GOWER: The former journalist who took on the lorries and machinery to save the family farm business
When Louisa Harry Thomas’s husband founded a new business on the family’s Gower farm, running lorries and heavy machinery was never meant to be her job.
A former journalist, she had married into farming rather than grown up in it.
But when ill health forced her husband to step back from the venture he had started, she found herself in charge of it all.
Five years on, that business — Gower Granary — now supplies customers across Wales and southern England, and employs the equivalent of more than six local people.
“Running men, lorries and heavy machinery was never part of my life plan,” Louisa said.
“But when circumstances change, you find strengths you didn’t know you had.”
The Rhossili farm first ventured into animal bedding in 2021, as the family looked for a way to keep going while traditional farming grew tougher.
Using straw left over from the family’s arable operation, they began producing sustainable bedding and forage for horses and other animals.
The straw is double de-dusted during milling, leaving it dust-free — better for horses, and for the people handling it, who can be prone to respiratory problems.
The venture got off the ground with start-up support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
It was shortly after launch that Louisa’s husband, the farmer who founded it, was forced to step back because of his health.
Alongside caring for him and supporting her family, she kept the business going — and growing.
Past customers have included Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire, which has used the bedding for animals from sheep to guinea pigs, and the equine centre at Aberystwyth University.
Today the company supplies stockists, universities, visitor attractions and equestrian venues across Wales and southern England.
That growth has come against a difficult backdrop, with the business reporting rising costs for staff, raw materials and packaging, on top of the wider pressures squeezing rural firms.
“We’ve focused on serving our customers well, controlling what we can control and continuing to move forward,” Louisa said.
Sales, the business says, have continued to climb regardless.
There is an environmental thread running through it all. The products use locally sourced materials and recyclable packaging, and are designed to support animal welfare while cutting waste.
Even the leftovers find a use — waste from the bedding process is sold into the sustainable construction sector, where it goes into breathable building materials.
The Red Tractor approved farm also keeps a herd of Welsh Black cattle on its cliff land to support biodiversity, and grows herb-rich grass on a five-year rotation to leave nutrients in the soil.
Beyond its own staff, the business says it supports a wider network of local suppliers, contractors and tradespeople across the peninsula.
Louisa’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with a place on the shortlist for an Inspiring Business Person of the Year award.
She is among the business owners backing UK Small Business Week, a national campaign running from 1 to 7 June to mark the part small firms play in their communities.
The campaign, run by the Entrepreneurs Circle, sees independent businesses across the country take part in local events and community activity.
For Louisa, the milestone is less about awards than about having kept going when stepping away would have been the easier choice.
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GOWER: The UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty turns 70 – here’s why it’s still one of Britain’s most special places
The Gower Peninsula is celebrating a landmark birthday this month – turning 70 as the UK’s very first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a designation that transformed how Britain thinks about protecting its most treasured landscapes.
On 9 May 1956, Gower became the first place in the UK to be officially recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), setting a precedent that has since led to 46 National Landscapes being protected across the country. Seventy years on, it remains one of Wales’s most visited and most loved destinations.
The peninsula’s appeal is easy to understand. From the award-winning sands of Rhossili and the dramatic limestone cliffs of the south coast to rolling green commons, saltmarshes, hidden coves and charming villages, Gower has been stopping people in their tracks for generations. It is possible to surf in the morning, walk along the Wales Coast Path in the afternoon, and watch the sun set over one of the UK’s most photographed coastlines in the evening.
Rhossili Bay sunset (Image: Stewart Black / Flickr / Creative Commons 2.0)Gower is also steeped in extraordinary history. The peninsula is home to Europe’s oldest known ceremonial human burial site – the Red Lady of Paviland, dating back around 34,000 years – as well as standing stones, shipwrecks, caves, castles and the famous Arthur’s Stone. Few places in Britain pack so much natural and cultural heritage into such a compact area.
More recently, Gower was also designated as one of 46 National Landscapes across the UK, reflecting a modernisation of the way protected landscapes are described. The legal status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty remains unchanged, but the new name signals a broader ambition to connect people with the land and promote sustainable use alongside conservation.
Gower has also become South Wales’s first International Dark Sky Community – a recognition of the quality of its night skies and a sign of how protected landscapes are adapting to modern challenges beyond simply preserving what is there.
A clear night sky over the Gower coastline, showcasing the dark‑sky conditions that helped the area earn International Dark Sky Community status.Tracey McNulty, Swansea Council‘s head of service for cultural services, said the anniversary was a chance to celebrate not just the landscape but the people who make it special. “The anniversary is a chance to celebrate not just Gower’s landscapes, but also the people, communities and businesses that help make it such a welcoming place,” she said.
