The Llanelli Herald Issue 241 18th October 2019

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Friday OCTOBER 18th 2019 • Issue 241 • Your award winning local newspaper • £1

The Llanelli

LABOUR LEADER HITS BACK IN CITY DEAL SCRUTINY ROW • p3

mp shows support for reforestation • P4

overnight roadworks announced • P5

CITY DEAL COMMITTEE RECEIVED VITAL LETTER

am has critisied the short-sighted actions of barclays bank • p6&7

2 NEWS

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Labour leader hits out

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Decisions made in secret: Council dodges scrutiny of City Deal

Cllr Rob James: Hits back at critics with written proof LABOUR Group leader, Cllr Rob James, has hit back at claims he misled councillors last week.

During a stormy exchange on the new framework for the controversial City Deal, two councillors who sit with Cllr James on the City Deal’s regional scrutiny committee made claims that recommendations made by the scrutiny committee in September were not finalised as points for consideration against recommendations made for the City Deal’s future.

The item before the Council on October 9 was an anodyne item of business about the City Deal’s governance.

Cllr James raised three issues relating to the recommendations and suggested amendments to each. Two of them were superficially anodyne and related to quorum arrangements at meetings and the transaction of business.

The third, however, related to an unspecified ‘indemnity’ for the City Deal’s Programme Director.

After some tart comments about Carmarthenshire County Council’s chequered history with such indemnities, which include retaining an unlawful indemnity within the Council constitution, Cllr James said that the points he raised were agreed by the Joint Scrutiny which he chaired and should be incorporated into the text of the draft agreements.

Cllr Emlyn Dole claimed to have received no written notification of the issues Rob James claimed were agreed by the Scrutiny Committee. He added a quick jibe, saying that the proposals before

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the Council were agreed by the City Deal Committee in July and Cllr James had ample time to raise the issue in writing since then.

He said the Labour leader had not done so and was simply trying to delay the Deal, to which Cllr Dole has chained both himself and his administration.

Undaunted, the Labour leader stuck to his guns.

Cllr Darren Price

Cllr James said happened as being a settled decision and more of a point of discussion during the committee meeting.

He was soon followed

by Cllr Giles Morgan, who rose to his feet waving his tablet computer.

Cllr Morgan has what could kindly be described as a ‘spiky’ relationship with the Labour leader.

He told the meeting that he had checked his notes of the scrutiny committee, and said they

Claim nothing raised in writing wrong: Council Leader Emlyn Dole intervened. Cllr Price is also a member of the Joint Scrutiny Committee.

He told councillors that his recollection of what happened at the scrutiny significantly different from Cllr James’. He said he had not received the draft minutes sent to the Council. He said he had briefly checked his emails during the meeting and could find no trace of either the agreed text of a letter or the minutes. He said he was relying on his memory, but did not recollect what

didn’t agree with Cllr James version of events at the meeting. He said there had been a discussion on the individual points, but no resolution relating to the committee making amendments to the documents before the Council.

Cllr James’ credibility appeared to have taken a solid hit.

However, the Labour leader subsequently contacted The Herald.

That he felt he had been ‘stitched-up’ was obvious.

His response nails Cllr Emlyn Dole’s claim that the City Deal Board was unaware of points raised by the scrutiny committee on September 2. It also firmly pins the claim that nothing had been raised in writing as - at best - an oversight or error on Cllr Dole’s part.

The sequence of events appears to run like this September 2 - Scrutiny (in the presence of Chair of JC - Cllr Rob Stewart) agreed to submit changes.

September 10 - Rob Stewart did not mention changes proposed at the meeting of the Joint Committee.

September 12 - An officer from Neath Port Talbot wrote to Cllr James stating the following: ‘In the last meeting of the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Scrutiny Committee it was agreed that a formal response on the scrutiny committees views on the Joint Working agreement [is] sent to the Joint Committee.

“I have done a draft which is attached. Could you let me know if you are ok with it and send it back signed to enable me to send it to Chair of the Joint Committee?”

The Herald has a copy of that letter which was sent by Cllr James to Cllr Rob Stewart, the Leader of Swansea City Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Region.

That letter, dated September 12, and sent by email reads: ‘In our meeting on 2nd September 2019, we received and considered the amendments to the Joint Working Agreement (JWA) which had been approved by yourselves on 30 July 2019’.

Cllr James’ letter then recaps the same points he

raised at Carmarthenshire Council’s meeting on October 9.

Wherever the failure to communicate is, and however the failure to deal with correspondence occurred, it cannot now be said by anyone in good conscience that Cllr James did any more on October 9 than report what happened.

Cllr James told The Herald: “I am desperate to ensure that the reputation

of the City Deal does not take another hit and I believe that proper scrutiny is the key to delivering the aspirations of the Deal, whilst protecting the public purse.

“The Executive’s desperate dash to get the amended working arrangements signed off before it has been properly scrutinised is regrettable.

“We appear to be no closer to signing off the

Terms and Conditions, we still have no Programme Director in place, despite it being promised months ago, and so there was no need for last week’s chaotic scenes.

“I am pleased that the confusion has now been cleared up and that Council was not misled when it was stated that the regional scrutiny had made suggestions which had not been taken on board.”

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 NEWS

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MP to give ‘Extinction Rebellion tree’ to Parc Howard

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AS PART of the Extinction Rebellion protests around Westminster, climate activists set up a fledgeling forest outside Parliament to highlight the need for more trees to absorb carbon emissions.

Llanelli’s MP Nia Griffith visited the forest to collect her native, potted tree and pledged her support for reforestation.

Ms Griffith said: “It was great to meet Extinction Rebellion protesters last week and collect my oak tree - one of the billions more that are needed to combat climate change. I brought the tree back to Llanelli, and I’m pleased that the County Council has agreed to plant it in Parc Howard.

“According to the Committee on Climate Change, the UK needs 2.7 billion more trees by 2050 to become carbon neutral.

That’s 90 new trees million a year... well above the UK Government’s measly target to plant 11 million in the next few years. We will keep pushing the Tories to plant more trees, and I will continue to support efforts by the local Women’s Institute and community groups like the one in Llanerch to get more trees planted in the area.”

As Extinction Rebellion activists continue to protest outside Parliament, the Labour Party has been setting out its plans to tackle climate change.

Last week, Jeremy Corbyn visited a stateof-the-art wind turbine facility to discuss Labour’s 10-year plan for a massive expansion of offshore wind energy to help tackle the climate emergency, create good jobs and invest

Nia Griffith: Pledged support for reforestation

in coastal communities.

He has also criticised the UK Government’s failure to bring down carbon emissions fast enough and the lack of action on climate change in the Queen’s Speech.

Referring to the Queen’s Speech, Ms Griffith said: “This was a missed opportunity for the UK Government to set out the really big, bold action we need on climate change. All we got was a very modest environment bill, with some measures on air pollution and waste.

In short, nowhere near enough… especially after nine years of blocking onshore wind development in England and abandoning vital renewable energy projects like the Swansea Tidal Lagoon.

“Labour recognises that we need real government planning and commitment to investing in electricity generation, not piecemeal decisions

by a fragmented private sector. That’s why Labour is committed to a dramatic fivefold increase in the UK’s offshore wind capacity, with 37 new wind farms, providing enough electricity for 57 million households and bringing good unionised jobs to coastal communities. This is the sort of investment that will reduce emissions, increase our electricity supply and enable us to tackle the unfair energy prices that our steel industry faces.”

Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “The full scale of the environment and climate emergency cannot be ignored. As scientists and activists have made clear, we need immediate and radical action to have any hope of keeping temperature rises to a manageable level.

“We know the big polluters and banks won’t take the necessary

action. So the next Labour government will kickstart a Green Industrial Revolution, protecting our planet and creating hundreds of thousands of high-wage, highskill unionised jobs across the country and delivering investment for communities that have been held back for decades.

“Labour’s 10-year plan will provide the massive public investment needed to radically reduce our emissions and secure a future for our planet.”

Shadow Energy Secretary Rebecca Long Bailey MP added, “Tackling the climate emergency is not only the biggest challenge of our generation – but it’s also a huge opportunity to invest in British manufacturing and our industrial communities that have been held back under the Tories.

“Labour will increase

offshore wind generation sevenfold, delivering 52 gigawatts of wind power through £83 billion in combined public and private investment creating 67,000 good, unionised jobs. That’s four times the investment and three times the jobs brought in by the enormous Hinkley Point C nuclear power project. And our wind power revolution will be built in Britain: instead of jackets for wind farms located in Scotland being made in Indonesia, we’ll bring those jobs back to Fife.

“The Tories want to present this as a binary choice between economic growth and climate justice, but it’s not. Our Green Industrial Revolution will ensure that the costs of the tackling the climate emergency are borne by the richest in our society, not the majority, decarbonising the economy while delivering good jobs for the many.”

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Welsh Labour Evil pair filmed assault on pensioner with Lee Waters

A few weeks ago, I promised a resident of Burry Port that I would meet him in his home to discuss an idea that he had about improving traffic flow. I was almost an hour late to meet him, because, as many of you reading this will have also experienced, I was stuck in traffic on Sandy Road.

Sitting there, behind the wheel of my car, two things struck me at once.

Firstly, that at almost every public event I hold (and I hold them every month across the whole of the constituency), the topic that most frequently comes up is transport.

And, secondly, the congestion I was trapped in was all cars – one or two people per vehicle, including my own.

As you will know, I am a great advocate of public transport – and I am a realist. For many people, getting from A to B by public transport is not always possible: buses, for example, are unreliable, they are infrequent, they don’t always run to places people need to go (unless you are prepared to change from one bus to another at central locations), and rural parts of the constituency are most badly hit.

Yet, the message I am getting from people I meet is that they would use public transport more often if it were convenient and easy to do so. And travelling by bus will make the most difference to people’s ability to get out and about.

With this in mind, the Welsh Government has released plans to reform and improve bus services in Wales.

We want to tackle the jumbled system that has hampered our ability to make bus services more joined up. Changing the

way buses are regulated will help us make them more accessible, more reliable, more integrated and in-turn will see them being used by more people.

To encourage more people to buses we’ve already launched a 30% discount for young people aged between 16 - 21, mytravelpass.

And since 2002 we’ve had free bus travel for pensioners (Wales become the first country in the UK to do this).

This scheme has been a huge success; in fact, it’s become a victim of its own success. With more and more people qualifying for free travel the costs have become harder for the Welsh Government to bear. We need to balance making sure that this scheme is sustainable and fair to that we can keep it going.

So, from April 2022 we’ll be raising the age of entitlement to the same age as that for pensions.

Anyone who reaches the age of 60 before this date will not be affected by these changes. Anyone who has a bus pass now will keep their bus pass.

And anyone approaching 60 when the changes come into effect will not have to wait until they reach state pension age to get one. This will only happen in slow increments.

R e s e a r c h undertaken by the Welsh Government shows that free travel, in and of itself, is not enough to get travellers out of the car and on to public transport. We have to do more.

As part of our declaration of a Climate Emergency we’ve pledged more action to make it easier to leave their car at home and use public transport, and for shorter local trips to cycle and walk - with help, a journey of under 3 miles can be a realistic option for lots of people.

Until we do roads like Sandy Road will remain clogged.

TWO men have been sentenced for their role in the assault of a vulnerable man in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, on July 2, 2019.

It was filmed and widely shared on social media, sparking complaints to police from the public.

22-year-old Hefin Parker, of no fixed abode, was given a 14 month prison sentence at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, October 11, after pleading guilty to ABH. 19-year-old Elis Kelman, of Llangennech, was sentenced to 30 weeks

in a young offenders institution suspended for 12 months with 100 hours of unpaid work and a threemonth nightly curfew.

He had pleaded guilty to encouraging/assisting in the commission of an assault.

The assault happened on July 2 at a bus stop in the town. They had been drinking together in a nearby pub.

The video of the assault was filmed by Kelman and was then posted and widely shared on social media.

Parker was arrested later that day. Kelman was voluntary interviewed the

following day.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Rebecca Thomas said: “To have carried out such an attack for no apparent reason on a vulnerable member of our community was totally unacceptable.

“I am comforted by the fact that so many members of our local community picked up the phone to make us aware of this incident and the video they had seen on social media. I thank each and every person who got in touch. This allowed police officers to take swift action and made this court result possible.”

Council announces overnight roadworks MOTORISTS face further inconvenience owing to a series of planned night-time closures in Llanelli whilst essential road improvement works are carried out later this month.

Hard-pressed motorists, including Llanelli’s AM Lee Waters (see his column in this newspaper), already experience long delays using routes into and out of the town.

To reduce the level of inconvenience, Carmarthenshire County Council has programmed road surfacing works to take place during the night over the next month at Parc Trostre, Sandy Road, Pembrey Road and Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, to avoid the busiest periods.

Diversions will be in place.

A section of B4304 Parc Trostre Roundabout near ATS will be closed from Wednesday, October 30 between 7 pm and 6 am for up to four nights.

A section of Sandy Road, between its junction with Denham Avenue to the entrance to Coleg Sir Gâr, will be closed between 7 pm and 6 am on November 11-22 for up to nine nights.

A section of Pembrey Road, from its junction of Chapman Street to New Road, will be closed between 7 pm and 6 am on November 3 and 12 for up to nine nights.

Part of Queen Victoria Road and the Murray St crossroads will also be subject to night-time closure between 7 pm and

6 am on November 10 and 15 for up to five nights Since April the council has resurfaced 22 sections of road as part of a £2.5million investment in Carmarthenshire roads.

The sections of road being resurfaced have been identified as a priority based on road condition, usage and strategic importance.

Comprehensive traffic management will be in place whilst the works are being carried out and all schemes will be published in advance with full details available on roadworks. org.

The council said the works are unavoidable and have thanked members of the public in advance for their cooperation.

The council’s executive board member for transport, Cllr Hazel Evans said: “This is a significant amount of money that we have secured to improve our roads in the county.

All roadworks will be publicised in advance so motorists can plan journeys to avoid the area and take an alternative route. We will minimise as far as possible the impact on road users by careful planning, however, some disruption cannot be avoided, so please bear with us. We thank everyone in advance for their cooperation and patience.”

These dates may vary due to unforeseen conditions or adverse weather. People are being advised to check https:// one.network for further updates.

Llanelli roadworks: Overnight work planned on major routes around town

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

Bank plans sla NEWS

LLANELLI AM Lee Waters criticised the ‘short-sighted’ actions of Barclays Bank this week, after plans to stop their customers making cash withdrawals from Post Office branches emerged.

Llanelli’s Assembly Member, Lee Waters, has expressed disappointment with Barclays Bank following the announcement that they are to stop their customers from making cash withdrawals at Post Office branches.

The move by Barclays is planned to hit customers from January 8th next year.

The Bank announced the move at the same time as it unveiled its plans to provide banking services via free ATMs and a retail cashback scheme.

Barclays claims its new cashback scheme will make it easier for customers to withdraw money at businesses in remote towns and areas without a branch or ATM. Currently, the 930 Post Office branches in Wales provide everyday banking services for individuals and businesses, such as cash deposits, cash withdrawals and bill payments.

Mr Waters, also Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport in the Welsh Government, said: “I am disappointed that Barclays is stopping its customers from making cash withdrawals in Post Offices from next January.”

“A local Post Office

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is often at the heart of our communities, and consequently provides vital services for residents.

This is particularly true in communities, such as the more rural locations of Wales, where banks have closed. I can think of towns and villages in my constituency, such as Burry Port and Kidwelly, where this is going to detrimentally affect people.”

Barclays Bank will continue to allow customers to deposit cash, cheques and access change and balance enquiries at Post Office branches, but Mr Waters added: “It is very poor of Barclays to stop cash withdrawals. Thankfully, other banks are not being so short-sighted.”

POST OFFICE THE CORNERSTONE Last year Post Office branches handled over 130 million transactions on behalf of UK banks.

With over 11,500 branches the Post Office is ideally positioned to provide everyday banking services for individuals and businesses. Post Office branches remain at the heart of communities across the UK, including those where bank branches no longer exist.

Millions of customers

Disappearing fast: Free to use cashpoints

Disappointed: Lee Waters

of UK banks rely on these vital services – more than a quarter of people (28 per cent) have withdrawn cash at their local Post Office in the last year.

For people living in more rural or urban deprived areas, Post Office branches are a real lifeline, ensuring the financial inclusion of more vulnerable customers by providing vital services such as cash withdrawals, bill payments and postal services all under one roof.

With more than half of people (52 per cent) having visited cash-only retailers in the last year, easy access to cash is key for both retailers and consumers

Despite this, on January 8 next year, Barclays will allow its customers to deposit money but not to withdraw cash from a post office counter using a debit card.

The move provoked a storm of criticism but Barclays has remained unmoved in its drive to cut services to those most in need in rural areas.

BARCLAYS SHOWS ‘CONTEMPT FOR CUSTOMERS’ The news came shortly after the Post Office announced a new national framework agreement with

retail bankers.

The National Federation of SubPostmasters condemned Barclays’ decision in withering terms.

‘The NFSP is outraged

by Barclays’ decision to end cash withdrawals at post offices from January 2020. This move by the bank demonstrates a total disregard for customers and sub-postmasters alike.

‘By the end of 2019, Barclays will have closed over 200 branches in two years making this action a grim ‘doubling down’ on its contempt for its customers.

‘Many Barclays customers rely on their local post office as a place where they can access essential postal and banking services in a trusted environment.

Barclays’ actions will be damaging to its customers’.

NFSP Chief Executive

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Calum Greenhow stated: “Barclays is telling their customers ‘we don’t care about you’. The bank needs to locate its moral compass and reverse this decision before it’s too late.”

SMALL BUSINESSES HIT HARDEST Consumer Group Which? said banks had closed one-third of their branches in the past five years. The impact of those cuts is most keenly felt in rural areas where small businesses depend on a cash system.

Responding to analysis from Which? suggesting that almost one in eight (12%) rural communities must travel at least one kilometre to their nearest free-to-use cashpoint, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

National Chairman Mike Cherry, said: “Cash deserts threaten to create small business deserts. Millions of consumers still value the use of notes and coins, and if they can’t access their money freely, that hurts spending with local small firms.

“Small business owners shouldn’t have to spend time and money travelling miles to their nearest freeto-use cashpoint – time and money that should be spent growing their firms. There’s also the environmental impact of this travel to consider.

“Collaboration is key to tackling the lack of available cash machines.

Between the government, regulators, banks, card providers, the Post Office and independent ATM operators, we certainly have enough actors in

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ammed by AM NEWS

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closure of bank branches had an impact on them.

• 36% of people said: “It now takes me up to an additional 30 minutes to access a bank”.

• 50% of people said: “Previous bank branch closures have restricted access to ATM or other free cash withdrawal facilities”.

• The number of freeto-use ATMs in Wales fell by 10% (2,517 to 2,281) between March 2018 and March 2019 • 51% of over 75s in Wales are not regular internet users.

• 26% of those negatively affected said: “Better WiFi and/or internet connectivity would help” URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Banking services essential for rural communities: Says local MP Jonathan Edwards this space. Bringing these different agents together to iron out how we create a bank branch and cashpoint network that both satisfies user demand and is commercially viable, must be the focus.”

MP WANTS BANK TO THINK AGAIN Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards has written to Barclays to request the bank reconsiders its decision The Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP, Jonathan Edwards said: “Barclays is the only bank taking this position.

“Everyday banking services provided by the Post Office for customers of major banks are a lifeline for many of my constituents who have suffered from these same banks closing a number of their branches over the past few years.

“In Llandovery, for example, where Barclays closed this year and all the major banks have left the town without vital banking services, this decision is a double blow for local Barclays’ customers who require easy access to cash.

“The elderly and more vulnerable customers are particularly affected. They cannot be expected to travel the tens of miles to the

nearest branch of Barclays to make a simple cash withdrawal.

“I have been contacted by many constituents expressing their concern and I have written to Barclays to urge them to reconsider their position.”

OVER 40% OF WELSH BANKS CLOSED Barclays move came on the eve of a report by the Welsh Assembly’s Infrastructure and Skills Committee on access to cash and banking services in Wales.

The report shows that between January 2015 and August 2019, Wales lost over two-fifths of its bank branches, 239 in all.

Responding to the recent escalation of bank closures, the National Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee is outlining calls for the Welsh Government to act urgently.

Findings from the Committee’s public consultation and surveys

by Which?, LINK, the UK Government and the Payment Systems Regulator reveal the extent of the problem and likely impact on members of the public across the country.

• 87% of personal banking customers said the

Access to banking and free cash machines in Wales is not a new concern; however, the scale of closures continues to escalate at an alarming rate.

The Committee is recommending that the Welsh Government urgently map out banking services and ATMs to assess the real impact these closures are having on people, especially vulnerable people, elderly people, small businesses and those who rely on cash.

The Committee’s inquiry investigated several areas where the Welsh Government can intervene and make a difference: The Committee heard from organisations about the impacts that bank closures have had on communities, town centres, high streets, and the loss of free-to-use ATMs. The Committee is calling on the Welsh Government to outline how it intends to consider the impact on communities of bank closures in conjunction with its community regeneration activities.

Banking facilities are often lost with the changing nature of high streets and modern developments.

The Welsh Government and local councils should use planning rules to protect banks and make sure that councils’ local development plans maintain cash infrastructure

when forward-planning for communities.

WALES NOT READY TO GO CASHLESS

Russell George AM, Chair of the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee said: “Time and time again we are hearing about an alarming escalation of bank closures and the loss of cash machines across Wales.

This is not a new problem but it recent years the losses are hitting communities hard.

“As well as the obvious difficulties the loss of banks and cash machines is causing problems for vulnerable and elderly people who do not use online banking services and these losses are also hitting our high streets and small businesses.

“The proposal for a community bank is one that is worth looking at, however, we have heard some concerning evidence, questioning the viability of such a project and this may not be the best use of public money to solve the problem. We heard other ideas for how banking providers can collaborate to provide much-needed services such as through shared branch ‘hubs’.

“We heard how existing banks are closing branches because of the cost of keeping them open in areas of low footfall – this would also be a significant challenge for a new community bank, providing face-to-face services.

“Wales is not ready to go cashless and online banking is not right or possible for everyone. Our report today provides some recommendations for the Welsh Government which I hope they will take on board and take action to protect what is left of our valuable banking network.”

Age Cymru’s Policy and Campaigns Manager, Dr Valerie Billingham said: “Banking is an essential service and the Welsh and UK Governments should ensure that all older people and the businesses, clubs and societies upon which they depend have a convenient, safe and affordable way to receive,

Closures: Wales has lost over 40% of branches in 4 years

store and make payments.

“The Welsh Government should encourage diversity in the banking and financial market by, for example, continuing to help develop credit unions.

“We believe that all current and basic bank accounts must be fully accessible at post offices and that banks should consider sharing branch networks in areas where the viability of their network

is at risk. We would urge banks to ensure that powers of attorney and deputyships are dealt with correctly, swiftly and sensitively and that current accounts offer second cards with separate PINs.”

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No rainy day relief for soaked students HARD-PRESSED parents and students will have to make do with such arrangements as currently exist for school transport.

A motion presented

by Labour member for Llangennech, Cllr Gary Jones, received short shrift from Executive Board Member Hazel Evans at Wednesday’s meeting of the county council.

Cllr Jones’ motion called on the Council to make limited provision for 500 students affected by the sudden withdrawal of commercial bus services which brought children to school just before the start of the current school year.

Gary Jones told councillors that parents and children were being adversely affected by the sudden drop in bus services.

He explained that large bus companies had spent the last decade ignoring the requirement that their vehicles had to be disabledaccessible if they carried fare-paying passengers.

As a result of that law, the bus companies had until January next year to provide vehicles up to spec.

Instead, the larger

companies had stuck their heads in the sand, while smaller companies simply didn’t have the capital to invest in new vehicles.

He asked, therefore, for subsidised transport from the Council while a longterm solution was sought.

Cllr Hazel Evans said she was sympathetic but her response on the Executive Board’s behalf showed few signs of sympathy – if any.

The problem was not the Council’s responsibility to sort out.

The bus companies were to blame. So was the Welsh Government which set the mileage for subsidised school transport.

What, she wondered rhetorically, about the 8,500 students who did not take public transport to school? What about them?

Ultimately getting children to school was the parents’ responsibility, anyway.

As a display of tineared obliviousness, Cllr Evans’ performance would take some beating.

Never mind the cost, she didn’t even recognise the figures which Cllr Jones used to support his motion.

She didn’t recognise them.

Cllr Jones did not intervene at the time, but

he rather punctured Hazel Evans’ self-righteousness when he pointed out – delicately – that the figures came from the local authority’s own officers who dealt with the issue.

Glynog Davies, the Executive Board member for Education, was rather less negative than his colleague, but his sympathy was similarly constrained by the financial implications of providing a service.

He said that the financial outlook was not good and unlikely to improve as councils continued to face uncertainty over future funding from the UK and Welsh Governments and potentially faced being lumbered with more responsibilities without the money to pay for them.

Cllr Deryk Cundy said that his ward, Bynea, had been hit hard by the cut in bus services. Students were left walking to school in unsuitable conditions. He reminded councillors that one of the issues they had just debated was climate change, while queues of cars with their engines idling were forced to wait outside school gates every day. Cllr Cundy said

families could not afford money from their already stretched budgets and students’ education could be affected.

Cllr Sharen Davies said the problems were no less serious in Llwynhendy, but that she and her colleague on Llanelli Rural Council, Cllr Jason Hart, had set about trying to find a practical solution rather than just words. She felt that solutions were available if councillors worked constructively in their localities.

Responding to the debate, Cllr Gary Jones made sure he got some retaliation in on Hazel Evans by pointing out officers provided him with the data underpinning his motion.

He proceeded to forcefully point out that the Council carried ample reserves. Those reserves were intended for a rainy day and it was – literally – students who were getting soaked.

The motion failed and a request for a recorded vote was rejected, as it was not asked for at the debate’s outset.

Speaking to The Herald after the meeting, Cllr Gary Jones said: “We

Transport travesty: Cllr Gary Jones says Council morally obliged to act are disappointed that this administration has decided to stick its head in the sand on this issue.

“This was a short term proposal to support hundreds of pupils and we have a moral obligation to

act.”

Cllr Rob James added “This is not the end. We are now prepare further action to pressure Plaid Councillors to support our children.

“We have already

had conversations with sympathetic trade unions and we are determined to get this support.

“Reserves are there for a rainy day and our children are getting soaked.

We must act now.”

Park for £1 on Saturdays in Llanelli VISITORS to Llanelli Town Centre can park their cars for a £1 on Saturdays at the multistorey in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

The all-day offer in Murray Street will run for nearly three months from Saturday, October 26 to Saturday, January 11.

This is additional to the free parking offered at council-owned car parks every Monday and Tuesday between 10 am and 4 pm.

The initiative, launched

by Carmarthenshire County Council and Ymlaen Llanelli, is to support traders and encourage more shoppers to the town centre over the Christmas and New Year period.

Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of this parking offer on December 7 when the Reindeer Parade comes to town.

The council’s executive board member for car parking, Cllr Hazel Evans said: “In conjunction with Ymlaen Llanelli, we are pleased to be able to offer this reduction in parking again this year in addition to

Murray Street: Car parking for £1 on Saturdays from October 26 our free parking days every Monday and Tuesday. We hope it will encourage more shoppers to stay in the town as well as supporting our traders in the run-up to the festive season and then for the January sales.”

So far this year, the council has provided four free parking days in Llanelli

including this Saturday when the Llanelli Food & Drink Festival 2019 returns.

There is also a fifth free parking day on Saturday, November 9 at Murray Street Multi-Storey, Church Street, Thomas/Edgar Street, Vauxhall Road, and East Gate in Llanelli.

Chair of Ymlaen

Llanelli, Lesley Richards said, “We are so happy to be able to provide the £1 parking offer again this year to encourage more people into town. We have some wonderful businesses and hope that the Christmas period will be a profitable one for the whole of the town centre.”

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Plaid Platform Gala dinner in the Celtic Manor will raise £100k With Helen Mary Jones This week we’ve seen elected representatives from Catalonia jailed for merely asking the people whether they believed their nation should be independent or not.

I was proud to join a cross-party group of elected members and staff on the Senedd steps to stand in solidarity with Catalonian politicians.

It is distressing to witness the extraordinarily long prison sentences given to Catalan political prisoners.

They were the political leaders of the campaign for Catalan independence, but their movement was driven by ordinary Catalans who voted for independence in their millions.

On a happier note, I was pleased to highlight the good work done by hospices during Hospice Care Week in the Senedd.

It was particularly good to welcome Pembrokeshire based charity Paul Sartori Foundation to the Senedd.

The theme this year is ‘This is what it takes’ to celebrate the valuable work of hospices in Wales, last year charitable hospices provided help, support and care to over 11,400 adults in Wales. There is also the difference they make not only for people with lifelimiting conditions but also for their carers and families every year.

I would also like to celebrate the work of the 3,500 volunteers for their local hospices in Wales in 2018.

There were eight stalls at the event: City Hospice, Cruse Cymru Bereavement Support, Paul Sartori Foundation, Ty Hafan, Marie Curie, Skanda Vale, Hospice of the Valleys and Hope House/Ty Gobaith. Thank you to everyone who attended.

On Monday the Conservative Westminster Government unveiled its legislative programme, called the Queen’s Speech.

There is a contradiction between outlining a year-long programme of legislation while at the same time

the Prime Minister has demanded an immediate Westminster election.

Plaid Cymru has called for a Final Say Referendum Bill. With Parliament in deadlock, legislation is required to take the decision on whether or not to leave the European Union, knowing what we know now, back to the people.

In our MPs alternative legislative agenda, the Party of Wales called for bills to equalise geographic inequality across the UK and create an Office for Fair Funding.

This would include a package of measures to help women affected by the State Pension Age increase, and proposals to ensure agricultural support is not cut.

In my Mid and West region, the House of Commons library estimates the unfair changes to the state pension age impacts on 41,600 women born in the 1950s.

These women worked hard, paid their taxes and made their plans for retirement but have had their lives totally disrupted as a result of UK Government actions. Plaid Cymru would introduce a Bill establishing a review into State Pension Age changes in order to award compensation to the women for their losses.

My Plaid Cymru colleague Ceredigion MP Ben Lake has been a powerful advocate for the WASPI women in the House of Commons.

Plaid Cymru is offering up solutions while Westminster continues to ignore Wales. That is why we need the powers to do the job ourselves.

Follow me on twitter https://twitter. com/helenmarycymru Or like my page www.facebook.com/ HelenMaryJonesPlaid Email: HelenMary.

Jones@assembly.wales

BROADCASTER and writer Carol Vorderman MBE will host the inaugural National Children of Wales Awards. The star-studded event scheduled for April 3, 2020, will celebrate the inspirational achievements of children across Wales.

The National Children of Wales Awards have been founded and launched by Blanche Sainsbury, chair of Bluestone National Park Resort, and the Bluestone Foundation, the company’s charitable foundation. The awards will culminate in a gala dinner at the Celtic Manor on April 3, 2020, hosted

by Carol Vorderman MBE and Welsh rugby legend Ian Gough.

The organisers aim to raise £100,000 at the event, which will be distributed to charities in Wales dedicated to helping children. The Teenage Cancer Trust, Dreams & Wishes and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) will all benefit from the event as will the Bluestone Foundation.

The Bluestone Foundation works with many local charities in Pembrokeshire while Bluestone National Park Resort has for many years aided charities including Dreams & Wishes, which helps seriously and terminally ill children enjoy precious holiday time with their families.

The prestigious event will feature male voice choir Only Men Aloud, the winners of the BBC talent show Last Choir Standing; Welsh choir Angelica Celtis, a choir of schoolgirls who reached the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017; and feature performances from Motionhouse, a world-class dance-circus production company.

Blanche Sainsbury, chair of Bluestone National Park Resort and founder of the National Children of Wales Awards, said: “Our aim is to shine a light on both the brave children of Wales, who overcome challenges every day, as well as some of the amazingly talented young people we have in this country. We want to recognise those who never give up, never stop trying – inspiring those around them in the process.

“The National Children of Wales Awards promises to be

an unforgettable and inspirational evening from start to finish in the incredible venue of the Celtic Manor. Some 700 guests will help us celebrate the bravery and incredible stories of young people from across Wales – sharing their stories and achievements.

“It will also be a glamorous and starstudded night with a number of high-profile Welsh sports stars attending, and many celebrities and special guests playing important roles during the evening.

But we also need the support of businesses to make this a reality. I would encourage individuals and companies that want to get involved in what will be a remarkable evening, to visit our website.”

Pamela McNamara, founder of the Bluestone Foundation, said: “The Bluestone Foundation was established to help people to help themselves through environmental, economic and social projects in Pembrokeshire, underpinning the ethos of Bluestone National Park Resort. Our association with the National Children of Wales Awards is a fantastic opportunity to take our work to a new level by recognising the inspirational achievements of children from across Wales while working with the business community to raise further funds to help those in need.”

Carol Vorderman MBE said: “I am delighted to be involved in the first National Children of Wales Awards. Special events such as this are so important to shine a light on the incredible stories of courage demonstrated by young people across Wales. I am looking forward to meeting these inspirational young people

and I would encourage the people of Wales to nominate those who deserve recognition. We promise to offer them a truly amazing experience on a truly special night.”

Ian Gough said: “It’s an absolute honour to be involved with the National Children of Wales Awards. To be part of the recognition and rewarding of these remarkable young people as well as raising substantial amounts for some great causes is truly humbling for me. These awards will go from strength to strength and I’m sure will be the pride of the annual Welsh events calendar.”

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Cwmamman United for the community

Generous contributions: back to the community LIVING up to their claim to be a community club, a fortnight ago all the teams at Cwmamman United, Seniors and Juniors got together at the start of each match and made a food collection for the Amman Valley Food Bank, based at Gwaun Cae Gurwen (Telephone 07423576503).

