Bird in Hand near Pontarddulais is pub of the week
The Bird in Hand is a traditional country pub and restaurant at the heart of the community in Fforest, near Pontarddulais.
The pub has been an integral part of the community for more than 200 years, and it is independently owned.
In 2019, the Bird in Hand was renovated extensively, and with the support of locals, it has re-taken its place as a hub of the community.
(Image: Supplied)
The Bird in Hand is proud to say that its owner has been farming for 20 years.
The main farm, Pontabraham, is about two miles from the pub, with the fields directly opposite the pub being part of the holding.
All of the lamb used in the restaurant comes from this farm.
The pub believes that this factor contributes greatly to the flavour, taste, and texture of the meat.
(Image: Supplied) The pub also has Welsh-speaking staff members, air-conditioned restaurants, and a large car park.
There is outdoor seating with panoramic views over the valley.
It is a dog-friendly pub, welcoming dogs in the bar and snug areas, where a fresh bowl of water and a dog treat will be waiting.
Also available in the bar and snug areas is the main menu, specials, bar bites, and a wide selection of draughts, wines, and cocktails.
(Image: Supplied) The pub also has a function room.
The function room is upstairs, has air conditioning, and is free to hire.
It is available for all events, including private meetings, birthday celebrations, weddings, christenings, anniversaries, and family gatherings.
The pub serves homemade food, with a range of dishes available.
(Image: Supplied) A spokesperson for the pub said: "The Bird in Hand has been an integral part of the community for more than 200 years and has a warm welcome for all.
"We are very proud to say that the owner has been farming for some 20 years.
"All the lamb for our lamb dishes served at the Bird comes from our home farm.
"This is something we are very proud of."
The Bird in Hand is open from noon every day.
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Wales Online
4 hours ago
- Wales Online
Cosmeston Lake campaigners form human chain in protest over aqua park 'tragedy'
Cosmeston Lake campaigners form human chain in protest over aqua park 'tragedy' 'It's just a crazy idea. The thought of it makes me feel really upset' Peaceful protesters formed a human chain (Image: Mark Lewis ) Hundreds of people gathered together to make a human chain around a beautiful Welsh lake where there are plans to set up a controversial water park. On Saturday morning people from the Vale of Glamorgan displayed their concerns that the plans could cause parking chaos and harm wildlife at Cosmeston Country Park. Plans to move the Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to the eastern lake at the park were unveiled in May with an opening date set for July 5. A trial of the inflatable water course is set to last eight weeks over the summer months. Cosmeston Country Park covers 100 acres of land in Penarth, with an abundance of wildlife habitats, including that of the critically endangered water vole. Part of the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest ensuring the protection of the rare and diverse plant and animal species that live there. With this in mind protesters came together in the hope that they can prevent the council going ahead and facilitating the water park - which they say is highly inappropriate for Cosmeston. Hundreds of people turned up (Image: Mark Lewis ) Vale of Glamorgan Council has previously said the aqua park would be a "great addition" to the site, and said there is "appetite locally" for the proposals. Article continues below WalesOnline went along to speak to some of the campaigners about why they decided to show their support on Saturday. Mark Rosomon was there with his wife Amanda. The 64-year-old said: 'We are here today because we are residents of Penarth. We have been for more than 30 years. Cosmeston is known for its beauty and peace (Image: Mark Lewis ) 'We believe this park is of great importance. It's been about 50 years old in the making and they want to scrap all that for the sake of making a few quid to help the council out. 'By the numbers here today you can see that people are against this water park. They've told us for years that the water is unsafe to swim in. 'It belongs to the people and it should remain belonging to the people for their personal enjoyment.' People are concerned for the wildlife (Image: Mark Lewis ) He said the couple's concerns are environmental, particularly the potential impact it may have on animals as well as more cars coming into the area. They want the decision to be reversed (Image: Mark Lewis ) 'All the [plans] will do is bring more people in from outside the area and we already don't have the infrastructure - it's going to increase the traffic,' he said. 'Already at the moment we can't move around Penarth and there is no parking. 'We came here today on our bicycles purely to come to this protest to show our support. We often walk our dog here. Even though we live in the town we walk to Cosmeston via the railway track that is there for pedestrian use. 'With all the pedestrianisation, why do we want to be bringing more and more vehicles into this area that is already crammed?' Mark and Amanda hold the fish and duck shaped signs (Image: Mark Lewis ) Elsie Phillips from Penarth and Kathie Thomas from Barry brought with them a huge poster that read: 'Stop the aqua park." Elsie, 70, said: 'It's a tragedy for the wildlife at Cosmeston. It's going to ruin the peaceful aspect of the whole park. It's just a crazy idea. The thought of it makes me feel really upset.' Kathie, 69, added: 'I'm here because I appreciate nature. I've always lived in Barry and I use Cosmeston a lot and I am really fed up with the council because they just do not listen. 'They seem to be deaf to any objection, so I want to do my bit. I don't usually do anything like this but I do think this is a really important cause. 