A couple, who are the first grape farmers of the Vale of Clwyd, attended a prestigious reception at 10 Downing Street last week which celebrated “Community Food and Farming Champions".
Gwen and Rhys Davies of Vale Vineyard, which is based in Llandyrnog, were invited to the event by Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies.
Vale Vineyard is a successful family business. Although Gwen manages the day to day management of the vines and business, the whole family are involved, with the highlight being harvest days when they bring together wider family and friends to hand pick their precious crop.
Speaking after attending the reception, Gwen said:
“It was a real honour to be invited to the Food and Farming reception, a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit 10 Downing Street and meet our local MP Dr James Davies and Defra Ministers Steve Barclay and Mark Spencer.
“It was great to hear the Ministers celebrate our contributions to the rural economy and meet so many other business owners from across the country. It was a very memorable day, certainly different to the usual Tuesday spent wearing my wellies, working in the vineyard!”
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies said:
“It is always a great pleasure to welcome businesses from the Vale of Clwyd to Parliament and I was delighted to have the opportunity to invite Gwen and Rhys to Parliament, and to celebrate their successful vineyard at the reception at 10 Downing Street.
“They, along with other “champions” from around the country at the reception, were welcomed by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Steve Barclay and Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP.
"Vale Vineyard is a real asset to the Vale of Clwyd, and Gwen and Rhys deserve huge praise for all that they have achieved with their business.”
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP said:
“It was hugely enjoyable to meet so many people involved in putting world-class food on our tables and caring for our countryside at the 10 Downing Street farming reception, along with their local Conservative MPs.
“By coming together to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing our rural economy and fishing industry, we can ensure we do everything possible to support the sectors, bolstering this country’s food security while also protecting and enhancing our treasured natural heritage for the benefit of generations to come.
“Only the Conservatives have a plan for our rural and coastal communities. Keir Starmer snipes from the sidelines but has no plan for safeguarding this country’s food security. A Labour government would take our rural economy and fishing industry back to square one.”
Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP said:
“Our farmers and fishing industry are crucial to keeping this country fed, so it was great to meet so many of those who work in both sectors, and the Conservative MPs who represent them, at Downing Street. This Conservative government will always listen to the concerns of our rural and coastal communities and is committed to working with them to help them thrive.”
