Food and drink producers across Wales have been recognised at this year’s Great Taste Awards, proving Wales’ reputation for producing fresh, quality and tasty food and drink products.

174 food and drink businesses of all sizes from across Wales have been named as the top food and drink producers in the world at the awards, which are describes as the ‘Oscars of the food world’. Among them, 12 Welsh products were presented with Great Taste 3-Star awards – the most sought-after seal of approval in the industry and one that only three percent of products are awarded each year.

New Quay Honey Farm / Afon Mêl in Ceredigion was commended for its luxurious, smoky and fermented Heather Mead which received the highest accolade, The Golden Fork Award as well as a 3-Star Great Taste Award.

Halen Môn (Anglesey Sea Salt) collected two 3-Star awards for its smoky Dijon mustard and oak-smoked sea salt.

Additional 3-Star awards went to Slade Farm Organics in south Wales for its pork shoulder, Carmarthen Dairy Products for its soft COPA Blue cheese and whiskey-flavoured ice cream from Ceredigion-based Conti’s Ice Cream.

Five of the Welsh winners were alcoholic beverages and spirits; an ode to the rising and booming drinks sector in Wales. These include Pirate Bay IPA from Cold Black Label, Seidr y Mynydd’s Keeved Bottle-Conditioned Cider, Da Mhile Apple Brandy and Carmarthen-based organic Jin Talog gin.

Congratulating all Welsh food and drink producers and winners of this year’s Great Taste Awards, Andy Richardson, Chair of the Food and Drink Industry Board, said: “As a nation, Wales does food and drink well and it’s evident that the judges feel the same way. As the demand for Welsh products continues to grow I would like to congratulate all the Welsh winners for consistently achieving high standards.”

Since 2014, the food and drink sector in Wales has grown rapidly, with annual sales of £6.8 billion in 2018, putting it well on target to reach the ambitious £7 billion target for 2020, as laid out in the Welsh Government’s action plan for 2014-2020.

Wales is now looking to continue its success with a second stage action plan for 2020-2026 which is being co-created between industry and Welsh Government. Producers, manufacturers and retailers are currently being asked to share their insight and views on the food and drink action plan consultation which will close on October 15^th.

All feedback provided will help the Welsh Government and The Food and Drink Wales Industry Board shape the second action plan and will continue to prove Wales’ dedication to producing high quality and globally renowned food and drink products.

If you are interested in shaping the future of the Welsh food and drink industry, share your food for thought here: https://gov.wales/developing-wales-food-and-drink-sector

To view the full list of this year’s 2019 Great Taste Awards Winners, visit: https://greattasteawards.co.uk

This October, Barry Male Voice Choir alongside Wessex Male Choir and Côr Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg will be singing side by side to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund (PCRF) at one of Cardiff’s most iconic locations; Llandaff Cathedral.

Every year almost 10, 000 people are diagnosed in the UK alone with pancreatic cancer. The disease has the lowest survival rate of most common cancers and is the 5^th most common cause of cancer-related death in the UK. PCRF is the only national charity dedicated exclusively to pancreatic research where income comes entirely from public donations and fundraising.

On October 5^th 2019 at Llandaff Cathedral the ‘Choirs in the Cathedral’ gala performance aims to raise much-needed funds and awareness for this very worthwhile charity.

The evening of song will have something for everyone from classic rock and traditional Welsh hymns to opera and modern pop. There is something for everyone to enjoy and sing along to.

“We are extremely excited and honoured to be singing at Llandaff Cathedral with our friends Wessex Male Choir and Côr Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg. This is another chapter to Barry Male Voice Choirs’ long history of singing & fundraising and making new friends along the way. We hope to raise as much money as possible for our chosen charity, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund and to make sure everyone has a fantastic time in doing so,” said Daniel White, Vice-chairman Barry Male Voice Choir.