Each of Cwmamman’s teams was glad to help this great local community

Handing over the goods: Club President Keith Jones

Cwmamman United give charity and last week Club President, Keith Jones took another substantial donation of tins and fresh food up to the local food bank.

Cwmamman next play Llanelli Town AFC at Home (Grenig Park) 2.30pm 19th October in the Welsh Cup, entry is £5 (including match programme) and free for children.,

Car parts firm to move jobs to Hungary

A WELSH car parts firm has announced it will close in two years, with the loss of about 125 jobs.

Hi-Lex Cable System Company makes door and window parts and cables for cars at its plant on Baglan energy park.

Management at the firm, which supplies Honda, Audi and BMW among others, said it did not anticipate any redundancies in the next 12 months.

Any remaining business at the plant in 2021 will be transferred to a Hi-Lex plant in Hungary.

A statement issued by the company said the decision had been taken following a meeting at the parent company, Hi-Lex Corporation in Japan, which discussed a restructure of its European operations.

It continued: “Hi-Lex Corporation regrets the need for the decision to restructure its operations, but it is based solely upon a significant reduction in the sales forecast at HCS, from 2021 onwards.

“Hi-Lex will now contact all of our supply chain partners to discuss and agree plans to meet the needs of our customers

up to the closure of the HCS facility.”

Commenting on the news that Hi-Lex Cable Systems will be leaving Wales, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Economy and Transport, Russell George AM, said: “It is disappointing that HiLex Cable Systems has decided to move their production from Baglan to Hungary. The highly skilled and dedicated workforce in Baglan and the surrounding area are and would have continued to be a strong asset to Hi-Lex in the face of predicted

declining sales from 2021. I urge the Welsh and UK Government’s to act swiftly to help the employees and their families affected by today’s news.”

Welsh Conservative Regional Assembly Member for South Wales West, Suzy Davies AM, added: “This is another blow to the South West Wales area and its hardworking people. It is good to hear that Hi-Lex will not be making any redundancies before 2021 enabling people to plan for the future and I will do everything to attract more businesses to South

Wales West to replace those that will be lost over the next two years.”

Adam Glaznieks, managing director at the Port Talbot site, said: “The reason for making the announcement now is that we need to commence preparations to transfer any remaining business after 2021 to the Hi-Lex plant in Hungary.”

The leader of Neath Port Talbot council, Rob Jones, said the closure would be “keenly felt” in the area and the authority would try to support workers “wherever we can into new employment”.

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Trostre ABC at the double

LAST Friday (October 11), Finley Davies and Joshua Davies of Trostre ABC took part in a tournament organised by Towy ABC (Ammanford) at Betws RFC. 14-yr-old Finley Davies, at 63kg, was matched against Mostyn James from Prizefighter ABC, Carmarthen.

From the first bell, Davies used his advantages in both height and reach to good effect, scoring well with the left jab and bringing in a good right hand as the round progressed.

The second round saw Davies press home his advantage, landing with clean one-twos and occasionally switching to the body of the apparently tiring James.

However, James came out for the third round with renewed aggression, matching Davies’ work-rate as the bout drew applause from the packed and vocal audience.

The last round was fairly even but, based on his dominance in the first two rounds, this

was a good unanimous points win for Davies at the start of the new season.

Finley’s teammate, 14-yr-old Joshua Davies, matched at 51kg, faced Tom Lewis from the Celtic ABC, Llanybydder.

Up against a slightly older opponent, Davies started by raining left jabs on the bewildered Lewis.

Although Lewis fought back courageously, he was overwhelmed by the ferocity of his opponent’s attack.

Davies, continuing with straight punching from both hands, a clear winner of the first round.

The confidence, gained in the first, saw Davies up the attack in the second round, forcing the referee to give Lewis a standing 8-count.

On resuming hostilities, it was not long before the referee had to stop the bout in Davies’ favour, with Lewis taking too much punishment.

A very good win for a delighted Joshua Davies.

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Welsh Water welcomes ‘Golden Ticket’ winners

Shoplifting leads to court

A WOMAN from Ceredigion appeared before magistrates at Llanelli Law Court on Thursday (Oct 10) to face a charge of shoplifting.

Hannah Emily Lewis, aged 40 of Meas Yr Arwel in Ponterwyd, pleaded guilty to stealing

various household items from B&M Bargains on December 11, 2018, jointly with Jamie Peter Langridge.

Lewis was fined £40 for the offence and ordered for pay £30 victim surcharge, £85 prosecution costs and £36 compensation.

‘Overwhelming evidence’

A 23-YEAR-OLD man appeared before magistrates at Llanelli Law Court on Thursday (Oct 10) to face a charge of criminal damage.

Jay Lee Woodcock of Methyr Tydfil, pleaded guilty to damaging a custody bed belonging to Dyfed Powys Police on September 22.

The court heard that Woodcock was being detained in a police cell, and it was noted through CCTV footage that

Woodcock had damaged a bench inside the cell by scratching his name into it.

Woodcock was arrested for the matter, the evidence for which was described as ‘overwhelming’.

There was no need for an interview as a result of the evidence.

Magistrates fined Woodcock £80 for the offence, and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs and £32 victim surcharge.

Water tours: Lucky golden ticket winners shown around Welsh Water sites CUSTOMERS from across Wales and Herefordshire were given a behind-the-scenes peek into how their water company works as part of a competition.

Nearly 20 customers took part after entering a ‘Golden Ticket’ competition to be given an access-all-areas tour of Welsh Water’s sites, as part of National Customer Service Week.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is the only not-forprofit water company in Wales and England, serving around three million customers across most of Wales, Herefordshire and parts of Cheshire.

A group toured sites in South Wales and learned about water treatment processes during their tour of Llandegfedd Reservoir, wastewater treatment at Cardiff Wastewater Treatment Works, and the work the company does to ensure the best possible water quality at our laboratories in Glaslyn, Newport.

Customers also had the chance during lunch to question the company’s Chief Executive, Chris Jones, as well as the Managing Director of Household Customers, Samantha James, and Managing Director, Peter Perry, who will take up the

Chief Executive position in April 2020 when Mr Jones retires after more than six years in the post.

Another group of customers were taken to Welsh Water’s water treatment works and laboratories in Bretton, near Chester, before going on to visit the wastewater treatment works in Mold.

The tours were part of the company’s activities around National Customer Service Week, which is an opportunity to raise awareness of customer service and the vital role it plays in successful business practice and the growth of the UK economy.

Among the feedback received from the customers – which included a toxicologist, a PhD student and a research chemist, was: “What a brilliant and enjoyable day, I am very impressed.”

The company also held an ‘Ask the Customer’ live chat session - with Welsh Water staff posing questions to customers to get their views on how the company could build on their customer service offering in future.

Director of Customer Strategy and Communications, Alun Shurmer, said: “These events are invaluable to Welsh Water to ensure

we’re providing customers with the customer service they want and need. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – so how we deliver customer service is crucial for us realising our company vision of earning their trust, with everything we do. By opening up our sites and showing customers how much work goes into providing them with clean, safe drinking water and cleaning their wastewater - and by getting their feedback on how we should be working together with them - we go some way to ensuring we’re working for their benefit.”

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House prices in west Wales L E N D E R Principality’s House Price Index will be released next week, the headlines from the report are: The average house price in Carmarthenshire is £166,769. This is a rise of 0.6% in the last three months (July – September).

The average house price in Ceredigion is £204,404 which is a fall of 3.9% in the last three months (July- September) The average house price in Pembrokeshire is £207,561. This is a rise

of 3.8% in the last three months (July – September).

The average house price in Wales is £191,006.

Wales continues to buck the trend seen across England as the average house price in Wales has climbed to reach a record peak. In terms of housing sales when comparing Q3 2019 and Q3 2018, the number of sales also increased by 5.6% in Wales, suggesting people in Wales aren’t being put off by uncertainty around Brexit when buying a home.

Council recognised for addressing empty homes

C A R M A RT H E N SHIRE County Council has been recognised for the way it addresses empty properties.

An Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee report released today by the Welsh Government shows the council sets a good example in actively targeting empty properties in the private sector with an extensive and consistent approach.

In the last year, 189 properties in Carmarthenshire have been brought back into use - the second highest across all 22 local authorities in Wales.

The council has two dedicated officers to address empty properties as well as an action plan. The officers work alongside Simple Letting to help owners bring their properties back into use and to prevent homelessness.

These empty properties are also providing more affordable homes, achieving 63 affordable units last year.

Houses into Homes scheme is also available to empty property owners and is delivered by the council on behalf of the Welsh Government. The scheme offers recyclable and interest-free loans.

The council’s executive board member for housing, Cllr Linda Evans said: “We have placed strategic importance on bringing empty homes back into use since 2005 with the development and review of a strategy, two dedicated officers posts and an action plan. We have been innovative in our approach, utilising various enforcement powers from Improvement Notices to Empty Dwelling Management Orders. A total of two Interim Empty Dwelling Management Orders resulting in three Final Empty Dwelling Management Orders have been served. Empty properties affect the county as a whole. They are a blight on local areas, a wasted housing resource and attract anti-social behaviour. ”

NEWS

Search for new Lord or Lady of the manor

A NEW Lord or Lady of the Manor is wanted amidst the £40,000 listing of a manor in Carmarthenshire.

Grade II listed Blaenblodau Hall in Wales has fallen on hard times and is looking for a buyer with both time and resources to restore it to its former glory.

The new owner will also receive 2.5 acres of land and basement space to be used for anything the new owner wishes.

John Francis, the estate agent auctioning the property, says that much of the house is too dangerous to even enter to take photos. Any potential buyer wanting to view before they bid will only be able to see the hallway from the front door.

Eryl Jenkins, a branch partner at John Francis, says: “We don’t want people to travel a long way expecting to be able to see everything inside, it is restricted viewing only due to its condition.

We haven’t been able to go upstairs ourselves and advise that people enter at their own risk. It’s definitely a full renovation needed, we believe it hasn’t been lived in for over 30 years.”

Housing website Zoopla lists the last sale of the Hall as 1999 - it changed hands for a reported £90,000. In 2008 the charity Save Britain’s Heritage visited the site and explained how the house was not quite beyond saving: “Although it is empty and neglected, Blaenblodau is not in awful condition yet. It is only a matter of time before it begins to deteriorate; no building can cope with a lack of maintenance and the

Lord or Lady of the Manor wanted: Blaenblodau Hall placed on sale to be saved from becoming derelict britishlistedbuildings. onslaught of encroaching co.uk, the house was vegetation!” advertised for let in 1859 The estate agent has and first appeared on the made a start on the repairs ordnance survey map in through the clearing of 1888. the thick undergrowth Cadw, the Welsh surrounding the historic agency tasked with home so that future bidders can access the protecting historic sites, exterior. The gate from listed the building in 1992 as Grade II for being a the main road is also ‘largely unaltered laterepairable, and the treeGeorgian style small lined driveway adds a country house’. touch of class to what Restoration of these be developers, and The listing could be a real gem of the features would breathe instead opens the door to information states that the area once renovated. new life into Blaenblodau somebody who genuinely house had a simple lateThe £40k figure is just Hall, which would stand wants to transform the Georgian staircase, six a guide price, however, Hall into a family home as a brilliant display of panelled doors, panelled as the final number again.

Georgian architecture in shutters and moulded will depend on how If you would like the the local area. cornices in the hall and many people have been Located in opportunity to restore principal rooms. enchanted by the house Carmarthenshire, this Georgian beauty and The drawing room and want to bid for it. the house does come own your very own manor also had an AdamWhoever does get their house, then you can attend with land, however style ceiling, which is name on the deeds will the John Francis auction development on this is a neoclassical style of join a list of inhabitants not permitted, say Save in Llanelli on November interior design involving stretching back to the Britain’s Heritage. This 27 at 3 pm. Bidding starts intricate detailing on the mid-19th Century. would rule out wouldat £40,000 - 50,000. plasterwork.

According to the website

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Luxury Lodges create 110 news jobs

Help Wanted: New positions available at Carmarthen’s luxury lodge site

LUXURY Lodges has announced its creation of up to 110 new jobs to support the £15million investment in its Laugharne Resort & Milkwood Spa in Carmarthenshire.

The current 77 lodges at the resort are being expanded to 125, and a state-of-the-art £6million clubhouse, boasting an infinity swimming pool, outside hydrotherapy pool, a panoramic sauna, and an elevated restaurant and bar, will be unveiled in the New Year.

Now the company is recruiting dozens of staff to work at the new facilities and is holding a recruitment day next month.

Sharon Hurley,

the founder of Luxury Lodges, said: “These are extremely exciting plans which will be improving the tourism offering in the local community and South West Wales, and we are proud of what we have created.

The resort has been impeccably designed to make the most of its unrivalled location and spectacular views over the Taf estuary. We have combined the most efficient, sustainable and ecologically sensitive methods of building and technology, and have been working closely with local planning authorities to ensure the conservation of the surrounding historic environment, and ensure a positive impact on local

businesses.

We are already a significant employer in the region, and we are recruiting an additional 30 new members of staff to join the existing team of 40 for the initial opening of Milkwood Spa in January 2020.

As we move forward, with more lodges being built and other areas of the resort being developed, our staff numbers will grow further, creating plenty of opportunities for local people who want to be a part of what we do.

We expect that will result in the creation of 110 new jobs overall.”

•

The initial roles Luxury Lodges are recruiting for include:

• • • •

• • •

Clubhouse manager (full time) Spa Therapists (full and part-time) Receptionist (full time) Food & Beverage Supervisor & Assistants (full and part-time) Head Cook & Cooks (full and part-time) Kitchen Porters (full and part-time) Housekeeping (full and part-time)

Anyone interested in finding out more information about the first roles can attend an Open Day on Thursday, November 7, at Broadway Country House Hotel, Broadway, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire, SA33

4NU. The day will be split into the morning (8.30 am check-in) and afternoon (1 pm) drop-in session. Both will include registration, talk with the Directors and Managers, followed by an opportunity to have a oneto-one with the relevant members of staff from the department individuals are interested in applying for.

Anyone attending needs to bring a copy of their CV. To apply and register interest in attending, follow this linkhttps:// www.luxurylodges.com/ recruitment-open-day For more information contact Luxury Lodges Recruitment Manager Nathan Rowlands at Nathan@luxurylodges. com

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Prison for a string of motoring offences

A 26-YEAROLD man appeared before magistrates at Llanelli Law Court on Thursday (Oct 10) to face charges relating to motoring offences.

Anthony Marshall of Furnace Bank Hostel in Carmarthen pleaded guilty to taking a Citroen C3 without consent, failing to stop, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, and a further charge of committing an offence whilst subject to a community order.

The court heard that Marshall and the complainant had a verbal argument on June 24.

Following the argument, Marshall took the complainant’s car and decided to drive away.

The complainant had tried to prevent him from driving but was unsuccessful, so the police were called instead. Marshall was seen at Castle Hill, where the vehicle overtook cars and went onto the wrong side of the road.

The court heard it was a ‘pedestrian area’, and around the time that children would have been leaving school. Officers saw the car turn into John Street, where it was then abandoned. Marshall ran into a block of flats, and when he was found, said: “Yes, I did it.”

The following day, he admitted all matters.

He confirmed the colour, make and model of the car that he had been

driving, and admitted overtaking a taxi and breaking the speed limit.

Marshall had only been out of prison for 12 weeks and said at the time of the offence: “I went, I was gone. I didn’t fancy getting stopped because I didn’t want to get banged up for taking the car.”

Defence solicitor, Laura Sherwood, said: “I have represented this defendant for a long time.

He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he is here by way of summons.

Marshall wasn’t caught in the vehicle and he wasn’t identified as the driver, but his willingness to take responsibility for his actions is why he is here.”

Magistrates decided to send Marshall to prison for a total of six months and ordered him to be disqualified from driving for 37 months.

His driving licence was also endorsed with six penalty points, and he must pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Following his sentencing, Marshall said: “I’m going to lose everything now. I’m bidding for accommodation and I’m doing well with alcohol.”

The chair of the bench explained their reasons for imposing a custodial sentence before Marshall was escorted to the cells.

MDMA possession results in fine A LLANDOVERY man appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Oct 10) to face a charge of being in possession of MDMA. Sion Richard James Watson, aged 36 of Bronhaul, Cynghordy,

pleaded guilty to being in possession of 79.5 pink coloured ‘Donkey Kong’ design tablets of MDMA. Magistrates fined Watson £184 for the offence and ordered him to pay £32 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

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Court for aftershave theft

A 46-YEAR-OLD man appeared before magistrates at Llanelli Law Court on Thursday (Oct 10) to face a charge of theft.

Andrew Steve James of Brewery Road in Carmarthen pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of Dior Sauvage from Debenhams in Carmarthen on June 10.

The court heard that James was not identified

immediately following the offence, but the police managed to identify him through CCTV that was made available by Debenhams. He did not comment on during the interview.

Magistrates fined James £40 for the offence and ordered him to pay £85 prosecution costs, £30 victim surcharge and £92 compensation to Debenhams.

Tumble man caught driving six days before disqualification ended

MAGISTRATES at Llanelli Law Court dealt with a 49-year-old man who had been charged with motoring offences.

Jason Mark Lewis of Heol Y Neuadd in Tumble pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Astra on the A40 at Pont Lesneven in Carmarthen on September 11, whilst he was disqualified from driving. He also pleaded guilty to not having any car insurance when he drove the car.

The court heard that Lewis had been disqualified having racked up points on his licence, which lead to him becoming a totter.

His disqualification was due to end on September 17 - six days after he was caught driving without a licence.

When he was spoken to by police, he admitted being the keeper and owner of the car and said he got his dates mixed up.

The court heard that Lewis was ‘exceptionally sorry’ for the offence and that it was ‘purely a miscalculation’.

Magistrates fined Lewis £500 for the offence and ordered him to pay £50 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs. His driving licence was also endorsed with six penalty points.

NEWS

UK’s top skaters and riders to drop in

THE WORLD’S and the UK’s finest skateboarders, BMX and Wheelchair Motocross stars will drop in on young people at a Carmarthenshire Ramps skatepark on Saturday 19 October 2019 from 11 am till 2 pm. The event was arranged to celebrate the £3 billion National Lottery players have raised for projects which have specifically helped children and young people develop and thrive in the UK over the last 25 years. £2 million of National Lottery funding has specifically been awarded to support and develop over 47 BMX projects in local communities for young people in Wales to enjoy.

Wales and Pembrokeshire’s own wheelchair sports superstar, Lily Rice; the Olympic BMX freestyler from Swansea, James Jones; Britain’s leading street skateboarder and 2020 Olympic hopeful, Alex Decunha; and YouTube influencer, Jake O’Neill (aka Jake100),

visited hundreds of youngsters at Ramps indoor and outdoor skatepark in Llanelli as part of the National Lottery’s celebrations.

More than £340,000 was awarded by the National Lottery in 2013 to develop and build Ramps Skatepark which now provides activities for over 15,000 young people a year.

At 15 years old, Lily Rice from Manorbier, Pembrokeshire, is a World Champion wheelchair motocross (WCMX) star.

She was propelled to fame two years ago when she became the first female in Europe to achieve a wheelchair backflip, and only the second girl in the world to pull off the stunt. Since then, Lily has emerged as one of the global leaders of WCMX – wheelchair motocross.

She says: “By contributing towards building amazing facilities such as this indoor and outdoor skate park, National Lottery funding is helping thousands of young people of all abilities to reach their

goals and discover new opportunities.

I have trained and practised at numerous National Lottery funded skate parks and there is no doubt that the funding has helped wheeled sports, enthusiasts, to become healthier and more active.”

The National Lottery has inspired millions of people to get active in their local community, as well as supporting individuals and teams from grassroots to elite.

James Jones is a 25-year-old professional BMX rider from Swansea.

James, who also celebrated his 25th Birthday this year, is one of six world-class athletes who make up the Freestyle BMX Team GB for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. James honed his skills and practised his tricks at the Ramps skate park in Llanelli when he was growing up and highlights the importance of young people having access to facilities like this on their doorstep.

James Jones said: “I practised a lot here growing up and this facility has played a big

part in my development as a professional rider and a person. I probably wouldn’t be where I am now without the support I got here. It’s not just about learning to ride or skate, there’s a real family vibe

here, a great social aspect and it’s well supported by the community. The National Lottery must fund parks such as this one so that young people can have a safe space to pursue their hobbies and meet friends.”

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New NRW Chair confirmed Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheCarmarthenshireHerald

ON TUESDAY, October 8, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, confirmed Sir David’s Henshaw’s appointment as Chair of Natural Resources Wales.

Sir David Henshaw is NRW’s interim chair and has been in that position since 1 November 2018.

Sir David will take up the role of Chair of NRW on November 1, 2019.

His predecessor, Diane McCrea, left NRW following a string of scandals regarding timber contract awards.

A period which included the body ignoring direct advice from the Wales Audit Office regarding its timber business and receiving qualified accounts for three consecutive years.

NRW is the largest Welsh Government socalled ‘Sponsored Body’ and employs 1,900 staff across Wales with a budget of £180 million.

Sir David Henshaw

was the Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, from 1998 to 2005. His departure from that role was shrouded in controversy.

He resigned after a row over the Council’s plan to offer him the same sort of sweetheart pension deal which claimed the scalp of Pembrokeshire’s former CEO Bryn Parry Jones and given to the former Carmarthen CEO Mark James before the Wales Audit Office ruled it unlawful.

From there he undertook an investigation into administrative problems at the Child Support Agency. His investigation made a series of sweeping recommendations for reform of the Agency, which was – by then – unfit for purpose. The functions of the CSA were eventually reabsorbed into the DWP. Sir David’s next jobs were at the troubled Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust before

moving to the scandalhit University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation. His next move was to the poorlyperforming Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, at which the Director of Nursing had recently quit after only three months’ in the post, closely followed by the departure of the Trust’s Chair and Chief Executive.

Sir David subsequently chaired St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London, which was beset by financial problems and placed in special measures. During his period in charge, Border Force officers were stationed in the hospital to check patients’ papers and discourage ‘health tourism’.

With a record of troubleshooting appointments, the NRW position should be no surprise to Sir David.

However, criticism of his

appointment came from some who questioned why no Welsh candidate, let alone a Welsh-speaker, was ever in the frame for the hot seat.

Confirming Sir David’s appointment, Lesley Griffiths said: “I am pleased to confirm Sir David’s appointment as chair of NRW. Sir David has a proven track record in providing strong Board-level leadership and transformation.

His appointment will enable the organisation to continue to build on the good progress made since his appointment as interim chair.”

Sir David Henshaw, Chair of NRW, said: “I am delighted to be appointed the chair of NRW. When I took on the role of interim chair in November 2018, I intended to help the organisation rebuild from some of its challenges and then hand over to a successor. But that changed when I got to know the organisation better.

“The passion, commitment and expertise of staff; the importance of the role we can play in tackling climate and environment emergencies; and a deeper appreciation of our successes and our ability to improve Wales’ present and future. These are compelling reasons why I wanted to stay for longer.

There is still much work to do, but I’m looking forward to continuing the job I’ve started, leading the board in supporting the chief executive and her team in building NRW’s success.”

Clare Pillman, chief executive of NRW, said: “I am very pleased that Sir David will continue as our chair, working with us to take our organisation forward.

“His steadfast support for the staff of this organisation has been unwavering. His leadership over the last 12

Sir David Henshaw: NHS troubleshooter takes NRW Chair achieve its potential.” months has helped us not A pre-appointment only steady the ship, but hearing by the National to start to steer a course Assembly’s Climate towards a successful Change, Environment future and I’m looking and Rural Affairs forward to continuing to Committee endorsed the work with him to help appointment. the organisation fully

Volunteers needed in Carmarthenshire for Christmas food collection

LEADING charities the Trussell Trust and FareShare are appealing to people in Carmarthenshire to volunteer to help in the UK’s biggest food collection for people in need.

From Thursday until Saturday (Nov 21 - 23) the two charities will be collecting food in Tesco stores across the UK and Northern Ireland during the annual Tesco Food Collection.

They are looking for local volunteers to encourage shoppers to donate so that as much food as possible can be collected.

During the collection, customers are encouraged to donate long-life food to help food banks and community groups support people in need at Christmas.

Tesco will top up customer donations by 20% to further support the two charities in their work.

Last year, 3.5 million meals were collected as part of the Tesco Food Collection, and since its launch in 2012, more than 50 million meals have been donated to the two charities by generous Tesco customers.

To make this year’s collection success volunteers are needed to hand out shopping lists

to customers, so they can see the food items most needed by food banks and community groups in their area, and to encourage people to donate.

Emma Revie, chief executive at The Trussell Trust said: “No one should need a food bank at any time of year – but we know during the lead-up to Christmas our network of food banks see even more people needing help.

“Food banks will be doing all they can to provide vital emergency support so people don’t

face hunger this Christmas.

But to make sure there are enough donations, we need your support. Having your support in this year’s Tesco Food Collection will make a real difference – the more people who volunteer, the more food will be collected from generous shoppers, and the better prepared foodbanks will be to help local people.”

Farihah Choudhury volunteered at the last Tesco Food Collection, collecting donations for local groups supported by FareShare.

“I loved volunteering last year - it was great to speak with shoppers donating food.

The kindness I saw was wonderful and gave me a lot of hope,” she said.

“I believe everyone should have access to good, healthy food and I’d encourage anyone who can to give some time to help stop people going hungry this Christmas.”

People interested in volunteering can find out more and sign up at www.fareshare/ tescofoodcollection

01269 267140 2 Pontardulais Road, Crosshands, Carmarthenshire

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

The Little Book Of Positivity

“A PLACE to find your happiness, one poem at a time,” says Kelly Robinson-Key. Kelly is a writer and illustrator originally from Essex, now living in the picturesque Welsh valleys.

She started writing positive and inspirational rhymes whilst recovering from postnatal depression.

Kelly developed postnatal depression after her son was born 10 weeks earlier with health complications.

A move 200 miles from family, the birth of another child, who suffered from seizures, and finding out the firstborn has pathological demand avoidance, her postnatal depression

worsened. Kelly found a way to get through days through writing.

She started to write positive rhymes about things she wanted to focus on, whether it was positive mental health or career. Her husband then encouraged her to share these on social media, which has now developed into creating the Little Book Of Positivity. Kelly now fully recovered from postnatal depression and hope that her book will bring positive thoughts and inspiration to those that need it.

She said: “I am very honoured to have been asked to hold a book launch at Spiffy, a beautiful shop in Nott’s Square, Carmarthen. The event is on Tuesday 29th October and starts at 6 pm.

There are seats available but places are limited. To

book a seat please visit www.livespiffy.co.uk.

At the event, I will be talking about myself and how I came up with the poems and I will be doing a poetry reading. We are also holding a raffle where all proceeds will go to the PDA society.

A charity which has not only helped us find ways to help our son but also helped me through my postnatal depression. We are also very lucky to have had a beautiful cake donated for the event from Ruby’s Cakes Llanelli.

It will be a wonderfully positive event, one not to be missed.”

Her book is available to purchase from Amazon and my Etsy shop. If you visit www. kellyrobinsonkey.com you will be able to find all the information and links to purchase the book.

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Mindfulness in schools

Mindfulness: Increasingly important in schools’ pastoral care and many teachers were JULIA JAMES, now able to apply and National President of use their expertise in UCAC, writes: teaching pupils within the I recently had the classroom environment. privilege of attending a Another person meeting entitled ‘Wales: undertook a cluster A Caring country?’ organised for all those approach.

One involved in education, headteacher had used to create a vision and a PDG grant creatively strategy that will deliver on training a cluster of the impact of mindfulness teachers in Mindfulness. in Wales.

By creating a cluster The group had met training system, many earlier in May as an teachers had been opportunity to take initial trained and were using steps in considering their expertise in the health and well-being in classroom. education here in Wales.

One of those present WHAT IS at the meeting spoke MINDFULNESS from the perspective WITHIN A SCHOOL of a Senior Team CONTEXT? member in a secondary Mindfulness is school, and the school learning to take account ensured that all pupils of our experiences as they followed a compulsory occur, with curiosity and Mindfulness course at acceptance and during the the Junior School. It had day there was an excellent a very positive impact opportunity to hear how throughout the school. various practitioners A primary had begun to embed headteacher had arranged Mindfulness within their for her school staff to local authorities, and their be trained, and all staff schools. had attended a course It was very entitled Paws b. This had interesting to hear about a significant impact on initiatives undertaken the children’s eagerness by Carmarthenshire’s to learn at school.

Education Authority, As the new curriculum where over 200 staff progresses, Mindfulness had been trained on a will undoubtedly have six-week Mindfulness the potential to feature course. The Authority prominently in the had been very innovative Health and Wellbeing in their training plans curriculum.

25 new projects per year

LOUNGERS have claimed that it remains on track to open 25 new sites in the financial year after issuing a trading update for the 24 weeks ended 6 October 2019.

Throughout the period, the group has opened 10 new sites, comprising eight Lounges and two Cosy Clubs, taking the portfolio to 156 sites.

Since then, the Group’s 27th Cosy Club opened in Basingstoke last week and a further three sites are scheduled to open before the end of October, comprising a

Cosy Club in Plymouth and Lounges in Carmarthen and Buxton.

Nick Collins, the CEO, commented: “Both Lounge and Cosy Club have continued to perform well, reflecting the growing appeal of our customer offer in the communities in which we serve. Our broad, value for money proposition across multiple occasions underpins the resilience of our trading and leaves us well placed to continue to outperform the market.”

The Carmarthen branch is expected to open later in the month.

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New Chair, new focus

WALES’ new proindependence political party have announced a new Chair and a new approach in moving forward.

GWLAD Gwlad’s original chair, Gwilym ab Ioan of Aberaeron is standing down, with Llanelli councillor, Sian Caiach now taking over as the party chair.

This change in the party’s key role will also be accompanied by a change of focus by GWLAD, who has been in existence for just over a year.

“We are very thankful to Gwilym for his initial efforts in getting people together to form GWLAD and providing that initial impetus for us as a party’ said Gwyn Wigley Evans, GWLAD’s interim leader.

Mr Evans added that GWLAD would now also be pursuing a different tack in presenting the party’s vision to the people of Wales.

We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Independence movement as a whole, as our independence as a nation can only

be achieved with an unprecedented amount of strategic co-operation between interested parties’ said Mr Evans.

A more consensual approach will I think pay dividends for us, especially in an age where people are so sick of bickering politicians and bickering parties which have so demeaned the whole political process of late.”

Mr Evans said Wales needed to come up with an original, made in Cymru version of politics which taps into the co-operative ethos of the nation, and the social capital that people share here. He added that the party was gearing up to present its new focus to the people of Wales, in what would seem to be a whole new political environment if Brexit is completed as expected by October 31.

NEWS

Betws firm raises £10,000 for charity

THIS Summer, a Betws fuel firm celebrated the success of its fifth Super Fun Saturday which raised £10,000 for six amazing charities.

Heating company Sustainable Fuel Solutions (SFS) once again teamed up with Carmarthenshire Construction Training Association Ltd (CCTAL), Cyfle Building Skills and TRJ building contractors to bring the family fun day to Ammanford park.

Revellers relaxed on the green and watched the cricket match with the youngsters enjoying the games at the stalls and inflatable rides plus hog roast. The evening included live musical entertainment plus auction.

A charity coastal walk was held on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22, plus a charity bike ride on the day of the Super Fun Saturday.

Lesley Garland of SFS said she was pleased with another successful event and thanked the public for turning out and showing their support.

£10,000 split between six: John and Lesley Garland from SFS present £10,000 worth of cheques to their chosen charities She said: “We are in our fifth year now and people still turn out and support the event, which is fantastic. With the addition of the bike ride and the coastal walks – a 50 mile and 26 mile route – we were able to raise another great amount this year.”

Speaking about why they chose to begin fundraising for the

community, Lesley said: “We started the events because we wanted to give something back to the community. We were surprised by the huge response, so we kept going and here we are in our fifth year. Every year we change the charities that benefit from the funds raised so that everyone gets a piece.”

This year, the money

has been shared between Baby Zion from Tycroes, Prostate Cancer, Motor Neuron Disease, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Born on the Edge baby charity, Grand Appeal children’s hospital charity.

Donations will also be made to Ammanford junior sports clubs.

All donations will go to the local branch of each charity.

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NEWS

£1.25m for Carmarthen-based projects

FIVE PROJECTS in Carmarthenshire, shared over one and a quarter million pounds (£1,266,423) this month.

The projects variously target young people, young carers and members of the community who are feeling isolated.

One of these projects is Dr M’z Youth Club, run by Carmarthen Youth Project.

They received the news of their grant as a big surprise at the Senedd as one of 25 projects invited to meet Assembly Members to celebrate 25 years of National Lottery grants.

Carmarthen Youth Project reacted with amazement when they were called onto the stage by John Rose, Wales Director at the National Lottery Community Fund.

The crowd cheered as project manager Gayle Harris and her team reacted with surprise and delight to the news that their application for a grant for £209,307 had been approved.

Carmarthen Youth Project will use the money to build on their work developing the centre called Dr M’z which helps more than 400 young people a year. They will now create a community garden and give workshops on growing and cooking vegetables.

Greeting the news Gayle Harris from Dr M’z said: “When we came here we had no idea there was a big surprise in store for us, we thought we had come along to talk about all the great work we have done and to introduce some of the young people from Carmarthen. It’s great that they had the chance to be here and realise that they

will benefit directly from this grant– we can’t wait to get started.”

John Rose, Wales Director for The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “It was a privilege to share Dr M’z’ excitement and joy when they realised that all their hard work has paid off and they will get the grant, I think AMs were quite moved to see how much it meant to them today.

“This Senedd event is a celebration of 25 years of giving National Lottery grants to communities the length and breadth of Wales. The 25 projects who came along are representative of thousands of other projects. They represent the diversity and creativity of people and communities throughout Wales. “None of this would be possible without the support of National Lottery players and the commitment of the many volunteers who make our communities a better place to live.”

The full list of Carmarthenshire’s project is: Carmarthen Youth Project The project will

develop a community garden giving young people aged 8-25 experiences to promote a healthy lifestyle. It will encourage them to participate in growing food, harvesting it, cooking and eating.

