News

The man turning Pembrokeshire’s waters into a sea garden

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2023

SEAWEED enthusiast and Pembrokeshire Beach Food founder Jonathan Williams has built his business by harvesting foods from the sea. His award-winning Café Mor, a street food outlet now permanently located at his pub, The Old Point House on Angle, Pembrokeshire, specialises in seaweed-based food such as lobster rolls with seaweed butter or Welsh brekky rolls filled with bacon, egg, and laverbread patties.

The Old Point House’s indoor restaurant also specialises in seaweed dishes, ranging from house seaweed pasta to seaweed Welsh cakes, and the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company sells everything from seaweed salt to seaweed ketchup. National Laverbread Day, launched by Jonathan in 2022, is another part of his mission to champion seaweed as a delicacy.

Now Jonathan is switching from foraging for seaweed to farming it. His Secret Sea Garden, located in the waters off the Pembrokeshire coast, produces a range of seaweed including laver, dulse, kelp and sea lettuce, and mussels, which attract lobsters and spider crabs. There are further plans to grow scallops and other shellfish.

The aim is to supply the pub with a steady supply of shellfish and seaweed, and to demonstrate what a valuable resource the sea is. Jonathan has placed an emphasis on natural, environmentally friendly farming methods which he hopes will be replicated by others.

“The seaweed is naturally seeded on manila, sisal and hemp ropes rather than traditional fishing ropes that are made of plastics, meaning micro plastics and nano plastics enter the water,” he says.

“We’re also we’re applying polyculture techniques. Seaweed farming tends to follow what farmers do on lands in terms of monoculture, because growing one type of seaweed makes it easier to harvest. We’re growing a range of seaweeds because we want to create a rich and vibrant habitat. We’re not seeding it ourselves – it’s done by the millions and millions of seaweed and shellfish seeds that are floating looking for something to attach onto. We’re just letting nature do what it does best.”

By also growing shellfish on the ropes, he’s providing a truly local source of seafood for his kitchens. The Old Point House, which sits beside the sea and is reached by a tidal causeway, has a long history of serving local food in a setting once frequented by pirates.

“Local shellfish is hard to come by, with the exception of Atlantic Oysters, so growing our own will cut food miles right down,” he says. “This is also about pushing the pub into the 21st century. We have a typical garden with herbs and vegetables but to add the sea garden makes us even lower impact. It’s also about education and showing people this is a way to sustain ourselves for years to come.”

Jonathan has been working with Danny Curtis, a local Lobster fisherman and owner of Little Haven café Lobster and Mor, whose local knowledge of the coast is allowing the Sea Garden seeds to be sown. It is hoped the harvest will provide a year-round sustainable source of seafood.

“It’s early days but we are both very excited about the potential,” says Jonathan.

The first harvest from the Secret Sea Garden will be celebrated later this month with the

Secret Sea Garden Feast at The Old Point House. Anyone interested in attending can sign up for the Old Point House newsletter at https://www.theoldpointhouse.wales/

“We’ll be serving a tasting menu with seaweed and seafood being the main focus – it will demonstrate how feasible sea gardening is and give people a taste of seaweed that’s been naturally grown on our doorstep,” says Jonathan.

News

Storm Herminia lashes the county of Pembrokeshire

Published

13 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

STORM HERMINIA has swept across Pembrokeshire unleashing high winds and heavy rainfall, prompting weather warnings across the region.

The Met Office has issued yellow warnings for strong winds affecting all three counties over the next three days, extending until Tuesday. The warnings come shortly after Storm Eowyn, which caused widespread disruption with power outages, property damage, fallen trees, and road closures.

Storm Herminia named by Spain

Unlike its predecessor, Storm Herminia was not named by the UK Met Office but by the Spanish meteorological service, underscoring its broader European impact.

The storm hit early this morning, with gusts reaching between 50 and 60 mph, peaking at 70 mph along exposed coasts and hills. These winds are forecast to persist until 5:00pm today. The Met Office has upgraded the impact level from low to medium, although the likelihood of severe consequences remains low.

Heavy rainfall to intensify risks

Alongside the strong winds, heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate the situation. Torrential downpours are forecast from midday Sunday through to 11:59pm on Monday. Additional bursts of intense rain may occur overnight, with totals of 20–40 mm likely across most areas and up to 70 mm over higher ground. Localized flooding of homes and properties is anticipated.

There is also a small risk that some areas could see even higher accumulations of rainfall, depending on the extent of overnight downpours.

