Spar Llanrwst Local Shop or Multinational chain?

Llanrwst Spar

Local or Not?

Spar Llanrwst

I grew up just outside Llanrwst in a small village called Trefriw.  My father, at that time managed the local Llanrwst branch of the Midland Bank, as it was called then, now HSBC.  I therefore have fond memories of this market town attending the local high school and probably one or two of the local pubs in my late teenage years.  

Once I left the area to attend college, for a number of years afterwards I lost contact with the the area. But about 12 years ago when I ran a small business producing traditionally made ready meals I was looking for outlets that I could supply.  I heard on the grapevine that the owners of Spar Llanrwst, Justin and Sara McIlveen, were someone I should contact as they supported local producers.

Like many I had always thought of Spar as a big chain and quite unapproachable.  But in fact Spar as a concept has many facets.  Spar is a multinational retail chain operation but the shops are mainly independently owned retailers operating under the Spar banner of which Spar Llanrwst is one.  There is approximately 12,500 Spar stores in 35 countries worldwide.  The Spar stores was founded in the Netherlands in 1932 by retailer Adriaan van Well, and through its independent retailing network of stores it operates in most European countries, parts of Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Justin and Sara McIlveen - 2014 Spar Retailer of the Year Winners

Some of the Spars you see on the UK high street are owned by one of 5 larger individually owned companies that operate the wholesaling side of things as well.  Spar Llanrwst even though independently owned by Justin and Sara but operating under the Spar banner are able to call on the buying power of Spar to stock their store but at the same time stock and support local producers.

Jones o Gymru Crisps at Spar Llanrwst

As previously mentioned the first time I met Justin was when I wanted to persuade him to stock my traditionally made ready meals.  I gave him a ring and arranged to meet him at his Llanrwst Store.  I do not know until this day how it happened but I must have nicked my finger somewhere on my way into the store.  Before I knew it I was sat down in his office when I noticed I was bleeding all over his floor.  Justin was as good as gold got me a plaster, got a mop out and the mess was cleared up in no time.  We then sat back down, he had a look at my products and without hesitation he said when could I start supplying his stores.  I went on to supply his three main shops, Llanrwst, Rhos-on-Sea and Penmaenmawr for quite a few years afterwards until I sold my business in 2008.

Llaeth y Llan Yogurts

I moved away from the food sector after 2008 for a number of reasons but in recent times my interest has peaked again, hence this blog.  I was therefore interested to meet Justin again when he got in touch recently, to see if he had carried on with his enthusiasm for local products.

Halen Mon at Spar Llanrwst

He invited me over for a coffee a few days ago and he proudly showed me around his store.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did he still stock local products but the range had increased considerably from when I was last in his store.  Available now in his store are locally made crisps, yogurts, milk, cakes, cheeses, sausages, bacon, cawl (soups), beers by the dozen, cider, even goat meat and I have received a tweet since my meeting saying he is expecting a first delivery of rose veal. The suppliers stocking his store are established names such as Llaeth y Llan, Edwards of Conwy, Blas ar Fwyd, Siwgr a Sbeis, Cenarth Cheese, Snowdonia Cheese, Conwy Bragdy, Halen Mon and more but also some of the more recent suppliers are Glasfryn Bacon, Jones o Gymru Crisps, Blodyn Aur (Rapeseed Oil), Conwy Goat Meat and as mentioned Barcut Rose Veal.

Glasfryn Bacon

Yes it is true that Justin and Sara can call on the multinational Spar for many of the products they stock but there is no doubt that they are both proud of the fact that their stores in Llanrwst, Penmaenmawr and Rhos-on-Sea are locally owned independent stores.  I am also quite sure that there is more of a variety of locally produced Welsh products on the shelves of spar Llanrwst and it's sister shops than you might find in either Tesco, Asda or any of the other multinational Supermarkets.

