Llan set for weekend of foodie heaven

* The Dangerous Food Company. Llyr Jones and Dominic Haynes.

 

 

Thousands of foodies will be flocking to Llangollen this weekend for one of the biggest events in the UK's culinary calendar.

 

The popular Hamper Llangollen has been recognised as one of the Top 10 food festivals in Britain.

 

There to greet the gastronomes on Saturday and Sunday  will be a  host of top chefs and organisers are confident the event at the home of the International Musical Eisteddfod is on course to be bigger and better this year.

 

Graham Tinsley, the star of ITV's Taste the Nation and a former captain of the Welsh Culinary Team, will be joined in the show kitchen by Luke Thomas, the kingpin behind a number of restaurants in Chester, the Cotswolds and Berkshire.

 

Another of the kitchen stars will be Dai Chef, now based at  Bodnant Welsh Food, the centre of excellence for Welsh food, who famously cooked for opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti while he was head chef at the Bryn Howell Hotel just down the road.

 

 * Bims Kitchen, Afonwen, launch two new products ready for Llangollen food festival.  James Adedeji and his wife Nicola Adedeji in their kitchen.

 

Among the hundred plus exhibitors will be one of the hottest companies around.

 

The Dangerous Food Company, based in St Asaph, has almost quadrupled its business in a year - after putting on face masks and protective clothing to get it up and running.

 

They unveiled their fiery chilli jams at the Hamper Llangollen last year and went on to increase stockists of the breath-taking products from just 25 shops to 110 across Wales and Cheshire.

 

For those who want something a bit cooler, Chilly Cow Ice Cream will be launching their new honey and lavender variety at Hamper Llangollen.

 

Anna Taylor who runs the company based at Llanychan, near Ruthin, will be using honey farmed just down the road from her by enthusiastic beekeeper Brian Dacre, a carpenter who makes hand-crafted bee hives as well as farming bees.

 

Anna said: “Brian’s honey is pure gold, just delicious and there’s big demand for it, plus it’s local to us, so perfect for using in a new flavour of ice cream."

 

It will be a bittersweet occasion for a scientist who swapped the laboratory for the kitchen by launching a cooking sauces brand.



* Chilly Cow Ice Cream, Llanychan.
Launching new Honey ice cream ready
for Llangollen festival.
Pictured: Owner Anna Taylor.

  

Dr Beatriz Albo returned to the lab to develop an exciting new range of Spanish tapas meals and delicious aiolis created in memory of her mother.

The new range will go on sale at the festival.

 

“Hamper Llangollen was my first food festival, so it is special to me,” said Spanish-born Beatriz, whose Wrexham business has taken off faster than she could ever have imagined.

Also there will be company that fuses the tastes of Africa and Wales and is launching a new dessert topping.

 

Bim's Kitchen, whose hot and spicy African inspired relishes have been a big hit across the UK.

 

African baobab and cocoa nib sour caramel sauce has brought together the food of two continents.

 

It includes Anglesey sea salt alongside exotic ingredients from Africa.

 

The recipe is a first entry into the sweets market for Flintshire-based Bim’s Kitchen, founded by James Adedeji and his wife Nicola.

 

Their previous condiments such as African baobab chilli jam, chilli coconut relish and lemony piri piri sauce have all been savoury accompaniments.

 

James said: “It is a fantastic event. That’s why we chose it to launch our new sour caramel sauce. It is the first time we have tried something sweet like this so it will take us in a new direction and we’re very keen to find out what festival goers think.

 

*
 * Chef Graham Tinsley.

“The advantage of launching it at a festival like this is that people can actually taste it in front of us and tell us exactly what they think there and then, something they can’t do when buying it off shop shelves to take home.”

 

Hamper Llangollen chair Colin Loughlin believes this year's festival is going to be one of the best ever.

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting."

 

For more details about Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Skates hits out over tax credit cuts

An Assembly Member has warned that Tory tax credit cuts could cost his constituents as much as £3,000 a year.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, fears the UK Government’s decision to impose cuts of around 10% of families’ monthly incomes could have a ‘hugely detrimental’ impact on their living standards, the life chances of their children and the local economy. 

The cuts will affect three million working families across the UK.

Mr Skates said: “In Clwyd South alone, more than 5,000 families will be affected. Some 3,500 of these are working families. Figures show that households will be an average of £1,300 worse off, but that some will be up to £3,000 out of pocket as a direct result of the Tories’ cuts to tax credits.”

Mr Skates is encouraging his constituents to join the campaign against the cuts by signing the petition at labour.org.uk/taxcredits.

