Book-ish

Welcome!

Welcome to our new YouTube channel!

Book-ish is a multi award-winning independent bookshop and cafe set on 2018's Best High Street in Britain in Crickhowell, in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales.

We hope to use this YouTube channel to share with you book reviews, interviews with authors and illustrators and perhaps even the odd vlog. Please subscribe to keep updated!

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REVIEW - The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal

Our first ever book review of 'The Doll Factory' by Elizabeth Macneal.

Get an Indie Exclusive signed copy here:

Get tickets to our event with Elizabeth on the 8th May 2019 here:

UK's best high street with almost zero chain stores in Crickhowell

UK's best high street with almost zero chain stores in Crickhowell

REACTION TO CRICKHOWELL BEING NAMED BEST IN WALES

Crickhowell has been named the “Best Place to Live in Wales” in a UK-wide survey conducted by the Sunday Times. The newspaper highlighted the pride felt by local people for the town and how they had “chased off” plans to turn the former Corn Exchange pub into a national chain supermarket and instead turned it into flats and shops. The Managing Director of Corn Exchange Crickhowell Ltd, Dean Christy, gave this reaction to Radio Wales.

A walk in crickhowell

A Quick Walk In Crickhowell

TY DONKEY | Self Catering Cabin | Crickhowell, Mid Wales

Ty Donkey is a handmade , oak framed cabin set in the Grwyney Fechan valley in the Black Mountains . Sleeps 2 adults and 2 children 8 years and under (2 small bunk beds).

The cabin has a log burner, bedding and towels are provided. Electric lighting is available through a solar panel and small battery bank. Free standing bath ,hot water and a flushing loo are situated in a converted railway carriage. ( please note that hot water can be temperamental when temperatures drop very low in winter) .

Cooking facilities : 2 burner gas hob, fire pit barbecue .

Our aim with everything we do is to tread lightly on the planet as much as possible. All our electricity is made by us from renewable sources, all heat and a lot of cooking depends on our wood supply. We aim to plant enough trees over the next decade (9000 in Winter 2016/17) to improve the environment in the countless ways that they do. ( speak to Keith about this!)We take responsibility for our own waste , recycling, composting and burning appropriately. We ask our guests to do the same whilst staying here as we have no rubbish collection facility.

We do our best for our wildlife, we are currently involved in badger vaccination programs , tree planting initiatives and try at all times to keep the river healthy to support the spawning salmon our otters to name a couple of local species. We really appreciate our guests as the income from Ty donkey and our yurt allows us to do this work.

Our tips for things to do!

The best things are free:
This is walkers and mountain bikers heaven…Ty Donkey is situated in the Grwyney Fechan valley which is enclosed by the well known 17 mile Llanbedr horseshoe walk – 17 miles of open mountain beginning and ending at Ty Donkey ! This route can be walked , run or ridden by horse or mountain bike.
Just below Ty Donkey we have the honour of a stretch of private river which can range from babbling stream in the summer to raging torrent. We have trout , salmon and otters in the river. Guests may fish but we ask to leave the salmon in peace as they come upstream via us to lay eggs before they die completing their epic life cycle! There is a natural spa pool – ‘The Whirly Pool’ – within our boundaries which guests are welcome to brave and enjoy !

Local festivals:
Crickhowell walking festival : Feb/March
Hay on Wye literary festival : May/June
Green Man music festival : August
Abergavenny food festival : September

Great food:
The Walnut Tree , Chapel and Angel Bakery, Abergavenny. All owned by same local family.
Pizzorante, Abergavenny , family run Italian restaurant , extremely child friendly and fun.

Warmest welcome:
The Dragons Head, Llangenny. 45 mins walk from tŷ donkey. Honest and filling pub grub. Dogs, kids and muddy boots welcome. Wonderful hosts . Check opening hours .