They will develop skills in budgeting, sales, and marketing, enabling them to undertake accredited courses.

Community initiatives, such as planting trees, improving woodland or developing a garden will also take place. £209,307 over three years, will fund salaries, delivery costs and equipment.

Create at Greenspace in Carmarthenshire will use the grant to bring together various members of their community, to help tackle the feelings of isolation through creative art workshops. £9,400 will fund tuition costs, room rental, materials, and stationery.

Crossroads Sir Gar Limited The project will work with children and staff in primary schools, secondary

schools and colleges across Carmarthenshire to establish mechanism for early recognition and interventions for young carers to improve their life chances, with an aim of engaging with young carers currently unidentified and receiving no support. £499,906 over three years, will fund salaries, recruitment, training and travel expenses, marketing and communication, translation costs, events, overheads and equipment.

Lynx Workshop The project will deliver a range of member identified and led creative and health-based learning opportunities to promote sustained mental health improvements. People will be supported with their personal goals, accessing learning, volunteering and employment opportunities.

A creative enterprise will be developed so members can create art work and organise exhibitions to display and sell their work to build skills and confidence. £448,000 over three years, will fund

salaries, delivery costs and overheads.

The Centre for Building Social Action Limited The project will empower 80 young people aged 16-24 living in Carmarthenshire, at the margins of participation in education and employment to increase their individual and collective voice, choice and power in shaping their local communities, focusing on Newcastle Emlyn, Ammanford and Kidwelly. Young people will organise communitybased social action projects focused around three key themes: community action, environmental action and democratic participation, increasing their skills and confidence to make positive life choices and develop strategies for realising their goals. £99,810 over two years, will fund salaries, travel and expenses, venue hire, marketing and communications, translation costs, participants travel costs, celebratory events, project budgets and overheads.

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Joyce and Eluned backing votes for 16 and 17-year-olds

MID AND WEST Wales Assembly Members Joyce Watson and Eluned Morgan joined Welsh Labour colleagues in supporting the lowering of the voting age to 16 in elections to the National Assembly for Wales.

The proposals will mean that in the next elections to the Senedd in 2021, the franchise will be extended to 16 and 17 years olds.

The Assembly Members also voted to allow foreign nationals residing legally in Wales to vote in assembly elections.

Joyce Watson AM said: “I am delighted that 16 and 17-year-olds across Wales will have a say on who represents

them in the Senedd.

Welsh Labour have been campaigning on this issue for a long time and I have always thought it would widen participation and give a voice to young people in the decisions which affect them.”

Eluned Morgan AM said: “I am very pleased to support this legislation.

Young people want to have a say in their future and by extending the voting age, the Welsh Labour Government is delivering on another election promise.

I believe it is also important that people from other countries who are legally resident here in Wales can have their say in outward-looking Wales we are building together.”

Kennel Club welcomes dog breeding review

THE KENNEL CLUB has this week said it welcomed the statement issued by the Welsh Assembly Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths AM, concerning the actions being taken regarding dog breeding in Wales.

Holly Conway, Head of Public Affairs at the Kennel Club, told The Herald: “The Kennel Club welcomes this review of the existing legislation and the

Welsh Government’s commitment to updating these for the benefit of animal welfare and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

“As part of this, our report “Collaboration is Key: the way forward for Welsh dog breeding regulations” sets out a collaborative proposal to help local authorities enforce the regulations and raise breeding standards to both eradicate rogue breeders and promote responsible breeders.”

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NEWS

MP ‘proud’ of Climate voting record

Jonathan Edwards: At Climate Strike March in Llandeilo FOLLOWING the Westminster Parliament’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in May, a report in the Guardian newspaper has examined the voting record of the commitment of Members of Parliament to tackling climate issues.

The scoring system that has been applied has taken each MP’s record on 16 indicative votes between 2008 and 2018 across a variety of climate issues with the higher the score, the better the record.

The 16 votes that have been analysed cover some climate-related issues such as fracking, airport expansion, onshore wind subsidies and decarbonisation targets.

Plaid Cymru MP

for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, Jonathan Edwards, scored 100% – giving him a perfect pro-climate action record.

Across the county, Labour MP for Llanelli, Nia Griffith, scored 85% and Simon Hart, Conservative MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, scored 15%.

Responding to the Guardian analysis, Mr Edwards said: “I am proud of my voting record across several issues within Westminster but particularly on climate issues I can look back and say to the future generation that I am on your side.

“Across a broad range of issues debated in Westminster – including carbon capture and storage, decarbonisation and

investment in renewable energy – I have voted positively as I understand we need to put the brakes on the climate crisis now.”

“Last month, I proudly marched in solidarity with constituents in Llandeilo on a day marked as international Climate Strike.

“In the 2016 Welsh Assembly election, analysis by Friends of the Earth Cymru declared Plaid Cymru’s manifesto the greenest of all of the political parties – even greener than the Green Party manifesto.

“Last year, we were greeted at our autumn Conference by the news that the former leader of the Green Party in Wales, Grenville Ham, had joined Plaid Cymru because

Plaid was the only party focussed on the future of Wales.

“Fiscal policy must be directed towards decarbonising the Welsh economy. Wales is one of the worlds largest exporters of electricity and we should use this as the foundation for a new Welsh economy that helps tackle climate change, strengthen the Welsh public purse and deals with the scourge of fuel poverty in our country.

“Plaid Cymru has shown through its actions that we have the energy within our movement to develop some of the most radical and innovative policies to building a greener economy and safeguarding the future of the next generation in Wales.”

£4m boost for 5G research in Wales

WALES is set to become a global leader in 5G technology following the announcement of a new Digital Centre of Excellence, supported by nearly £4m EU funds.

The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre of Excellence at Bangor University will provide highly specialised research into digital communication systems like mobile phones, WiFi hubs and modern manufacturing lines. Improvements in DSP are a cost-effective way of speeding up networks, dramatically improving the way that mobile phones, devices and network architecture work.

The DSP Centre of Excellence will look at ways to use existing fibre technology in the 5G network to improve

capacity, flexibility, functionality and services.

Counsel General and Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles, who is responsible for EU funding in Wales, said: “Fast, flexible, adaptable digital systems, tailored to the needs of the user, are essential in today’s time-sensitive culture, and are vital to our nation’s development as we continue to boost productivity in the Welsh economy.

“The DSP Centre of Excellence puts Wales at the very heart of innovation in this key economic sector, and positions Bangor University at the top of the ICT research industry.

Collaboration between top academics from Wales and world-wide institutions, high profile international companies and Welsh and

UK SMEs, will lead to ground-breaking, world class research, resulting in cutting-edge solutions to advance the global 5G economy.

“EU funding continues to drive progress in R&D, science, infrastructure and skills in Wales, as well as promoting economic growth and creating new jobs. We’ve been clear that we want this funding to continue, to enable Wales to carry on leading research into new technology systems capable of running on low power, and to progress towards a more equal, more prosperous, and greener Wales.”

In addition to the EU funding, Bangor University is leading the project by contributing £1,672,984 funding, with additional funding of

£349,262 from private sector partners.

Professor Iwan Davies, Bangor University’s ViceChancellor commented: “This is a fine example of the excellent research conducted at our University. It illustrates how research conducted by academics of international standing feeds into innovation and contributes to economic and social impact in our wider world. In particular, the DSP Centre puts research innovation and collaboration at its heart. With academic, international and Welsh partners, the DSP Centre has the potential to promote the creation of a “DSP Economic Zone” along the A55 to bring transformative economic benefits to North Wales.”

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Wales revealed as modern slavery hotspot

WALES has been revealed as a modern slavery hotspot, according to a Salvation Army report released in time for Anti Slavery Day today (Oct 18).

The report finds that: • Between July 2018 and June 2019, 74 potential victims were based in the country and needed support from The Salvation Army.

• Of these 10 people were British.

• The British victims were four women and six men.

To help raise awareness of how widespread slavery is, The Salvation Army is urging people to wear a #WeAreNotForSale temporary tattoo and to post images of the tattoo on social media. The tattoo takes the form of a barcode to symbolise how slavery treats a person as if they can be bought or sold. The tattoos can be bought via the Salvation Army website and profits will pay for additional support for modern slavery victims.

Major Kathy Betteridge, The Salvation Army’s Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern

Slavery, said: “It’s appalling that anyone is forced to work as a slave whether a British national or a victim from across the world.

“Our report shows that gangs target vulnerable people, often with mental health issues to act as drug runners, or to move cash.

However, people are also being forced to work as slaves in places like farms, car washes, and even nail bars.

“By wearing the tattoo, you will help remind people to be aware of the signs that someone could be working as a slave near to you.

“If you suspect someone is being forced into slavery, call our confidential referral helpline on 0300 303 8151 anytime, day or night.”

The Salvation Army provides support for adult victims of modern slavery under a UK Government contract, and in addition to this The Salvation Army offers grants to help slavery survivors get their life back. They have been made for specialist trauma counselling sessions, childcare costs to enable people to access education and training, and household items including furniture

COMMUNITY Fitness Network has announced a partnership with fibodo, the award-winning booking management platform, to develop a smooth booking process that helps people in Wales better connect with fitness instructors in their local area.

Community Fitness Week, which is run by the Community Fitness Network, will run from 4-10 November. It is a new initiative, launching this year, to raise awareness of community fitness and the instructors delivering sessions around the UK. The Community Fitness Week initiative is more than getting fit, it’s an opportunity for participants and instructors to build a healthier, happier and more connected community and make new friends – all whilst improving mental wellbeing and helping overcome loneliness which according to Age UK can be as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The platform has been designed to deliver a smooth bookings solution for individuals who

want to get active during Community Fitness Week.

The booking platform allows for participants to easily find activities in their local area, book and pay for their space in a preferred class - whether it’s a group exercise, dance fitness, wellness or community activities.

As part of the platform, fibodo will also create the Community Fitness Week booking app so participants have a convenient and secure way to book and pay for classes. It also gives instructors another platform to advertise their activities quickly and simply. fibodo supports sports and activity professionals, providing an awardwinning booking solution, which helps them to save time and hassle. Its innovative technology allows businesses to accept bookings and payments 24/7, whilst also advertising availability in real time.

Claire Goodliff, co-founder and MD at Community Fitness Week, commented: “This year marks the first of many Community Fitness Weeks, an annual, nationwide, week-

long event, to boost the number of instructors offering their services and help more members of the community to get active.

Helping the community is at the heart of what we do and working with fibodo has enabled us to reach that ambition. The new booking management platform has allowed us to provide a simple, easy-touse tool for all participants in Community Fitness Week.”

Anthony Franklin, CEO and founder of fibodo, commented: “We’re excited to partner with Community Fitness Network and have the opportunity to help the Network promote healthy living, throughout local communities and nationwide. We’re passionate about empowering sports and activity professionals at a grassroots level, so it was a no-brainer supporting an initiative which not only offers fitness benefits but also builds social circles and removes communal barriers. fibodo will provide participants and instructors with a simple, easy to use booking platform throughout Community Fitness Week.”

Community Fitness Week teams up with fibodo

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Hughes welcomes more police

Havard: discussing rural policing HAVARD HUGHES, epidemic of rural crime at the Welsh Conservative the moment which needs Candidate for urgent action.’

‘The Conservative Carmarthen East and Dinefwr has welcomed government is giving a clear the news that Dyfed- criminals that crime Powys Police will be able message to recruit 42 extra police will not be tolerated. officers next year.

Carmarthenshire residents This is thanks to £100 want police resources million of additional ring- focused on keeping our fenced funding announced streets safe – not Labour’s by the Conservative plans to give prisoners the vote. government.

Rural communities in Havard Hughes commented: ‘We welcome West Wales are too often Boris’ move to provide us forgotten by the Cardiff Wales does not with additional funding elite. so that we can ensure an begin and end in Cardiff, increased police presence Carmarthenshire and West in Carmarthenshire. Wales deserve their fair We’re suffering an share of resources too.’

NEWS

Twilight Sanctuary opens in Llanelli

A GROUNDBREAKING out of hours mental health service for adults has launched in Llanelli.

The Twilight Sanctuary is the first of its kind in Wales and is open Thursday to Sunday from 6 pm to 2 am, to offer a place of sanctuary for adults at risk of deteriorating mental health when other support based services are closed.

In partnership with Dyfed Powys Police and Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board has commissioned and are working together with Mind and Hafal to run the service to provide support when people need it from Mind’s centre in Llanelli.

The Twilight Sanctuary will offer sanctuary and support to people at risk of deteriorating mental health, providing an alternative venue to receive early access help.

Amanda Davies, Senior Nurse for South Carmarthenshire Adult Mental Health for Hywel Dda said: “The health board are very proud to

be part of the working collaborative, which has enabled the successful launch of the Twilight Sanctuary in Llanelli.

“The Twilight Sanctuary is an easily accessible facility based in the centre of Llanelli.

This provides a warm and caring environment for individuals and their carers who require support with their mental health during the much needed out of hours period.

Greg Thomas, Interim Chief Officer, Llanelli Mind added: “Llanelli Mind are delighted to be involved in this exciting new project, the first of its kind in Wales, working with our partners in the health board, local authority, Hafal, Dyfed Powys Police and Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, to provide a muchneeded service ‘out of hours’.

“We very welcome the opportunity to work with and support people in managing and maintaining their mental health and wellbeing, in a welcoming and homely environment,

that wherever possible avoids the need for people to access more acute services.”

This service is one of the first projects from the Transforming Mental Health programme to launch. In 2017, over one thousand people engaged in a public consultation which asked people for their opinions on proposals to change how care and treatment are provided to meet the mental health needs of people now as well as future generations.

Having worked together with service users, staff, partners, including West Wales Action for Mental Health and the Community Health Council, a new model of care was co-designed for mental health services, built from learning from engagement, co-design, international collaboration and public consultation.

This includes: • 24-hour services – ensuring anyone who needs help can access a mental health centre for support at any time of the day or night.

Melissa North: Project Coordinator Llanelli Mind • No waiting lists – so that people receive first contact with mental health services within 24 hours and for their subsequent care to be planned for in a consistent and supportive way.

• Community focus – to stop admitting people to hospital when it isn’t the best option and provide support in the community when people need time away from home, extra

support or protection.

• Recovery and resilience – services that don’t purely focus on treating or managing symptoms, but instead help people to live independent, fulfilling lives with the help and support they need.

Those who wish to access the service can call 01554 253193 or drop by Llanelli Mind on Thomas Street.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 Follow us on Twitter @carmsherald

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

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Police appeal Côr Curiad’s young musician Competition 2020

POLICE are investigating a burglary which occurred at Capel Cendy, Abernant, Carmarthenshire sometime between Sunday 6 October and Saturday 12 October 2019.

A cream and silver Casio keyboard, a red Henry hoover and 2 metal communion plates were stolen for the property.

Anyone who has information which could help the investigation or

anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between the dates noted is asked to contact police.

Police can be contacted by phoning 101, online at: http://bit.ly/ DPPReportOnline, or by email at contactcentre@ dyfed-powys.pnn.police. uk. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

TAX HELP for older people is a charity which provides free advice to older people on a low income who have a query or concern regarding income tax.

If you have had a PPI refund some of the tax deducted from the refund might be reclaimable.

If you are married and

one spouse is a taxpayer and the other is not a tax reduction for the taxpayer may be possible by making a marriage allowance transfer. We can help with these or any other income tax issues at our surgery in Llanelli on 13 November.

To make a face to face appointment please ring 01308 488066.

Quote ref: DPP/0057/12/10/2019/01/C

Tax Help for older people

TO CELEBRATE 25 years of music making and to support Llanelli’s young musicians and vocalists, Côr Curiad is holding a competition and invites young musicians between the ages of 11 and 18 years to enter.

No minimum musical standard is required.

Entries must be received by 31 January 2020.

Competition has two categories: vocal and instrumental. A £500 prize will be awarded to the winner of each category; there will also be prizes for the runners up. The competition will be judged by independent adjudicators.

Closed auditions will be held at the Athenaeum Room of Llanelli Library on Saturday 28 March 2020. Each entrant may be accompanied by a maximum of 4 supporters one of whom must by a responsible adult. Note: following adjudication, the top five performers in each category will be required to perform on stage at Ffwrnes Theatre Llanelli alongside Côr Curiad on the evening of the 4 April

2020 when winners will be announced and prizes awarded. Further details on the format of the auditions and the final concert on 4 April 2020 will be given after the competition closing date on 31 January 2020 when successful entries will be confirmed and audition time slots

allocated. A limited number of places are available therefore applications will be considered on a first come basis.

Applicants should prepare and submit one or two pieces of music with the total performance being no longer than 10 minutes in length. Copies

of the music score must be made available before the event.

An entry fee of £10 is required with each application to secure a place in the competition, applicants wishing to enter both the vocal and instrumental categories need only pay one £10

entry. Every applicant performing at the auditions on 28 March 2020 will receive a free ticket plus a 50% discount voucher towards a further ticket for the Cor Curiad Young Musician of the Year Finals Concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli on the evening of 4 April 2020.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

Pontyates Fire open day NEWS

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PONTYATES’ fire station held its open day on Saturday, October 12.

Local members of the Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service welcomed residents of the local community as well as local school children who had helped design a poster for the station to visit and

Ray Thomas MOT Centre Ltd Our MOT checks include: • Motorbike MOTʼs • Vans MOT- up to 3, 5 ton • Motor Home MOT • MOT class 1, 2, 4, 7

Thorough MOT check For vehicles older than 3 years

Our car servicing includes: • Brake Check • Engine oil change • Engine check • Gearbox and clutch check • Mechanical and electrical parts check elect • Tyre changes

Weʼre local to

Ammanford, llandybie llandeillo

Vehicle services

Servicng, diagnostics and repairs

see the fire engine.

They had the opportunity to view a chip pan demonstration, where a colleague from our community safety team gave a talk on fire safety.

Fire Service members were joined by a local PCSO from Cross Hands station as well as two

of our Community First Responders, who gave a demonstration on CPR. A spokesperson for Pontyates Fire Station said: “We would like to thank everyone who attended and helped organise another successful open day in which we raised money for The Firefighters’ Charity.”

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

Black Mountain historical talk intrigues On Friday, November 1, at 7.00 pm there will be an illustrated talk

by Alice Pyper at Carmarthen Library which will reveal the now forgotten extensive public works carried out by conscientious objectors on the Black Mountain during wartime.

The talk has been arranged by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society, the county’s history society.

Non-members will be very welcome.

Members of the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society receive its complete annual programme of talks and visits to historic sites together with the Carmarthenshire Antiquary, the Society’s long-respected publication which is a great source of information about the county’s history and archaeology. For further information about the Society and how to become a member, visit the website www. carmants.org.uk .

AM Launches Rare Diseases Cross Party Group

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member and Shadow Health Minister Angela Burns recently launched the Cross Party Group on Rare, Genetic and Undiagnosed Conditions in the Welsh Assembly.

The Cross Party Group which is supported by the Genetic Alliance, aims to raise the profile of rare diseases and provide a platform for physicians, patients and their families to help shape Welsh health policy.

The first meeting was held at the start of October and heard contributions focusing on the mutual health challenges faced by people with a rare or undiagnosed conditions.

The group will continue to meet regularly and is keen to hear from

members of the public who are living with a rare, genetic or undiagnosed condition.

Speaking following the meeting Angela said: “I am pleased that we have managed to launch this group. It is vital that everyone’s voices are heard. Having a rare disease or undiagnosed condition is not a reason to have poorer standards of care or support.

“The Group will be a platform to hear from experts, patients and their families and for politicians to learn more about not only the diseases but the challenges of living with such conditions.

“I look forward to moving this issue forward over the coming months and I am grateful for the support of the Genetic alliance in helping to get this group off the ground.”

iewpoint Matthew Paul V with

Identity crisis

T H E GOVERNMENT has at last conceded defeat in its silly plans to introduce age checks on users of pornographic websites.

It should be seen as a small victory for freedom.

The plans were a mess.

Age verification depended either on handing over credit card details to your friendly pornographer for verification – what could go wrong? – or, if for some reason you chose not to, going into a newsagent – presumably wearing a stained raincoat – and whispering a request for an age verification card, which would be taken from under the till and pressed into your sweating palm to tuts from old ladies in the queue behind you.

This latter wheeze could only have been drafted by ministers who secretly enjoyed grubby adolescent memories of self-loathing from buying porn. But today’s consumer of pornography prefers to do it on, not in, a Mac. There was zero public enthusiasm for retro porn-shaming which would, in any event, have been useless in preventing tech-savvy teens from getting at online filth.

Forcing people to prove their identity, whether online or in person, is alien to our political tradition.

Back in 2004, one Boris Johnson thundered that the Labour Government’s plans for compulsory ID cards were ‘a recipe for tyranny and oppression’.

If compelled in any circumstances to produce one, he would ‘take that card out of my wallet and physically eat it in the presence of whatever emanation of the state has demanded I produce it’.

Boris’ appetite for this kind of tyranny and oppression must – literally – have become keener since taking office because among the 26 Bills announced in Monday’s Queen’s Speech was one hoping to compel voters to produce a photo ID before casting their ballot.

At present, to vote in Britain all you need to do is go down to a polling station and point at a name on the electoral register.

You don’t even have to show a polling card, let alone prove that you are the person at whose name you have pointed.

Fraud and personation, in theory, are easy.

Electoral fraud does of course exist. The trial of Lutfur Rahman, the slippery former Mayor of Tower Hamlets, heard evidence that ‘clearly showed’ in Mayoral elections in that Borough ‘that there was personation and that other voting offences took

place’.

There is also strong public suspicion of skulduggery around postal votes, usually involving the surmise that large families of darkskinned people are being compelled by a beltwielding paterfamilias to hand over great sheaves of postal ballot papers in support of some reptile like Rahman.

This doesn’t mean it happens much.

Polling booth fraud of any particular scale is impracticable.

Making repeated trips into a polling station wearing a Groucho Marx moustache and the overcoat you were saving up for trips to the newsagent will get you quite rapidly nicked. Even the postal voting is pretty clean: a trial of entirely postal votes by 35 local authorities in 2003’s local elections saw turnout in some areas double, with no evidence of an increase in voter fraud.

There is no empirical evidence to suggest that voter ID fraud is a serious problem. The judge in Lutfur Rahman’s trial went on to question how widespread personation was; certainly, nowhere near enough to account for Rahman’s large majority as Mayor, which was got by the more effective expedients of bribing and ‘spiritually intimidating’ electors.

Following the 2017 General Election, only one person was convicted of the offence of

personation (eight more were cautioned).

Political parties stand tellers at polling stations to keep an eye out for subterfuge by their opponents. Although very old-tech and loosely controlled, the integrity of the voting system in the UK has never been seriously in doubt.

So why is Boris scrapping one pointless requirement to prove identity, but wasting time that could be spent ‘getting Brexit done’ on introducing costly measures to deal with the non-problem of voter fraud? His suggested reform of the voting system certainly won’t be in place before the next General Election.

He can’t get anything – including, most probably, a Brexit deal– through Parliament without a majority.

None of that stopped the Labour Party from bellowing its objections to the proposed reform.

Jeremy Corbyn moaned that poorer voters and ethnic minorities, who tend towards supporting Labour, were disproportionately represented amongst the 3.5 million potential electors who have neither passport nor driving licence. In Corbyn’s paranoid world view, this was a measure intended only to suppress the Labour vote.

Paranoia about the

measure from Labour is hard to justify. In a pilot earlier this year, a statistically insignificant 0.4% of voters were turned away from the polling booths for want of ID. Most people who didn’t vote told researchers, somewhat implausibly, that while available to chat to pollsters they were too busy to spend thirty seconds in a polling booth. 9% were away on holiday, and 6% forgot there was an election.

In any event, for voters who don’t have a passport or driver’s licence, ID – as the Reverend Dr Ian Paisley once commented about teeth– will be provided.

Local authorities will assume the presumably rather expensive burden of producing a suitable card for production at the polls.

Monday’s Queen’s Speech was exceptional in that everyone present, Her Majesty included, knew there is not a cat in Hell’s chance of any of the measures she announced becoming law under this Government.

Corbyn denounced the whole thing as a party election broadcast.

Unusually, the Lenincapped loon is perfectly right. He just seems not to have noticed that in putting himself on the side of corrupt electoral practices, he has picked up Dominic Cummings’ script and stepped right in front of the camera.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

Elly’s appeal helps child patients

EARLIER this year Elly’s Ward 10 Appeal wrote to Hasbro Gaming asking for support towards the campaign’s local fundraising.

In 2015, at just 5 ½ years old, Elly Neville won first prize in a school competition for her collage of the Pembrokeshire Flag. Elly and her family decided to raffle the flag to raise funds to support the planned refurbishment and upgrade of facilities for cancer patients at Ward 10, Withybush General Hospital, Haverfordwest.

The flag was raffled and exceeded its income target, raising £500 in the process – this is where Elly’s real passion for fundraising began.

In November 2015, with the help of her parents, Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal was created.

Over the last four years, Elly’s Appeal has received support from far and wide.

Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal has now raised over £208,000 towards the refurbishment of Withybush Hospital’s cancer treatment ward.

When the Appeal wrote to Hasbro, it hoped for a few games and toys to raise money for that appeal.

H o w e v e r ,

Follow us on Twitter @carmsherald

Jonathan Edwards MP

Presenting the Merlin’s Mobile Entertainment Unit: Elly Neville at Cilgerran Ward, Glangwili Hasbro’s response was overwhelming.

Hasbro very kindly offered Elly to donate toys and games to our local children’s services and with support from Hywel Dda Health Charities it happened – Hasbro have donated 174 games to be distributed across all Hywel Dda Health Board sites.

Sandra Jones, Play Service Manager, said: “As Play Service Manager

within the Women and Children’s Directorate, I would like to thank Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal and Hasbro Gaming for the donation of games and toys. Children and young people visiting or admitted to the Puffin Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Cilgerran Ward at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen and Angharad Ward at Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth will benefit

from such a very generous donation.

The vast array of games and toys will also be shared with Speech and Language, Physiotherapists and many other Community staff within the Hywel Dda University Health Board. The donation will enable us to provide the extras that make a stay in or a visit to the hospital a more positive patient experience and I would like to thank you once again for thinking of us.”

In January 2019, Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal wrote to Merlin Entertainment asking for support and were introduced to Erin from Merlin’s Magic Wand children’s charity.

Merlin’s Magic Wand is a children’s charity that supports children facing challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity around the world. The Charity makes FUN accessible to children with three Magic Spells: ‘Magical Days Out’ providing tickets and funding travel grants to families to enjoy their day at a Merlin Entertainments’ attraction; ‘Merlin’s Magic On Tour’ working with our local communities at hospitals and hospices to bring the magic to the children wherever they are; and ‘Merlin’s Magic Spaces’ designing and creating amazing projects in hospitals, orphanages, learning Centres and more all around the world.

Impressed with Elly’s achievements the charity kindly offered Elly the

opportunity to donate one of their Mobile Entertainment Units to a children’s ward of her choice.

Cilgerran Ward based at Glangwili Hospital is the largest children’s ward in west Wales.

Patients on Cilgerran Ward are children and young people aged 0-16 years (young people with additional needs – up to 18 years) who live in Carmarthenshire and the neighbouring counties of Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. The ward currently has 30 inpatient beds, 8 assessment beds and three high dependency beds.

“So many children and young people will greatly benefit from this donation which will not only help our patients interact and socialise whilst recovering in hospital but will also be an invaluable distraction from their medical condition, treatment and pain. The unit will enable us to provide an inclusive, positive patient experience and we are extremely grateful,” said Sandra Jones “We are delighted the mobile unit is a natural fit to such an incredibly busy department and will help to provide the children with a much-needed distraction by providing hours of creative fun.”

Elly said, “I am really happy that we have been able to help children.

I love helping to raise money for Cancer Patients on Ward 10 but it is great to be able to help children who have to be in hospital when they are ill.”

It took one phone call for Trump to turn tail and run in Syria, but the damage caused could be immeasurable – lost lives, further regional instability and a shift in geopolitical arrangements which could undermine alliances including NATO. It is a strategic mistake by both Trump and the UK, and we must take action to prevent a slaughter of the Kurds, the resurgence of ISIS and a complete victory by Assad without consequence in Syria.

It is first vital to note that Turkey’s invasion, which began after Trump started withdrawing US troops from Syria, is not simply another military operation but is instead heavily influenced by security concerns based on ethnic considerations.

Turkey has been fighting a long-running Kurdish insurgency and views any form of Kurdish autonomy as a threat to its national security. With evidence showing Kurdish prisoners being bound and executed on Syrian roadsides, the increasingly violent ethnic dimension to the invasion is concerning.

Turkey will make no apology for what it sees as an operation to end the Kurdish threat. However, Turkey must know that the UK and the international community will not allow the ethnic cleansing of Kurds, either through violence or displacement via the resettling of Syrian refugees

by Turkey.

Aside from the unfolding humanitarian disaster which will add to the record of shame that this betrayal will be remembered for, Trump’s withdrawal is a major strategic failure by the US and its allies.

When the international community formed a military coalition to defeat ISIS, the nightmare of Iraq meant few allied ground troops were deployed. Instead, we used Syrian and Iraqi Kurds – an ethnic group described as the world’s largest stateless nation – as our foot soldiers in the brutal war against ISIS. They faced ISIS across the battlefield and won, capturing thousands of ISIS fighters.

Now, with Turkish forces storming across the Turkish-Syrian border along with Syrian proxies, those prisoners are escaping as the Kurds move to confront the Turkish threat. Consequently, there is a very real possibility that ISIS will reform and once again pose a threat to international security.

Moreover, to escape the savage Turkish offensive and forfeited by their Western allies, the Kurds have compounded our failure in Syria and turned to the only force left capable of resisting Turkey – Bashar Al Assad’s regime and its Russian and Iranian backers. It was the Assad regime’s brutal repression of political demonstrations that started the Syrian civil war in 2011 and the regime has

since used chemical weapons, indiscriminate airstrikes against hospitals and schools, and widespread torture to reestablish dictatorship over Syria. Now, abandoned by Trump, the Kurds’ acceptance of Assad as their best chance of survival will ensure the regime’s ultimate victory.

Ultimately, Trump’s decision to abandon the Kurds is a monumental strategic and diplomatic failure and will undermine the global integrity of the US and its allies.

Trump has effectively ceded victory to Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers after years of bloody and inconclusive involvement in the Syrian civil war. More pressingly for us, Trump’s decision was accepted by the timid British State, which consumed by Brexit, has allowed its foreign interests to be trodden over by a petulant and unreliable US president in the hope of a post-Brexit trade deal.

This cannot continue.

To stop a brutal massacre of the Kurds, protect our geostrategic interests and ensure our diplomatic integrity, the UK must act and curb Turkish aggression.

Speaking in the Commons last week, I asked the Westminster Government whether they should follow the example of our allies in Europe including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Norway in immediately suspending arms exports to Turkey. I also called for the British Government to review Turkey’s membership of NATO in light of its aggressive behaviour.

Turkey has deliberately undermined NATO defences in its purchase of Russianmade missile systems, continually and provocatively violates Greek airspace (Greece is both a NATO and EU member), and threatened the EU with another migrant crisis. Equally, Turkey’s aggressive regional policy also poses dangers to NATO as one possible consequence of the Kurds’ alignment with Assad could be that Russia enforces a no-fly zone over northern Syria, vastly increasing the risk of RussianTurkish confrontation.

If Turkish forces are attacked by Syria or Russia, Turkey could invoke NATO’s collective security provisions, globalising the conflict.

It is therefore imperative that steps be taken to moderate Turkey’s aggression and ensure such belligerence has consequences.

Ultimately though, the unfolding disaster in northern Syria was made possible by President Trump’s weakness.

Urgent steps must be taken to prevent the slaughter of our Kurdish allies and moderate the risk of a wider conflict.

Fundamentally, Trump’s haphazard and transactional approach to diplomacy is yet another warning light to the British State to be increasingly wary of our ‘ally’ in the White House.

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheCarmarthenshireHerald

31 NEWS

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

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Off the Record! with Mike

Cadno and the New Power Generation

BY THE time you read this, Cadno will no longer be with you, readers.

Sorry to disappoint some of you, but – unless fate is even more prone to temptation than Cadno supposes – all that means is that he will finally be away on a holiday.

As in ‘a holiday’ holiday and not ‘a holiday’ interspersed with frantic writing as a deadline approaches.

Mrs Cadno and Dr Owl have been very clear on that point. ‘A holiday means a holiday’ is what Cadno’s been told. It makes him think of a similar phrase deployed by some mad old bat in the past. But in this case, the definition of the noun is as inflexible as Mrs Cadno’s grip on the rolling pin brandished in Cadno’s general direction when she made the point.

Cadno isn’t even being allowed to take his beloved laptop with him. Yes, readers, Old Faithful, upon which Cadno has poured out hundreds of thousands of words over recent years is staying at home. It’s not quite the same and sun, sea and culture – but a rest is as good as a change for appliances.

Next week, this space will not be filled with Cadno’s ponderings on the insanity of the world and the inanity of humans. Mutterings of a guest columnist have been uttered. Whether this space is filled by Bernie Beaver or cat magnet Hemmy Hamster is not a matter with which Cadno is concerned.

All Cadno can think is ‘you lucky bugger’ to whoever you read in this spot in this paper’s next edition.

There’s an Executive Board next Monday. At that Executive Board meeting, its members will retire into private session to discuss the Great Wellness Thingy.

Having been plied with haggis laced with hallucinogens, perhaps a Scottish University has been daft enough to jump on board. Perhaps a mad investor has emerged brandishing a large cheque cashable on the twelfth of bleeding never.

Who knows?

It’s like the old thirties American radio serial, ‘The Shadow’. Who knows what evil lurks in the heart of men? Only The Shadow knows…

Who knows how the Great Wellness Thingy will be funded? Well, nobody knows the answer to that one, readers; but something will turn up.

