It was at this point that Eleri and five other farming wives from the area pooled their respective skills to establish Cwlwm Wedding Services operating from the former flour mill in Ysbyty Ifan. “The National Trust agreed to renovate the mill for us to use as a shop window for our different services, and as a place to which people can come to discuss their wedding requirements.” Creating superb hand decorated wedding cakes, Eleri’s talents combine neatly with those of dressmaking and millinery, flowers, music, stationery and gifts brought by the others in the business.

Meanwhile, the National Trust were about to convert old cottages next door to the mill. “I asked if they would consider renting the building to me so that I could set up a tearoom and bakery next door to Cwlwm,” says Eleri. So, in 2004, she gave up her job and began to make and sell cakes, quiches, pates and preserves from Popty Pen Uchaf. Now she not only makes wedding cakes and supplies local cafes, but has also extended her service to providing small wedding buffets in the area. Whilst all the time trying to increase the level of local ingredients in her produce, Eleri continues to market her products on both her own and Cwlwm’s website and plans to sell cakes and preserves at events and farmers markets. Her tearooms, Pen Isaf, with whitewashed stone walls, slate flag floors and scrubbed pitch pine dressers and tables, are open on Saturdays, where Eleri can hopefully rely on a little band of teenage helpers.