News

Early potatoes get European protection

Published

12 years ago

December 12, 2013

THE famous Pembrokeshire Early Potato has joined the ranks of Champagne, Parma Ham and Melton Mowbray Pork Pies by being awarded protected food name status by the European Commission.

From this week the Pembrokeshire Earlies/ Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes names are protected by the European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which is one of three special European Protected Food Name (PFN) designations. Under the EU’s protected food name scheme certain food and drink products receive Europe-wide legal protection against imitation and misuse.

The application for PGI status was made to the European Commission by DEFRA on behalf of Haverfordwest based majority farmer-owned company Puffin Produce Ltd. Achieving PGI status is a long and complicated procedure, and Puffin has been helped through the process by the Welsh Government.

Through its ‘Blas Y Tir’ (Taste of the Land) brand, the company has been spearheading the campaign to re-invigorate the place of the Pembrokeshire Early Potato on the plates of Wales and further afield. Earlier this year as part of the campaign the Pembrokeshire Earlies ‘starred’ in a television advertisement – the first television advert for a Welsh vegetable brand.

Pembrokeshire Earlies have been grown in the county’s fertile red sandstone soil since the mid-1700s and it is one of the county’s most treasured products.

“Preparing the seed and soil then planting, nurturing and harvesting these special potatoes is both a science and an art,” said Puffin’s field manager, Stephen Mathias.

“The growers have an innate knowledge of the local growing conditions and many skills have been passed down from one generation to the next.

“The potatoes are often handpicked especially earlier in the harvest season. Maris Peer and Lady Christl varieties – among others – are ideal for the Pembrokeshire soil, climate and production methods. The result is a tiny (15-70mm diameter) bright white potato, creamy in texture and so fine-skinned that the first crop harvested in May in its purest earth covered form, to keep its delicate skin intact.”

These first of the season Pembrokeshire Earlies have a distinctive nutty flavour and aroma.

“The Pembrokeshire Early potato is one of the best products in Wales,” said Puffin’s managing director, Huw Thomas.

“Achieving PGI status has been a long and rigorous process, but we’re absolutely delighted with the outcome and we can’t wait until next year’s Pembrokeshire Earlies to celebrate in style.”

“Consumers can now be absolutely sure that when they buy Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes they are getting a product which has been grown, picked, and packed in Pembrokeshire.

“This is tremendous news for Wales, Pembrokeshire and our growers who put their heart and soul into producing the best potatoes and vegetables you’ll find anywhere in the world.”

The PGI designation puts Pembrokeshire Early Potatoes on a par with Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef, which also received protection under European law. Added Huw Thomas,

“You could say we are now three quarters of the way to having a full PGI dinner from Wales!”

Alun Davies, Minister for Natural Resources and Food, congratulated Puffin Produce saying:

“Gaining protected food name status is a fantastic achievement and is the recognition our delicious Pembrokeshire Earlies deserve.

“This excellent news yet again demonstrates some of the world class food Wales has to offer.”

Pembrokeshire Earlies grower, Walter Simon welcomed the PGI news saying it “recognises the quality of the product and the hard work and dedication of growers in Pembrokeshire and it is great that horticulture in West Wales is being recognised in this way.”

He added, “The discerning publicwill recognise the PGI logo from other great products around Europe which have a special connection to their locality – such as Welsh Lamb which has a reputation world-wide.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Food Development Manager, Kate Morgan said,

“Pembrokeshire Earlies have a proud history in this part of Wales and we are delighted that ‘one of our own’ food products has been recognised by Europe in this way.”

Said Caroline Evans of the Potato Council, “Shoppers continue to be interested in provenance and it presents opportunities to build interest and excitement in the potato category. It is good to see Pembrokeshire growers investing in their identity and being recognised with PGI status.”

Business

Mayor opens new Sapphire showroom in Milford Haven

Published

48 minutes ago

May 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New Charles Street base brings windows and doors firm closer to Pembrokeshire customers

THE MAYOR OF MILFORD HAVEN has officially opened a new showroom for Sapphire Windows & Doors in the town centre.

The company welcomed visitors to its new base at 61 Charles Street on Monday (May 18), with Mayor Mark Woodward attending the opening.

