News

St Davids: Bug Farm focus of new BBC documentary

Published

8 years ago

August 2, 2017

AN ‘innovative’ Welsh couple from St Davids, scientist Dr Sarah Beynon and award-winning chef Andy Holcroft, are bringing a brand new industry to Wales in the form of bug food – and now their endeavours are to be the feature of a brand new documentary The Bug Grub Couple on BBC One.

Sarah and Andy have spent the last four years building foundations for their new venture in the country’s smallest city.

Sarah, an Oxford University scientist and farmer founded the award-winning Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm on her original family farm in 2013. The Bug Farm is a research and education centre focusing on the importance of bugs and how we can produce food efficiently and sustainably.

“I strongly believe that insect protein is a new ingredient here in the western world that can improve the sustainability of our food production systems and improve the nutritional quality of our food. It’s not about a squirming grub on a stick, it’s about utilising a new source of protein to help us to eat more healthily and more sustainably,” says Sarah.

Chef Andy Holcroft launched the Grub Kitchen, which is located alongside the farm and offers an interesting double menu with a choice of ‘normal’ food next to insect versions. The Grub Kitchen is the UK’s first full-time restaurant serving food containing insects and recently won the award for the Most Innovative Business of the Year in Wales.

Andy said: “As a chef, it’s not often you find new ingredients. Edible insects give me a whole larder of exciting, new ingredients and flavours to experiment with and the possibilities for new dishes are endless.”

The documentary shows that bugs use up very little water and can eat waste products, while other animals need feed from edible arable crops. The challenge for the couple is to change people’s perceptions of bugs from creepy crawlies to edible, sustainable and tasty food.

First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, features in the documentary and shares his thoughts on bugs as a new and sustainable source of protein. He thinks it’s just a question of ‘broadening people’s minds’ and the industry could be a benefit to Wales.

The programme follows Sarah and Andy as they take their ambitious plans to the next stage by taking Andy’s dishes out of the restaurant and into the mainstream by launching their new food brand Cricket Cookies.

They also travel to the Netherlands to meet large-scale insect farmers and have their products tested by top food scientists.

The Bug Grub Couple will be broadcast on Monday, August 7, at 7.30pm on BBC One.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

2 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.