The Llanelli Herald - Issue 236 - Friday 13th September by Herald Newspapers

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Friday SEPTEMBER 6th 2019 • Issue 234 • Your award winning local newspaper • £1

The Llanelli

Blogger raises questions about Pembrey & Burry Port events • p3

sex plot paedophile imprisoned - p5

flytipper fined - p6

guide dogs lead mp on walk - p4

‘NO, DON’T STOP THE CARNIVAL’ Council unanimously supports schools’ mining commemoration • p12

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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Carnival Committee silent on blog claims MEMBERS of Burry Port Carnival Committee are staying tight-lipped following an article on a controversial blog which carries allegations about their conduct. A post on the Jac o’ the North blog alleges – at least – sharp practice in the Committee’s operations The blog, never shy of controversy, lists fifteen separate numbered points concerning the organisers of Burry Port’s popular carnival, who also organise a string of other events in the town. The Carnival is the centrepiece of the summer in Pembrey & Burry Port. The issues raised in the blog post clearly originate from someone within the Pembrey and Burry Port community with an axe or axes to grind with members of the committee. While the post provides only initials of persons it claims are involved in the alleged mismanagement of funds raised, the identity of those individuals is barely concealed. The core allegation concerns an alleged lack of proper accountability and audited accounts from the Carnival Committee and the supposed cornering of the Committee’s operations by members of two families (again, identifiable from the initials provided).

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Three of those named in the article are serving members of Pembrey and Burry Port Town Council, while others are their family members. The blog post alleges: ‘Members of the community are now saying that unless you are a family member and a member of the Labour Party you will not be allowed on the committee’. The blog’s author is a noted critic of the Labour Party in Wales. He states that a former member of the Committee left when she was elected to the Town Council as an independent. That town councillor is easily identifiable. The blog also states that Committee members operate Burry Port’s weekly car boot sale. It states the weekly car boot sale is ‘the largest in mid and west Wales’. Members of the Carnival Committee also run the annual Christmas Carnival, an annual dog show and vintage car show, as well as many other community events. The blog questions what happens to the money raised from these activities. It alleges that accounts are neither published nor audited and there

are neither annual reports nor minutes of committee meetings. Below the blog article, is a response written by someone who is either a member of the Carnival Committee or has a close connection to a member or members of it. That comment attacks the allegations made in the article head-on. It reads: ‘Hello would just like to clarify, as being a part of the carnival committee for the past few years, Not all of the statements made in this article are true, no money has ever been pocketed by the families who contribute their time and efforts to the committee, and without these people there would be no events or activities for this local community to attend to. ‘In regards to the income of the car boot sale and the carnival day (among the other events which are produced for the public) do not equate to the amounts shown in this article. There is not much if any income at all from the carnival day as almost all expenses go towards it to improve and develop the carnival year-by-year. ‘The funds which may be left are put forward to those various charities as stated or other worthy causes such as the defibrillators which we sought to get for our community. ‘This article is merely an

USERS of concessionary bus passes in Wales are being made aware of an important change to the scheme. Holders will need to reapply for their passes before Tuesday, 31 December this year when their current pass will expire and all current green-coloured passes will be accepted up to that date. Newstyle ‘Concessionary Travel Cards’ are being introduced as a replacement, Transport for Wales has announced. From now, users can

reapply on the website: www. tfw.wales/travelcards from a smartphone, tablet or computer. Those without website access or unsure about using a computer are advised to ask a family member, friend or someone they trust to apply on their behalf. For those still unable to perform the process electronically, Pembrokeshire County Council will be arranging a drop-in session in November where they will be taken through the process. Details of when and where will

appear in due course. Card users are advised to apply for their new-style card in plenty of time before the end of the year to ensure they can continue to receive the benefits of concessionary travel. The old-style cards will not be recognised by electronic readers on buses in the New Year and the new-style cards offer the same free travel rights and benefits as the current cards and are designed to work as part of an integrated travel network in the future.

Bus pass users beware

Centrepiece of the summer: Pembrey & Burry Port Carnival attack on the community of Burry Port and the Carnival Committee who care about it the most’ In a message sent to the Carnival Committee’s Facebook page, which was ‘seen’ shortly

after its delivery, separate emails to the town councillors identifiable from the article, The Herald invited the members of the Committee to respond either individually or collectively to the allegations.

One Committee member told our reporter that they had taken legal advice on the blog post and had been advised not to comment upon it, pending potential legal action.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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Guide Dogs leads MP on blindfold walk

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“A REAL CHALLENGE” is how MP Nia Griffith described her experience of using a white stick to try and find her way along the street whilst blindfold. Ms Griffith said, “I’m grateful to members of Guide Dogs Cymru for their patience in giving me a first lesson on how to walk around safely with a white stick while blindfolded. It certainly helped me to get a better understanding of what visually impaired people are up against… And I was on easy terrain, with lots of help and encouragement. “It has made me aware of some of the challenges that visually impaired people face, and how we need to think about how we can make our town centre easier for them to negotiate.” Nia’s walk followed on from a discussion with local guide dog users Steve Ricketts and Andrea Gordon, together with Peter Jones – policy officer at Guide Dogs Cymru - about some of the problems guide dog users have encountered. This includes a lack of understanding and support from local bus companies or taxis, as well as

the problems of pavement clutter and designing street layout with the visually impaired in mind. Ms Griffith added, “Wales led the way with talking bus legislation to get all new buses fitted with audio announcements. But I was concerned to hear that, unfortunately, visually impaired people are still encountering lack of understanding from some bus drivers. “Bus companies need to make sure that all their staff are fully aware of the needs of visually impaired passengers, and we need to ensure that taxi drivers get disability awareness training too. “In Llanelli Town Centre, at least we have a fully pedestrianised area, and not the nightmare of cars and pedestrians sharing the same space with no kerbs. This can be dangerous, not just for the visually impaired but for everyone. “But we cannot be complacent. I am grateful to Guide Dogs Cymru for increasing my awareness of the problems, and I will continue to speak up both in Parliament and locally to get the improvements we need.”

LLANELLI’s MP Nia Griffith is backing tougher sentences for people who commit animal cruelty. She is supporting an increase in the maximum sentence for this crime from six months to five years. Ms Griffith said, “Cruelty to animals is barbaric. I believe that people who commit this appalling crime should face very tough sentences indeed. “At the moment, the maximum sentence for animal

cruelty is six months. This is clearly inadequate given the severity of many of the crimes being committed. That’s why I am backing a Bill that will increase the maximum penalty to five years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine. “Labour MPs like me have long been campaigning for this common-sense change. Unfortunately, the Conservative Government blocked a similar Bill a few years ago. It is only recently

Pictured with Nia Griffith MP: Cathryn George( Guide Dogs Cymru), Andrea Gordon (Guide Dogs Cymru), Stephen Ricketts (guide dog owner)

Nia backs tougher animal cruelty sentences that they have come round to it, after much pressure from Labour, animal rights campaigners and the public. “It is very important to send out a strong message that animal cruelty must stop, and that those who are guilty of it will be penalised properly. So I’m pleased to support this new law. “I will always campaign for the very highest animal welfare standards. As well as tougher sentences for animal

cruelty, we need to enshrine animal sentience in law and start tackling animal abuse at its source. “Labour’s plan to do this includes stopping imports of cruel products like Foie Gras and wild animal trophies into the UK. We would also ban the intensive rearing of game birds and live exports for slaughter and fattening. But we need a UK Labour Government to put this plan into action.”

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Sex plot paedophile imprisoned A LLANELLI man received eighteen months’ imprisonment after being caught by a Police sting operation aimed at child molesters. Mark Richards, of Stafford Street, was picked up at Carmarthen Railway Station by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police on July 10 this year. Richards had chatted online to what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Instead, the girl was an officer working in Operation Harrier, an investigation into online child sexual exploitation. When searched by Police, the paedophile was found in possession of condoms and lube Appearing at Swansea Crown Court last week, Richards entered guilty pleas for offences relating to attempting to ‘groom’ a

child under the age of 16 for sexual purposes. Prosecution barrister Carina Hughes told the Court that Operation Harrier concerned officers posing as children and chatting online with suspected sexual offenders. After initiating contact in an online chatroom with the undercover officer, Richards moved the conversation on to an increasingly sexualised tone and was not deterred when the ‘girl’ told him she was only thirteen years old. As the conversations became increasingly explicit, the pair continued to exchange messages via other social media platforms Matters came to a head when Richards gave the supposed 13-year-old his 20-year-old daughter’s mobile number and arranged to meet at Carmarthen’s railway station.

