Community

Poultry enthusiasts make sure rare breeds survive

Published

11 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

Puffin found 110 miles inland released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire

Published

21 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Rare rescue sees seabird named Oona nursed back to health after landing in Herefordshire garden

A PUFFIN that somehow found its way more than 100 miles inland has been returned to the sea in Pembrokeshire after being rescued in a Herefordshire garden.

The bird, affectionately named Oona after a children’s book character, was discovered in June in the landlocked county — some 110 miles from the coast — and taken to Vets for Pets in Hereford. At just 218g, around half the normal weight for an adult puffin, she was underweight but otherwise alert.

Wildlife vet David Couper from the RSPCA provided guidance on her initial care, and once stabilised, Oona was transferred to the charity’s specialist West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset. Staff there say puffin patients are extremely rare — only six have been treated at the centre in the past ten years.

Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor at West Hatch, said: “Finding a puffin that far inland is extraordinary. She quickly became a bit of a star here. Our team gave her a good clean-up, helped her regain strength, and she did really well during her stay with us.”

Following her rehabilitation, which included nutritious fish meals and time in a recovery pool, Oona was returned to the sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire — home to Wales’ best-known puffin colonies, particularly on Skomer Island.

Puffins typically breed in coastal colonies, raising their chicks in burrows during spring and summer before spending the rest of the year out at sea. It’s rare for them to be found inland unless blown off course or affected by illness or exhaustion.

Oona’s story is just one of thousands seen by the RSPCA each year. In 2024, the charity took in over 10,000 wild animals across its four dedicated wildlife centres, with many found injured, orphaned or sick in people’s gardens.

The RSPCA is urging the public to act quickly if they find an animal in distress. Where safe, they should take the animal directly to a vet or consult advice on the charity’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportcruelty

Community

Wales tops global table for Green Flag awards

Published

3 days ago

July 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

More community green spaces than any other country in the world

WALES is once again leading the world in celebrating high-quality green spaces, with 315 sites across the country awarded Green Flag and Green Flag Community status for 2025/26.

Keep Wales Tidy has confirmed that Wales has broken its own record for the number of Green Flags flying—more than any other nation taking part in the international Green Flag scheme.

The awards recognise outstanding green spaces that meet the highest environmental and management standards. In Wales, they include parks, university campuses, community woodlands, cemeteries, allotments and housing estates.

New sites and growing community impact

Newly awarded sites this year include Llandegfedd Lake in Monmouthshire, Bronllys Hospital in Powys, Tredegar Park Sports and Recreation Ground in Newport, and Llandaff Fields in Cardiff.

A record-breaking 223 community sites in Wales have achieved Green Flag Community Awards—more than any other country in the world for the second year running.

Among the 35 first-time community winners are some unique new additions, including Wales’ first Women’s Institute garden in Llanafan, Ceredigion, and the first radio station garden at BGfm in Blaenau Gwent.

A shared effort to green the nation

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded Green Flag sites.

“Our local green spaces play a vital role in connecting us to nature, supporting biodiversity, and providing opportunities for healthy recreation. It is particularly pleasing to see people not only using these spaces but also actively helping to maintain and improve them.

“The standards required to achieve Green Flag status are exceptionally high, so I want to congratulate everyone involved for providing outstanding facilities that benefit both local communities and visitors alike.”

Recognition for community dedication

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, added: “We’re delighted to see 315 green spaces across Wales awarded Green Flag and Green Flag Community status this year—a real testament to the hard work and dedication of those who care for these special places.

“We’re especially proud that Wales has broken the record for community award winners for the second year running. This achievement highlights the vital role these spaces play in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales.”

Community

Ogi backs Pembrokeshire community groups to switch off and connect

Published

3 days ago

July 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Grants fund projects helping people ditch screens and enjoy real-world connection

COMMUNITY groups across Pembrokeshire are among those receiving a boost from telecoms company Ogi, which is helping people across Wales “get offline” this summer.

The initiative, supported by £5,000 in local grants from Ogi’s community fund Cefnogi, will support wellbeing-focused events and inclusive activities – encouraging people to step away from screens and come together in person.

Among the recipients is the Pembrokeshire Vikings, a mixed-ability rugby team led by former Scarlets and Ospreys prop Simon Gardiner. The team will use the funding to host an inclusive sports day in west Wales, giving children of all abilities the opportunity to try adapted sports for the first time.

Other funded activities across south Wales include Scout camping trips, social breakfasts, BBQs for veterans, puzzle libraries and nature-based wellbeing sessions – all aimed at reducing loneliness, boosting confidence, and creating real-world connections.

Ogi’s Brand Marketing Director Sarah Vining said: “We set up Cefnogi to support the brilliant things already happening in our communities – and this round of projects shows off the creativity and spirit we have in abundance right across Wales.

“Whether it’s sport, getting together for breakfast, puzzle swaps or outdoor therapy, all of these projects are about people – and making space for the kind of moments that really matter.”

The “getting offline” theme launched earlier this year as part of Ogi’s long-term commitment to community wellbeing and aligns with the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, supporting a healthier, more equal and more connected Wales.

Ogi has already brought full fibre broadband to thousands of homes and businesses in Pembrokeshire, including in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Johnston, Neyland, and Tenby – helping to modernise digital infrastructure while supporting offline connection through community investment.