Penclawdd restaurant set to be transformed into three new eateries

A popular bar and restaurant in Swansea which closured its doors with immediate effect in January is set to re-open under new ownership advertising ‘three concepts under one roof’

The Rake and Riddle, a popular destination for local’s and holiday makers alike had won legions of loyal customers through the years at its base in Penclawdd, showcasing two different dining experiences – a sports bar area and beer garden which served up foods like pizza and burgers and a restaurant downstairs which included a grill menu.

On it’s closure in January owners Chris and Emily put out a statement:

“It is with our deepest regret that we inform you that The Rake and Riddle will be closing with immediate effect. We are hoping to restructure the business and be back with you very soon.”

It has now been announced that Redefining Dining Co, which runs several other restaurants in Swansea, have taken over the restaurant, with transformation plans in place.

It has said that three brands will operate under one roof, and that the children’s play park will be “elevated”.

A statement posted on social media read:

“Redefining Dining Co. is excited to announce the upcoming acquisition and transformation of the beloved Rake and Riddle.

“Reopening this summer as a vibrant, multi-brand destination, the new venue will bring together three standout concepts under one roof.

“The Welsh House – classic Welsh dishes with a modern twist, Cattle & Co Smokehouse – bold smokehouse flavours and southern hospitality, and Salvatore’s Pizzeria – authentic Italian vibes, Welsh ingredients.

“From date nights to family get-togethers, expect unrivalled choice, big flavours, and good times — indoors and out.

“The huge alfresco space and children’s play park remains and will be elevated.

“There will be a brand-new Smoke & Shake Shack serving up smoked street eats and indulgent milkshakes.

[Lead image: Rake & Riddle]

#Penclawdd #RakeRiddle #RedefiningDiningCo

Thieves steal vehicle from award winning Swansea cinema

An award winning mobile cinema has had its van stolen which included important equipment necessary to carry out their show.

The bright yellow Ford Transit Custom was stolen from Penclawdd on North Gower on Thursday 16th April by a gang of thieves who arrived in a black hatchback car at 1am. A neighbours CCTV footage show the gang drive off
in the car, followed by the stolen Sol Cinema’s yellow van.

The theft was a spate of other similar vans being stolen but the same gang on that same night. Police have stated that “there have been a number of thefts of vehicles overnight”.



Another Ford Transit was stolen in Dunvant within minutes of the Sol Cinema van being stolen.

Co-founder of the Sol Cinema, Paul O’Connor said; “The theft of our van is a devastating blow to our show. We choose a bright yellow van as our cinema is completely powered by the Sun. Our solar panels generate the renewable energy to power our projector, lights, sound and computer.

Sol Cinema has toured all over the UK, Ireland and the EU entertaining tens of thousands of people with short films, usherettes and popcorn. The van was a recent purchase and was was just finished being kitted out for this Summers festival tour, which includes Glastonbury and Camp Bestival in Dorset.

Our vital tools and equipment were in the stolen van which we can not afford to replace now. We don’t know what we will do now”

The Sol Cinema has won a Digital Hero award for best digital communication project for its use of 100% solar power. Sol Cinema are appealing to anyone who may have had their vehicle stolen that same night to get in touch. Perhaps someone has CCTV footage of the thieves faces.

#featured #Penclawdd #SolCinema #stolenVehicle #Swansea

Emma Thomas is at the helm at Orbis Education and Care’s Dan-y-Coed in Swansea, which caters for youngsters with autism and learning disabilities.

The 41-year-old runs a team of creative education, care and therapeutic professionals who help children feel safe and respected, whilst providing bright and colourful child-friendly environments in which to learn, live and make friends.

It is her dedication over the last seven years that earned her a place in the final of the major national competition – the 2024 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.

The glitzy presentation ceremony was held at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and was hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

The mum-of-two from Penclawdd was shortlisted for the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People, sponsored by Morgan LaRoche Solicitors and was delighted to scoop Silver.

The awards are held in association with Care Forum Wales, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1993 to give independent care providers a single professional voice with which to speak on one of the most important issues of our time – how to provide better quality care for those who need it most.

Emma was hailed for helping children simply be themselves, creating lasting memories of childhood as they develop into independent young people and adults.

It was Director of Education, Lucy Pottinger who nominated Emma for the accolade said:

“Emma has been working at Dan-y-Coed since it opened in 2017 and this year she has experienced the joy of seeing her very first pupil transition to a mainstream school full-time, which is an incredible achievement and demonstrates her strength and determination to help her pupils.

