Business
Becoming a business owner in Carmarthenshire inspires Paul to learn Welsh
MOVING to and establishing a business in Carmarthenshire has inspired Paul Raven, co-owner of Tea Traders, to learn Welsh.
Paul was born in Aberystwyth, and grew up in Swansea in a non-Welsh speaking household. After years of living and working in London and Flintshire, North Wales, in 2017, Paul and his partner, Nick, moved to the Gwendraeth Valley, and opened a specialist tea shop in Carmarthen.
Shortly after moving to the area, Paul found himself living in a Welsh-speaking community, with many local customers speaking Welsh in the shop.
Paul explains: “We are a very community-focused business, and the desire to chat in Welsh with customers and to use more Welsh within our business gave me the motivation to start learning Welsh.”
Paul’s language journey began in 2017, and he took advantage of free translation support and services from ‘Helo Blod’ and Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr to create a bilingual menu and website. Alongside the business, Paul enrolled on a Learn Welsh course for beginners, but, due to work commitments at the time, and Covid-19, Paul decided to take a break from the learning.
At the beginning of 2024, Paul came across a programme called ‘Cymraeg i Fusnesau Sir Gaerfyrddin’ (Welsh for Carmarthenshire Businesses), which helps local businesses to embrace and promote the Welsh language. The initiative is a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council’s ARFOR programme and the National Centre for Learning Welsh’s Work Welsh scheme.
Paul has been following an online course alongside other local businesses, led by a tutor from Learn Welsh Ceredigion-Powys-Sir Gâr, run by Aberystwyth University on behalf of the National Centre. Paul told his staff about the course, and two others enrolled, so now all three are learning Welsh together.
Paul says, “I hear and see a lot of Welsh language around me every day, whether I’m at the supermarket, visiting suppliers, or meeting customers at the shop. It certainly feels as though I’m part of a thriving Welsh community and this gives me extra motivation to learn Welsh and to improve my skills.”
Paul enjoys the weekly sessions on Zoom, and says that everyone in the group supports and encourages one another.
“Learning Welsh has had a really positive impact on our business. We have always actively engaged with our local community. We aim to be customer focused, inclusive, and to provide a warm welcome to all our customers. In addition to connecting with local Welsh speaking customers and increasing the amount of Welsh that we use at the shop, we have also discovered that many visitors to Carmarthen are curious about the Welsh language, and that they really enjoy hearing Welsh and picking up a few words during their visit to our tea shop.”
Paul says that his skills and confidence are improving every day.
“I’m recognising and understanding a lot more spoken Welsh at the shop. I’m practising with my colleagues. I’m encouraging customers to speak to me in Welsh, and I try to respond in Welsh if I can.”
Here’s Paul’s advice to anyone learning Welsh: “Go for it! Find a method that works for you. There are so many ways to learn. Learning with others is fun and a great way to meet people.”
He adds: “Let people know that you’re learning, and when you’re out and about look out for opportunities to use your Welsh in your local community. You’ll soon build up a network of other learners and Welsh speakers who’ll encourage you and help you to practise. Try to find ways to listen to Welsh every day – maybe listen to Radio Cymru, or find a TV programme you enjoy on S4C.”
Paul is now following a Foundation-level course, and is looking forward to gaining confidence and using his Welsh in both the business and the local community.
Business
Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged
A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.
In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.
A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.
“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.
“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.
“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”
It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.
“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.
“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”
The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.
Business
Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales
A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.
In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.
The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.
It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.
Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.
Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.
The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.
It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.
“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”
The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.
“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”
The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.
Business
Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand
THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.
The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.
The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.
As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.
The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.
Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.
He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.
“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”
The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.
The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.
The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.
Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”
The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.
Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.
Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).
-
News6 days agoRayner and Lammy visit Wales to discuss justice and community safety
-
News6 days agoFishguard linked to allegations in Many Tears Animal Rescue investigation
-
News3 days agoEmergency services flood Haverfordwest after reports of person in river
-
Local Government6 days agoInvestigation confirmed after inspectors visit Many Tears Animal Rescue
-
Crime2 days agoMother given community order after admitting child cruelty offence
-
Business7 days agoTesco B&Q Haverfordwest click and collect pod approved
-
Community6 days agoTown hall takeover plan questioned as cost figures conflict
-
Business7 days agoLegal action backed in case over development at Dinas Cross










