THE ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR TASTE AWARDS, showcasing the finest native lamb breeds of Wales in a celebration of sustainability, flavour and culinary excellence, were hosted by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

The awards, held in collaboration with Cambrian Training Company, the Culinary Association of Wales and the National Culinary Team Wales, spotlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh Lamb and its unique characteristics.

The competition aimed to promote native Welsh Lamb breeds and emphasise their distinct flavours, encouraging chefs, businesses and consumers to consider Welsh Lamb a premium product.

The RWAS says the competition provides a vital platform to showcase the exceptional flavours of native Welsh Lamb breeds while promoting sustainable farming practices.

These lambs are grass-fed, raised in Wales and come with full traceability from farm to fork. The initiative aims to highlight the story behind the meat and the dedicated efforts of farmers in preserving these breeds.

Societies representing seven native Welsh Lamb breeds participated in the competition, held at the Cambrian Training Company building on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.

Each breed’s lamb was expertly cooked by chefs and presented to a distinguished panel of judges, including Dilwyn Evans, a vet featured on TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’,        Steven Owen, Castell Howell development chef, Neil Fenn, Professor Rhian Goodfellow, OBE and  Arwyn Watkins, OBE, executive chair of Cambrian Training Group.

The breeds showcased included Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Torddu and Torwen), Balwen Welsh Mountain, Black Welsh Mountain, Clun Forest, South Wales Mountain, Llanwenog and Pedigree Welsh Mountain.

Each lamb had been bred, born and reared in Wales, ensuring sustainable and traceable farming practices.

The awards highlighted the diversity among native Welsh Lamb breeds, from the Torddu and Torwen’s hardy nature to the Llanwenog’s docile temperament and premium meat quality.

Farmers and breed societies demonstrated the unique traits of their lambs, such as flavour, sustainability and adaptability to diverse farming environments.

Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I. T. Davies & Son (Clun Forest) were declared joint winners of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards. Both breeds impressed the judges with their remarkable flavour, tenderness and quality, showcasing the very best of Welsh Lamb.

The event emphasised the importance of promoting the culinary excellence of Welsh Lamb alongside its visual appeal in show rings.

Guest judge, Dilwyn Evans said: “It has been an absolute honour to judge the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards and experience first-hand the superior taste of native Welsh Lamb.

“This exceptional meat not only embodies the rich heritage and dedication of Welsh farming but also highlights the importance of preserving these unique breeds and the sustainable practices behind them.”

The RWAS thanked the judges and Cambrian Training Group for their continued support, helping ensure the lambs were cooked to perfection for the competition.

With the awards, Wales has cemented its position as a leader in premium lamb production, bringing the exceptional flavours of its native breeds to the forefront of the culinary world.

Pictured top of page: Taste Test joint winners, Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I.T . Davies (Clun Forest) with the judges.

AN 83-YEAR-OLD man has tragically died in a fire that caused extensive damage to a property in Drefach, Llanybydder.

Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at around 12:20pm yesterday (Dec 11). Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A joint investigation by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police is underway to determine the cause of the fire. Early reports indicate that the fire, which was contained to a single property, is not being treated as suspicious. Investigators are expected to remain at the scene over the weekend.

The incident prompted the closure of the A475 Drefach-Rhydowen road, with Dyfed-Powys Police shutting it between the B4338 (Llanybydder turn-off) and the B4459 (Capel Dewi turn-off) to ensure public safety. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

A police statement said: “The road is currently closed due to an incident. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

The fire brigade said :”At 12.12pm on Wednesday, December 11^th, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Tregaron, Lampeter, Aberaeron and Aberystwyth Fire Stations were called to an incident in Drefach in Llanybydder.

“Crews responded to a two-storey, domestic property, that was well alight on their arrival and fully involved in fire.  Crews utilised three hose reel jets, one 45mm jet, one light portable pump and thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the fire.  A turntable ladder appliance was also used as a water tower. 

“An adjoining property was assessed with no signs of fire spread found.

“Sadly, one man, aged 83, died at the scene.

“An investigation is underway to find out the cause of the fire, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service investigators and Dyfed-Powys Police crime scene investigators likely to be at the house over the weekend. 

“The fire, which was contained to one property, is not being treated as suspicious at this time.”

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is staring down the barrel of a £34.1m funding gap for 2025-26. Despite a 3.6% funding increase from the Welsh Government, announced on Wednesday (Dec 11), councillors are grappling with tough decisions on tax increases and service cuts to balance the books.

Cllr Joshua Beynon, the Cabinet Member for Finance, described the situation as the most challenging financial landscape the authority has faced since its inception. He warned that rising costs and increasing demand for services have created an unsustainable financial outlook.

Expenditure is set to rise by 11.2%, leaving the Council with two options: raise taxes or cut services. Either way, difficult choices are ahead.

Hidden costs add millions to budget woes

The Welsh Government’s settlement does not cover increased employers’ national insurance contributions or the costs of commissioned care services. These omissions add £2m to the Council’s budget pressures, a cost that will recur annually.

Additionally, First Minister Eluned Morgan confirmed on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the UK Government’s level of cost coverage for the national insurance increase will not be clear until May or June, after the increase takes effect in April. This uncertainty casts doubt on the deliverability of savings and the level of Council Tax needed to fund essential services. It’s likely that by the time clarity emerges, much of the funding increase will have been absorbed by rising costs.

Statutory services face funding crunch

Cllr Beynon outlined the pressures of delivering statutory services like education, adult social care, and child social care. He highlighted the “rural premium” of delivering services in Pembrokeshire, where clients are often miles apart, compared to urban areas like Cardiff.

“The cost of delivering services has far outpaced consumer price inflation,” he said. Even a proposed 11.4% Council Tax increase would leave a significant funding gap that could only be filled by service reductions. Councillors must weigh these challenges carefully when setting Council Tax next March.

Over the past 11 years, Pembrokeshire County Council has faced a cumulative funding gap of £174.8m. This has been addressed through a combination of budget savings, Council Tax increases, premiums, and reserves. Of that, 63% has come from savings and reductions, with just under a quarter from increased taxes.

Councillors demand accountability on savings

Cllr Alan Dennison queried how the Council’s Budget Forecasting Tool assigned risk bands to budget elements, suggesting cross-party input was necessary. He questioned why reducing schools’ budgets appeared easier than cutting senior roles within the Education Directorate.

Chief Executive Will Bramble defended the process, explaining that risk assessments consider the feasibility of cuts and their impact on services. He assured members they could provide input on the process.

The exchange turned heated when Cllr Dennison challenged figures quoted by the Chief Executive about savings achieved. Mr Bramble refuted any suggestion of inaccuracy, promising to provide detailed figures after the meeting.

Investment in social care

The Council plans to divert £5m of reserves into a designated fund for investment in social care, aiming to build a provision pot and manage in-year budget pressures. Cllr Beynon said this move was critical to ensuring the sustainability of vital services.

Next steps

The Council voted to proceed with the draft budget, which will undergo extended scrutiny in January. A series of committee meetings and a further budget seminar will determine the path forward. As Pembrokeshire councillors face a gruelling budget process, the decisions they make in the coming weeks will shape the county’s financial future and impact every resident.