Community

Full steam ahead with local beers

Published

9 years ago

December 11, 2014

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’!

Community

Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.

The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.

The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.

Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”

Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”

Community

Castle tearoom serves up new sensory-friendly sessions

Published

21 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW sensory-friendly sessions at a popular castle tearoom will enable visitors with additional needs to enjoy a welcoming and accommodating environment tailored to their specific requirements.

As part of an initiative to boost engagement with a more diverse audience, Carew Castle, which is run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, will be running a new Quiet Hour and Power Hour at Nest Tearoom on the second Monday of each month.

The Quiet Hour, designed to provide a safe space for anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed when out in public, will take place between 9am and 10am, before the Castle opens. Bright lighting and noise will be kept to a minimum and visitors will be able to enjoy quieter activities in a relaxing environment.

The Power Hour is scheduled for 4.30pm to 5.30pm and offers an energetic and engaging session, tailored to promote physical movement and social engagement. The aim is to create an opportunity for individuals who thrive in more active settings to connect with others, without concern for excessive noise or social interaction.

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new sensory-friendly sessions at Carew Castle, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

“The Quiet Hour and Power Hour sessions aim to cater to the specific needs of our visitors, providing them with an environment where they can truly be themselves. As well as being able to use the café facilities, visitors will be able to explore the Castle garden. For those who wish to explore the Castle, entry is free with a Carers Card. Otherwise, normal entry fees apply.”

The Castle, which was named Pembrokeshire Visitor Attraction of the Year in last year’s Croeso Awards isn’t the only Park Authority-run site to adapt the visitor experience to accommodate more diverse audiences. A Sunday morning Quiet Hour was introduced at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in 2019 to encourage people who would not otherwise have visited the site to come along and discover more about the lives of their ancient ancestors.

To learn more about the sensory-friendly sessions and to plan your visit, please contact Carew Castle directly on 01646 651782 or visit www.carewcastle.com. Further information about Castell Henllys’ Quiet Hour can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/castell-henllys/about-castell-henllys/accessibility-2/.

Community

Four-day community engagement at Haverfordwest Castle Square

Published

21 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THOMAS Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillor for Castle Ward, says he was delighted to participate in the opening of the “Sharing The Square” event. The four-day programme, running from April 24 to 27 at Haverfordwest Castle Square, invites the community to exchange memories and ideas for the future development of this historic area.

The initiative, in collaboration with local artists and Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to collect community input on potential improvements and address existing challenges in the square. The event also seeks to enhance the connectivity with the adjacent Haverfordwest Castle, focusing on pedestrian routes from the square to the castle.

A variety of public activities are scheduled to take place during the event. These include gardening, creative workshops, games, and musical performances, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Among the highlights is an art workshop led by renowned artist Janetka Platun. Her session titled “What is Lost and What is Found?” offers participants of all ages and abilities the chance to develop model-making skills. Each attendee will create a small model housed in an acrylic box, using diverse and intriguing materials.

Local community groups have been invited to reserve a slot for this free workshop, which is available on the afternoons of 24th, 25th, and the morning and afternoon of 27th April. The project aims to provide a platform for residents to reflect on their personal connections to the square and envision its future.

Further details on the ongoing and future activities can be found on the project’s official website at www.sharingthesquare.org, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram account @sharingthesquare.

The event has already attracted attention with various stakeholders, including Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, Danielle Thomas-Turner, and Guy Norman from Spacetocreate, contributing to the discussions and activities.

Photos from today’s activities can be viewed at The Edge Youth Centre’s social media, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation in shaping the future of Haverfordwest Castle Square.