Waiting police officers arrested him shortly after he arrived. In an interview with the Police, Richards declined to answer any questions. However, his daughter told officers of her father’s ‘abnormal sexual behaviour’. Defending barrister John Hipkin said that ‘nothing could ever excuse’ Richards’ conduct and that the sole mitigation for his client was the guilty plea entered at the first opportunity. Sentencing Richards, Judge Huw Rees referred to the methodical way that Richards had prepared for what he believed would be sexual activity with a child. He noted that it was a significant aggravating factor that when he believed his potential victim was thirteen, he was even more encouraged to proceed. A probation report said

RESIDENTS in Carmarthenshire are helping to shape the future of the council’s recycling service. A consultation exercise was carried out earlier this year asking for householders’ feedback on the service and how it can be improved to increase recycling rates. Some 86% of respondents supported a reduction in the number of black bags that can be put out for collection; of that, 64% thought black bags should be limited to three per household. A total of 64% of residents who said they did not recycle their food waste said they would be more likely to do so if they were provided with food bin liners; 98% of people who don’t recycle glass said they would if it was collected. Almost half of the respondents – 46% – agreed enforcement action should be taken against non-recyclers. Now a number of these suggestions are being put into action. From October 7, the maximum number of black bags that will be collected from households will change from four to three. Households across the county will also receive food bin liners for the first time to encourage more people to recycle their food waste. The food bin liners will be

delivered along with the blue bags. The recycling team is also looking at what materials are currently collected from homes and whether glass or nappy collections could be introduced in the future. Executive Board Member for the Environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “I would like to thank residents for their feedback and also for all their efforts to recycle. We must increase our recycling rates and we believe these new changes which come in in October will help us to achieve this. We will also be looking at what else we can do to help people recycle even more.” The council is currently recycling around 58% of its rubbish but needs to achieve a

figure of 64% by the end of the financial year or faces a hefty fine. Figures show that almost half of all black bag waste put out for collection is recyclable - and as much as a quarter of it is food waste. The introduction of food bin liners together with the black bag restriction could increase the county’s overall recycling rate by 3.3%. Designated black bag sorting areas will also be introduced at the county’s recycling centres from 7 October in a bid to increase recycling rates even further. Householders needing a brown kitchen caddy or green food bin can pick one up from their nearest Hwb or request one online carmarthenshire. gov.wales/recycling

Recycling suggestions put into action

Predatory paedophile: Mark Richards sought sex with 13-year-old girl

Richards posed a high risk of serious harm to children aged between 12 and 16. Handing down a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment, HHJ Rees gave Richards

credit for his early guilty plea. The paedophile will serve half his sentence in custody while the remainder will be on licence.

Richards also received a sexual harm prevention order to limit internet access and contact with children. He will also spend ten years on the sex offender register.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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Man fined after fly-tipping near Stradey Woods

Welsh Labour

with Nia Griffith

A SWANSEA man has been fined after his belongings - including a sofa, fridge and mattress - were found dumped near Stradey Woods in Llanelli. The man was traced by Carmarthenshire County Council enforcement officers and admitted he hadn’t checked that the man he’d paid to remove waste from his home was a licensed waste carrier. He was handed a £300 fixed penalty notice (FPN) for failing to comply with his duty of

care under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The law states that householders must take reasonable measures to ensure that their waste is transferred to an authorised person. People are required to record the business name, vehicle details, waste carrier registration number and ask for a receipt when employing anyone to remove waste from their property. The man’s offence was one of a number dealt with by the

council’s enforcement team during August. A £100 FPN was issued to a Carmarthen business for failing to comply with a Section 47 Environmental Protection Act 1990 notice served on them in 2018, requiring all waste from the business to be stored correctly. A black refuse bag containing business waste was found across the road from the business and not stored in their trade waste bin. A £100 FPN was issued to a dog walker who failed to clear

up after their dog had fouled in Llangennech Park. A £75 FPN was issued to a man for dropping a cigarette butt on the ground in the vicinity of Afon Road, Llangennech. A £75 FPN was issued to a man who dropped a cigarette butt on the ground in Llanelli town centre area. Fly-tipping, littering and dog fouling offences can be reported to the council 24/7 via its website, www. carmarthenshire.gov.wales.

There is lots we need to do to make our town accessible to everyone. Last Friday, Guide Dogs Cymru took me on a blindfolded walk around Llanelli so that I could experience our town as visually impaired people do. It was quite a challenge trying to make my way along the street safely with a white stick, and it certainly gave me a better understanding of the challenges that many blind and partially sighted people face on a daily basis. We are fortunate that we have a fully pedestrianised area in Llanelli town centre, where space is not shared between vehicles and pedestrians. But we cannot be complacent, and we need to think about how we can make our town centre easier for people with sight problems to negotiate. Another issue that local guide dog owners raised with me was the lack of understanding from some bus drivers. Bus companies need to make sure that all their

staff are fully aware of the needs of visually impaired passengers, and taxi drivers should get disability awareness training too. I will continue to speak up both in Parliament and locally to get the improvements we need. We must also make our area accessible for people with complex disabilities and health conditions. Ensuring that there are fully accessible Changing Places toilets – ones with hoists and changing benches – installed locally is an important part of this. Local campaigner Josh Rosenthal spoke powerfully at Llanelli Pride about why these facilities are vital for ensuring everyone can access places and activities that so many of us take for granted. For many, it can make the difference between being able to go out and having to stay at home. The local Changing Places campaign group had a good meeting with the County Council’s Director of Community Services. We will continue to work with the Council and others to get funding and find a suitable location for this facility, firstly in Llanelli town centre and then more widely across the area.

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Jonathan Edwards flays PM’s lies THE HIGHEST civil court in Scotland, the Court of Session, decided on Wednesday (Sept 12) the UK Government’s prorogation (suspension) of Parliament was unlawful. The case, seeking a declaration that the Conservative Government under Boris Johnson acted unlawfully, was brought by 75 MPs and members of the House of the Lords. In a withering judgement, three senior Scottish judges decided the PM’s advice to the Queen was motivated by the improper purpose of stopping the Commons holding the Government to account. The circumstances in which the advice was proffered and the content of the documents produced by the respondent demonstrated that this was the true reason for the prorogation. The Court’s decision said: “This was an egregious case of a clear failure to comply with generally accepted standards of behaviour of public authorities. It was to be inferred that the principal reasons for the prorogation were to prevent or impede Parliament holding the executive to account and legislating with regard to Brexit, and to allow the executive to pursue a policy of a no-deal Brexit without further Parliamentary interference.” While all three Judges agreed that the Government’s actions would not normally be reviewable by a court, they decided that it was proper

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the courts decide whether it exercised its powers lawfully. Lord Drummond-Young said: “The circumstances, particularly the length of the prorogation, showed that the purpose was to prevent such scrutiny. The documents provided showed no other explanation for this. The only inference that could be drawn was that the UK Government and the Prime Minister wished to restrict Parliament.” In short, the PM lied to the Queen and the PM lied to the Queen because he couldn’t hack Parliamentary scrutiny of what he and his Cabinet are up to. The Supreme Court will now review the case – alongside other cases on the same issue – on Tuesday, 17 September. If its ruling is consistent with the Scottish case, it is understood that Parliament will be recalled. Carmarthen East and Dinefwr MP Jonathan Edwards was a petitioner in the Scottish Case. Following the Court’s decision, he called for Parliament to be recalled immediately. Earlier this week Plaid Cymru said opposition parties should be ready to impeach the Prime Minister if he breaks the law. Mr Johnson backed a move by Carmarthen East and Dinefwr AM Adam Price to impeach Tony Blair in 2004 because the thenPrime Minister had lied to Parliament and the public.

Jonathan Edwards MP said: “Together with colleagues in Plaid Cymru, I am proud to have played my small part in bringing the case forward for consideration. Boris Johnson has now broken the law. He has held democracy in such contempt that judges have had to step in. Parliament should be recalled immediately. This is the sort of behaviour that we would normally associate with a tinpot dictatorship. The Prime Minister has lied to Parliament and he has lied to the public. My colleagues in Plaid Cymru raised the option of impeachment this week. Boris Johnson is not above the law and we now have an even stronger case for impeachment today - the very cause he advocated back in 2004.” The Conservative response to the judgement was a disgraceful attempt to shift the focus away from the Government’s conduct to alleged bias by the Scottish Law Lords. In an anonymous briefing to Sun Political Editor Tom Newton Dunn, a Number 10 source claimed: “We note that last week the High Court in London did not rule that prorogation was unlawful. The legal activists choose the Scottish courts for a reason”. That comment, which also ignored the fact that the English High Court was not sitting in August and a lower Scottish Court decided in the Government’s favour on the issue last week, is

a direct attack on judicial independence. The Conservative Lord Chancellor (at the time of writing), Llanelli-born Robert Buckland, moved to uphold the rule of law and backed judicial independence. He said: ”Our judges are renowned around the world for their excellence and impartiality and I have total confidence in their independence in every case.” That position was rapidly undermined by Business Minister Kwasi Karteng. Speaking on the Andrew Neill Show the same evening, he said: “The more the courts get involved in politics that are of detriment not only to politics but also the courts.” The Supreme Court meets next Tuesday. Should it rule in the Government’s favour, there is little doubt Mr Karteng will rapidly change his tune.