He said: “Tax credits are designed to ensure that work pays. Cutting them undermines the value of work, and means that the UK Government is penalising those who work hard every day just to get by. I’m asking residents to join me in sending a clear message to the Tories that these cuts to working people’s living standards are unacceptable.”

Mr Skates added: “This is another example of how the Tories are making working families bear the brunt of deficit reduction while some of the wealthiest people in the country have received a tax break. It’s just not right.”

Special medal for Llan man

* Dave Short with his medal. 

A well-known Llangollen man has been honoured for his years of service with HM Revenue and Customs.

Dave Short, who now works at the post office in Stan’s supermarket in the town, was recently awarded the Imperial Service Medal plus certificate and supporting documentation.

He said: “Many people may know me through various activities in and around Llangollen.

“Although not a native of the town I am a founder member the railway and spent most Saturdays and Sundays in the town.

“After leaving school I moved to Trevor and eventually Llangollen when I got married.

“My son and daughter both attended Ysgol Bryn Collen and Dinas Bran.

“After a short period of employment at.ECTARC I secured a full-time job at the Inland Revenue in Wrexham where I worked until leaving their employment in June 2014.”

He added: “Never did I think any more until I received a letter stating that Her Majesty had awarded me the Imperial Service Medal.

“I was speechless for once and wondered whether it was a wind up until the medal and correspondence from the Medals Office arrived.

“I consider this the greatest honour of my life and I thank the many people who have spent time to congratulate me on this award, which is given to civil servants from all branches on recommendation upon retirement.”

Royal host Gwyn the butcher will be at food show

 

* Butcher Gwyn Davies chatting with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

 

A Llangollen butcher who earned royal approval when Prince Charles popped into his shop for a chat will be among the exhibitors at a top food festival.

 

After what has been an amazing year for him, Gwyn Davies is looking forward to returning to the annual Hamper Llangollen event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors over the weekend of October 17-18.

 

Gwyn was staggered earlier this summer when Prince Charles asked to stop off at his butcher’s shop while making an official visit to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

He said: “I had just five days' notice. I couldn’t believe it when he called in.

"He is genuinely interested in the food sector and supporting independent businesses. We chatted for a little while, he asked quite a few questions and was very affable.”  

 

Gwyn was equally delighted when just a few weeks ago he was voted a High Street Hero by loyal customers who have been impressed by the quality of his meat and exceptional customer service over six decades in the butchery business.

 

The awards, run by the Welsh Government were launched by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, to honour individuals deserving recognition for their outstanding contribution to high streets and local communities in Wales.

 

Gwyn, who opened his shop in Castle Street, Llangollen, 40 years ago, said: “I feel really honoured to have received the accolade. It makes all the hard work we have put in that much more worthwhile.”

 

He believes independent traders are key to the success of local economies and says events like Hamper Llangollen 2015 are a superb way to showcase small local businesses like his own.

 

The popular food festival in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is now recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure Hamper Llangollen's long term viability, this was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

The festival hosts more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by professionals and celebrity chefs in a state of the art kitchen.

 

Among those demonstrating will be foodie fan comedian Silky, top Welsh chef, and international award-winner Graham Tinsley and Britain’s youngest ever head chef, Luke Thomas.

 

Gwyn said: “Having been there for a few years now, I am a very keen supporter of the event. It brings in a lot of business to our region and gives independent traders like myself a chance to meet new people and demonstrate the sort of quality produce we have to offer right here on their doorsteps.

 

“It’s a great way to get customer feedback and there will be a chance to buy all the quality meats we sell here at the shop.”

 

Gwyn’s workdays start at 5.30am – “the habit of a lifetime” – and he is in his shop before 7am daily.

 

The quality of his meat is renowned and attracts customers from as far afield as Merseyside and Widnes.

 

He said: “We have a number of caravanners and visitors to the region who first called in at the shop on holiday and enjoyed our meat cuts so much that they regularly return to buy large orders to take home with them.”

 

He was about 10 or 11 when he first entered the meat trade after securing a spare time job in his local slaughterhouse to “earn myself a few pennies”.

 

He said: “You had to work hard in those days to get yourself some pocket money. I was fortunate though, I found work with one of the best in the business Eric Wheeler, who taught me skills which have stayed with me all my life.”

 

On leaving school at the age of 15 he continued to work in the butchers until he reached 20.

 

He said: “Then I decided I wanted a change and so got another job working on overhead cables in Oxfordshire, but I would still help out at Mr Wheeler’s on weekends off if I came home.

