YLC Your Local Crowd - November 2017 - Digital Magazine by YLC Your Local Crowd

YOUR LOCAL CROWD

LOCAL CROWD NOVEMBER 2017

Promoting and supporting local business in print & online

DIGITAL MAGAZINE

REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER... Some fun facts on the annual festivities, pages 6 & 7

PLUS your regular guides, reviews, green advice & much more....

To advertise simply visit www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk

Guide Book

TOURISM GUIDE BOOK COPIES NOW AVAILABLE TO ORDER... New for 2017... ...Following the success of our magazine, Your Local Crowd has launched a new Tourism Guide Book for 2017. The book includes a variety of local articles discussing where to go, what to see and where to stay locally across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire. It also holds several guides, showcasing the various festivals, museums, gardens, walks, beautiful beaches, galleries, craft centres and activities that West Wales has to offer. The handy pocket sized book is available from Tourist Information & Visitors Centres throughout Wales. It is also available to hotels, holiday cottage providers, and cafes and can be purchased directly from Your Local Crowd for just ÂŁ2 a copy plus post and packaging. Contact our team on 01239 460210 or email your enquiry to sales@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk We are now taking bookings for our next book Your Local Restaurant Guide, if you would like to feature within the book, please get in touch. A full page advertorial costs just ÂŁ200

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COMPETITION In association with Eco PC’s

WIN A LAPTOP Win a very popular factory reconditioned Blue Acer 11.6” Cloudbook Windows 10 Creator Intel Celeron Dual Core CPU 2GB RAM, 32GB SSD HDD To enter simply... 1. Go to our Facebook competition page and recommend one local business in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire, stating your reasons why. 2. Follow the instructions & fill in your details to be entered into the draw. Its that simple! The winner will be announced on December 1, 2017 T & C’s apply

yourlocalcrowd EcoPcs

www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk www.ecopcs.co.uk

Terms & Conditions

• You must live in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire or Carmarthenshire to enter • Entrants must be aged 18 or over • Only one entry per household • By taking part in this promotion all entrants will be deemed to have accepted and be bound by these terms and conditions • The winner will be notified at the email address stated in their entry • Entries must be submitted via the contact form found on the website • Your entry must be submitted before midnight on November 24, 2017 • Entries will not be accepted after this date • Your Local Crowd reserves the right to change the rules of this competition without notice • The winner of the competition will be announced on Facebook on the December 1 2017. • We may, from time to time, inform you of Your Local Crowd updates • The promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook • Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted, or is unable to comply with the terms and conditions, Your Local Crowd reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant • The winner will need to collect the computer from Eco PC’s in Cardigan at a mutually agreeable time • The winner will have his/her photograph published.

Interview

REMEMBER REMEMBER THE

An annual celebration on November 5 for more than 400 years following the Gunpo Parliament and kill King James I. Today a night of fun and fantastic firework dsiplay behind the event. 1. The word for firework in Japanese, ‘hanabi’, means ‘fire-flower’ 2. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch. 3. Did you know the only place in the UK that does not celebrate Guy Fawkes Night is St. Peter’s School in York. This is where Guy Fawkes went to school as a boy and they celebrate the day in respect for their former pupil. 4. Fireworks were invented by a Chinese cook, during the 10th century - who accidentally discovered how to make explosive black powder - the early origin of gunpowder. He accidentally mixed three common kitchen ingredients - a salt substitute used in the curing of meat, sulphur and charcoal and set light to the concoction resulting in colourful flames. By placing the powder into the hollow of a bamboo stick, noticed when burned, there was tremendous explosion! 5. It’s been calculated that the 2,500kg of gunpowder Fawkes hid would have wreaked damage almost 500 metres from the centre of the explosion. 6. Guy Fawkes is not believed to be the main conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot. However he had important role to play. Had he not been caught whilst

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guarding the gunpowder beneath the Houses of Parliament, he would have been charged with lighting it. 7. Chinese crackers, as they are known, are still used in China today to celebrate weddings, births and religious festivals - and to scare away evil spirits! 8. The world’s largest single firework was set off at a festival in Japan in 1988. The shell weighed over half a tonne and the burst was over a kilometre across. 9. Fireworks were used for centuries in ancient Indian and Thai religious ceremonies. Some of the rockets were 8-10 feet long and were attached to bamboo sticks that were 40 feet high. 10. Fireworks came to Europe in the 14th century after being produced produced by the Italians. It is recorder that Florence had the first display. In England fireworks were first used at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486. 11. Dummies have been burned on bonfires since the 13th century, before the gunpowder plot, initially

