Royally approved butcher says food festival puts region on map

Gwyn Davies, who has run his shop in Castle Street, Llangollen, for 40 years, is looking forward to returning to the annual Hamper Llangollen event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors this weekend.

Mr Davies, 70, was staggered earlier this summer when Prince Charles asked to stop off at his butcher's shop while making an official visit to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

He said: "I had just five days' notice. I couldn't believe it when he called in. He is genuinely interested in the food sector and supporting independent businesses. We chatted for a little while, he asked quite a few questions and was very affable."

The food festival in Llangollen's Royal Pavilion hosts more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by professionals and celebrity chefs.

Mr Davies said: "Having been there for a few years now, I am a very keen supporter of the event. It brings in a lot of business to our region and gives independent traders like myself a chance to meet new people and demonstrate the sort of quality produce we have to offer right here on their doorsteps.

"It's a great way to get customer feedback and there will be a chance to buy all the quality meats we sell here at the shop."

The quality of his meat attracts customers from as far afield as Merseyside.

He said: "We have a number of caravanners and visitors to the region who first called in at the shop on holiday and enjoyed our meat cuts so much that they regularly return to buy large orders to take home with them."

He was about 10 or 11 when he first entered the meat trade after securing a spare-time job in his local slaughterhouse to "earn myself a few pennies".

"You had to work hard in those days to get yourself some pocket money. I was fortunate, though; I found work with one of the best in the business, Eric Wheeler, who taught me skills which have stayed with me all my life," he said.