Ceredigion distillery workers to take on ‘helicopter half
The event, dubbed the 'Helicopter Half', is being organised to support the life-saving work of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which provides emergency air cover across the country. Between them, the distillery team will be walking, jogging and running a continuous lap route around their own site until they hit the magic 13.68 miles. The Distillery is also inviting the local community to get involved – whether by donating, cheering them on, or even running alongside for part (or all) of the distance.
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Reuters
30-05-2025
- Reuters
Sweden eases alcohol monopoly one bottle at a time
STOCKHOLM, May 31 (Reuters) - If Anna Anerfalt gets a license to sell gin, whiskey and schnapps to visitors at her family's distillery near Norrtalje in Sweden, the first thing she will have to do is warn them of the dangers of alcohol. From June 1, small-scale breweries, vineyards and distilleries will be able to sell direct to customers - the first easing of Sweden's more than 100 year-old alcohol sales monopoly. The aim is to boost tourism and help craft producers to grow, while preserving the role of Systembolaget - state booze shops - in limiting access to alcohol and damage to public health. "The whole event has to start off with a warning about the risks of drinking alcohol," Anna Anerfalt, CEO of the Norrtalje Branneri said, describing one of the conditions set in return for the right to sell. She supports strict alcohol controls and said she was positive about the change to the law. "I'm not sure it will affect the sales of our product that much, though, because each visitor is only allowed to buy one bottle," she said. Under the new rules, distilleries like Norrtalje will be able to sell a 0.7 litre bottle directly to visitors after a paid tour between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Sales at vineyards and micro-breweries will be capped at 3 litres. A 2021 government committee report estimated an increase in alcohol sales of around 200,000 litres a year across Sweden, or less than 1% of sales at Systembolaget. Swedes have long fretted about the health effects of alcohol consumption, only narrowly voting against prohibition in 1922. The World Health Organisation says the Nordic region's strict alcohol policies, which include some of the highest booze taxes in Europe, contribute to relatively low consumption and reduce negative health effects. Even a small change to alcohol laws is controversial. "Increased alcohol consumption leads to more social problems," Alexander Ojanne, head of Social Affairs and Public Safety at Stockholm's municipal council, said. "We want to reduce those social problems as much as possible." Stockholm's numerous micro-breweries will only be able to sell when Systembolaget is open - meaning no late evenings, Saturday afternoons or Sundays. Others see bigger worries. Sweden got an exception to free market rules for Systembolaget when it joined the European Union in 1995 and some fret that Brussels could now demand a bigger change. "The problem isn't farm sales in itself, rather we think that it threatens Systembolaget's monopoly," Lucas Nilsson, the chairman of Sweden's biggest temperance organisation IOGT-NTO said. "Ultimately, it could mean we have to dismantle Systembolaget," Nilsson said. The government will review the law after six years.
Cambrian News
10-05-2025
- Cambrian News
Ceredigion distillery workers to take on ‘helicopter half
The event, dubbed the 'Helicopter Half', is being organised to support the life-saving work of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, which provides emergency air cover across the country. Between them, the distillery team will be walking, jogging and running a continuous lap route around their own site until they hit the magic 13.68 miles. The Distillery is also inviting the local community to get involved – whether by donating, cheering them on, or even running alongside for part (or all) of the distance.
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Business News Wales
Cash Boost for Wales Air Ambulance
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity has received a £1,000 donation from a Swansea-based business. The donation was made by the Amazon fulfilment centre in Swansea. The money will be used to help keep the charity's helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to patients and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. The service is delivered via a unique third-sector and public-sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the charity's vehicles. This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident. As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on donations to raise the £11.2 million required every year to maintain the helicopter and rapid response vehicle operation. Following the donation, members of Amazon's Swansea team paid a visit to the Dafen airbase of the Wales Air Ambulance where they met with clinicians and a pilot. The charity's Regional Fundraising Manager, Christian Sullivan, said: 'We want to extend a huge thank you to Amazon in Swansea for their incredible support. Funds like this are vitally important and help us raise the money we need to run our lifesaving service. 'It was wonderful to welcome some members of the team to our Dafen base so they could meet the clinicians and pilot and learn more about the work we do.' Darrell George is the General Manager's Assistant at Amazon in Swansea. He said: 'We have supported the Wales Air Ambulance over several years. We ask our team which charities they would like to benefit from our charitable giving, and a donation is then made as a show of appreciation for the incredible work done by the chosen organisation. On this occasion, that goes to the clinicians and pilots of Wales Air Ambulance. 'We were all excited about coming to the base to see the helicopter and meet the crew. I couldn't believe how small the cockpit was. It's so snug in there and they've got to fit in so much equipment. Wales Air Ambulance travels the length and breadth of Wales and must conduct procedures in the most difficult situations. You cannot help but be in awe – it's a phenomenal service.' Amazon in Swansea plans to continue supporting Wales Air Ambulance in 2025.