FIFTH OF NOVEMBER...

owder Plot of 1605, when 13 conspirators planned to blow up ys. Here are some facts you may or may not know about ht ehistory

12. It is believed that the word ‘guy’ actually comes from the name Guy Fawkes. However, it originally meant “an ugly, repulsive person” but over the years it has become associated with Guy Fawkes himself. 13. It’s unclear where the word ‘bonfire’ is derived f r o m but one suggestion is from ‘bone-fire’, which comes from a time when witches were burned instead of being buried in holy ground. 14. To this day the Houses of Parliament are still searched before every state opening1928. To ensure no such attempt is made on Parliament again. 15. Throwing a firework in a street or public place is a criminal offence, with a maximum fine of 5000 pounds.

FIREWORK SAFETY • Never play with fireworks They are explosives and can hurt you. • Only adults should light or hold fireworks. • When you are watching fireworks stand well back. • Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode. • Fireworks will frighten your pets, so keep your petsa safely indoors. • If you are given a sparkler: Always wear gloves. Hold it at arm’s length. When your sparkler goes out, DON’T TOUCH IT. It could still burn you, so put it in a bucket of water.

©FreeDigitalPhotos.net . “Halloween”

to drive away evil spirits. But following the capture of Guy Fawkes in 1605, the focus of the sacrifices switched to Guy Fawkes’ treason.

www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 5

Interview

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON WOOD STOVE HEATING There is nothing that quite beats an open fire for warmth and romance, unless of course you have thrifty mind or are cost conscious. For the frugal amongst us, the mood can be somewhat dampened by the thoughts of whether it’s the most efficient way to heat the room! LIGHTING a fire in a wood stove is a thrifty way to keep the romance and improve the fuel efficiency. However, if you stoke up the fire and let it roar you are in danger of burning too much fuel too quickly (and sending flames up the chimney – not good). If the temperature is too low you will produce a lot of polluting black smoke and will not be combusting the wood efficiently. Instead the unburned gasses are likely to condensate on the inside of the flue and form creosote (a flammable substance and therefore a safety concern). The very first thing to know about the wood you burn is that you need to make sure you are burning dry wood. You need a moisture level of about 20% or lower. A great way to check the water level in your wood is to get a moisture meter. Another way is to find a good wood supplier selling seasoned wood. In the UK there is an assurance scheme for wood fuels at Woodsure. If you have green timber and want to season it yourself you’ll need to give your logs at least one summer to dry and two is even better! How do you know if you are burning the wood at the optimum rate? One way of finding out if you are burning wood too fast or too slowly is the temperature of the stove. Unlike Rayburns or Agas, many wood stoves don’t come with inbuilt thermometers however it’s easy to buy a wood stove thermometer that attaches to the outside of your metal stove via a magnet on the back. The ideal operating efficiency is between 200oC and 350oC (400 oF and 650oF). The high temperature thermometer we stock here at Celtic Sustainables has a simple dial which shows you when you are in the optimal range. Our Morag

recently purchased one for her wood stove. “I suspected we were going through our wood supply a bit too quickly but it’s so difficult to know whether you are burning the wood at too high a temperature especially when it is cold outside and the temptation is to stoke the fire. I purchased a wood stove thermometer and now it’s clear to see if we are burning the wood efficiently or not. The dial is easy to keep an eye on even from a distance. We adjust the air flow and wood levels depending on what the thermometer indicates. Already I’ve noticed our wood supply is not going down as quickly.” The high temperature wood stove thermometer we stock at Celtic Sustainables has a metal coil at the back that, when heated from being on your wood burning stove, the metal expands and moves the dial on the front. Simple! No liquids and nothing really that can break! The magnet will hold on steel up to temperatures of up to 425oC (800oF). To find out more about products that are great for you, your home and the environment pop into our shop and showroom at Celtic Sustainables, Unit 9, Parc Teifi, Cardigan, SA 43 1EW or go online at www.celticsustainables.co.uk. You can also get in touch by email at info@celticsustainables.co.uk or by phone on 01239 623506.

