https://www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/home/index.taf?exref=C82412
If you click on the above link it will take you to the utility warehouse website. If you decide that their services will save you money and sign up, they will make a generous donation to our cause.
Simple!
At our Pink Ribbon fundraiser we had a String Quartet called Stringdipity play for our entertainment. Stringdipity are a fantastic group of talented young girls who are all involved in Greenhill School Music Department. There follows a brief message from Hannah Lowe who is an integral part of Stringdipity about this sad situation and what we can do to support Music at Greenhill.
“Hi, If you haven’t heard already Greenhill are planning on taking away our perripetetic music teachers from september onwards. This will mean that Greenhill students will no longer be able to have county instruments, take part in county activities or therefore any of the further activities such as 3 counties or Nash Orchestras.It will also mean that there will be no longer an orchestra in Greenhill.Also all of this will have a huge affect on the pupils wanting to carry on with music in further educationand the ones taking part at the moment.
If you have been involved with the music in Greenhill at any point will you please write to the Governers/ Director of Education to say how ridiculous this whole idea is. Thank you for your help
Hannah
(Address to write to)
Director of Education
County Hall
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 1TP”
I have seen the excellent Greenhill Orchestra many times as our daughter, Jazz, played with them before leaving. Mr & Mrs Rapi have put their lives into the department at Greenhill, as have the rest of the Greenhill Music Department in order to inspire many of Pembrokeshires finest young musicians.
I would also like to state if you are a Carregular or someone who simply appreciates good, live music then please write to Pembrokeshire Director of Education or help in any way possible.
You can also join the cause on facebook.
Ian
There follows a brief description of Carwyn James, who was a huge influence on Welsh Rugby. He was also a teacher at Llandovery College where he taught my father and my father, in return, taught him to drive! I am a big fan of inspirational people and I remember Carwyn from my childhood.”Play to win” he would say “Even if you are only playing marbles with the boy next door, play to win!”
“Carwyn James (2 November 1929–10 January 1983) was a Welsh rugby union footballer and coach. He won two Welsh international caps but is most famous for his coaching achievements for both Llanelli and the British and Irish Lions.
He was born in 1929, the son of a coalminer, in Cefneithin in the Gwendraeth Valley. A teacher by profession and later a lecturer at Trinity College, Carmarthen, he played fly-half for Llanelli, playing his first game while still at Gwendraeth Grammar School. He was capped for Wales twice in 1958, the second time at centre, but would probably have gained more caps had he not been in competition with Cliff Morgan for the fly-half spot.
He gained distinction as a coach with Llanelli, whom he coached to four Welsh Cups between 1973 and 1976 and was coach when they won their famous victory over the All Blacks at Stradey Park, Llanelli, in 1972. He never coached the Welsh national side, largely because of his belief that the coach should chair the selectors’ meetings and be responsible for choosing the other selectors. However he was coach of the 1971 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, the only Lions side ever to win a series against the All Blacks. His coaching style was said to involve quiet words with players and half-suggestions rather than orders. He was a strong believer in attacking rugby, with the attitude that if a team had possession of the ball it should be able to attack, regardless of the position on the field.
A Welsh speaker and ardent patriot, James stood as Plaid Cymru candidate in Llanelli in the 1970 General Election. He was also an opponent of apartheid and during the controvential 1969/70 Springbok tour he prepared the Llanelli team but stayed in the dressing room as a protest.In his later years he became a noted broadcaster on the game in Wales. He died suddenly in a hotel room in Amsterdam in 1983. The sports building of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth is named after him, as is the playing field at Cefneithin RFC.”
I am sure it strikes a chord in all of us to stand up for what you believe in and to defy injustice. You always have to play to win and do the best you can for which no one can criticise you.
When we set out to open The Carreg, we knew that the only way we could get close to what we wanted to achieve was to give it our absolute best. Judging by the responses in our visitors book and comments passed on to The Carreg Crew we are not that far off the mark.
