Community

Catering students go coastal foraging with Craig Evans

Published

3 months ago

September 24, 2025

By Kacie Morgan, Culinary Travel Writer and Author of The Rare Welsh Bit

Eight Catering and Hospitality students from Coleg Ceredigion swapped the classroom for the Pembrokeshire coast this week, joining renowned forager Craig Evans – and his golden retriever, Llew – for a hands-on lesson in wild food.

The students were guided by lecturers Sam Everton, the 2025 National Chef of Wales, and 2024 Young Chef of Wales Huw Morgan, alongside lead technician Lona Winney.

Craig grew up foraging these shores, first learning to collect cockles with his father. Today he runs courses along 150 miles of coastline from Pembrey to St Davids, sharing his expertise with everyone from beginners to professional chefs. His work has led to TV appearances on BBC One’s Wynne & Joanna: All at Sea, Channel 4’s Best of Britain by the Sea with Grace Dent and Ainsley Harriott, and BBC Two’s Love to Cook with Mary Berry. He has also cooked at the BBC Good Food Show alongside Gennaro Contaldo and long-standing food editor Barney Desmazery.

On Monday, the group gathered near Tenby as the tide ebbed away, uncovering rock pools and sandbanks. Craig began with a lesson on tides, explaining how the moon and weather patterns affect safe foraging. Soon, students were spotting velvet swimming crabs, cockles, razor clams, mussels, colonial sea squirts and edible seaweeds including laver, pepper dulse and rock samphire.

Sustainability was a central theme. Craig urged the students to forage responsibly: to take only what is plentiful, never strip an area bare, and always respect breeding seasons. He linked this to food safety, explaining how water quality impacts shellfish and why cooking them thoroughly is vital. Students even sampled a sliver of raw razor clam foot – safe to eat as it is pure muscle rather than part of the digestive system.

As the tide turned, Craig lit his trademark ‘Solva stove’ – a Swedish-style log fire crafted from a single upright log. Prawns fried in local salted butter with wild garlic and samphire were followed by steamed shellfish and seaweed, shared by the group in a beachside feast.

The foraging trip built on the students’ training at Coleg Ceredigion’s award-winning restaurant, Bwyty Maes y Parc, which holds the Cookery School of the Year title. The college’s Catering and Hospitality diploma covers not just cookery, but front-of-house service, menu planning, mixology and more. Craig’s courses add a unique opportunity to engage directly with Welsh produce at source.

Chef Lecturer Sam Everton said: “I think today has helped the students learn and experience what’s available on the coastline of Wales. It dives deeper into the knowledge needed to go out foraging on their own or with friends or family, highlighting Welsh produce they can use to cook something from their country or tell a story behind a dish. Today has really enhanced that experience and will help them move forward in their careers.”

Student Glyn Jones added: “I went coastal foraging last year with college but until then, I’d never done it before. There’s something new to learn every time, it’s fun, and it’s a good day out.”

Craig’s Classic (£90) and Extreme Low Tide (£130) courses can be booked at www.coastalforaging.co.uk.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

8 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).