Last week on Bargoed farm near Llwyncelyn, the Caru Ceredigion Awards were held for the first time (12 December 2024) to celebrate individuals, businesses and community projects from across the county.
The event was organised by Cynnal y Cardi, Ceredigion’s local action group, under the Caru Ceredigion banner. There were around 130 applications for the awards, with 36 reaching the short lists for 12 awards. Presenting the evening were the broadcasters Ifan Jones Evans and Nest Jenkins, both Ceredigion natives. The trophies for the evening were specially created by students from Ceredigion College in collaboration with the blacksmith Alec Page from Lampeter who created the main Caru Ceredigion Award. According to the organisers the evening was a success with a broad range of representatives from local government, institutions, and the county’s business community in attendance.
Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Economy and Regeneration, said:
“The awards reiterate how we have worked together to ensure strong and sustainable economic growth for Ceredigion, created and shared by all.
“It was a pleasure to witness the outstanding contributions and achievements of all our winners, and those shortlisted. I know our judges were very impressed with the quality of the nominations and I would like to congratulate all those who featured during the evening.
“The evening was a celebration of the exceptional work that takes place in businesses and communities across Ceredigion, and to help develop an ambitious, resilient and unique society where generations can see a clear future for themselves.”
“Finally, I would like to thank everyone involved in the event for making it a memorable celebration of our community’s achievements.”
Among the winners and those nominated were a number of projects that have received funding or support through the ARFOR scheme in different ways, such as AberInnovation, Delineate and Jenkins Family Milk. The winner of the ARFOR Award itself was AberInnovation, a project which aims to be a catalyst while developing bioscience research to create economic growth and investment.
The winner of the main Caru Ceredigion Award was the butcher Sion Jones, for his tireless work promoting and selling local produce of the highest quality, prioritising good service and sustainability.
Plans are already underway to hold another awards ceremony next year. To learn more about Cynnal y Cardi’s work and for further information in future about the awards, follow this link to their website. In the meantime, here is a list of all the Caru Ceredigion Awards 2024 winners:
Community Innovation Award
Winner: Dyfodol Ni
Shortlisted: Academy for Rural Health and Social Care (Coleg Ceredigion)
Shortlisted: Ceredigion Catalysts for Care
Business Innovation Award
Winner: Chuckling Goat
Shortlisted: Delineate
Shortlisted: Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery
Apprentice of the Year Award
Winner: Jason Vale (Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery)
Shortlisted: Asha Vernon (Area 43)
Shortlisted: Iestyn Rees-Greaves (Cyngor Sir Ceredigion County Council)
ARFOR Award
Winner: ArloesiAber/AberInnovation
Shortlisted: Madarch Tŷ Cynan Mushrooms
Shortlisted: Theatr Felinfach
Agri-Food Award
Winner: Watson & Pratt’s
Shortlisted: Llaeth Teulu Jenkins Family Milk
Shortlisted: Welshhomestead Smokery
Caru Ceredigion Inspiration Award
Winner: HAHAV Ceredigion
Shortlisted: Cerflun Cymunedol Cranogwen Community Monument
Shortlisted: Gill Evans
Community Business of the Year Awards
Winner: Area 43
Shortlisted: Hwb Cymunedol Borth Community Hub
Shortlisted: Yma
Young Entrepreneur Award
Winner: Sion Jones, Cigydd Sion Jones Butcher
Shortlisted: Bryn McGilligan Oliver (BMO Coaching)
Shortlisted: Sara Griffith (Sara Lleucu)
Discover Ceredigion Award
Winner: SeaMôr Dolphin Watching
Shortlisted: Fferm Bargoed Farm
Shortlisted: West Wales Holiday Cottages
Community/Smaller Event of the Year Award
Winner: Gŵyl Grefft Cymru – Craft Festival Wales
Shortlisted: Gŵyl Comedi Aberystwyth Comedy Festival
Shortlisted: Lleisiau Eraill Aberteifi – Other Voices Cardigan
Large Event of the Year Award
Winner: JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion
Shortlisted: Gŵyl Fwyd Llanbed – Lampeter Food Festival
Shortlisted: Digwyddiad Glaswellt a Thail Cynaliadwy 2024 – The Sustainable Grass and Muck Event 2024
Ceredigion Worldwide Award
Winner: Aber Instruments
Shortlisted: Delineate
Shortlisted: Gwasg Gomer
Caru Ceredigion Award 2024
Winner: Sion Jones, Cigydd Sion Jones Butcher