'I think they are looking for money regardless. I don't think they are thinking of improving facilities here. I am pleased with the turn out but I would like it if more people were here.' Elsie is far left of the sign and Kathie is on the far left (Image: Mark Lewis ) Barry Action for Nature members Claire Curtis, Robert Curtis and Rebecca Glasson said they are not against aqua parks, but believe it would be inappropriate to bring one to Cosmeston. They said they enjoy watching birds at the park and that it would put them off wanting to visit - as well as possibly discouraging such birds to nest there. Claire, 61, said: 'We are members of Barry Action for Nature and the aqua park being here at Cosmeston is completely the wrong place. 'We aren't against aquaparks but somewhere else, not here. This is a country park for nature and peace and we are totally against it being located here. 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Locals believe it is inappropriate to have the water park at Cosmeston (Image: Mark Lewis ) Rebecca Glasson added: 'It's classed as a conservation area and I worry about the impact, the disturbance to wildlife and nesting birds aren't going to nest around here with so much noise.' Anne Turnbull and her husband Steve were also present. Anne, 63, pointed out that part of the country park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). In Wales it is strongly discouraged and often prohibited to build on these. She said she believes they have gotten around this because the water park is considered temporary. Anne and Steve also disagree with the plans (Image: Mark Lewis ) She said: 'This is a SSRI. They got around it because you are not allowed to put any permanent development even within the vicinity of, let alone in an SSRI. They got around it by saying it's temporary. 'The council were judge and jury. It's going against every grain that you could put something in temporarily for the next 10 years. There was a letter sent out a few years [ago] saying that you can't build in an SSRI - and they found a way around it.' Marc Harris is a local nature writer who was invited to the protest to read an extract from his book 'South and West Wales. Its Wildlife, People and Places'. Marc Harries (Image: Mark Lewis ) He was invited after he shared a picture on social media of one of Cosmeston's beautiful water voles eating an apple. He said: 'I put a post on Facebook of a photo I took of a water vole and got a lot of likes because they're cute. The cute water vole enjoying an apple at Cosmeston (Image: Marc Harries ) 'I write about nature and I've written about Cosmeston and Barry Island, so they invited me to read an extract from my book. 'It's important to me because it's completely the wrong place for an aqua park. 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"Trying new things is at the heart of what we do as an ambitious Council, and this pilot could also enable further income opportunities for our Country Parks – especially in supporting the re-wilding and conservation work already underway at Cosmeston. "The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked with a number of partner agencies to ensure that the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors to enjoy – including a detailed programme of water testing work." Connor James, founder of Aqua Park Cardiff, previously said: "We're thrilled to bring Aqua Park Cardiff to Cosmeston Lakes by partnering with The Vale of Glamorgan Council. "The Country Park is a fantastic venue for our exciting watersport experience, perfect for supervised adventure and family fun. With an exciting new course of obstacles, we can't wait to welcome visitors to our incredible new home. "We are also really excited to be playing our part in giving people and families much-needed access to active outdoor experience, in a controlled and supervised environment to help boost their physical and mental well-being." Article continues below
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
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How Shetland's women became the toast of Tasmania
The potato blight had left Shetland communities on their knees. With many of the islands' menfolk away at sea, women far outnumbered the remaining men. Where on earth could a young woman go to find a future? Enter the formidable Lady Jane Franklin. Well-educated and, crucially, well-travelled, her arrival in Lerwick in 1849 could scarcely have been under less dramatic circumstances. And thanks to her, Shetland's single ladies and young widows were to become the most prized women of them all... Bereft after the disappearance of her famous explorer husband Sir John Franklin as he led a doomed search for a Northwest passage, Lady Jane had originally set foot in Shetland hoping to quiz the seafaring communities of the northernmost islands of the British Isles for clues to help find him. Read more by Sandra Dick: But once there, she encountered a generation of young women with remarkable qualities. Hardworking, resilient, church-going and English-speaking: ideal, she realised, for a new life as far away as possible from the windswept and bleak futures stretching before them in Shetland. Before long, Lady Jane and her companions were at the helm of an extraordinary female emigration scheme that aimed to deliver up to 500 young Shetland women to another island almost 12,000 miles away, Tasmania. For the Shetland women who dared to leave, the hope of a new and better life came at an enormous price: they would almost certainly never see their families or homeland again. But for those who eagerly awaited their arrival in Tasmania, there was a particular promise: Shetland women, they were told, were a cut above all the rest, they were 'moral, industrious and …infinitely superior to the usual run of female emigrant…' Lady Jane Franklin by Thomas Bock, 