RSS
 

Posts Tagged ‘welsh food’

National Trust Appear To Be Upsetting Our Producers

03 Apr

I’ve not had many dealings with the National Trust, but have always admired the job they are doing in preserving our heritage and their on-going work for conservation and preservation.

However, what has disturbed me of late is getting feedback from quite a few producers, who initially and understandably chuffed to bits getting their produce stocked in National Trust, (NT) properties and shops are now not so pleased. The reason is money or to be precise the new payment terms from the National Trust. I’ve been told that any producer delivering and the invoicing the NT on 15th April would only be paid by the 30th June, that is payment at the end of the month following the invoice, but it may take 10 working days to process the invoice. Gosh how convenient for them.

I’m horrified by this, as I had, naively it now seems, to have this image of the NT as a fair company, on a par with the likes of John Lewis, a business you could trust. Not like one of the big four supermarkets who can make their suppliers literally jump through hoops rather than pay them promptly. If suppliers are forced to wait such a long time for their money, I’m disgusted. I’ll wait to be told my information is wrong and NT pay all their suppliers within 30 days – if not before! Another supplier not impressed with NT is one who has been waiting months, and months and months and months, to get some lines accepted and have been run around in circles, with still no decision.

I also hear of small companies having issues working in National Trust properties with planning delays and people having extended leave with no cover in their absence. Well this is a sad situation but my sympathies is of course to our producers.

I know from our Best Of Welsh & Borders producers how tough their life is and they really don’t need slow payers to add to their worries.

Many visitors come to Wales and to tour a historic house or castle is very much a part of their holiday experience. Whilst doing this they love to shop either for themselves or for a gift to take back home and its here where our Welsh food producers can fit the
bill. A gift of honey, jam, chutney, cheese, local beer or cider makes the perfect present. But if the news I’ve had through is accurate, then I can see many producers having no alternative but to stop supplying the NT and to look for other markets. Now this would be sad, obviously not just for our producers, but for the NT to have thrown away the opportunity to showcase local food from our artisan producers and offer our visitors some home grown treats. Our visitors don’t need to be offered gifts, knick knacks or tat made in China, Japan or Korea, for goodness sake offer them a selection of what is made here in Wales and be proud of that very fact – support our food producers please!!!

 
1 Comment

Posted in Uncategorized

 

What Does 2012 Hold for the Welsh Food Industry?

05 Jan

As we wait to hear, without holding our breath of course, to see what funding will be available for food festivals, and as to which of them will be favoured and which will fall by the wayside, I’m afraid my concern about our food industry has not disappeared. The more producers I talk to, the gloomier much of their feedback is. But whilst we still struggle to make Wag Food listen, I have a little ‘news’ to impart. I’ve been told that Wag has been asking some producers if they are interested in a wagProcessors & Producers Group being set up by Wag. Now where did they get this idea from – welshfoodbites perhaps? I’m not sure if this only applies to larger companies who are on Wags ‘favoured list’ and or those companies who have been lucky enough to receive a True Taste Award, or in many ways, even better, a grant from Wag. I’m sure it will be a selective list of companies, and if this is the case it will not be a fair representation of the Welsh food, but that is how Wag appears to work. It this does happen then maybe I will not be the only one who is dismayed to hear one of Wag’s latest plans……….

I have been asking and asking Wag to communicate with food producers and of course selfishly with the media press too – but this message has obviously been ignored, or maybe just because it was one of my ideas – it’s been dumped in their bin, which would be rather childish, wouldn’t it?

But let me take just a little comfort from the fact that some producers did get invited to the ‘surprise’ food festivals organisers meeting in November. But wasn’t it rude and unfair of Wag to then not give those that took precious time away from their businesses, not to give them the opportunity of airing their views. Just what was the point of that Wag, paying lip service to me?

I feel so sorry for the producers that these Civil Servants who should be a huge help to them, and never more so than in these difficult trading times, fail to understand what producer’s need and this is because those Civil Servants cannot be bothered to communicate with them. I suggested to one senior Food Civil Servant that it was their job as the food department, not only to talk to food producers of ALL sizes of businesses, but also to listen to their requirements. Not all of them want to go the supermarket route or believe the True Taste is their  way to go either, so we can only hope that in 2012, Wag Food will  understand this message and act upon it.

 
3 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Narbeth Food Festival

26 Sep

Gosh, I cannot remember visiting Narbeth food festival when they haven’t been blessed with beautiful sunny weather. Driving over to Pembrokeshire, scowling at the dark skies, I saw two AA signs and then a sign for the Park & Ride as I entered the town. So apart from the weather as the rain came down, it was a good start.

