New pastures home a business with a big heart in Newport

Passion meets creativity

Oct 11, 2023

What is in a name? Memories most of all, memories. It is fascinating that my current job took me to quite a few towns in UK. Would I be able to list them all? A very big no. The other day I was talking to a colleague and said that I have never been to Liverpool and I would really love to go. Little did I know that a simple browsing through my paperwork revealed that … yes I have been in Liverpool last year but I have no clear memories of that experience. Well, I can definitely tell you that Newport will not go down the dustbin of my memory. Newport will be remembered and treasured. In my previous message I talked about plants. In this one, I will talk about candles, crystals and lots more in between.

Emma from the “Nettle and Bark” plants shop told me that I shouldn't leave Newport without visiting “New pastures home”. Being a little bit on the ill side I have made a mental note but concentrated on finding my way (thank you googlemap) to a beautiful old park. Walking is one of my passions and walking up and down the hills a joy - that it when I am not ill. I have to say that it took all of my energy to put one food in front of the other and reach my destination. Really glad I did as the park was a feast for the eyes full of wide areas, tall majestic trees, beautiful berries and so much grace.

A feast for the eyes on a stroll in Newport — Belle View Park Newport

I always thought that trees are recording experiences, their bark retaining sounds and feelings, words and energies. They know that nothing lasts - neither good weather nor bad, neither laughter or tears, everything goes in a mulch called life and history.

What are the odds of hearing Indian music in a park, in Wales … well I would say very close to zero and yet, I heard distinct Indian rhythms, loud and clear. Such sounds are for me like a big bag of sweets is for a kid so I followed it with trepidation and … came across a group of 10-12 women and girls dancing together while the teacher was singing and marking the rhythm with clear tones and voice intonations. The word bonding came to my mind - mothers and daughters bonding, laughing, giggling, dancing together. Beautiful and so uplifting.

Of course I stopped and had a coffee on a beautiful terasa with a majestic view reminding me of Sinaia,in my opinion the jewel of the Carpathian Mountains I will talk about Sinaia one day. Back to Newport for now.

2 hours later I was able to trace my exact steps back - very pleased with my sense of orientation - and rejoin the main area, the centre, which looks so much like any other centre of any town in UK. Terribly uninspiring, with depressing statues - the sameness of the shops hurting the eyes. Thanks God for the occasional independent shops like … “New pastures home”.

I bumped into the shop or better said, “somebody” guided my steps and I landed right in front of its front entrance. A true feast for the eyes, nose :) and more. Hywel & Dean are the charming owners of a shop with a twist - this is not only a shop but a hub for people who want to learn about making candles together, who want to meet likeminded people, learn about candles and even art. Hywel is a talented abstract artist and his creative eye is noticeable all over the shop. This shop is the result of a vision, courage (both gave up on their teaching careers), business support (they won a competition or small businesses and got reliable and relevant support for the first 6 months of their journey), hard work, great sense of humour, appealing ideas and I am sure luck played a role as well. One part of the business is making candles right in front of you. So you can choose the candle container (there are a few sizes and many different messages), 3 fragrances (out of 21 I think) and leave the rest in Dean’s hands. He will tell you all about the best temperature to pour the candle, about the soy wax, setting point and so on. It is a relaxing half an hour or so - you can stay as long as you want really as you can keep browsing the shop, smelling one candle or another, looking at the huge selection of crystals, jewellery.

I left after 90 minutes, relaxed, inspired by the conversations I’ve had with both partners and hoping that one day, my own dreams of having a successful business will come true! By the way the majority of things in the shop are hand made with love and care by Dean and Hywel. If you find yourself in Newport, go and visit the shop! You will not be disappointed!

My prediction is that this business will not only be successful but it will end up growing and expanding as a franchise.