1838 (Image: Public domain) As it happened, the bold emigration scheme would not quite succeed as planned – far from delivering 500, the number of young Shetland women who made the demanding sea journey to new lives in Australia barely reached 50. And despite its high-profile figurehead, a backdrop of desperation and poverty set against the incredible leap of faith of those who dared make the arduous journey to the ends of earth, the Shetland female emigration scheme would go on to be largely forgotten. Meanwhile, those intrepid young Shetland women who did forge new lives in Tasmania - among them the Thomas sisters and the 18-year-old Anne Beattie and Barbara Hughson - little trace would remain and there would be few clues as to what happened next. The Shetland Female Emigration Society and the women it delivered to Tasmania may have remained lost in time but for a French-based university professor, Véronique Molinari. Having uncovered details of the scheme by chance, she now hopes to discover what may have become of the young women who gambled on a new life on the other side of the globe. That means scouring Australian archives for clues as to what became of them there, and the hope that back in Shetland, there may be some descendants. 'Finding out what happened to the young women who emigrated thanks to Shetland Female Emigration Fund still remains to be done, but is difficult to find out,' she says. 'It was not uncommon for single men to emigrate and then to go back home – up to a third of Scots single men who went to Australia eventually came back. 'But women didn't tend to ever go back.' She was looking into how the potato famine in Ireland had led to thousands of Irish female orphans being uprooted and sent to new lives in Australia, when she came across newspaper articles referring to hundreds of Shetland women also destined for Tasmania. Read more: What particularly struck her was the glowing references to the Shetland women's qualities: hailed for their looks, their skills, ability to adapt to harsh countryside and undaunted by remote landscapes - and English speaking - they were clearly considered to be a better class of emigrant. But despite being eagerly awaited in Tasmania between 1853 and 1856, and with thousands of pounds raised to help facilitate their passage, only a handful actually made the journey. That left the puzzle: why did so few make the journey, what made Shetland women so prized and what was life like for those who travelled? 'This particular research about the Shetland Female Emigration Society almost drove me mad,' says Véronique, Professor of British Studies at Grenoble Alpes University in France. 'The Australian press and archives I had access to regularly referred to those single females from the Shetland Islands who were eagerly awaited by the colonists in Tasmania, yet I found no trace of them having ever left or arrived. 'It took me about two years to understand what had happened.' Lerwick, Shetland (Image: NQ) The mid-19th century potato blight brought death and misery to communities stretching from Ireland, across the Highlands and Islands and to the tip of the British Isles, in Shetland. At the same time, demand was soaring from colonies such as Australia for fit and healthy men and women to help build the country and who wanted to make new lives for themselves. Shetland women were particularly suited – at least, it seems, to Lady Jane Franklin, a founder of the British Ladies' Female Emigrant Society and who had personal experience of life Down Under. She arrived in Lerwick having spent several years by her husband's side in his role as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land (the colonial name of Tasmania). With the race on to map a Northwest passage, Sir John was appointed to lead what would be the doomed Franklin Expedition, with 24 officers and 110 men on board the ill-fated HMS Terror and HMS Erabus bound for the Arctic. With both vessels missing - later horror stories would emerge of the ships becoming ice-bound, supplies running out and crews resorting to cannibalism - Lady Jane embarked on a determined search, leading her to Shetland and its seafarers. On the same boat to Shetland was John Dunmore Lang, a Church of Scotland minister who had become well-known in his adopted Australia and who, as it happened, was in the midst of a tour of Scotland aimed at attracting new blood to the colony. The unmarried and widowed young women in Shetland appeared to both of them as ideal candidates for emigration. It seems they were knocking at an open door: Lady Jane was soon receiving attention from young Shetland women eager to find out if they might be suitable candidates for emigration. As well as poverty and famine, a key problem for Shetland women, found Veronique, was a gaping gender imbalance: the hazardous nature of the islands' men's work – often sailors or fishermen – meant the number of single women and young widows far exceeded the men. Cradle mountain, Tasmania (Image: Public domain - With confidence growing that there was no shortage of Shetland women willing to make the bold move, a philanthropic fund was launched to attract donations from around the country to pay for their passage to Tasmania. A Lerwick committee selected 21 for the first voyage to Tasmania on board the Joseph Soames, leaving from London in mid-August 1850. All but just two – knitter Anne and another woman, Elizabeth Smith, 20, who gave her job as housemaid – were listed as farm servants. They ranged from just 18 years old to the oldest, Henderson Jamieson, aged 31. Some appear to have been related: Helen and Jane Ninianson, aged 21 and 26, Elizabeth and Catherine Smith, 21 and 22, and Catherine and Elizabeth Tait, 28 and 22 seem almost certain to have been sisters. The journey south was long and hard but horror tales of dreadful conditions, violence and even on board rape meant that unlike many other emigrants, the Shetland women were given support of a matron and access to learning materials on board to make the journey more bearable. Their ship arrived at Port Adelaide on 23 November, with all 21 engaged to work with families with 24 hours of their arrival. According to one record, they arrived 'in the highest terms of their fitness, as far as could be ascertained, for the life they are to lead, of their pleasing and gentle manners, their good temper, their gratitude for the attention shown them, and their anxiety to employ themselves usefully.' While the ship's captain, Robert Craigie praised them as 'moral, very industrious, cleanly in their habits, accustomed to work in the fields, and when not so engaged to manufacture hosiery. 