#crosshands — Public Fediverse posts

CHARITY: How many labradors can you fit in an articulated lorry? Castell Howell finds out for Guide Dogs

A Welsh food company has come up with an ingenious solution to an unlikely logistical puzzle – how to transport 30 life-sized labrador-shaped collecting boxes from near Wigan to South Wales, where Swansea prison inmates were waiting to restore them.

Castell Howell Foods, one of Wales’s largest family-run food wholesalers based in Cross Hands, stepped in after Guide Dogs charity found itself facing a 220-mile transport problem. The charity’s iconic collecting boxes – which help raise vital funds to support people with sight loss – had been awaiting repair at the Guide Dogs centre near Wigan and needed to make their way to HMP Swansea, where a prison workshop had agreed to restore them.

The solution was elegantly simple. One of Castell Howell’s empty lorries was diverted to its satellite depot at St Martin’s near Wrexham, collected the canine cargo, and brought all 30 boxes safely back to the company’s Cross Hands headquarters before onward delivery to Swansea.

Martin Jones, Castell Howell’s Director of Transport Operations, said the company had not hesitated when it heard of the charity’s predicament. “The Guide Dogs charity raises vital funds to support those with sight loss, so when we heard of their predicament we didn’t hesitate to offer a solution,” he said.

He added: “It was a real team effort, with staff at our St Martin’s depot playing a key role in ensuring the safe collection and delivery of the precious cargo to our headquarters in Cross Hands. We’re looking forward to seeing the restored collection boxes and wish the charity continued success with its fundraising.”

Natalie DeMaid, Regional Fundraising Community Manager for Guide Dogs, said the charity was grateful to Castell Howell for finding such a creative solution. “These collecting boxes bring in vital cash to help Guide Dogs provide its life-changing services to people with sight loss,” she said. “They are bright, colourful, and lifelike, and we look forward to placing them in key locations so the community can enjoy them.”

Once at HMP Swansea, the boxes will be washed, filled, repaired and repainted by prisoners to a high standard before being returned to public locations across the region. A prison spokesperson said the project provided meaningful rehabilitation opportunities, allowing prisoners to develop practical skills and build confidence.

“Prisoners gain a strong sense of pride and responsibility by taking part in work that directly benefits the wider community,” the spokesperson said.

The partnership between HMP Swansea and Guide Dogs has seen the prison workshop become a key part of the charity’s restoration operation in South Wales, with inmates learning valuable trade skills while helping to keep the charity’s fundraising infrastructure in working order.

Castell Howell, which is headquartered in Cross Hands and delivers food to pubs, restaurants, schools and hospitals across Wales, has a long track record of supporting community and charitable causes across the region.

The restored boxes will be placed in key public locations once the work at HMP Swansea is complete, where they will once again be collecting donations to fund the charity’s life-changing work with people with sight loss.

Guide Dogs supports people living with sight loss to have the confidence, skills and support they need to live life to the full. Anyone wishing to support the charity can find out more at guidedogs.org.uk.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea prisoners refurbish iconic Guide Dogs collection boxes while gaining trade skills
How the HMP Swansea workshop became part of Guide Dogs’ restoration operation in South Wales.

Llanelli guide dog Lilly steals the show at Wales’s oldest camera club after model gets stuck in traffic
The story of a very special four-legged substitute model who charmed a whole camera club.

Carmarthenshire mum says Guide Dogs support was a lifeline after baby son diagnosed with albinism
A touching account of how the charity’s wider support services helped one local family.

Blind woman credits guide dog for confidence to complete football club’s circuit training
How one woman’s guide dog gave her the courage to take on a brand new physical challenge.

“HEATING CRISIS HITTING US HARD”: Carmarthenshire families ‘forced to pay triple’ as oil reliance laid bare

The figures have sparked calls for urgent action from independent Senedd candidate Carl Peters-Bond, who warned families are being left with “no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

Villages among worst hit in Wales

Data highlighted by the BBC shows just how exposed parts of the county are:

• 69% of households in Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes rely on oil
• 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel
• 41% in Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside

Across Wales, around 7% of homes depend on oil — but that figure jumps dramatically in rural areas like Carmarthenshire.