PM lied to Parliament, lied to the public: Jonathan Edwards hits out after Court ruling

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Kidwelly school in special measures

A KIDWELLY school which is the subject of a significant investment commitment by the County Council has been placed in special measures. A report from Estyn, published on Tuesday (Sept 10), says that key areas of education provision at Ysgol y Castell are inadequate and need urgent improvement. Gareth Morgans, the Council’s Director of Education commented: “We’re working closely with the school and supporting their improvement journey.” Inspectors visited the school in July this year. The report said: “A high proportion of the school’s leadership team has left the school recently and there is a lack of clarity over roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability. “Staff and leaders do not have a shared vision for school improvement.” It added: “The headteacher and staff strive consistently

to provide engaging learning experiences for pupils and place a high priority on ensuring that pupils feel happy and enjoy their time at school. “However, fractured working relationships between staff members hamper significantly the effectiveness of the work of the school and limit its ability to maintain and improve the quality of education for its pupils. “For example, it hinders the sharing of existing good practice, such as elements of effective foundation phase teaching. “In addition, leaders have not established effective systems to safeguard pupils.” The report notes efforts being made to improve the leadership problems affecting the school but adds that: ‘[T] here is uncertainty over roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability and leaders.” The report noted that pupils’ attendance had markedly declined over the last four years and said that the school was not

doing enough to address pupil absences. The report said: “When compared to similar schools, rates of attendance have placed the school consistently in the lowest 25% for the last three years. “Rates of persistent absence show an upward trend over the last four years.” Although school governors were described as ‘supportive’, Estyn’s inspectors found that they were over-reliant on the headteacher and lacked insight into the school’s work. They were specifically criticised for not following up decisions rigorously: “For example, by ensuring that leaders implement agreed actions to address safeguarding concerns in a timely and effective manner.” Turning to staff matters, the report noted that the school had recently lost members of its senior leadership team. It also criticised a lack of a strategic approach to continuing professional development

Ysgol y Castell: Placed in special measures and evidence of continuing that pupils attending the training’s impact on improving school generally enjoyed their pupils’ experiences. experiences there. However, It noted, tellingly: it said that more able students “Arrangements to share tended to stall in progress as they aspects of good practice are reached the end of the primary underdeveloped and hampered phase of their education. by poor relationships between It criticised reliance on staff.” ‘generic school reports’ which The report’s authors noted made it difficult for pupils and

parents to gauge progress. Placing the school in special measures, Estyn concluded: “The school will draw up an action plan to show how it is going to address the recommendations. “Estyn will monitor the school’s progress on a termly basis.”

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Leaflets not enough for mental health crisis

Mental health: Too many left to organise their care

PEOPLE experiencing a mental health crisis should not be expected to organise their care, according to the National Assembly’s Petitions Committee. The Committee has responded to a petition which calls on the Welsh Government to make mental health services more accessible to people who need them. Laura Williams from Cardiff, who submitted the petition, told the Committee about her own experiences: “Eight months — you shouldn’t be waiting eight months. I was back to the doctors, I was self-harming and my doctor goes, ‘Are you going to do that again?’ and I said ‘yes’. “It was, ‘Here’s the crisis team’s leaflet; go home and ring them.’ I don’t want people to be given a leaflet, ‘You go home; you ring them.’ They’re not going to ring them. “They’re not in the state of mind to ring them. I want GPs to stop giving leaflets out and for them to do them on the patient’s behalf. If they see they’re not fit, they need help there and then, not eight months later.” Concerns were raised about a lack of robust data on the length of time some people are waiting for access to specialist services, as well

as the level of mental health awareness amongst some GPs, who are often the first point of contact for people seeking support. Difficulty in accessing one-to-one therapy was also identified as an issue, with people often referred to group sessions which are not always appropriate. “Delivering mental health care is now a vital part of the NHS, but the Petitions Committee has received evidence which indicates that services remain underresourced, that not enough is understood about mental health and that there is too much confusion around accessing the right services,” said Janet Finch-Saunders AM, Chair of the Petitions Committee. “The idea that someone suffering from a mental health crisis was given a leaflet and expected to arrange their care is both distressing and unacceptable. I’d like to thank the petitioner for having the courage to bring this issue into the spotlight and for telling her story. Ms Williams’ experiences, wider evidence the Committee received from mental health charities, and other work done recently by the Assembly’s Children, Young People and Education Committee all indicate that some people in Wales

continue to find it difficult to access the support they need for mental health conditions, particularly during times of crisis. We have made several recommendations to the Welsh Government about how mental health services are provided to people who need them, and we await a response with interest.” The Committee makes seven recommendations in its report, including: • The Welsh Government should review access to crisis care and ensure that there is sufficient clarity amongst health care professionals, and other staff in direct contact with patients, about what constitutes a mental health crisis; and, • The Welsh Government should work to ensure that frontline health care professionals, such as GPs, are proactive in organising support for patients experiencing a mental health crisis. • The Welsh Government should review access to psychological therapies and take appropriate steps to ensure that there is sufficient provision in place across Wales, including for oneto-one therapy when this is required. The report will now be considered by the Welsh Government.

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Aberfan and the Price of CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is the first in Wales to encourage schools to remember the Price of Coal by instituting an annual commemoration to mark the Aberfan disaster. On 21 October 1966, a waste tip which was known to be unsafe slid down a mountainside an engulfed Pantglas Junior School in the village of Aberfan. It claimed the lives of 116 children and 28 adults. The eyes of the world fell on the small former mining village in one of the bleakest chapters in Welsh history. The community remarkably came together with dignity to remember loved ones and pay their respects, while Wales and the rest of the world looked on. Proposing the motion to institute an annual commemoration, Cllr Alun Lenny recounted his personal experience of working with those who attended the tragedy’s scene. 12 years-old at the time of the disaster, Cllr Lenny related how he came to work as a journalist for the BBC alongside two cameramen who covered the Aberfan disaster for the BBC. As a journalist, Cllr Lenny told a hushed chamber, it was his role and those who worked alongside him to remain neutral. However, one of the cameramen, Tommy Owen was a former fireman. After he finished filming for the BBC, he would help miners clear the black slurry which buried the school and its occupants. Cllr Lenny recalled that many programmes marked the

Desperate hours: Trying to find survivors became the recovery of bodies generation as part of the price remember the lives lost in Jon Coles of coal.’ Cynheidre in 1971. jon.coles@herald.email He urged members to There was not a part of remember the wider cost of Wales which had not been fiftieth anniversary and said he coal; its effect on communities affected by mining deaths. had been asked why he brought across Wales. 6,000 miners lost their lives forward this motion now. The Senghenydd mining underground, and that figure, He recalled the amount of disaster claimed 439 lives in Cllr Lenny said, does not take attention paid to the vandalism 1913. In 1934, the Gresford account of those dying as a of the Cofiwch Tryweryn wall, disaster killed 266 near result of working in the mines. which commemorated how the Wrexham. In Landshipping, He had been particularly inhabitants of a village lost Pembrokeshire, forty drowned affected by a picture of a school their homes when they were when the roof of the mine gave clock from Pantglas, recovered deliberately flooded to create a way and the Cleddau drained from the school’s ruins. It had reservoir. into the mine beneath. stopped and 9:13. The minute ‘They lost a village,’ said And, he hastened to add, and the hour, the school was Cllr Lenny. ‘Aberfan lost a Carmarthenshire should engulfed.

The past, he said, was not dead. Future generations should learn about how the sweat of the miners allowed mine owners in their Merthyr mansion and Cardiff castle to cover their ceilings with gold. And, he said, the current generation was still paying the price of coal. The effects of using and mining coal contributed to climate change, the challenges of which would be faced the children attending Carmarthenshire’s school and

other future generations. Cllr Lenny sat down to warm applause from the Council benches. Intervening from the Chair, a sombre Kevin Madge said, coming from a mining community, he supported the motion. Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, seconding the motion, said that as one of the sons of coal mining it was an honour to second the motion. It was hard, he said, not to see how the price of coal had been paid by his community. The cost was not only about the deaths of miners or the tragic loss at Aberfan, but it was also an opportunity to learn from the scars left on communities and upon the environment. He said: “I am confident that, learning from disasters, we can enthuse future generations in their green revolution.” David Jenkins, the Executive Board Member for Finance, accepted the Notice of Motion on behalf of his fellow Executive member Glynog Davies. Cllr Davies was attending an urgent meeting in Cardiff. Cllr Jenkins spoke movingly of his own family’s experiences. He remembered that he had not long started grammar school when his grandfather died. Cllr Jenkins said his grandfather was a former miner confined to bed due to the effects of inhaling coal dust throughout his working life. His grandfather, Cllr Jenkins said, spoke to him about life and his experiences before he finally died.

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Coal will be remembered The doctor found that 95% of his grandfather’s lungs were filled with dust. He asked also that the Council remember how much miners contributed to society. Through donations from their wages, they paid for welfare halls, cinemas, and other community buildings. They were, Cllr Jenkins said, ‘true socialists’. In that spirit, the Council Executive both accepted and supported the Notice of Motion, said, Cllr Jenkins. He was confident teachers would share the purpose of the commemoration with pupils sensitively and appropriately every October 21. He said the director of education would share the request with other councils across Wales and encourage other councils to share the initiative. Cllr Deryk Cundy recalled watching the Aberfan disaster unfold on television and said it was almost impossible to understand. He said that eight years later when he was in Tumble, he became aware of the health effects of mining on miners. The price of coal, he said, is varied. He remembered housebound former miners and those who needed a lift to travel 100 yards to a pub because of pneumoconiosis and silicosis. He fully supported the motion. Cllr Sharen Davies remembered her upbringing near Aberfan and related how her mother (former councillor Tegwen Devichand) was one of the founders of the Heritage Park Museum for Welsh mining and said it was appropriate for

schools to engage in an act of commemoration. An emotional Cllr Alan Speake told councillors father and grandfather worked in the mines. He remembered how his grandfather was unable to work from a young age and had to be supported by his father. He recalled his own experiences of the Aberfan Disaster. He lived only a few miles away and was home on leave with three friends from the Welsh Guards. They tried to reach the scene and made their way through the traffic until they were about five miles from the village. As they got closer to Aberfan, the roads were choked with people trying to get in and help. They were turned back by Police and told there was nothing they could do to help. He and his friends were devastated. The deaths of so many young children in Aberfan, he said, should never have happened. It was the result of ‘inhuman neglect’ by NCB officers. The children were killed because those who could have done something would not listen to legitimate concerns. A previous collapse of the same tip was dealt with by piling more material on top of it. He said: “The deaths of those children and adults are the cruellest and horrendous on record. The people responsible should have gone to prison.” The motion passed unanimously. The motion will be remitted to the Executive Board for its final say, which should be a formality.

