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Full steam ahead with local beers

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Something different: A steam engine rally stopped many people in their tracks!

Something different: A steam engine rally stopped many people in their tracks!

A NORTH Pembrokeshire pub is flying the flag for locally produced beers. The Bridge End in Llanychaer, known to its locals as the Bont, has recently re-opened with new landlords Mark and Lesley. They have wasted no time in turning the popular pub into a showcase for some of the great beers from the microbreweries that have sprung up in recent years, putting North Pembrokeshire firmly on the beer map of Wales.

Indeed, the Bont has just become the most recent Pembrokeshire pub to win the accolade of an entry in the Good Beer Guide published by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). To achieve recognition in the ‘Bible of British Beers’ means serving ‘real’ ales in top condition, and ideally in a friendly, welcoming pub atmosphere.

The Bont succeeds in ticking all these boxes. As you arrive in the picturesque village of Llanychaer, you can simply follow your nose, as the wonderful smell of a log fire drifts down the road. And for visitors from further afield, directions can be found in the Good Beer Guide, whether in book form, online or as a phone app. Local pubs serving local beers may seem the most natural thing in the world but, surprisingly, very few pubs in the area do actually take the initiative and choose to offer something other than the usual familiar names from big national breweries.

So members of CAMRA’s Pembrokeshire branch were impressed to find that the hand pumps in the cosy bar permanently offer at least two different beers from Bluestone Brewery, near Newport and another two from Gwaun Valley Brewery. Both breweries are a mere 3 to 5 miles from the Bont, so it makes good environmental sense as well as supporting the local economy.

Other notable additions to the beer brewing scene in North Pembrokeshire include the award-winning Seren brewery at Rosebush, and Caffle Brewery, based in the Old School, Llawhaden, which scooped a Silver medal at Pembrokeshire Tourism’s awards this year. Close links between pubs and our local breweries are good for everyone.

And as if to prove the point, it will soon be possible to enjoy a pint (or two) of ‘Bont Ale’, brewed and specially labelled by Len and Sarah Davies at Gwaun Valley Brewery – the perfect accompaniment to an excellent home-cooked lunch or evening meal from Lesleys’ kitchen.

In the words of Mark and Lesley: “This is a lovely old pub with a history stretching back 150 years or more, and still has the huge water-wheel that used to power the smithy that once operated in the same building. The whole of the Gwaun Valley has a long tradition of farmhouse brewing, so it only seems right that we should be serving beers brewed virtually on the doorstep.” During the Fishguard & Goodwick Autumn Festival, on the weekend of October 31 – November 1, Mark and Lesley showed that they have another passion, apart from great beer.

They helped to organise the memorable steam engine rally, which saw magnificent vintage machines on display around the twin towns, they certainly stopped plenty of people in their tracks. As regular contestants in the annual Cawl Crawl, and indeed winners of 1st prize for ‘Best Cawl’ last year, they were busy in the kitchen to be ready to receive the many cawl tasters who arrived in memorable fashion aboard one of the Foden steam lorries. Let us hope that many other Pembrokehsire pubs will follow the example set by the Bont and choose to ‘go local’!

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Community

Pembrokeshire waste centres could soon be open on fewer days

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A CALL for waste centre users across Pembrokeshire to “share the pain” in a cut in the number of days they are open rather than close St Davids’ recycling centre is being recommended to senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, at their November 12 meeting, received a report on the provision of recycling centres in the county, which had been referred from full council at its March budget meeting.

Back at that meeting, St Davids recycling centre, at risk of potential closure against a backdrop of severe budget pressures, was given a reprieve.

A report for the November committee, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council’s medium term financial plan identifies “a ‘most likely’ projected funding gap of £84.6m over the period 2024-25 to 2027-28,” with the council needing to deliver at least £70,000 of savings against the waste and recycling centres, adding: “if this is not possible this saving will be required to come from alternative areas within environmental services impacting on collection arrangements and services provided across Pembrokeshire.”

Four options were presented to the committee: no change, with the £70,000 coming from other areas of the service; the closure of St Davids netting the £70,000; its closure along with reductions in the amount of days other centres at Winsel, Waterloo, Crane Cross and Hermon to save £110,000; the final option being a reduction in the number of days all were open, but keeping St Davids running, saving the £70,000.

