Buck rarebit
Welsh rarebit is basically a posh cheese on toast, but with a rich, savoury twist. Add a poached or fried egg on top and – voilà – you've got yourself a Buck rarebit. This isn't a classic recipe with a thick bechamel sauce holding the ingredients together, but a simpler and quicker method using a little gluten-free self-raising flour.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Students split on Welsh Bacc as some brand it 'waste of time' but others back it
Students split on Welsh Bacc as some brand it 'waste of time' but others back it The post-16 Advanced Skills Welsh Baccalaureate is compulsory in most maintained schools and colleges even though the Welsh Government doesn't demand it Coleg Sir Gar A-level students Sam Bartlett and Ioan Armstrong (Image: Ioan Armstrong ) Students, parents, former pupils, and teachers have been airing their views on the Advanced Skills Welsh Baccalaureate. Some said the Wales-only qualification is a "waste of time" while others, including a qualified pharmacist, insist it's what got them into university. The post-16 100% coursework subject is compulsory in most maintained schools and colleges in Wales. Two students have launched a campaign to make it optional, which has got people talking. After WalesOnline wrote about the campaign by Coleg Sir Gar AS students Ioan Armstrong and Sam Bartlett lots of readers had something to say. Sam and Ioan say the qualification has some value for some students but not all and argued they shouldn't have to do it. Although the Welsh Bacc is not a compulsory subject legally the pair say that colleges and schools are effectively forced to make it compulsory because they get extra funding if all students take it. The friends put in freedom of information requests showing colleges get £1,000-plus per Welsh Bacc student. They have launched a petition to change the funding rules which has had 315 signatures in two days. The teenagers have also written to education minister Lynne Neagle asking her to change the funding, raised the matter with their college, and organised a separate 137-signature petition with classmates. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Article continues below Sam, 16, and Ioan, 17, say the 100%-coursework qualification piles on workload and stress at already pressured exam time. This means they don't have as much time for their other three A-levels, which could affect their grades. After reading their comments teenagers, parents, former students, and others responded to our story on Instagram with differing views. Some said the Welsh Bacc, as it's colloquially known, was valuable while others agreed with Sam and Ioan that it wasn't useful for them and shouldn't be compulsory.. The qualification holds Ucas points and is officially considered equal to an A-level. It is accepted by most universities but not for all courses such as some medical and other degrees. Lots of other teenagers agreed in the comments that the Welsh Bacc might be useful for some students but said it's unfair to make all pupils study for it. said: "It's a complete waste of time which could be better spent on subjects we actually chose to do." But jakob,j05 said the qualification helped his university application: "I think the Welsh bacc is a great backup A/A* grade for if your option choices don't go as well as you need. From personal experience, it was the reason I got into the uni I wanted so I fully support the course. As for the mandatory nature, I agree that it can be taxing on those taking other demanding A-levels, so making this an optional subject may very well improve the A-level experience for students." One commenter, morganm.2105, said they are now a qualified pharmacist thanks to the Wales-only qualification. "Welsh bac actually saved my uni application. Had a decent grade in it and it was taken into account when I went through clearing. Just finished my second year as a qualified pharmacist!" Another supporter, wrote: "Honestly Welsh bac was the subject that saved me when it came to going to a below average uni. A in that and cce in everything else. Needed 3cs and that's what got me in." But -sweetietooth_ had a less positive experience writing: "none of my university accepts welsh bacc as an A level. Such a waste of time" and wrote: "if the subject was optional no one would do it." Second-year A-level student betahnlh_ said she'd changed her views: "Personally, at first didn't like Welsh Bacc but now in year 2 of a levels it is amazing, the actual work isn't the best but a level exams are made to really just test how much you can remember at once not your skills and you have ti revise and remember so much, yet welsh bacc you get to do the whole course as coursework no exams and when you compare it to all of the other subjects you sit it is