The chairman of Aberfan Memorial Charity said it was of “great comfort”. David Davies added: “The bereaved, the injured, the survivors and the wider community have always been touched that our fellow citizens in Wales, the UK and indeed around the world have not forgotten what happened in Aberfan. That wider empathy swept into our community like a huge wave of loving support most recently in 2016 and the 50th anniversary.” He added the annual silence “is a huge and ongoing source of great comfort to all concerned”.

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Survey looks at anti-social behaviour THE DYFED POWYS Police and Crime Panel is seeking information about people’s experience and perceptions of anti-social behaviour. The Panel has published a public survey asking people to tell them about incidents they have been involved in or know about through family or friends, and how they feel the issues were dealt with by Police. Panel members, representing the four local authorities in the force area, have a duty to hold the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn to account. Feedback from the survey will be collated and put to the Commissioner at a future Panel meeting. Anti-Social Behaviour is defined in law as behaviour that causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons, not of the same household as the perpetrator.

The survey seeks to find examples of anti-social behaviour that have occurred over the last 12 months and asks people if they know who is responsible for dealing with such issues. It also seeks to gauge the level of public satisfaction with the way authorities are dealing with anti-social behaviour. Panel Chair, Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones, said: “We are keen to focus on this area of crime and question the Commissioner about his priorities for dealing with an issue that can cause misery and distress to many people.” The survey can be found on the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Panel website at www. dppoliceandcrimepanel. wales Anti-social behaviour: Public asked for their experiences

F1 COCKAPOO PUPPIES FOR SALE. (RED’S, APRICOT’S, CHOCOLATE ,BLACK’S)

We are specialised in the breeding of excellent quality healthy COCKAPOO puppies, having been Fully Licenced Breeders with our Local Authority for 46 years. ( Licence no : -LAB 035) We currently have F1 Cockapoo puppies ready NOW. (Dams :- English Show Type Cocker Spaniels. Sire :- Miniature Poodle. Puppies are FULLY VACCINATED, and are ready for the outside world, only needing annual boosters. Puppies will never suffer with (prcd. Progressive Retinal Atrophy) PRA of the eyes, or ( von Willebrand Disease Type 1.) (Laboklin DNA test results given with each puppy). Parents health checked by Vet prior to breeding from, and may be seen and handled when viewing puppies.We Pa spare no expense or time raising our puppies into healthy,happy,confident individuals and constantly breed for temperament and health. They have thick extremely low- shedding coats,have Cocker Spaniel features, intelligence of the Miniature Poodle with a fantastic temperament. Puppies are gentle,loving,playful, well handled and socialised. Puppies have been wormed every 2 weeks from birth, treated regularly for fleas, ticks,lice,ear mites, health checked by our Vet, new owners will receive health and vaccine certificates, Michrochipped for identity and traceability, and puppy insurance with Pet Plan for 4 weeks. Contract to be Mich signed by new owners to have their new puppy health checked by a Vet of their choice. Puppy pack to include bag of Royal Canin Complimentary puppy food , diet and caring for your puppy information,history of worming and flea control, date of any future vaccines required. After sales help and advice guaranteed. Only reply to advert if you can give any of these puppies a caring, loving, permanent home.

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Tory AM upset at ‘Remain’ journalist invite

Award-winning journalist: Carole Cadwalladr to lecture at Gwlad Festival

C O N S E R VA T I V E AM Andrew RT Davies, a vociferous supporter of leaving the EU ‘do or die’, has objected to an invitation made for award-winning Welsh journalist Carole Cadwalladr to deliver a speech as part of the Assembly’s celebrations of twenty years’ devolution. Andrew RT Davies AM said: “On the surface, this seems rather inappropriate and I have pressed the Welsh Assembly for more details, particularly as the Assembly is promoting Carole Cadwalladr as ‘our speaker’. I have nothing against Ms Cadwalladr but she certainly doesn’t speak for me nor many others in Wales, and her anti-Brexit motivations are clear to all concerned. I feel very uncomfortable if taxpayers’ money is to be used in any way, shape or form, to host such an event

without an opposing view and we, therefore, need to know who made this decision and at what cost to the taxpayer, if any, is this event being held? And why for example no prominent Brexit-supporting journalists appear to have been invited to share the platform? It’s vitally important for democracy in Wales that the Assembly is seen to be politically impartial and does not act as a mouthpiece for the remain establishment of Labour and Plaid Cymru, particularly as the people of Wales voted to leave the European Union!” Mr Davies did not deal with Ms Cadwalladr’s receipt of numerous awards for her exposure of deceit, lies, fraud and financial misconduct by the Vote Leave campaign, which Mr Davies vigorously supported. Neither did he see fit

No comment on Leave campaigns’ law-breaking: Andrew RT Davies

to mention her exposure of widespread illegality and unlawful conduct in the Leave. EU campaign spearheaded by the Leader of the Brexit Party Ltd, Nigel Farage, and bankrolled by Arron Banks. We asked the Conservative group to clarify Mr Davies’ opinions. In an email sent to Andrew RT Davies’ Head of Office, our reporter asked: ‘Can I take it that Andrew is completely at ease with the illegal and unlawful conduct Ms Cadwalladr uncovered in the various ‘leave’ campaigns?’ We received no reply to our invitation to Mr Davies. We put Andrew RT Davies’ remarks to Ms Cadwalladr, who was unable to reply due to pressure of work as the current political crisis unfolds. We also asked the Assembly Commission to comment on the Conservative

AM’s comments. A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly said: “The Gwlad festival programme is being delivered by the Assembly Commission in partnership with a range of external (national) organisations to mark 20 Years of Devolution. With a varied programme of talks, debates and entertainment, it aims to inspire people to listen, engage and debate on topical and historical issues of importance, political and social issues. “One of the partners, Hay Festival, proposed its 2019 journalism winner, Carole Cadwalladr, as the speaker to deliver the ‘Hay Festival Lecture’ at Gwlad. “The event, featuring the Cardiff educated journalist, has proved very popular, with the initial release of tickets selling out in 2hours.”

Positively Liberal with Alistair Cameron

WITH the news so dominated by Brexit, it is good to have some positive news here in Wales. Last month, Welsh Liberal Democrat Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams announced new incentives for Welsh students to do their Master’s degree in Wales including a bursary for students over 60. The incentives are aimed at opening up higher education to more people while attracting graduates to remain in or return to Wales. The incentives are: £4,000 bursary for age 60+ Master’s Degree students during 2019/20 academic year. This grant aims to provide additional support for students over 60, who are currently unable to access the same financial support as younger students due to HM Treasury restrictions. £2,000 bursary for all-age students to study a Master’s in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths or Medicine. £1,000 bursary to study for a Master’s through the medium of Welsh. The bursary aims to support the continued development of the Welsh-speaking workforce and help achieve the target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050. These bursaries are available from this autumn. We have to make lifelong learning a priority and support education at every stage of people’s lives. A post-graduate study should

be an option available to every graduate in Wales, no matter your age. Sir David Attenborough continues to make some of the best and most popular TV programmes into his nineties, so there is no reason for age to be a barrier to develop your career once you pass 60. This will allow more people of all ages across Wales to achieve their potential, live their best lives and make the greatest possible contribution to society. It will bring benefits to individuals through their career or personal development, as well as helping our economy and wider society. Unfortunately, the shadow of Brexit still hangs over us. I firmly believe that it is in our best interests to remain within the EU. Pembrokeshire for Europe, which is not affiliated to any political party, will be holding a public meeting to discuss the impact of Brexit on West Wales at the Bloomfield Centre, Narberth on Thursday, 19 September at 7 pm. Edward Perkins will speak about the impact on agriculture and Jeremy Percy will cover fishing. Gwyn Evans, Brexit Lead Officer for Pembrokeshire County Council, will speak about the preparations which the Council is making for Brexit. Please come along to support this event. If you are planning to come, please let us know by emailing pembrokeshire@ walesforeurope.org

