Most fruit and vegetable plants require pollination, yet the
honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies and other insects that carry out the pollination are
having a tough time. Habitats are being degraded,
reducing the number of nectar-rich plants in built-up areas; while disease, varroa
mite and insecticides have taken their toll on honeybee numbers.
The situation can be improved by individuals planting
nectar-rich plant species for feeding insects on an ad hoc basis. However, an
initiative to improve insect pollination services through public participation
has just been launched: the Nectar Point Network.
A nectar point is a location that has been augmented with
plants that produce nectar for insects. It could be in a community garden, residential
garden, school grounds, park, roadside verge, or even a large window-box. A
nectar point network is a coordinated series of such nectar points in a given
area. The network rests on a group of local activists in a growers hub, such as
a community garden, who use their skills and resources to propagate nectar-rich
plants to supply to their neighbours.
The main considerations in establishing nectar points are to
select nectar-rich plants to grow in soil or containers, and to keep a record
of the outcomes of planting and any monitoring of pollinators that is done. There
is therefore an element of citizen science involved in nectar point networks,
with participants encouraged to learn about different pollinator species (e.g.,
bumblebees) and to communicate their
findings to other groups (e.g., via websites and blogs).
Networks of nectar points can be planned to create ecological corridors through built-up areas for pollinating insects, and to generally enhance local biodiversity and wildlife in gardens and streets. Networks can also, of course, encompass apiaries, and the strategic location of bee tubes or hotels for solitary bees species.
Here are some bee-friendly plants for gardens: heathers, rosemary,
dead nettles, pussy willow, thyme, cotoneaster, wallflower, sage, honeysuckle,
comfrey, cornflower, buddleia, delphinium, hollyhock, and lavender.
The Nectar Point Network website suggests several local actions for
groups. ‘Linking with Lavender’ is one example of a
neighbourhood growing scheme with the objective of establishing nectar-rich plants for pollinators in an urban setting. It relies on a local community garden acting
as a hub for propagating and distributing plants in pots to its
neighbours. The pots can be returned to
the hub annually or purchased. Costs
could be met by local sponsorship. The pots, containing lavender or any other
nectar-rich plants, can be used on patios or paved front garden.
A Welsh Government draft Action Plan for Pollinating Insects
was launched in July 2013 (see below), in recognition of the major economic importance of natural pollination services. Also, a new Welsh Government initiative
called Cynefin (meaning ‘habitat’) aims to help individuals and groups
throughout Wales mount community-led environmental action plans. Cynefin
Cardiff is already working with four community gardens in Cardiff with a view
to starting a city-wide Nectar Point Network.
This should be the first of a series of posts on Nectar
Point Networks on this blog, as I help get a network hub started here in Dinas
Powys. I will report on what is involved, and write more about schemes to
improve the pollination of fruit and vegetable plants, during the year.
Nectar Point Network website:
https://www.sites.google.com/site/nectarpointnetwork/home
Nightingale Community Garden, Dinas Powys:
http://sfnottingham.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/creating-community-garden-10.html
Welsh Government Action Plan for Pollinators (links to draft
documents here):
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/consmanagement/conservationbiodiversity/action-plan-for-pollinators/?lang=en
Friends of the Earth ‘The Bee Cause’ campaign:
http://www.foe.co.uk/bees
Cardiff Market, also known as Cardiff Central Market and
Cardiff Indoor Market, opened in 1891. It was designed by William Harpur and
consists of a large wrought iron shed running from the back of the Market
Buildings on St Mary Street through to Trinity Street.
There are currently seven butchers (around the outer walls),
six fruit & vegetable stalls, several bread and cake retailers, along with
a fishmonger, a cheese stall, and imported food and spice stalls. There are
also seven cafés and snack bars. If you want fresh local produce in Cardiff
from independent retailers, look no further. You also know that you will be
buying from stallholders who have expert knowledge of their subject and
produce. It is difficult to do all the food stalls in Cardiff Market justice here, but I offer this as an introductory guide to the market.
The present layout divides the Market into 265 units; though
these are typically occupied as units of 2 or 4 by today’s larger stalls (originally
there were 349 stalls). On the ground floor there are around 60 businesses
arranged along both side walls and on both sides of four aisles, while an
upstairs balcony that runs all around the building houses around 10 businesses.
Each of the three central areas between the aisles is split into three blocks. The
Manager’s office (2087 1214) is in the clock tower at the centre of the
building. The market is open 8.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday.