Does anyone remember the 39 Steps to being the ‘most transparent council in Wales’?

Cadno still gets a laugh when he recalls the hushed awe and self-congratulation with which councillors greeted them.

Every single one of those steps appears the height of a Mount Everest as far as progress to the summit has been made. At the moment, this administration is somewhere in the forested foothills looking for a path towards the first base camp on the lower

riser of the first step.

The Council’s long-earned and welldeserved reputation for impenetrable secrecy – well, more or less – continues even now under the leadership of Comrade Kremlin Dole and his Politburo.

Which makes the result of last week’s vote on asking the Dyfed Pension Fund to consider selling off its interests in funds linked to fossil fuel all the more hilarious.

The Council Chamber was already denuded of members by a combination of prior appointment, ill-health, and Wales v Fiji starting at 10:45.

Councillors’ numbers were thinned even further when the time came to declare interests. For an unaccountable reason - entirely unrelated to the impending rugby international - hordes of members had failed to seek a dispensation to either speak or vote.

They were shortly followed out of the door by the Council’s officers, who are all potential beneficiaries of the scheme’s largesse.

Among those who left the Chamber was the aforementioned Comrade Dole.

Poor Kremlin!

During a debate which tragically missed the contribution of the Sultan of Smirk, things all went a bit Pete Tong for the status quo to which he clings as though it were a life preserver.

Can you imagine what happened without officers and Comrade Dole in the

Chamber?

It was dreadful, readers.

Denuded of its usual ‘turns’, sniping sarcasm, and officers’ assistance, an actual debate actually happened.

Cadno was horrified.

This wasn’t what he wanted to see!

At which point, a short digression.

Elis James is an extremely funny Welsh comedian. Cadno had the pleasure of watching Elis James on stage not long ago. One bit of his routine made Cadno almost double-up laughing.

Elis James recounted the ‘unique’ method of acting which young performers are taught to inflict on unsuspecting audiences at drama festivals across Wales.

There it all was. The mock-outrage, the eyepopping faux surprise, the offended dignity.

And watching it into Cadno’s mind’s eye popped Cllr Dole.

If you have not seen Elis James’ routine, find it on YouTube. Then take a long hard look at the conduct of Comrade Dole later in the same meeting as the climate debate.

You get less ham in a gammon steak.

Gosh, the debate on the disinvestment of fossil fuel funds from the Dyfed Pension Scheme was different without Kremlin’s contribution.

Reasonable points were made, reasonably.

Even Rob James, who appeared to have come armed for bear, had enough sense to rein in his unfortunate tendency to try a score political points by bouncing them

off the back walls to see if any hit home. Well, eventually.

A tip to Cllr James: when someone offers you a hand, try taking it instead of looking for an electric buzzer.

A clarification about whether the Council’s motion ‘called upon’ or ‘instructed’ the Dyfed Pension to get rid of its investments in fossil fuels became unnecessarily bogged down in the meaning of the word ‘call’.

And targets for action to be taken are all well and good provided that everyone is aiming in the same direction.

Some councillors may be deluded about the importance attached to motions involving a pension fund operated on behalf of the employees of another fifty contributing bodies.

Even where Carmarthenshire is the lead authority, its writ does not run that far.

But Cadno is nitpicking.

It was a good debate, conducted in generally civil terms, on a topic over which the main difference was not on intent and destination, but time for delivery.

As ever, Cadno has an alternative solution.

Never mind investing in local power infrastructure. If you could find some way of getting the Council Leader into a soundproofed booth attached to a generator as Rob James’ words ran on an endless loop through earphones glued to his head, the problems of power generation would vanish overnight.

THE BEST that can be said about this month is that there are under two weeks left in it.

The weather has been vile.

Wet and cold. And where it has not been wet and cold, it has been cold and wet. There have been times I have contemplated trying to locate the kids’ old beach equipment and canoeing down to the shops to pick up the daily paper and a packet of Victory Vs. One particular sodden day last weekend, I tucked the wife’s favourite newspaper under my coat and legged it the short distance to the car in rapid order.

No good.

On removing it from its place of concealment, the wretched tabloid was soaked. I took it home and showed it to the wife, who proceeded to display the self-control and good humour I have come to expect when she is deprived of her horoscope, the racing form, and her daily dose of bilious right-wing tat.

She crumpled the offending sodden mess into a ball and hurled it across the kitchen diner towards the bin, where it landed with a sorry splat.

On the plus side, when it dried and completed its journey towards papier-mache it had the advantage of looking like a perfectly realised model of the half-completed Death Star in Return of the

Edwards

Jedi.

But the weather is not the only reason that this last month will go down as I hope to be able to forget but never shall.

Having recently had a prolonged bout of stomach trouble, in the middle of July I hauled my carcass to the GP who after much prodding of my tender belly referred me to the hospital.

There I found myself a few weeks ago to have a camera inserted in my nether parts and samples taken.

The experience was, mercifully, brief. For those of you who have not had the pleasure, I can heartily recommend avoidance in all but the most urgent and trying of circumstances. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sensation of having the air blown up your back passage while the whole drama unfolds on a screen in front of you displaying those parts never destined to see the light of day.

While I lay there and thought of England (as I am inclined to do whenever the word ‘arseholes’ pops into my head), I wished the procedure was happening to Boris Johnson (ditto).

In his case, I cheered myself by imagining that fantastic journey undertaken by a full BBC camera crew and soundman).

Preferably with a hushed commentary from either Professor Brian Cox or Sir David Attenborough.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

FARMING

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Farming News

Farmers not exploiting EBVs A RECENT survey shows that many farmers are familiar with Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) but do not have the confidence to use them when purchasing rams.

The data, collected by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) at the recent NSA Wales Ram Sale in Builth Wells has shown that whilst 80% of buyers were familiar with EBVs only 23% used EBVs when selecting a new ram.

EBVs offer data on recorded performance traits - such as maternal ability, eight-week weight, fat depth and muscle depth - and provide a platform for farmers to buy rams based on data and information rather than by visual appearance alone.

Of the survey participants who did buy rams with EBVs, maternal ability was the most focused-on trait, followed by eight-

week weight and muscle depth.

HCC Flock Genetic Executive, Gwawr Parry, who co-ordinates HCC’s Hill Ram Scheme explained: “Genetics is the only influence a ram has over its offspring so it’s beneficial for buyers and farmers to understand what rams are offering to their future flocks when making purchasing decisions.”

The Hill Ram Scheme is a 5-year project as part of HCC’s Red Meat Development Programme to encourage the use of performance recording in the hill sector and the prominence and understanding of EBVs as a result. It is funded as part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

HCC is also part of

the UK-wide interbreed RamCompare project which aims to drive genetic improvement forward through the inclusion of commercial data in genetic evaluations.

Gwawr Parry added, “Whilst it is heartening to see that so many farmers are familiar with the term, the fact that so many farmers are still not actively using EBVs in their flock planning shows that this project is both timely and important.

“As projects such as the Hill Ram Scheme and Ram Compare develop, more and more performance recorded rams will be available to buyers meaning that farmers will be able to make informed choices to suit their particular enterprise or goal – whether that’s an increased potential maternal ability or increased growth rates.

“Participants in the Hill Ram Scheme also receive

Farmers purchasing rams: Not using Estimated Breeding Values There are currently years to gain a critical seven Leader Flocks and mass of performance 20 new participants in the recorders for Welsh hill scheme who will receive breeds and ultimately support and training from making the Welsh sheep HCC over the coming sector more efficient

training on understanding and analysing EBVs which should importantly, improve confidence in explaining them to potential customers.”

and resilient. There will be a further application window in early 2020 for farmers interested in joining the scheme.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

FARMING

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Farming News

NFU puts pressure The cost of Bovine TB: Almost 12,500 cattle slaughtered in year to June 2019 NFU CYMRU has urged the Welsh Government to reconsider its current bovine TB eradication programme.

The Union made its call after the publication of a new peer-reviewed paper on the effectiveness of badger culls in England.

NFU Cymru says the evidence within the Downs

Jon coles

jon.coles.herald.email Report, published on Friday, October 11, clearly shows that badger culling can result in significant reductions in the number of TB outbreaks in cattle.

Research into the effectiveness of the English badger cull in the original

cull zones in Gloucestershire and Somerset showed, after four years, a 66% reduction in new bovine TB breakdowns in cattle in Gloucestershire and a 37% reduction in Somerset.

NFU Cymru President John Davies said: “I am delighted that the NFU’s policy has been vindicated and farmers within England

Based in Pembrokeshire, West Wales we sell to local and national farmers, smallholders and agricultural contractors, offering cost-effective delivery on quality agricultural machinery.

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Badgers: A known TB carrier

can take comfort from the fact that genuine progress is finally being made in tackling this terrible disease, with positive steps being made towards the country becoming TB free. This research is clear evidence of the success of the Westminster Government’s bovine TB eradication strategy.

“Of course, this new evidence will only add to the extreme frustration and anger that Welsh farmers feel about the inadequacy of the Welsh Government's current bovine TB eradication programme.

"Bovine TB continues to severely affect Welsh farming families, both emotionally and financially.

Latest statistics show that 12,360 cattle were slaughtered in Wales in the year to June 2019: that is unsustainable for the Welsh cattle industry.

“It is essential lessons are learned from the way the Westminster Government has implemented its bovine TB eradication plan in England. This new evidence emphatically shows the only way forward in eradicating this horrific disease here in Wales is for Welsh Government to recognise that robust controls to tackle the reservoir of disease in the wildlife population need to be employed. This should be alongside the range of other measures already in operation, such as enhanced biosecurity and cattle control measures.

“The peer-reviewed, scientific evidence released

today cannot be ignored.

Welsh Government must now urgently review its current ineffective bovine TB policy. We need a fitfor-purpose science-based programme to tackle this terrible disease across all its vectors.

“The Minister has repeatedly ruled out an English-style approach in Wales. Based on the evidence published today, we ask she now urgently reconsiders her decision.

"In a letter to the Minister in February, we set out our willingness to work in partnership with the Welsh Government to take forward a farmer-led badger control strategy.

That strategy took onboard the protocols established between the NFU and the Westminster Government.

The offer remains; but to deliver, farmers need to know the Welsh Government will provide the support successive farming Ministers in England have given to the bovine TB eradication programme.

“As we head into a postBrexit world it is essential that farmers in Wales are allowed to compete on a level playing field and are not hamstrung by an ineffective policy. At NFU Cymru we are ambitious for the future of our farming sector, but if we are to realise our ambitions then we must be allowed to rid ourselves of this disease once and for all and move forward with a thriving cattle industry sitting alongside a healthy wildlife population.”

There is a scientific consensus that culling on its own will not contain or eradicate bovine TB. The Welsh Government’s vaccination trial, which resulted in an increased number of cattle being slaughtered, was abandoned unfinished.

Welsh Government policy on controlling bovine TB rules out any organised or monitored badger cull. A limited plan to trap badgers, euthanise, and test them caused an uproar among fringe wildlife activists. The controversy grew larger after the 'accidental' publication of the locations of farms where those trials took place from within the Welsh Government.

Instead, Cardiff Bay’s lawmakers have preferred to concentrate on increased movement controls and biosecurity. That policy has failed to make a dent in bovine TB’s toll on farms and farming communities, in spite of the gloss placed upon it by Government ministers.

The Welsh Government's latest wheeze is to cut compensation payments for farmers whose herds are slaughtered. Its approach has been described as 'a cattle eradication programme'.

In spite of that criticism, the prevalence of persistent TB outbreaks in some areas suggests that other vectors for the disease are in play; for example, cattle-to-cattle transmission.

Vaccination won’t work on an animal that already has

bovine TB, and no country in the world where wildlife carries the disease has eradicated it in cattle without tackling it in wildlife too.

There are calls for cows to be vaccinated against bTB. Currently, the only option is the BCG vaccine.

The problem is it is currently impossible to distinguish between a BCGvaccinated and TB-infected cow. And for this reason, it is currently illegal under EU law to vaccinate cattle with the BCG jab.

Professor Rosie Woodroffe of Imperial College London, who is researching whether a TB vaccine for badgers would be effective said: “A reduction in cattle TB inside at least some of the culled areas would be expected, based on the findings of the Randomised Badger Culling Trial [which took place a decade ago].

“The question remains as to whether culling is a cost-effective tool in the fight to eradicate bovine TB. This study suggests that culling is not working consistently across all TBaffected areas of England.

Previous studies showed that culling did not lead to the sustained reductions in TB that would be required from an eradication tool, partly because it consistently increased TB prevalence in the badger population, even as it reduced badger numbers. The authors are right, therefore, to highlight that “Culling badgers will not provide the entire solution

35

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FARMING

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Farming News

on WG over BTB to the cattle TB problem in Great Britain and the impact of the policy needs to be evaluated alongside other TB controls.”

Prof James Wood, Head of Department of Veterinary Medicine and Alborada Professor of Equine and Farm Animal Science, University of Cambridge, said: “This is a robust scientific evaluation of the overall impact of farmer-led badger culls in the first three areas that the policy was implemented in, comparing rates of disease in cull zones and their periphery with those in comparable other parts of the country.

“Importantly, the analysis takes into account known confounders although it cannot distinguish the impact of culling itself from the other measures that farmers may have implemented in cull zones. Overall, the

WG must review ‘inadequate’ policy: Says NFU- Dr Rosie Woodroffe: “The question remains as to Cymru President John Davies whether culling is a cost-effective tool”

incidence of cattle TB on farms was significantly and substantially lower in Gloucestershire and Somerset, but not significantly reduced in Dorset, in areas where

badgers were culled by farmers.

“Interestingly, there was no increase in rates of cattle disease in zones around the cull zones, but rather a significant decrease in

Gloucestershire and Dorset.

This paper thus describes a positive impact of the overall policy, with evidence that the increased movement reported elsewhere in surviving badgers is not

significantly increasing the disease in cattle.

“The variation in impact between cull zones is not surprising given the results of the earlier randomised controlled badger trial.”

Cattle vaccination: Not a current option

Unit 18b, Withybush Ind Est, Withybush, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4BS

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FARMING

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NFU-Cymru condemns

WE’RE halfway through October and the nights are drawing in.

We might even start seeing a touch of frost in the mornings. As the temperatures drop, the leaves fall and turn golden brown and red, the wind starts to blow and the rain whips across the land - what better is there than to wrap up in a woolly blanket or pull that big jumper on to keep warm?

And as we are celebrating all that wool has to offer as part of Wool Week 2019 ( 07 - 20 October), highlighting its natural performance qualities and ecological benefits, we would encourage anyone wanting to help the environment and lead a more sustainable, plastic-free life, to embrace wool and buy local and in-season food.

Every year our sheep will produce a new fleece and they will do so as long as there is grass for them to graze on, making wool an excellent renewable fibre source. That is especially true if compared to synthetic fibres, which require oil and refineries and are a non-renewable resource for man-made fibre production.

Indeed, sheep farmers actively work to safeguard the environment and improve efficiency in livestock production.

The strain on natural resources and reductions required in the use of fossil fuels means that we all have to look at our longer-term choices.

Let’s not forget that farmers feed the nation

with sustainable and well cared for lamb and they take their responsibility to look after the environment seriously. They share concerns about plastic and micro-fibre pollution in our oceans and soil, as well as pollution from fossil fuels.

One solution to the problem is wool produced by sheep here in Wales. There are over 10 million sheep here, which means we have access to a great resource right on our doorstep. Wool at the end of its useful life can be returned to the soil.

Where it decomposes, it releases valuable nutrients into the ground and it only takes a very short time to break down. It doesn’t pollute the oceans and has many other benefits.

If you are serious about doing your bit for the environment - make a conscious decision.

Consider where the food you are consuming has come from or what the clothes you’re wearing have the potential to do to the environment.

It might not fix all the problems all at once, but it would be a good start. And after all, is there anything better than a home-cooked stew whilst wearing your favourite woolly jumper?

NFU CYMRU has expressed profound disappointment and dismay at the Welsh Government’s approach to introducing new rules for water quality in Wales.

Following the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Planning and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths’ Written Statement of November 14, 2018 announcing that there would be new measures to protect water quality from agricultural pollution, it is clear that these new regulations comprise a ‘cut and paste’ of the existing full NVZ action programme together with a number of additional elements to be applied across the whole of Wales.

New proposed regulations will include statutory measures to control the dates (closed periods) and conditions under which nitrogen fertiliser and organic fertilisers are spread; having sufficient facilities for the storage

of manure and slurries; limiting nitrogen fertiliser applications to crop requirements; limiting the total quantity of organic materials applied at per hectare and farm level as well as preparing detailed plans and record-keeping which will be subject to inspection.

Following discussions between NFU Cymru lawyers, JCP and the Welsh Government earlier this year, the Government confirmed to NFU Cymru that the development of the regulations would be subject to consideration of the available evidence and the findings of a Regulatory Impact Assessment.

NFU Cymru has recently submitted available evidence to the Minister which includes analysis of a broad range of environmental, economic, social and cultural factors.

Data from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of its Water Framework Directive (WFD) monitoring shows that the number of water

NVZ Regulations: NFU Cymru slams the Welsh Government

bodies achieving good or better overall status has increased in 2018 compared to 2015; water quality in rivers has generally improved over the last 25 years. NRW data shows that less than 15% of WFD failures were attributable to agriculture in 2014.

Evidence from the Glastir Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (GMEP) found that soil nitrogen levels were stable on improved land and after recent declines in soil phosphorus, levels on improved land were stable and within the appropriate zone for

sustainable production whilst presenting a lower risk to waters.

The perception that levels of agricultural pollution are greater now than in the past is also grossly misleading; NRW evidence shows there has been no increase in levels of agricultural pollution

Search is on for Welsh Livestock Champion NFU CYMRU and NFU Mutual are again looking to find the best livestock person working within the agricultural industry in Wales.

Now in its sixth year, the Welsh Livestock Champion of the Year Award seeks to champion dedicated, committed and enthusiastic livestock persons from all across Wales. The award winner will receive a top prize of £500 and a Welsh Royal Crystal Trophy.

Wyn Evans, Chairman of NFU Cymru’s Livestock Board, who will judge on behalf of NFU Cymru, said: “Here in Wales we have some of the best quality beef and sheep in the world, produced to the highest animal health and

Aiming to celebrate excellence among livestock producers: NFU-Cymru’s Welsh Livestock Champion welfare standards. This award livestock person can make their animal health planning, aims to celebrate excellence to a livestock farm and the breeding programme, their amongst Welsh livestock Welsh livestock industry as stock handling skills, how they a whole. Potential winners incorporate health and safety producers.

“We want to recognise will be judged on their into their day-to-day activities the key role an exceptional management of the flock/herd, on-farm and their vision for the

future of the industry.”

Mike Thomas, Builth Wells Group Secretary who will be judging the award on behalf of NFU Mutual, said: “The quality of the stockmanship is a major factor in determining the success of any livestock business.

We have some superb stock people in the industry here in Wales and I am confident that this will be a keenly contested competition once again this year and one which NFU Mutual is pleased to support as the leading rural insurer in Wales.”

The closing date for entries is Monday, November 11, and the winner will be announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells on Monday, November 25.

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‘cut and paste’ WG during the period 2001 to 2018. There are many waterbodies in Wales where there have been no agricultural pollution incidents at all.

Based on NRW monitoring, preliminary expert judgement identified a downward trend in nitrates at just two of the 11 existing NVZ designations, some dating back to 2002.

Aled Jones, NFU Cymru Deputy President said: “The EU Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters. Based on the evidence from water quality monitoring undertaken by NRW, there can be no justification whatsoever of the need for the whole Wales designation that the Welsh Government is proposing.

Welsh Government’s approach of ‘cutting and pasting’ the NVZ Action Programme into new regulations is without scientific foundation and is completely unjustified and disproportionate.

“We believe it is reasonable to expect the Welsh Government to have a high degree of confidence that any new regulations will deliver improved water quality outcomes.

Our analysis shows that the necessary evidence to demonstrate that this approach can deliver these outcomes simply does not exist.

“We are also disappointed at the vigour with which the Welsh Government is pursuing

WG Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths: Farmers request NVZ exemption over-burdensome EU required to enable them regulation at a time of to reach compliance. If profound uncertainty farming businesses are for farming. We are not adequately equipped in no doubt that this with these resources in decision will threaten this eventuality Welsh will be farm business viability, Government increase bureaucracy and effectively setting the complexity and reduce industry up to fail.”

Concluding, Mr farmers’ ability to make good nutrient management Jones said: “NFU Cymru has long been clear that decisions.

“The lack of openness one pollution incident and transparency shown is one too many and we by the Welsh Government remain committed to on this issue over the working with partners past few months is highly on the development of a concerning.

If Welsh framework that enables Government insists farmers to take positive on pursuing a ‘cut and action to improve water paste’ of the NVZ Action quality where this is Programme, which is an necessary.

“NFU Cymru’s unwieldy and inflexible of available EU regulation, then it analysis needs, at the very least, to evidence shows that the be honest with the farming costs associated with NVZ industry and provide them rules vastly outweigh with all the resources any benefits to water

quality. It is, quite frankly, unthinkable that Welsh Government is moving ahead with this approach at this time. We urge the Welsh Government to consider the costs and impacts very carefully before moving forward.

Our evidence is clear proposed new regulations, as they currently stand, will not deliver the outcomes for water quality or the environment but will place many farm businesses and jobs at risk.”

NFU Cymru has written to Welsh Government to seek an exemption that will allow farmers operating within Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) to spread during the forthcoming closed period which began on Tuesday (Oct 15).

This request comes as increasing numbers of farmers operating within NVZs have contacted the union highly concerned and distressed that the prolonged wet weather of recent weeks has prevented them from spreading, with the result that they head into the closed period with their slurry storage near or close to full capacity.

The closed periods relate to the spreading of nitrogen fertilisers including manufactured nitrogen fertiliser, slurry and other organic manures and prevent the spreading of organic manure with high readily available nitrogen between specific dates. For grassland on all other soils, this is October 15 to January 31 inclusive.

38

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWYDDION CYMRAEG

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Newyddion | Cymraeg

Y Prif Weinidog yn plannu coeden rhif 10 miliwn

Yr Alban wedi eu hysbrydoli gan gynllun ‘Iaith Gwaith’

Pic credit Llun: Ed Parker Maint Cymru: Ymgyrch yn nodi carreg filltir RHAGLEN Maint Caerdydd. Y Prif Weinidog Cymru Mbale wedi yn wedi ymuno ag plant pasio carreg filltir o 10 o dîm Eco ysgol gynradd miliwn o goed wrth i’r Cwmcarn Yn ogystal â brwydro ymgyrchydd ynghylch y newid yn yr hinsawdd yn erbyn y newid yn yr Leah Namugerwa a’r hinsawdd - un o faterion Prif Weinidog Mark mwyaf ein hoes - mae coed Drakeford blannu coed sy’n tyfu’n gyflym hefyd yn diogelu pobl leol yn ar ddau gyfandir.

Mae’r cynllun rhanbarth Mynydd Elgon uchelgeisiol ym Mbale, rhag effeithiau erydu pridd a ariennir gan raglen a all achosi tirlithriadau Cymru o Blaid Affrica angheuol.

Llywodraeth Cymru, yn Mae’r coed hefyd plannu coed yn rhanbarth yn rhoi ffrwythau ffres a Mynydd Elgon dwyrain lloches i gymunedau lleol, Uganda, sydd wedi’i yn ogystal â ffynhonnell incwm bwysig. ddatgoedwigo yn helaeth.

Y gwaith wedi plannu Caiff ei gefnogi hefyd gan gynllun Plant! coed yn cael ei gynnal wrth Llywodraeth Cymru, sy’n i Gymru a’r byd ddathlu plannu dwy goeden ar Diwrnod Rhyngwladol y gyfer pob plentyn sy’n cael Cenhedloedd Unedig ar ei eni neu ei fabwysiadu gyfer yr Eneth.

Mae Leah Namugerwa yng Nghymru - un yng Nghymru ac un yn Uganda. yn un o genhedlaeth Leah Namugerwa, sy’n newydd o ferched ifanc 15 oed, yn wedi plannu sy’n protestio ynghylch y coeden rhif 10 miliwn newid yn yr hinsawdd, gan mewn seremoni arbennig dorri cwys newydd ochr yn yn Uganda. ochr â’r cyd-ymgyrchydd Ar yr un pryd, y Prif Greta Thunberg. Mae ei Weinidog Mark Drakeford gwaith ymgyrchu ar gyfer yn wedi plannu ‘gefeilles’ plannu coed a gwahardd i’r goeden ym Mharc Bute, plastig untro wedi dechrau

cael effaith sylweddol ar draws Uganda.

600 o blant o Ysgol Gynradd Makunda ac aelodau Grŵp Menywod Sunu yn ymuno â hi, gan blannu rhagor o goed i ddathlu’r prosiect a’i gynlluniau i blannu 25 miliwn o goed erbyn 2025.

Dywedodd y Prif Weinidog Mark Drakeford: “Mae rhaglen plannu coed Mbale wedi bod yn llwyddiant aruthrol, gan helpu’r cymunedau mwyaf agored i niwed yn Uganda i addasu i’r newid yn yr hinsawdd.

“Mae coedwigoedd trofannol yn amsugno bron i draean o’r holl allyriadau CO2 a wneir gan ddyn, gan olygu eu bod yn hanfodol wrth sefydlogi hinsawdd y byd.

“Mae plannu coed yng Nghymru ac Uganda yn hanfodol wrth helpu i fynd i’r afael â’r newid yn yr hinsawdd, ac yn helpu plant Cymru i deimlo cysylltiad personol gyda’u hamgylchedd.”

Dywedodd Elspeth Jones, cyfarwyddwr Maint

Cymru: “Mae plannu coeden rhif 10 miliwn yn Uganda yn gyflawniad aruthrol. Mae’r rhaglen wedi bod yn gweithio tuag at hyn ers sawl blwyddyn ac mae llawer o bobl yng Nghymru ac yn Uganda wedi mynd ati yn angerddol i sicrhau ei fod yn digwydd.

“Rydym oll yn falch iawn o weld y coed hyn yn cael eu plannu heddiw i nodi’r garreg filltir arbennig hon. Rydym yn gobeithio y bydd llawer o bobl o bob rhan o Gymru yn dod i weld ein coeden yn harddwch Parc Bute ac yn defnyddio hyn fel cyfle i ddysgu am y prosiect arbennig hwn a phwysigrwydd coed wrth fynd i’r afael â’r argyfwng hinsawdd.

“Rydym yn gyffrous iawn am gam nesaf y prosiect, sef plannu 25 miliwn o goed erbyn 2025 - gall unrhyw un sydd eisiau cefnogi’r ymdrech hon gyfrannu i blannu coeden fel rhan o’r prosiect ar wefan Maint Cymru.”

Comisiynydd y Gymraeg, Aled Roberts: Yn lansio ymgyrch newydd i annog siaradwyr Gaeleg MAE’R Bòrd na Gàidhlig (Bwrdd yr Iaith Aeleg) wedi lansio ymgyrch newydd i annog siaradwyr Gaeleg i roi gwybod i bobl yn yr Alban a thu hwnt eu bod yn gallu siarad yr iaith.

Mae’r ymgyrch wedi ei hysbrydoli gan y cynllun ‘Iaith Gwaith’ yng Nghymru, sy’n annog siaradwyr Cymraeg i wisgo’r swigen oren i ddangos i gwsmeriaid eu bod yn gallu siarad Cymraeg.

Mae siaradwyr a dysgwyr Gaeleg yn cael eu hannog i ddefnyddio’r hashnod #cleachdi – neu #useit – gyda’r hashnod #gaidhlig (sef Gaeleg) wrth siarad gyda’i gilydd – ar gyfryngau cymdeithasol, e-bost neu wefannau.

Maent hefyd yn cael eu hannog i wisgo cortyn gwddf, bathodyn neu sticer gyda swigen siarad gwyrddlas arni, i ddangos i’r byd eu bod

yn falch o allu siarad yr iaith.

Yn ôl Shona MacLennan, Prif Weithredwr y Bòrd na Gàidhlig: “Rydym yn falch iawn o fod yn lansio’r cynllun hwn yn ystod ein digwyddiad cenedlaethol Gaeleg, y Royal Mòd. Mae mwy a mwy o bobl eisiau defnyddio a dysgu’r Aeleg ac mae’r cynllun hwn yn ffordd hawdd iawn o annog pobl i ddefnyddio’r Aeleg mewn mwy o lefydd.

Mae’n wych ein bod yn gallu edrych ar sut mae ein cyd-Geltaid yn hyrwyddo eu iaith a dilyn eu harweiniad hwy gyda’r ymgyrch yma.

“Byddwn ni yn sicr yn y Bòrd na Gàidhlig yn falch iawn o ymuno yn yr ymgyrch hon i ddangos ein balchder o allu siarad yr iaith ac adnabod pobl eraill all ei siarad. Rydym yn credu mai #clachdi yw’r ffordd berffaith o wneud

hynny. Felly dewch i ni ei defnyddio a rhoi #gaidhlig ar y map.”

Ychwanegodd Aled Roberts, Comisiynydd y Gymraeg: “Mae Iaith Gwaith wedi hen ennill ei blwyf yng Nghymru, ac yn adnodd defnyddiol i sefydliadau, busnesau ac elusennau i ddangos i gwsmeriaid pwy all siarad Cymraeg.

“Yn y blynyddoedd diweddar, mae wedi datblygu ac yn cael ei ddefnyddio mewn amryw o ffyrdd newydd yn amrywio o gwmni peirianneg yn rhoi fersiwn ‘vinyl’ ar hetiau caled i fyrddau iechyd yn creu fersiynau magnet i roi ar welyau er mwyn dangos pa gleifion sy’n dymuno derbyn gofal yn y Gymraeg.

“Mae’r cynllun yn mynd o nerth i nerth yng Nghymru ac rwyf yn falch iawn o fod yn rhan o’r lansiad hwn yn yr Alban.”

39

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NEWYDDION CYMRAEG

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Diogelu ‘Salem’ i’r Genedl MAE Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru wedi cyhoeddi ei bod wedi prynu llun Salem ar ran y genedl, i’w ddiogelu a’i drysori am byth.

Mae’r paentiad erbyn heddiw yn eicon celfyddydol Cymreig.

Wedi ei beintio yn 1909 gan yr arlunydd Curnow Vosper, mae’n darlunio golygfa yng Nghapel Salem, Cefncymerau, Llanbedr ger Harlech. Siân Owen yw’r cymeriad sy’n ganolog i’r paentiad.

Daeth Salem i fod yn gofnod eiconig o fywyd Cymreig a’r traddodiad anghydffurfiol yng Nghymru, a magodd enwogrwydd cynyddol yn sgil y ffaith bod rhai yn gweld delwedd o’r diafol ym mhlyg siôl cymeriad canolog y llun. Mae’r paentiad yn un o ddwy fersiwn a baentiwyd gan Vosper.

Fe brynwyd y cyntaf yn wreiddiol gan ddiwydiannwr o’r enw William Hesketh Lever a defnyddiwyd y ddelwedd mewn ymgyrch hyrwyddo eang gan Sunlight Soap, cwmni’r Lever Brothers’.

O ganlyniad, l l e d a e n w y d atgynhyrchiadau o’r llun

ar draws Prydain ac y mae’r ddelwedd yn enwog am ei hymddangosiad mewn cartrefi ar draws Cymru. Nid syndod felly bod Salem heddiw yn un o luniau mwyaf enwog Cymru, mor eiconig yn ôl rhai ag yw The Hay Wain yn Lloegr.

Cafodd yr ail fersiwn hwn ei beintio ar gyfer brawd-yng-nghyfraith yr artist, Frank James.

Dywedodd Pedr ap Llwyd, Prif Weithredwr a Llyfrgellydd y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol: “Rydym mor falch o fod wedi llwyddo i brynu’r llun eiconig hwn o’r oedfa yng Nghefn Cymerau a Siân Owen a’r diafol yn ei siôl. Mae’r gwaith enigmatig hwn o eiddo Sydney Curnow Vosper yn un o drysorau’r genedl ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen at cyfleoedd i’w rhannu â Chymru a thu hwnt.

Bydd yn bleser medru ei harddangos a mynd â fo allan i’r gymuned, fel rhan o’n rhaglenni Campwaith Mewn Ysgolion.”

Yn ôl Meri Huws, Is-lywydd y Llyfrgell: “Gallai’r trysor amhrisiadwy hwn fod wedi’i golli’n hawdd i’r genedl a byddai hynny

wedi bod yn drychineb mawr. Mae’r Llyfrgell ar hyd y blynyddoedd wedi casglu gwaith celf sy’n portreadu bywyd Cymru ac fe fydd y darlun hwn yn cyfoethogi’r casgliad rhagorol ac helaeth sydd gennym o waith celf Cymreig. ” Meddai Ben Rogers Jones o gwmni arwerthwyr Rogers Jones: “Hoffwn achub ar y cyfle hwn i ddiolch i Lyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru am eu hwylustod wrth gytuno ar y gwerthiant. Ni allaf feddwl am geidwad mwy deinamig, creadigol a theilwng na’r Llyfrgell, a byddaf am un yn edrych ymlaen at weld ‘Salem’ yn ei gartref newydd yn Aberystwyth.”

Taflu golau ar gysgodion bywyd Meic Stevens

“DWI DDIM yn nabod y person dwi nawr,” cyfaddefai Meic Stevens mewn ffilm ddogfen bersonol newydd fydd yn darlledu yn fuan ar S4C. Wrth i’r canwr agor ei ddrysau i un gŵr a’i gamera, bydd y trwbadŵr o’r Solfa yn rhannu ei fywyd yn ei holl onestrwydd yn Meic Stevens: Dim Ond Cysgodion.

Mae Meic wedi bod yn ffigwr dadleuol yn llygad y cyhoedd ar hyd ei oes, ac yn y ffilm, fydd yn darlledu nos Sadwrn, 19 Hydref am 9.00, fydd y canwr chwedlonol yn ôl yn hawlio sylw ei gynulleidfa.