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Viewpoint UGLY scuffles greeted Tuesday morning’s prorogation of Parliament, shutting down debate on Brexit until 14th October. But even as the House of Commons went dark, two legal cases aimed at thwarting the prorogation were travelling in tandem through courts either side of Hadrian’s Wall. In Scotland, a group of 79 claimants, led by Scottish MP Joanna Cherry QC, sought a ruling that the prorogation was unlawful because it was done (obvs) with the ulterior purpose of preventing Parliament from scrutinising the executive. The England ’n’ Wales counterpart litigation was started by the Brexiters’ Great Satan, Gina Miller, and supported by interventions from Shami Chakrabarti, the Welsh and Scottish devolved Governments, and Sir John Major. Proroguing Parliament is a power exercised directly by the Queen, theoretically on advice from the Privy Council but in practice from her Prime Minister. As such, it forms part of the uncodified exercises of executive power known collectively as the Royal Prerogative. Historically, it was thought that the courts had no role in supervising any exercise of the Royal Prerogative. That presumption

was partly overturned in 1985 when the House of Lords ruled that some, but far from all such actions could be subject to judicial review. The determining factor is not whether or not a decision it is an exercise of prerogative power, but its subject matter: does it touch on exclusively political business, particularly matters of ‘high policy’? Looking at Boris’ decision to prorogue Parliament, the two courts reached opposed conclusions. In Edinburgh’s Inner House of the Court of Session, Lord Drummond Young pushed hard at the legal boundaries of justiciability of exercises of the Royal Prerogative, ruling that the courts can ‘decide whether any power, under the prerogative or otherwise, has been legally exercised’. It was up to the Government to prove they had valid reasons for the prorogation, ‘having regard to the fundamental constitutional importance of parliamentary scrutiny of executive action’. Having concluded that it could interfere with the decision to prorogue, the court went on to do so. Unambiguously, unanimously, and expressing itself in terms you don’t normally find in dry decisions on constitutional law. The court gave Boris the mother and father of a kicking. This was ‘an egregious

case of a clear failure to comply with generally accepted standards of behaviour of public authorities’. The purpose of prorogation was ‘to prevent or impede Parliament holding the executive to account… and to allow the executive to pursue a policy of a no deal Brexit without further Parliamentary interference’. Down in London, a Divisional Court headed by the Lord Chief Justice couldn’t agree less. It strongly disagreed that ‘the jurisprudential stage has now been reached where there is no longer any exercise of common law prerogative powers which is immune from judicial review’. The court rejected Lord Pannick’s submissions (on behalf of Ms Miller) that this prorogation offended against a developing doctrine of Parliamentary sovereignty. It held that there were no legal standards against which Boris’ motives could be judged as improper, that this was all ‘high policy’ anyway, and that the Court had no jurisdiction whatsoever to review the decision. Of the two courts, the Scottish Inner House is nominally the senior. It ruled that ‘the Prime Minister’s advice to HM the Queen and the prorogation which followed thereon was unlawful and is thus null and of no effect’. The Government did not ask the court to suspend this

t i ex r B or f y a d t Judgmen

ruling pending appeal. As a result, Parliament is not and never was prorogued. Both judgments are now the subject of conjoined appeals to the Supreme Court, which will hear the cases next Tuesday. This didn’t stop Boris in the meantime setting the attack dogs on the out-oftouch, elitist, enemy-of-the-people, bewigged Scottish Remainer gits. The Daily Mail exclusively revealed the disgraceful truth that one of their Lordships likes holidaying in France and that another has a morally contemptible taste for what Hitler would have termed Entartete Musik, namely jazz. Cabinet Minister Kwasi Kwarteng piped up to have his crack at the beaks. He told the BBC that “many people are saying – I’m not saying this – but, many people are saying that the judges are biased. The judges are getting involved in politics”. He omitted the necessary qualification that the people saying this, many or otherwise, are chumps with a Barbary ape’s understanding of the constitutional position of the judiciary and the importance of the rule of law. Part of Boris’ motive behind prorogation was, as the Scottish court found, to stymie the executive and avoid scrutiny. But it was more to force Parliament’s hand and

with Matthew Paul

to send Jeremy Corbyn charging, trumpeting, into the elephant trap of an early General Election. That part of the plan failed, for now. As things stand, the opposition has Boris boxed in. He can’t get a majority for an election, and Parliament lacks the courage and unity of purpose to do anything meaningful to stop Brexit. Labour’s Parliamentary party is as divided as ever between an enormous Remain majority on one side, and the Lenin-capped loon and his grisly leadership team on the other. For them the EU is a bosses’ club designed to prevent the sort of Real Socialism that worked so well in the DDR, Venezuela etc. etc. Corbyn would not be even slightly disappointed if his prevarication on Brexit forced the UK off the no-deal cliff; he would blame the ensuing chaos on the Tories and stand a good chance of winning an election off the back of it. If the Supreme Court sides with the Scots on Tuesday, what practical effect might that have? What is the purpose of Parliament sitting at all if MPs have nothing useful to do? Parliament exists to legislate, not to block the executive. With a minority Government in office but not power, an election this Autumn is a virtual certainty, whether before or after 31st October. It is far from certain that this alone will persuade

the EU 27 to grant the Article 50 extension Parliament has ordered Boris to seek, because If Boris wins a decent majority, Brexit, on whatever terms, will happen. The current chicanery in Parliament is making no deal more, not less likely. There is a clear Remain majority in Parliament. They should use that majority to stop Brexit, rather than playing party political games aimed at damaging the Prime Minister’s credibility with Leave voters. If the Supreme Court allows Gina Miller’s appeal, MPs who oppose Brexit should defy both Boris and Corbyn, and move swiftly to legislate for a confirmatory referendum. Otherwise, trusting the voters means letting Boris have his election, now.

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Teen from Carmarthenshire named one of Britain’s Best Young Drivers

Jonathan Edwards MP BEING a Member of Parliament can be a surreal experience. This week I travelled down to London on the train after my usual Monday morning school run only to be informed by the time I had crossed the border that the British Government was closing parliament for five weeks that very evening. The Prime Minister made the decision for two reasons. Firstly in the middle of the biggest political crisis since the Second World War he wants to avoid as much scrutiny as possible. The one week we have sat since July gave a clear indication of the ability of parliament to hold the executive to account – as it should in a representative democracy. Secondly, the Prime Minister is operating a destructive and dangerous parliament v people strategy. Nothing works up the electorate more than politicians being away from the day job. For those baying for our blood this week – the decision to send us home was made by the British Government using its executive powers passed on by the Head of State. Members of the legislature had no say on our own suspension. I have previously written in this column how eventually Brexit would lead to a fundamental fight about where power lies within the British system. With the legislature, the representatives of the people, or the executive. The English Civil War settled this matter in favour of parliament, but the decision to suspend parliament against its will changes the course of history. The British system is in very dangerous territory, especially since the Prime Minister has said he will ignore laws passed by parliament if he doesn’t agree with them. Mr Johnson is acting like a totalitarian despot. The true state of affairs is that this is not parliament vs the people – but the prime minister vs the people. Be very careful what side you pick. The big question is what happens next. With parliament suspended for five weeks (unless the Supreme Court rules the prorogation unlawful) MPs will return for the Queens Speech on the 14th of October, when the British Government will outline its proposed legislative programme. The Commons will debate the proposed bills for five days before a crunch vote on the following Monday (October 21st).

Considering the Prime Minister managed to reduce his majority to minus 41 last week, its highly likely the legislative programme will not receive the consent of the House. This would immediately lead to a confidence vote. The weekend proceeding this showdown will be the crunch European Council – the Prime Minister will be hoping for a miracle because unless he returns with a solution to the inherent contradictions in Brexit he will be toast. A confidence vote will trigger the provisions in the Fixed Terms Parliament Act, and a 14-day window appears. An opportunity will open for the formation of an alternative administration to settle Brexit once and for all by going back to the people in a referendum. As I wrote in the Sunday Times before the summer recess, the General Election should come after Brexit is sorted. The only problem is that the Labour Leadership prefer a high-risk election – its strategic priority trumpeting its alleged policy position. The 2017 snap election shows that an election is highly unlikely to solve anything. If the policy priority is a referendum the numbers in the Commons are there to deliver it now – why put an election middle man into the process. The Labour position is ridiculous. It wants a General Election in order to form a government tasked with repapering former Prime Ministers May deal. Then they want a referendum in which they will campaign against their own deal. Far be it for me to offer political advice to Labour, but such a complete incoherent fudge aimed at pleasing both Leavers and Remainers will be pulverised in an election campaign from both sides. The Brexit Party - Tory axis, on the one hand, pushing a kamikaze no deal, and Plaid Cymru on the other pledging to end the chaos by revoking Article 50. Astute readers will ask why I don’t support a sequence of events which will benefit my party. I can only reply after three years of madness I want this issue settled once and for all - and my priority has always been the well being of my constituents and not my own. That will be my guiding light in all my decisions for as long as I have the honour of serving the people of Carmarthenshire.