so much easier and you still get a strong grade and it gives you the skills ready to use in uni/ future education." This wasn't the case for who wrote: "God I hated Bacc. I don't know a single person who didn't tbh even the very top students that I knew who went on to Russel group unis thought it was a waste of time and tried to get out of it. Just stressful and unnecessary when the only thing you do is thing you would have done in other subjects anyway. Yes for some it was an easy A if you were good at coursework but it's hard to be passionate about such a tedious thing." And parent jockark reckoned it was too much work at already high-pressure exam time. "Welsh Bacc on top of 3 very demanding A levels has nearly tipped my child over the edge!! There's absolutely nothing Welsh or Wales across the course!!" Anther former student said it had been no help. "Did Welsh BACC and it had no benefit to my main subject I was studying in college, a complete waste of my time that could have been spent on studying for my main qualification that was actually gonna get me into uni," wrote brog_gram. Umamifooddesign said they chose to send their child across the border to avoid the Welsh Bacc: "Living on the border we had choices - our son went to school in England from senior school onwards. It was a family choice, primarily to avoid learning welsh at gcse level." Another commenter, a teacher, said: "Welsh Bacc can be used to your advantage when applying to uni, e.g. do your individual project on a related topic - gives you something extra to talk about on your form or at interview. Aspects of it could be improved, but it's not all bad. Welsh BACC is a fantastic course which gives our students a wealth of skills and the freedom to research a topic of their choice. We are extremely fortunate in Wales to have this programme." Ioan and Sam stressed they were not criticising their college or other schools and colleges. They were told in reply to information they asked for under FOI that Coleg Sir Gar received more than £360,000 annually for running the Welsh Bacc. They calculated that this was the equivalent to the pay for around seven lecturers and not money the college could afford to lose so said they understood why it made the course a requirement. Sam is studying A-level law, sociology, and politics and wants to do a civil service apprenticeship, not university, after A-levels and he said the Welsh Bacc could be useful for some but not all students and they should be able to decide. Ioan, 17, who is studying politics, psychology, and sociology A-levels plus the Welsh Bacc, wants to go to university to study politics. The pair also argue that the stress the Welsh Bacc caused already under-pressure students went against the Welsh Government's own wellbeing guidance which, ironically, is part of the course. "We are campaigning for a policy change where colleges still get the funding if Welsh Bacc is optional," said Ioan, 17, adding: "The Welsh Government claims it is optional when in practice it is compulsory. The Welsh Bacc will not be useful to me but this isn't just about me." He claimed "the Welsh Bacc is not in the slightest bit as valuable as an A-level". He also claimed some teachers did not agree with the qualification being "forced" on students and that it was all coursework and "parroting from online". He said he had found parts of the course "pointless" including having to take personality tests and reading information about wellbeing targets in Wales and for the UN. He claimed much of the course was repeated across other more important subjects anyway. A Welsh Government spokesman responding to our first story on the campaign said: 'The Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales provides learners opportunities to develop and apply key skills in practical situations. "We are clear that it is not compulsory for learners to take the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate; school sixth forms and colleges are able to set their own curriculum offer and admissions policies. They should ensure that they are providing opportunities that are in the best interests of their learners.' The Welsh Bacc post-16 explained In September 2023 the new Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level three) replaced the existing Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate qualification. The Welsh Government says on its website that the qualification aims to equip students with practical skills, personal development, and social awareness, making them "better prepared for higher education, vocational training, and the workforce". It's designed to be integrated with traditional academic studies and is often studied alongside A-levels or other vocational qualifications. "Welsh Bacc is a valuable qualification for post-16 