Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Business

Protected status for two Pembrokeshire food and drink businesses

Published

on

THE PEMBROKESHIRE BEACH FOOD COMPANY and Velfrey Vineyard are celebrating after joining a list of Welsh producers in seeing their products awarded protected status.

Velfrey Vineyard has been awarded Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for its Velfrey NV Traditional Method Sparkling Brut and ‘Rhosyn’ 2021 Traditional Method Vintage Sparkling Brut Rosé wines.

Based at The Old Point House in East Angle Bay, the Pembrokeshire Beach Food company has been given Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status for its Welsh Laverbread.

The PGI and PDO schemes protect the name of a product which comes from a specific region and follow a certain production process.

Velfrey Vineyard, located near Narberth, is the current Food & Drink Wales Small Drinks Producer of the Year. Established in 2016, Velfrey has over 4,000 vines planted across three acres, and is a family-run vineyard which prides itself on attention to every detail.

The wines are made from three grape varieties, notably Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, and Solaris. The vineyard is run by husband-and-wife Andy and Fiona Mounsey along with their son Ryan and his wife Sophie.

Andy Mounsey at Velfrey Vineyard said: “We are delighted to have been awarded PGI status for wines made from grapes grown in our Pembrokeshire vineyard. Not only does this provide assurance to our customers about the wines’ provenance and quality, it also allows us to proudly proclaim on the labels that this is Welsh sparkling wine.

“Our NV sparkling brut has been selected by a panel of distinguished judges from WineGB as one of the UK’s top 100 wines, while our newly launched Rhosyn is getting both plaudits and orders from highly knowledgeable sommeliers.

“It’s fantastic that wine from Pembrokeshire is achieving this kind of recognition.”

In 2010, Café Môr was started by Jonathan Williams who has a passion for seafood. In 2012, after establishing the business, it attracted investment and became part of the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company.

Laverbread is made from cooked laver (seaweed) which has been plucked by hand from the Welsh coastline and is rooted in Welsh history as a vital source of nutrition.

Welsh Laverbread was awarded PDO status in 2017 to celebrate its inherent ties to Welsh seascapes and communities.

Jonathan Williams at The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company said: “Laverbread is an important part of Pembrokeshire food history and we are absolutely delighted to receive this status.

“We currently use laverbread in our seaweed butter, Lobster Welsh Rarebit and even in our Welsh cakes.

“PDO status means consumers have the confidence knowing they are eating the genuine Welsh product. We will continue to ensure it is cooked to the highest of standards so people from near and far can enjoy our Welsh laverbread.”

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “It is great news two Pembrokeshire food and drink businesses are seeing their fantastic products deservedly awarded protected status.

“Laverbread is a Welsh delicacy and Jonathan and the team’s hard work and commitment to producing a high-quality product from our beautiful coastline is being rightly recognised.

“Wales also produces some of the finest, most globally recognised innovative wine. The Welsh wine industry is thriving and Velfrey Vineyard is an important part of this success.

“A huge congratulations to both companies.”

 

Business

Rosemarket Dawn Till Dusk golf club 18-hole plans lodged

Published

on

A CALL to extend a long-established Pembrokeshire golf club, bringing it up to a full 18 holes, has been submitted to county planners.

In the application, Mr and Mrs Young, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, seek a change of use of land adjoining the Dawn Till Dusk Golf Club, Furze Hill Farm, Bastleford Road, Rosemarket, to form an extension to the existing golf course, along with landscaping and associated works.

A supporting statement through the agent says: “The application seeks full planning permission for the enlargement of the existing golf course to provide an additional six holes, to provide a total of 18 holes.

“The proposal would involve minor landscaping works to the fields and boundaries and the creation of a small number of ponds and bunkers. The extension would be located on land to the west of Furze Hill Farm and on the opposite side of the road to the existing golf course and clubhouse.

“An altered access to the land parcel is proposed as part of this application, which would provide an improved route for users crossing the public highway to avoid conflict with movements at the main entrance.

“The application site exceeds 1ha and therefore the proposal is considered major development necessitating a Pre-Application Consultation prior to formally submitting the planning application to the Local Planning Authority.”

It adds: “The existing golf course has operated in excess of 30 years and is popular with both visitors and locals. Club membership currently stands at approximately 350 and there is demand for enhancing the provisions of the course.

“The applicants’ sons have recently increased their involvement in the enterprise and in recent years wet winter months have necessitated the closure of the course, or parts of it, due to the ground becoming waterlogged, primarily due to the flat nature of the existing course.

“The extension would provide variation to the terrain, providing, dryer conditions, as well as the ability to alternate between the existing and proposed to maintain use, enhancing the viability of the enterprise.”

The application will be considered by Pembrokeshire County Council planners at a later date.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Plans to rebuild arson hit building at farm with one of largest sheep flocks in Wales

Published

on

A CALL to rebuild a fire-damaged Pembrokeshire farm building, as a family home to help manage one of the largest sheep flocks in Wales, has been submitted to the national park.

In the application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, D B Davies and Sons through agent Harries Planning Design Management, with a supporting statement by Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd, seek permission to renovate an existing fire-damaged dwelling, together with the conversion and extension of outbuildings to form an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Mynydd Du, Rosebush.

The supporting statement through Reading Agricultural Consultants Ltd says Mynydd Du is part of a wider holding which includes Eisteddfa Fawr and land around the village of Brynberian, the farms approximately six km apart, with land under control of the applicant amounting to some 1,500 acres, with a further 3,000 acres of Preseli mountain common land also used; the land accommodating a 5,000-ewe flock with 10 suckler cows and followers.