A 15-YEAR-OLD from Upper Tumble, Carmarthenshire has been named one of the best young drivers in the country. Cian Evans, who attends Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth, won third place in his age category in the Young Driver Challenge 2019 held on 7th September at the NEC. The Young Driver Challenge is a national competition to find the UK’s best young driver – where all the contestants must be aged under 17. The competition is run by Young Driver, the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving education. The scheme runs at 65 locations across the UK, including Newport, and has given over 740,000 driving lessons to youngsters aged between 10 and 17. Having been scored by a qualified driving instructor

during a driving lesson, 40 of the UK’s best young drivers were selected to compete at the Challenge final, from hundreds of entries. TV presenters and motoring experts Vicki Butler-Henderson and Quentin Willson kept watch over how competitors were doing, before handing out prizes. Drivers were judged on a range of driving skills, including reversing, parking, manoeuvring a slalom, handling junctions and independent driving. As at all Young Driver events, the youngsters were in dual controlled Vauxhall Corsas with a fully qualified instructor, who marked them on their level of skill and control. Drivers competed in two age categories – 10-13 and 14-16 – and Cian took third place in the 14-16s age group. For placing third Cian won 5 x 30 minute Young Driver

lessons, a trophy and a signed copy of Quentin Willson’s latest book: Learn to Drive without Tears and Tantrums. Cian said: “I’m so pleased to have got third place! It’s been a fantastic experience. It was great to have made the final from hundreds of entries and I’m really proud of how I performed on the day. The instructors put us to the test with lots of driving challenges, but it was good fun and a great opportunity to polish my skills behind the wheel! It’s definitely going to help make me a safer driver when I do go on to pass my test.” Vicki Butler-Henderson, who has an impressive motoring track record as a driver, motoring journalist and TV presenter, said: “What a day! It was fantastic to see how well the drivers handled the car - especially when some of

them are just 10 years old! It was clear to see how seriously they took the responsibility of being behind the wheel and it was an honour to award all of them with their prizes as they were all thoroughly deserved. Hopefully all these youngsters having the opportunity to learn at an early age will create a safer next generation of young drivers for our roads, which is a huge benefit to us all.” Sue Waterfield, head of marketing for Young Driver, added: “Well done Cian! Our sixth Young Driver Challenge was an amazing day where, as always, our drivers wowed us with their skills. Whether aged 10 or 16, you could see the concentration on their faces as they put into practice everything they’d been taught in their lessons – but it was also great to see the smiles on their faces when they got out of the car. Young Driver’s aim has always been to help our young people be safer drivers, by giving them that extra time to get to grips with how to handle a car long before they have the pressure of being anywhere near a main road. Of course, it’s also great fun to safely have the chance do something you wouldn’t usually be able to – and many parents tell us it’s a huge confidence boost for their children.” Currently one in five newly qualified drivers has an accident within six months of passing their test, but for those who receive early driver tuition, research shows that rate drops by a half. For more information about Young Driver visit www. youngdriver.com

Three west Wales groups call for public support

THREE West Wales groups are urgently seeking support to help them win a share of a massive £1million prize pot – with just two weeks until voting closes. H a v e r f o r d w e s t Swimming Club, the Penclawdd Junior Band and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home are all representing Persimmon Homes West Wales in the housebuilder’s Building Futures campaign. All three groups are within a chance of winning £100,000. The three organisations have all been shortlisted to compete against groups from across the UK in categories targeting grassroots sports groups, health organisations

and arts & education projects. One initiative from each category will go on to win £100,000, decided on the highest number of public votes. There will be a £50,000 second prize and a £20,000 third prize in each sector, the remaining 87 shortlisted projects will each receive £5,000. Members of the public are being urged to vote daily for the West Wales groups to help them secure the top prize. Voting closes at midnight on Friday, September 27. H a v e r f o r d w e s t Swimming club are in the running for the Building Futures sports category top

prize. If the swimming club prove to be a prize winner at the awards night, they will invest the money in new swimming coaches for its young members, as well as swimming hats to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary. The West Wales nominee for the arts and education prize is the Penclawdd Junior Band from Gower Village. The band want the money to renovate its band room to make it a state-ofthe-art venue for people to learn musical skills. The Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has been put forward by Persimmon Homes West Wales for the Building Futures health category. The registered charity, which has

served Pembrokeshire for more than 36 years, would use the money to continue its counselling services for young people who have suffered bereavement. Building Futures is being delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, which last year donated £620,000 to support children’s sport. Andy Edwards, managing director of Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: “Building Futures aims to create lasting legacies in local communities. “We urge people to get voting for these three brilliant causes as soon as possible, as the deadline is just two weeks away.”

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‘World-class’ facilities for Carmarthen Leisure Centre WORK is starting on the investment of over £1million to install a new world-class AstroTurf pitch, resurface the athletics track and extend the car parking facilities at Carmarthen Leisure Centre. Carmarthenshire County Council is delivering the scheme, and work is getting underway on site this week. The new AstroTurf pitch will see a carpet replacement that will be of such a high grade that it will be on par with the best pitches in the world. It is due for completion at the end of October when a showcase game and coaching sessions are planned to introduce players to the new pitch. Work to extend the car park is due to start in November and be completed by the New Year when work will begin on the re-surfacing of the athletics track – due for completion by summer 2020. Sixth form pupils from nearby QE High School with an

interest in engineering or sport are being offered opportunities to work alongside contractors to understand construction methods and the science behind the project and to see the testing that takes place. Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, the council’s Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “We are working with PST Sport, a specialist firm from Ireland, to deliver this exciting redevelopment at Carmarthen Leisure Centre, and are pleased with their commitment to sourcing plant and material locally wherever possible. There will be some temporary upheaval whilst these works are underway, and we thank regular users for their patience whilst we await these brand new facilities.” Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths (c): New pitch will be on a par with world’s best

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The Warren is ‘Wales’ Best’ Artists wanted

A CARMARTHEN restaurant has been named as Wales’ Best Local Restaurant in the Good Food Guide 2019 by Waitrose and Partners. The Warren, in Mansel Street, Carmarthen is familyrun, sustainably driven Cafe/ Restaurant & Bar. It’s is a quirky & unique venue, set in the heart of the town which opened its doors in 2016 after a successful Crowdfunding campaign raising over £20,000 from the local community. Readers of Good Food Magazine were asked to nominate their favourite neighbourhood restaurants, places that give a warm welcome and share a passion for local produce, plus a commitment to the community.

The Good Food Guide judges visited the shortlisted finalists before selecting a winner in each region. The Good Food Guide by Waitrose & Partners notes that The Warren was launched after a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Guide continues: “This rambling café and restaurant sits squarely at the heart of the community, with open mic nights, charity quizzes and occasional live music among its roster of events. It’s a convivial space whether you’re after a hearty breakfast, greatvalue lunch or more substantial dinner. “The Warren takes full advantage of its setting to craft dishes from the excellent

Whitland Male Choir News

ON FRIDAY 23 August a very successful BBQ was held at the beautiful setting of Cresswell Quay. It was a great evening and a generous crowd raised over £2,000 for the choir. The choir would like to thank all who helped, contributed and supported the evening. On Friday 30 August the choir took part in a Three Choir Bonanza Concert with Corran Singers, Whitland Male Choir, and Unlimited Voices from Yorkshire. A great evening of music, organised by Heather Jenkins, Musical Director of Laugharne Corran Singers. The venue was at Laugharne Chapel. A spectacular evening and an appreciative audience. On Saturday 14 September the choir have their Choir

Annual Dinner, which will be held at Charlie’s in Reynalton, Kilgetty. On Friday 27 September the choir have a Charity Concert at Begelly Arms Hotel and on Friday 18 October a concert at Wiston Church. Now is an ideal time to join the choir and be part of a friendly group, and raising funds for local charities at the same time as carrying on an old welsh tradition. All you need is a voice, enthusiasm, commitment, and a sense of humour. If you are interested please attend the practise sessions on Thursday evenings at the Memorial Hall, Whitland at 7.30 pm. You can also contact the Secretary Hugh Lewis on 01994 240437

regional produce on its doorstep, with much of it plantbased.” The Good Food Guide is compiled by coupling reader feedback of eateries up and down the country with anonymous inspections by a team of experts. Deri Reed of The Warren told us: “The whole team is over the moon to have been recognised by such a

prestigious national publication such as The Good Food Guide. “Buying from and supporting local producers has always been our focus from the very beginnings of the Warren. It’s fantastic that the judges feel this is important too. “On a personal note, I feel very proud to be in this book alongside restaurants that I have long looked up to for inspiration.”

CARMARTHENSHIRE’S award winning Brewer, Evan Evans, has today kicked off its support for Wales’ Rugby World Cup campaign with the launch of a brand new Go Reds Beer. The dark amber premium beer has been especially brewed for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Go Reds is the first Welsh Rugby World Cup beer to be launched in Wales for the start of the tournament. The new beer has been created by Evan-Evans’ Head Brewer, James Buckley, the seventh generation of the famous Buckley brewing family. James Buckley said: “This is a new beer and one that rugby fans will enjoy throughout the tournament. I have looked to create a beer that is rich in malt, with a subtle bitterness and fruity hop palette. A real session beer, to be enjoyed with great rugby.” The beer will be available throughout Wales and will be on sale in real ale pubs from tomorrow (10 September).

Look out for competitions on @EvanEvans’ Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages to win a few bottles of the #GoReds beer and T-shirt. The Rugby World Cup starts on Friday, 20 September and Wales’ first game is against Georgia on Monday, 23 September. Evan-Evans Brewery is Wales’ leading cask ale brewery and is the largest exporter of specialist beer in Wales. The family have been proudly brewing beer in Wales since 1767. That’s seven generations of brewing passion and expertise passed down through the Buckley family. At the brewer’s home, Evan Evans Brewery, based in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, both traditional and contemporary styled beers are brewed, as well as organic, gluten-free and vegan-friendly choices. Each of the prestigious brands offer something unique and different – all brewed using the finest ingredients and all thoroughly rewarding.

