Business

Welsh producers shine at the Great British Food Awards

Published

4 weeks ago

November 6, 2025

A HOST of Welsh food and drink producers have been recognised at this year’s Great British Food Awards — one of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations of artisanal craftsmanship.

Eight Welsh companies scooped a total of eleven honours across categories including charcuterie, wine and spirits, biscuits, and dairy — collecting three Gold, three Silver, and four Bronze awards. The winners were chosen by some of Britain’s leading chefs, critics and industry figures, celebrating the very best of homegrown produce.

Pembrokeshire vineyard leads the way

Leading the Welsh contingent was Velfrey Vineyard, based near Narberth, which was named Regional Winner for Wales. The family-run vineyard also secured a Bronze for its Velfrey NV Traditional Method Sparkling Wine — marking the first time a Welsh Geographical Indication (GI) product has received this honour. Judges praised the wine’s “elegant, expressive character” and its strong sustainability credentials.

Founded in 2016 by Andy and Fiona Mounsey, Velfrey Vineyard has become one of Wales’ most respected producers of sparkling wine.
Co-founder Fiona Mounsey said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named Regional Winner for Wales. Our goal has always been to produce the highest quality wine from clean, Welsh-grown grapes while caring for this beautiful corner of Pembrokeshire.
“To have our sustainability efforts and craftsmanship recognised in such a prestigious competition is incredibly rewarding. With so many outstanding producers across Wales, it’s a real honour to be singled out.”

Welsh winners at a glance

Velfrey Vineyard – Regional Winner for Wales and Bronze for Velfrey Non-Vintage Welsh Sparkling Wine
Edwards – The Welsh Butcher – Gold for Pork and Leek Sausages; Bronze for Black Pudding Slices
Dyfi Distillery – Silver for Pollination Dovey Native Botanical Gin PGI
Aberffraw Biscuit Company – Gold for Bara Brith Biscuits; Silver for Traditional Aberffraw Biscuits
Golden Hooves – Gold for Vintage Cheddar
Castle Dairies – Bronze for Halen Môn Salted Butter
Anglesey Foods – Bronze for Cowboy Chutney
Carmarthen Ham – Silver for Carmarthen Ham PGI

National recognition for Welsh excellence

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “The success of Welsh producers at the Great British Food Awards 2025 is a powerful endorsement of the quality, creativity, and commitment that define our food and drink industry. From sparkling wine and botanical gin to traditional biscuits, chutneys, and PGI-certified meats, these awards showcase the incredible diversity and excellence of Welsh produce.

“I warmly congratulate Velfrey Vineyard on their achievement as Regional Winner for Wales, and extend my sincere congratulations to all other winning companies. Their success puts Wales firmly on the map as a nation of world-class producers.”

The recognition follows the recent Blas Cymru / Taste Wales 2025 trade event, where many of these producers showcased their award-winning products to international buyers, further raising the global profile of Welsh food and drink.

Wales now boasts 56 registered vineyards and 3 wineries, covering over 93 hectares of land. In 2023 alone, Welsh producers crafted around 178,000 bottles of wine — including 111,500 bottles of white and 66,500 bottles of red and rosé.

The upcoming Welsh Wine Awards, due to take place later this month, will provide another opportunity to celebrate the achievements of producers like Velfrey and further strengthen Wales’s growing reputation for quality viticulture.

A full list of this year’s winners is available at www.greatbritishfoodawards.com/winners.

Business

Holiday lets allowed to stay at Narberth dairy farm

Published

22 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a Pembrokeshire dairy farm to keep two “alternative” holiday pods sited without permission as a way of diversifying in an uncertain industry has been given the go-ahead.

In an application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Vaynor Farm Ltd sought retrospective permission for the siting of two self-catering holiday accommodation pods at The Cart House, Vaynor Farm, Bethesda, near Narberth as part of a farm diversification enterprise.

It was before committee members as it was recommended for delegated conditional approval by senior officers despite being against the development plan.

Previous retrospective schemes, for two self-catering pods along with an application to retain a shepherd hut accommodation pod at another farm, a part of the Vaynor Farm farm enterprise, were refused in 2023 and 2025, the latter due to “an unjustified and harmful impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside”.

Detailing the current application, an officer report for members said the pods: Vaynor Farm Pod within the garden of The Cart House, and The Paddock Pod, on the edge of a small paddock, were constructed off-site and have been transported to their current locations, with external decking, hot tubs, a barbecue area and car parking provided for each pod.

It added: “A business plan has been submitted with the application, which explains that due to uncertainties associated with dairy farming, the applicant has sought to diversify the farm enterprise to incorporate tourism accommodation.

“The application makes the case that the proposed development represents farm diversification. It is acknowledged that the development has resulted in the provision of an alternative type of holiday accommodation for which it has been demonstrated there is a demand, contributing to the diversity and quality of accommodation available within the county and supporting an existing farm business, with consequent economic and social benefits.

“Evidence has been provided that demonstrates the extent to which the pods have provided income which has been used to support the farm business.

“However, officers consider that should planning permission be granted, a [planning obligation] will be necessary to ensure that the accommodation pods continue to support the farm business and are not separated from it at some future point in time.”

Delegated conditional approval limiting the use and occupation of the self-catering accommodation pods to short term holiday use only was moved by Cllr Brian Hall and unanimously backed by committee members.

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

1 day ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):