Bills double — and supplies dry up

The warning comes as families across Wales report being left without heating or forced to pay sky-high prices.

In one case reported by the BBC, a family saw a £323 oil order cancelled — only to be forced to pay £750 elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a man in Garnant said his annual bill could soar from £1,000 to £3,000, adding: “The heating has gone off… I’m basically having to dress up and keep moving.”

“People have no choice”

Peters-Bond said the crisis is already biting in Carmarthenshire:

“This crisis is hitting Carmarthenshire directly. When two-thirds of households in some communities rely on oil, people have no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

He said funding announced by the UK Government must be targeted at rural areas first.

£3.8m for Wales — but who gets it?

The UK Government has unveiled a £53 million support package for households hit by rising oil prices — with £3.8 million allocated to Wales.

But Peters-Bond warned the money must not get lost in bureaucracy:

“The UK Government has released funding — now the Welsh Government must make sure every penny of that £3.8m reaches the rural households who need it most.”

“Competition won’t fix this”

While industry bodies have welcomed a review into oil pricing, Peters-Bond said that won’t help families stuck off the gas grid:

“Rural families aren’t choosing oil because it’s cheap — they’re choosing it because they’ve been left without options. Competition only works when people can switch.”

Calls for urgent action

He is now calling for:

• Emergency financial support for oil-dependent households
• A major retrofit programme to help homes switch to cheaper, greener heating
• A long-term plan to reduce reliance on volatile oil markets

Global crisis hitting local homes

The surge in prices has been linked to rising global oil costs amid conflict in the Middle East — with experts warning the situation could worsen heading into winter.

And for many in rural Carmarthenshire, the message is clear: without urgent help, the coming months could be even tougher.

“You can’t copy-and-paste urban policies onto rural Wales,” Peters-Bond added.
“Carmarthenshire needs solutions designed for Carmarthenshire.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police warn oil‑heated homes to secure supplies
Officers urge vigilance after a rise in thefts from outdoor tanks.

Most home insurance covers loss of domestic oil
New analysis shows 90% of policies include protection for stolen fuel.

Homeowners urged to check oil tanks
Environmental experts warn leaks can cause costly, avoidable pollution.

New £15m eco‑business hubs filling up fast, says Welsh Government as demand surges in Carmarthenshire

Ministers say the £15m investment — jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council — has delivered new sustainable business units at Parc Gelli Werdd in Cross Hands and a second scheme now under construction at Beechwood Industrial Estate in Llandeilo.

According to the Welsh Government, Parc Gelli Werdd’s 26 “state‑of‑the‑art” workshops and offices are already demonstrating “strong market demand” for low‑carbon premises. The Government says the site includes an energy‑management system allowing tenants to control electricity use for cost efficiencies, alongside high‑performance insulation and solar panels designed to reduce running costs and environmental impact.

Officials say the development is around 70% let, with further enquiries being considered for the remaining units.

The Welsh Government also says five new energy‑efficient industrial units are being built at Beechwood Industrial Estate. The scheme, due for completion in June, is described by ministers as being designed to meet a “Net Zero carbon in‑operation target” and will include electric vehicle charging points.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said businesses consistently highlight the need for modern, flexible space.

“Businesses tell us how access to modern business spaces is crucial to helping them expand and grow,” she said. “Both of these developments in Carmarthenshire deliver to exceptional environmental standards and will reduce operational costs for occupying businesses whilst minimising environmental impact.”

Carmarthenshire County Council says the partnership is helping create high‑quality space for local firms. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism Cllr Hazel Evans said the new units will support business growth in the county.

“Through collaborative working with Welsh Government, these energy‑efficient commercial units will provide fantastic, flexible spaces for businesses in Carmarthenshire to thrive,” she said.