Read more from Celtic Sustainables at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk

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Guide

WINTER DRIVING Some practical advice for motorists driving in frosty and wintery conditions sam@yourlocalcrowd.co.uk

@ylcrowd

DRIVING IN ICY CONDITIONS Slow down, steer gently and avoid sudden sharp braking or acceleration Leave a bigger gap between you and the car in front If you skid, do not brake harshly, If you travel across black ice and the steering feels light, don’t brake, just ease off the accelerator

ENSURE YOUR VEHICLE IS PREPARED Antifreeze – check coolant level regularly and, if required, top-up with antifreeze. Battery – the most common cause of winter breakdowns. A battery more than five years old may struggle in the cold. Fuel – keep at least a quarter of a tank in case of unexpected delay. Lights – check and clean all lights regularly. Carry spare bulbs. Tyres – need at least 3mm of tread for winter motoring. Check pressures at least every fortnight. Windscreen – reduce dazzle from the low sun by keeping the screen clean inside and out. Screen wash – use a 50% mix of a good quality screen wash to reduce the chance of freezing in frosty weather. Locks and door seals – stop doors freezing shut with a thin coat of polish or Vaseline on rubber door seals. A squirt of water dispersant (WD-40) in locks will help stop them freezing.

WINTER EMERGENCY KIT – IT IS WORTH KEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE Blanket, rug or sleeping bag Shovel, Torch and batteries, Tow rope Bits of carpet or thick cardboard to place under driven wheels to help regain traction on ice or snow Salt, sand or cat litter – to help clear snow and ice Reflective jacket(s) Ice scraper and de-icer Snow chains (if you live in a remote or rural area) Battery jump leads Bottled water Snacks – chocolate or cereal bars Extra screen wash

WHEN BAD WEATHER IS FORECAST Warm winter coat, scarf, hat, gloves and warm clothes Waterproofs Sturdy boots Flask of hot drink Read more at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/guides

Snow Tracks ©Simon Howden.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 7

THE PRINCESS BY THE TEIFI NO-ONE is entirely sure whether Cilgerran Castle castle and but few men with him, about fourteen, was the site of a castle reported as having been built unknown to the keepers of the castle. And then at “Cenarth Bychan” by Gerald de Windsor, the he came to the chamber in which Gerald and Nest Constable of Pembroke, in 1108. Although the site were sleeping. And they raised a shout around and is still disputed, it seems likely that the Norman about the chamber in which Gerald was, and acquisition of Cemaes and Cilgerran at about that kindled tapers and set fire to the buildings to burn time would have made it logical for the new frontier them. And when he heard the shout, Gerald awoke, between Norman and Welsh territory to have been not knowing what to do. And then Nest said to him, re-established at the Teifi estuary. “Go not out to the door, for thine enemies await In 1107 Gerald de Windsor had accompanied his wife thee, but follow me”. And that he did. And she led to a feast held by a kinsman of hers. His wife was him to the privy which adjoined the chamber. And Nest – a famous beauty and a Welsh princess. She there, as is said, he escaped by way of the privy is believed to have been a woman of great intellect hole. And when Nest knew that he had escaped, and often used her beauty in order to ensure that she cried out from within and said to the men who she achieved her objectives. Nest were outside, “Why do you cry was the daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr, out in vain? He whom you seek is Prince of Deheubarth, and had been not here. He has escaped”. And taken as a hostage to the English when they did not find them, they court in her youth, and was raised seized Nest and her two sons and there. Her beauty attracted the ather daughter and another son tention of Prince Henry and the pair of his by a concubine, and they became lovers. She bore him an sacked and plundered the castle...’ illegitimate son – Henry fitz Henry. Poor old Gerald – as a respected Before Henry became King, Nest officer of the Crown, the idea had already been quietly married off of his making a malodorous and to a loyal supporter of the Crown uncomfortabe exit from his own – Gerald de Windsor the Constable castle via the shaft of the toilets of Pembroke Castle. The feast they while his wife was being abducted Nest – a famous beauty and a can’t have done much for his attended in 1107 was hosted by a Welsh princess cousin of Nest – Cadwgan ap Bleddyn reputation or his self-esteem! – the ruler of Ceredigion. At this feast the lovely Nest When King Henry heard of this embarrassment of caught the attention of his loyal officer, and the abduction of his former Cadwgan’s son, Owain, who was instantly smitten. Al- lover, he was furious. He granted Cadwgan’s lands though he bided his time before acting on his lustful to Gilbert fitz Richard de Clare, the Lord of Tonimpulses, the knowledge that Nest would be residing bridge in Kent, providing he captured them. This led just across the Teifi must have inspired him to take to the establishment of Cardigan in 1110. Nest was action. In 1109 Owain ap Cadwgan abducted Nest returned to her husband. from the castle of Cenarth Bychan. He climbed over In an interesting twist of history, after Gerald de the castle wall with a company of about fourteen Windsor died in about 1116, the widowed Nest marmen and set fire to the wooden buildings. The ‘Brut y ried Stephen de Mareis – the Constable of Cardigan Tywysogion’ has the following account: Castle. As a result she lived out her last twenty “...When Owain heard that Nest was in the castle, he years at the castle that was built in revenge for her went with but a few men in his company to visit her as abduction from Cenarth Bychan. a kinswoman. And after that he came of a night to the © Glen K Johnson 2015

