Community

Fancy a seaweed gin?

Published

12 years ago

March 10, 2014

Dà MHìLE Distillery outside Llandysul in Ceredigion has just launched its first batch of organic Welsh Seaweed Gin. Located at Glynhynod Farm, the home of the renowned Caws Teifi Cheese, it has taken more than a year to get the gin ready for the market.

The brainchild of John Savage-Onstwedder who also makes a Caws Teifi Seaweed cheese the new seaweed gin is ready to be launched on 1st March 2014, St. David’s Day. Asked about this new product John comments:

“As with Caws Teifi Cheese the pursuit of excellence is written into our DNA and every product we make at Dà Mhìle Distillery has to be of the highest quality and unique. One cannot survive in rural Wales by producing mediocrity. We must outwit and outsmart any potential competition, but at an honest price. Small-batch distilling is an art, but it is also about skill and craftsmanship. This brand new seaweed gin is a natural addition to the small batch botanical gin we launched last year which has been enthusiastically embraced by ginologists up and down the country”.

The seaweed is gathered from the beach at New Quay in Ceredigion and is made in small batches here at the distillery. Depending on the season there will be a variation in colour and flavour of the seaweed which makes every batch unique. A number of bottles have been sent out to some top Welsh chefs and initial trials indicate that this new seaweed gin is an excellent complement to seafood – especially mussels and oysters.

We asked celebrity Welsh chef Dudley Newbery what he thinks of the new gin: “I Love A G&T. In a market place that’s now offering a complex selection of flavours to create a new line, and something for all tastes, the selection of Gin’s available is immense, it has to be said that some succeed more than others. But creating any new brand needs good research and development, and you can guarantee that has taken place in this case. John Savage has enjoyed much success with his Cheese Making over the years, but people will not be aware that he is also a proven distiller, having worked with many in Scotland perfecting some top end Whiskeys, this expertise has been passed on to his sons, and they are now striving to create a Gin which will accompany Fish and Seafood, this seaweed Gin has very individual characteristics, and can be used in cooking and also served as an Iced shot with Menai Oysters and Mussels, and Penclawdd Cockles, if you really want to splash the cash, it will also compliment a few grams of Caviar! But we don’t produce this in Wales – “Yet”! Something new for John to think about ”

Small batch craft gins are gaining a wider reputation. This is a growth market, because more and more people are becoming bored with the major, mass-produced brands which are becoming increasingly insipid. People are looking for new, more interesting flavours and Dà Mhìle seaweed gin fits. the bill perfectly.

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

49 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.