students in Wales, designed to enhance skills and prepare them for future pathways. It's a composite qualification that includes a Skills Challenge Certificate and supporting academic achievements. The Advanced level is particularly relevant for those pursuing higher education with its Ucas points equivalent to an A-level." The Skills Challenge Certificate is a key part of the course and is assessed through four areas: an individual project, enterprise and employability challenge, global citizenship challenge, and community challenge. To achieve the Welsh Bacc learners must also meet specific requirements related to GCSEs in English or Welsh language, and mathematics or mathematics-numeracy. Article continues below
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Average age Brits meet their ‘best friend for life' is revealed in new study
THE average Brit met their best friend at age 19 – with one in 10 having had the same one since they were 10 years old. The research of 2,000 UK adults revealed 22 per cent met genuine friends for life between the ages of 11 to 15, making school the ultimate friendship factory. 3 Classrooms were the birthplace of 37 per cent of these best-friend connections, especially among Gen-Z and millennials, while 17 per cent found their forever friend on the job. Trust (67 per cent), support through tough times (53 per cent), and a shared sense of humour (41 per cent), were identified as the glue that helps best friends stay together. To mark National Best Friends Day, Nutella placed a 3.8m high and 3.5m wide ice cream tub in Potters Field Park, London, to invite pals to share a snack together. Gemma Mattison, a spokesperson for Ferrero UK & Ireland, makers of the spread, said: 'Best friends are the people we laugh with, lean on, and share life's little moments with - and that's something worth celebrating.' But remaining close isn't as easy as it once was - a third of those polled think it's harder to maintain adult friendships as they only manage to meet up with their best pals a few times a year (22 per cent). Just 13 per cent see their best friends on a weekly basis, and 17 per cent leave it as long as a year in between catch ups. And it seems busy life schedules are to blame, with 46 per cent believing it's because people are more unavailable now, so it is harder to find time to connect. Food continues to be a key ingredient to great friendships and spending time together, as almost half (45 per cent) maintain contact by going out for brunch and breakfast with their mate. According to the OnePoll study, ice cream tops the list as the ultimate friendship dessert; 27 per cent of Brits say it would be their forever go-to with their best friend, followed by chocolate cake (20 per cent) and cheesecake (16 per cent). The study also uncovered 13 per cent of adults aged over 65 have more than five best friends, whereas only six per cent of Gen Z has the same number. Almost half of the silent generation said they made their best friends after the age of 35, with one in 20 holding onto relationships from six to 10 years old. 3 3
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
From beeswax to baby wipes: how to make your leather last a lifetime
Strong, beautiful and, if well looked after, endlessly long-lasting: leather has long been a staple of many of our wardrobes. And while there are ethical and environmental reasons to consider not buying new leather, the leather items you already own (or buy secondhand) could well outlast you, so it's important to look after them properly. So, how do you make sure your favourite items – from a handbag to a beloved jacket – last so that you can pass them down the generations? The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I spoke to experts to gather their tips and tricks for how best to clean, preserve and repair leather items, so that they keep being useful, and beautiful, for as long as possible. There are four main grades of leather. The highest are full grain and top grain, used for products such as designer handbags. Split leather is more affordable and made from a lower layer of the hide; depending on the way it has been finished, it can be smooth or soft to the touch. Split leather is generally less durable than the higher grades, but it's used for everything from shoes to clothing to upholstery. Bonded leather is essentially a composite material that contains leather fibres, and is cheaper and less durable still. The higher the grade, the longer the leather should last, says Antony Frith, owner of Shoe Healer, traditional cobblers in Doncaster. But you don't need different products or methods to look after the different kinds: 'As a rule, we treat them all the same,' he says. That may be true for most smooth leathers, but textured materials such as suede and nubuck, unusual leathers such as buffalo hide and those with special finishes need a different approach. If you're not sure what kind you're dealing with, take it to a local cobbler for advice. To remove everyday grime from smooth leather, use baby wipes, says Roque Furtado at JT Batchelor, a specialist leather supplier in London. Gently brush off any dry dust or dirt, then wipe over the leather, without scrubbing or rubbing too hard. If the grime is ingrained and that doesn't do the job, the next step is saddle soap, which comes as a bar, paste or spray. 