Maybe Carwyn’s words from all those years ago still influence us -”Play to win.”
Ian
“Ecology: The study of the detrimental effects of modern civilization on the environment, with a view toward prevention or reversal through conservation.
Economical: Efficient, sparing, or conservative use.”
We are always looking for new ways to make our ‘eco eco’ philisophy work better. Each day, we are getting closer to our goal to try and run this business in as low impact way as possible. We are not perfect, and we will definately make mistakes along the way. But we work hard at what we believe in and we will get closer to where we need to be.
Watch this space as this philisophy gets more detailed.
Ian
Brought to you by the power of:-
www.gardenofwales.org.uk is the website for the National Botanical Gardens near Carmarthen. Yesterday, we were very kindly invited there by Celtic Wines, Pembroke Dock www.celticwines.com to sample some excellent wines and enjoy the ambience of one of my favourite places in Wales. I love visiting there a couple of times a year just to see the changes and enjoy the tranquillity. Yesterday, a very rare wild orchid was flowering, but we missed it. If anybody witnessed this we would be thrilled to hear from you.
This year Simon Wright, who is a food critic, restaurater www.ypolynrestaurant.co.uk and author, has organised the West Wales Food Festival at the National Botanical Gardens which will happen in May, full details are on their website. This event will feature great food and demonstrations by:-
It is fantastic to see such a range of talent coming to West Wales and will definately be worth a visit. I am sure that Carregulars and diners who enjoy The Carreg Experience will agree.
We will be open throughout the weekend this is staged, so if you wish to share your West Wales Food Festival experience or how you found the Gardens we will be happy to see you.
Full Tummies and Pretty Gardens all round! 
Ian
“Don’t just stand there! Do something!” were the immortal words uttered by Dick Dastardly in an old cartoon.
Howies www.howies.co.uk organised a fantastic collection of people to attend a series of thought provoking lectures at fforest www.coldatnight.co.uk near Cardigan last October. I was fortunate to be chosen to attend the Do Lectures in such a magical place www.dolectures.com
This week Wendy and I went to see Yun Hider who was a lecturer at the Do Lectures. We enjoyed supper with Yun and Catherine and generally talked about great food, foraging (Yun is a well known forager) and the positive influence the Do Lectures have had on our lives. Yun has now even got rid of his television set in order to ‘Do’ more!!
On Thursday, we also had a great supper at The Carreg with Scania Price, who is a PR whiz and worked with Howies until recently. I first met Scania at the Do Lectures and, once again, the influence of Do became the main topic of conversation. We really had a nice time talking about various projects we were all thinking about and the positive effect of The Carreg Experience, which is heavily influenced by the power of Do.
So, what happens next? I am sure that there are some people out there reading this who will click on the Do link above and find out more about it and how it fits in with The Carreg Experience and what they can do to keep the whole philisophy alive. There are some people who will be thinking “What does all this have to do with a nice restaurant on Narberth High Street?” Whichever train of thought you choose, I am sure that this has got you thinking, starting conversations, asking questions and ‘Do’ing things. This is the power of ‘Do’ This is also what we strive to achieve with The Carreg Experience.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Ian
Brought to you by the power of:-
I used to know a chap who, when describing something he liked, always deemed it to be “Pretty pretty.” He would ask the question when you described an article over the phone “Is it pretty pretty?” We used to have fun with him and I remember one day when he was looking to buy a car from us, he came into the room and my father jokingly asked him “Is it pretty pretty?” The car was an exceptional example and this guy had a big grin on his face as he answered “No. it is pretty lovely!”
Since then the term “Pretty lovely” has always been associated with quality in my life. If I buy anything it has to be “Pretty lovely” before I will part with my money! Wendy has always been amused with this.
When St. Raphael closed in The Carreg Courtyard it was a sad time for us, because we had become friends with Nicky and Sharon (Sharon is still battling away at breast cancer and we pray for her speedy recovery) but we had to be positive and focused in what would become of the unit.