“Emma and her team devised a support plan to help him pursue his wish to go to mainstream school. Emma developed a strong team of learning support staff, teachers and clinical therapists, including a behaviour specialist, to help him gradually break down behavioural barriers and build trust with staff.

“She helped him understand that they would stick by him through tough times. Small classes with a bespoke curriculum unique to him proved invaluable and were the key to his success.”

“It is very rare for pupils to go from an independent specialist school to a mainstream placement and Emma should be proud of the progress her very first pupil has made.

“The fact she oversaw a team that has helped the young man fulfil his dream of going to a mainstream school deserves recognition.”

Ahead of the ceremony, Emma said:

“Being shortlisted for this award is a privilege. There are so many people across Wales who do outstanding work in our field, and I hope that I can represent them proudly.

“Knowing that I have helped others in a way that has positively influenced their lives, and the lives of those close to them, is a feeling that you can never forget.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the standard of entries was extremely high and added:

“There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.

“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.

“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales. We take our hats off to them.”

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/11/02/dedicated-swansea-school-head-honoured-with-silver-award-at-social-care-oscars/

#childrenAndYoungPeopleAward #DanYCoed #learningDisabilities #Penclawdd

Emma is at the helm at Orbis Education and Care’s Dan-y-Coed in Swansea, which caters for youngsters with autism and learning disabilities.

The 41-year-old runs a team of creative education, care, and therapeutic professionals who help children feel safe and respected. The aim being to provide a bright and colourful child-friendly environment to learn, live, and make friends.

It is her dedication over the last seven years that has earned her a place in the final of the major national competition – the 2024 Wales Care Awards, sponsored by Ontex Healthcare.

Emma’s aim is to help children simply be themselves, creating lasting memories of childhood as they develop into independent young people and adults.

The mum-of-two from Penclawdd is shortlisted for the Peter Clarke Award for Promoting Excellence in Services for Children and Young People, sponsored by Morgan LaRoche Solicitors.

The glittering presentation ceremony will be held on Friday, October 18 at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and will be hosted by radio and TV presenter Jason Mohammad.

The awards are in association with Care Forum Wales, a not-for-profit organisation set up in 1993 to give independent care providers a single professional voice with which to speak on one of the most important issues of our time – how to provide better quality care for those who need it most.

Director of Education, Lucy Pottinger nominated Emma for the accolade, she said:

“Emma has been working at Dan-y-Coed since it opened in 2017 and this year she has experienced the joy of seeing her very first pupil transition to a mainstream school full-time, which is an incredible achievement and demonstrates her strength and determination to help her pupils.

“Emma and her team devised a support plan to help him pursue his wish to go to mainstream school.

“They have developed a strong team of learning support staff, teachers, and clinical therapists, including a behaviour specialist, to help him gradually break down behavioural barriers and build trust with staff.

“She helped him understand that they would stick by him through tough times. Small classes with a bespoke curriculum unique to him proved invaluable and were the key to his success.

“It is very rare for pupils to go from an independent specialist school to a mainstream placement and Emma should be proud of the progress her very first pupil has made.

“The fact she oversaw a team that has helped the young man fulfil his dream of going to a mainstream school deserves recognition.”

Speaking about being shortlisted Emma said:

“Being shortlisted for this award is a privilege. There are so many people across Wales that do outstanding work in our field. I hope that I can represent them proudly. 

“We all have our own ‘why’ as to reasons we undertake the work that we do, and to be nominated, let alone be a finalist is extremely rewarding. Knowing that I have helped others in a way that has positively influenced their lives, and the lives of others close to them, is a feeling that you can never forget.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said:

“The aim of the Wales Care Awards is to recognise the unstinting and remarkable dedication of unsung heroes and heroines across Wales like Emma.

“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”

[Lead image: Mandy Jones]

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/24/top-swansea-teacher-hailed-for-helping-children-be-themselves-and-create-memories/

#childrenAndYoungPeopleAward #DanYCoed #featured #learningDisabilities #Penclawdd

On 16 June, 2023, NRW enforcement officers along with a Wildlife Crime officer from Dyfed Powys Police were patrolling North Gower when they received a report of illegal cockle gathering taking place in the Llanmadoc area.

The officers went to Llanmadoc where they saw Stefan Swistun, of Banc Bach, Penclawdd, Swansea, gathering cockles without a valid licence.

As the officers approached Swistun and identified themselves, he attempted to conceal his identity and when asked to stop what he was doing he fled the scene in his 4×4 vehicle.

After driving along the beach, Swistun hid his vehicle in a secluded sandy cove where it was discovered by the enforcement officers following an extensive search of the area.