Crickhowell is renowned for keeping business local , there are no chain stores on the high street and it boasts its own local , independent book shop ‘Bookish’ which also holds book signings , music events, kids events . Lovely coffee and cake and warm welcome in Latte-Da . Food and drink at all hours and cosy setting in The Bear. 2 great butchers on the high street also selling other food supplies . Grenfells can usually meet all grocery needs , good gluten free food available here too.

Stunning drive :
To Hay on Wye via Llanthony abbey (pub food and great walks) and Capel-y-Ffin church. Try shepherds ice cream parlour selling locally made sheeps milk ice cream and the old electric shop for vintage chic inspiration , music events and cocktails in the evenings open Tues- Sundays.

Dogs:
We love our dogs and welcome guests with dogs to Ty Donkey however through experience we must ask that dogs remain outside the cabin at all times. Well behaved dogs may sleep in the bathroom or if guests have a dog cage that may be brought inside the cabin but please, no loose dogs inside Ty Donkey.

In our 8 years of letting experience we have found that our guests appreciate ‘hands off’ hosts so we will leave you in peace unless you need us. There is no key so no need for official arrival arrangements , arrive any time after 4 pm and please check out by 10 am on leaving . Em and Keith are always happy to give advice on good places to go locally and ready to help with any problems.

Our produce to which you are welcome free of charge where available:
We provide plentiful firewood , use respectfully please.
We have chickens – please ask if you would like some eggs.
There is often plentiful veg in the garden again , please ask if you would like some!
In autumn there is an abundance of apples in the orchard surrounding the cabin – help yourselves !
Your water at the cabin is spring water from a spring on our ground , it is filtered for guests safety – enjoy its purity!

Most of all enjoy Ty Donkey

CRICKHOWELL PROTEST

Around 200 people gathered in Crickhowell High Street to oppose plans for a new mini supermarket in the town. Here are some of the sights and sounds from the protest.

Crickhowell Walking Festival 2014

The 2014 Crickhowell Walking Festival begins on March 1 - with a torchlight procession - and runs for 9 days. There are guided walks of various grades, all led by experienced local guides as well as talks and courses in Map Reading and Navigation.

Please send your own video clips to crickhowelltv@gmail.com

Produced by Black Mountain Films - blackmountainfilms.org
Music by Chris Zabriskie - chriszabriskie.com

Crickhowell Walking Festival - Torchlight Procession

Crickhowell lit up its mountain tonight - as the town's walking festival staged a St David's Day torchlight procession. Around 100 walkers climbed to the top of Table Mountain, lit lanterns and sang the hymn Calon Lan, to mark the opening of the festival, but also to celebrate the Brecon Beacons status as a dark skies reserve. Walk Leader, Bill Chase, describes the scene.

Film by Tim Jones, As You See It Productions (Crickhowell)

Crickhowell Rotary 5 A Side Competition

Schools from right across the Crickhowell area came together for a competition organised by Crickhowell Rotary Club.

BLACK MOUNTAINS YURT | Self Catering | Crickhowell, Mid Wales

Black Mountains Yurt | Crickhowell

At Black Mountains Yurt in Crickhowell, Wales our aim with everything we do is to tread lightly on the planet as much as possible. All our electricity is made by us from renewable sources, all heat and a lot of cooking depends on our wood supply. We aim to plant enough trees over the next decade (9000 in Winter 2016/17) to improve the environment in the countless ways that they do – speak to Keith about this!
We take responsibility for our own waste , recycling, composting and burning appropriately – we ask our guests to do the same whilst staying here as we have no rubbish collection facility.

We do our best for our wildlife, we are currently involved in badger vaccination programs , tree planting initiatives and try at all times to keep the river healthy to support the spawning salmon our otters to name a couple of local species. We really appreciate our guests as the income from Tŷ donkey and our yurt allows us to do this work.

Black Mountains Yurt has a log burner, bedding and towels are provided. Electric lighting is available through a solar panel and small battery bank. Free standing bath ,hot water and a flushing loo are situated in a converted railway carriage ( please note that hot water can be temperamental when temperatures drop very low in winter) .

