Funding helps North Wales artisan cheese maker expand operations
23rd August 2023
Dr Carrie Rimes, a former grassland ecologist turned artisan cheese-maker, recently hosted minister Lesley Griffiths on her new award-winning sheep milk dairy in Bethesda, Gwynedd, which was realised through government funding and support from the local council.
Rural affairs and North Wales minister Lesley Griffiths met with artisan cheese maker Dr Carrie Rimes.
Brought up on her family’s farm in Devon, Dr Rimes had always wanted to make cheese and her research in Welsh delis and cheese shops identified a demand for sheep milk cheese.
She began crafting her signature cheese, Cosyn Cymru (Welsh Truckle), in 2015 and is now the owner of a growing dairy enterprise.
The new facility, Llaethdy Gwyn, is based at the town’s former Catholic church dating back to the 1960s and has received support from the Welsh Government’s Food Business Investment Scheme and Cyngor Gwynedd Council.
Dr Rimes said: “The assistance I’ve received has enabled me to create the dairy and grow my business – including taking on additional staff as production increases – I would not have managed to expand without such help.”
Cosyn Cymru’s cheese is made by hand in small batches from unpasteurised milk using traditional methods. It is sold at independent shops and delis, cafes and markets, with the dairy’s Brefu Bach also stocked by renowned retailer Neal’s Yard in London.
According to Dr Rimes, milk for Cosyn Cymru was initially sourced from Lancashire, as no farmers in North Wales were milking sheep at the time. Years later, the business now works with four local producers who supply milk all year round from Lleyn and Friesland ewes that are allowed to graze naturally.
Cosyn Cymru has also benefitted from the support as a member of the Food & Drink Wales Fine Food Cluster, facilitated by Menter a Busnes, receiving business advice and attending events.
Dr Rimes added: “The Fine Food Cluster has been great. I’ve had very helpful business advice and went with them to the World Cheese Awards, held in Newport last November, where I met many people and even helped host a delegation from Norway.”
“I’ve also partnered with Cadwyn Ogwen, a local food delivery service and have a range of local products in the shop.”
Dr Rimes’ Cosyn Cymru has also been shortlisted for the BBC Food & Farming Awards 2023 in the Best Food Producer category, with the winners due to be announced in Newport on Wednesday 25th October.
Minister for rural affairs and North Wales, Lesley Griffiths, who recently visited the dairy, said: “It’s been great to see the developments here at Llaethdy Gwyn and to hear about the success of Cosyn Cymru. They have succeeded in growing a market for sheep’s milk Products, and it’s good to hear how they are using local sheep’s milk from North Wales.
“I’m pleased the Welsh Government was able to support this new dairy and wish Carrie the very best of luck for the future.”