'The spray is generally easiest to use,' Furtado says. JT Batchelor sells US brand Fiebing's, but there are plenty of others available (try Decathlon). Again, brush off dry dirt, then, using a damp cloth, work up a lather with the soap and rub gently over the leather. Rinse the cloth and wipe away any remaining foam. For textured materials such as suede and nubuck, some (including Nike) recommend white vinegar. Put a little vinegar (you can dilute and use half water and half vinegar, if you prefer) on to a lint-free cloth and clean the area gently. Or brush with a suede brush and use a dedicated suede cleaning product. For patent finishes, just use a soft, damp cloth. 'You don't need to buy the products made by the brand selling you the bag or shoes,' says Dai Rees, designer and programme director for craft at the London College of Fashion. 'It will be the same compounds and materials as any other.' Hermès, for example, sells its own glycerine soap bar for leather for £40, while Lincoln Horse Care sells a similar bar for £6.99. Whatever product you use, always test it on a small inconspicuous area first, to check it doesn't alter the finish or affect the colour, and let it dry completely before using it on the rest of the item. How often you should clean your shoes depends on how frequently you wear them, and whether you're traipsing across muddy fields or hopping in and out of Ubers in them. But keeping the leather clean, nourished and in good condition should help them last longer. Aqua Wipes biodegradable plastic-free baby wipes £1.90 for a pack of 56 at Boots£5 for 12 packs of 12 at Amazon Tesco distilled vinegar 35p for 568ml at Tesco Lint-free cleaning cloths £3.99 for five at B&Q Solid glycerine soap for shoes and leather £3.99 for 150ml at Decathlon The Scratch Doctor suede and nubuck cleaner and brush £13.95 at B&Q£13.95 at Amazon What if you get a red wine stain on a cream bag or tomato sauce on a suede jacket? Your chances of getting it out depend somewhat on the kind of leather you have. Leather is generally processed in one of two ways: vegetable tanning or chrome tanning. Chrome creates a resistant surface, while vegetable methods, favoured by high-end and sustainable brands, leave the grain of the leather more open. 'Leather that has been vegetable tanned tends to have a more natural look, with a more open grain. It weathers beautifully, but it is more susceptible to moisture or marks. Chrome tanned leather tends to be smoother to the touch,' says Frith. When red wine splashes on to a chrome-tanned bag, 'it may repel the liquid', he says. But with vegetable tanned or older leather where the grain has opened up, it's likely to stain. That said, you might still be able to save it. First, use saddle soap, then let it dry completely. 'Then you have to recolour it, and the best way to do that is with a spray dye that resurfaces the leather,' Frith says. He recommends Saphir's Tenax leather dye or Magix for smooth leather, while Saphir's Renovétine protects and revives suede and nubuck. There are no guarantees, of course, and as ever, you should test on a small section that can't be seen first. If in doubt, ask a local cobbler or professional cleaner for advice on the best approach. Saphir Tenax leather dye spray £15.95 for 150ml at eBay Magix leather dye spray £9.99 for 180ml at eBay Saphir Renovétine suede reviver spray £16.95 for 200ml at eBay£10.72 for 200ml at Amazon 'Treat leather as the skin it is,' says Sarah Spicer, shoemaker at Green Shoes in Devon. 'It needs to be conditioned and moisturised.' For smooth leather, Frith says, 'the number one rule is that hard polish is no good. You've got to use a cream. If you leave a tin of shoe polish out, it will soon dry up and crack. And it will do the same thing to your shoes or bag. Cream nourishes.' Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Frith recommends Saphir, but there are plenty of other creams on the market. To use it, remove any dirt and make sure the shoes are dry, then apply using a soft cloth in circular motions. Rees, meanwhile, suggests using a soft cloth to apply beeswax (like this one), and Furtado recommends Chelsea Dubbin Leather Food, which has been made since the late 19th century. Apply with a soft cloth and leave overnight to sink in. Some experts recommend applying products like these whenever you clean your shoes, or once every four to six weeks. But don't overdo it, says Spicer. 