It says DB Davies & Sons Unlimited, has five partners: the two Davies brothers, Berian and Ken; their wives; and Berian’s son, Dyfed.

Berian and Ken are in their late 70s, with most of the heavy work on the farm is undertaken by Dyfed.

Dyfed and his wife Megan are first language Welsh speakers, living some 10 km away in Nevern, while Berian and Ken, and their wives, live at Eisteddfa Fawr, Brynberian.

The dwelling at Mynydd Du, where most sheep are now wintered, is structurally sound and repairable but has been unoccupied since 1990, and was subject to arson circa 2013, the statement says.

It says Dyfed works full-time on the farm, alone with increasing frequency as the older business members are above retirement age, working “long hours out of necessity to undertake all the work associated with one of the largest flocks of sheep in Wales”.

“His working hours are extended further due to the fact that he lives remote (6kms) from the main block of land at Tyllosg, where Mynydd Du is situated in the centre of the farm. Travelling back and forth several times each day during lambing and other times during poor weather, to check on flock welfare is an arduous task and can be dangerous, particularly if driving when tired during inclement conditions.”

The statement adds: “The application seeks permission to repair the fire damaged dwelling at Mynydd Du and bring it back to serve a useful purpose to enable Dyfed to closely monitor the ewes, not only at lambing, but throughout the year when the flock is grazing on the adjacent common land.

“It will also enable Dyfed to be with his partner and young child on a more regular basis than simply at the end of a long day when he is away from their current home, tending the sheep at Mynydd Du.”

The application will be considered by park planners at a later date.

 

Continue Reading

Business

Herald expands sales team as Milford Haven growth drives demand

Published

on

THE PEMBROKEHIRE HERALD is launching a recruitment drive to bring in two new sales executives as the newspaper continues to grow its commercial operations across the county.

The move comes as the Herald strengthens its position as the leading independent news platform in West Wales, with increasing demand from local businesses looking to advertise both in print and online.

The expansion is being driven in part by the rapid growth of Milford Haven and the wider energy sector, with major investment in green energy projects, port activity and associated industries creating new opportunities for local businesses.

As the area continues to develop as a key energy hub, more companies are seeking to reach customers, partners and the wider community through trusted local media.

The successful candidates will work directly with Pembrokeshire businesses, helping them promote their services to a growing audience through the Herald’s expanding digital reach and established print readership.

Editor Tom Sinclair said the recruitment reflects both the changing local economy and the Herald’s increasing audience.

He said: “Milford Haven is expanding rapidly, particularly with new energy and green projects coming forward, and that’s creating real opportunities for local businesses.

“At the same time, our audience continues to grow across both our website and social media platforms, meaning we can now offer advertisers a much bigger and more effective platform than ever before.”

The new roles will focus on building relationships with local firms, developing advertising campaigns, and identifying new opportunities across sectors including tourism, retail, trades, energy and professional services.

The Herald has continued to invest in its digital platforms, including Herald.Wales, alongside its well-established print edition, offering advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching customers.

The recruitment drive also comes at a time when many local businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to promote themselves amid ongoing economic pressures.

Mr Sinclair added: “Local advertising matters. When businesses advertise locally, that money stays in the local economy. It helps create jobs, supports families and helps communities grow alongside the businesses within them.”

The roles are expected to appeal to motivated, target-driven individuals with strong communication skills and an interest in media, sales or marketing.

Both positions are based in Pembrokeshire, with opportunities for training and career progression within the Herald’s growing media group.

Anyone interested in applying is encouraged to email [email protected] with a CV and covering letter before Tuesday (Apr 1, 2026).

 

Continue Reading

Crime14 hours ago

Publican jailed for six years for supplying cocaine and cannabis

Milford Haven man sentenced at Swansea Crown Court following drug dealing operation A MILFORD HAVEN publican has been jailed for...

Local Government16 hours ago

Poverty summit highlights support efforts across Pembrokeshire

A SUMMIT bringing together key organisations from across Pembrokeshire has highlighted both the scale of local poverty and the work...

Education2 days ago

Milford Haven school plans unveiled but funding not yet secured

PLANS for a new £100 million school in Milford Haven have been unveiled, but the project has not yet secured...

News2 days ago

Council unveils plans for new state-of-the-art secondary school in Milford Haven

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed plans for a new state-of-the-art school in Milford Haven, promising modern, inspiring learning spaces for...

Health2 days ago

NHS waiting list falls — but cancer delays and diagnostic backlog worsen

Record progress claimed by Welsh Government as critics warn key targets are still being missed THE NHS in Wales has...

Crime3 days ago

Rapist jailed after ‘abhorrent’ attacks on woman and children

Haverfordwest man told police “women won’t have sex without force” A HAVERFORDWEST man who raped a woman and a young...

News3 days ago

Reform secures first Pembrokeshire councillor in Hakin by-election win

Late Reform candidate takes seat as independent surge and Labour withdrawal shape contest REFORM UK candidate Scott Thorley has won...

News3 days ago

Scott Thorley elected as Pembrokeshire’s first Reform councillor

REFORM UK candidate Scott Thorley has won the Hakin by-election after securing 179 votes. The full result is as follows:...

News4 days ago

Police confirm man has died after being recovered from River Cleddau

Major emergency response in town centre after concerns raised for man in water A MAN has died after being recovered...

Community4 days ago

Davies and Kurtz urge groups to seek employability funding

Community organisations in Pembrokeshire encouraged to apply for new grants supporting skills and job access LOCAL Senedd Members Samuel Kurtz...

Popular This Week