Coroner calls for safety action following death of Swansea solicitor Emily Thornton-Sandy

His action follows the devastating collision in which Emily died after another driver travelled the wrong way down the dual carriageway. The coroner recorded a conclusion of Road Traffic Collision.

Emily, from Pontarddulais, had been travelling home from a veterinary appointment at around midday on 5 November 2024 when the collision occurred between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands.

Her dog, Scout, sadly died shortly afterwards. Emily was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but died six days later from catastrophic injuries. The collision involved two other vehicles.

At the inquest on 3 December 2025 at Llanelli Town Hall, Senior Coroner Paul Bennett said a 90-year-old driver had pulled out of a junction on the eastbound side of the A48 near Cross Hands, leaving Emily no time to react. Two other vehicles were also struck in the tragic sequence of events.

Evidence from Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the road was in good condition, the weather was dry and overcast, visibility was clear, and the junction already had a sign instructing drivers to turn left. No emergency braking marks were found, and both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

The inquest also heard that the driver who caused the collision had been seen by a medic at his home two days earlier after experiencing a sudden loss of consciousness. He was assessed following the episode but, the court heard, there had been no medical instruction or clear indication at that time that he should not continue driving.

In light of the evidence, the coroner confirmed he will raise concerns with the South Wales Trunk Road Agency and Carmarthenshire Council about the junction from which the other driver exited moments before the fatal crash.

Emily’s family have welcomed the decision, hoping it will draw attention to long-standing safety concerns on a stretch of road where Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 169 crashes in just 12 months. However, they remain gravely concerned that further markings alone will not prevent future incidents, given that clear signage is already in place.

Emily’s family have described her as intelligent, kind and compassionate, devoted to her work supporting people affected by asbestos exposure, and passionate about literature and houseplants. Three people benefited from organ donation following her heartbreaking death.

During the inquest, where the family were represented by Thompsons Solicitors, statements from Emily’s husband and parents were read out.

Her husband, Stuart, said he would do all he could to prevent other families suffering similar loss. He said:

“Nobody should have to see their wife as I saw Emily in hospital. Emily lost her life, and I lost my future. I never envisaged living my life without her. I felt like I lost purpose when I lost Emily and Scout.”

Emily’s parents described her death as an avoidable tragedy and urged people to speak up if they have concerns about the driving ability of an elderly relative, in the hope that it may prevent another family enduring such unbearable grief.

Helen Shakespeare, Partner at Thompsons Solicitors and the family’s legal representative, said:

“Emily’s death was devastating to all who knew and loved her. The inquest has shown that what happened was entirely avoidable.

“The family therefore welcome the coroner’s decision to raise concerns with the highways authorities, but they remain deeply worried that more meaningful action is needed to address the wider safety issues on a road where so many serious incidents have occurred.”

[Lead image: Family photo]

#A40Collision #collision #CrossHands #EmilyThorntonSandy #PontAbraham

Top award for founder of Gower View Foods

The annual award recognises individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the Welsh dairy industry. 

Established in 2007, under Jon Lewis’ leadership, Gower View Foods has grown into one of the UK’s most recognised independent butter and dairy co-packers, supplying leading brands for many of the major retailers and food service providers across the UK and Europe.

Based at a modern, purpose-built manufacturing facility in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, the company’s co-packing capabilities range from portion-sized butter and bulk block production to a wide range of flavoured butters, flavoured creams, and promotional packaging solutions.

In addition to its co-packing services, Gower View Foods also produces its own range of products, including the notable Shirgar Butter and Ísey Skyr, made using a traditional Icelandic recipe on its state-of-the-art Ultra Filtration plant.

Recognised as one of the 50 fastest-growing businesses in Wales in 2020, the company’s success has been driven by a flexible, collaborative approach and more than 30 years of collective experience in the dairy industry. 

Under Mr Lewis’s leadership, the company has created skilled jobs in West Wales and has made a substantial contribution to the local economy through sustained investment, product development, and rural employment. 

Sustainability is a cornerstone of operations, with ongoing investment in renewable energy generation, recyclable packaging, plastic reduction initiatives, and advanced effluent treatment systems, supporting both environmental objectives and long-term business resilience.