'They are religious, simple in their tastes, they speak English, and the appearance of most of them is pleasing. 'Indeed, I need not say they are infinitely superior to the usual run of female emigrants you are accustomed to see landed on your shores.' The Australian press and emigration societies could scarcely contain their excitement. Whereas Irish orphan emigrants were often sneered at and met with disparaging comments about their ability to work and look after their personal hygiene, the Shetland women were praised as Scandinavian in looks, and 'well adapted for country work', for their moral character and interest in religious worship. Shetland women were considered to be 'Presbyterian wives' used to isolation and skilled in the essentials for life in the bush such as 'baking, brewing, candle-making, carding, spinning, dairying, tending of cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, caring of meat for winter stores, planting, hoeing, and clearing the garden and fields'. Their resilient nature – largely honed by the absence of men on the islands – and use of English and not Gaelic like their Hebridean counterparts, was also seen as a major benefit for teaching reading and writing. Hopes were high that 300 and even up to 500 Shetland women would make the journey. There would be disappointment, however. The next ship carried only 25, among them 17-year-old Martha Halcron accompanied by, presumably, her 19-year-old sister, Janet, and it would be the last. Despite having appeared eager to emigrate, when push came to shove the close-knit Shetland family structure meant even those with few prospects and a bleak future found leaving home for Tasmania a step too far. Although £5,500 had been sent from Australian colonists to pay specifically for the Shetland women's passage to Tasmania, the funds were diverted by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commission to pay for emigrants from England, Ireland and the Highlands to other locations. Much to Tasmanian despair, not another Shetland woman would make the journey. According to Veronique, whose research article has been published on Edinburgh University Press, the episode sheds interesting light on how Shetland women were regarded compared to other emigrants, and upends the notion that women were reluctant emigrants, forced into leaving their homes for new life abroad. 'The contrast between the image of these fair-haired, blue-eyed, hard-working and religious Shetlanders, was simply astonishing when compared to how other female emigrants had been perceived,' she says. 'This research has mostly affected the view I had of women emigrants as victims. "I was amazed to find how the women in Shetland showed up to enquire about emigrating. Obviously, with so few men around, there was not much in Shetland left for them. "What made it more reassuring for them was new emigration societies being created by women like Lady Jane Franklin, and that they would be taken care of. 'The extent of the gender imbalance in Shetland and Orkney - the highest in the UK - (meant) emigrating to the other end of the world was a choice, and an act of immense courage.'
South Wales Guardian
14 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Bird in Hand near Pontarddulais is pub of the week
The Bird in Hand is a traditional country pub and restaurant at the heart of the community in Fforest, near Pontarddulais. The pub has been an integral part of the community for more than 200 years, and it is independently owned. In 2019, the Bird in Hand was renovated extensively, and with the support of locals, it has re-taken its place as a hub of the community. (Image: Supplied) The Bird in Hand is proud to say that its owner has been farming for 20 years. The main farm, Pontabraham, is about two miles from the pub, with the fields directly opposite the pub being part of the holding. All of the lamb used in the restaurant comes from this farm. The pub believes that this factor contributes greatly to the flavour, taste, and texture of the meat. (Image: Supplied) The pub also has Welsh-speaking staff members, air-conditioned restaurants, and a large car park. There is outdoor seating with panoramic views over the valley. It is a dog-friendly pub, welcoming dogs in the bar and snug areas, where a fresh bowl of water and a dog treat will be waiting. Also available in the bar and snug areas is the main menu, specials, bar bites, and a wide selection of draughts, wines, and cocktails. (Image: Supplied) The pub also has a function room. The function room is upstairs, has air conditioning, and is free to hire. It is available for all events, including private meetings, birthday celebrations, weddings, christenings, anniversaries, and family gatherings. The pub serves homemade food, with a range of dishes available. (Image: Supplied) A spokesperson for the pub said: "The Bird in Hand has been an integral part of the community for more than 200 years and has a warm welcome for all. "We are very proud to say that the owner has been farming for some 20 years. "All the lamb for our lamb dishes served at the Bird comes from our home farm. "This is something we are very proud of." The Bird in Hand is open from noon every day.