 

“When I reached 25 I went back into butchery and eventually opened my own shop in my early 30s.”

 

Gwyn and his late wife Heather ran the shop together until she died four years ago. Their son Mark and daughter Fiona have also had a big input in the business.

 

Gwyn, who employs three full time staff and a part-timer, sells Welsh lamb raised on his son’s Denbighshire farm, while Fiona, helps with some of the administrative tasks as well as working at a Shrewsbury Garden Centre.

 

Now aged 70, Gwyn has no plans to retire.

 

For more information about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Triathlete Rebecca dashes in to help centre

A triathlete won the praise of her local Assembly Member after a gruelling fundraiser in aid of a community centre.

Rebecca Robinson, from Corwen, took part in the Deva Triathlon in June, completing a one-mile swim, a 40km bike race and a 10km run in two hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds.

*Ken Skates hands over the cheque
to Rebecca Robinson. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates joined Rebecca, 33, to hand over a cheque for £130 to Canolfan Ni in Corwen.

The centre is run by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a small charity with 12 volunteer trustees.

Mr Skates said: “It was a fantastic effort by Rebecca in her first-ever triathlon, I can’t imagine how difficult it was to get through. I’m delighted she decided to raise money for Canolfan Ni, which is where I hold my Corwen surgeries. It’s a real community hub.”

The centre was refurbished by a grant in 2012 after a community asset transfer from Denbighshire County Council.

Mr Skates added: “It’s another great local example of community-minded volunteers taking over public amenities and making a success of them.

"Canolfan Ni hosts the Corwen Beavers and Cubs groups, the youth club, weekly Welsh classes and much more. I’d like to congratulate Rebecca on completing the triathlon and thank her for raising money for such an excellent local cause.”

Citizens Advice and Age Connect have weekly drop-in sessions at the centre, and there are plans in the pipeline for developing a dementia café and a community garden. 

* For more information call Canolfan Ni on 01490 266004, email office@sdcp.org or visit www.canolfan-ni.org/services/

County answers roadworks complaint

Denbighshire County Council has answered a complaint about roadworks in an area of Llangollen.

A resident contacted llanblogger to say: “Contractors acting for the highway authority commenced work this week on resurfacing Bache Mill Road above its junction with Vicarage Road.

“This seems to involve the grubbing up with machines of the existing surface of the highway which has led the contractors to close sections of the road completely.

 

“On Wednesday at various times the highway was closed in both directions, so it was impossible for residents living on The Hermitage, Grange Road, Maes Collen, Gerddi y Bach and Trem-y-Creigiau to go about their daily business.

“Some residents work from home causing them severe difficulties.

“The contractors concerned seemed to have little respect for residents and diversions and temporary traffic controls were not put in place.

“Apparently the works are likely to continue for two weeks.” 

A county council spokesperson replied: “There are five operatives engaged solely on traffic management duties.

“A road closure is in force and an appropriate diversion in place and also traffic management under stop and go within the road closure.

“Traffic is able to access properties within the closure under the supervision of the operatives.

“It is inevitable that there will delays of short duration when the road is totally closed when the contractors are making tie in joints etc but these occasions are few and far between.

“Residents approaching the road closure are requested to stop by a traffic marshall and then permitted to pass through the site when it is safe to do so.”        

* In a separate story, Llangollen county council Stuart Davies says he is pleased to see that a traffic calming scheme is being implemented in Pentredwr.

He says the scheme was driven by Cllr Rhys Hughes and Llantisilio Council and supported by him.

He added: "I congratulates Cllr Hughes and the council for all the hard work they have done in making sure that the scheme came to fruition.

"I would like to assure residents that the scheme was going ahead before national politicians got involved and that the local councillors always work hard for their residents whether it be election time or not."

Operatic plans a swinging start to Christmas

Members of Llangollen Operatic Society aim to get Christmas off to a swinging start.

On Tuesday December 8 they will once again stage their popular Christmas concert at Llangollen Town Hall.

This year, the evening will have a swing theme to it and the programme will consist of a mix of popular songs of that genre plus some seasonal favourites, such as O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland.

There will be a performance by the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, and the chance for the audience to join in with a number of rousing traditional carols.  

Lizzy Richards, who will direct the concert assisted by Ross Wilson and with musical direction from Michael Jenkins, said: “It’s going to be a fun and jolly evening with lots of festive favourites to get people in the Christmas spirit.

"We’re really looking forward it and hope to see a good number of familiar faces there."

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, or online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105176. A bar will also be available.