Bydd y ffilm awr a chwarter o hyd yn adrodd hanes bywyd Meic, gan blethu cynnwys o’r archif ar ei ddyddiau cynnar yn Solfa, Manceinion a Chaerdydd, gyda chynnwys gwreiddiol, cyfoes o’i fywyd presennol o’i gartref yn y Sblot, Caerdydd.

Gyda’r canwr bellach yn 77 mlwydd oed, llwydda’r ffilm i gyffwrdd ar gyfnodau cythryblus

ym mywyd Meic, gan gynnwys ei gyfnod o ddioddef gyda chanser ar y gwddf saith mlynedd yn ôl.

“O’n i’n wahanol iawn cyn y canser pan o’n i’n 70,” rhanna Meic, “dwi ddim yn teimlo fatha’r un person, dwi ddim yn ei nabod e. Dwi heb byw gydag e ers amser hir, dim ond saith blwydd oed yw e.

“Ar ôl proses y driniaeth, odd fy mhen i’n bobman. Pan wedon nhw bo fi’n mynd i ddod trwyddo fe, roedd rhaid i fi ail ddysgu canu, ‘chos roedd y triniaeth wedi rhoi niwed i ngwddw i. Do’n i ddim yn gallu siarad,” ychwanegodd.

Daeth y syniad i greu’r ffilm gan Guto Williams, sydd eisoes wedi cynhyrchu ffilmiau ar yr eiconig Merêd (Meredydd Evans) a’r prifardd Gerallt Lloyd Owen.

“Mae hi’n hawdd iawn i ni feirniadu pobl,” meddai Guto, sydd wedi cyfarwyddo’r ffilm, “a dwi’n teimlo bod pobl yn ei chael hi’n hawdd iawn i feirniadu Meic Stevens.

Meic Stephens: ‘Dwi ddim yn nabod y person dwi nawr’

Does ‘na neb tebyg wedi bod i Meic – mae ei ddylanwad ar gerddoriaeth gyfoes Gymraeg yn un heb ei ail. Mae o’n aml yn cael ei gamddeall.”

“Mae ‘na bwysau ar rywun i wneud ffilm o’r fath. Mae ‘na sawl ffilm wedi cael ei wneud ar Meic Stevens yn y gorffennol, ond dim un efallai mor bersonol â hon. Does neb erioed wedi cael camu i mewn i’w fywyd mewn modd o’r fath o’r blaen,” ychwanegodd Guto.

Dyw enw Meic Stevens heb fod yn bell o benawdau’r newyddion yn ddiweddar yn sgil honiadau iddo fod yn hiliol yn ystod ei berfformiad yng Ngŵyl Arall, Caernarfon yn gynharach eleni.

“Mi ddigwyddodd yr honiadau ar ddiwedd ein proses ffilmio, a doedd dim modd osgoi cynnwys hynny yn y ffilm. Roedd o’n berson gwahanol ar ôl yr honiadau. Dwi’n rhoi cyfle iddo esbonio’i hun yn y ffilm,” meddai Guto.

40

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

EDUCATION

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Education | News

Chinese summer for Lampeter students

Support staff outnumber teachers

Welsh schools staff: Over half of staff in support roles Lampeter students: Summer school in conjunction with Beijing Union University UWTSD Archaeology Beijing, these included inspire our students to the opportunity to do.

For me, the most Imperial Palace, widen their horizons and Heritage students the have attended a two- Tiananmen Square, The and learn more about memorable part of the week Summer School Summer Palace, The Ming China, we also seek to trip was visiting the Great in Beijing where they Tombs and The Great Wall promote our excellent Wall and also watching a academic programmes in series of traditional dances had an opportunity to of China.

In Xi’an, the group archaeology and heritage at a theatre in Xi’an. immerse themselves in potential Chinese I think that my main visited the City walls, to Chinese culture. takeaway from the trip, This year’s Chinese the Terracotta Army and students.”

Lilian Earp is particularly about future Summer School, like the also had an opportunity one in 2018, was again to attend a performance currently studying BA studies, is how civilisation arranged in conjunction of traditional dance and Ancient Civilisations and develops and changes, with UWTSD’s partner music.

The trip illustrated institution, Beijing Union the importance of University (BUU). crossBUU is one of the interdisciplinary largest universities in cultural work as well as Beijing and over several the importance of heritage years both institutions and archaeology for all have been working in disciplines of humanities.

Associate Professor partnership on some projects. This important Thomas Jansen, Director collaboration includes the at UWTSD’s Confucius Annual Summer School Institute commented: “The which saw UWTSD’s purpose of the China trip Lampeter campus-based was to offer our students students visiting several a unique experience in archaeological excavation a country that is steeped in history and tradition sites.

The students but has also experienced also attended many one of the most dramatic archaeology and heritage transformations in recent workshops provided human history. This is

by BUU which gave what makes archaeology them an insight into and heritage such exciting conservation, restoration, subjects in China with Visiting Xi’an: Students saw the terracotta army and archaeology huge public impact.

We had the privilege describes the trip as a which is something that practices from a Chinese I find particularly easy to attend workshops ‘wonderful experience’. perspective. This included to She said: “The Chinese visualise in a country such demonstrations of ceramic by experts from top exceeded as China.” and painting restoration institutions such as the Archaeology Amy Ferguson who is Palace Museum, the my expectations, due to by experts in their field.

Metropolitan the range of activities; studying BA Archaeology During the two- Beijing week trip, the students Museum, the Summer especially such things was also on the trip.

She added: “The trip had an opportunity to Palace Museum or the as visiting a current Provincial excavation site in Xi’an, to China was better than visit several of China’s Shaanxi most iconic landmarks History Museum in Xi’an. which was not something I expected it to be. It was While we hope to that I had expected to get amazing having something and heritage sites. In

to do every day as well as a chance to explore independently. There was never a dull moment and I didn’t expect to learn and see so many new things.

The most unforgettable moment was the Great Wall which was breathtaking. Also, our lecture on ceramic restoration, smashing

bowls with hammers and piecing them back to together was a lot of fun.

I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did but everyone involved did a great job of creating a nice atmosphere and providing us with amazing experiences and memories.”

NEW data published by the Education Workforce Council (EWC) has revealed that there are now more learning support staff than teachers registered to work in maintained schools in Wales.

Of the over 80,000 people eligible to work in schools, further education, work-based learning and youth work settings in Wales, over 37,325 are registered for school support roles compared to 35,545 for school teacher roles. This highlights the changing nature of Welsh classrooms and how our children are educated.

Statistics also show that the education workforce in Wales is mainly female, with over 80% of school staff and over 60% in other settings being women.

The age profile of the school and youth work workforce is balanced, with around three-quarters of staff under the age of 50. In contrast, further education and work-based learning workforce is older, with 45% of registered college lecturers aged 50 and over.

The ability of school teachers (33.3%) to speak Welsh exceeds

census figures (19%).

However, figures in further education colleges and workbased learning are below the census. This shows the challenges ahead if Wales is to meet its aspiration of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

EWC Chief Executive, Hayden Llewellyn said: “This is the first time such extensive intelligence has been available about the whole of the education workforce in Wales.

The data raises interesting questions for policymakers and workforce planning as we move towards a new curriculum, a greater focus on the Welsh language and other major reforms”.

Hayden Llewellyn: EWC Chief Executive

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

EDUCATION

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Education | News

Exhibition: Stuart Pearson Wright - HALFBOY HALFBOY, a touring exhibition by Stuart Pearson Wright, is on show at the School of Art Gallery until November 22.

Conceived in a South London NHS facility in 1975 using anonymous donor sperm, the artist has no way of discovering his father’s identity and, by extension, knowing his own. Initiated by photographs and personal memories, the works in this exhibition are an attempt to reconstruct his childhood to make some sense of this feeling of incompleteness.

The paintings are imbued with Stuart’s portraitist’s eye for detail, bringing to life the minutiae of time and place.

Viewers are transported from 1980s council estates to thorny depressions in the landscape, bearing witness to tragicomic scenes from the artist’s childhood and adolescence.

Humour and pathos jostle for attention in this

autobiographical series of paintings and drawings which has been four years in the making.

Neil Holland, Senior Curator at the School of Art, commented: “It seems odd to promote an exhibition by saying this, but Stuart Pearson Wright would rather not have had to paint the works in HALFBOY: he would rather have had a father to love him - to have grown up knowing his paternal grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins.

This aching void in his life and the attempt to address the profound sadness it causes him are given form in these painfully sad, funny, queasily beautiful paintings and drawings.”

Stuart Pearson Wright said: “In 2007 I brought my exhibition Most People are Other People to Aberystwyth School of Art Gallery. It will be great to return there this year with my most recent body of work, HALFBOY.”

Half Boy and Half Sister: On exhibition at Aber’s School of Art Gallery Stuart Pearson Wright trained at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, during which time be won the BP Portrait Awards Travel Award (1998) awarded by the National Portrait Gallery (NPG).

The subsequent exhibition at the NPG opened to rave

reviews and Wright was heralded ‘a Hogarth for our Times’ by Godfrey Barker of the Evening Standard.

In 2000, a chance encounter with the actor John Hurt in Old Compton Street led to a small portrait on oak, which was subsequently bought

by the NPG along with a portrait of the Ballet dancer Adam Cooper. Earlier in the year, he won the BP Portrait Award for Gallus gallus with Still Life and Presidents and was awarded a commission to paint J. K. Rowling for the collection of NPG.

Recent exhibitions of Wright’s work were held at Riflemaker, London, in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and his works are in public collections including The British Museum, Government Art Collection, Ashmolean Museum, Fitzwilliam

Museum and many others.

HALFBOY is on view at the School of Art Gallery, Buarth Mawr, Aberystwyth until November 22. The Gallery is open Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 5 pm. All are welcome and admission is free.

42

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

BUSINESS

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Business | News

MONEY MATTERS

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants

The government has announced that the taxman at HMRC collected a record sum of £5.4 billion in inheritance tax (IHT) during the 2018/19 tax year.

The increase comes on the back of a 15% rise in the number of estates liable for IHT. Between 2015/16 and 2016/17, the number of estates paying IHT rose by 3,600 to 28,100.

Rising asset values, particularly in regard to properties in London and the South East of England, have been a key factor behind the increased number of estates falling into the IHT net.

The freezing of the tax-free nil-rate band threshold also played a key role.

The residence nilrate band (RNRB) gives an additional allowance to people leaving their family home to direct descendants, such as children or grandchildren.

The amount of relief is £150,000 for 2019/20, rising to £175,000 for 2020/21.

Despite the increase in estates paying IHT, the tax only applies to 4.6% of deaths in the UK. The average amount of tax paid was £179,000.

If you need advice on estate and IHT planning, then please contact the team at Clay Shaw Butler.

In other news, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) there are ‘major gaps’ in the government’s no-deal Brexit guidance

for UK businesses.

The BCC carried out a review of official government no-deal Brexit guidance for businesses and found that 31 of 36 critical areas are still marked amber or red, suggesting that businesses have ‘incomplete or insufficient information available to plan thoroughly for a no-deal outcome’.

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC, said: “While the government has ramped up communication to businesses in recent weeks, there are still big gaps in the guidance available to help businesses to prepare for Brexit, with just days to go until 31 October.

“Our business communities don’t want to see a disorderly nodeal exit on 31 October, which would lead to an overnight change in trading conditions.

“Averting a messy and disorderly exit is still critical.

“Businesses across the UK want politicians on all sides to come together and find a way forward – fast.”

Tax calendar dates for your diary – October Saturday 19 - Tax and NI due under a 2018/19 PAYE Settlement Agreement Saturday 19 - PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for the month to 5th October 2019 Saturday 19 - PAYE quarterly payments are due for small employers for the pay periods 6th July 2019 to 5th October

2019 Thursday 31 Deadline for submitting ‘paper’ 2018/19 self assessment returns Thursday 31 Deadline for submission of 2018/19 self assessment returns if you require HMRC to compute your tax liability and/or if tax underpaid is to be collected by adjustment to your 2020/21 PAYE code You can find out more about money matters on the Clay Shaw Butler website (under our news for business section) h t t p : / / w w w. c l a y s h a w b u t l e r. c o m / news/latest-news-forbusiness We have a strong and experienced team with great local knowledge all geared-up to helping you get the very best from your finances – whether that is as an individual or as a business.

We stay ahead of the game by putting great store by continual professional development for our staff.

With Investors In People status at Clay Shaw Butler, we care passionately about making sure our staff have all the tools they need to serve you, our customers.

Weblink - http:// w w w.clays haw butler. com The team at Clay Shaw Butler can be contacted on 01267 228500.

The team at Clay Shaw Butler are on Twitter. Look for @ clayshawbutler.

Immigration changes to hit tourism

R E S E A R C H released by leading tourism trade association UKinbound and Canterbury Christ Church University shows that the Government’s proposed post-Brexit immigration reforms have the potential to severely destabilise the tourism industry in the UK, putting at risk an industry that contributes over £4 billion to the Welsh economy.

The research includes a survey of Welsh tourism and hospitality businesses, undertaken by Canterbury Christ Church University with Qa Research, which highlights the critical impact that the Government’s proposed immigration reforms could have on the sector post-Brexit. The survey shows that: • 53% said that the proposals would impact negatively on their ability to continue to operate • 73% believe that the proposals would impact negatively on their ability to expand • 73% believe that the proposals would impact negatively on their ability to remain competitive • 54% of tourism businesses cited the limited domestic labour market as the key reason for the continued need for EU workers This new evidencebased research will help the tourism and hospitality sector to respond to consultations about future immigration policy when the UK leaves the European Union and the free movement ends.

It draws from a wide review of the evidence, analysis of national workforce datasets and primary research with UK businesses through an online survey and indepth interviews. As the tourism and hospitality

Welsh tourism industry: Depends on EU citizens as locals shun jobs salary of £23k for sector is widely known to tourism hotspots, full-time workers. have a higher than average • q u a r t e r l y Joss Croft, Chief reliance on EU workers, independent reviews Executive of UKinbound the research provides a to ensure tourism commented: “This timely critical lens through which sectors are not research shows that the to view the potential adversely affected.

Government must listen impact of a national skillsDr Karen Thomas, to the tourism industry based immigration system Director of the Tourism and before committing to an on the sector.

Events Hub, Canterbury immigration system that The survey of UK Christ Church University runs the risk of forcing tourism and hospitality commented: “The businesses to close businesses in the report uncertainties surrounding throughout the UK. also highlights how the the Brexit negotiations Our tourism industry reporting of the reliance and the consultation over is vital to the UK economy of the sector on EU the Immigration White and EU workers are workers (approx. 10%) is Paper with the emphasis crucial to ensuring that this extremely conservative prioritising ‘highly success story continues. and such national averages skilled’ and ‘skilled’ We have a skills shortage mask the realities of many labour migration, have in the UK, caused not least tourism organisations. intensified the concerns by low levels of language A fifth of Welsh over the likely shape of skills and a lack of interest businesses reported that the UK’s immigration amongst UK nationals in EU workers make up more system after the end of the sector. than half their workforce.

Free Movement.

The Government Set against the results “EU workers must, as a first step, ensure of the survey, the study constitute a vital labour that language skills are shows that: pool for tourism and recognised as a key skills • shortages of ‘lowhospitality businesses. shortage and ensure that skilled’ labour are Our research demonstrates any future immigration as damaging to the that national reporting of system is rooted in what industry as ‘highthe reliance of the sector actually works and not in skilled’ on EU nationals masks populist soundbites.”

• the picture of skills the realities of many Following on from needs is complex tourism and hospitality the publication of the and the distinction businesses in terms of the research, UKinbound and between ‘high-level’ scale of reliance, and the other industry associations and ‘low-level’ skills significant variations in are calling for: at the centre of the sub-sectoral, occupational • language skills to Immigration White and regional experiences. be added to the Paper appears to have We have identified occupation shortage little relevance to the a wide range of factors list and be exempt reality of skills gaps which together with from immigration and skills shortages a higher than average restrictions, across tourism and reliance on EU workers • if any salary threshold hospitality places the industry in is proposed that it • the proposed salary an extremely vulnerable be regionally set to threshold of £30k is position when faced with take into account significantly above the end of Free Movement lower salaries in key the sector’s average post-Brexit.”

43

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

BUSINESS

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Business | News

45 the age to seek work/life balance

MORE than three in five UK adults (61%) favour a balanced work/ life ratio over a high salary, according to new data.

The research from Hitachi Personal Finance also revealed it is those aged 45 and upwards that are most likely to seek out a better work-life balance.

A staggering 82% of workers aged over 45 said they would always opt for a better work/life balance over a high salary, given the choice, versus 49% of under 45s.

Those under 45 were less sure of whether the salary or the balance should take priority with a fairly even split down the middle. Almost half (48%) of 18-24’s, 55% of 25-34’s and 47% of those aged 35-44 opting for the higher income. Overall, just over half (51%) of those aged 18-44 would prefer the money over a better work/life balance.

Self-employed (82%) and part-time workers (86%) are far more likely than those in full-time employment (53%) to favour a better worklife balance over a high

salary.

This perhaps explains the upward trend in the number of workers entering self-employed roles and becoming their boss, with figures reaching a record 4.96 million selfemployed this year.

Interestingly, ONS data also shows that self-employment is most prevalent within the 4554 age bracket, which correlates with this demographic’s desire for a more balanced work/life ratio. This data suggests that this is the age at which people realise their need for balance, stepping off of the corporate career ladder, even if it comes at a price.

When it comes to earnings, interestingly the lower the annual salary, the more value is placed on maintaining a good work/ life balance, suggesting that health and happiness are taking precedence over earnings for much of the UK workforce.

• Up to £9,999 pa (83% favour work/life balance compared to higher salary) • £10,000 - £19,999 pa (76%) • £20,000 - £29,999 pa

(75%) • £30,000 - £39,999 pa (70%) At the other end of the spectrum, there is a vast difference in attitude among workers earning £40,000 and upwards, with higher earners most likely to favour the bigger salary, rather than a good work-life balance.

• £70,000 - £79,999 pa (77% favour higher salary compared to a good worklife balance) • £60,000 - £69,999 pa (74%) • £50,000 - £59,999 pa (66%) • £40,000 - £49,999 pa (64%) • Over £80,000 pa (56%) Looking to the future, more than half (51%) of those surveyed would rather retire earlier but have less income, than continue working and earning money. When asked what the main reasons were for this, freedom to travel (59%) and spending more time with loved ones (45%) came out on top.

Commenting on the findings, Vincent Reboul, Managing Director at Hitachi Personal Finance,

said: “There are so many benefits of maintaining a good work/life balance, including better levels of efficiency and lower levels of absence, yet previous research showed that 40% of workers felt that they neglected other aspects of their lives because of work. Our research shows that now, the majority of Brits are prioritising their work/life balance, which is fantastic to see as this is so important for both mental and physical wellbeing.

We’re seeing more and more people focusing on their personal goals and life experiences over money and material things, so this data proves that theme is continuing to grow. With more than four in five (82%) of over 45’s prioritising their work-life balance, it is evident that there is a need for this as we mature in our careers.

The lack of people prioritising high salaries indicates that we are moving into an age where people have realised that money does not equal happiness and other hopes and dreams move to the forefront.”

FSB Chair Mike Cherry: Rethink needed to ensure access to staff UK SMALL firms believe it has become harder to recruit and retain EU staff since the Brexit referendum, according to new statistics from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

FSB’s research shows that one in five small employers have a team member from the EU and of these firms, over a

quarter (26%) believe that recruitment of EU staff has become more difficult since the outcome of the EU referendum. Just under a fifth (18%) of these firms believe that retention of EU staff has become more difficult.

The research follows the release of the Government’s latest EU Settlement Scheme statistics which shows that only a half (1.5 million) of EU citizens have had their status approved.

Pre-settled status numbers have jumped two per cent to 38%.

According to the Office for National Statistics, there are currently around 2.3 million EU citizens working in the UK. Responding to the findings and the latest EU Settlement Scheme data, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Mike Cherry raised

concerns about the impact uncertainty is having on small firms’ ability to recruit and retain EU staff.

He said: “European staff are absolutely critical for our small businesses with many relying on their skills and labour to grow, thrive and survive.

This need flows across a wide range of sectors and skill levels – from careworkers, engineers, and to office workers, small employers need easy access to these workers.

Wo r r y i n g l y, uncertainty over EU citizens living and working in the UK is now really starting to hamper small firm’s ability to plug these chronic skills gaps.

Coupled with falling EU immigration figures, we are in danger of shrinking an already diminishing talent pool and exacerbating a widening skills gap in the UK. It is of vital importance

that the Government and EU secure a last-minute Brexit deal that guarantees the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK and of UK citizens living and working in the EU. Small firms also need clear direction from the Government about what they are proposing for the UK’s future immigration system. As things stand, we are still in the dark about what this will look like and how it will work. This is particularly concerning for those small businesses in sectors like care and construction with a heavy reliance on EU employees and EU selfemployed individuals.

A rethink is needed to ensure that small firms that rely on low-skilled workers and EU selfemployed individuals, can access the staff that they need when they need them.”

Small firms concerned about recruitment

44

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

POLITICS

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Leave the EU, Political News

AS THE UK prepares to leave one union, the future of the union between the component nations of the UK has come under increasing scrutiny.

Having tapped into nationalism to drive the Brexit vote, the nationalist genie is refusing to get back into the bottle and behave itself.

Former PM Gordon Brown warned that the UK faced an existential threat to its future existence, but that threat is not only accepted but embraced by those devoted to leaving the EU. LEAVE ONE UNION, LEAVE ANOTHER

In September, a poll showed a majority among Northern Irish voters in favour of Irish reunification among all age groups, bar the over 65s. Statistically, the poll was a tie; however, the direction of travel among younger voters is striking. When a question was put on whether it was better for Northern Ireland to remain within the EU or the UK, the former won by a significant margin.

Northern Ireland, as is widely forgotten, voted to remain within the European Union by a significant majority of votes cast.

Scotland, as its main political party never ceases to remind, voted to remain within the European Union by an even larger one.

Scottish opinion polls about independence show a small lead for an independent Scotland, with the generational gap even wider than in Northern Ireland. A majority of voters up to the age of 49 said they would vote for independence, with over 60% of those polled in the 18-24 age group favouring the move.

The overall figure favouring independence is, ironically, 52%-

Growing support for independence: The Yes Cymru campaign gathers momentum Jon Coles

jon.coles@herald.email

48% of those polled.

Respondents more readily accepted the proposition that Brexit gave impetus to calls for Scottish independence.

Scottish voters are closely divided as to whether – if it were not possible to do both – it would be more important for Scotland to remain part of the UK, or to remain in the EU. While 43% would prioritise the Union, 45% would prioritise the EU. In Wales, the vote to leave the EU was 52.5% to 47.5% of votes cast.

Unlike Scotland, Welsh public opinion historically opposes the idea of national independence by a huge margin.

Wales is, however, fragmented on the issue.

In the West and NorthWest of Wales support for Welsh independence is significantly higher, with one poll showing it as a marginal majority view. The proposition of independence is far less popular the further south or east in Wales you go.

A YouGov poll

in 2013 showed 62% opposed and only 10% in favour. A poll by the same organisation after 2016’s referendum showed an upsurge in support for independence to a then-high watermark of 28%. Following polls showed support for independence slipping back. Then, in May this year, a YouGov polled showed 36% support for independence against 47% opposed.

The remaining 17% polled were indifferent one way or the other.

DISINTEGRATING UNIONISM Opinion polls suggest a drift towards remaining in the EU has become hardened in recent months, as the risk of a crash-out Brexit has inched closer.

At the same time, those who supported leaving the EU, particularly in some regions of England, show preparedness to scrap the United Kingdom to get out of the EU. The trend first showed up came to prominence among leave supporting English Conservative voters last year. Asked by

YouGov whether the risk of returning sectarian violence in Northern Ireland was a price worth paying to get out the EU, a large majority said ‘yes’.

In June this year, a poll of Conservative Party members carried out by the same polling company revealed an even more surprising result. Party members said they were willing to sacrifice another fundamental tenet of Conservative belief to bring about Brexit: unionism.

Asked whether they would rather avert Brexit if it would lead to Scotland or Northern Ireland breaking away from the UK, respectively 63% and 59% of party members would be willing to pay for Brexit with the breakup of the United Kingdom.

The full title of the Conservative party, Conservative and Unionist, is redundant if you take the word of members as definitive.

Boris Johnson’s legitimacy as PM rests upon his selection by the same membership.

SHORING UP THE UNION The Scottish Government’s position on independence is unblinking.

Following a scandal affecting the DUP, there is no government in Northern Ireland. There is also little likelihood of a return to the devolved government any time soon.

That has left the Labour Party in Wales and their Conservative counterparts to defend – more or less – the status quo.

In a paper delivered in September for the Institute of Welsh Affairs, Glyndwr Cennydd Jones notes: ‘In today’s world, nearly two hundred states are underpinned by written constitutions. [T]he UK is not, but ironically it has involved itself in drafting constitutions for countless others during the last century’.

Mr Jones also notes the content of an essay by David Melding, the Conservative AM, published earlier this year in which he wrote unionists and

The UK is ‘indefensible’: Says Adam Price

nationalists: ‘[W] ill always have to strike some bargain to manage and utilise the forces created by the geography, culture, and economic needs of the British Isles. Whether that now requires a formal, political union is open to question.

For if Brexiteers can be European without remaining in the EU, then ’.

Against the gathering momentum of the proindependence ‘Yes Cymru’ campaign, last week Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, weighed in.

In a speech calling for fundamental reform of the UK’s constitutional arrangement, he said: “We need an urgent debate to secure fundamental constitutional reform of this United Kingdom towards a fairer, more equitable and more sustainable settlement.”

His proposals included: • continued representation for Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England in the House of Commons and a reformed upper House of Parliament with a membership, largely or wholly elected, which takes into account the multi-national character of the union • the relationship between the four

45

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

POLITICS

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Leave the UK Political News

governments should be based on a partnership of equals, in a spirit of mutual respect • a root and branch reform of the existing intergovernmental mechanisms, including memoranda of understanding, to meet the new challenges of a post-Brexit world • involvement of devolved administrations in forming the UK government’s policy on international relations and trade • fair funding across the four UK nations • membership of the Supreme Court should reflect the make-up of the union • a constitutional convention to consider

future constitutional developments The last of those is a time-hallowed way of ensuring the indefinite maintenance of the status quo.

None of his proposals is Labour Party policy.

Responding to Mr Drakeford’s suggestions, Plaid Cymru said the Welsh Government should focus its efforts not on saving the union but on securing the tools needed to build ‘the Wales of tomorrow’ Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price said: “It is disappointing – if not surprising – that the Labour Welsh Government continues to defend this

indefensible union.

“The fact of the matter is that long term reform of the UK is futile. As we’re seeing at the moment through the Brexit chaos, this union allows the Tories to do their very worst to Wales.

“The pooling and sharing of risks and resources is, frankly, a fanciful idea.

Westminster has always been all risk and no reward for Wales.

“As we saw last month, support for Welsh independence is at an all-time high.

It is moving from the margins and into the mainstream – and no amount of reform will stop the march of a nation.”

Separate flags, separate nations: Can the United Kingdom survive Brexit?

46

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

HEALTH

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Health | News Cell therapy: Safe to use in liver patients

Successful first trial for therapy

LIVER disease patients could one day benefit from a new cell therapy that has just completed its first clinical safety trial, led by researchers at the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine

at the University of Edinburgh.

The study, published in Nature Medicine, tested the potential treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis – where long term damage produces scarring – and found the

therapy had no significant adverse effects.

Now the team is conducting the next stage of the trial to gauge the effectiveness of the treatment based on white blood cells, called macrophages, which are

key to normal liver repair.

The next stage of the trial will measure whether the therapy helps the liver to reduce scarring and stimulate regeneration.

The results should be known within the next two years.

At present, the only successful treatment for end-stage liver cirrhosis – which claims around 14,000 lives in the UK each year (British Liver Trust) – is an organ transplant. The safety trial is a vital step forward in finding an alternative therapy.

During the trial, scientists took cells from the blood of nine patients with the disease and turned them into macrophages, in the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service’s (SNBTS) cell therapy

facility. The new cells were then re-injected into the patient with the hope of repairing the damaged organ from within.

The research was funded by the Medical Research Council and was conducted in partnership with the SNBTS and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult.

Causes of liver cirrhosis include infections such as hepatitis C, obesity, alcohol excess and some genetic and immune conditions.

Professor Stuart Forbes, from the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, who directed the trial, said: “Liver cirrhosis is a major healthcare issue in the UK and is one of the top five killers. The results from this first safety trial are

encouraging and we can now progress to testing how effective it is in a larger group of people.

If this was found to be effective it would offer a new way to tackle this important condition.”

Dr Robin Buckle, Chief Science Officer, Medical Research Council, said: “The goal of regenerative medicine is to drive the body to self-repair.

This has the potential to provide long-lasting treatments for major and often untreatable health problems, such as liver cirrhosis.

MRC is proud to fund this study which is an important first step in transferring cutting-edge science to the clinic. This will pave the way for testing the effectiveness of this new cell therapy

in patients who would otherwise require a liver transplant.”

Pamela Healy, CEO of the British Liver Trust, said: “Across the UK we are facing a liver disease epidemic. The number of people affected has been rising at an alarming rate and liver disease is now the biggest killer of 35 to 49-year olds.

Chronic liver disease occurs when the liver is damaged irreparably and becomes scarred (cirrhosis).

At this stage, there are very few treatments available.

This new innovative approach is an exciting development and could in the future reduce the need for transplantation. More research is needed and the next stage of this work will be to test the potential benefit for patients.”

47

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

HEALTH

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Health | News

Don’t dump it, donate it THOUSANDS of UK adults are choosing to bin household items or furniture that could be otherwise recycled, reused or donated, according to a new British Heart Foundation shops survey.

The survey of over 2,000 first time buyers and renters revealed a third are sending their unwanted goods to landfill, rather than finding ways to give them a new lease of life.

The leading charity retailer says this could be linked to the rise of ‘fast furniture’ – replacing items in good condition due to rapidly changing interiors trends.

According to those surveyed, the most likely reasons for binning

unwanted items instead of recycling or donating were not having the means to transport it (20%), wanting to get rid of things as quickly as possible (16%) and finding it easier to take it to the dump (9%).

Just under one in five UK adults aged 1624 (19%) admitted they wouldn’t know how to donate or re-cycle furniture and homeware.

This was reflected in stats showing that just under four in five respondents aged 55+ (79%) have never thrown away furniture, electrical items and homewares in good enough condition that they could have been re-used, sold or donated compared to under three in five respondents aged 16-24 (55%).

The survey has been released as part of the BHF’s Reuse Revolution campaign, which is encouraging the nation to shop, upcycle and donate second-hand furniture. The charity says that millions of people – including firsttime buyers and renters could be benefiting from the unique, high-quality and affordable items that are available second hand.

The survey also found that despite the financial pressures of buying a first home or taking on a new rental property, only two in five UK adults (41%) have bought secondhand furniture and homewares. Similarly, less than a third (31%) have taken advantage of second-hand sites

like eBay and Gumtree.

This suggests that thousands of first-time buyers are overlooking the opportunity to find good quality, unique and affordable furniture through sources like second-hand furniture shops or via online resell outlets.

Allison SwaineHughes, Retail Director at the BHF, said: “Last year the British Heart Foundation rescued 74,000 tonnes of items from landfill due to the generous donations of our supporters.

“But we know that there are still so many more sofas, sideboards and beds out there that aren’t yet ready for the tip and could provide an ideal and affordable answer for those looking to furnish their home on

THIS World Sight Day, Hywel Dda University Health Board is raising awareness of the work of community optometrists and how they do more than help their patients choose the right pair of glasses.

In a short video, Community Optometrist Heddwyn Davies has highlighted the range of services that he and his colleagues provide to their local communities, and the specialist skills and knowledge they bring to primary care-based eye care.

Community eye care covers a spectrum of symptoms that many people may go to their GP for such as red-eye, a painful eye, double vision

and a foreign body in the eye.

Llandeilo based Mr Davies, who is a Partner at Evans and Hughes Optometrists, said: “Whether you are looking for a routine eye examination or you have eye-related symptoms that require further and enhanced investigation, then your community optometrist should be your first port of call.

Your optometrist has the knowledge, expertise, skills and equipment to help diagnose and manage eye conditions or refer if necessary for a second opinion.

Many optometrists are upskilling and are providing enhanced services such as Low

Vision clinics and are also participating in shared care schemes, comanaged with consultants and professionals within the hospital eye care service.

Remember if you have acute symptoms such as loss of vision, flashes and floaters, red eye, painful eye, foreign body in the eye to name but a few, then visit your optometrist who can potentially see you as an emergency under the Eye Health Examination Wales scheme.”

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long-Term Care said: “Hywel Dda University Health Board is pleased to support our community optometrists in taking

forward the increasing range of services which can now be provided within our local communities.

We recognise the importance of the additional training which our optometrists have undertaken in order to provide these services and hope that individuals experiencing acute eye care problems can approach their local optometrist with confidence, knowing that accredited optometrists will have the expertise to assess and treat a range of symptoms in the local community setting and prevent the need for a trip to hospital where this is deemed not to be required.”

Board highlights community eye care

Sustainability and recycling: Better for your health you think a budget. life-saving research into This month we are heart and circulatory asking the public to join disease. You can simply the Reuse Revolution call your local shop to and shop, upcycle or arrange a free donation.” donate their secondLast year, the BHF hand furniture while reused and recycled helping to raise funds for over 42,000 tonnes of

than in more ways than

furniture and electrical products including 185,000 sofas and 50,000 TVs. This helped prevent 53,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere.

48

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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Extra High 28.3-51.3 (5.6-10.0). Combined from 36.6-58.8 (4.8-8.8). CO 2 Emissions 89-170g/km.

