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    Agriculture in Wales by Rame Guillaume

     

     

    Welsh agriculture is dominated by the pastoral (livestock) sector. According to the latest Welsh Government statistics, in 2013 only 7.65% of the 23,135 active farm holdings in Wales were aimed at crops, horticulture or were a mixture of the two. In addition, some 17,765 holdings were "dormant". Wales has 18% of the UK's total supply of permanent pasture land, and 9% of the UK's total supply of general agricultural land.

    The livestock estimates for 2013 were:

                                              *8.6 million sheeps

                                              *8.1 million poultry( chikens, ducks,...)

                                              *1.1 million cattle

                                              *30.000 pigs

    Wales, unsurprisingly, is home to more than a quarter of the UK's sheep (27%), and an above population share of cattle (11%). Livestock numbers are lower than 2006, perhaps on ongoing recovery from the 2006 foot and mouth crisis. The sheep population, for example, is recovering, but the population is still lower than in 2006 (9.9million).

    The amount of land set aside for agricultural use has slowly increased over the years, from 1.62million hectares in 2001 to 1.71million hectares in 2011. Of that, some 84.5% of it is permanent grassland or rough grazing land.


    When it comes to production, Welsh agriculture is dominated, not by sheep, but by cows. 30% of gross output is dairy products, 23% is cattle (presumably beef). Only 19.4% of agricultural output was based around sheep (presumably meat), but this figure doesn't include wool.


    Dairy farming is the most
    "lucrative" element of Welsh agriculture, providing an estimated income in 2011-12 of £63,900 per farm-compared to the all-farm average of £38,200. However, this figure should be treated with caution due to the well-documented issues surrounding the retail price of milk in particular, as well as possible inflation of incomes via grant schemes.

    In my own opinion, one area that could be targeted for further growth in the same way as red meat are processed dairy products. Wales obviously has a ready supply of milk, so why aren't our cheeses for example being promoted to the same extent? That's not to mention other potential marketable spin-offs : creams, butter, ice creams, gelatos & yogurts and we can conclusively say that the Welsh economy is not
    "reliant on sheep".

     

    Agriculture in Wales by Rame Guillaume

     


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  • The Castles are an important historic place in Wales,

    During my journey I could visit four different castles. There are different with their architecture, mode of manufacturing and the main function.

     First, I visited Beaumaris castle in the isle of Anglesey, it was built in 1295, but it never was finish after 35 years because of the war against Scothland. It is one of many castles which were building during the conquest of Wales by the England king Edouard the first to impose his domination at the country. So this castle is not very large and very accommodating to receive a noble but for the war it’s was sufficient.

     Secondly, Conwy Castle, it is another castle which was built between 1283 and 1289, during the conquest of Edouard the first, Conwy with his medieval past is an important touristic place in the north of Wales.

    Thirdly, Caslte coch, is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle built on the remains of a genuine 13th-century fortification. It is situated on a steep hillside high above the village of Tongwynlais, to the north of Cardiff in Wales, and is a Grade I listed building as from 28 January 1963. It’s was the property of the 3th Marquess of Butes the last lord who reigned in Cardiff and surroundings.

    And to finish this article, Cardiff Castle, it was the most important place in Wales; it is dividing in two parts, one part for the accommodation of the Lord reigning and the second part for the military place. Historically speaking it’s this castle which is the most important in Wales because it had known and undergoing all the barbarian or English conquest in the past. 


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  • Hello everybody today I would like to talk about a famous walesh expression: »sheep-shaggers » We often hear this word in wrexham but what the hell is a sheep-shagger?

    I asked some wales people and most of the time they old to me that is referring to the welsh shaggim sheep it’s used as an insult to welsh people really?

     

                   Welsh history

    Shepp shagger is a race that is misunderstood by their neighbours, the English due to their craftiness and intelligent. The English call the welsh sheep-saggers due to an old trick used by the welsh against their gullible English neighbor in medieval times, when the English had a nasty habit of fucking sheep. When wales adopted English law they noticed the penalty for shagging a sheep was less than stealing one, so whenever they were caught stealing a sheep, they would instead say they were planning  ti fuck it instead to avoid the fire. Therefore there is a very long list of crimes involving Welshman shagging a sheep although it is only the English who would actually ever fuck a sheep it is just another example of the welsh kicking the English once again.

                    English man:” you are going to have your hand chopped off with an axe because you stole a sheep.”

                    Welsh man: ” I was in fact taking the sheep to fuck.”

     

                    English man: ” Oh, that’s good then our law endorse sheep shaggers. You will have to lose a finger.”


