Latest news with #TaiteJohnson
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Three words sum up the Welsh version of the viral M&S strawberry and creme sandwich
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Over the past few weeks, my social media feeds have been filled with strawberries and cream, whether that's the famous Wimbledon treat or the viral Marks & Spencer sweet sandwich, which seems to have everyone talking. The Marks & Spencer Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme sweetened sandwich has taken the internet by storm. The supermarket giant's unusual desert sarnie is its take on a Japanese classic. The furutsu sando is dessert made up of fresh whipped cream and fruit sandwiched between Japanese milk bread. While everybody raves about the supermarket version, an independent street food vendor at Cardiff's indoor market has been selling the sweet treat long before M&S. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Tokyo Nights has been serving Japanese inspired street food in Cardiff Market since 2022. One item on their menu is the strawberry and cream sando, also inspired by the Japanese furutsu sando. To see which had the better fresh dessert between the two, I picked up both and taste tested them myself. Initially comparing the two I was set back by the stark difference in appearance. The Tokyo Nights version looks much more appetising. (Image: Taite Johnson) It was easy to see which of the two had been mass produced and which had been made fresh that morning with the cream bursting out of the bread at Tokyo Nights and the M&S sando looking uniformly structured. Let's start with the M&S Strawberry & Creme sweetened bread sandwich coming in at £2.80. Unlike the other sandwiches in the fridge, this one only came with half of the sandwich leaving me slightly disappointed especially at almost £3. (Image: Taite Johnson) The sweetened bread had a green tint to it and the cream was stiff but the red strawberries helped make it look more desirable. Tucking in the first thing I noticed was the the overpowering thickness of the bread that was claggy, tasting processed. I was not expecting the strawberries to taste so fresh, being cut and packaged but to my surprise they were sweet. Unlike the strawberries, the cream whilst soft was not fresh, tasting almost stale. (Image: Taite Johnson) Moving on to Tokyo Nights at £3.50 where it was a completely different story. Served only on a Friday and a Saturday, the strawberry and cream sando from Tokyo Nights is served as a full sandwich cut in half and wrapped in cling film. Even though the cling film meant that it was easily squashed, I was happy to see two halves which left me feeling full after. Just holding the dessert I could feel the softness of the sweetened bread and watched the overflowing filling burst out of the sides of the sando. Whilst the strawberries were firm and juicy, there were not enough of them within the sandwich to get a strong taste of strawberry flavour. The star of the show for the fruit sando from the independent was the light and fluffy cream that felt as if it had been prepared that morning. To me £3.50 for a a substantial dessert is a decent price, especially for an independent restaurant. Of both the strawberries and cream sandwiches, if you can't already tell, my favourite was the Tokyo Nights sando. The three words that sum my reaction to it? Get me another.
Wales Online
09-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Protest held at Cosmeston Lake against controversial plans for water park
Protest held at Cosmeston Lake against controversial plans for water park Young and old gathered to raise concerns around the protected site losing its wildlife habitats Protestors gathered at the lake this morning (Image: Taite Johnson ) Young and old came together to protest against controversial plans to set up a water park at a quiet, country lake. People in Penarth and the wider Vale of Glamorgan area demonstrated their anger towards the council, raising their concerns for the wildlife and biodiversity at Cosmeston Country Park. Plans to move the Cardiff Bay Aqua Park to the eastern lake at the country park were unveiled in May with an opening date set for July 5. The trial of the inflatable water course will last eight weeks over the summer months. Protesters joined together, with placards in hand, at the main entrance of the country park today - Monday, June 9 - to peacefully protest against the plans. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here Cosmeston Country Park covers 100 acres of land in Penarth, with an abundance of wildlife habitats. Part of the park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest ensuring the protection of the rare and diverse plant and animal species that live there. Angela Peterken is a forest school leader, educating children in the natural environment at the park, including near the eastern lake. She held a sign at the protest that said: "Forest School says keep Cosmeston for wildlife!" Article continues below Angela is passionate about protecting the nature and tranquillity of the lake and fears that the waterpark will have a negative impact on it. She said: "We want people to enjoy the park and part of that is the peace and quiet here. I'm not against the AquaPark being put in another location, but I am completely against it being here. "This is a fantastic habitat for special animals, we need to protect that. We know that it is only temporary for now but you can't tell the wildlife to come back in eight weeks, it doesn't work like that." A nine-year-old member of the forest school at the country park says she probably wouldn't use it and that the plans are 'ridiculous'. She said: "It's a wildlife park and the idea of putting a water park here is ridiculous. It's the wildlife home. "We walk along the lake as part of forest school and it's usually quiet but the water park would make it busy." "Leave Cosmeston to the wildlife" (Image: Taite Johnson ) A petition against the Aqua Park has gained over 5,000 signatures with residents and members of the local community worried about the water quality of the lake, the impact it would have on wildlife and the environmental impact. In response the Vale of Glamorgan Council wrote: "We have worked with a number of partner agencies to ensure that the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors to enjoy, including a detailed programme of water testing work. "The testing has shown no issues with the quality of the water and it will continue to be monitored throughout the trial period." One member of the community said: "The site is an SSSI, the whole point of having a protected area is that things like this don't happen. The light, sounds and vibration pollution will affect all the animals, birds mammals, fish and insects. "It would be so sad to see the Aqua Park here. It has upset my children, they have been visibly upset asking 'Mummy, why are they doing it?'" Philippa, Saar and Heather organised the protest at the lake (Image: Taite Johnson ) Philippa Newman organised the protest alongside Saar Lenaerts-Williams after feeling angry at the council for not listening tot he people in the community. Whilst the council confirmed that an ecological assessment was undertaken and that the water park "will have no significant negative impact on local birdlife or water vole populations", many people including Phillipa were not happy with the report. She said: "I understand things are underfunded, I know that we need things in the area but just not here. We are at a pivotal time for climate change, we have so little of these habitats, we shouldn't be destroying what we do have. "What are the council's plans for the wildlife when we take their home?" Cllr Bronwen Brooks, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable places, said: "The Aqua Park will be another great addition to the already fantastic offer at Cosmeston Country Park as the council continues to promote sustainable tourism and leisure activities in the area. "Consultation with residents through the Council's placemaking work has shown there is appetite locally - particularly among young people - for more varied leisure activities, and the re-introduction of water-based activities at Cosmeston will help us to ensure that our Country Parks are for everyone. "Trying new things is at the heart of what we do as an ambitious Council, and this pilot could also enable further income opportunities for our Country Parks – especially in supporting the re-wilding and conservation work already underway at Cosmeston. The Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked with a number of partner agencies to ensure that the lake is safe for Aqua Park visitors to enjoy – including a detailed programme of water testing work." Connor James, founder of Aqua Park Cardiff, said: "We're thrilled to bring Aqua Park Cardiff to Cosmeston Lakes by partnering with The Vale of Glamorgan Council. The Country Park is a fantastic venue for our exciting watersport experience, perfect for supervised adventure and family fun. With an exciting new course of obstacles, we can't wait to welcome visitors to our incredible new home.' "We are also really excited to be playing our part in giving people and families much-needed access to active outdoor experience, in a controlled and supervised environment to help boost their physical and mental well-being." Article continues below