On this Walking Tour of Cardiff, we enter Cardiff Market
from Trinity Street (though the main postal address for the market is St Mary
Street where the other main entrance is located). There are two stalls in the
Trinity Street entrance hall. To your left:
E. Ashton (Fishmongers)
200 Cardiff Central Market CF10 1AU (2022 9201)
This fishmonger’s stall has been here since the market first
opened in 1891. It was originally owned by the Adams family. The Ashton family
have been selling fish for five generations, originally from a shop in Penarth
and since the 1950s from this stall in Cardiff Market. Ashton’s sell a large
variety of fish and shellfish on their marble slabs, including fish species you
don’t often see. There’s also rabbit, poultry and a range of more unusual meats.
This morning I bought some Welsh bass, which is currently being promoted. This
stall is part of Ashton’s large local business operation, which supplies many
restaurants in the region with fish and shellfish (Food Hygiene Rating 2:
improvement necessary. July 2013).
Opposite:
Seymore Fruit and Vegetables
197-201 Cardiff Central Market CF10 1AU
Although called ‘Sullivan’s Fruit & Veg’ over the stall,
this fresh fruit and vegetable stall is currently owned by M. Seymore, who also
operates another stall in the Market (138-142). Lively sales banter and seasonal
bargains are the order of the day.
Go through the inner doors, past the stairs on both sides to
the gallery. Turn right to the stalls on the outer edge:
The Celtic Corner
41-43a Cardiff Market CF10 1AU
This café in the corner, owned by C. Carroll, has seating across
the aisle (unit 93) and is always busy when I’m in Cardiff Market. Apparently, ‘Bovril
is back’ (Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. Jan 2013).
Continue down this far side, past pots and pans, tools and
wool:
A&S Griffiths
19 and 21 Central Market CF10 1AU (2039 7669)
A&S Griffiths (also known as A.W. Griffiths) Butcher and
Danish Bacon Specialists. Also has a stall on the opposite side of the market (18-20
and 22-24), both locations selling a range of meat and poultry, including Welsh
lamb, burgers, hams and faggots (Food Hygiene Rating 3: generally satisfactory.
Sept 2013).
Perkins and Sons
15 and 17 Central Market CF10 1AU (2022 4494)
Also known as R.T. Perkins butcher. Range of meats, again
with a focus on local produce (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. June 2013).
You can exit the market here via a side door that takes you
toward Church Street.
Walk around the bottom end of the first aisle, past all the
wigs, and start walking up the second aisle. On your right at the end, at the
start of the central row of stalls opposite the entrance to St Mary Street:
The Market Munch Box
145 and 148 Central Market CF10 1AU
Take-away serving coffee/teas, sandwiches and hot baguettes.
Today’s specials included roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce filled baguettes
and bologna pasta (Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. Oct 2013).
On your left:
The Continental
49, 51, 99 and 101 Central Market CF10 1AU
This snack bar and take-away lunch was formerly called Cose Cosi (Food Hygiene Rating 1: major improvement necessary.
June 2013).
Fresh and Simple (Market Deli)
53, 55, 57, 59, 103, 105, 107 and 109 Central Market CF10
1AU (2034 5165)
Fresh fruit and vegetables counters on both sides at the end
of this first block of stalls, including a section of more exotic fruit and
vegetables (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. Oct 2011).
The other side of the aisle, at the end of this first block
of stalls:
The Bread Stall
155-156 and 158 Cardiff Market CF10 1AU (2022 6941)
Fresh bread (cobs and bloomers), sandwiches, Welsh cakes, and
other cakes (Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. Feb 2013).
On the very central block of the ground floor:
Cardiff Bakestones
163 and 165 Cardiff Market CF10 1AU
Welsh cakes and offer traditional cakes freshly-cooked on their large bakestone
(Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. June 2013).
At the end of this central block, which is underneath the
clock tower:
Clancy’s
167 and 170 Central Market CF10 1AU
Clancy’s is a recent addition to Cardiff Market, opening in
Jan 2013. Impressive range of chilli peppers and spices in glass jars,
alongside herbs. Vegetarian and vegan street-food and cakes, including halloumi
and spicy snacks; today’s special is lentil daal.
Mark’s Foods
171, 169, 174, 172 Central Market CF10 1AU
This ‘world food stall’ established in 2009 moved to this
bigger location (from the stall now occupied by Clancy’s) about a year ago. It
sells a wide range of imported foodstuffs, including olives, sundried-tomatoes,
vine leaves, nuts, berries and dried fruit, alongside Mediterranean sweets
(e.g., Turkish delight and licorice) and honey-drenched baklavas.
Opposite the Trinity Street entrance:
Yeates Confectionary
179 and 182 Central Market CF10 1AU
Yeates Confectionary, formerly R. Litton, sells pick-and-mix
sweets (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. Jan 2012).
Walk down the third and final aisle, from the Trinity Street
end:
The Cheese Stall
94, 96, 144 and 146 Central Market CF10 1AU (2066 6603)
Cheese and Deli stall owned by K. Kemble, selling a good
range of Welsh cheeses, and is also a sandwich shop. Eggs for sale.