For tickets please visit Barry Male Voice Choir website:www.barrymalevoicechoir.co.uk or www.trybooking.co.uk/7146

As the Cardiff Half Marathon takes place this weekend, runners will be excited to learn that organisers of the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run have announced the run will return for 2020 on Sunday 29 March with Velindre NHS University Trust Cancer Charity as the new Lead Charity Partner.

The Cardiff Cancer Centre has joined forces with one of Welsh capital’s most popular 10K races to secure vital fundraising that will help the hospital continue to provide specialist cancer services to over 1.5 million people in South Wales and beyond.

To celebrate the new partnership, runners who want to support Velindre Cancer Centre now have the opportunity to take advantage of an exclusive sign up period.

Entries are now open for Velindre fundraisers for one month only before general sale spaces are released later this year.

If that incentive wasn’t enough to entice potential runners, Velindre Ambassador, inspiring weatherman Derek Brockway will spearhead a group of 100 fundraisers at the event under the ‘Derek’s Dazzlers’ banner.

Full details of this opportunity will follow shortly, but Derek will be looking to motivate, train and support new runners, patients or anybody who wants to take on this new challenge and dazzle their way around 10k of Cardiff’s iconic Bay before joining the group for some well deserved post-race celebrations.

Andrew Morris Head of Fundraising at Velindre said:

 “We are absolutely delighted to be the lead charity for the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run . We need to recruit as many runners as possible to turn Cardiff Bay green in support of Velindre so we can continue to provide exceptional care and support to cancer patients and their families in South Wales. 

 “By 2020 one in two of us will develop cancer which means Velindre needs more funds to continue to support cancer patients and their families through exceptional care. Your donations fund specialist nurses, therapies and ground breaking research and clinical trials. We want to continue to lead in the delivery and development of compassionate, individualised and effective cancer care to achieve outcomes comparable with the best in the world.”

Run 4 Wales Chief Executive Matt Newman said:

“The Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run kicks off the running calendar in style, and we can’t wait to welcome a sea of Velindre runners in their green vests. As a local cancer charity, Velindre is close to our hearts, so this new partnership really is a match made in heaven.”

Runners can make use of the exclusive Velindre sign-up period by following this link: http://bit.ly/CBRVelindre2020 

Pre-registration is now available for general entry here: http://bit.ly/CBRVelindre2020

As more than 27,000 runners prepare to take to the streets of Cardiff for the annual half marathon, viewers across the UK can watch the action live on BBC Two for the very first time.

The Cardiff Half Marathon is one of the highlights of the year for runners. Organised by Run4Wales, it takes participants past some of Cardiff’s best-known locations, including Cardiff Castle, the Principality Stadium, as well as taking in the sea air in Cardiff Bay as runners make their way across the barrage before heading back to the city past the Senedd and Wales Millennium Centre.

Jason Mohammad will present this year’s coverage on Sunday October 6^th, broadcasting live on BBC One Wales and BBC Two across the UK, with event highlights later that evening at 10pm on BBC Two Wales.

The half marathon has grown into one of the most high-profile road races in the United Kingdom. It is now one of Europe’s largest half marathons and is Wales’ largest mass participation and multi-charity fundraising event. For the first time in the event’s history, female runners will make up the majority of entrants this year.

Presenter Jason Mohammad said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting this year’s Cardiff Half Marathon. It’s always a pleasure to be in front of the camera talking to the guests about the course in the city I grew up in and love dearly.

“I have friends running this year so I’ll be on the lookout for them and, of course, the elite runners. We’re also on BBC network TV this year so I’ll be hugely proud to be introducing the capital city of Wales to viewers across the UK.”

Run 4 Wales CEO Matt Newman said:

“A record field of 27,500 runners of all abilities will make the 17^th instalment of Wales’ largest mass-participation and fundraising event the biggest and best yet.

“Viewers will be treated to the excitement of a fiercely competitive elite race and elite wheelchair race, before a host of inspiring female runners taking on the challenge of a lifetime get the exposure they deserve as part of our #WhyWeRun campaign.

