Community

Butcher is cut above rest

Published

10 years ago

May 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Winner: Ken davies Butchers: Crymych

A CRYMYCH butcher will aim to be a cut above the competition in the Welsh heat of a national skills testing event.
21-year-old Dafydd Jenkins, who works for Ken Davies Butchers in Crymych, will be showing off his skills at the Wales-wide heat of the Butchery Workskills National Competition in Llandiloes on Sunday (May 17). Five other butchers from across the country will be competing against him for a place in the final, which is to be held at Birmingham’s NEC in November.
The Herald spoke to Dafydd, who started out working for Ken Davies five years ago as an apprentice, about the competition: “I’ts a preliminary heat, we’ve got to bone a half-side of beef and do some barbecue in this round,” he told us. When asked if he fancied his chances, he was confident. “I should manage,” he said.
Ken Davies said that it was something Dafydd had wanted to do. “It’s nice to see youngsters wanting to get involved in these things, I wish him all the best and hope he does well,” he said.
The competition is being organized by Welshpool-based training provider Cambrian Training Company on behalf of WorldSkills UK. The company says they are ‘delighted’ with the number and quality of entries from butchers across Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
Three regional heats have been organised, starting with the Wales heat at Randall Parker Foods, Dolwen, Llanidloes on Sunday, May 17. The Northern Ireland heat will be held at Southern Regional College, Newry on June 18 and the England heat at Leeds City College on July 9.
The heats are being sponsored by The National Federation of Meat and Food Traders, Institute of Meat, PBEX and Randall Parker Foods.
The six top scoring butchers from the combined three heats will qualify for the final to be held at The Skills Show, to be held at the NEC Birmingham from November 19 – 21.The Skills Show is the nation’s largest skills and careers event and helps to shape the future of the next generation.
WorldSkills UK National Skills Competitions are designed to enhance apprenticeship and training programmes and improve and drive skills in the industry. Butchery is one of more than 60 skills to feature in this year’s competitions.
The line-up for the Wales heat is: Tomi Jones, 24, of Jones Brothers, Wrexham, Daniel John Allen-Raftery, 31, of Randall Parker, Llanidloes, Matthew Edwards, 23, of Vaughan’s Family Butchers, Penyffordd, Peter Rushforth, 19, of Swans Farm Shop, Mold, Dafydd Jenkings, 21, of Ken Davies Butchers, Crymych and Clinton Roberts, 58, of Ponty Butchers, Pontardawe.
It promises to be a closely contested heat as Rushforth is defending champion of the Welsh Young Butcher Competition, a title that both Jones and Edwards have won in the past. Last year, Edwards represented Great Britain in a European butchery competition and Rushforth will follow in his footsteps later this year.
Having taken butchery apprentices to demonstrate their skills at the Skills Show every year since 2011, Cambrian Training Company was keen to add the vocation to the skills competition to raise the profile of skilful butchers across the UK.
“We are delighted that so many talented butchers from across the United Kingdom have entered this new competition, which will showcase the wealth of butchery skills that we possess on these islands,” said Chris Jones, Cambrian Training Company’s head of curriculum for food manufacture. It’s a major step forward for butchery to be represented as a skill at WorldSkills UK, as we believe the craft needs to be benchmarked and promoted. Its inclusion for the first time is a great tool to further raise the industry’s standards and profile.”

Community

Mid and West Wales Fire Service backs Register My Appliance Week

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is supporting Register My Appliance Week (January 20–26) to help households stay informed about appliance safety and product recalls.

Millions of UK households are unaware of critical safety updates for their appliances, with over 40 million large appliances still unregistered. From brand-new purchases to second-hand machines, registering appliances ensures owners are alerted to any safety issues, extending their safe usage.

In the past year, MAWWFRS responded to 163 incidents involving white goods. Home Fire Safety Manager Wayne Thomas said:

“We all value how appliances have transformed our lives, but it’s essential to register them. Doing so is quick, free, and ensures you’re informed if a safety repair is needed. Just a few minutes spent registering can help you enjoy your appliances safely.”

The Register My Appliance portal, run by AMDEA, connects users with over 70 leading brands and accepts registrations for both new and older appliances.

Community

Young Musician Competition: Winners shine in prestigious event

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX talented young musicians showcased their skills during the first round of the 2025 Young Musician competition, held at Bethesda Chapel in Narberth on Wednesday, January 15. The event, organized by the Narberth & Whitland Rotary Club, highlighted the exceptional abilities of these enthusiastic performers.

The evening’s instrumental category winner was harpist Alaw Elisa, representing Ysgol Bro Preseli. The vocalist winner, Max Morris, also represented Ysgol Bro Preseli, impressing the audience and judges alike with his outstanding performance.

Certificates were presented to the winners by Rotary Club President Paul, who expressed his gratitude to everyone involved. “A heartfelt thank you to the competitors, their teachers, parents, and the dedicated volunteers at Bethesda Chapel who made this event a success,” he said.

The Rotary Club looks forward to seeing these young musicians continue to excel as they progress to the next stages of the competition.

Talented winners: Alaw Elisa (Harp) and Max Morris (Vocalist) proudly represent Ysgol Bro Preseli. (Pic: Narberth & Whitland Rotary)

Community

Church in Wales grant sparks revival in youth ministryFor immediate release

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AN INNOVATIVE church project, funded by the Church in Wales, has sparked extraordinary growth in youth ministry, engaging more than 160 children across three coastal parishes. Just a year ago, only two children were involved.

The Faith Alive project from Bro Dwylan Ministry Area in the Diocese of Bangor combines regular family-friendly worship with hands-on activities for children and young people. A monthly Kids Club meets at the local community centre, offering Bible stories, arts and crafts, games, and a delicious picnic lunch provided by volunteers.

Alongside regular activities, the project runs seasonal events to involve people who may be new to church. Activities include summer rock-pooling sessions exploring God’s creation, led by Revd Andy Broadbent, who is also a marine biologist, Halloween celebrations focusing on Christian traditions, and interactive Christmas activities including nativity displays and craft workshops.

Funding has also enabled the creation of a welcoming family space at St Mary and Christ Church in Llanfairfechan, complete with comfortable seating, a Lego table, children’s toys, library, and art area.

The impact has been significant. Where previously only two children attended, the Ministry Area now regularly engages with over 160 children through its events, with additional hundreds reached through joint community initiatives. Several new families have become regular worship attendees.

Revd Andy says, “We wanted to create options for those new or familiar with church to join in as much or as little as they want while helping them to develop their faith. Thanks to Church in Wales funding families can now attend services that include easy-to-understand theology, and family-friendly worship with modern music and technology.

“It has given the congregation a real boost seeing that change is possible and that decline need not be the future. Our success story shows how targeted funding for innovative local ministry can revitalise rural churches and create more opportunities for young people to come to faith.”

Archbishop of Wales Andrew John says, “The success of Faith Alive shows what’s possible when we reimagine how we serve our communities. Bro Dwylan’s creative approach to ministry shows that churches can thrive through innovation and genuine engagement with families. This is exactly what Church in Wales funding aims to achieve – locally-grown initiatives that can inspire similar growth across Wales.”

Bishop of Bardsey David Morris says, “It has been wonderful to hear how the Faith Alive initiative, pioneered by the clergy and people of Bro Dwylan, has touched the lives of so many young people in local communities. We are hopeful the project will continue to grow in strength and impact, nurturing and deepening faith in the next generation.”

The Church in Wales’s Tier One funding stream provides grants of up to £10,000 for innovative local projects that can be replicated nationally, supporting the wider church’s mission to engage with modern communities.