But as I wandered down the High Street, I was puzzled as to the lack of festival flyers or posters. Down one side of the street, I only saw the Wheatsheaf shop and then Andrew Rees the butchers, that had made any effort at all to use their windows to plug the festival. I was very put out about this as I have held Narbeth up for many years as a shining example of how the committee get the town on side to give the festival and the town itself a huge push and buzz over the festival weekend. To be fair in that weather I wasn’t going to trawl the town, but that was my view as I walked down.  Oh Narbeth, how dare you let me down? 

The rain coming so early on Saturday morning must have hit turnout considerably, it certainly doesn’t encourage locals or holiday makers to get out early. Saturday is always a much busier day than the Sunday so my worry as always is how busy the traders would be. I spent 2 -3 hours there and I thought numbers were much lower than usual, which was  backed up by many traders that I spoke to as well. Maybe the Sunday weather this year was better and trade was up.  I had a lot of Best Of Welsh & Borders producers there so it will be interesting to get their feedback later.  

The outside stands were of course struggling with the weather but not only that, they were battling too against the live music which was in the centre of their stands. Now I really don’t have any objections at all with having music to help provide a cheery atmosphere, and live music is certainly a bonus, but I cannot understand why ‘someone’ doesn’t use the volume control and turn it down a touch. I was trying to talk to one of the burger stands and we had to shout to make ourselves heard. How can traders ply their wares if they have to keep shouting at people?             

On the inside stands I was delighted to see butcher Andrew Rees doing good trade with a special 2011 Narbeth festival sausage made from Dexter beef with tomato, leek and ginger – they were delicious! Andrew was busy sampling the lovely sausages and that paid off with good sales resulting. I was given a programme when I entered, but the rain did not encourage you to browse it as you went around, so I think a white board or a sign board by the kitchen demo area would have been a huge help to let people know which chef was cooking and at what time.

I was told that a lady who wished to attend the festival was furious at being charged £3.00 toenter and wanted to know why. She couldn’t find an organiser, but was quite incensed at such a high charge when all she wanted to do was buy food. I must say I can see her point. You’re not charged to go into a shop and that was how she was viewing the event as one large food shop. She didn’t want to listen to music in the rain, watch children’s entertainment, or watch a cookery demo, her mission was to buy food, but the result was she didn’t go in. So how much trade was lost from her? I’ve talked to a few organisers who say an entrance fee is vital for them to balance their books and many do put on lots of entertainment. The Really Wild were a classic example of this, with plenty to do there, especially for the younger ones.  I’m sure this debate will continue, but I’d love to have more feedback on entrance fees.

Let me finish off this post by saying, yet again, that this is yet another funded festival that I didn’t have a single press release about. In past years Narbeth’s PR was done by Sarah Hoss who I thought did a great job. I got lots of information from her about what was going on, but she’s no longer there and I, as part of the Welsh media with a huge interest in food, wasn’t even sent a press release! Why was this?

Last year, Miller Research was tasked by Wag to do a food festival survey and a follow-up report and I know that all festivals received the Miller feedback. So I’d be furious if many festival reports were not highlighted and taken to task for a lack of signage and a lack of basic PR & Marketing, which includes press releases. So if I’m correct on this, why am I still reporting very few improvements at festivals that are still being funded? What was the point of spending all that money with Miller if ‘we’ can coast along this year without any real improvements being made at far too many festivals? It seems to me that something is still seriously wrong here.

It is the festival’s responsibility to get punters into the event of that there is no question or discussion. Then when the punters are there it’s the up to the traders to tempt visitors with their produce, not sit down looking bored! But if the organisers can’t get punters in, then you can rest assured that some traders will not be back next year, please do not forget that they are running businesses, not charities.  I understand that stands were being charged £150 for the two days with a £30.00 electric charge – not sure if my info. is correct or not, but with these charges, the traders really do have to see some decent trade.                  

 

 
2 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Our Rankings Are Still Rising – Thank You!

14 Apr

On 15th March I told you that welshfoodbites was ranked at 409,087; truetaste.tv was 1,919,717 whilst walesthetruetaste was 1,582,454. Well on 14th April welshfoodbites is ranked at 288,946 and truetaste.tv at 1,420, 705.  (Ranking source Alexa taken over a 3 month period)

So my thanks once again for your support on welshfoodbites. Ok, it is a lot of extra work for me, but it does prove we are doing something right. I’m not sure whether the Welsh Assembly Government, WAG, will get the message, maybe we’d best not hold our breath! 