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  • Hello, this article deals with the welsh gastronomy;

    During my tour of the country, I have discovered a lot of local specialty in Wales so I will present you the main traditional meals that you can found in all the country.

    First, the special welsh breakfast consists of bacon, mushrooms, poached eggs, tomatoes, and a special local sausage. I explain me, if the breakfast is not preparing with industrial food, it’s with the local ingredients and each region cooker has a recipe for stuffing different.

    And secondly, lunch or dinner,

    For the beginning the special starter in Wales is the traditional soup with any different ingredient every day. I tested a soup with gorgonzola, broccoli and onion, in general I don’t like broccoli but I loved this soup and just for that I begin to eat more and more broccoli with any different cook.  

    For the main dish, you can take the traditional fish and chips but the main specialty in Wales is the cook based in sheep. During my journey I say more sheep than people in 3 days, there are some horse and cow. In France we eat lamb and in Wales they eat sheep. I tested once on this specialty, a stuffed pie with braised lamb accompanied by peas and chips.

    For the desert, I found the same desert than in England, the crumble, a cake made of apple and the special pudding and his jelly legendary.

      

      


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  • We went in Wrexham. It is a ninth city from the north of the Wales. This city is famous for its university: Glyndwr. Previously, it was called North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI). So, that proves that it is an important university. Wrexham is an important city, but the center of this town looks like a village. Because it’s not so touristic, it is calm, and they have been succeding to keep a kind of conviviality and simplicity in town. Nevertheless, Glyndwr University keeps the life in Wrexham city. Because, for example, during Easter holidays, there was nobody, the streets were desert. Thus, in this cultural aspect we are talking about the local youth. We are going to focus mainly on student, particulary because they are the soul of Wrexham. First, I want to explain to you the traditional student life in Glyndwr University. Basically, student arrived in September for two semesters, until the end of May. First, they have two weeks of freshes week (student integration to meet other student). I heard it is a huge party. You have to know, in Wrexham, it's a kind of village, because you stay and meet every time the same persons. So it's important to be in the student community. Lecture : After that, lecture takes time to start, but set off in October. The timetable of Glyndwr student is not busy, and more if you are European or international student. On average, 10 to 15 hours per week. To compare with the France it is very low. Nevertheless, it is not the same education system. Indeed, you are just few lecture hours, but, we have to study by ourselves. This education concept allows us to develop our autonomy, learn us to look for good sources on internet or in the library, but also, to communicate. In this kind of assignment, need to be aware of all the information sources. It is really important to talk about your project with other student, even if you aren't in the same lecture as them. It is at this time, that the student community is really important. And in this case, you learn a lot of information about your topic. And this education is quite intelligent because, your learning is not limited by just your lecture like in France. Because, basically, we learn our lesson, but in this way, you have to find, what is interesting to you, in your own opinion. And this is the most interesting part, but technically, it is difficult, and more for European student, because we never use to learn in this way. So at the beginning, it is hard to find motivation, because we are a lot of free time, but we want to go sightseeing, or go in town ... but definitively not working. Party: in Wrexham, party or hang depend of the day of the week.

    On Monday night, you can sing Karaoke in the Student Guild on the campus or go to Chester (20 minutes by train) for an amazing party. On Tuesday night, you should prepare yourself for the Chicago's party on Wednesday. This is the most important student night of the week. These Wednesday parties are organized by UnderGrad. This organization allows to have a cameraman, cheap entry in this night club (2£), cheap drinks (2£), and a free cloakroom. And there are often themes like, "Sumo suits", "Heroes Vs Villain", Smurf", "summer holiday" ... It's really user-friendly. If you want more information about Undergrad and the next theme of the party.Afterwards, parties start again on Friday and Saturday nights. The best place is the Liquid. There are 2 different levels with different kind of music. The price is more expensive than the Chicago but with student card is 3£ instead of 6£.

    Rugby matches: In Wrexham, there is not every time party. On the whole, Welsh like rugby and they are proud of them team. So, during a rugby match, go to IronWork, it's a huge pub definitively sympatic and with a really good atmosphere!

    To be relax:

    You should go to the park on a sunny day. There are two parks in Wrexham, a small one behind of Argos. An other, bigger and beautiful, close to Tesco. At least, we used to organize barbecue in front of the "student village" accommodation and played football.

    To conclude, all the moment in Wrexham was worth living. Be European student is definitely a great life experience. Don't forget to use your free time to travel and organize some trip with other student, it is a good occasion to improve your English. Even if it's a bit expensive to travel, it's worth it!


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