Cooking facilities : 2 burner gas hob, fire pit barbecue .

Our tips for things to do!

The best things are free:
This is walkers and mountain bikers heaven…Tŷ Donkey is situated in the Grwyney Fechan valley which is enclosed by the well known 17 mile Llanbedr horseshoe walk – 17 miles of open mountain beginning and ending at Tŷ Donkey ! This route can be walked , run or ridden by horse or mountain bike.
Just below Tŷ Donkey we have the honour of a stretch of private river which can range from babbling stream in the summer to raging torrent. We have trout , salmon and otters in the river. Guests may fish but we ask to leave the salmon in peace as they come upstream via us to lay eggs before they die completing their epic life cycle! There is a natural spa pool – ‘The Whirly Pool’ – within our boundaries which guests are welcome to brave and enjoy !

Local festivals:
Crickhowell walking festival : Feb/March
Hay on Wye literary festival : May/June
Green Man music festival : August
Abergavenny food festival : September

Great food:

The Walnut Tree , Chapel and Angel Bakery, Abergavenny. All owned by same local family.
Pizzorante, Abergavenny , family run Italian restaurant , extremely child friendly and fun.

Warmest welcome:
The Dragons Head, Llangenny. 45 mins walk from tŷ donkey. Honest and filling pub grub. Dogs, kids and muddy boots welcome. Wonderful hosts . Check opening hours .

Crickhowell is renowned for keeping business local. There are no chain stores on the high street and it boasts its own local , independent book shop ‘Bookish’ which also holds book signings , music events, kids events . Lovely coffee and cake and warm welcome in Latte-Da . Food and drink at all hours and cosy setting in The Bear. 2 great butchers on the high street also selling other food supplies . Grenfells can usually meet all grocery needs , good gluten free food available here too.

Stunning drive :
To Hay on Wye via Llanthony abbey (pub food and great walks) and Capel-y-Ffin church. Try shepherds ice cream parlour selling locally made sheeps milk ice cream! Or how about the old electric shop for vintage chic inspiration , music events and cocktails in the evenings. Open Tues- Sundays.

Dogs:
We love our dogs and welcome guests with dogs to Tŷ Donkey however through experience we must ask that dogs remain outside the cabin at all times. Well behaved dogs may sleep in the bathroom or if guests have a dog cage that may be brought inside the cabin but please, no loose dogs inside Tŷ Donkey.

In our 8 years of letting experience we have found that our guests at Black Mountain Yurt appreciate ‘hands off’ hosts so we will leave you in peace unless you need us. There is no key so no need for official arrival arrangements! Just arrive any time after 4 pm and please check out by 10 am on leaving . Em and Keith are always happy to give advice on good places to go locally and ready to help with any problems.

Our produce to which you are welcome free of charge where available:
We provide plentiful firewood , use respectfully please.
We have chickens – please ask if you would like some eggs.
There is often plentiful veg in the garden again , please ask if you would like some!
In autumn there is an abundance of apples in the orchard surrounding the cabin – help yourselves !

Your water at The Black Mountains Yurt is spring water from a spring on our ground , it is filtered for guests safety – enjoy its purity!

See more accommodation in Wales and holidays in Wales at tuckedawayplaces.com

The Great British High Street Awards 2018

Visa is proud to be part of the Great British High Street Awards 2018, recognising achievements and supporting our local communities. In this video Suzan Kereere, SVP Global Merchant Services, discusses Visa’s involvement in the awards and what you can do to support your local high street this year.

BAG A BARGAIN ON THE TENNER TRAIL

There are some fantastic bargains on offer in Totally Locally Crickhowell's Tenner Trail - which finishes tomorrow (May 6th). The trail is to highlight how £10 spent locally is worth much more - because the money stays in the community to be spent over and over again.

We asked the traders to pass a tenner round town, film it on their smart phones and email us with their offer. Some of the videos are hilarious!

Music by Dan-O at DanoSongs.com.