THE OWNER of a well-known bridal boutique in Llandeilo has donated nearly 100 bespoke wedding gowns to charity as he prepares to close his business after 16 years.

Huw Rees, the stylist and broadcaster behind Huw Rees Brides, said he was forced to shut the store due to kidney failure. Wanting to end on a “positive note,” he has donated dresses to several charities, including Cancer Research, the British Red Cross, local colleges, and even a dog charity.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Mr Rees said: “People have been disappointed. We are a multi-award-winning brand and just won a national wedding award recently, but customers who know why have been very supportive.”

Among the donations, around 20 dresses have gone to Cancer Research, while 40 gowns have been given to Bridgend and Carmarthen colleges to support sustainability projects. A further 30 wedding dresses, along with bridesmaids’ dresses, veils, and accessories, have been handed over to the British Red Cross in Llandeilo.

British Red Cross shop manager Sarah Morris said the store was “overwhelmed” by Mr Rees’ generosity.

“The shop has been buzzing with excitement. The phone has been ringing with enquiries about the dresses, and customers have been visiting to try them on,” she said. “The money raised will support our work across the UK and worldwide, helping people in crisis. We are truly grateful to Huw for this donation.”

The donated gowns include bespoke designs by Mr Rees, as well as dresses from luxury brands such as Ellis Bridal, Lou Lou, and Louise Bentley, typically priced at over £1,000. However, the donated dresses have been sold for between £50 and £100.

Mr Rees, who is known as Huw “Fash” and is a regular on S4C programmes Prynhawn Da and Heno, has openly spoken about his health struggles, including undergoing dialysis for kidney disease.

Despite the closure, Mr Rees said he and his team will honour their commitments to existing brides, with their final wedding scheduled for November.

Looking ahead, the stylist revealed he is training to become a celebrant and hopes to officiate weddings instead of designing dresses.

“We’ve had 16 successful years, and I’m just grateful for the supportive brides,” he said. “Now it’s time to think about the future.”

PEMBROKESHIRE INITIATIVE LAUNCHES CROWDFUNDER TO EXPAND INDUSTRY

Wales is poised to develop a £105 million regenerative sea farming industry, projected to create over 1,000 jobs while restoring marine and soil biodiversity. A recent high-level discussion, convened by Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Derek Walker, brought together key government and industry stakeholders to explore the challenges and opportunities in this emerging sector.

The talks included representatives from The Crown Estate, Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru/Natural Resources Wales, WWF, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Development Bank of Wales, and sustainable packaging manufacturer Notpla. The meeting follows an initial forum in June 2024, attended by the Prince of Wales, which recognised regenerative sea farming as a major opportunity for Wales.

Pioneering change in Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire-based community benefit society Câr-Y-Môr is at the forefront of Wales’ regenerative sea farming movement. During the discussions, the organisation called for a clear and consistent regulatory framework, streamlined licensing, and financial support to help early-stage farms invest in infrastructure and innovation.

“Regenerative sea farming has the potential to strengthen coastal economies, create sustainable jobs, and enhance marine biodiversity,” said Owen Haines, managing director of Câr-Y-Môr. “There is growing evidence that seaweed-based biostimulants can improve soil health, increase crop yields, and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilisers. This is a real opportunity for Wales’ land farming community as well as its coastal economies.”

A growing community business

Founded in 2019, Câr-Y-Môr is demonstrating how regenerative farming and local fishing can boost the Welsh economy and improve environmental sustainability. The initiative has already:

• Built a 500-strong community, generated a £300,000 turnover, and created 20 year-round jobs.
• Educated over 1,200 children and young people through school visits and workshops.
• Kept 35 tonnes of Welsh seafood in the UK, ensuring local communities benefit from their own resources.
• Partnered with farmers to trial a seaweed-based biostimulant, increasing crop yields by up to 24% and reducing synthetic fertiliser use.
• Supported 12 fishermen and gatherers with fair prices and local market access.
• Hosted over 100 boat trips to showcase the industry’s potential to policymakers and researchers.

Crowdfunding for the future

To sustain its momentum, Câr-Y-Môr has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder UK. In 2025, the organisation plans to lease a disused RNLI station to develop a seaweed and shellfish hatchery, expand seaweed biostimulant trials, and establish new offshore farms.

The public is invited to invest in this community-driven initiative by visiting: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/car-y-mor-share-offer.

Building a sustainable future

As Wales’ first regenerative sea farm, Câr-Y-Môr exemplifies a model where community-owned businesses can create lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits.

“We thank all who attended this meeting for their positive input and sincerely hope this results in tangible progress to benefit Welsh communities, land and sea,” said Haines.

A POLL has revealed 69% of people in Wales believe the law of intestacy should be changed to offer legal protections for unmarried couples without a Will – now public support for change could soon translate into action.

Under current rules, unmarried partners have no automatic right to inherit if their partner dies without a Will, leaving many in financially vulnerable situations.

Now, with the government confirming it will consult on reforming cohabitation laws this year, public support for change could soon translate into action.

A poll by Will-writing scheme Will Aid, which surveyed more than 2,000 people across the UK, showed the majority want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships.

When asked if the law should be changed so there are legal protections for couples that aren’t married and don’t have a Will, 69% of people in Wales agreed.

Nationally, the figures showed 65% of people agreed the law should be changed. And three-quarters of cohabiting couples surveyed were unaware of what would happen to their assets if they passed away without a Will.

Speaking to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, the minister in charge of family justice, marriage, and divorce, confirmed recently that a formal consultation will take place this year to “build public consensus on what cohabitation reform should look like.”

This marks a shift from the previous government’s stance, which delayed reform until changes to marriage and divorce laws were completed.

Karishma Dimple Dhaliah-Haulkory, lead solicitor at Portway Solicitors, said: “Many of today’s laws were written in an era with more traditional views on relationships, often centring around marriage and nuclear families. However, modern relationships take many forms, including cohabiting partners, blended families, and same-sex couples.

“Legal recognition should extend beyond conventional definitions to provide equal protections for all individuals, regardless of how they choose to build their families. By adapting laws to reflect the reality of modern relationships, society can create a legal system that is more just, equitable, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.”

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

Peter de Vena Franks, Campaign Director for Will Aid, said: “Our poll shows the majority of people in the UK want intestacy laws to reflect modern relationships. Cohabiting couples are the fastest-growing family type, yet they remain unprotected under the current system. With the government now looking at reform, we hope to see real progress. In the meantime, we urge people to protect their loved ones by making a Will.”

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and seven of the UK’s best-loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 30 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make an upfront donation to Will Aid – the suggested amounts are £100 for a single basic Will and £180 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ Wills.

People can sign up to receive an email when the 2025 campaign goes live by visiting www.willaid.org.uk/early-bird.

Donations raised during the campaign are shared by Will Aid’s partner charities, which operate both here in the UK and around the world.

For more information on Will Aid and how to get involved visit www.willaid.org.uk