Sapphire Windows & Doors, established in 1989, supplies and installs windows, doors and glazing products across South and West Wales.

The new Milford Haven showroom has been opened following growing demand from customers in Pembrokeshire, many of whom had previously travelled to the company’s Ammanford showroom.

The Charles Street premises will allow customers to view products in person, compare colours and finishes, try different styles, and speak directly with the Sapphire team.

Products on display include uPVC windows, composite and aluminium entrance doors, aluminium sliding and bifold systems, and internal and external Crittall-style aluminium and steel doors.

Shaun Matthews, Director of Sapphire Windows & Doors said: “We are incredibly excited to open our new Milford Haven showroom and welcome both returning and new customers through the doors.

“We have already received such a lovely welcome on Charles Street, and we are looking forward to becoming part of the local community.

“When people are investing in new windows and doors, it is important they feel confident in what they are choosing. The showroom gives customers the opportunity to properly see the products, explore the options available, try them for themselves and receive clear, honest advice from our team.”

The company manufactures its own uPVC products in-house at its factory in Ammanford, while installations are carried out by directly employed fitting teams.

Sapphire says it offers free, no-obligation quotes and takes a no-pressure approach to sales.

Every installation is backed by a ten-year guarantee and a FENSA insurance-backed warranty.

The new showroom is now open at 61 Charles Street, Milford Haven, SA73 1SA.

For more information visit sapphirewindows.info.

Community

Cardigan family’s urgent appeal after father suffers devastating stroke

Published

50 minutes ago

May 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Former pilot left unable to speak or swallow after collapsing while mowing lawn

A CARDIGAN family has launched an urgent appeal for help after a 72-year-old father suffered a massive stroke while mowing his garden, leaving him unable to speak, swallow or move the right side of his body.

Les Bell collapsed on Monday, May 11, after suffering what doctors described as an intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) – a serious form of haemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

His daughter, Jessica Grieve, said the bleed was extensive and that her father remains in a critical condition on an acute stroke ward.

The former pilot, who now works as a flight training consultant at Gatwick Airport, is currently being fed through a tube and can only communicate through eye contact, small nods and grunts.

Jessica said: “Dad has lost the right-hand side of his body, has to be tube fed as he’s not conscious enough to perform a swallow test, although it would seem the muscles on the right side of his throat aren’t working.

“He can’t talk. He can only communicate with brief eye contact, small nods and grunts.”

She added that doctors are still unable to predict her father’s long-term prognosis.

“We don’t know the prognosis, only time will tell, but he is in a critical condition and it’s likely to remain that way for some months,” she said.

The family is now facing a financial crisis after Les, who was the main income earner, became suddenly incapacitated.

Jessica said her father managed all household finances, while her mother is unable to work due to disabilities and her brother, Jake, is still suffering the effects of cancer treatment and cannot work full-time.

She is now applying for lasting power of attorney in order to access her father’s bank accounts, but said the process could take up to ten weeks.

In the meantime, the family say they are struggling to pay rent, bills and other essential costs.

Jessica has launched a GoFundMe appeal to support the family during the coming months.

She said: “I’m asking for donations of any kind to help them pay for the urgent bills while we’re waiting for other benefits and LPA to begin.

“If we can get them through the next couple of months we’d be so, so grateful.”

Anyone wishing can visit the GoFundMe page here: Help for the Family of Les Bell.

Photo caption:

Family by his side: Les Bell in hospital after suffering a devastating stroke while mowing the garden (Pic: GoFundMe).

Crime

Police probe ball bearing damage in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are investigating reports of criminal damage in Haverfordwest after suspected metal ball bearings were used to damage a vehicle and a property.

Dyfed-Powys Police said damage was caused to the wing mirror of a blue Range Rover Evoque on Glenfields Road sometime between 11:10am and 11:20am on Sunday, May 10.

Officers believe metal ball bearings may have been used.

A second incident was reported at around 2:30pm on Tuesday, May 12, when the window of a property on Glenfields Road was allegedly struck by a suspected metal ball bearing.

Police said local officers are continuing to speak with residents after receiving a number of calls about ball bearings being found in the Glenfields Road and Old Hakin Road areas.

Anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information that could help the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: 26*375605.