The feeling of being ‘cwtched’
Date of news/blog: 17th February 2026“What mum needed, more than anything, was the feeling of being ‘cwtched’ and she gets that as Foxhunters who are absolutely outstanding”.
For those who don’t speak Welsh, ‘cwtch’ means hug and given that’s also the name of the café at Foxhunters, this compliment from Grace, the daughter of Heather Griffiths, means the world to us.
But Heather’s story begins in 1941 in the village of Wolfscastle in West Wales.
Heather grew up in the village and was very involved in the Welsh Congregational Chapel where her father, and later her husband, were Deacons.
A Welsh speaker, Heather was in the Aelwyd choir, which is a Welsh youth movement. It was here where she met her farmer husband Tom who also sang in the choir. Heather and Tom sang at the Royal Albert Hall in the 1000 Welsh Voices concert in 1961, which was a massive event for them both.
They were married in 1963 although Heather thought Tom had cooled on her just weeks before the big day because she hadn’t heard from him for a week. But that was because his family farm had been cut off in a massive snowfall and with no telephones then, he had no way of letting her know.
Tom used to tease Heather by calling her a ‘cochen’, which means redhead, but she fell for his new red Mini! After they married, Tom gave up farming so the couple could open a shop, post office and petrol station together in the village of Hayscastle. Tom was also a mechanic, so he opened a garage too and they both worked hard at the businesses whilst bringing up their two children, Grace and Kevin.
Eventually, they returned to farming and did that for 20 years before selling, retiring and moving to a house Tom built back in Wolfscastle where they were very much part of the community.
Unfortunately, Heather was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and with Tom also struggling with chronic arthritis, living at home became difficult for them. Tom sadly passed away in 2024 and at this point Grace and Kevin began to consider residential care options for their mum.
Having worked in healthcare all her life, Grace says that she and Kev knew exactly what they were looking for in a home, and that included an ensuite room and a varied activity programme- this led them to Foxhunters.
“I was absolutely blown away by Foxhunters from the moment I walked through the door,” says Grace.
“From the lovely atmosphere and décor to the welcome you receive when you enter, I just knew immediately it was right.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s the care assistants, reception or office staff, maintenance team, cooks, laundry or cleaners, they are all absolutely outstanding and I can’t commend them enough.”
Grace says Heather is a very proud lady and if you have seen her at Foxhunters, you will know she is never anything more than impeccably dressed, with her pearls always around her neck.
“After Covid Mum didn’t go out as much and it really knocked her confidence because she didn’t have the social engagement anymore,” explains Grace.
“But being at Foxhunters has really brought that out in Mum again and whilst she now has no short-term memory, she’s always happy in the moment and that’s the most important thing.
“And you can’t underestimate that feeling of being cwtched. One of the many things I love about Foxhunters is that the staff really get to know and understand all the residents.
“Mum will walk up the corridor and if she’s feeling a little bit down, one of them will come and put an arm around her and chat with her. Mum always says she is ‘dilly dallying’ and it has become a little joke with all the staff!
“They’re very caring and compassionate, which is really important to us as a family, because that’s the values we have as well. Huge thanks to Foxhunters from us all!”