M. Seymore
138, 140 and 142 Central Market CF10 1AU (2038 2020)
Fruit and vegetables.
At the end of this first block:
Coffee Central
82, 84, 132, 134 and 136 Central Market CF10 1AU
Formerly Jazzy Jackets, this is a modern-looking take-away
for coffee/teas and snacks (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. June 2013).
Judy Griffin
76, 78, 80, 126, 128, 130 Central Market CF10 1AU
Judy Griffin’s fruit and vegetables stall, which may be
operated by Yeates (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. Oct 2011).
Yeates
60, 62, 74, 110 and 112 Central Market CF10 1AU
M. Yeates sell a wide range fruit and vegetables, including
exotic fruits. In fact, Cardiff Market is generally the first stop for fruit
and veg that are a little out of the ordinary (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very
good. Oct 2011).
Market Deli
54, 56, 58, 104, 106 and 108 Central Market CF10 1AU (2066
6603)
Range of delicatessen produce, including hams and corned
beef, pies and pasties, Scotch eggs (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. June
2013).
Turn at the St Mary Street end and come back down the fourth
and final aisle. On the outer side:
K. Blackmore & Sons
Stalls 2, 4 and 6 Central Market CF10 1AU (2039 0401)
Someone was ordering three whole pig heads when I walked
past this morning. Great hunks of steak, also venison, wild rabbit and a range
of marinated meats, such as goat curry, Greek-style lamb shanks, Singapore
chicken, spicy pork and one just labelled ‘bloody hot’ (Food Hygiene Rating 3:
generally satisfactory. Oct 2010).
Market Deli
8, 10 and 12 Central Market CF10 1AU
Range of meats produces including sausages, across the aisle
from the other Market Deli stall location. Indian and other ready meals are
made at this stall (Food Hygiene Rating 5: very good. June 2013).
Along the outer row of stalls:
Gary Anthony
14 and 16 Central Market CF10 1AU (2038 7900)
Butcher. Gary Anthony also has a stall on the opposite side
of the market. Good range of meats on offer (Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. June
2013).
A&S Griffiths
18, 20, 22 and 24 Central Market CF10 1AU (2039 7669)
Also known as A.W. Griffiths. Butcher with good range of
hams, bacon and other meats (Food Hygiene Rating 2: improvement necessary. Sept
2013).
A. Morgan
26 and 28 Central Market CF10 1AU
Also known as A.J. Morgan: Butcher (Food Hygiene Rating 3:
generally satisfactory. March 2011).
Gary Anthony
30, 32 and 34 Central Market CF10 1AU (2038 7900)
Another traditional butcher with excellent range of produce
(Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. June 2013).
J. T. Morgan
36, 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 Central Market CF10 1AU
(2038 8434)
Butcher, focussing more on pre-packed meat products (Food Hygiene
Rating 4: good. Jan 2013).
Take the steps up to the balcony by the Trinity Street
entrance. Once you are facing into the market, go around anti-clockwise, past
the toy shop, aquarium suppliers and electrical goods stalls to:
Woody’s
237, 239 and 241 The Balcony, Central Market CF10 1AU
Woody’s Café has seats along the balcony and in the unit
next to the counter. Breakfast and lunches, mainly burgers and other fry-ups. A
giant panda walks along the balcony edge (Food Hygiene Rating 2: improvement
necessary. June 2013).
Around past The Pet Supermarket, and between the two sets of
stairs down to the St Mary Street entrance:
The Gallery Café
213, 215 and 217 The Balcony, Central Market CF10 1AU
The Gallery Café, with Donnelly’s Café on the signage,
serves breakfast and lunch, including burgers, hot dogs and pies. Seating along
the balcony and in a unit by the counter (Food Hygiene Rating 3: generally
satisfactory. June 2013).
Keep walking around, past the life-size plastic Elvis
Presley (he’s still for sale):
Kelly’s Records
212-232 The Balcony, Central Market CF10 1AU (2037 7355)
This record business, established in 1969 by Ed Kelly and
still in the family, is a terrific place to browse through second-hand vinyl,
CDs and DVDs. Kelly’s Barbers is within
this block of stalls (218, 220).
Next door:
The Bull Terrier Café
234, 236, 238, 240, 242 and 244 The Balcony, Central Market
CF10 1AU
This is the largest café in the market, with seating on both
sides of the counter and along the balcony. Big on breakfasts (as are all the
market cafés). Lunches include faggots, chips, and a range of other snacks and
fry-ups. Today’s specials included roast pork and turkey, chicken curry, and
meatballs on pasta (Food Hygiene Rating 4: good. June 2013).
Carry on past Petworld, go down the stairs, and exit to
Trinity Street.
