Community

Poultry enthusiasts make sure rare breeds survive

Published

9 years ago

January 23, 2014

THE 2014 Welsh National Poultry Show took place last weekend in a flurry of feathers and noise at the purpose built Brithdir Exhibition Hall, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Showground.

The annual two-day event –which was begun 40 years ago at Llanybydder –has, for the past 10 years, been held at Haverfordwest under the auspices of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

The popularity of poultry continues to increase, and even the newest and smallest farm parks and tourist attractions have a few fowl for added interest. When these are pure breeds, suitably labelled, it fuels the enthusiasm for others to take up the hobby.

At the Welsh National records tumble annually as the number of entries continue to increase to this year’s high of more than 2,100 exhibits, with enthusiastic keepers and exhibitors traveling from across the UK to display their prized poultry in several hundred different classes.

Successfully organised by the Dyfed Poultry Society with waterfowl on the first day and poultry on the second, it is undoubtedly the biggest show of its kind in Wales incorporating more than 570 classes of poultry of which some of the breeds would have long ago died out were it not for the dedication of these knowledgeable breeders.

Secretary Alun Davies, who has been involved in organising the show for the past decade, said:

“We’ve had the top poultry people come this year from as far afield as Cornwall and other parts of the West Country together with Yorkshire, the Midlands and the Home Counties.”

The Welsh National Poultry Show is now considered to be one of the three major poultry competitions in the UK.

This year saw the top prize of Supreme Champion go to first time exhibitors at this show, Nobby and Chris Ward from Bedfordshire with their April hatched blue German Langshan male. This particular breed is derived from the Croad Langshan and is an old, heavy, soft-feathered chicken breed which probably originated in China.

There were a number of outstanding successes for Charles Holtom and his family from the west Midlands who entered the champion and reserve in the waterfowl classes with his large, bantam and miniature crested ducks and also self coloured heavy ducks.

Also a founder member of the Dyfed Society and lifetime supporter, Picton Jones, 83, took 20 entries to the show and came away with a remarkable four championship awards. Show President, Michael Davies congratulating the Society on a truly amazing event said:

“The birds were beautiful and the noise was fantastic –all of them clucking away at the same time. The place was full of characters and odd-looking birds and all those involved, of all ages, take it really seriously. It was like Crufts but for birds!”

The championship judge, Mr Colin Clarke, Norwich was the guest speaker at the annual dinner of the Dyfed Society held at the Beggar’s Reach Hotel.

Community

Welsh craft activities, singing, games, story time and Sion Corn at Crymych Library

Published

8 hours ago

December 2, 2022

Carli Newell

CHRISTMAS celebrations will be starting early this year at Crymych Library.

On the morning of Saturday, December 10, from 10.30 am, there will be a morning of Welsh Language craft activities, singing and games for young children at the library.

There will also be a Welsh Language story time session at the library from 11.30am.

As well as the fun, there will also be a chance to meet a very special visitor, Sion Corn, before he gets busy with his Christmas deliveries.

If you’d like to join the fun, please register in advance by e-mailing bethan@mentersirbenfro.com

Hurry, as spaces are limited.

Crymych Library is located on the Ysgol Bro Preseli campus in Crymych.

The library is open for seven hours a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-6 pm and on Saturday mornings from 10am. to 1pm. For more information, please contact the library on (01239) 832092.

This event is being organised in conjunction with Menter Iaith Preseli and is funded by the Welsh Government.

Community

Park Authority sponsorship boost for Boxing Day Swim’s belated half century

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2022

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKSEHIRE Coast National Park Authority says that it is delighted to be one of the main sponsors of this year’s Tenby Boxing Day Swim.

The popular event will mark its belated 50th anniversary this year, after Covid-19 enforced cancellations of the event in 2020 and 2021.

Chair of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Di Clements said: “The Authority is delighted to be helping this well-supported community event celebrate its half-century landmark, especially as the National Park celebrates its own notable 70-year milestone this year.

“We hope this support will help raise much needed funds for a range of local causes, recognise the efforts of the brave participants and link to the Authority’s wider winter of well-being support programme, helping communities across the Park to stay well this winter.”

Chairman of the Tenby Sea Swimming Association, Chris Osborne added: “The swim’s stunning location on Tenby’s North Beach calls for continuing collaboration between community events organisers, like Tenby Sea Swimming Association, and environmental custodians such as the Park Authority.

“These joint anniversaries, and this generous sponsorship for which we are very grateful, are a choice way of celebrating this partnership.”

The 2022 Tenby Boxing Day Swim is raising money for the Tenby Memory Café, the Dai Rees Foundation, Tenby RNLI and the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Swimmers are asked to register online and make a small donation to help cover the cost of organising the event, which will ensure more of the sponsorship money raised goes to the chosen good causes.

For further information, visit www.tenbyboxingdayswim.co.uk, or follow Tenby Boxing Day Swim on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Ends

Caption: National Park Authority Chair, Cllr Di Clements with Tenby Sea Swimming Association Chairman, Chris Osborne.

Community

Pair of Pembrokeshire convenience stores sold to experienced retailers through Christie Co

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2022

Carli Newell

SPECIALIST business property adviser, Christie & Co has successfully completed the sale of two convenience stores: County Stores and Bargain Booze in Pembrokeshire, South Wales.

Operated by Filji Varghese since 2008 and 2012 respectively, the two sites have been purchased by expanding retailers, Kishore Manikonda and Saritha Ravilla who have exciting plans for the businesses.

County Stores is centrally located in the county town of Haverfordwest, close to the main train station, and draws most of its trade from the many surrounding residential and commercial properties. Operated under Premier branding, the store is also within close distance to Haverfordwest Castle, and benefits from the tourist trade throughout the year.

Bargain Booze is ideally located in the centre of Pembroke Dock, with good access to the town’s main train station, and benefits from the high footfall of the busy street. The business is well established, and its wide range of traditional convenience items and alcohol selection ensures loyal, repeat trade from the local residents.

Previous owner, Filgi Varghese comments on the sale, “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the local community and I am grateful for all their support. In that time, my staff have been brilliant, and I wish them well moving forward with the new owners. Christie & Co was professional and proactive throughout the process, and I would highly recommend speaking with them if you are considering selling your retail business.”

New owners, Kishore Manikonda and Saritha Ravilla comment, “We are very pleased with the purchase of these fantastic stores. We will continue to operate the business as Premier and Bargain Booze branded stores but change the trading name as ANANNYA STORES. We have plans to do a complete refit in the near future to modernise the businesses, as well as extending the opening hours and introducing new products for the local community.

“This is the fourth business we have purchased through Christie and Co, and we are very grateful for their help in ensuring the process went through smoothly.”

Joe Brayne, Business Agent at Christie & Co who handled the sale, adds, “The two stores have been operated successfully for a number of years and presented an ideal opportunity for Kishore and Saritha to add to their growing portfolio. I am sure they will make a success of both businesses and we wish Filgi all the best with his future plans.”

County Stores and Bargain Booze were sold for an undisclosed price.