Meirionnydd Day organised by the Farmers' Union of Wales at the House of Commons yesterday (Thursday, October 31) was an excellent shop window to show a wide audience what the county offers, the local MP told dozens of fellow MPs and peers.
"As Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd I was honoured to host Meirionnydd Day in Westminster together with the Meirionnydd branch of the FUW," said Elfyn Llwyd. "The event was an excellent shop window to show the wider audience what this historic county has to offer.
"Most businesses within my constituency are connected to agriculture or tourism and it is very heartening to see so many intrinsic businesses succeeding in this area. Some say that it is more difficult to be successful in a rural area - and, undoubtedly, more challenges have to be overcome in an area such as Meirionnydd.
"However, it was very encouraging to see so many successful businesses present at Meirionnydd Day which proves that success is possible."
FUW president Emyr Jones, who farms in Meirionnydd near Bala, said: "We are really grateful to Mr Llwyd and his staff members in the constituency and at Westminster for all the help they have given us to make sure this project was a great success.
“Mr Llwyd is a strong supporter of agriculture, food and the rural economy and his enthusiasm for this event underlines that. He has always been ready to help the farming community and has cemented close links with the FUW."
Companies displaying a range of Welsh food and drink included EUROSPAR, Dolgellau. The store, opened in September 2009, is owned and managed by former Wales the True Taste Champion Conrad Davies and is one of four EUROSPAR stores in North Wales.
They specialise in sourcing from 70 suppliers within a 50-mile radius and cover a multitude of product categories, giving priority to local food.
Another local product, Cerist Water, extracted and bottled at the source of the ancient spring at Llawr Cae, Dinas Mawddwy, was also on display.
The event drew attention to a new venture Gwin Dylanwad Wine - a wine importing business wholesaling and retailing in North Wales involving the purchase of a former Threshers site in Dolgellau currently undergoing renovation and restoration. It will be opened next Spring as a wine tasting house and cafe bar run as a unique wine experience in Wales.
Welsh jewellery designer Mari Eluned used the event to display her products. She has set up her own workshop at Mallwyd, near Dinas Mawddwy, where natural materials are combined with precious metal and transformed into delicate, tactile jewellery inspired by nature, agriculture and her Welsh roots.
Meirionnydd representatives were also present from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales and Snowdonia National Park Authority promoted what the park has to offer.
It highlighted Yr Ysgwrn, a traditional Welsh farmhouse and grade II listed building plus the 163-acre hill farm which came to international recognition in 1917 as the home of poet Ellis Humphrey Evans, better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn. Yr Ysgwrn and its contents are owned and managed by Snowdonia National Park Authority.
Gwynedd Council representatives gave an overview of the area, its people and the opportunities for economic development and prominence was given to Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) which works with all sectors of the Welsh red meat industry - from farmers to retailers - to develop profitable markets for Welsh Lamb, Welsh Beef and pork from Wales.
There was also a display by the British Wool Marketing Board - the farmer-run organisation established in 1950 to operate a central marketing system for UK fleece wool, with the aim of achieving the best possible net return for producers.
Products from Baavet Cyf (Ltd), the pure wool duvet and pillows company, of Harlech, were also on display. This enterprise is a farm diversification scheme which began in 2009 when wool prices were at an all time low.
It has doubled turnover year on year, selling mainly on the internet, and now employ five full-time local people and four part-time plus six ancillary people in their direct sales teams. They use UK wool that comes mainly from Wales.
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MEIRIONNYDD DAY: From left, FUW Meirionnydd county executive officer Huw Jones, Neath MP Peter Hain, FUW president Emyr Jones and Elfyn Llwyd.[/caption]
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SHOP WINDOW: From left, House of Commons sous chef Terry Wiggins, Hybu Cig Cymru communications manager Alan Morris and Emyr Jones[/caption]