HYWEL DDA University Health Board is appealing for local artists to submit their proposals for visual artworks to be featured in Cardigan’s new Integrated Care Centre ahead of its opening later this year. The proposed works will be assessed by a panel of people who will select items for display inside the cutting-edge new centre, which is due to open early in December. The final collection must work within a healthcare space, in public or private areas, and should be uplifting, contributing to a calm and interesting environment, encouraging recovery and positivity. The collection will reflect the diversity and history of Cardigan and the surrounding area. To be considered, all submissions must: • Be uplifting, in content, composition, colour and/or use of materials. • Negative or distressing imagery should be avoided along with heavy use of dark colours, such as red or black • Animals and human features (faces, eyes etc.) should not be featured and religious imagery should also be avoided • Any works on canvas, textiles, sculptures or

mixed media work must be flame retardant. • Glass will not be used for framing • Framing options can be agreed with the panel • No sharp edges or ligature points • Materials will be firmly fixed to surfaces so cannot be broken-off easily. The appeal is open to amateur and professional artists and makers, students, community groups, group work projects, individuals or organisations. Artworks must be original, and can be traditional, painted, applied, printed, photographic, abstract, or a mixture of media or techniques, 2-D or 3-D. The final decisions on which pieces are used will be made by the Project Director, with advice from the panel. A budget has been allocated to buying work and for group work, therefore submissions should also include a cost. Peter Skitt, County Director, said: “I’m pleased to be able to launch this appeal for local artists to submit works for display at our new Integrated Care Centre, which we hope will visually enhance the interior of the building and make it a pleasant and attractive place for patients to come when they need to use our healthcare services.”

Evan Evans Brewery kick off Rugby World Cup

Many of the recipes used in the brewery today come from the Buckley family recipe

book – a unique heritage handed down over the years between family members.

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Llwynhendy hosts act

LLWYNHENDY and Pemberton Forum recently organised a Family Fun Day on the Gwili Fields in Llwynhendy. Despite rain in the morning the sun came out in time for the event to begin. There was an abundance of things to do with many local craft stalls and organisations attending. There were donkey rides, fair rides, bouncy castles, fresh made pizzas, free face painting, free glitter tattoos and much more going on. There was even a special appearance from Captain America, Tinkerbell and friends.

Sparky’s entertainment kept the kids busy with party games, disco, balloon modelling and a good old sing song. Hundreds turned out to enjoy the first Llwynhendy Summer Fun Day in years. We’re pleased to report that it was a resounding success and smiles all round! The community response was overwhelming and a joy to watch. The event was organised by the Llwynhendy and Pemberton Forum but was also financially supported by Our Llwynhendy and the Crime Commissioner. Llwynhendy

Children’s Centre provided free face painting, Our Llwynhendy provided free glitter tattoos and Llanelli Tenants Network were also providing free fruit kebabs. Many local businesses supported the event by donating raffle prizes and sweets for the kids. Chairman of the Forum, Cllr Jason Hart said “Due to the massive community response to this event we hope to make it an annual event. We look forward to our next event at Christmas where we work in partnership with Our Llwynhendy. We hope that everyone has as much fun at the events as we do”.

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ion packed Fun Day

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‘Touchscreen crisis looms’ says Nia LLANELLI’s MP Nia Griffith is demanding that big tech companies pay for recycling to stop us running out of rare metals that are vital for smartphones and pace-makers. Ms Griffith explained, “I was shocked to find out that we could run out of the rare metals used in smartphones by the end of the century. But, at the moment, for all the best efforts of the public to recycle phones, we do not even have enough specialist centres to extract and reuse these critical components. “There are metals like tantalum which is used in hearing aids and pacemakers as well as smartphones, and indium which is used both for touchscreens and solar panels, which we are going to need a lot more of as we switch to renewable energy. “We need proper centres where they extract the metals for re-use, and the tech giants should pay for them. After all, they are ones making huge profits and constantly pushing us to ditch our phones for a new model. I dare say they make more profit by using raw materials than extracting and re-using the old, but we cannot

Smartphone recycling: Llanelli MP calls for action let their greed put vital medical equipment at risk. “On the principle of the polluter pays, we expect other manufacturers to take back

items like old fridges, so let’s get the tech giants to do their bit. But we need strong government action to make them. That’s why I have written to the

an equal footing with Scotland and Northern Ireland in terms of APD. “With such broad crossparty support for this measure, it is clear this chaotic UK Government is incapable of making sensible decisions. “The UK government’s position defies logic. On the one hand, it argues that devolving APD to Wales would give Cardiff Airport an unfair advantage over other regional UK airports because it believes we would cut rates – while on the other hand, the Secretary of State for Wales has said he is concerned that Wales would increase rates. “But devolving APD would mean Wales would have the right to design a system that works for Wales – not the Westminster government. “This decision does nothing to prove the Prime Minister’s promise to unleash the productive power of the whole of the UK. “We know there is unanimous support from across the aviation, tourism

and business sectors in Wales for APD to be devolved and we will continue to press the UK government to change its position. “Devolving APD to Wales will provide clear economic benefits for Wales.” Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This unreasonable decision constrains our ability to promote Wales to overseas markets, at a time when it’s needed most. “The UK government needs to wake up to the clear case to devolve this power for the benefit of Wales and the UK as a whole. “Devolving APD to Wales is consistent with the UK government’s approach to devolving taxes that overlap with other devolved responsibilities. Devolution of APD will also be a useful potential lever in delivering other devolved responsibilities relating to regional economic development and tourism.” The continuing refusal of Westminster’s Conservative Government to treat Wales on

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers demanding that the UK Government get on the front foot in sorting this out. “Once the specialist

recycling centres are set up, they need to be certified, and councils should then be obliged to send the phones to certified centres... only then will members of the

public be confident that the electronic devices they hand in will be fully recycled, and help conserve rare metals for future generations.”

Westminster blocks tax devolution

FINANCE Minister Rebecca Evans has condemned the UK government’s decision to block the devolution of Air Passenger Duty (APD) to Wales as “totally unreasonable”. The UK Parliament’s Welsh Affairs Committee had recommended the devolution of the tax to Wales by 2021, placing Wales on an equal footing with Scotland and Northern Ireland. APD is an excise duty charged on the carriage of passengers flying from a UK airport on aircraft which has a take-off weight of more than 5.7 tonnes or more than twenty passengers. The committee also suggested that the unwillingness of the UK government to devolve APD to Wales raises a question of equity in the devolution process. Responding to today’s decision by the UK government, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: “The UK government is fast running out of reasons not to put Wales on

Air Passenger Duty: Tory snub ‘totally unreasonable’

an equal footing with other devolved administrations is a snub not only to the Welsh Government, but also to the Welsh Conservatives. It has been the longstanding position of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly that this power should be transferred to Wales, and it also featured as a

prominent recommendation of the Silk Commission. Speaking last year, former Conservative Assembly Group leader Andrew RT Davies said: “The devolution, and importantly, the subsequent reduction in APD would bring significant benefits to the airport. Estimates are wide-ranging, but the most conservative suggest

an increase in traffic at the airport of at least 15%. The most generous puts it closer to 50%. “Lowering APD is a gamechanger and would make the airport more competitive – attracting more passengers and route options – whilst delivering a shot in the arm to the Welsh economy.”

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Follow Wales on the BBC AS THE 2019 Rugby World Cup prepares to kick off later this month, BBC Cymru Wales has announced a full line-up of content to keep fans up to date with all of the action. With Wales one of the favourites to lift the World Cup, it’s #TimeToBelieve and BBC Wales will broadcast an array of programmes to ensure fans don’t miss a single try. Featuring a host of experts and talent - from established commentary teams to current and former players and even a Love Island star - a range of content is scheduled across television and radio, as well as online and in new podcasts. Every Wales game will be live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, and both stations will bring listeners all the build-up to each game. On television, commentator and former Welsh captain Eddie Butler is back to help kick off the tournament with

his hit preview programme Eddie Butler’s World Cup. He will be joined by a host of expert guests – including Shane Williams, Ken Owens, Mike Phillips, Jonathan Davies, Glen Webbe, Hadleigh Parkes and Josh Adams – as he looks ahead to the tournament and reviews Wales’ performances in previous World Cups. Tomos Dafydd and Lowri Roberts will have all the latest news from the Wales camp for Wales Today and Newyddion, as well as on Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. They’ll be reporting live from all the crucial World Cup games, securing interviews with key players and speaking to fans that have made the journey to Japan. Scrum V will also return with a Rugby World Cup Special featuring Ross Harries and Lowri Morgan on each game day and in Gareth Edwards: In The Eye of The Storm, Gareth explores Apartheid and his time on the 1968 Lions tour to South

