SPECSAVERS has launched a new audiology service in Wales, supporting people across South East and South West Wales, from Fishguard to Caerphilly, who are unable to visit their high street stores.

The new team of hearing experts will provide free home hearing checks to those who cannot leave their homes unaccompanied. The service is being led by audiology directors Andrew Williams and Matthew Maguire, who have joined forces with the existing optics Home Visits team to expand services beyond eye care.

It offers the full range of hearing services available at Specsavers stores – from hearing checks and wax removal to hearing aid fittings.

Audiology director, Andrew Williams, comments: ‘We’re thrilled to bring this service to Wales, helping people who might otherwise struggle to access quality hearing care – whether due to mobility issues, mental health or the challenges of old age.

‘To be the first Specsavers team in Wales to deliver this type of service is a key milestone and one we’re proud to be leading. We’re looking forward to getting to know the local community and bringing essential support to those who need it most, right where they feel safest and most comfortable.’

Customer service director, Alison Warren, who has led the optics team since it first launched 11 years ago, adds: ‘After months of planning, it’s fantastic to see this new service up and running. The impact of at-home appointments goes far beyond clinical care. For many of our customers, especially those living alone, we might be the only face they see that week.

‘It’s not just about hearing aids or eye tests, it’s about connection, dignity and taking the time to really be there for someone.

‘Having Andrew and Matthew join the team means we can bring that same level of care to people’s hearing needs too and that makes a real difference to their quality of life.’

To mark the launch, colleagues from across Wales came together to celebrate at their new office in Palmerston, Barry. The occasion was an opportunity to raise awareness of the new service and highlight the positive impact it aims to have across the region.

For more information or to book an appointment, call 01446 508128 or visit the Specsavers website: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/home-hearing-tests.

Plans by a Pembrokeshire council officer and senior college member of staff to expand a holiday operation which was voted as the best of its type in the UK by the Caravan Club in its very first year of operation have been submitted to the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Dean and Sharon Philpin seek permission to expand the existing holiday operation at Woody Kiln Farm, Herbrandston Village, Herbrandston by converting a former agricultural barn to four short-term holiday lets.

A supporting statement through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd says: “Woody Kiln Farm is located to the east of Herbrandston village, to the south easterly side of Havens Park residential estate. It is a registered agricultural holding and the land is used mainly for the raising and grazing of sheep covering 12 / 13 acres.

“The farm complex comprises of a number of traditional outbuildings and the applicants main dwelling surrounding a surfaced courtyard. Immediately to the south is a caravan site registered with the Caravan & Motorhome Club as a Certificated Location for up to five touring caravans and motorhomes.

“This Certificated Location has been in operation for 10 years and was the first ever site to be voted the best site in UK on its first year of operating by its members. In recent years it was voted best site in Wales.”

The site has won many similar Certificated Location awards.

It adds: “The farm is in the ownership of the applicants with Mr Dean Philpin having inherited it from his father in 2017 who has semi-retired from agriculture. With Mr Philpin Senior’s guidance, Mr Philpin Junior and Mrs Philpin manage the farm on a part time basis.

“Mr Philpin works full time as the ‘Finance Manager for Education and Schools’ in Pembrokeshire County Council, whilst Mrs Philpin is the Section Lead for Heath, Childcare and Commercial Enterprise at Pembrokeshire College. Mrs Philpin has over 25 years’ experience in running a commercial enterprise.

“This led to conversion of another stone barn to ‘The Retreat Hair & Beauty’ salon.  This was approved in 2018 and has been operating since 2019, and has been a very successful live / work premises utilising a redundant farm building.”

It went on to say: “The application proposal relates to a total of three barns that integrate into one building footprint. It is intended to reuse the barns and provide four short term holiday let units that will be run in conjunction with our client’s current Caravan Club site, situated immediately to the east of the barns.”

It was described as: “A sympathetic design that incorporates no change to the footprint or roof design and little change to the fenestration is the main theme of the design strategy.”

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

OVER 40 events have taken place across Wales as vineyards, wine lovers and industry leaders celebrated the growing success of the Welsh wine industry.

From vineyard tours to tastings and trade events, Welsh Wine Week 2025 showcased the diversity, quality, and passion behind Welsh wine. Recent years have seen notable increases in the volume of wine being produced in Wales, along with a number of vineyards picking up international awards, as the industry targets significant expansion in the years ahead.

A key highlight of the week was a tasting event held in Cardiff, where seven vineyards – Ancre Hill Estates, The Dell Vineyard, Hebron Vineyard, St Hilary Vineyard, Tair Gafr Wines, Velfrey Vineyard, and White Castle Vineyard – presented their wines to an audience of industry professionals, media and buyers. The event also featured a curated selection of Welsh artisan foods, reinforcing the strong connection between Welsh wine and local gastronomy.

With the summer season fast approaching, Welsh vineyards are now welcoming tourists eager to experience their unique products, scenic landscapes and award-winning wines in person.

The week marked a significant milestone for White Castle Vineyard, as it proudly unveiled its new on-site winery, an exciting development for the Monmouthshire-based producer. Robb Merchant, owner of White Castle Vineyard, said: “The official opening of our new winery during Welsh Wine Week represents a significant chapter in the evolution of White Castle Vineyard. It is the result of years of strategic investment, commitment to quality and a deep-rooted belief in the potential of Welsh viticulture.

“This development not only enhances our production capabilities, but also strengthens our ability to offer a fully immersive visitor experience. We are proud to contribute to the growing reputation of Welsh wine and look forward to welcoming trade partners, tourists and wine enthusiasts to see first-hand what makes our region so special.”

There are now over 50 vineyards operating across Wales, and this year’s Welsh Wine Week saw south Wales vineyards St Hilary Vineyard and Tair Gafr Wines showcase their debut vintages.

With a growing number of vineyards, the Welsh wine industry is emerging as a dynamic and fast-developing sector within the UK’s food and drink landscape. From innovation in the vineyard to its contribution to rural economies and tourism, the industry is playing an increasingly important role in shaping Wales’ identity as a producer of high-quality, distinctive wines.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS praised the industry’s recent progress, saying: “Welsh vineyards are not only producing award-winning wines, but are also playing a vital role in our rural economy and tourism sector. The Welsh Government is proud to support this dynamic industry through initiatives like the Food & Drink Wales Drinks Cluster, and other programmes that are in place to help the industry continue to make an important contribution to the rural economy and its communities.

“We can see how places like New Zealand, which has a similar climate and landscape to us, has gone from small scale to internationally renowned in the last 30 years, and we look forward to working closely with the industry over the coming years to continue developing a sustainable industry known for quality and innovation.”

Further information on the industry, and where to buy Welsh wine, can be found at welshwineweek.co.uk.