All models and grades are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which replaces the New European Driving Cycle test procedure (NEDC). All CO2 figures quoted are NEDC equivalent. This means the CO2 figures are based on the new WLTP test procedure but calculated (using a standard European calculation method) to allow comparison with the NEDC test procedure and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.

All mpg figures quoted are WLTP figures. More information can be found by visiting: www.vehicle-certification agency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp. The figures provided are as a result of official manufacturer’s tests in accordance with EU legislation.

For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. CO2 and fuel economy figures may vary according to factors such as driving styles, environmental conditions, load and accessories.

Prices are correct at time of print, are subject to availability and may change. These offers are available to customers within the UK (excluding Channel Islands and Isle of Man). These offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Prices and specifications are correct at time of going to press. Models portrayed for illustration purposes only. ^Terms & Conditions Apply. Metallic paint at extra cost, (ask for details). ^ Plus Administration Fee of £85. #,000 Miles Per Annum, Excess mileage charges apply+VAT. Prices shown already have a discount applied.

49

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

MOTORS

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Herald | Motors

Inflation hits cars’ sizes

Not so mini anymore: The Mini Cooper has grown by 73% DO YOU struggle a whopping 63% larger Design expert, Sam to squeeze your car than the original model Livingstone, who into parking spaces? launched in 1964. revealed the key factors Dread driving down The not-so Mini triggering expansion. country lanes? Don’t Cooper has also evolved He said: “Originally, worry, you aren’t the since the 1950s when cars on UK roads were only one. lorry drivers struggled designed, engineered Zuto analysed 14 to see the motor in and produced in the UK popular car models, from their side-view mirrors.

— but today they come when they were first Thanks to safety from all around the launched, to present-day regulations it’s now 61% world. Notably in China to determine just how bigger than the original. and America, the largest much they have evolved Weighing in at cars markets, the roads in size and style.

865kg, the Fiat 500 has and freeways are much Looking at seen the biggest weight wider, meaning cars can everything from weight, increase, up 73% on the afford to be quite a bit length and height to 1957 model. bigger. As they aren’t wheelbase and luggage The only vehicle to designed for UK roads, capacity, nine out of the see a decrease in size is it’s a tight squeeze when 14 models have either the Land Rover Range they’re imported.” stayed the same or Rover, which is 3% “Safety is another increased in size, whilst shorter and 2% lighter reason why cars are just five have seen minor than the original. expanding in size. decreases.

Crash beams, airbags, In fact, the top eight WHY ARE CARS and the crumple zones cars which have seen the GETTING BIGGER? need space, so cars have biggest increase in total grown in width and area size have expanded Now we know how length over the decades by up to 63%. much cars are increasing to accommodate these From the top eight in size, we wanted to find features — we end up models we analysed, we out exactly why is this with larger cars as a discovered that the Ford happening and what it result, but they are far Mustang has increased means for future design. safer than they were the most overall, now We spoke to Automotive twenty years ago.”

“Cars are also growing in size partly because manufacturers can charge more for a larger car, whilst the cost to produce today’s sophisticated small cars is not much less than for a larger car. Car finance deals make it much easier for us to own large, luxury models as it’s affordable. This wasn’t the case 30 or 40 years ago, when most people had to buy a car with cash upfront, and when a smaller car would be a lot more basic than a large luxury car.”

Expert Sam says: “Rather than cars getting wider, we’re going to see them getting slightly taller. The rise of electric vehicles will impact on how cars change in size in the next 10 years.

The battery in an EV sits under the seats in the car, meaning cars will grow in height by around 5-10 cm.”

50

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

2014 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA,1.4 TB PROGRESSION 5d 120 BHP PETROL, BLUE 41553 MILES £7,250

2013 FIAT PANDA,1.2d MULTIJET 4x4 5d 75 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 62916 MILES £5,495

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS,2.0 A180 CDI AVANTGARDE SE 5d AUTO 108 BHP DIESEL, BLUE, 68470 MILES £4,495

2011 MINI HATCH ONE,1.6 ONE PIMLICO 3d 97 BHP PETROL , BLUE, 66010 MILES £5,495

2008 AUDI A4,2.0 AVANT TDI SE DPF 5d 141 BHP DIESEL GREY, 149406 MILES £3,995

2012 FIAT PUNTO,1.4 EASY 5d AUTO 77 BHP PETROL, WHITE, 66587 MILES £3,495

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ B CLASS,1.5 B150 SE 5d 94 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 57940 MILES £2,995

2005 MINI HATCH ONE,1.6 ONE (PEPPER PACK / PANORAMIC ROOF) 3d 89 BHP PETROL, BLACK, 101568 MILES £2,250

2013 AUDI A4,2.0 TDI SE TECHNIK 4d AUTO 174 BHP DIESEL, BLACK, 71170 MILES £9,995

2012 FORD FIESTA,1.2 ZETEC 5d 81 BHP PETROL, GREEN, 68787 MILES £4,750

2011 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS,1.8 C180 BLUEEFFICIENCY SE 4d AUTO 155 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 44595 MILES £8,295

2015 MG 3,1.5 3 STYLE VTI-TECH 5d 106 BHP PETROL, BLACK, 46317 MILES £4,995

2008 AUDI TT,2.0 TFSI 3d 200 BHP PETROL, BLUE, 144406 £4,995

2017 FORD FIESTA,1.0 ST-LINE NAV 3d 139 BHP PETROL, GREY, 16662 MILES £10,495

2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS,2.1 C220 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY EXECUTIVE SE 2d AUTO 168 BHP DIESEL, SILVER, 35854 MILES £10,995

2007 NISSAN 350 Z,3.5i GT 300 V6 3d 297 BHP PETROL, GREY, 105000 MILES £6,495

2009 AUDI TT,2.0 TFSI 3d 200 BHP PETROL, WHITE, 101975 MILES £6,995

2013 FORD FOCUS,1.6 ZETEC TDCI 5d 113 BHP DIESEL, RED, 91348 MILES £5,750

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS,2.1 C250d BLUETEC AMG LINE PREMIUM PLUS 5d AUTO 204 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 90000 MILES £14,995

2017 NISSAN MICRA,1.2 ACENTA 5d 79 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 17000 MILES £7,495

2012 BMW 3 SERIES,2.0 318D SE 4d 141 BHP DIESEL, SILVER, 105454 MILES £6,995

2010 FORD KA,1.2 ZETEC 3d 69 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 106566 MILES £2,495

2013 MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS,2.1 C220 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY AMG SPORT 2d AUTO 170 BHP DIESEL, BLACK, 85000 MILES £10,495

2017 NISSAN X-TRAIL,1.6 DCI ACENTA XTRONIC (SMART VISION PACK) 5d AUTO 130 BHP DIESEL, BLACK, 19286 MILES £15,995

2009 CHEVROLET CAPTIVA,2.4 LS 5d 135 BHP PETROL, BLACK, 77068 MILES £3,995

2016 FORD RANGER,3.2 WILDTRAK 4X4 DCB TDCI 1d AUTO 197 BHP *** NO VAT !!! *** DIESEL, GREY, 29900 MILES £21,495

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS CLASS,3.0 CLS 320 CDi 4d AUTO 222 BHP DIESEL, BLUE, 110729 MILES £5,495

2006 PEUGEOT 107,1.0 URBAN 3d 68 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 68030 MILES £2,250

2013 CITROEN C3,1.4 EXCLUSIVE PLUS 5d 89 BHP PETROL, BLACK, 33338 MILES £2,995

2007 FORD TRANSIT,2.4 350 LWB SHR 15 SEATER 1d 115 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 90537 MILES £3,995 + VAT

2009 MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS,3.0 ML350 CDi BLUEEFFICIENCY SPORT 5d AUTO 224 BHP DIESEL, BLUE, 84967 MILES £10,495

2004 PEUGEOT 206,1.6 COUPE CABRIOLET S 2d 110 BHP PETROL, BLUE, 57171 MILES £1,995

2008 CITROEN C3 PICASSO,1.6 PICASSO SELECTION HDi 5d 91 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 50749 MILES £4,995

2015 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT 1.6 200 P/V 1d 74 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 27366 MILES £7,995 +VAT

2006 MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS,3.0 ML320 CDi 4WD SE 5d AUTOMATIC 222 BHP DIESEL, SILVER, 98359 MILES £6,495

2016 PEUGEOT 208,1.0 ACCESS A/C 5d 68 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 16020 MILES £6,995

2015 CITROEN C4 CACTUS,1.6 BLUE HDI FEEL 5d 98 BHP DIESEL, PURPLE, 52199 MILES £6,995

2001 HONDA CBR,1137cc CBR 1100 XX SUPER BLACKBIRD PETROL, RED, 50050 MILES £2,250

2008 MERCEDES-BENZ M CLASS,3.0 ML 320 CDi EDITION 10 4WD 5 d AUTO 222 BHP DIESEL, BLACK, 85579 MILES £8,795

2017 RENAULT CLIO,1.1 DYNAMIQUE NAV 5d 73 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 19251 MILES £7,995

2007 CITROEN C4 PICASSO,2.0 5 VTR PLUS EGS I 16V 5d AUTO 139 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 85540 £2,995

2016 HYUNDAI I10,1.0 SE 5d 65 BHP PETROL, BLUE, 32196 MILES £5,995

2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK,2.1 SLK250 CDI BLUEEFFICIENCY AMG SPORT 2d AUTOMATIC 204 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 53000 MILES £13,495

2008 RENAULT CLIO,1.1 RIP CURL 16V 5d 75 BHP PETROL, GREY, 79817 MILES £2,295

2015 CITROEN DISPATCH,2.0 1200 L2H1 ENTERPRISE HDI 1d 126 BHP DIESEL, WHITE. 46481 MILES £7,995 +VAT

2006 KIA SPORTAGE,2.0 XE CRDI 5d 139 BHP DIESEL, SILVER, 126826 MILES £2,495

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER,2.1 313 CDI LWB 1d 129 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 139279 MILES £9,495 + VAT

2010 RENAULT CLIO,1.1 I-MUSIC 16V 3d 74 BHP PETROL, SILVER, 97913 MILES £2,495

2014 FIAT DUCATO,2.3 35 MAXI LUTON H/R MULTIJET 1d 129 BHP DIESEL, WHITE, 75560 MILES £8,995 + VAT

2011 KIA VENGA,1.4 CRDI 2 ECODYNAMICS 5d 89 BHP DIESEL, GREY, 72334 MILES £3,795

2007 MINI1.6 COOPER S (CHILI PACK) 3d 172 BHP PETROL, BLACK, 81051 MILES £3,750

2010 RENAULT MEGANE,1.4 DYNAMIQUE TOM TOM TCE 2d 130 BHP PETROL, WHITE, 57494 MILES £5,495 MILES

51

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

MOTORS

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Born to be mild MORE than 1 in 4 Welsh people now say it’s time to change the law to allow electric scooters on roads, as 49% say they are considering purchasing an electric scooter for themselves.

The new research of 1,000 Brits from electronics distributor reichelt elektronik also found that while electric scooter ownership in Wales is currently low, 37% expect uptake to greatly increase in the future.

IS IT TIME TO CHANGE THE LAW? 29% of Welsh people now say that electric scooters should be made legal on public roads.

This figure coincides with

more than a quarter of the whole country who feel the same, adding to the mounting pressure for the government to allow the increasingly commonplace vehicles on the roads. 25% want scooters to remain illegal on public roads, while 45% are yet to make their mind up.

However, 13% say that they want more oversight from police when it comes to electric scooters on roads, and of those surveyed who want to keep scooters off public roads, all cited safety concerns as their biggest worry.

Of those that don’t own an electric scooter now, 24% said they would be convinced to buy one if the current laws

Herald | Motors

on their use changed.

Meanwhile, 18% said that the price of electric scooters would need to fall, and 31% would want to see dedicated electric scooter lanes on roads or pavements.

WHAT’S DRIVING DEMAND? 37% believe that electric scooter usage will increase in the future, although 24% said that scooters were a passing craze and that they expected no one to be riding them in 25 years’ time. Demand is expected to increase in the product category, and interest is continuing to grow.

18% of those considering buying a scooter said they wanted one because it’s a more

portable and flexible way to travel, while 16% said they wanted one so they would drive less and reduce their impact on the environment.

12% currently believe that electric scooters have a bad image, despite the resistance to making them legal at levels of government.

HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT Reichelt’s research also investigated why Welsh people were increasingly interested in electric scooters.

16% said that they saw electric scooters as an important way to help reduce their impact on the environment in the long run.

However, respondents were more

positive about the environmental benefits of switching to electric cars and electric bicycles.

Thomas Kruse, product manager at reichelt elektronik,

comments: “Electric scooters are one great way to help people reduce their impact on the environment, and can contribute to cleaner and greener cities. However,

consumers need more clarity on the current laws, to ensure they are making the right purchasing decisions, and so they are not caught out by current regulations.”

52

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

MOTORS

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Herald | Motors

Award for Kia e-Niro THE ALL electric Kia e-Niro has been named ‘Car of the Year’ 2019 by the Northern Group of Motoring Writers. This is Kia’s fourth ‘Car of the Year’ award from the Northern Group, following wins in 2011 with the Picanto, 2012 for the cee’d and most recently, the Stinger in 2018.

Members of the Northern Group were asked to vote for their favourite vehicles from a long list of newly launched models. The list was cut down to the top five vehicles before members of the Northern Group met in Yorkshire in September to determine which vehicle was worthy to win the title of ‘Northern Car of the Year’. The Kia e-Niro won with members awarding the car 52 votes.

Jonathan Gravell, General Manager of the Gravells Group commented; “It’s great to see the e-Niro winning another fantastic award - it’s really proving to be a popular car! We’ve seen a surge of customers visiting Gravells to enquire about the e-Niro and make the switch to a greener vehicle.”

C o m m e n t i n g on the award, Andy Harris, Chairman of the Northern Group of Motoring Writers said: “After much deliberation and a wellattended driving day, The Northern Group of Motoring Writers has chosen its Car of the Year. The Kia e-Niro scooped the top spot due to its combination of class-leading electric range, everyday practicality and topnotch build quality.

Affordable pricing is the icing on the cake and a rapidly growing waiting list means the car-buying public would seem to agree.”

The Kia e-Niro merges crossoverinspired design with a class-leading driving range of 282 miles, zeroemissions driving and enjoyable performance.

It includes a nextgeneration electric powertrain, using new production technologies developed specifically for Kia electric vehicles.

The 64kwh battery can be charged to 80 per cent in as little as 54 minutes.

Gravells Kidwelly, Narberth, Swansea, Bridgend and Narberth stock a wide range of new and used Kia vehicles, including the Niro Plug-In Hybrid, with prices starting at £31,945.

The Kia e-NIRO: Won ‘Car of the Year’ award

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53

54

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

LETTERS

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bbc repeat ‘facts’ off DEAR EDITOR, I was recently amazed to view on a BBC 2 repeat of ‘Digging for Britain’, Prof Alice Roberts misconstruing the early history of Britain, especially that of the Welsh people and their language.

The programme was filmed in 2017 from Hadrian’s Wall to Fife, north of Edinburgh. She continually referred to the ‘savage Picts and civilised Romans’ of that region of South West Scotland. At no time did she state that the large area comprising the Kingdom of Strathclyde [Ystrad Clud], Rheged in Galloway, Gododdin in Lothian and Elmet [Elfed] in West Yorkshire was...and is...’ Yr Hen Ogledd’ [The Old North] to us Welsh.

Not surprising! The Gaelicspeaking Scots did not come from their native Ireland, nor the Anglo-Saxons from their native Germany, until after the Romans had left Britain in AD 410...nearly 300 years after Hadrian’s Wall was built!

When constructed in the First Century, the natives spoke Britonnic or Early Welsh on both sides! When is that ever said on innumerable historical programmes?

The people we call ‘Y Gododdin’, were the ‘Votadini’ to the Romans.

They occupied Manaw Gododdin from Hadrian’s Wall to the Antonine Wall at the Firth of Forth. So they formed a friendly buffer state in an alliance with the Romans. ‘Savage Picts’ were much further north in what is now Scotland. So to find Roman goods, signifying trade and friendship, in graves in Fife, just across the Firth of Forth, is not in the least surprising.

Stirling, not far from there, was known as ‘Strevelin’ even as late as 1124 and is said to derive from the Welsh Ynys Tre Felin [ the meadow of the mill steading ] according to William Oxenham’s brilliantly informative book, ‘Welsh Origins of Scottish Place-Names’ [Carreg Gwalch]. Our oldest existing Welsh poetry, the brilliantly alliterative, strict-metre ‘Y Gododdin’, by Aneirin, was composed in the Welsh-speaking kingdom of Mynyddog Mwynfawr in Din Eidin [now called Edinburgh] circa AD 600.

When is that ever featured in English history on BBC TV? Professor Alice Roberts does Wales a great disservice by not mentioning any of this. Born in England, she was educated at the University of Wales College of Medicine. She is a former G.P in Wales... but no historian!

So why is she involved in BBC history programmes? Why don’t our Welsh historians ever speak up? I invite them to reply to this letter!

Yours faithfully, Lyn Jenkins Cardigan

The grants are only available to establish older people’s groups such as lunch clubs, forums or even bowls clubs. Our limited fund is usually oversubscribed so applicants need to make sure they match our eligibility criteria.

For full details of the eligibility criteria and to download an application form please visit our website: w w w. a g e c y m r u . o rg . u k / wintercelebrationgrants or call our office for a paper copy of the application on 029 2043 1555.

The deadline for applications is Friday 8 November 2019.

Age Cymru

Winter Celebration Grants

age at work

DEAR SIR We wish to invite local older people’s groups to bid for grants of up to £200 to help organise winter celebrations.

We know that loneliness and isolation can have a devastating impact on older people, particularly at winter time, so we’re encouraging local older people’s groups to organise social events or celebrations anytime between December 2019 and the end of February 2020.

The Winter Celebration grants programme is open to applicants from across Wales. It’s hoped that through this initiative, older people will have an opportunity to meet new friends and build upon existing friendships.

In previous years our grants have helped fund a variety of events including Christmas lunches, Chinese New Year celebrations and theatre trips.

DEAR SIR Age Cymru and Business in the Community Cymru have teamed up to deliver the Age at Work programme across Wales.

Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the five-year programme will support people aged 50+ to remain in the workplace and plan for later working life as well as encourage businesses in Wales to become more agefriendly in retraining and recruiting older workers.

To highlight the many benefits of employing older workers (aged 50+) and having a multi-generational workforce, we would love to hear about the positive experiences of your older readers in the workplace and how their employer may have supported them with, for example, re-training or flexible working.

And we’d like to know whether training and development opportunities are being offered to workers of all ages.

We’d also like to hear about the reasons why older

people continue working. Is it simply about money or is it also about maintaining social networks?

For an informal chat about their experiences as an older worker or as an employer taking positive actions to support their older workers, your readers may call me on 029 2078 0061.

They may also download our simple survey in either paper format or via Survey Monkey at www. agecymru.org.uk.

Thank you for helping us with this important project.

Jill Salter, Age at Work Programme Manager

one amongst many

DEAR SIR Present western materialistic culture, without rational formal philosophy or religious levels of thought, makes it difficult for adults to discover the abstract ethical values of this universe.

However, we still have access to a slightly less convincing lesson for sincere people, the moral progression of history, which some historians attempt to obfuscate.

Under the Royal Duke of Clarence, the British Parliament voted for the slave trade for the colonies.

For 18 years, until 1807, William Wilberforce fought against the slave trade, and for a further 26 against slavery, when that became a crime, when he died in 1833. William was only one amongst many, with a somewhat flawed character, but he deserved to become a timeless example to us all, of the majesty of a life sacrificed for others, and the consequences are there to be seen. Many fine coloured people assisted William, in the struggle to reach bigoted minds.

That leader of a nation, Abraham Lincoln, gained from William, and all coloured people owe him a debt because, to some limited amount, within his ability, he freed them from a life of torture.

But those humans who benefitted most of all from the life of Wilberforce, were white people, just like me, today, whom he saved from inheriting the truly despicable values of the

Duke of Clarence, which would have poisoned my life also unless someone had inspired me to see a more glorious vision.

There are more profound, intellectual, metaphysical methods to comprehend this universe, but Wilberforce assisted every single person throughout all future time, to find Justice built into human progress.

Name and Address supplied

BIGOTED VOTERS

DEAR SIR A large number of people insist on giving me their fixed opinion, that all politicians are mad, bad or dishonest, but these citizens fail to understand that this universal condemnation, from them, of other people, can be seen as serious criticism of their own judgement.

A large number of people insist on giving me their fixed opinion, that all politicians are mad, bad or dishonest, but these citizens fail to understand that this universal condemnation, from them, of other people, can be seen as serious criticism of their own judgement.

Every intelligent person recognizes, that if I boast proudly that, ‘I am a lot smarter than all these famous people, to know so much more than all their conflicting beliefs.’, this is most easily explained by the fact that I am a bigot, glued to my own personal opinion, uninterested in all other many wrong ones.

If I were smart enough to assess everybody, that would mean that I could perceive intelligently, the many distinctions among them. The very fact that I lump them all together, is proof that I do not understand any of them, and there is only one reason for that, my worship for my own opinion, which has never been matched against anything valuable.

The Presidents of the USA, Turkey, Hungary and the PM of Britain, have all been selected by voters exactly like that, who do not respect the human thought process but use their unstable emotions, to choose similar loudmouthed celebrities to rule the world, as an extension of themselves.

Anonymous

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

55

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

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Spooky celebrations and events at National Park THIS half-term a creepy concoction of events and activities will be taking place at all three visitor attractions run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Castell Henllys Iron Age Village and Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre will all be hosting Halloween-themed events, from witch hunts to ghost tours and encounters with woodland fairies.

Events at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill will include Fireside Tales on 19, 20, 26 and 27 October, where guests will be invited to sit around a fire and listen to spooky tales and stories of brave knights and beautiful princesses.

For those interested in honing their sorcery skills, The Carew School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will open its doors to new pupils on 29, 30 and 31 October. The syllabus will include wandmaking, discovering spirit animals, spellcasting and broomstick agility. For those in costume, there will be a competition at noon.

Ghost Tours of the Castle will also take place during this period.

At Castell Henllys

the thinning of the veil between this world and the next will be celebrated on 31 October with Samhain – Haunted Henllys. With a variety of spooky activities on offer, including a Ghost Walk, the day will end with the spectacle of the burning of the wicker man.

Scary Fairy Fun on 28 and 30 October offers visitors the opportunity to meet the woodland fairies at Castell Henllys and take part in activities such as facepainting, storytelling and enchanted woodland crafts.

Those of a magical mindset might also be interested in attending Wizards and Witches on 29 October and 1 November, with magical crafty activities organised throughout the day.

Between 20 October and 3 November, Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids will host a Halloween Trail around the grounds and centre. The Trail will cost £2 per sheet and will run between 10 am - 4 pm each day.

For those seeking a less hair-raising halfterm experience, places are still available for the Wildfowl of the Western Cleddau walk arranged to take place at Little Milford between 1 pm

Join the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

- 3 pm on 26 October.

Guided by a Ranger, this gentle stroll along the banks of the Cleddau will offer the opportunity to see wading birds, such as the curlew and redshank. Children must be supervised and no dogs are allowed.

If culture holds greater appeal than the occult, two exhibitions, A Celebration of Contemporary Welsh

Painting and The Cabinet of Curiosities will be hosted at Oriel y Parc during October and November, featuring top contemporary Welsh artists and members of the Carmarthen Artists’ Network respectively.

For details of all the events taking place in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park visit www. pembrokeshirecoast. wales/events.

Burry Port Opera to entertain The chance to see a real Italian delight. Burry Port Opera are presenting Donizetti’s Don Pasquale this month on October 23, 25 & 26.

A cleverly crafted and melodic show with wonderful arias and ensembles, it’s a light hearted domestic drama and so something we can all relate to; some things never change!

Uncle and nephew pitting their wits against each other to see who gets the wealthy widow.

Audiences will remember Sven Fuerst from excellent previous performances with the society in the title role, with another friend of the society James McOran Campbell, both directing and singing the role of Dr Malatesta.

Lucy Mellors takes on the great role of Norina,

a delight and challenge to sing.

Continuing the excellent tradition of promoting and supporting Welsh talent, Rhodri Prys Jones plays the nephew Ernesto having already played the role at Longbourne Opera Festival.

Burry Port Opera are delighted to have secured the commitment from all 4 of our visiting soloists and with

excellent support from Graham Freeman as the notary, its promises to be a production not to miss.

A limited number of tickets will be available on the door, on 01554 833518 or from the wonderful chorus members.

Of course you could pay £195 for a ticket and go to Covent Garden instead but I’m sure you won’t have as much fun.

58

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 ENTERTAINMENT

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Ghostbusters: second in our countdown

IF there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, who are you gonna call?

Ghostbusters, the answer is clearly Ghostbusters, we all know this. It feels like Ghostbusters is more than just a film, but a genuine cultural phenomenon that most people are aware of, even if they haven’t seen it.

The original 1984 was so far ahead of its time that it somehow still feels fresh and modern some 35 years later.

Even a poorly received 1989 sequel (that I secretly think is up there with Empire in regards to great 80’s sequels) couldn’t take the shine of this film and the absolutely fantastic cartoon series ‘The Real Ghostbusters’ would only ever cement its place in legend as Ghostbusters weren’t stuck on the silver screen, they were right there on TV....and the voice of Garfield was Venkman. Perfect.

Anyways, back to the original: Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (the late Harold Ramis) are scientists at Columbia University investigating

the paranormal.

Following their first encounter with a ghost manifesting at the New York Public Library, the dean fires them and dismisses the credibility of their research. In response, they create

seeing a creature that utters a single word: “Zuul.”

Soon their business booms as paranormal activity increases across New York City. To cope with demand, they hire a fourth member, Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson).

Venkman meets

is the film that forced Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis into the public conscience more than their stint on SNL. The special effects still hold up today and Slimer still looks absolutely top notch.

Don’t be afraid of checking out the “all female’ Ghostbusters

“Ghostbusters”, a paranormal investigation and elimination service.

They convert a disused firehouse, develop high-tech equipment to capture and contain ghosts, and convert a combination car into the “Ectomobile” to support their business.

Seeing their television ad, a skeptical cellist, Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver), is initially dismissive but reluctantly calls them after a paranormal encounter in her kitchen.

Recounting the event, she describes opening her refrigerator and

with Dana. He shares that Zuul was a demigod worshiped as a servant to “Gozer the Gozerian,” a shape-shifting god of destruction.

He convinces Dana to discuss her case further over dinner.

However, when Dana returns home, she is supernaturally assaulted and possessed by Zuul....

Full of scares, full of jokes and some truly great, tense action scenes. Ghostbusters is right up there at the very top of family friendly Halloween films.

The whole cast, Hudson included, shine out in this movie and it

film from 2016 if you are after a bit more busting for your bucks.

If you have kids I think the more modern jokes might land a little better and it is paced slightly better too. It’s also nowhere near as bad as the internet tried to make everyone believe, no it’s not a timeless classic but it is a re-telling of Ghostbusters for the 21st century, not some feminist take-over as fanboys thought it was.

Either way, Bustin’ is a surefire way to get everyone in the spooky spirit and it’s sitting pretty at 2 on our Halloween countdown.

Andy Chandler

andy@herald.email

59

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheCarmarthenshireHerald

El camino:

a breaking bad movie: review

El Camino: on Netflix now WHEN Breaking Bad drew to a satisyingish close, it was hard to see exactly what story was left to tell.

Walter White lay dead on the floor of a meth lab and Jesse Pinkman was speeding into the night, finally free of his concrete cage but also free from Heisenberg’s deadly games.

Fast forward 6-ever-so-long years and El Camino picks up immediately where ‘Felina’ stopped, literally.

We find Jesse Pinkman still tearing along the same desert road, in the same El Camino, into the same night. His initial elation at being free is shortlived as he spots flashing red and blue lights on the horizon and hides in the car.

It’s clear from the get-go that this freedom that Jesse felt on the very cusp of at the end of Breaking Bad isn’t just waiting for him at the end of the road, he’s done too much for a simple ‘happy ever after’.

What happens next is the best continuation of a series I’ve ever seen.

Strong, confident and utterly gorgeous to look at, El Camino is a triumph, a delight for Breaking Bad fans and a tense, noir-esque thriller with an intense feeling of tension throughout that might do just enough to appeal to people out there who haven’t watched an episode of the show leading up to this.

Jesse’s predicament is made clear through a series of flashback’s that, while never feeling

boring for long-term fans, act as a way for newbies to get the gist of what’s going on pretty quickly.

It’s important at this point to make clear that it is friendly for newbies, but at the very heart of it, this is one for Breaking Bad fans.

Breaking Bad Hermanos will laugh, woop, shed a tear and feel their hearts race as Jesse’s plight for freedom takes twist after twist.

Jesse’s journey to freedom brings him full circle in El Camino, Skinny Pete isn’t the only character to get their moment, let me put it that way.

Actors reprise their roles left and right in this and it’s a testament to Vince Gilligan that a lot of the cast would make time in their schedules for what are, in essence, cameo roles in a character piece about the only man left standing, but broken, when Breaking Bad ended.

El Camino is all about desperation and what some people are driven to do to preserve themselves physically and mentally when the proverbial hits the fan.

The flashback’s are always welcome and fit into the story that’s being told and, more crucially, these flashbacks don’t mess around with or shoehorn anything into the existing lore of the show.

El Camino is the perfect next chapter for Jesse Pinkman and may just be most beautifully shot anything I’ve seen in a long time.

5/5

ENTERTAINMENT

Mid Wales Opera returns

On Saturday, November 9 at 7:30pm and for the first time in over a decade, Mid Wales Opera (MWO) returns to Theatr Felinfach with a radical reworking of John Gay’s 1728 ballad opera The Beggar’s Opera.

Join Mrs. Peachum, her daughter Polly and the Beggar in their bawdy, ballsy take on relationships and the relative virtues of virginity.

Horrified to learn of Polly’s illicit marriage to an errant highwayman, Mrs. P contrives to get the rascal hanged so Polly can claim the reward. Loyalty and love are put to the test as murder, rage and fury drive this rumbustious tragicomedy towards its conclusion. Will things really be left so unhappily and will Polly remain true to her man and abandon her mother to the lure of London Gin? MWO are delighted to premiere this new one act opera, adapted

by Richard Studer, in a new musical version

by Jonathan Lyness, accompanied by MWO’s Small Stages Ensemble of four musicians, a cast of three singers including the brilliant Northern Irish mezzo Carolyn Dobbin as Mrs Peachum (Madame Popova, The Bear, Small Stages 2017) and Welsh soprano Alys Mererid Roberts as her feckless daughter Polly.

Carolyn Dobbin was in

the last production that MWO brought to Theatr Felinfach in 2008, which was Tales of Hoffman.

As with John Gay’s original ballad opera, the score is bursting with melodies both familiar and new, from Lillibolero to Greensleeves. MWO’s restoration comedy is filled with as many musical twists as there are in the plot. Though the trio of characters may live in the gutter, musically they are looking to the stars...

During the second half and following the interval the team will sing a medley of delights

Country Music Fundraiser

The popular county music duo Memphis Belle will be performing at Canolfan Hermon on Saturday, October 19 starting at 8pm.

The evening will be a charity fundraising event for the hall maintenance fund and there will be a

grand raffle drawn on the evening.

The entry is £5 at the door with a prize for the best-dressed country music outfit.

The evening will be filmed by Cwmni Da of S4C as they roll out new local talent programmes.

exploring love and marriage in all its forms - a curtain raiser for the Spring 2020 Main Stage tour of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

MWO’s Small Stages

brings live opera to the heart of communities across Wales and the Borders, touring to theatres, village halls and community venues.

Tickets are available

from the Box Office on 01570 470697 or Online at theatrfelinfach.cymru.

Tickets are £15 for Adults, £14 for OAPs and Members and £10 for Students and Children.

60

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

ENTERTAINMENT

Follow us on Twitter @carmsherald

Double Crossword CRYPTIC Choose possibly to take Lee to court (5) 8

It’s rough being right in a mess! (5)

1

Urchin who hasn’t nished playing

2

(5)

4 Galatea’s keeping us waiting (4) Tough master embraced by a female 5 Rings you can get from most (2-3) chemists (6) Bit of a grimace from a Scot (3)

6 Doctrine you can read up (5)

Was Gertrude a mug? (5)

13

Clip one unfairly in a game (7)

15

Full of pith, yet not vegetable (5)

18

Continental street of sadness (3)

19

Goes into business to create upsets (4,2) Barely runs on narrow lines (7)

22

Goddess who lives again? (4)

23

French name for a bit of a renegade The fear possibly associated with a white one? (7) Try to get free perhaps? (3,3)

29

Strain a gut? (3)

31

Charlie has half an hour with the

17

Eastern oral centre (5)

Where some Belgians are in the

19

13

14

20

Possibly early bird at the egg farm

23

In historical times, wonderfully

24

Woody ways into a well-defended

25

Centre of revolution (3)

green outskirts of the City (7)

It doesn’t agree with the number 27 28 on a tin opener (3)

37

A canoe could be lost in it (5)

38

A long piece can still be comic (5)

16

17

2

27

31

2

29

Impertinent, say, about saints (5) Good times for cash payments

around Tuesday (5)

30

It’s essentially oily and owery (5)

33

A bit shy, but heroes use it (3)

32

A fantastic wine? (4)

Solution to this week’s puzzles will be printed here next week

TEL:01792363699

2 5

8

35

9

Last week’s answers Cryptic Across:

Beverage

8, Biased

10, Santa

3 3

4, Deride

13, W-and

1

7

7 14 Rodent (3), 16 Deserve (5), 17 Sharply hooked claw (5), 19 Aquatic bird (7), 20 Academy Award (5), 21 Take away (5), 23 Word for word (7), 24 Indicate, designate (6), 25 Vehicle (3), 27 Tree type (5), 28 Legendary king (5), 30 Naked gures (5), 32 US coin (4), 33 In good health (3)

7

1

37

31 Tree sap (5), 32 Cautious (7), 34 Senior member (5) , 35 To free (3), 36 Moroccan capital (5), 37 Detests (5), 38 Chairs (5) Down 1 Farm buildings (5), 2 Unstudied (7), 4 Fibs (4), 5 Private evening party (6), 6 Domesticates(5), 7 Finger or toe (5), 9 Unopened ower (3), 12 Inhabitant (7) ,

9

6

38

Across 3 Explosion (5) , 8 Conspiracy (5), 10 Fertile spot (5), 11 Groove (3), 12 Jeans fabric (5), 13 Permits, tolerates (7), 15 Post o (5), 18 Managed (3), 19 Former currency (6), 21 Afternoon show (7), 22 Sully (4), 23 Public pool (4), 24 Shortage (7), 26 Insight (6), 29 Small feline mammal (3),

8

9

33

34 36

6

30

32

7

3

25

28

8

9

23 24

5

7

3

21

One corner in heaven that’s just like QUICK

35

Something a woman’s burnt? (5)

Fill the grid with the number 1 to 9 so that each row, column and 3x3 block contains the numbers 1 to 9. Target: 30 minutes

Latest thing in ties (5)

place (6)

36

Sudoku

7

19

22

26

6

15

18

Quickly get out in the alley! (7)

20

5

12

money, presumably (5)

velvet (5)

(5) Worried about the future? (5)

Possibly restless peelers? (7)

14

21

26

34

12

16

(4)

Canada’s ratable system (7)

11

dog (3)

21

32

Managed to participate in athletics?