She added that Gower continued to pioneer new approaches to land management. “Gower continues to be a pioneer, becoming South Wales’ first International Dark Sky Community, showing how protected landscapes adapt to modern challenges.”
Swansea Council is encouraging everyone to get involved in the celebrations, whether visiting for the first time or returning to a favourite spot. “We’re welcoming everyone to be part of the celebrations whether you’re discovering Gower for the first time, or coming back to your favourite happy place,” McNulty said. “Explore responsibly, support local businesses and help keep this beautiful corner of South West Wales special for years to come.”
A young horse grazes peacefully on the cliffs at Rhossili as the sun sets over the Gower coastGower’s designation in 1956 came at a time when rapid post-war development was threatening some of Britain’s most significant natural areas. The new AONB status gave the peninsula legal protection and established a framework that has since been applied across the UK, from the Cotswolds to the Causeway Coast.
Today the peninsula attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, contributing significantly to Swansea’s tourism economy. The challenge for the next 70 years will be balancing that popularity with the conservation of the very qualities that make Gower so special.
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Rhossili cliff horses win reprieve after National Trust meeting
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MAN’S BODY FOUND: Tragic discovery at Gower beauty spot
The tragic discovery was made on the Gower beauty spot on Sunday morning, March 8.
South Wales Police had been conducting a search in the area after a missing man’s car was found in a car park at the popular location on Saturday, March 7.
Officers have now confirmed that a body was found on the sand at Rhossili, a beach often named among the best in the world.
While formal identification has not yet taken place, the family of missing man Matthew Whale has been informed of the development.
Mr Whale, 52, from the Killay area of Swansea, had been reported as a missing person, prompting the search operation.
His car was located in Rhossili, sparking a multi-agency response.
HM Coastguard teams were involved in the extensive search on Saturday afternoon.
Helicopters were also seen circling the area as part of the efforts to locate Mr Whale.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police issued a statement on Sunday morning.
She said: “A body of a man has been found on Rhossili Beach, Swansea.”
“While formal identification has not yet taken place, the family of missing man Matthew Whale has been informed.”
The discovery has cast a sombre mood over the Gower community, an area renowned for its stunning natural beauty.
#featured #Gower #MatthewWhale #MissingPerson #Rhossili #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea
Rhossili cliff horses win reprieve after National Trust meeting
Local farmer Nicky Beynon, who has cared for the animals for generations, was asked to provide paperwork proving the horses’ grazing rights. Documents and history stretching back decades were presented to the Trust, confirming the legitimacy of the herd’s presence on the land.
Historic grazing rights proven
The National Trust, as landowner, had requested evidence to cover itself against any incidents involving the horses. After reviewing the paperwork, officials agreed the animals were entitled to remain.
Nicky Beynon said the horses “wouldn’t be there if they weren’t allowed,” stressing that the herd has been part of Rhossili long before many residents — and even before the Trust itself.
Community calls for better communication
While the outcome was welcomed as a positive resolution, campaigners in the Rhossili Horse Action Group said the episode highlighted the need for clearer communication between the Trust and the local community.
Robert Morgan, who runs Rhossili Sunflowers and Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, posted an update thanking supporters for their offers of help and kind words. He noted that “lots of pressure” had been felt locally alongside the requirements from the Trust, but welcomed the agreement that the horses would stay.
Locals call for education and respect
The decision to let the horses stay was met with relief and celebration across Gower — but also calls for better public awareness.
Dave Thomas suggested the National Trust should now “educate some of the visitors in the etiquette of being around animals,” proposing volunteer wardens to give “toolbox talks” about common grazing.
Meriel Hall, who has lived on Gower for nearly 50 years, said the outcome was a reminder that “it’s us that need to change our behaviour — not the animals.”
Others raised concerns about safety. Gwen Johns urged more protection from “dogs off their leads and ignorant walkers who get too close for a selfie,” while Louise Eden called for “large, clear signage” and multilingual warnings to keep the public at a respectful distance.
Carole Meloni added: “One death is too many — it happens every year. It’s heartbreaking.”
Simon Bowkett praised both Nicky Beynon and Alan Kearsley of the National Trust for resolving the issue, saying: “Let’s hope the point remains seen now.”
What it means for Rhossili
The decision ends weeks of uncertainty after the Trust initially ordered the removal of the horses, sparking widespread outcry. With grazing rights now confirmed, the animals will continue to roam the cliffs — a sight cherished by residents and visitors alike.