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Guide

CURIOUS CREATURES OF WEST WALES FOLKLORE

Wales is a country steeped in myth and legend. Ancient tales passed down through generations tell of strange creatures that once roamed the hills and valleys, lurked in the watery depths of rivers and lakes or inhabited the wild rocky shores. Here we share the story of The Mernaid of St Dogmaels @ylcrowd

TALL tales of water nymphs and mermaids abound along the rugged Welsh coast. In the picturesque village of St Dogmaels the lone sculpture of a watchful mermaid stands alongside the moorings where local fishermen anchor their boats. Legend has it that one day, whilst fishing for herring out at sea, a man called Peregrine saw a beautiful mermaid sitting on the rocks of Caemaes Head. Unable to resist her flaxen-haired beauty Peregrine caught the mermaid in his net and turned back towards land with his prize. On the journey home, the mermaid pleaded with Peregrine to let her go but he refused. However, by the time the time heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d reached a sand bar in the middle of the estuary, the mermaidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plaintive cries persuaded him to release her. In gratitude for her freedom, she promised that she would warn Peregrine of approaching storms by calling to him three times. The story goes that on 1st October 1789, Peregrine and the other local fisherman set off from the moorings but when they reached the sand bar the mermaid appeared, warning Peregrine that a terrible storm was coming. Peregrine turned back and tried to persuade the others to follow him but they all laughed and sailed on out to sea. Shortly afterwards a huge storm engulfed the estuary, killing all but Peregrine. St Dogmaels church records from that day document the death of 27 local fisherman in a sudden storm, the tragic event now marked by the statue of a solitary mermaid watching over the sea. Although the St Dogmaels tale is probably the most well-known, similar stories are linked to other villages along the coast such as Aberporth and New Quay.

More Legends at www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/articles

Sally Sellwood

www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 9

Guide

PROTECT YOUR HEATING HOMEOWNERS can take a few simple steps to prevent being a victim of theft. Theft of heating oil can have a big effect on victims, not only the loss of the oil itself but also the stress and cost of a boiler breakdown if there’s no oil in the tank. Taking these measures will help make life more difficult for would-be-thieves and also ensures your tank stays topped-up. Top tips for preventing the

theft of fuel and oil: • Be aware of your oil levels and check frequently • Where possible keep your levels low and the same when refilling • Speak to your supplier with regards to a more frequent but smaller delivery • If you have a plastic tank, consider erecting fencing around the tank with one end hinged and locked for filling purposes. The fencing should be fixed to solid

Y D N A M

X O C L I W li

of D e t s gh i l e D

Ever wanted to experience the joy of making your own chocolates or baking your own wonderful patisserie? From June 2017 Mandy Wilcox is offering a new range of residential & daily workshops & master-classes in her new kitchen workshop in Aberporth teaching you how to create tasty sweet & savoury delights. Fun for all ages & abilities.