The choice of the options, complicated by various capital investment requirements for the sites, before committee would take the form of a recommendation to the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.

Members heard many objections to the closure of St Davids had been received, with the city council “unanimously” opposed to it on many grounds, including its use by both the Coastguard and the RNLI for the disposal of maritime debris, and the distances involved for members of the public to use the other facilities.

Nearby local county councillor, Cllr Mark Carter of Solva said he had never seen as many responses to an issue in his seven-and-a-half years as a councillor, proposing the fourth option, later described as “a sharing of pain across all sites” be submitted to Cabinet.

He said the facility at St Davids was much valued by local residents.

“They understand Pembrokeshire County Council has got a severe financial problem, they understand doing nothing is not an option; they understand that, I understand that,” said Cllr Carter, adding: “The problem we’ve got with the budget is a county-wide problem, it’s not St Davids exclusively; logic says we should not be inflicting all the pain on this peninsula.”

He was backed by fellow local councillor Cllr Bethan Price.

Members, by nine votes to three, backed the fourth option of a reduction in hours at all sites but keeping St Davids open, be recommended to Cabinet, expected to be heard at its December meeting.

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Business

Bluestone National Park Resort pledges support to armed forces community

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BLUESTONE National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to pledge its commitment to the UK Armed Forces as the country commemorates Armistice Day.

Bluestone, which employs several former armed forces personnel, marked Armistice Day on 11, with a commitment to reaching gold status on the covenant.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly.

The Covenant aims to eliminate disadvantage and ensure that no member of the armed forces community faces discrimination in providing public and commercial services compared to any other citizen.

Glenn Hewer, Head of Sales at Bluestone, is a former Royal Marine who volunteers with the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines. He said: “More and more employees recognise the importance and significance that former armed personnel have and play in their communities and workplaces. The covenant is a commitment to them and a recognition of what they and their families have sacrificed for us.

“Additionally, ex-forces personnel make great employees in all walks of life. They are highly trained in a wide range of skills and bring many benefits to businesses. Providing an opportunity that allows them to further their careers outside the military is a great way of supporting them and their families.”

This commitment has also led Bluestone to join the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze award. The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same. It encompasses bronze, silver, and gold awards for organisations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support for defence and the armed forces community.

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone National Park Resort who is also a veteran of the Royal Engineers, said: “At Bluestone, we deeply value the contribution of the Armed Forces community to our country.

“We are proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and demonstrate our commitment to supporting them. We believe it’s important to recognise the sacrifices made by service personnel and their families and ensure they are treated with the respect and fairness they deserve. We are committed to attaining the Gold ERS as we build our relationship with the armed forces community.”

Craig Middle, Regional Employer Engagement Director at the Ministry of Defence, said: “We are delighted that Bluestone National Park Resort has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is committed to supporting the Armed Forces community. This is a fantastic example of a business recognising the value that serving personnel, veterans and their families bring to the workplace and wider society.”

Marten added: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a living document, and Bluestone is committed to updating its pledge to reflect its ongoing support for the Armed Forces community.”

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Community

Bishop Joins Street Pastors on Pembroke Outreach

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PEMBROKE’S Street Pastors received a visit from Bishop Dorrien over the weekend as he joined their outreach efforts to witness their work within the local community.

The Street Pastors, active in both Pembroke and Haverfordwest, provide pastoral and practical support to people using the town’s pubs and clubs. Their assistance ranges from offering water to the dehydrated, tissues to those in distress, and even flat shoes to help patrons make a safe journey home. Most importantly, they offer a compassionate ear, comfort, and prayers to those in need.

Supported by a dedicated prayer team, the Street Pastors take breaks to pray and gather strength, reflecting on their encounters with the community. Bishop Dorrien praised their work, describing it as a witness to Christ’s command to love our neighbours.

The Bishop noted the warm reception the team received during their rounds and the affection the community holds for their ministry. He blessed their ongoing service, acknowledging its positive impact on the lives of many.

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