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#Farming #Gower #GowerFreshChristmasTrees #GowerPonies #horses #NationalTrust #Rhossili #RhossiliHorseActionGroup #Sunflower
Outcry as National Trust orders removal of Rhossili’s iconic cliff horses
A December deadline that shocked the community
According to Robert Morgan, who runs Rhossili Sunflowers and Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, a letter was sent last week giving farmer Nicky Beynon until 1 December to find a new home for the horses.
Morgan said the decision followed pressure from some residents and the Gower Society, despite widespread local support for keeping the animals where they are.
The herd has been part of Rhossili’s landscape for decades, once cared for by the late Ernie Beynon, who tended the horses across Gower until his death aged 94. Supporters say the animals are not only a much‑loved sight for visitors but also play a vital role in grazing vegetation, keeping paths open, and supporting biodiversity.
Memories, fears and calls for action
The Facebook post by Rhossili Sunflowers has drawn thousands of responses, with many locals and visitors sharing memories and concerns.
Councillors step in to show support
Reform UK councillor Francesca O’Brien also posted about the issue, saying she and her father — Conservative councillor Richard Lewis — were “more than happy to support in any way we can.”
National Trust says safety and numbers are the issue
In a statement to Swansea Bay News, a National Trust Cymru spokesperson said:
“Following complaints about a stallion, which is part of the herd of horses on the common, we have written to the commoner who owns the horse asking them to move it elsewhere due to public safety concerns.
We are also reviewing the number of horses currently grazing on the common, which we believe exceeds the agreed limit in the commoner’s rights to graze.
Our priority is to ensure the safety of visitors, the welfare of the grazing animals and the ecological health of Rhossili.”
The Trust added that it is engaging with the owner to “further understand the number that can remain on the common.”
A landscape shaped by ponies and people
While the National Trust owns the common land at Rhossili, the management and care of livestock is the responsibility of commoners, who each hold rights to graze a set number of animals.
The horses have long been a defining feature of the headland, but recent years have seen tensions over safety and welfare. Earlier this year, two horses died at Rhossili — one falling from the cliffs, another losing an unborn foal after eating dog waste — prompting warnings from farmers and the Trust about the risks posed by visitors and dogs.
Horton Port Eynon lifeboat crew rescue stranded walkers on Worms Head Rhossili
Shortly after 13:30, the Horton and Port Eynon Lifeboat was launched following a report received from the National Coastguard Institution and the Coastguards of two people cut off by the incoming tide.
The sea was choppy and despite this, the boat made good time to Worms Head. The crew quickly located the male walkers who were visiting the area for the weekend.
The walkers, believed to be students at Bristol University, were taken on board the lifeboat back to Rhossili, where they were taken to safety. The duo had told the volunteer crew of Stuart Payne, Abi Penny, and David Frend that they had misjudged the tide.
Lawrie Grove, the Lifeboat Operations Manager for the Horton and Port Eynon Station said:
“I would remind people when walking on or near the coast to make sure that they check local tide times and plan walks accordingly.
“They should never try to swim or wade to shore when cut off by the tide, as it is extremely dangerous. The causeway at Rhossili that leads to Worms Head is usually open 2 ½ hours either side of low tide, with the times displayed near the causeway.
“You should take a means of communication with you and, if you find yourself in difficulty or see someone in difficulty on or near the coast, phone 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
#HortonPortEnynonLifeboat #Rhossili #RNLI #RNLILifeboat #WormsHead
Horton and Port Eynon Crew members receive prestigious awards
The lifeboat had been tasked to go to the aid of seven casualties cut off by the tide at Worms Head Rhossili. The lifeboat had to contend with a very strong swell and high wave conditions in going to Worms Head where the 7 students had been cut off by the rising tide.
The students had made an initial attempt to cross the water and had turned back. The lifeboat crew assessed the conditions and made and executed a plan to take the students back to the mainland two at a time. The series of transfers was completed successfully and is an example of the excellent seamanship of the crew.
The Commendation also recorded that “Throughout the service, you demonstrated excellent courage, perseverance, and teamwork. Your ongoing determination and commitment to saving lives at sea are greatly appreciated.”
The letters of Commendation were presented to the crew by the President of the Station, Sir Bob Hastie.
Lawrie Grove, Lifeboat Operations Manager of the lifeboat station, said:
“The presentation had been kept under wraps and was a complete surprise to the three of them. The rescue was a difficult and challenging one where they needed all of their skills and training.
“We are extremely proud of them. It is a measure of their down-to-earth nature and humility that the crew were keen to stress that they are part of a team at the station and could not do their job without the support and hard work of everyone at the station.”
[Lead image RNLI Lifeboats]
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Kit Peters
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