'You can tell when things have been overconditioned because they feel greasy. You can be sparing.' For nubuck and suede, Furtado says a spray-on waterproofer is all you should use. Tesco and John Lewis stock Cherry Blossom shoe protector to stave off rain damage. Frith says nano sprays are 'superb'. These (such as Crep Protect) form a protective layer against moisture and oils – and might protect against stains, too. Follow the instructions on the packaging to find out how often you should spray them, as this varies. 'We sell some that recommend you spray every three to four weeks, and others that say every six months,' Frith says. If you get caught in the rain, don't dry leather by the radiator and don't use a hairdryer. Let it dry naturally, then treat it again with the right protective product. Saphir Crème Surfine shoe cream £9.75 for 50ml at eBay£9.20 for 50ml at Amazon Beeswax leather balsam £10.95 for 250ml at eBay Cherry Blossom Eco Ultra Repel £5.95 for 100ml at John Lewis Crep Protect £12 at Schuh£12 at JD Sports The Handbag Clinic leather care kit £19.99 at Amazon Always store leather items in a clean, dry place out of direct sunlight, says Edyta Knapinska, handbag buyer at John Lewis, as it will prolong their life. Stow handbags in your wardrobe or a cupboard, inside a protective dust bag if you can. Sometimes these are thrown in when you buy a bag. If not, you can buy them (such as these ones made by Hayden Hill) to keep bags clean and dust-free. Dunelm and Ikea have a range of shoe cabinets. Sunlight is particularly damaging when leather is vegetable tanned, as it will literally tan. 'If you keep one shoe in the sun and the other in the shade, the one in the sun will end up darker.' A boot-shaper will help avoid creases and strain on the zip from being folded, while some people swear by shoe trees for looking after favourite shoes, particularly those only worn occasionally. Frith says cedar is the best wood for these – it absorbs moisture and keeps them fresh. When storing leather jackets, Frith says: 'Leather is heavy and if you hang it from one point, it will sag and lose its shape. So use a sturdy hanger, not a coat hook.' Look for broad, rounded ends to keep the shoulders in shape, like on this one from John Lewis. For long-term storage of leather jackets, Frith recommends first airing well (that can be outside, or anywhere air circulates, just not in a wardrobe), then hanging the jacket in a zip-up polythene garment bag. 'Leather takes in moisture from the air and even from our bodies when we use it every day. But when you put these things away for a long time, the leather can dry out,' he says. 'A polythene zip-up bag, like those you get from the dry cleaners, or even just a big polythene bag, will control the airflow. It won't be completely airtight, but it will keep some moisture in and protect the leather from drying out.' Eloise sliding shoe storage cabinet £63.20 at Dunelm Dasco boot shaper £18.50 at Charles Clinkard Suit hanger £8 at John Lewis Moth-proof garment bag £12.22 at Amazon Secondhand leather often has a wonderful patina and lived-in quality. But vintage leather can need a bit of love to bring it back to life. Charity shops and online stores such as Vinted and Vestiaire Collective are great hunting grounds for preloved leather jackets, bags and shoes, but check that a piece is not beyond repair before you buy, says Frith. 'It's much harder to restore and renovate old, worn or damaged leather than it is to take care of leather that is still in good shape,' he says. 'Where possible, check for signs of dryness or cracking. The leather on a briefcase or secondhand handbag might have survived well, but the cotton stitching could be deteriorating. So, when you're buying anything at all, it's good to stress test the leather and the stitching. Because you might find one day it just falls apart.' Pull and manipulate seams and any areas that look a bit tired, to make sure there are no signs of disintegration. For online purchases, where you can't hold the item in your hands, ask sellers to provide closeup photos of the areas that are most prone to cracking or strain – seams, straps or handles, zips and creases. If you decide to buy, look after the item well and you'll be able to enjoy it for a long time to come. Sandra Haurant is a journalist who has been writing for the Guardian for more than two decades. One of her favourite things is speaking to experts with a real passion for what they do, and pouring their knowledge into articles. Another of her favourite things is her dog, who has long hoped she will pitch a piece on pet spas