(3)

4

10

aunt (5)

9

3

9

7 Language usable for a letter to an

12

24

2

Costers’ companions? (7)

10 11

8

Down

Across 3

1

4

7,

14,

Ewer 15, B-Art. 16, Inn 17, A-but 19, UE-FA 21, Wild cards 23, Pile 24, Hung 26, So-n 27, Wee-K 29, Ari-d 32, Burr 33, F-reda 34, Reci-pe 35, Chas.-tens 36, At-test.

Down:

1, A-bus-E 2, O-VI-ne 3, Aria 4,

Debar 5, Re-AD 6, Due-nnA 9, In turn 11, Awe 12,

Trail 13, Watcher 15, Bud 16, Ifs 18, Blew up 20, Edgar 21, W-I-N

22, A-UK

23, Potent

25, Rid

28, Erect

30, Refer 31, Da-is-y 32, Bit-e 33, Fi-sh.

8, Erupts

10, Irish

Quick Across:

4, Fedora

13, Deer

7, External Down: 15, Bets 5, Dour

14, Menu

6, Rotten

1, Denim 2, Stain 3, Arch 4, Fleet 9, Resign

11, Red

12, Susan

16, Net 17, Stir 19, Iron 21, Harbinger 23, Tone 13, Derides 15, Bib 16, Nor 18, Tremor 20, 24, Dune 26, Top 27, Meet 29, Knit 32, Tows 33, Reeks 21, Hop 22, Nut 23, Tomato 25, Bid Aside 34, Nature 35, Reporter 36, Mopeds.

28, Ewers

30, Nifty

31, Tears 32, Tune 33. Ahoy

61

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Cellar Bards event is part of international arts fest The October Cellar Bards event in Cardigan will be a special night as part of the second Coracle Europe International Arts Festival, which is being held at a variety of venues across Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire and draws participants from west Wales, Ireland and Sweden.

Guest readers on the evening – on Friday, October 25 -- will be Helen May Williams and Mick Evans, both with new and very different poetry collections published this year by Cinnamon Press.

Doors and the bar open at 7.45pm, at the Cellar Bar, Quay Street, Cardigan SA43 1HU. Entry is £3, and open mic spots are available as always. We expect visitors from Sweden and Ireland will take part in the open mic sessions.

Helen May Williams’ latest collection, Catstrawe, is the result of a year-long project in which she set herself a challenge to write at least one haiku a day. Each day she had to write 17 syllables before midnight. In the course of the year many themes and preoccupations emerged from the daily acts of attention the writing required.

Notably: family and family histories, connections between generations of women, stimulation from travel, inspiration from one’s immediate home locale, terrorism,

the migrant crisis, and running through it all, the experience of living with cancer.

Mick Evans has poetry published in a number of anthologies; he was a runner up in the Cinnamon Single Poem Competition, and a winner of the Welsh Poetry Competition. His collection, Burlesque, explores, through the figure of Punch, themes of identity and the roles imposed by circumstance and conditioning.

The Coracle Europe event is an international arts festival taking place over five days from October 24-28. Other venues include The Queens, Carmarthen; Cwrw, Carmarthen; and Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. Events include book launches, a poetry slam, music, arts exhibitions and spoken word performances.

Open mic spots are always available at The Cellar Bards, Cardigan’s only regular spoken word event. The Bards welcome writers of poetry, short stories, micro-fiction and novels, we like a song or two as well (max five minutes each reader).

People who want to read can put their names down at the door on the night. Or go along to listen to the fabulous poetry of Mick Evans, Helen May Williams, guests from Sweden and Ireland, plus our own talented local writers.

See The Cellar Bards Facebook page for more information.

Do you want your event to feature in The Herald?

Email andy@herald.email

ENTERTAINMENT

Welsh artists perform for Canada

Off to Canada: Adwaith head to Canada to perform for Montréal international work outside Montreal for 4 days.

FOCUS WALES Adwaith are a of the UK. are showcasing 2 artists post-punk band from M for Montreal is a from Wales in Montréal, Carmarthen, West Wales. music conference and Quebec, Canada, this The release of their debut festival taking place November at the M Pour every November and single ‘Pwysau’ at the end Montréal festival! showcasing around 100 of 2016 heralded a new The artists selected to brave and exciting chapter local and international showcase in Canada are for Welsh music. buzz-worthy and breakout Carmarthen’s Adwaith, More recently, bands in over 15 venues and Cardiff’s Buzzard across Montreal.

Adwaith toured the UK Buzzard Buzzard.

Top music industry with Gwenno in October This trip has been and in February 2019 professionals mingle with made possible with toured as main support for fans and artists at one of the help of Wales The Joy Formidable on the most vibrant music Arts Internationaland their AAARTH tour. events of the season.

PRS Foundationwho Every year, over Amongst this activity are working together 200 movers and shakers, Adwaith released their with FOCUS Wales to debut album ‘Melyn’, industry heavyweights, support Wales based music aficionados and which has received critical artists to undertake acclaim from BBC Radio tastemakers from over international visits, aimed 15 countries descend in 1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC at the development of

Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 6 and Amazing Radio.

Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard started as a studio project by Tibet bassist and multi-instrumentalist Tom Rees.

After being particularly inspired by Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”, Tom had the idea to dedicate a project entirely to the sound of mid-70’s rock records.

With an expansive sound mirroring their intent, their collection of tracks explore weighty concepts of time, money, politics and vanity.

Both bands caught the

eye of M for Montreal’s music booker during their performances at international showcase festival FOCUS Wales in Wrexham, May 2019.

The first 50 acts for FOCUS Wales 2020 will be selected this October, so artists hoping to showcase at the festival are encouraged to submit their applications early.

FOCUS Wales 2020 takes places on May 7-9 across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales.

Full 3 day wristbands for admission to all FOCUS Wales events are available now at www.focuswales. com/tickets.

62 NEWS

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 Follow us on Twitter @carmsherald

63

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

THE HAMMONDS

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Trick or treats?

Halloween Spider Pizzas WHIP up these fun pizzas for a Halloween party.

There are plenty of ways to make the spiders on top – I’ve used olives and salami but peppers work well too • • • • • • • • • 1.

2.

1 pack pizza base mix Plain flour, for dusting 120ml passata or tomato pasta sauce 1 garlic clove, crushed 150g grated mozzarella 25g-50g parmesan, grated 4 large pitted black olives 6 small slices salami or chorizo 8 small capers, drained Make the pizza dough following pack instructions. Tip the dough onto a floured surface, flour your hands, then gently knead the dough for about 2 mins until fairly even, soft and bouncy.

Return the dough to the bowl, cover with oiled cling film, then let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hr). While the dough proves, mix the passata and garlic in a bowl.

Heat oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9 or as hot as it will go. Dust two baking sheets with flour. Split the dough into eight, then roll four balls into thin, rough circles. Lift onto the floured sheets.

3.

4.

5.

Smear a thin layer of the tomato sauce on top of each and scatter over the mozzarella and parmesan.

Halve each olive and put four halves, cut-side down on four pizzas – these are the spider bodies. Cut the rest of the olive halves into thin strips, then arrange on either side of the bodies to look like legs.

Put four pieces of salami or chorizo on the four remaining pizza bases. Cut the other pieces of salami into thin strips and use them to make the legs of the spiders. Add 2 capers to each spider for the eyes.

Bake each tray for 12 mins or until golden and crisp and the cheese is starting to brown.

2.

3.

Spooky Witches Fingers • • • • • • • • • • • • 1.

225g (8 oz) butter, softened 125g (4 1/2 oz) icing sugar 1 egg 1 teas poon almond extract 1t easpoon vanilla extract 350g (12 oz) plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 100g (4 oz) whole almonds 1 tube red decorating icing Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond

4.

5.

extract and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder and salt, continually beating; chill for 20 to 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 160 C / Gas mark 3. Lightly grease baking trays.

Remove dough from fridge in small amounts.

Scoop 1 heaping teaspoon at a time onto a piece of greaseproof paper. Use the paper to roll the dough into a thin finger-shaped biscuit.

Press one almond into one end of each biscuit to give the appearance of a long fingernail.

Squeeze biscuit near the tip and again near the centre of each to give the impression of knuckles. You can also cut into the dough with a sharp knife at the same points to help give a more finger-like appearance.

Arrange the shaped biscuits on the baking trays.

Bake in the preheated oven until the biscuits are slightly golden in colour, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove the almond from the end of each biscuit; squeeze a small amount of red icing into the cavity; replace the almond to cause the icing to ooze out around the tip of the biscuit (makes 30)

The use of VHF

VHF Radio: An important tool

I WRITE on this subject as from time to time coastal folk need reminding of its proper use.

For commercial shipping that I visit, a quick trip to the bridge to check if the ships VHF is powered down to a minimum output has become second nature to me. Whether it’s my fear of missing something out, this seafaring life has made me into a ‘constantly checking things are OK’ individual.

Getting into a car, before setting off is a routine that all motorists should adopt. Does having a radio on loud interfere with your concentration?

I doubt very many of us can drive safely with distraction like that.

Applying this to the use of marine radio, a listening watch should be kept whilst under way on your craft. It is part of keeping a safe navigation watch which includes

keeping a lookout by sight as well as by hearing.

I’m told that in cold waters, one can hearing the sound of cracking and falling ice of ice bergs.

This is part of keeping a lookout by reporting sounds. Even more basic, what about fog signals and navigation mark bells?!

So we have established its’ good common sense (Seamanship to us readers) that keeping a VHF watch aboard is all sound practice for keeping a safe navigational watch.

So what is involved?

Good practice dictates that a suitable radio channel should be monitored for the area you are navigating in and maintaining a VHFCh.16 safety and distress watch is essential. Remember that VHF CH16 is for this purpose. If you have to use it to call another station, make sure the channel is free of traffic and keep your call to an absolute minimum,

changing to an alternative working channel as soon as you can.

This is acceptable practice, but there are users that use the VHF to have mundane conversations on and I’ve heard them on Ch.16!! Suppose it’s you that is in trouble afloat, would you want idle chat interfering with your communication?

The setting of a VHF distress alert is another disturbing reality.

Marine band VHF can pick up communications from a large part of the coast. I have even heard some coastal stations transmitting from as far away as the South Coast of England.

Some hand held VHF radios can pick up signals from afar. A log should preferably be kept of all radio communication, which should be part of the crafts radio outfit. Any safety, urgency, distress alerts should be logged and records kept.

To end this article, I was master on a small container vessel on passage from Piraeus to Valletta in the Mediterranean. It was August time and the weather suitably warm with a calm sea.

Off Cape Matapan in Southern Greece, I was on the 8-12 evening watch when I heard Valletta Port Control call another vessel on VHF. This was some 250 miles away. I raised contact with Valletta Port control on VHF Ch.!6 and thus switched to their working channel to pass on my ETA. I was so far away that Valletta Port informed me to call again before I arrived of the port. This was a good example of ‘ducting’ where a signal is carried some distance and where weather conditions were suitable for such transmissions.

Strange thing is VHF! Keep those lifejackets on and good sailing!

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

One eye on Waunarlwydd

COMMUNITY

WHILE Nicky Smith, who made his first Rugby World Cup start, against Uruguay on Sunday, couldn’t be prouder of his own achievements, he is very quick to thank his home club Waunarlwydd for the part they have played in his journey.

The 33-times capped Ospreys prop is relishing every moment with the Wales squad in Japan, but he’s also been keeping one eye on his beloved ‘Waun’ and in particular the progress of the youth team he’s been coaching for the past two years.

The Specsavers League One West Central club means the world to Smith and he wants to repay the faith the club showed in him during his younger years. “I can’t say enough about Waun. It’s a great honour to represent the club on the international stage. It’s a fantastic club that I owe so much to and I’m sure Liam Williams would say the same.”

Smith got involved with the club’s youth setup two years ago and is determined to re-join the other youth coaches Simon Daniel and Andrew Gore on his return to Wales.

“I’ll go straight back into it when I get back.

The first year we only had about ten boys involved but we’ve worked on the transition of players from

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Repaying home club’s faith in him: Welsh prop Nicky Smith

our junior section and we now have good numbers in training and playing regularly.

“We aren’t interested in results, we just want to ensure the boys enjoy their rugby and fulfil all our fixtures. If we do that, I’m sure we’ll also attract new players to the youth set-up and continue to grow.

“We’re like a second family at Waunarlwydd and that never leaves you.

Even if players go on to

play for other clubs, there will always be a welcome at the club to come back and play in the future or just socialise.”

There’s one person in particular Smith is indebted to and he was chosen to announce Nicky in Wales’ RWC squad in the WRU TV video featuring the players’ first clubs. “Tony Cleary coached me to senior level and stuck with me despite me not being the best pupil! I’m sure we

caused him to lose his hair but it’s down to people like him that I am where I am now.

“Volunteers like Tony don’t ask for anything and yet a number of players have come through our club alone in recent years – the likes of myself, Liam (Williams), Keelan Giles, Scott Otten and Nicky Thomas and it’s down to volunteers like Tony and others who do so much on and off the field.

customers can cast their votes for the shortlisted groups using blue tokens handed out at checkouts.

Grants of £25,000, £15,000 and £10,000 are up for grabs.

Lifeboat Institution – To provide more life-saving training for volunteer crew members So far in Wales, Bags of Help has awarded over £5.5m to nearly 2,000 local projects.

The funding will reach more than 30 regions during each round, with an incredible £3,300,000 up for grabs in total.

Keith Jackson, Tesco’s Bags of Help manager, said: “We have been celebrating a century of delivering great value for our customers throughout 2019. And central to that has been our Centenary Grants, which aim to support

groups and organisations who are helping to make a difference across Britain.

“We’re calling on our customers to vote in stores from October and show their support for these fantastic community causes.”

Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, Graham Duxbury, said: “This is an exciting time for Bags of Help, with many more communities given the opportunity to apply for larger amounts of funding that can make a positive, long-lasting legacy where they live.”

Find out more about Bags of Help, visit www. tesco.com/bagsofhelp.

That’s what’s great about Waunarlwydd – they’re growing the game for all. They have a thriving women’s section and the club is always busy, there’s a welcome for everyone.”

There are positive signs for the health of youth rugby in Wales. This season, 153 teams entered the Principality Building Society Youth Leagues, the highest number since 2015.

The season has been restructured with Principality

National League fixtures in the first half of the season which has increased the completion rate and competitive nature of those matches, while more flexibility has been introduced into regional competitions in the second half of the season.

Under 17 rugby has been encouraged with considerable success noted by some clubs as a way of easing the transition between junior

and youth rugby and clubs are currently enjoying a spotlight on youth rugby via an initiative entitled ‘Youth Rugby Rising’ to increase its profile around Wales.

WRU Rugby coordinator Gavin Dacey, who is leading the youth rugby initiatives said, “We want to shine a light on youth rugby which is such a vital lynchpin between the junior and senior game.

We know that being part of a rugby family has numerous benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing and that when teams stay together through youth rugby, they are more likely to remain friends and teammates into senior rugby and throughout their lives which not only benefits them but the game too.”

Chris Ower, WRU Participation and Retention manager (male game) added, “These initiatives are part of the Male Game Participation Strategy to broaden its appeal and acknowledge and celebrate our wonderful community game.

“Youth rugby is an essential transition from the junior game into adult rugby and it’s really pleasing to see the increase in youth teams across Wales thanks to the hard work and dedication of clubs.”

Tesco’s £100K for community grants

TESCO shoppers are being invited to cast their votes to help community projects in South West Wales bag up to £25,000 this autumn.

The supermarket is marking its Centenary with two special Bags of Help funding rounds, with a huge £100,000 funding pot in South West Wales.

After a successful first round, customer voting will begin for the second raft of shortlisted groups in October.

Bags of Help, run in partnership with Groundwork, sees funding awarded to thousands of local community projects every year.

In South West Wales,

The projects include • · Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids’ Clubs – Looking to give children fun, interactive ideas, resources and workshops to get outdoors • · Ramblers Cymru – To encourage families explore Wales on foot, with an aim to improve health and happiness • · Royal National

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

COMMUNITY

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GREAT DAY OUT AT THE WELSH ALPA

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

COMMUNITY

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LSH ALPACA SHOW Last Saturday (Oct 12) over 1200 visitors enjoyed a celebration of all things alpaca at the first-ever Welsh Alpaca Show at Carmarthen’s United Counties Showground.

The West Wales Regional Alpaca Group organised the event.

At least 1200 visitors enjoyed this unique, indoor event and had plenty of time to enjoy getting close to the 70 alpacas on show

and learning about these unique animals.

Competitors travelled from Lancashire and Somerset, while visitors made the journey to Wales from Manchester, Swindon and even France purely for the event.

Visitors posting on Facebook after the show said the event was “a hive of good vibes and activity” where “everyone was so friendly and chatty.”

Show Organiser Michael

Henderson said “in all my years of being part of alpaca showing I have to say that this show had the largest turn out of people interested in alpacas that I have ever seen.”

With craft stalls, demonstrations, children’s activities, and locally produced refreshments, there was something for everyone.

Next year’s show is already confirmed for October 10, 2020.

CARMARTHEN SHOWGROUND 12th October 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

NEWS

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

CHURCH SERVICES

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CARMARTHENSHIRE CHURCH SERVICES

Towy Community Church - Sunday: 10.30am. The ‘Theatre’ Queen Elizabeth High School, Llansteffan Rd, Johnstown, SA31 3NL. Bethel Church - Sunday: 10.30am - Morning Service (Halliwell Conference Centre), 5pm - Evening Service (Bethel Church, Old St Clears Road, Johnstown), 7.15pm - Students and 20s (term-time only).

Wednesday: 9.30am - Prayer meeting, 7.30pm – Connect.

Thursday: 10am – Connect, 7pm - Prayer meeting, (7.30pm every second Thursday).

To join a Connect group, please contact Tim at connect@ bethel.info.

Ebenezer Gospel Hall - Sunday: 10.30am - Breaking of bread, 6.30pm - Gospel meeting. Blue Street, Carmarthen, SA31 3LE

Christ Church Eglwys Crist - Sunday: 9.15am - Family Eucharist with Children’s Address (Other Sundays: Sung Eucharist with Sunday school and Small Church), Sul: 1af Boreol Weddi, 11yb Suliau Eraill - Cymun Bendigaid, 5pm Evensong/Gosber (bilingual). Wednesday/Dydd Mawrth: 10.30yb - Cymun Bendigaid/10.30am – Holy Eucharist.

4 Penllwyn Park, Carmarthen, SA31 3BU. Carmarthen Evangelical Church Sunday: 10.30am, 5.30pm. 11 The Parade, Carmarthen, SA31 1LY. Email: carmarthen.church@ gmail.com.

English Baptist Church - Sunday: 11am - Worship. All services followed by light refreshments in the Lammas Street Centre.

St Peters Church Sunday: 8am – Holy Communion (Using the 1984 Rite – fourth Sunday of the month we use the 1662 book of common prayer), 10.30am - Morning Worship and Communion on alternate Sundays.

Sunday School available all service. St Peter’s Vicarage, Church Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1GW. Wesley Chapel - Sunday: 10.30am. Wesley Methodist Church, Cambrian Place, Carmarthen, SA31 1QG. 21st Century Church - Sunday: 11am, 6pm.

Saron Chapel, Pentrepoeth Road, Furnace, Llanelli, Carms, SA15 4HG. nelli, SA15 3AB, Tel: (01554) 774070.

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish Lla- Llanelli Free Evannelli - Sunday: 6pm. gelical Church - SunSaturday: 10am, day: 10:30am, 6pm.

5.30pm. Holidays of Monday: 10am to Obligation: 10am, 12am - Coffee Morn7pm. The Presbytery, ing. Tuesday: 7.30pm Waunlanyrafon, Lla- - Prayer and Bible

Study.

Thursday: 7.30pm - Fellowship Meeting (third Thursday of month). Queen Victoria Road, Llanelli, SA15 2TH.

– Worship Service.

Embankment Road, Llanelli, SA15 2BT.

Tŷ Gwyn Community Church - Sunday: 10.30am - 12.30pm.

The Church Of Jesus Llanelli, CarmarthenChrist Of Latter-Day shire, SA15 3DS. Saints - Sunday: 10am

75

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

DEATH NOTICES

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Mr Reg Whitfield Peacefully on Sunday October 6th at Glangwili Hospital, Reg, beloved husband of his late wife Pat, much loved father of Ged and fatherin-law to Enid.

Funeral service on Friday October 25th at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 1.45pm.

All enquiries to the Funeral Director, Keith Lewis of Oliver Evans Funeralcare, 125 Priory Street, Carmarthen. Tel: 01267 236226 Mrs Jean Owens 1.9.44 - 1.10.19 Loving Mother of Rebecca, Mark and John, Wife of Brian, Sister of Patricia and Nana to Chloe, Pearce, Ali and Lawrence.

Died peacefully at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby, Wales. Mum was adored by the special needs children she helped in class in Surrey, England and later the elderly she

assisted in Dol-YFelin Care Home, St. Clears, Wales prior to her retirement.

The funeral Service will be held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on Friday 11th October at 1.00pm.

Thank you for all you gave and did. All my Love, Mark Further enquiries to Peter Evans Funeral Directors, L a u g h a r n e , Carmarthen.

Tel 01994 427 261 Mrs Dorothy Dot Evans Peacefully on Tuesday, October 8th at her home in Greenfield Place, Llandeilo, Dot. Beloved wife of the late Anthony, loving mother of Richard and Caroline, respected motherin-law of Carol and Robert, devoted grandmother of Robert and Clara, Jamie, Gareth and Dion, cherished great-grandmother of Xander, Nyla and Cato and a dear sister. Funeral on Wednesday, October 23rd, service for family

and friends at St. Teilo’s Church, Llandeilo at 1.15pm followed by cremation at Llanelli Crematorium at 3.00pm.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu, if so desired to Tenovus kindly received by Hywel Griffiths and Douglas Davies, Funeral Directors, Bwtrimawr, 39 Betws Road, Betws, Ammanford SA18 2HE. Mr Gerard Edward Dent Died very peacefully at home on 6th October 2019, aged 91.

Darling husband of Charlotte, father of Edward and Alexandra, stepfather of Rupert, Dominic, Justin and Ben Thomas and grandfather of 13. G’s Funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Pontargothi, Carmarthenshire, SA32 7PA at 2pm on Saturday 26th October 2019. A Memorial Service will also be held in London in the New Year. Family flowers

only - donations in lieu to www. mariecurie.org.uk Reverend Ceri John Davies Suddenly on the summit of Mount Snowdon on Friday 20th September aged 57 years. Beloved husband of Ruth, loving father of Anwen (AB.Davies), Menna, Rachel and Bethany, devoted and cherished son of Margaret and Gary, dear brother to Stephen, Lynwen, Diana, Lloyd and Rhian and sonin-law to Elinor.

Funeral service at St Matthew’s Church, Bryncoch, Neath, SA10 7AZ on Wednesday 9th October at 2.00pm followed by cremation at Swansea Crematorium at 3.30pm.

Family flowers only please.

Donations in lieu, if so desired, to Cartrefi Cymru c/o Les Davies Independent Funeral Directors, Main Road, Cadoxton, Neath, SA10 8AP. Tel 01639 642945.

Thomas Morgan Funeral Directors

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76

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

SITS VAC & PUBLIC NOTICES

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Situations Vacant | Public Notices Production Technicians Welsh Water Swansea Apply On Company Site Salary: Band 3 (21,693 - £24,647) What you will do Operating a Water Treatment Works and associated water pumping stations and being a key contact on site will be the main priority of your role.

You will control chemical and other stock levels and consumables by control and management of purchasing and will be key in inducting, supervising and managing outside contractors carrying out revenue and reactive capital maintenance breakdowns and projects.

What we offer We know that if our employees are happy, our customers are happy.

Thats why we offer a great benefits package. As one of the biggest companies in Wales, our reward and benefits package includes: Plan

Generous Pension

25 days annual leave plus public holidays Annual Colleague Reward Scheme Full Training Provided Interested?

Applications to be received by: 23:55 on 02 October 2019 Christmas Support Team Next PLC Haverfordwest Apply On Company Site About the Role You will: Be working on the sales floor, in the stockroom, or both Offer fast and friendly service to all of our customers Help get stock to the sales floor as quickly as you can Keep the sales floors looking fantastic and easy to shop from About You A great communicator who’s always looking for ways you can help Friendly, calm and efficient – even on your busiest days

Excited about the challenge of a varied and fast-paced job Flexible, supportive and always ready to go the extra mile Postman/Postwoman with Driving Royal Mail Group Tredegar Apply On Company Site Part time Delivery Postman / Postwoman with Driving Job reference: 109282 Location: Tredegar Delivery Office NP22 3XA Contract: Permanent Hours: 25:00 hours, between 09:30 and 14:30 , 5 days per week (Monday – Saturday) Hourly Rate: £10.46 Age 18+, £8.13 Age 17.

Royal Mail is one of the UK’s best-loved brands. Every day, we’re bringing letters and parcels to people around the country; something that communities across the UK rely on. We are 150,000 strong with 500 years of history, and we wear our badge with pride.

Now, we want you to wear it too.

About the role From scorching summer days to the depths of winter, our postmen and postwomen play a vital role, delivering the mail.

It’s a physically demanding job – but it’s one the nation relies on. Here, you will: Work part-time hours between the hours of 09:30 and 14:30 Cover periods of leave for a fixed number of routes (so you’ll need to be a bit flexible) Sort the mail for your route Check your vehicle and join a colleague for your round Spend between four and six hours delivering mail outdoors About you Upbeat and selfmotivated: You’ll be happy working solo as well as part of a team.

Love of the outdoors: From rural farms to city

apartments, corner shops to business parks, whatever the weather (and, this being Britain, it can get quite extreme) we’re there, six days a week. That means you’ll need to be happy being out and about.

Good level of fitness: There’s up to six hours per day of walking, so you should relish a role that keeps you fit.

Excellent organisation: You will need to be able to plan your round and make sure you complete all your deliveries in good time.

Resilience: You will be able to work under pressure and with the public, acting as a friendly face that people know and trust.

Flexibility: You will be working in different areas covering your colleagues’ holidays, so you might need to adjust your working hours to match your round.

Driving requirements

licence

A full UK manual driving licence (in your current UK address), with no more than six penalty points is essential, but a clean licence is preferred.

Please note you will be required to show this at assessment.

About us We’re more than a household name. Using technology and logistics, we’re delivering a ‘oneprice-goes-anywhere’, universal postal service to more than 29 million addresses across the UK – everything from birthday presents to exam results.

This means you’ll make a difference to people’s lives, every day.

Our postmen and postwomen are part of the community. We don’t just deliver post: we deliver a promise. No matter the location, we make it to that doorstep – and we make our customers smile.

It might seem like a little thing but, together, we have a big impact.

Royal Mail Group, delivered by people for people We’re also an inclusive employer with equality, diversity and

fairness at our heart. We welcome applications from individuals of all different backgrounds and are committed to promoting fair participation and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

Pay We offer an industryleading pay and benefits package Age 17 £8.13 + 6 months +12 months Age 18+ £10.46 £11.04 £11.62 You will be paid weekly, with pay increments after six months and twelve months, subject to satisfactory performance. We also offer a weekly supplement of £25.66 (pro-rata) plus overtime and shift allowance if applicable for Delivery work.

Benefits Holiday entitlement starts at 22.5 days on entry rising with length of service (pro-rata) Contributory Pension Scheme Excellent career development opportunities Full uniform provided Childcare voucher scheme where you can save tax and National Insurance by paying for your childcare by the Childcare Plus scheme, and an excellent maternity/ paternity leave policy Cycle2work scheme Many varied corporate discounts e.g. lifestyle discounts to include high street vouchers, travel & attraction discounts for family days out, fashion, gifts and health & wellbeing to include discount on beauty products and gym membership.

Flexible working is available where operational commitment allow and after completion of 26 weeks of employment.

Shift patterns Part time 25:00 hours per week Working between the hours of 09:30 and 14:30 Five days across Monday to Saturday One day off during the week (rotational day off)

What happens next?

After you apply, your application will be reviewed and, if you’re successful, you will be invited to a face-to-face interview.

We plan to hold interviews on 15/10/2019, therefore if you wish to apply please ensure you are available on this date.

For further information, please click here.

Intelligence Officer National Crime Agency Bridgend Apply On Company Site At the National Crime Agency (NCA), we bring justice to the criminals that pose the biggest threat to the UK. Working at the cutting-edge of law enforcement, we make a serious impact on serious crime, including human traffickers, firearms dealers and exploiters of children. And we need skilled, proven Intelligence Officers to develop our intelligence, research and analysis to new levels, helping us to build cases and bring criminals to justice. Join us, and you’ll get the powers, time and resources to see cases through as well as highprofile experience to add to your record. On top of this, you’ll get to work at the heart of law enforcement response and keep the UK and its people safe.

As an Intelligence Officer, you’ll carry out a wide range of work that helps tackle serious crime and supports our wider strategy. You’ll be involved in research and analysis, developing intelligence as well as delivering and disseminating intelligence to other areas of the NCA. You’ll also collaborate with external partners and other NCA teams on a variety of stimulating projects. On top of this, you’ll support our analytic teams with the tasking of Intelligence assets and collection of information.

This is a demanding and varied role that draws on numerous skills and experiences. As such, you should have experience in researching, gathering, evaluating and structuring

intelligence from a wide variety of sources You should also have a sound knowledge of Information management and relevant policies and legislation (e.g. CPIA, ECHR) i You should also hold Intelligence Professionalisation Program (IPP) accreditation or have gained equivalent experience within the last four years. .

Due to the nature of our work, you may also be expected to work directly or indirectly in tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse, which can involve exposure to child sexual abuse images and material, so please bear this in mind before deciding to apply.

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a truly successful career with us and the wider Civil Service. We’ll make sure you receive the right training, guidance and coaching as well as regular performance and development reviews.

What’s more, as a Civil Service employee, you’re also entitled to a large range of benefits, including generous annual leave, flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, volunteering days, childcare vouchers and other salary sacrifice options, and an employee discount scheme.

Job Type: Full-time Salary: £31,361.00 to £34,845.00 /year Meter Reader Swansea Welsh Water Swansea Apply On Company Site Are you able to provide an efficient, high quality service? Are you a self-motivated individual who likes working outside?

If so, we have a fantastic opportunity within our West Wales team.

There is a full time permanent role available in Swansea. You must be within a 5 mile radius of the Swansea area.

Hours of work are

flexible between 6am 8pm Monday to Sunday but minimum of 4 hours per day Monday - Friday.

Salary: £18,433 plus generous range of benefits.

About the job Our Meter Readers provide a critical service to our customers, visiting their properties to read and record water usage, whether they be in a residential area, industrial estates or rural agricultural sites.

You will be provided with a company vehicle and all equipment required for this role, alongside full training and development in position. Your health & wellbeing is important to us so you will be provided with a full suite of health & safety training and tools to assist you whilst you work.

It is important that we make a good first impression and deliver an efficient, high quality service to every customer we speak to. This role is key to ensuring this happens by excellent communication skills and being confident and courteous while speaking to our customers. You will be provided with weekly workloads which you must self-manage to ensure you achieve your targets.

The ability to work under pressure and in an ever changing environment are important whilst recording accurate meter readings.

A driving licence, home telephone line and broadband connection are all essential for this role.

What’s in it for you?

We know that if our employees are happy, our customers are happy.

Thats why we offer a great benefits package. As one of the biggest companies in Wales, our reward and benefits package includes: Plan

Generous Pension

Company Van 24 days annual leave plus public holidays Colleague Reward Scheme (Bonus) Full Training Provided Discounts at over 800 high street and online

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THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019 Like us on Facebook facebook.com/TheCarmarthenshireHerald

Situations Vacant | Public Notices retailers plus many more.

So why wait?

All candidates must complete an application form in order to be considered for the role All applications to be received by 23:55 on 15 September 2019.

Data Cleanse Coordinators x2 (FTC, 6 Months) Welsh Water Caerphilly Apply On Company Site Data Cleanse Coordinators x2 (6 Months FTC) Salary: Up to £27,114 Summary: Do you want to work as part of a fast paced, dynamic project team? Do you have an interest in IT projects and an incredible attention to detail? This is a great opportunity to get involved with and learn about our SAP system, Microsoft Active Directory and Office 365 solutions and new HR processes to name just a few!

This role provides the right person with a fantastic platform to help make significant improvements to some of Welsh Waters newest core systems and processes.