Edwards of Conwy Sausages and Bacon

I can highly recommend a visit to Spar Llanrwst and I look forward to visiting some of the suppliers of these fantastic local produce.  Also to hear some of their background stories and to try and cook with some of the products they produce.

Beers by the dozen at Spar Llanrwst

Birchgrove Eggs from Trawscoed Mid-Wales

A Selection of Welsh Cheeses in the chiller section of Spar Llanrwst

Welsh Rapeseed Oil ideal for cooking or as a dressing.

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

We had this thick creamy, spicy soup for supper the other night with crusty bread and it went down a treat, with the children especially enjoying it.  It is easy to make with preparation time about 10 minutes or so and cooking time not much longer.  When I did this I made enough for two meals and placed the second batch in the freezer for another night.

Hot and Spicy Sweet Potato Soup

Serves 8

2 tbs Blodyn Aur Rapeseed Oil (this is produced locally to me and I have been pleased with its quality) alternatively use Olive Oil

3 onions chopped

5 garlic cloves chopped

6cm of fresh ginger peeled and grated

1 birds eye chilli chopped (use more if you like it spicy) 

1 tbs garam masala

4 tsp curry powder

2 or 3 large sweet potatoes 1.2kg chopped into cube type shapes

Vegetable stock about 2 liters, if you have made your own that would be great if not 2 cubes of veg stock added to the water.

400ml coconut milk

small bunch of fresh coriander chopped 

juice of 1 lemon or lime

A good pinch of salt and pepper to season

Chopped Onions ready to be fried

Use a heavy based saucepan and place over a medium heat, add the oil.  Gently saute the onions for about 10 minutes till they are soft.  add the garlic,  ginger, garam masala and curry powder and stir a bit more for about a minutes.

Spices ready to be added

Tip in the potatoes and mix till they are well covered by the spices, then add the seasoning, and pour in the stock. Increase the heat slightly until it is simmering and add the coconut milk.

Sweet potatoes added to the pan

Reduce the heat again and allow to simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Use a blending stick if you have one or place contents in a food processor and blend until you have a puree.

Add the lemon or lime if you prefer and coriander (I would have used coriander but it is not to my children's taste I therefore added a bit of basil) and serve with crusty white bread.  If a little bit too spicy add some yogurt.

Slow Cooked Breast of Welsh Lamb

Slow Cooked Breast of Welsh Lamb with Apricots and Cranberry

I quite often buy half a lamb from my local butchers in Denbigh, J. H. Jones.  I have always struggled with the breast of lamb as to what or how to cook this long piece of cheap but bony, fatty unappetizing looking, long, thin piece of cut.

Now I know the answer which is to cook it slow, very slow, with lots of added ingredients to enhance the flavours.

On this occasion I prepared this one Saturday morning and put it in the oven about 10 a.m. on 120C and left it there whilst I went out for a long bike ride.

I, along with the family enjoyed the excellent result with some mashed potatoes later that evening.

Ingredients Serves 4
2 breast of lamb (ask you butcher to prepare the breast if you prefer, a good butcher should remove the bone, skin and excess fat)
5 apricots chopped
5 leaves of fresh sage or 2 tsp of dried
5 leaves of lemon balm (optional, had some in the garden, use rind of half a lemon cut into thin strips)
2 bay leaves
20g cranberries
20g goji berries
Few pinches of salt (Anglesey Sea Salt) and pepper to taste
2 large carrots roughly chopped
2 large potatoes roughly chopped
1 onion sliced
1 tbs flour
1 tbs oil (BlodynAur Welsh Rapeseed Oil) or sunflower oil if not available
1 lamb or chicken stock cube
1 veg stock cube

If your butcher has kindly prepared the breast for you then roll it out onto a wooden block.  

Breast of Welsh Lamb

Start placing the cut apricots onto the breast of lamb

Place apricots onto the lamb

Add the berries, leaves and salt and pepper to taste. 