Wendy has pulled all the stops out (again!) and opened a new shop in The Carreg Courtyard selling lingerie, swimwear and nightwear in this previously empty unit. As you would expect of us, attention to detail has been strictly observed, coupled with great customer service and a fantastic range of garments.
When it came to naming this new venture, Wendy must have been grinning from ear to ear! Whilst keeping to the “I dream of….” title used in “I dream of surfing” (or Idos) which we run across the road from The Carreg, she has named the shop the one term we always have associated with great quality. And so “Pretty Lovely” has now opened in The Carreg Courtyard! Or “I dream of Pretty Lovely lingerie” to use it’s full title. Please come along and visit this fantastic new addition to The Carreg Courtyard and I am sure that you will be suitably impressed.
My mum came to visit last week and her view was “It’s as good as The Carreg experience but in a lingerie shop!”
Which, I think, says it all!
Enjoy this beautiful weather and remember Mothering Sunday this coming Sunday! We are open for two daytime sittings and one evening sitting and, as I am writing this, there are a few places left. Please don’t leave it too late to book and then have to disappoint your Mum!
Take Care!
Ian
“Why do you fly outside the box?”
“I fly outside the box because I can”
“But we KNOW the box. We are SAFE inside the box”
“That my friend is why I leave it. For you may be SAFE…
…but I AM FREE!”
Despite work commitments, I have been very fortunate this week in having the time to see two remarkable events.
On Thursday,Wendy and I travelled to Theatr Mwldan in Cardigan to see Karen Darke give an inspirational talk on her achievements. Karen www.karendarke.com talked about her crossing Greenland cross country on skis and has also her ascent of ‘El Capitan’ in the US. Both of these feats are really, really difficult but Karen conquered them both; the fact that Karen is a wheelchair user makes them all the more remarkable. ”If you fall…it’s a New Beginning” is Karen’s latest book and will give you an insight on what Karen is achieved in her life. Her “boyfriend stroke partner” (her words!) is Andy Kirkpatrick www.andy-kirkpatrick.com and is completely bonkers! He really doesn’t have that little switch in his head that say’s “DON’T! IT MAY BE DANGEROUS!” and his philosophy/book “Psychovertical” www.psychovertical.com is exhilarating! Maybe we should have a reading list at The Carreg/blog? Answers on a postcard please! Or leave a comment after this…
Secondly, I went to see Mike Peters play at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff last night. Mike is a singer songwriter, singer with The Alarm www.thealarm.com and an all round top banana. Mike was a pioneer in punk music in the early eighties, playing to sell out audiences and supporting U2 (amongst others) around the world. Punk as a music has always been a positive message, to push against boundaries and be an individual. Should you listen to some of Mikes’/The Alarms’ lyrics you will hear poetry with a strong message. Unfortunately Mike Peters is a cancer victim. Anyone who knows The Carreg knows our feeling on cancer and that is something we have in common with Mike. Mike organises walks, both in his native North Wales and down here in the South to raise huge amounts of money to fight cancer and has a special event called “The Gathering” www.the-gathering.org.uk in Llandudno every year to promote the cause. Mike celebrated his 50th birthday yesterday.
The Carreg is a fantastic, remarkable place. It is a healthy, nutritious, fantastic place to eat and be comfortable, but it is also a living, breathing experience. We strive to make social inclusion happen here and our pink ribbon fundraiser is always part of the deal.
If anyone wishes any further information on what I have written about today, please click on the website links shown or leave me a comment or e-mail and I will get back to you. There follows below some lyrics from Mike Peters’ song “Strength”.
GIVE ME LOVE
GIVE ME HOPE
GIVE ME STRENGTH
GIVE ME SOMEONE TO LIVE FOR
Who will light the fire
That I need to survive
Who will be the life blood
Coursing through my veins
Like a river flowing
That will never change
I need someone
I can depend on
‘Cause I’m a man of emotions
Who can’t hide the tears
I’m a man of feeling
Who can’t hide the pain
