local volunteer group that studies biodiversity and microbiology within our town and they've already found insects in our gardens that have never been logged before in Wales. “Phase one of planting 150 wild-thyme plants in between the solar panels is now completed and the next stage is the build of our habitat pods.” The Metropole Hotel is now offering corporate wellbeing and team-building retreats by teaming up with local partners, including Elan Valley, Black Mountain Adventure, Kerry Vale Vineyard, Welsh Lavender Farm, Gigrin Farm Kite Feeding Station, Learn Outdoors, Caer Bryn Retreats and others. “We are putting together bespoke packages for corporate groups wanting to escape to the Welsh hills for a proper team reset - think kayaking, wild cocktail foraging, local wine tasting and loads more,” added Lauren. The Metropole Hotel is a longstanding member of MWT Cymru, an independent organisation that represents more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia). |