Prolonged disruption expected

Another bout of strong winds is predicted from 6:00am Monday through to 6:00am Tuesday, with gusts of up to 70 mph near coastal regions and 50 mph inland. The Met Office warns of potential disruption to transport networks, power supplies, and other essential services.

Residents are advised to secure loose items, monitor local updates, and take precautions as adverse weather conditions continue to impact the region.

Entertainment

Sir Bryn Terfel launches search for future singing stars

Published

26 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

OPERA star Sir Bryn Terfel is calling on the world’s most talented young singers to compete for a title that could propel them to international stardom.

The renowned bass-baritone described the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as “a wonderful opportunity” for budding performers to launch their careers on the global stage.

Sir Bryn, from Pantglas, near Penygroes, Gwynedd, will headline the Eisteddfod’s closing concert on Sunday, July 13, at the International Pavilion. He plans to perform songs from his latest album, Sea Songs, alongside acclaimed folk group Fisherman’s Friends and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman.

The concert will also feature the final of this year’s Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which has been a highlight of the festival since its launch in 2013. Last year, Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose claimed the title in a thrilling finale against Welsh soprano Manon Ogwen Parry.

Prestigious prize

Sponsored by Pendine Park through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT), the competition awards the winner the Pendine Trophy and a £3,000 cheque. The runner-up will receive £1,000.

The closing date for entries is Thursday, February 20. Entrants, aged 19 or over, must submit an audio recording and proof of age with their application. They will perform a seven-minute programme in the preliminary rounds and a ten-minute programme in the final, featuring works from oratorio, opera, lieder, or song, sung in their original language.

Sir Bryn said: “The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a fantastic opportunity for talented young singers. It provides a real launchpad for careers onto the global stage.”

A global stage

Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director, Dave Danford, said this year’s competition final, held during the closing concert, would give contestants the chance to perform on the same stage as Sir Bryn.

“The competition provides a valuable stepping stone for young singers pursuing professional careers,” he said. “So far, we’ve received entries from China, Nigeria, England, and Wales. The selection panel will choose the competitors after the February 20 deadline.”

The competition was conceived by Pendine Park proprietors Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, who praised the extraordinary talent it continues to attract.

Mr Kreft said: “The standard is phenomenal. This year’s contestants also have the thrill of sharing a stage with Sir Bryn, one of the opera world’s true giants.”

Exciting concert lineup

The Eisteddfod’s evening concerts promise something for everyone. Legendary rock singer Roger Daltrey opens the season on Tuesday, July 8, with hits from The Who and his solo career, including a Q&A session with fans.

On Wednesday, July 9, a special concert, Uniting Nations: One World, will mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. The event will feature Karl Jenkins’ One World performed by an international massed choir, including the Stay At Home Choir.

Thursday, July 10, sees BRIT Award-winning artist KT Tunstall perform her iconic album Eye to the Telescope with a live orchestra, marking its 20th anniversary. On Friday, July 11, Il Divo makes its Llangollen debut, delighting fans with their classical crossover repertoire.

For details on the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition and tickets, visit international-eisteddfod.co.uk.

Caption:
Sir Bryn Terfel performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. (Pic: Supplied)

News

Traffic held on M4 after crash leaves car in central reservation

Published

36 mins ago

January 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRAFFIC on the M4 motorway in Wales came to a halt following a crash that left a car stranded in the central reservation on Sunday (Jan 26). The incident occurred on the westbound carriageway between junction 48 at Hendy and junction 49 at Pont Abraham. Emergency services, including fire crews, responded swiftly to the scene.

In addition to the collision, standing water on the road caused by heavy rain earlier in the day created hazardous driving conditions. The adverse weather, part of Storm Herminia’s impact on Wales, added to the challenges. A yellow weather warning for wind and rain had been issued across various regions of the country.

Queues formed near Pontardulais Road close to Llanelli, with traffic monitoring system Inrix reporting growing delays in the area. Traffic on the westbound lane came to a standstill, raising safety concerns for road users. Fire crews worked quickly to manage the situation, ensuring the safety of all involved.

Drivers faced further challenges due to reduced visibility and slippery conditions caused by the persistent heavy rain. Emergency services urged motorists to exercise caution and adhere to instructions as they worked to clear the scene.

The crash disrupted travel for commuters and motorists relying on the M4, with delays and congestion building near the accident site. Authorities advised drivers to remain patient and vigilant as efforts to restore normal traffic flow continued.

The incident served as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety during adverse weather. Motorists were encouraged to adjust their driving to account for challenging conditions, such as standing water and high winds, to prevent further incidents.

With traffic now moving cautiously through the affected area, the incident underscores the unpredictable nature of motorway travel and the importance of preparedness, particularly during stormy weather.