Walesthetruetaste site has not been available since about 4th April, instead you’re re-directed to WAG’s site, I’m guessing this is whilst they revamp it. This site was initially going out to tender, but WAG decided to take this job in-house, in theory to save money, but could easily be to safe-guard some Civil Servant jobs. There’s no point in my asking more questions about this site as the WAG Food Press Office have refused to answer any of my questions.  

I’m not sure why any ‘expert’ computer boffin’ would take a site down whilst they re-jigged it, that doesn’t make much sense and can only continue to hit their rankings, and certainly doesn’t help the food industry.

 
4 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Where Is WAG’s Food Festival Listing?

29 Mar

The Welsh Assembly Government, (WAG) Food Press Office promised me a listing of the festivals they were supporting this year around the end of March. On 28th March I’d not received the listing, so I asked again. To then be informed that:

‘food festivals, organisers will be told direct and WAG will not be making any announcements because we will be in the pre-election period. Further information about the process is available on the True Taste website’.

I understood that the pre-election period doesn’t start until 1st April, but on checking with Cardiff I was told offical closure date is Wednesday 30th March. The Press Office had already promised me this information when we all knew the date of the election, so why can’t they release this promised information to me? I went back to the Press Office with these questions, but was informed I wouldn’t get any further answers because:

‘The press office is not prepared to get involved in a lengthy discussion which you will inevitably then blog’.

Well that wasn’t helpful was it? 

Food festivals and what is happening with them this year, has been the most talked-about topic. From phone calls into our office, emails and face-to-face chats when we are at a food event, it has been constant. You can see for yourself how much discussion the posts about food festivals have generated on welshfoodbites.  

I’m still getting Press Releases from various departments in the Welsh Assembly Government, (WAG), so it appears to me that WAG Food either have the luxury of making their own decisions, or simply don’t want our producers and readers to know what is happening with food festivals this year. What do you think?

 
16 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Our Rankings Rise – Again Thanks To You

18 Feb

Gosh you have all been very busy visiting welshfoodbites and it really is appreciated. As of 18/2 welshfoodbites was 627,015 compared to truetaste.tv at 2,070,854 and walesthetruetaste at 1,661,858   (Source Alexa taken over a 3 month period)

How good is that against two WAG funded sites?  

(Source Alexa taken over a 3 month period)

Isn’t that great news?

Here at Welsh Country, the team and I really appreciate your support, your suggestions and your queries. I think most of you know that we’ll do whatever we can to help if you have specific issues or worries about the Welsh food industry, but after reading posts on welshfoodbites, you’ll know how difficult it is for us to get answers.

 
8 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Food Festival Meeting 8th Feb

15 Feb

On 8th February I asked WAG Food, Welsh Assembly Government, Press Office as I’d been instructed to do, for the notes and presentation details from the Food Festival Organisers meeting being held that day in Aberystwyth. I’d been told that the meeting was to deliver an interim evaluation report as new criteria are being developed for food festival support. I asked what were the organisers told about future funding and what’s the future for festivals this year? I also did as I’d been asked and gave them a deadline of Friday 11th February, 4.00pm  

This was all basic information that our Best Of Welsh & Borders producers and our readers want to know and I had planned for a piece to go in our M/April issue. However my deadline came and went with nothing from WAG Press Office. I chased them again and received the following email:

WAG Press Office stated on Friday 17.20: “Sorry to have missed your deadline, it has been a busy day here and I have been working to get it to you. I will do what I can to get something soon”.

Then at 18.03 a WAG Food, Duty Press Officer stated:  ”At a recent meeting, festival organisers were consulted on this year’s grant application process and the results of research into food festivals. More information for festival organisers will be made available directly to them on Monday. ”

I’ve obviously been very lucky in my journalistic life, as I’ve not had any Press Office fail to hit a deadline for me. WAG Food Press Office also appear to have forgotten that in their role, communication is the key. To be told they are so busy, makes me feel totally unimportant. From their side it’s ok for them not only to miss my deadline, but also unprofessional when they’re obviously too busy to tell me…………

Welsh Country magazine hits the printers next week, but far be it for me to complain about being busy!!!  I know the Press Office are a small team, but don’t give me that as an excuse – so is the Welsh Country team.     

No-one contacted me on Monday – I chased them again today, Tuesday and have given them a 12.00 deadline for more news but again this has been missed – another busy day in the WAG Food Press office do you think?