Swistun was apprehended when he returned to move the vehicle before the incoming tide reached the cove. He was cautioned on site and his cockle gathering equipment was seized.

At Swansea Magistrates Court, on 22 August, Swistun was charged under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for failure to comply with an Enforcement Officer’s request to stop on site.

He admitted the offence and was fined £345 (reduced due to early plea), ordered to pay £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £138, a total of £938 to be paid at £100 per month.

The equipment used to gather the cockles was also subject to a confiscation order.

Alun Thomas, Senior Enforcement Officer for NRW, said: “We are committed to safeguarding the Burry Inlet Shellfishery by protecting shellfish stocks, the environment and the livelihoods of licensed shellfish gatherers by working with the police to regularly patrol of the area.

“This latest penalty imposed by the court sends out a clear message that offences on the Burry Inlet will not be tolerated and that offenders will feel the full weight of the law.

“NRW will continue to take appropriate action against people who break the law on the Burry Inlet cockle beds and would encourage people to report any of their concerns regarding any type of illegal shell fishing or other illegal activity by calling our Incident Hotline on 03000 65 3000.”

(Lead image: Natural Resources Wales)

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/09/02/illegal-cockler-caught-after-escape-by-4x4/

#cockling #DyfedPowysPolice #Gower #illegalCockling #Llanmadoc #NaturalResourcesWales #Penclawdd

Local business owner Keith Jones opened the original gg’s parlour in 2019 from a pub they had recently purchased in Penclawdd after spotting a gap in the market for ice cream shops in the idyllic seaside peninsula of Gower.  

gg’s subsequent success pushed the team to grow their operations, moving to an off-site production unit. From here, the business decided it needed to progress to a continuous production model and bought four new specialist machines with a £70,000 hire purchase funding facility from Lloyds Bank.  

The new machinery set, which includes an ingredient feeder and ripple pump, has slashed production times while improving the quality. The same amount of gelato it used to take gg’s a day to produce, now takes just one hour. The set up ensures a consistent quality of output by uniformly distributing toppings and sauces throughout the ice cream – all so that customers can have a great experience.  

The company already supplies around 200 small businesses in South Wales – including CK’s convenience shops and restaurants – but is currently in the process of securing a SALSA (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) certification so that it can distribute its products to larger customers and even supermarkets.  

To enable the dramatic increase of its production speed, gg has recently hired two new staff for its sales and marketing team with an aim of building brand awareness and attracting household name clients.  

Toby Link-Jones, operations manager at gg’s, said: 

“The quality of our gelato has always been our number one priority. That means customer satisfaction and word-of-mouth recommendation has been key to our success so far. However, to realise our ambitions of national sales and wider brand awareness, we knew we had to ramp up production to broaden our reach and support our recent marketing hires.  

“This new machinery has allowed us to increase output, improve taste and become more energy efficient all at once. We’re excited to bring even more customers a scoop of Italian flavour and sunshine with our gelato.” 

Jonathan Richards, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “It’s great to see tangible results already materialising from our support for gg’s, with each of the new machines carrying out a specific integral purpose in the process of gelato making. Boosting production will facilitate stronger growth in gg’s marketing department and allow it to continue on its impressive financial trajectory.  

“As gg’s uses the extra time and money provided by the new technology to target new growth areas, including selling to supermarkets and boosting sustainability credentials, Lloyds stands ready to support another British success story.” 

https://swanseabaynews.com/2024/08/28/gower-ice-cream-manufacturer-sets-sights-on-national-distribution-after-scooping-up-new-machinery/

#featured #ggS #LloydsBank #Penclawdd

@KMTaylor

Right time of year before school breaks up and the hordes arrive. Staying where? Nice eating places in #mumbles and lovely country pub in #reynoldston called The Kings Arthur Inn. South Gower is very busy, North Gower not so busy. If kiddies in tow head for GiGi's Icecream Parlour at #penclawdd north gower.

@jeffjarvis

So true, which is why I make a point of going to a local coffee shop to engaging in real conversations with strangers and often with friends.
This morning a young lad, probably early 30s with camping equipment strapped to his back stopped off for breakfast in #Penclawdd while on his Wales Coastal Walk, #Chester to #Caerleon. Over 700 miles done and about 170 miles left. He tells me he needed to ditch tech and his unfaithful girlfriend, so decided to embark on a #BucketList task.

#Photograph, not an #oldpostcard this time, with on the back written "Penclawdd Belles sort cockle shells, c1944". Size - 3.5 inches x 4.75 inches. #Cocklepickers #Wales #Penclawdd #Gowerpeninsula #Glamorgan #Swansea