Welsh food and drink producers are showcasing their goods this festive season through the medium of song, with a special rendition of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.
The Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Wales #CaruCymruCaruBlas campaign was initially launched in the summer of 2020 as a way of thanking those working around the clock to feed the nation during the coronavirus pandemic.
Embraced by businesses from across Wales’ food and drink sectors #CaruCymruCaruBlas caught the public’s imagination and attracted celebrity support across social media.
When eating out and shopping for Christmas, people are urged to seek out Welsh food and drink products. A wealth of Welsh produce is readily available on menus, at supermarkets and high street retailers – also online using tools such as the Welsh producers’ map created by Cywain (cywain.cymru).
The participating companies are drawn from across Wales and the food and drink sector, and include small, artisan producers as well as larger businesses.
Local participants include Wickedly Welsh Chocolate, Haverfordwest; The Fudge Foundry, Neyland; Still Wild Drinks, Kilgetty; Puffin Produce Ltd, Haverfordwest; and Calon Wen, Narberth.
As part of the Welsh Government’s Food and Drink Wales #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste campaign to encourage shoppers to buy Welsh products this Christmas, a host of producers took part in videos featuring a specially adapted version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’.
The bi-lingual vocals were performed by a group of South Wales singers – and the eight-strong male voice group came together especially for the #CaruCymruCaruBlas Christmas campaign.
They are members of C.Ô.R (Côr Osian Rowlands), a mixed choir originally formed to raise money for the 2015 Caerphilly Urdd Eisteddfod. The choir now undertake various choral projects, including film soundtracks and charitable events.
The #CaruCymruCaruBlas version of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ was arranged by the choir’s conductor Osian Rowlands and recorded at Capel Salem in Canton, Cardiff.
The producers have recorded ‘Nadolig Llawen/Merry Christmas’ videos which, along with ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ videos can also be found on social media by searching the #CaruCymruCaruBlas #LoveWalesLoveTaste hashtags - or by folllowing this link https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/LoveWalesLoveTaste
Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd said: “#CaruCymruCaruBlas began as a ‘thank you’ to those in the Welsh food and drink industry. But it has grown to become an eye-catching and novel way to showcase Wales’ vibrant food and drink sector and some of the wonderful products available.
“There is a fantastic amount of choice when buying in shops or online, and when eating out. I hope that this Christmas people will support Welsh businesses during what is a hugely important time for food and drink producers.”