 
12 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

More Festival News

11 Feb

I feel like I’m running around in circles with the Welsh Assembly Government, WAG Food. I’ve tried for the six years to get a list of food festivals that WAG are supporting early. Initially I wanted to publish it in our M/A issue but we’ve only managed to get this listing in time for our M/June issue as WAG cannot supply it any earlier. 

WAG didn’t support us with their normal two page advertorial in each issue last year, due they said to budget cuts, so we were unable to publish their festival listing. I’m not sure if this will happen again this year or not……..

However, whilst on the subject of budgets cuts and funding, we’re all aware that the government axe is falling everywhere. Organisers, producers and our readers have made their worries known to us and we’ve been inundated with requests for this year’s festivals listing. So to make this official, on 8th February, I asked WAG Food Press Office when the 2011 food festival listing will be available and have been told:  ‘around the end of March. There’s not a fixed date as yet.’

So not sure if you think that’s helpful but there we are. So to be positve about this and to support our Best Of Welsh & Borders food producers, we’ve given ourselves yet another foodie job and complied a draft version of food festivals for 2011. We sent this to them at end of January and have been pleased that they have apprecaited what a huge effort we’ve made. Please visit www.welshcountry.co.uk for more information and also check out www.welshfoodbites.co.uk for all the latest news, views and gossip about Welsh food. 

Two important changes that I’d like to remind you about is that Llanwrtyd Wells Food festival will not be running in April and that the Really Wild Food Festival is moving from its usual September date to July 29th- 30th

 
11 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

2011 Food Festivals

20 Jan

I took a telephone call yesterday from a food producer who was planning his festival programme for this year and wanted me to supply him with a list of Welsh Assembly Goverment,  WAG (Food) supported festivals. He was surprised that I hadn’t got one. But I explained that if I’d got one within 24 hours he’d have had it too! I told him that I of course had to wait for the official listing from WAG (Food) and that didn’t usually happen until our M/April issue. Things changed last year as WAG (Food) weren’t supporting us with their 2-page advertorial as they had in 2008 & 2009, so when we received the listing it was put up on  www.welshcountry.co.uk. We did though circulate the festival listing to all our Best of Welsh & Borders, (BOW).

As the food producer was one our BOW, of course I wanted to help and offered him the contact details of the person responsible in WAG (Food), but he thought he’d be wasting his time and left it to me to email WAG (Food) for an update. I did know that the regular  Festival Organisers meeting was being arranged by WAG (Food), but I had not yet been told when this was scheduled.

I could only sympathise with this producer for trying to get organised. I reminded him that the only festival news that I was aware of was: Llanwrtyd Wells not going ahead, a new festival for Newcastle Emlyn in June and Really Wild Festival moving to July, but of course he already knew about those festivals as we’d circulated this news to our BOW producers as soon as we’d been informed.

 
6 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

 

Magnificent Mumbles Market

13 Dec

It’s quite some time since I have been to Mumbles Local Produce market, but couldn’t resist going when I was told of the plans for their Christmas festival celebration. Santa and his sleigh, courtesy of the Round Table were on parade and how the children enjoyed that along with face painting, balloon modelling and the stilt walker, there was plenty to keep the amused. The Ariosa Singers were in fine choral voice and treated us to some splendid music along with festive carols. The Morris Dancers had no problem in keeping warm as they danced through their hectic repertoire – often persuading an unsuspecting member of the audience to join them too! It created a wonderful festive atmosphere, along with cookery demonstrations and some superb produce to taste and purchase. It really made the trek to Mumbles really worth the effort.

 Now I am not sure that the traders who actually sold out were delighted or cross that they hadn’t brought more stock with them!! Too much, too little, it’s impossible to work out, it really is.

 Robin Bonham and his hard-working team must be congratulated not only from continuing to put on their Local Market, but for working so hard on Saturday’s event. Parking is always an issue in Mumbles and I have no idea where everybody did manage to park, but the local shops that I spoke to wished Robin ran his market every week, not once a month.

Miller Research were there too, continuing their survey on behalf of WAG Food. As always they had on their stand the latest True Taste book available for people to take away, free of charge. It was sad therefore when I eventually left the festival, that the first waste bin I walked passed had a True Taste book in it. I have no idea how many of these are printed, or the cost or the wastage, but if WAG wishes to continue to fund this give-away, why does it not consider printing a Welsh version and English version instead of forcing us to take a bi-lingual tilt-and-turn copy? As WAG Food budgets, like all others are squeezed, can we not look to reduce this obvious wastage? I cannot see any problem of having two versions, one Welsh, one English providing both are available, can you?

 
1 Comment

Posted in Uncategorized

 
« Older Entries