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posts and should be set off the tank approximately 12 inches on all sides. The same should be fixed to the top as well • If you have a steel tank, then fit a quality anti-cut close-shackled padlock • If you have outside security lighting, then please ensure that the system works and that the light sensors have been adjusted correctly to detect movement. If anyone is aware of persons going out with drums and pipes to steal fuel, or sees Read more from Dyfed-Powys Police at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk

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S e e w e b s it e fo r m o r e d e t ai l s . .

www.delidelightswales.co.uk For more information

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01239 810928 or via Facebook or Twitter @DeliDelights1

Dyfed Powys Police are reminding homeowners to protect their heating oil supplies to prevent any theft from storage tanks.

Guide

YOUR LOCAL PRODUCERS MARKETS* CEREDIGION

New Quay, SA45 9QQ

ABERAERON FARMERS MARKET Wednesdays 9am – 2pm, Alban Square, SA46 0AQ. ABERAERON COUNTRY MARKET Tuesdays 8.45am– 12.30pm, Peniel Chapel, SA46 0DG ABERPORTH COUNTRY MARKET Tuesday 8.45am– 12pm, Village Hall, Aberporth SA43 2EL

PEMBROKESHIRE

ST DOGMAELS LOCAL PRODUCERS’ MARKET Tuesdays 9am– 1pm. St Dogmaels Abbey Visitor Centre SA43 3DX FISHGUARD COUNTRY MARKET Saturdays 8am– 1pm. Fishguard Market Hall, Fishguard HAVERFORDWEST FARMERS MARKET Fridays 8.30am–2pm Riverside Quay, Haverford West SA61 2LJ

LAMPETER FARMERS MARKET Fridays 9am– 2pm, Market Street, Lampeter SA48 7DR

MANORBIER COUNTRY MARKET Wednesdays 10am– 12pm (1st Wednesday of the month only October-April) Jameston Community Hall, Jameston SA70 8QG

LAMPETER PEOPLE’S MARKET 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month, Victoria Hall, Lampeter SA48 0BU

NEWPORT MARKET Mondays 9am– 1pm March – December Market Street, Newport SA42 0PH

LLANDYSUL COUNTRY MARKET Fridays 9.30am– 12.30pm, Sacred Hands Spiritual Centre, Llandysul SA44 4BS

PEMBROKE COUNTRY MARKET Thursdays 9.30 am -1pm. The Town Hall, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS

LLANGRANNOG LOCAL PRODUCERS’ MARKET Wednesdays, end of May to October Ship Inn Car Park, Llangrannog, SA44 6SL

TENBY COUNTRY MARKET Fridays 9am– 12pm. St John’s Church Hall, Warren Street, Tenby SA70 7LB

NEW QUAY COUNTRY MARKET Fridays 11am-12.30pm. Memorial Hall,

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CARMARTHENSHIRE

CARMARTHEN FARMERS MARKET Fridays 9am– 4.30pm. Red Street, Carmarthen CARMARTHEN PROVISION MARKET Wednesdays 8am– 2pm; Saturdays 8am– 1pm. Market Way, Carmarthen SA31 1QY LLANDEILO COUNTRY MARKET Fridays 8am–12pm. Civic Hall, Crescent Road, Llandeilo SA19 6HY; Last Saturday of month 9am to 4pm Top Car Park, Llandeilo, March to December.

*Not all markets run throughout the year, some are seasonal

ABERYSTWYTH COUNTRY MARKET Thursdays 9.30am – 12.30pm, Market Hall, Aberystwyth

TREGARON COUNTRY MARKET Alternate Tuesdays 9am-1pm. Memorial Hall, Tregaron, SA25 6JL

Read more at www. yourlocalcrowd.co.uk/articles

ABERYSTWYTH FARMERS MARKET 1st and 3rd Sat of each month, 10am– 2pm North Parade, Aberystwyth 01559 571730

www.yourlocalcrowd.co.uk | 11

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We are a charitable organisation aiming to relieve the effects poverty for are individuals and families within Pembrokeshire. We a charitable organisation

aiming relieve effects of Yourtohelp is the invaluable. poverty for individuals and families Donations of non-perishable foods, clothingwithin and Pembrokeshire small household items are always welcome. Thank you.

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