Local Produce
If you know of a product or retailer that you would like to see spotlighted here email me the information using the Contact Us form on the right hand side of your computer screen.
Pork
For top quality locally reared pork your local Willis butcher is one of the best places to go. They are a family run business and seem to have had a shop in Cwmbran town centre forever. You will find them at 9, The Parade, Cwmbran, Torfaen NP44 1QR or you can ring them on
Turkey
Extra-large turkeys were few and far between last year but it was still possible to order one through your local butcher or if not, and you didn't mind spending two days drosting it, Asda in Cwmbran had some really nice self-basting frozen ones. Turkey used to be a favourite at Christmas but now more and more people eat it throughout the year. One thing to remember though - make sure that your oven is big enough to fit your turkey in!
Beef
If you fancy a change to turkey you might like to try this - long horn cattle - beef which is locally reared. The Cwrt Henllys Farm website is in the process of being built but will be available soon. They sell beef starter packs so that you can try the beef before committing to a large order for your freezer.
You can use this link to visit their site|.
Christmas Deals
Making Christmas special can be a very expensive business but putting quality ahead of quantity is always the key to a successful one and its never too early to start the preparations.
This part of the page will look at a few Christmas essentials and give some tips on where to go to get them. If you know of a product that you would like to see spotlighted here email me the information using the Contact Us form on the right hand side of your computer screen.
Christmas Trees
If you are looking for a good quality real Christmas Tree - that won't shed its pine needles all over the floor - then take a look at this one.
It was bought from P.W Halse and sons in Langstone last year and kept the majority of its needles until the day that it was taken out of the house for recycling. You just have to make sure that you stand it in a tub of water - which you need to top up frequently - to prevent it from drying out.
Something this size - which was well over 12ft - can cost anything from £25-35 depending on its height as they are sold by the foot but smaller and much cheaper ones are available.
If you are happy to have a smaller tree they also sell them in flower pots complete with roots so you can plant them in your garden once they become too big for the house.
Contact Halse and Sons, Sunnyside Nurseries, Chepstow Rd, Langstone, Newport, Gwent NP18 2JN Tel: 01633 412411 for more information