What we offer Opportunity to work with some of DCWWs newest, industry-leading IT solutions Great learning and development potential, working alongside specialists from multiple internal and external teams Supporting a business of 3,500 employees across Wales and its borders What youll do This role is all about ensuring we have accurate and up to date data held in our core systems, including Microsoft Active Directory and SAP. You will be responsible for assisting our project teams in ensuring data is accurate and fit for purpose.

The Data Cleanse Officer role has been established to support the

data cleanse requirements of three key projects. As such you will be required to handle competing priorities, respond to changing demands and apply problem solving skills.

If you understand our business, have great customer service skills, have an eye for detail and data accuracy and are interested in working on a project where you can develop your experience and skills then we would love to hear from you.

Our team: We currently have a number of exciting projects across the business aimed at improving systems and information gathering.

Along with several further support functions, our team puts customers at the heart of everything we do and ensures that our processes are improved and efficient.

We therefore assist Welsh Water colleagues in delivering a smooth service to our external customers.

Questions Do you have any specific questions about the role? The recruitment team can be contacted by emailing To learn more about Welsh Water, please visit our corporate website www.dwrcymru.com.

Applications to be received by: 23:55 on 19th September 2019 Agencies not required.

Safeguarding Administrative Support Officer Hywel Dda University Health Board Haverfordwest Apply On Company Site

phone, taking messages, managing an outlook diary for the team, creating meeting agendas, taking minutes at meetings and typing them up, formatting documents, recording interviews and transcribing into Word to support on-going Safeguarding investigations, update the Safeguarding intranet page and working within the framework of Data Protection and information management as highlighted in Health Board policies.

The successful applicant must be competent in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel in addition to being experienced with a variety of databases. There will be a requirement to input data into databases as well as extract information from relevant databases to export into appropriate tables and reports.

There will also be a requirement to make full use of electronic communication, computers and databases to support the effective delivery of the role and to utilise the internet and library facilities as required to search for information related to the job.

The post holder will also take an active role in areas of clinical audit, research and clinical governance in all aspects of safeguarding across Hywel Dda University Health Board Health. This will include aiding the design and completion of audit, participating in data collection, and contributing to the development of evidenced based protocols.

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to provide comprehensive and confidential administrative support.

Potential applicants should be aware that the role involves dealing with emotive information and as such, applicants are encouraged to discuss the role with the Lead Adult Safeguarding Practitioner prior to application.

Whilst the Safeguarding Team is a supportive working environment the successful applicant should be mindful that a level of resilience would be a necessary requirement of the post.

Duties will include: Sending documentation to the relevant agencies, filing, answering the

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Band 3 Administrator to join our expanding Safeguarding Team at 37.5 hours per week.

welcome to apply.

Interviews for this post will be held on 21st October2019.

Dominos Instore Team Member Dominos Pizza Cross Hands Apply with Indeed Looking to hire instore team members for our Cross Hands store!

Pay Earn up To £8.21 an hour Benefits Flexible Working Hours Free Pizza* Pension Scheme Rewards & Incentives Free Uniform 5.6 Weeks Holidays Career Progression Opportunities Job Summary In Store Team Member At Domino’s Pizza we’re looking for people with lots of energy and get up and go, a positive attitude and a willingness to succeed.

Have you got the right ingredients?

Experience isn’t necessary as we’ll provide you with a full induction and training programme.

All roles will include working shifts during evenings & weekends over a 7 day period. Previous food handling experience would be beneficial.

If you can sell pizza and have more fun and are passionate about customer service simply apply now and tell us more about you!

Job Roles Answering Phones/ Taking Customer Orders Making/Topping Pizzas Loading Side Orders Oven Tending/ Cutting Pizzas Food Preparation Maintaining Strict Food Hygiene Standards at all times Adhering to Uniform & Grooming Standards Looking for Immediate Start Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Salary: £8.21 /hour Experience: Food Handling: 1 year (Preferred) Customer Service: 1 year (Preferred) Location: Cross Hands (Preferred)

christmas temp Carmarthen The Body Shop International Limited Carmarthen Apply On Company Site The Body Shop When Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976, she had a vision.

Business as a force for good – that’s us. Over 40 years later, we’re proud to be pioneering cruelty-free beauty every step of the way. We’re the original ethical beauty brand. We’ve got a thing for empowering people and enriching our planet. We’re all about keeping it real, in every way possible. Our activist roots remain a huge part of everything we do, from our iconic window posters to our vegetarian products to our infamous campaigns.

We’re never afraid to stand up and speak the truth. We like to do things a little differently around here.

The Body Shop, along with Aesop and Natura, is part of Natura & Co, a global, multi-channel and multi-brand cosmetics group that is committed to generating positive economic, social and environmental impact.

Group owner Natura

is Brazil’s number one cosmetics manufacturer.

Sustainable development has been the company’s guiding principle since it was founded in 1969. In fact, this is an incredibly exciting time for The Body Shop. We’re fighting for what we believe in now more than ever. No holding back. Breaking the mould has always come naturally to us, and we need someone who’s not afraid to mix things up. Your role in a nutshell To support the store management team in driving sales and profit within the store through the delivery of exceptional customer service on the shop floor at all times. To demonstrate and uphold the values and vision of the company whilst ensuring adherence to company procedures & policies.

More about the role With over 2,000 exciting products designed to suit every customer’s preference, there’s a lot to choose from, so our team are on-hand to talk with customers every day.

We take the time to learn our customer’s needs and recommend fantastic products that make them feel so good. We offer

products that are packed with natural ingredients, many of which have been sourced ethically using Community Trade programmes - so when we advise a customer on their skincare regime, we’re not just selling them an ideal, we’re actually helping communities build a better life too.

As part of our dedicated team of Consultants you will offer expert advice to our customers and provide an inspirational insight into The Body Shop products and philosophy.

You will get to learn the products, their origins and proactively engage with customers to experience a range that suits their preferences and lifestyle.

What we look for Strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with customers - customer service experience is ideal Ability to communicate and listen effectively A genuine passion for beauty and the retail industry Open availability for evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Talent Drivers Collaborative Skills Personal Conduct Commerciality Purpose

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Llanstinan Boarding Kennels - Dog Kennels and Luxury Cat Hotel in Pembrokeshire Located in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside, Llanstinan Kennels provides the perfect environment for your "best friend" to enjoy a home from home in our dog kennels and luxury cat hotel.

Barnlake House, Burton, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, SA73 1PA Telephone: 01646 600420

Boarding Kennel and Cattery Dog Training and Behaviour What do you want for your dog or cat when you choose a Boarding Kennels? You want to know that he will be safe. That he will be as happy as he can be away from home, and that his health will be supervised. And that the people who look after him have experience, a love of animals and a responsible attitude.

That is why much thought and planning has gone into providing trouble-free accommodation for your dogs and cats at Barnlake.

At any time during opening hours you are welcome to visit, meet the staff and see the kennels, while you discuss your pet's needs. No appointment necessary.

Open Monday – Saturday 10 am –6.00pm Sundays and B Hols 10.00 am – 1.00pm 5.00 pm7.00 pm

Successful dog training depends on both the dog and the handler – but the role of the Handler is vital! That is why here at Barnlake we aim to help you to train your dog. But why bother with dog training anyway? What will you and your dog get out of this effort?

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. He can be taken anywhere, he’s relaxed and confident, and is allowed more freedom and privileges than his wild and undisciplined cousin.

Sometimes problems develop in your dog's life.

Professional advice can help to avoid a lot of heartache later, particularly if taken early!

Group courses, Puppy Playschool or Problem modification – whatever is needed, we are here to help.

THE HERALD FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 2019

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rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby • rugby

Scarlets hit heights to go top

Guinness Pro 14

Scarlets Zebre

54 10

S C A R L E T S soared to the top of the Guinness PRO14 Conference standings after an emphatic 54-10 eight-try victory over Zebre at Parc y Scarlets.

The home side dominated the contest from first to last to make it three wins from the opening three rounds of the competition.

Playing with a real adventure and ambition, the Scarlets had the bonus point secured before the half-hour mark.

Man of the match Kieran Hardy grabbed two of them, while Josh Macleod and Ryan Conbeer also crossed.

In the second period, hooker Taylor Davies, full-back Johnny McNicholl (twice) and replacement Josh Helps added to Zebre’s misery to continue the impressive start for Brad Mooar and his coaching team.

Scarlets shot out of the blocks and were over for the game’s first try with just 90 seconds on the clock.

International wing Steff Evans made the incision in midfield and he

found Hardy on a familiar support line on his inside with the scrum-half having far too much pace for the covering defence.

Dan Jones converted and the Scarlets were off to a flyer.

A chip and chase from Evans almost brought another, but it wasn’t long before the home side were celebrating their second after openside Josh Macleod touched down from a slick catch-anddrive move.

Zebre hit back with a penalty through fly-half Michaelangelo Biondelli, but the Scarlets’ response was swift.

Uzair Cassiem punched the hole, Steff Hughes put a delicate kick through and Ryan Conbeer was first to the ball for the score.

With the penalties racking up against the Scarlets, Zebre claimed their first try from hooker Marco Manfredi, converted by Biondelli, but on 29 minutes the home side had their bonus point in the bag.

Conbeer made the break after collecting a cross-kick, Paul Asquith took play on and his inside pass found that man Hardy for his second.

Leading 26-10 at halftime, Scarlets enjoyed another rapid start to

the second period as the outstanding Taylor Davies finished off a lineout drive to celebrate his first PRO14 start.

A deft chip from Hughes set up McNicholl for try number six with replacement Angus O’Brien adding the extras.

Lewis Rawlins was shown yellow midway through the half, but Scarlets’ 14 men continued to press.

Dan Davis spilled the ball over the line after a charge down by fellow sub Jonathan Evans, but moments later replacement lock Josh Helps was on hand to dive over for his first try for the Scarlets. O’Brien converted again.

There was still time for a spectacular finish - McNicholl plucking the ball out of the skies to cross for his second to complete a comprehensive win.

Scarlets tries: K. Hardy (2), J. Macleod, R. Conbeer, T. Davies, J. McNIcholl (2), J. Helps.

Cons: D. Jones (4), A. O’Brien (3) Zebre try M. Manfredi.

Con: M. Biondellii.

Pen: Biondelli

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Welsh and Scottish teams renew rivalries

SOME famous names of Welsh and Scottish rugby will renew old friendships and rivalries in cross-border matches between Indigo Group Premiership sides and Scottish Super6 teams at the end of the season.

The top six sides from last season’s Premiership will play all six new Scottish Super6 teams on a home or away basis.

Watsonians, Heriot’s, Stirling County and Boroughmuir will be well-known names to Welsh supporters and are included in Scottish Rugby’s new semiprofessional competition, while Melrose and Ayr have rebranded and will play as Southern Knights and Ayrshire Bulls respectively.

Following the conclusion of the Indigo Group Premiership and inaugural Fosroc Super6

in Scotland, the new crossborder competition will take place on consecutive weekends from April through to May, with each team hosting three games on home turf and all sides playing each other once.

Ebbw Vale, Pontypridd and Aberavon begin at home to Southern Knights, Ayrshire Bulls and Stirling County respectively on the weekend of April 25, while Cardiff, Llandovery and Merthyr travel to Watsonians, Heriots and Boroughmuir Bears.

Jonathan Jones, chair of Ebbw Vale and the Premiership clubs said, “We’re excited about this opportunity of crossborder competition against these Scottish teams. It is a welcome new addition to our season for everyone involved. As a club, we have an old friendship with Watsonians which we are looking forward to

renewing – the supporters are already looking at which match – or matches – they can organise trips too!”

Jason Hyatt, Aberavon head coach said, “We worked hard at the end of last season to finish in the top six and secure our spot for this competition. t’s always good to expose our players and everyone involved in different opposition. We enjoyed the British & Irish Cup and we are delighted to be part of the Super6 for the same reasons.

We have a competitive squad and while we will be aiming for success on all fronts this season, these matches will bring a welcome freshness at the end of the season.”

Justin Burnell, Pontypridd head coach added, “This is an exciting, extra dimension to the season for players,

supporters and coaches too. It’s a great reward for the top six clubs from last season’s Premiership and hopefully, the competition will stay and expand in the future.”

On the announcement, Fosroc Super6 Tournament Director Stephen Gemmell said, “We’re delighted to be able to announce these fixtures alongside the WRU. The tournament will provide our six teams with quality opposition against their experienced Welsh counterparts and will make for some intense, physical and, I am sure, entertaining rugby.

Our clubs have enjoyed similar cross border matches in the old B&I Cup and these new fixtures are a great addition to our Super6 calendar and will provide a significant challenge for the players and coaches of all of our teams.”

Llandovery: Taking on teams from Scotland in 2020 [Photo credit: Darren Harries]

Cross-border fixtures 2020 Week 1 - April 25 Watsonians Rugby v Cardiff Heriots Rugby v Llandovery Boroughmuir Bears v Merthyr Ebbw Vale v Southern Knights Pontypridd v Ayrshire Bulls Aberavon v Stirling County

Week 4 - May 16 Southern Knights v Aberavon Boroughmuir Bears v Pontypridd Stirling County v Llandovery Cardiff v Ayrshire Bulls Merthyr v Watsonians Rugby Ebbw Vale v Heriots Rugby

Week 2 - May 2 Watsonians Rugby v Ebbw Vale Heriots Rugby v Aberavon Ayrshire Bulls v Llandovery Cardiff v Boroughmuir Bears Pontypridd v Stirling County Merthyr v Southern Knights

Week 5 - May 23 Southern Knights v Cardiff Ayrshire Bulls v Merthyr Stirling County v Ebbw Vale Aberavon v Watsonians Rugby Pontypridd v Heriots Rugby Llandovery v Boroughmuir Bears

Week 3 - May 9 Watsonians Rugby v Pontypridd Heriots Rugby v Cardiff Stirling County v Merthyr Ebbw Vale v Ayrshire Bulls Llandovery v Southern Knights Aberavon v Boroughmuir Bears

Week 6 - May 30 Southern Knights v Pontypridd Boroughmuir Bears v Ebbw Vale Ayrshire Bulls v Aberavon Llandovery v Watsonians Rugby Merthyr v Heriots Rugby Cardiff v Stirling County

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Llanelli & District Snooker League Roundup

Snooker League: Several teams notched first wins Snooker World has made an excellent start in the Llanelli Snooker First Division, earning their third straight win, 6-1 against previouslyunbeaten Matchroom Whites, thanks to Chris Waters, Anthony Krysa, Jamie Gimblett, Andrew Whitfield and John Meadows; only Neil Davies saved the Whites the “whitewash”.

Several teams notched their first wins, among them Llanelli Cons A, for whom Dean Bowen, Gavin Quinnell and Mike Rees struck in a 4-3 victory over Matchroom Reds; Jamie Clark, Frank Ellis and Justin Thomas replied.

A maiden win also for Reading Room Blues, 5-2 against Cross Hands B, courtesy of Colin Foreman, James Ellis, Leighton Jones and Chris Howells; Adrian Phillips and Alex Dickie won for the latter. Ponthenri Social A notched their first win, a 5-2 success against Upper Tumble Blues, where Jeff Howells, Craig Howells, Nigel Lewis and Robert Regola were on top; Carwyn Que and James Bradley hit back for the Tumble side.

A first defeat for Pontarddulais Workmens’, Adam Griffiths, Kevin Sullivan and Steve Dunn frame-winners in a narrow 4-3 loss at Trimsaran A, for whom Alan Emmanuel,

Kieran Proctor and Mark Foreman were earning a first win.

Rich Nurse was Burry Port Legion’s solitary frame-winner in a 6-1 defeat at the hands of Pontyberem Workmens’; Kevin Selwood, Karl Goble, Emyr Bowen, Craig Rees and Kieren Evans all won for the visitors.

Elsewhere, Rob Hughes, Andrew Hatto and Barry Follows gave Morfa an aggregate 4-3 victory against Llandybie Social; Wyn Major, Huw Morgan and Tim Walters won for the visitors.

DIVISION 2 In Division 2, with both sides looking for their first win, Upper Tumble Reds broke their duck with a 6-1 success against Ponthenri B, courtesy of Nigel Beynon, Alan Griffiths, Martin Davies, Noland Allinson and Shane Evans; only Jaydon Gibbons’ frame stopped the rot.

Two unbeaten sides clashed at CGMD, where the home side overcame visiting Tycroes RFC B 5-2, thanks to Wyn Llewelyn, James Varney, Brian Chapel and Lyn Hopkin; Paul Garritty and Mike Davies won for the RFC. A first win for Gorseinon Workmens’ B, 5-2 against previouslyunbeaten Llandybie RFC, Jonny Wilcox, Martyn

Tucker, Paul Jones and Lee Burder winning; M. Hughes and Liam McGhee won for Llan. Alan Owen provided Snooker World B’s only point in a 6-1 reversal at Matchroom Blacks, whose winners were Nathan Brain, Shane Williams, Marley Davies, Thomas Williams and Matthew Daniel.

Eric Stevens, Jeff Howells and Scott Bundfuss edged a 4-3 win for Cross Hands A against Reading Room Reds; Tony Rawlings, Chistian Evans and Steve Gower won for the Burry Port cue men.

Luke Williams and Jason Frater were on song as Bryn B suffered a first defeat, 5-2 at Pont Cons; Geraint Thomas, Tony Shadrach, Dave Gabe and Jimmy Hughes won for Bont.

A first loss for Llanelli Cons B, well-beaten 7-0 at Bryn A, for whom Steve Holmes, Dennis Davies, Chris Scott, Clive Richards, Josh Townsend and Craig Knowles completed the rout.

Meanwhile, Llandybie Social B turned around a 3-0 deficit to earn a first win, 4-3 against previously-unbeaten New Lodge B, thanks to Peter Watkins, Brian Jenn and captain Howard Wood; Leighton Cole, George Langford and James Thomason hit back for the latter.

Cracking cross country

Ready to go: Students line up at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf THE FIRST of four Brianne Secondary Schools Cross Country League fixtures headed down the A40 to Ysgol Dyffryn Taf Comprehensive School in Whitland.

It’s become a popular grassroots event for secondary schools in the Carmarthenshire area having been organised for several years.

The races are open to those in years 7, 8, 9 and 10. More than 250 pupils participated in the 2019/2020 series opener.

This was the first opportunity for those stepping up to secondary school level in year 7 to take part in the league.

The seven schools in the Brianne area Ysgol Dyffryn Aman - Ammanford; Ysgol

Maes Y Gwendraeth Cefneithin; Ysgol Bro Dinefwr - Llandeilo; Ysgol Bro Myrddin - Carmarthen; Queen Elizabeth School Carmarthen; Ysgol Dyffryn Taf - Whitland and Llandovery College Llandovery sent teams to Whitland with the hosts winning the opening match by 4 points.

Year 7 Girls - 1 Mared Jones (Bro Myrddin), 2 Nieve Taylor (Dyffryn Taf), 3 Daisy Webb Asher (Bro Dinefwr), 4 Melody Devereaux (Dyffryn Aman), 5 Leah Jones (Dyffryn Aman) Year 7 Boys - 1 Macsen Toogood (Bro Dinefwr), 2 Alex Coles (Bro Dinefwr), 3 Ellis Burrows (Bro Dinefwr), 4 James Sloyan (QE High), 5 Liam Upton-Boorman

(QE High) Year 8 Girls - 1 Erin Fflur Morgan (Bro Myrddin), 2 Ellie Fuller (Dyffryn Taf), 3 Nel Davies (Maes Y Gwendraeth), 4 Mali Garland (Maes Y Gwendraeth), 5 Mari Collier (Maes Y Gwendraeth) Year 8 Boys - 1 Ifan Bowen (Bro Myrddin), 2 Harry Billingham (Dyffryn Taf), 3 Jake Lynock (Bro Dinefwr), 4 Rory Gravelle (QE High), 5 Jac Jones (Maes Y Gwendraeth) Year 9 & 10 Girls - 1 Amy Greatrick (Dyffryn Aman), 2 Jasmine Jones (Llandovery College), 3 Awen Roberts (Maes Y Gwendraeth), 4 Emma Ferns (Dyffryn Aman), 5 Millie Patterson (Bro Myrddin) Year 9 & 10 Boys

- 1 Frank Morgan (Bro Myrddin), 2 Morgan Lloyd (Bro Myrddin), 3 Ioan Cressey-Rodgers (Bro Myrddin), 4 Zach Elvy (Bro Myrddin), 5 Scott Price (Maes Y Gwendraeth) Looking ahead to the second league fixture, it will be held at Ysgol Bro Myrddin’s sports field on Tuesday, October 22, starting at 1 pm.

Llandeilo and Ammanford Recreation Ground will host rounds 3 and 4 in November and at the beginning of the New Year.

Pembrokeshire is the other county in Dyfed to put on these league races at this time of year and matches will be in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven over the coming weeks.

Llanybydder dig deep for Haverfordwest win WRU Bowl - Round 2

LLanybydder Haverfordwest

25 24

LLANYBYDDER welcomed in-form Haverfordwest to Parc OJ, and it was the home side who eventually gained victory to progress to the next round.

Fly-half Llyr Tobias scored 2 early penalties for Llanybydder, but it was the visitors who dominated territory and possession during the first half.

Some fine interplay by the backs led to an excellent score for fullback Rhys Baker.

The Haverfordwest forwards were strong in the set-piece, and a series of close-range scrums led to a pushover try for No 8 Ashley George, while shortly

afterwards the visitors were awarded a penalty try after some further strong scrummaging.

LLanybydder responded with a try for young lock Josh Jones, which was converted by Tobias to give a half-time score of 17 – 13 to the visitors.

A further try early in the second period for Rhys Baker, converted by Mikey Jones led to a 24 – 13 comfortable lead for the visitors.

Strong defence by both teams prevented further scores until the clock ticked towards injury time.

The match appeared to be ended as a contest, but a huge late effort by the home side ensured a dramatic finale.

The ball was kept alive for several phases, eventually leading to a fine

try for No 8 and skipper Ricky Davies to bring the score to 18 - 24.

LLanybydder attacked from the kick-off, keeping the ball alive. It was skipper Davies who broke several tackles to cross under the posts for his

second crucial score.

The conversion by Tobias ensured a 25 – 24 morale-boosting victory for the home side.

Next week, Llanybydder entertain Cardigan in Division 3 West A

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Football • football • football • Football • football • football • Football • football • football • FOOTBALL

Old Gold slip to defeat Cymru Premier League

Bala Town 2 Carmarthen Town 1 CARMARTHEN, as so often in this Cymru Premier League season, produced another very competitive performance against a strong top-six club but slipped to a narrow defeat due to their failure to capitalise on several decent scoring chances.

Bala began well and progressively dominated play, monopolising possession and launching a series of attacks that kept the Old Gold largely pinned back inside their own half.

Carmarthen’s backline, well-marshalled by Lee Surman and Dave Vincent, soaked up the pressure with valuable support from combative midfielders Greg Walters

and Ceri Morgan. As a result, Old Gold ‘keeper Lee Idzi was untested in early exchanges.

All that changed in the 13th minute when the Lakesiders took the lead.

Impressive approach play from Sean Smith, who received the ball from Kieran Smith just inside the penalty area effortlessly swerved past Vincent and Morgan before sending the ball to Louis Robles. Robles struck a crisp shot from 15 yards out which defeated Idzi and opened the scoring.

Stung, Town began to press forward, seeking to exploit the pace and mobility of strikers Luke Bowen and Josh Bull.

On 26 minutes they levelled the scores when a fine pass from Chris Jones reached Bull near the corner flag. Bull’s nimble footwork bewildered defender Smith. He then sprinted into the penalty before dispatching a

rasping angled drive that flew past ‘keeper Ashley Morris and into the far corner of the net.

The Old Gold continued to probe but apart from having to make a couple of routine saves Morris was never put under serious pressure.

The balance of the match once more turned in the Lakesiders’ favour in the 37th minute. Smith moved towards the halfway line, played the ball forward to Robles on the edge of the penalty area.

Robles’ cross headed towards the danger zone and experienced striker Chris Venables volleyed home unchallenged.

After the interval, Carmarthen had an early chance to score when Surman launched a huge free-kick into a packed penalty area only for a home defender to slice an attempted clearance just wide of the post.

Chris Jones fired the resultant corner-kick deep

across the Lakesiders’ goalmouth, where Surman directed his close-range header narrowly over the bar.

The end-to-end pattern of play continued when, after 65 minutes, Robles sent a ball forward to Henry Jones on the edge of the penalty area but his smart strike similarly flew too high.

On 74 minutes, Morgan directed a long free-kick towards the penalty area where Bull neatly played the ball across to Bowen. His smart volley slid just wide of the near post.

Bala soon responded when in the 79th minute Henry Jones’ cornerkick into the packed goalmouth was met by Venables who produced a subtle glancing header that Idzi, diving quickly down, claimed on the goal-line.

After 84 minutes, Town’s experienced ‘keeper was called-on

Back of the net: Bala celebrate

twice in quick succession as the hosts searched for a third, decisive score.

First, Robles burst into the penalty area and struck a close-range shot that Idzi spectacularly turned around the post with an excellent reflex save. Moments later, Henry Jones sent another cross into the penalty area. Robles’ header sped goal-ward. Idzi again demonstrated impressive reactions, tipped the ball over the bar.

The Old Gold were equally anxious to score

the goal which would earn them a point.

On 88 minutes, Walters’ long free-kick found Chris Jones on the far side of the penalty area. Jones lifted the ball back beyond the goalmouth only for Jordan Vickers to volley his strike over the bar.

As the match headed into added time, Town threatened again. Knott propelled a huge throw-in towards the home penalty area. The ball reached Morgan who struck a fierce angled volley.

Morris reacted sharply to smother the ball and retain possession.

The result lifted Bala into third place in the CPL table. Carmarthen remain firmly rooted at the bottom.

There were only small margins between these teams on the field, but huge consequences off it.

Town’s next fixture is against Aberystwyth on Friday, October 18, (k/o 8.00 pm) at Richmond Park.

The match will be live on Sgorio S4C.

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Ammanford Reserves keep scoring

Torrential rain: But Ammanford stay on hot streak As the half progressed Carmarthenshire without a score, it League Division would have been easy One for Ammanford to get and lose Ammanford AFC frustrated Reserves 8 their shape. However, Johnstown FC 0 Ammanford continued to press and, with half-time in sight, Grant Stamp broke AMMANFORD AFC free and slotted the opener Reserves continued their into the Johnstown net.

The goal energised winning run and freescoring ways against Ammanford and, shortly afterwards, Nathan Jones Johnstown FC. The home team’s doubled their lead with a dominance was such that powerfully driven shot into much of the game was the back of the visitors’ played in the visitors’ half, goal, Two-nil up at the half even when conditions deteriorated as the game meant that Ammanford manager Christian Lloyd’s went on.

From the start, team talk was less tense Ammanford’s Nathan than it might have been.

Jones and Centre back However, the manager Ryan Foschi had complete wanted his team to up control of possession at the tempo and take the the back and were able to opportunities created by support their front runners. their play, having missed Chance after chance out on converting them in was created by the the first half.

The second half got Ammanford midfield and underway and followed attack.

Ammanford winger the pattern of the first. were Bruno Forkouh saw plenty Ammanford of the ball and weaved completely dominant and his way in out of the pressed hard for goals.

As the half progressed, Johnstown defence but could just not find that final conditions became trickier as torrential rain swept the goal touch.

A m m a n f o r d ’ s Rec as the afternoon went midfielder Alexander on.

Ammanford’s Arnold regularly found space inside the visitors’ Alexander Arnold finally penalty area but, again, he got the breakthrough to could not find that finishing make it three-nil. And three soon became four after touch.

Johnstown’s goalie he added another shortly also played his part, afterwards.

As conditions frustrating the free-scoring and home team as he showed deteriorated his agility in making some Ammanford kept pressing, the question was only how fine stops.

many Ammanford would score before the game’s end.

Johnstown’s miserable afternoon in miserable conditions in a game long gone from any hope of retrieval, got worse when they conceded an own goal.

Ammanford’s Bruno Forkouh’s then turned the screw. Having been wasteful in the first half, he opened his goal account when a close-range shot squeezed into the visitors’ net to make it 5-0 to Ammanford. A second

goal followed when he got his head to a cross and headed powerfully into the roof of the Johnstown goal.

Bruno rounded his afternoon off by converting from the penalty spot before the full-time whistle blew.

While Ammanford won convincingly, it could have been by a lot more if the team converted the many chances they created.

For Johnstown, beaten by eight looks bad, but they stuck to it with a plucky performance in difficult weather conditions.

Ryan Foschi: Ammanford’s number 4 put in commanding performance

Ammanford’s Nathan Jones: Exercised a controlling influence on the game

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Football • football • football • Football • football • football • Football • football • football • FOOTBALL

Ammanford continue winning streak

Celebrating victory: Ammanford’s fans greet the final whistle AMMANFORD AFC arrived at Stebonheath the home of The Reds chasing a seventh consecutive victory.

And there was no luck about win number seven as Ammanford turned in one of their best performances to date.

In front of a large crowd, swollen by the presence of Ammanford’s travelling support, the Black and Whites turned in a complete performance.

The game couldn’t have started better for the visitors. After two minutes’ play the visitors’ strikers Lee Trundle and Craig Frater combined.

Frater’s powerful strike was parried by Reds’ goalie Scott Coughlan only for the rebound to fall into the path of Ammanford’s Gavin Jones, who stroked the ball into the back of the Reds net Llanelli was stunned by the opening but responded well and passed the ball neatly through the midfield and out to the flanks on both sides of the pitch probing the Ammanford defence.

Ammanford was prepared to let Llanelli play out from the back

in their half and entice them into the heart of the Ammanford midfield where the combative Dale Jones and Mathew Fisher were waiting to try and break up the Llanelli attacks.

Llanelli was restricted to some long-range shooting efforts most of which were well off target.

The Reds did, however, manage a few fierce shots on target, forcing Ammanford keeper, Craig Morris, into some fine saves.

Llanelli midfielder Liam Samuel was trying hard to find ways to thread the ball through the Ammanford lines but Ammanford’s centre backs Nick Arnold and Euros Griffiths supported admirably by full-backs Mathew Jones and Richie Lewis, were in no mood to allow the home team to break their lines.

Ammanford held the lead into the break and must have been pleased with their first-half defensive play.

The second half saw Ammanford continue to soak up the Reds’ pressure and start to mount some menacing counter-attacks

of their own.

It was such an attack which forced an error from the Llanelli defence. Under pressure, the ball landed at the feet of Ammanford’s Lee Trundle. The former Reds player coolly took the opportunity and skilfully placed his low shot into the Llanelli net, doubling Ammanford’s lead.

Minutes later, Llanelli won a free kick on the edge of the Ammanford penalty area. The resulting freekick struck the inside of the goal post and rebounded across the Ammanford goal line into the opposite side of the net.

With the score at 2-1, Ammanford brought on their substitutes. The most influential of these was Tristan Jenkins, a young pacey striker. His impact was almost immediate, as he gave the Reds defence a glimpse of what he could do but he pulled his cross wide of the goal.

The Black and White army didn’t have to wait much longer. Shortly after missing with his first effort, Jenkins broke away, beat the home defence with ease, and struck the ball into the back of the net to give Ammanford a

two-goal cushion.

The Ammanford performance was rounded off in style when Jenkins was played in on goal again and rounded the Reds Goalkeeper to fire the ball into the net and seal a 4-1 victory.

As the final whistle blew for full time, it was Ammanford who were celebrating an emphatic away win with their travelling Black and White army support.

Ammanford AFC’s Gavin Jones: Opened the scoring

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Football • football • football • Football •

Dafen delight That’s in!: Dafen strike on way to 4-2 win DAFEN booked their shot into the back of the net place in the second round from the edge of the box. of the West Wales Cup on Evans was at it again Saturday (Oct 12) as they moments later as he was beat Pennar Robins 4-2. played through before Dafen could have shooting over the Pennar taken an early lead when keeper to make it 2-0. they were awarded a Pennar were not out of penalty five minutes in. the game and they pulled a However, Pennar’s keeper goal back when they stole made an excellent save to the ball in the box and keep the scores level. turned and curled the ball The Carmarthenshire into the top right corner of league side then hit the bar the net. before taking the lead.

Just moments later Lenny Evans turned though Dafen restored the defender and fired a their two-goal lead when

Jordan Williams was played in and he fired into the bottom right corner.

Pennar missed a good chance to get another goal back, but it was 3-1 before half time.

After the break, Dafen’s Rhys Winnett turned neatly inside the box and fired into the far corner to all but put the game to bed.

Pennar did pull another goal back in the second half but there was no comeback as Dafen saw the game out.

Ammanford hit Pwll for six

Harri Jones: A dominant display in midfield Ammanford U16 Pwll U16s

6 1

FOR the third week in a row, Ammanford’sU16s played at Rice Road hosting league opposition Pwll U16s.

Unbeaten Ammanford turned up to the game with a real hunger to keep their run going and, with a few changes, players wanted to impress.

From the whistle, Ammanford looked comfortable on the ball with the midfield of Celt Williams and Harri Jones dominating.

Cian Williams and Osian Davies were once again impressive down the wings with the two

frontmen of Regan Williams and Scott Pugh always looking to pounce.

The hosts threatened immediately with the post coming into defence and the visitors’ keeper was on fire. W Chance after chance was blocked before the breakthrough came with a neat assist from Thomas which found the flying wing defence of Kellen Edwards. Edwards tucked his chance away with a smile.

Ammanford continued to attack with some terrific football but it was only 1 nil at the break.

With not a lot to do in the first half, Keeper Kieran Brook and his

defence wall of Logan Davies, Jac Chapman and Tyler Davison encouraged the boys to continue in the same way as the first half and indeed they did.

The players were rotated well throughout the game with Ethan Morgan, Gwilym Smith and Callum Thomas all playing a huge part.

Constant attacks saw Osian Davies get his hat trick with another from Celt Williams and one from Cian Williams.

Once again this was a very impressive performance with some great passing and teamwork that has seen the young Ammanford go 3 points clear at the top of the table.

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