Cover with Cranberries, goji berries and sage

Once you have added the ingredients, gently roll up the breast of lamb and place two skewers through the meat to hold it in place.

Rolled up breast of Welsh lamb ready for the oven

In a large heavy base casserole pot add the oil and the sliced onions, fry gently for 3 or 4 minutes. Add the flour and stir in.

Roughly cut up the carrots and potatoes and with the lamb place in the casserole pot with the onions. Add the stock cubes and water until it covers the ingredients.  Place covered in a pre-heated oven at 120C for 6 to 7 hours. Check occasionally and top up with water if required.  When ready to eat remove the ingredients and place in a serving dish and keep warm.
Place the casserole dish on a high heat and reduce the liqueur until you have a thick sauce.  Pour over the lamb.
The lamb should be tender and falling apart ready to eat.  Just add some mashed potatoes for this excellent flavoursome dish.

A Game of Four Quarters, 70 miles, Week 5 London to Paris Cycling Training

A Game of Four Quarters, 70 miles, Week 5 London to Paris Cycling Training

70 miles broken be that over four trips this last week.  All I need to do now is the same but all in one day and more on my London 2 Paris bike ride. 

The first of two 14 mile trips I did this week was along the same old route on my sturdy faithful steed with early morning runs from home to Llanbedr, Llangynhafal Llandyrnog back to Llanrhaeadr.  Llan is an area where a Saint, usually back in the sixth or seventh century established a church. Yes we had many saints in our area in those days and like many other parts of Wales they left their mark by leaving their name on the church they established.

This route takes me through Rhewl towards Llanbedr and on one of the back roads I pass this quirky shed with flattened buckets hanging on the side.  I have passed it now a number of times and could not resist taking a picture this time round.

Buckets on Shed

I then cycle on towards Llanbedr and before arriving take a left that climbs up the side of the Vale. This takes me passed Llanbedr school, another one that is under threat of closure from Denbighshire County County.  It makes you think what will be left of our villages in a few years time when all the schools, post offices, shops, chapels and churches are closed.

Ysgol Llanbedr School

Cycling on to Llangynhafal I came across this golden bike.  I had noticed it and others around the Vale and had wondered what they were for.  This time round I noticed on one of them a notice advertising the 'Goldie' charity fundraisers annual cycle challenge.  this year they were setting off from their favourite pub, the Golden Lion in Llangynhafal in an effort to raise £15,000 in the aid of Robert Jones and Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen. For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/goldiebikeride?fref=ts

Golden Bike on Llangynhafal Sign

From Llangynhafal the road drops down to Llandyrnog and then on to Llanynys.  On the way I pass a farm gate which sells free range eggs on the side of the road.  It is great to know that it is still possible in this country for someone to be able to sell there produce on the side of the road and just leave out a honesty box.

Free Range Eggs for Sale

Go Fast Bike

Waheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Received my new go fast bike today Saturday 27.6.15 and as any new toy had to go out and play.

Chris Boardman 16 gear road bike

Approximate Weight (KG):	10.5kg
Brake Type:	Dual Pivot Calliper Brakes
Forks:	7005 Alloy Blades with Chromoly Steerer
Frame Material:	Alloy
Gender:	Mens
Number of Gears:	16
Pedals Included:	Yes (Handy to have these with bike!!)
Suspension:	Rigid
Wheel Size:	700c

10.5kg

Dual Pivot Calliper Brakes

7005 Alloy Blades with Chromoly Steerer

Alloy

Mens

16

Yes (Handy to have these with bike!!)

Rigid

700c

I know I am starting to get geeky!!!

It was a beautiful hot day when I started out and I decided to go down the Vale of Clwyd through Llandyrnog, Bodfari and then Tremeirchion.

Open Road Beckoned 

I was amazed at the difference in speed I could achieve (for me) compared with my old war horse and Bodfari Church whizzed passed quickly as I sped up the hill passed it.

Bodfari Church

I soon reached Tremeirchion and enjoying my ride so much barely stopping to take any pictures. 