           “Cardiff has a rich history of staging major sporting events and we are relishing the opportunity to add to the sporting fabric of the Welsh capital in front of a UK audience.”

Live coverage will begin on BBC One Wales from 9:30am, with viewers on BBC Two network joining at 9:45am. Highlights will be on BBC Two Wales at 10pm.

Deloitte is continuing the success of One Million Futures, the firm’s social impact initiative, and has today announced the launch of a new charity partnership in Wales.

Deloitte in Wales is now working with Llamau, whose mission is to eradicate homelessness for young people and vulnerable women. The firm will focus on supporting the charity’s Learning 4 Life project, which aims to progress young people aged 16-24 who face complex disadvantages into sustainable employment, volunteering or further education or training.

Deloitte is now midway through its five-year programme to help one million people get to where they want to be through access to education and employment. The firm’s UK-wide initiative has already made an impact for over 475,000 people’s futures while contributing over £10 million to society*.

Much of the impact to date has been delivered through partnerships with over 50 charities, social enterprises and schools across the UK. Initiatives have included nurturing individuals through mentoring and employability skills workshops through to supporting organisations with their strategic ambitions.

Gareth Pritchard, impact partner for Deloitte in Wales, said:

“Our new partnership with Llamau will enable our people to get involved in a range of activities to support the charity’s work and its Learning 4 Life project. It’s important to us to make a real impact in our local community and Llamau supports some of the hardest to reach groups in society. Through our partnership, we will help these people access learning and develop new skills.”

Mark Willmore, head of learning, training and employment at Llamau, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Deloitte under their One Million Futures social impact initiative.

“Without an education and the confidence to achieve, the young people we support face a future of limited options. At Learning 4 Life, young people can gain the skills and confidence they need for employment, so that they are able to build an independent future for themselves. Last year, 72% of young people supported by Learning 4 Life moved on to further education, employment and training.

“We look forward to working with staff at Deloitte and showcasing how their support will make a direct and positive impact on the lives of the people we support.”

Under its One Million Futures programme, Deloitte in Wales had a three-year partnership with The Prince’s Trust Cymru which has now come to an end. The firm supported the Trust through volunteering, fundraising and providing pro bono services.

The Cambrian Way interactive map on the Visit Wales website has recently had an exciting new addition thanks to the listing of over 200 food and drink businesses, retailers, hospitality providers and food festivals that are within 40 minutes of the A470.

The Blas Cambrian Taste Trail project showcases the best places to sample locally sourced Welsh food and drink and shines a well-deserved spotlight on some of our finest foodie gems.

The Cambrian Way, which forms part of Visit Wales’s family of three national routes, is the main gateway between the north and south of the country, and zig-zags its way down from the seaside town of Llandudno all the way through mid Wales to Cardiff in the south.

The interactive map features a comprehensive list of the best places to get quality Welsh food and drink and the route can be explored by both visitors and locals alike, with it including multi-day itinerary trails where people can mix tourist sites with locally sourced produce.

Businesses who have made it in the guide will also be displaying distinctive green stickers connected to The Cambrian Way so that customers know that they are part of the route.

Included in the Blas Cambrian Taste Trail is the makers of award winning, fine sea salt and amazing seasonings Halen Mȏn. Enjoyed all around the world by chefs, food lovers and even Barak Obama, Halen Mȏn Angelsey Sea Salt is a must stop experience to fulfil this epic foodie trip.

Speaking of their inclusion in the guide, Halen Mȏn said:

“The Blas Cambrian Taste Trail is an innovative and exciting project that we are delighted to be a part of. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, our Behind the Scenes Saltcote tour offers a real flavour of our company and a chance to have a tutored tasting of our products.”

The full map can be explored on the Visit Wales website and can be accessed here: https://www.visitwales.com/inspire-me/wales-way/cambrian-way/unmissable-experiences-along-cambrian-way