UPPER KILLAY: Former journalist’s lavender dream blooms after £50k grant transforms derelict farm

Rae Howells and her husband Phil Poucher, founders of Gower Lavender, have refurbished ruined brick sheds on their 10-acre farm in Upper Killay, creating a purpose-built, eco-friendly workspace for processing lavender and manufacturing a growing range of award-winning products.

The transformation was supported by Swansea Council’s Transforming County Anchor Placemaking Grant, which is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The expansion has already led to the creation of a new job and increased hours for existing staff at the burgeoning Gower business.

The couple founded Gower Lavender in 2017 after Rae lost her job in journalism.

“We had one lavender plant in our garden and a big dream to create an eco-friendly tourist business in Swansea,” said Rae.

“We’d visited lavender farms around the UK and couldn’t understand why there wasn’t anything like it in South Wales.

“When I lost my job, that lavender plant became my inspiration.”

The couple initially grew lavender in rented and borrowed fields across Gower, even supporting the National Trust with a new lavender field in Rhossili to test how the crop would fare in the Welsh climate.

Rae also trained in soap and skincare production, with early products made in the family garage and packaged using compostable materials featuring designs by local illustrator Hannah Davies.

Today, Gower Lavender supplies around 40 retailers, attends Uplands and Mumbles markets, and sells online. Its range includes award-winning soaps, lavender hand cream, pillow sprays and a popular lavender syrup used in coffees, cocktails and desserts.

After searching for several years, the family purchased a long-vacant farm in Upper Killay in June 2025, relocating their home and business. The grant funding enabled the restoration of neglected outbuildings into a modern workshop, providing space for new equipment and future product development.

Rae said: “The funding has helped us to build a modern, eco-friendly workspace for our business and our goal is that it will become an asset for Upper Killay, Gower and Swansea. The new premises has already enabled us to create employment opportunities and increase working hours.”

Cllr David Hopkins, Swansea Council Joint Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Delivery, said: “It’s fantastic to see how this funding has supported a local business to grow, create jobs and breathe new life into unused buildings.

“Gower Lavender is a brilliant example of innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship right here in Swansea.”

The business plans to plant its first acre of lavender this summer as it continues to grow.

Paw-sitive visits for pups after Upper Killay vets named dog-friendly clinic

Linnaeus-owned Gower Vets in Upper Killay has joined the Dog Friendly Clinic Scheme, an initiative by Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association (BVBA).

It aims to help team members develop skills and knowledge so they can continually improve the welfare of patients in the clinic, as some dogs are anxious about vet visits, which can make them reluctant to enter the practice, difficult to examine and worried during treatment.

Staff at Gower Vets, which is already recognised as a cat-friendly clinic, have taken steps to always make visits a positive experience for dogs.

Lead veterinary nurse Lauren Rogers, who helped lead Gower’s accreditation, said:

“Dog anxiety when visiting the vet can be traumatising for everyone involved and may even put off owners seeking veterinary help when needed.

“By becoming a dog-friendly clinic, our team are committed to optimising our knowledge, skills and resources to ensure vet visits are positive for both dogs and clients.

“Our clinic team will also benefit from a better understanding of dog behaviour, helping them prevent the development of problems, spot issues early, help owners with up-to-date advice, and have a safer working environment.”

So far, the practice has introduced a range of measures to help dogs remain calm when they come to the practice.

Owners fill out questionnaires about their dogs’ likes, dislikes and basic commands so team members know the patients better and whether they suffer any anxiety around vet visits.

Non-slip mats have also been made available for dogs with mobility issues.

The next step is introducing appointments during quieter times to help patients who are fearful of the vets. Staff will then work with owners to reduce their dog’s response to triggers at the vets.

BVBA chair Chris Laurence said:

“Encouraging welfare-friendly treatment of dogs in veterinary practices is one of our primary objectives so every additional practice means many more dogs will benefit.

“We’re delighted Gower Vets has joined our dog friendly community. By doing so, they are helping ensure every dog has as positive an experience as possible within their clinic.”

Dogs Trust Director of Strategy and Transformation Dr Rachel Casey added:

“Veterinary care is an essential part of dogs’ lives, but some find visits to the vets stressful.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with the BVBA to create the Dog Friendly Clinic scheme to help veterinary practices embed the principles of behavioural medicine into clinic life.

“Vet clinics are at the forefront of recognising and preventing the development of problem behaviours in dogs, and this scheme will help them develop the skills and knowledge to optimise the wellbeing of the dogs in their care.”

To learn more about Gower Vets, visit www.gowervets.co.uk.

[Lead image: Gower Vets]

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