From Trefnant I took the back road to Denbigh and arrived at the Leisure Centre with plenty of time to spare to see my daughter compete in her Gymnastic competition. Once it was over I jumped back on my new shiny new bike and and completed the final 3 miles back home in no time.

The Old Hospital and Smallest City in the UK

Sunday morning and like a little boy I was excited to get out on my bike again.  I started out about mid morning and climbed out of Llanrhaeadr towards the small hamlet of Y Glyn.  It is a steady climb up but I enjoyed the excursion as the road wound it way up in front of me (did not think I would be saying that a few weeks ago).

Denbigh Mental Health Hospital

From there the road drops down towards Denbigh but before I reached the town I pass the old Victorian built Mental Health Hospital that now lies sadly eerily empty.  This Asylum was built by architect Thomas Full James back in 1844.  Once a hospital for people with a psychiatric condition, at its maximum capacity it could house 200 patients.

Once through Denbigh I put my head down and aim for the smallest City in the UK.  Entering St. Asaph passing the local Welsh Medium High School (Ysgol Glan Clwyd) I came upon the episcopal seat of the Bishop of St. Asaph.  This small but stunning cathedral dates back 1,400 years, while the current building dates from the 13th century.

St. Asaph Cathedral

Once I cycled passed the cathedral I head down through this tiny City and at the bottom of the hill turn towards home.

St. Asaph City

On the way back I climbed up the locally named S bends.  But on my new bike this caused me no problem.

S Bends

I then crossed over the Vale and headed back through Bodfari to Llandyrnog.  I passed the White Horse (01824 790582) which is located in the village, a good place to eat, but if you wish to visit booking early is advisable.

White Horse LLandyrnog

After 24 miles I arrived home after a very enjoyable bike ride on my new bike on another sunny day in Wales, who says it always rains in Wales.

A Surprisingly Good Welsh Leek and Cheese Toasty

A Surprisingly Good Welsh Leek and Cheese Toasty

Welsh Leeks and Cheese Toasty

Welsh leeks, Double Cream, Crusty Bread and Double Gloucester Cheese

I was scrabbling around the other day thinking what we could have for a quick snack and and found this recipe for leek and cheese toasty.  I was a bit sceptical about it especially considering the amount of leeks suggested but boy was I surprised by the result.  This is an extremely tasty snack which I can highly recommend.

Serves 2

20g butter
2 Medium Leeks (being Welsh I would recommend using leeks from Wales, these came from Pembroke, but any good quality leeks will do)
1 tsp of dry thyme or a couple of sprigs of fresh, leaves only roughly chopped
3 tbs double cream
70g (I would recommend Caerphilly cheese but a strong Cheddar or Double Gloucester which I used because this was all I had left in the fridge, will do)
2 slices of good quality crusty bread
Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Sweat the leeks

Melt the butter over a medium heat and add the leeks.  Once you hear them starting to sizzle turn the heat down and sweat gently, stirring often, for roughly 10 minutes or until they are tender.

Stir in the thyme, add the double cream and cook for a further minute or so until the cream is bubbling slightly.

Remove from the heat and add two thirds of the cheese, add salt and pepper to taste and stir.

Toast the bread lightly under the grill, when golden brown, remove and spread the leek and cheese mixture generously over the toast. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and replace under the heat and grill until the cheese is bubbling.  Serve immediately with a side salad and enjoy.

Add remaining cheese and grill

Peacocks, Pheasants and Rabbits end of week 4 Cycle Training

Peacocks, Pheasants and Rabbits end of week 4 Cycle Training

19th June 2015

Afon Clywedog River

5.30am start with 10.3C showing on Pentre Motors Garage electronic display outside the building as I cycled past on my last ride on week 4 of my training schedule. Within a mile I cross over the bridge spanning the Clywedog river before I turn on my usual route towards Rhewl.  But this morning, as I am away over the weekend, I woun't be turning back when reaching Llanbedr but carrying on to Llanelidan, a 27 round trip.