The award was presented to Mr Lewis at the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ annual Eve of the Welsh Dairy Show Dinner, sponsored by NatWest Cymru, held at Carmarthen Livestock Market on Monday, 27 October 2025.

Presenting the award, FUW President Ian Rickman said:

“Jon Lewis’s leadership has made a significant contribution to the Welsh dairy sector. Through his focus on innovation, sustainability, and job creation, he has demonstrated how strong business vision can deliver real benefits for both the industry and rural communities. His achievements with Gower View Foods are an excellent example of how Welsh dairy can compete and thrive on a national stage.”

Rhys Williams, Director, Commercial Banking at NatWest Swansea & West Wales said:

“Jon Lewis has shown how strong leadership and strategic investment can turn a local business into a national success story. 

“His achievements with Gower View Foods demonstrate how commercial success and community benefit can go hand in hand, creating skilled employment, supporting local supply chains, and contributing to the wider prosperity of rural Wales. 

“NatWest Cymru is proud to help celebrate such an inspiring example of sustainable business growth.”

#CrossHands #FarmersUnionOfWales #GowerViewFoods #Natwest #WelshDairyShow

Cross Hands business to give old tyres a new life

Tuf Treads will save old tyres from landfill by using them to produce premium re-treaded tyres using latest manufacturing technology. Re-treading gives suitable tyres a new start once the original tread is worn away.

Based at Cross Hands Strategic Employment Site, the new factory will see 30 new jobs created.

It is backed by £400k from the Economy Futures Fund and £220k Circular Economy Funding from the Welsh Government.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “This new facility will fill a gap in the market for the successful Tuf Treads – saving up to 30kg of rubber, 20kg of steel and 60kg of CO2 from landfill each time a truck or bus tyre is re-treaded.

“The innovative and sustainable nature of this service is exactly the sort of business practice we want to support as we nurture a greener economy based around the industries of the future.

“It will also create good quality jobs, helping to drive prosperity and equip people with the right skills for our changing world.”

Tuf Treads Director Dan Rees said: “As a proud Welsh company, Tuf Treads is delighted to have been able to grow its business over recent years. We are grateful for Welsh Government’s contribution to our £3m plus investment in our new factory in Cross Hands.

“We will be the leading manufacturers of first-class, retreaded tyres in Wales. However, for us, this isn’t just about developing the business. Importantly it is also about creating new, skilled jobs within the local community and helping to grow the Welsh economy.

“Equally significant is the way in which our new initiative helps Wales fulfil its net zero commitments by producing high quality tyres from recycled, used tyres that otherwise would be in landfill.

“As a local Pontyberem man, I’m committed to doing all I can to help our communities here and across Wales flourish and thrive.” 

#Business #Carmarthenshire #CrossHands #Environment #RebeccaEvansMS #Recycling #tyres #WelshGovernment

Please enjoy this real-time, 6 hour 40 minute #bus journey from #Cardiff to #Bangor with stops at #Sarn, #Pen-y-bont, #PortTalbot #CrossHands, #Caerfyrddin, #Aberaeron, #Aberystwyth, #Machynlleth, #Dolgellau, #Porthmadog and #Caernarfon.

Gwyliwch ein taith #bws epig ar draws y wlad i ddathlu 40 mlynedd ers cychwyn y TrawsCambria, y gwasanaeth bws cenedlaethol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mxZlMP73Y

Please enjoy this real-time, 6 hour 40 minute #bus journey from #Cardiff to #Bangor with stops at #Sarn, #Pen-y-bont, #PortTalbot #CrossHands, #Caerfyrddin, #Aberaeron, #Aberystwyth, #Machynlleth, #Dolgellau, #Porthmadog and #Caernarfon.

Gwyliwch ein taith #bws epig ar draws y wlad i ddathlu 40 mlynedd ers cychwyn y TrawsCambria, y gwasanaeth bws cenedlaethol.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7mxZlMP73Y