Capel Rhewl

After 3 miles I passed the Rhewl Grade II listed Chapel built in 1844.  Luckily being attractive as a building is not prerequisite to being listed.   From here I head towards Llanbedr.

Llanelidan lies in the foothills of the distant hills

At this time of morning it is amazing how much wildlife is out and about.  Rabbits as already described in a previous blog are out in their hundreds, but also pheasants aplenty having missed the guns of the local shoots, a number of buzzards out early to get some of the rabbits but also herons patiently fishing, rooks, blackbirds, collard pigeons, thrushes and more.

After 5 miles I pass through Llanbedr and this is where my journey takes a turn south instead of my usual route back home.  I head towards Graigfechan with its excellent Three Pigeon Pub that serves Real Ales.

Three Pigeon Pub

This is where I came across a bird I did not expect to see this time or any time of the morning on the back roads of Wales, a Peacock.  This resplendent bird with shimmering feathers calmly sat on a garden wall as I cycled past. 

A mile later I passed Pentecelyn school which is shamefully under threat of closure by Denbighshire County Council.  This Welsh Medium School could possibly disappear in the next year, another blow to the Welsh language.

Ysgol (school) Pentrcelyn

Not far to Llanelidan

Once past Pentrecelyn I crossed the main Rhuthun to Wrexham road and head towards Llanelidan with 3 miles to go.

With the miles quickly disappearing I come into the old village of Llanelidan with its old pub, Leyland Arms which dates back to 1354. This is my half way point and I finally turn towards home.

View back down the Vale of Clwyd from Llanelidan towards Rhuthun

Once again I am amazed at the rolling beautiful green fields that makes up this land of ours that can only be truly be appreciate when you take time to cycle through it. After a mile from the village I join the main road from Corwen that leads into Rhuthun itself.

The road through Pwllglas

As I am now heading back down the Vale my speed picks up and I quickly pass through Pwllglas and a few miles later enter the medieval town of Rhuthun and into it's square with St. Peter's Church dominating one end of it.

Instead of carrying on the main road which would have brought me quickly home I decide to take the more peaceful back road to Gellifor, then to Llandyrnog and over the river Clwyd.  After 27 miles I arrived home, quick shower, breakfast and work another weeks training over.

Bridge over the River Clwyd with my faithful bike

Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Tomato and Garlic

Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Tomato and Garlic

Crusty bread, tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil

This is such a tasty, simple snack that you can put together in no time.   It is a fabulous combination of fruity olive oil, crunchy fresh bread smothered with ripe baby tomatoes, garlic plus a slight peppery taste of basil topped with mozzarella

Ingredients Serves 4
125g Mozzarella Cheese
1 loaf of white crusty fresh bread
3 cloves of garlic roughly chopped
14 baby tomatoes
20 basil leaves
salt and pepper to season
1tbs olive oil (Additional oil will be required for the bread)

Place the garlic, tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil and a twist of salt and pepper to season in a food processor and blitz till you have a smooth consistence.  Leave to stand and after a couple of minutes it will naturally thicken

Sliced white bread smothered with olive oil

Next slice the bread (2 pieces per person) and place on a grilling tray.  Smother the bread either side with olive oil, use your finger to gentle work the oil into the bread to cover the whole surface area. Then place under the grill and toast both sides till golden brown.

Spread generous amounts of the tomato, basil and garlic mix onto the bread, ensure you have the whole surface area covered, otherwise the bread will burn and then place under the grill again.  After about a minute when the the topping is cooked remove and place the sliced mozzarella on top.

Add a little bit more pepper to the mozzarella and return under the grill until the cheese has melted.

Mozzarella

Serve the bruschetta with some salad and enjoy the vibrant taste of the garlic combined with the freshness of the basil and tomato. 

Serve with salad, an excellent snack on a warm summer's day.