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Africa. On Radio Wales, former international Jonathan Davies will present Jiffy’s World Cup Breakfast every Friday throughout the tournament alongside former Wales Women’s player Philipa Tuttiett, where they will host a weekly phone-in. Meanwhile Sunday Morning with… Scott Quinnell – co-hosted with Amanda Protheroe-Thomas will feature music, entertainment and conversation around the tournament. BBC Radio Wales Editor Colin Paterson said: “I’m pleased that BBC Radio Wales will be bringing listeners every Wales game live, and it’s great to have some the biggest names in Welsh rugby such as Jonathan, Philippa and Scott, joining our team.” Full match commentary of every Wales game can also be heard on BBC Radio Cymru, with the trusted voice of Gareth Charles. Joining the Radio

Cymru team will also be former Under-20 Grand Slam winner and son of Wales forwards coach, Billy McBryde, Welsh Women’s international Dyddgu Hywel and actor and stadium announcer Rhys ap William. Aled Hughes’s morning show will provide the build up to the weekday games, giving an insight into the quirkier aspects of the tournament, and Radio Cymru, will have their own special Rugby World Cup song recorded by Gwilym - the band which recently had five top hits in the station’s 2019 music charts. Radio Cymru will also tell Shane Williams’s Japanese tale in Siapan Shane. Having spent time in Japan playing for the Mitsubishi Dynaboars, Shane will talk listeners through his experiences and guide Welsh rugby fans through the culture and traditions of the host nation. BBC Radio Cymru and Cymru Fyw Editor Rhuanedd Richards said: “I am delighted

Eddie Butler: Kicking off BBC Wales’ RWC coverage

that Gareth Charles will provide live commentary from Japan on BBC Radio Cymru for every Wales game, and that the station will uncover and celebrate all aspects of the tournament across its schedule. Welsh language audiences will also find the latest information and analysis from the Rugby World Cup on BBC Cymru Fyw as well as a brand new ‘Clwb Rygbi’ podcast from Japan on BBC Sounds.” Additionally, Welsh Love

Island star, Callum Macleod, will be presenting a series of social media videos on BBC Wales’ feeds, which will see the aircraft engineer from South Wales speak to fanatical fans about their love for Wales. And fans can also listen to podcasts from Scrum V, Clwb Rygbi and Jiffy’s World Cup Breakfast on BBC Sounds, plus read exclusive blogs online by Welsh stars Hadleigh Parkes on BBC Sport Wales and Ken Owens on Cymru Fyw.

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Welsh Lamb campaign rewarded

Shane Williams: cooking a healthy Welsh Lamb dish

HYBU Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC)’s Welsh Lamb campaign has received a Certificate of Excellence at the recent IN2SABRE Awards EMEA.

The IN2SABRE Awards recognise excellence and innovation within public relations, focusing on content creation and relationship building. HCC’s 2018 Welsh

Lamb Campaign received a certificate of excellence within the ‘Best use of social media or analytics for audience insights or influencer targeting’ category. The award comes after

HCC made a deliberate digital switch in their marketing efforts; investing in targeted social media advertising over traditional television and print advertising. HCC’s Market Development Manager, Rhys

Llywelyn commented ‘We are delighted to receive industry recognition for our social media engagement work. We are focusing more and more on digital advertising over traditional platforms, meaning that we can target specific groups and demographics who are most interested in our product.’ HCC have just launched a selection of new recipe videos for use on social media, specially launched for Love Lamb Week which was from September 1-7. Rhys explained ‘Love Lamb Week is the annual UK-wide celebration of home-produced lamb. We have worked with a group of exclusive food influencers and bloggers who have been sharing their recipes during Love Lamb Week as well as our own selection of specially crafted PGI Welsh Lamb recipe videos in time for peak lamb season.’ ‘Our new recipes can be found on our Youtube channel ‘Meat me in the Kitchen.’ Rhys continued ‘In addition to our recipe ideas and

inspiration, we are also using our social media platforms to share messages around Welsh red meat’s sustainable production, highlighting red meat’s health credentials and having farmers share their stories about how Welsh red meat is produced. With media myths and misinformation, it is important we give the public true and accurate information about Welsh red meat.’ HCC have also been shortlisted, in partnership with marketing agency Four Cymru, for 4 awards in the upcoming CIPR Cymru PRide Awards for Best publication, Best Event, Best use of influencer relations and Best use of social media. In addition to digital advertising and social media presence, HCC’s upcoming PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef promotions include: offering samples at a string of supermarkets in England and Wales, securing features in instore supermarket magazines and attending key festivals and event such as Abergavenny Food Festival and the Good Life Experience.

Farm policy timetable under stress THE TFA is urging DEFRA and the Welsh Government to accept that they will need to build in a longer transition period before introducing new policy measures for agriculture and the farmed environment. DEFRA is no further forward from its “Health and Harmony” consultation from last year. Whilst the Welsh Government is more advanced in its thinking with the publication of its recent consultation on “Sustainable Farming and Our Land”, there are major doubts about the extent to which, it will be able to have the necessary legislative cover in time to achieve its policy aspirations. TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said “Our journey towards Brexit remains shrouded in uncertainty, and the prorogation of Parliament does not make it any easier to chart the way ahead. In fact, with the demise of the Agriculture Bill, which had been parked since completing its Committee Stage last autumn, it is difficult to see how the necessary legal architecture will be in place for a new policy framework any time soon.” DEFRA Permanent Secretary, Tamara Finkelstein,

told the House of Commons Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee during its evidence session on Monday (September 0), that officials planning the next phase of policy development would need to see a new Agriculture Bill receiving Royal Assent before summer 2020, if current plans are to be implemented. “Prorogation has massively concertinaed the timetable available for the development and implementation of the new policy. Whilst we have the Welsh consultation in play, we are still expecting a consultation from DEFRA on a range of topics, including the proposed new Environmental Land Management scheme, delinking and lump sum Basic Payment Scheme payments and plans for improving productivity.

Officials have been keen to play down the scope and depth of this consultation which seems to underline the extent to which we are not ready to move forward into a new policy sphere,” said Mr Dunn. “Creating a completely new policy for agriculture and the farmed environment is a major undertaking which should not be taken lightly. Whilst I may be accused of merely supporting the status quo, history, with less significant change, tells me that there is a strong propensity for shambolic performance based on rushed preparations and late decision-making. We need the time and space to do this properly. It will be much better for us all if the new policy framework is introduced well rather than just quickly,” said Mr Dunn.

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Off the Record! with Mike

Cadno and the digital future ‘We’re going online only’. That’s what Cadno was told. As a papery sort of mammal, Cadno felt immediate misgivings. Cadno is wary of the internet and webby communications. He’s seen what happens when you let an infinite number of monkeys loose with an infinite number of keyboards. Have you seen Facebook and Twitter lately, readers? Cadno is, however, nothing if not flexible. He has had a look at other newspapers’ online offerings and reached firm conclusions about adapting his copy for an online audience. That’s why next week’s Cadno is all about the top ten names for cats in Pontyberem. Cadno cannot fathom cats’ popularity with you humans. Evil, hissing vermin that they are, cats contribute to an increasing lack of delicious dormice in Cadno’s diet. And you invite these creatures into your homes. You do realise a cat would eat your face should you be unlucky enough to die alone in your living room, don’t you? That’s what cats are like. Think of the story of Greyfriars Bobby, who stood watch over his late master’s grave in Edinburgh to such heart-rending effect. If Bobby had been a cat, it would’ve buggered off and forgotten all about its late owner in exchange for a bowl of Kit-e-Kat. So, here we are, readers. As you read this online, you can feast your eyes on an adorable little-bitty kitty. ‘Clickbait’. It’s an ugly word but it’s the way to go in the future. Cadno treats most online

media with contempt because so much of it is contemptible. And the people and publishers who share opinions and ‘listicles’ online as though they were news hold all of you in contempt, as well. According to them, people are not interested in tough things like facts, evidence, or anything approaching coherent thought. No, readers. If it can’t be conveyed in 140 characters or less or staged on Facebook Live it’s not real. It’s not news. Nuance is lost. Detailed exposition sacrificed. Forensic analysis actively discouraged. Donald Trump managed to con enough voters in 2016 using that approach. A contempt for facts. A contempt for evidence. Contempt for the American people. Now, with our own irregularlyhaired buffoon in Number 10 Downing Street, we are welladvanced down the same path. Boris Johnson is tough on facts, tough on the causes of facts. He is the embodiment of the triumph of media image over content and reality. He is post-truth and online unfiltered by decency, restraint or active enquiry. In his life, Cadno has met people who trade in whoppers in the same way that others breathe. You can tell they’re lying because their lips are moving. Boris Johnson is the same. Cadno feels his blood pressure rise every time Mr Johnson makes a public proclamation. Not that Cadno has blood pressure problems; it’s the massive pinches of salt he has to take every time our (current) PM opens his gob to spout more vacuous drivel and pollutes the atmosphere. Scouring online media and

social media, Cadno has also reached the considered conclusion that those who seek out offence surely find it wherever they look. It appears to him that there are those people who have little better to do with their lives than to find things to be upset about. Still worse are those who lack a bridge and three billy-goats gruff in their lives. Robert Buckland, who Cadno remembers as a callow young advocate making his way as a junior barrister, is now the Lord Chancellor. While the Lord Chancellorship is a greatly diminished role these days, it is still a post which requires its occupant to uphold the rule of law. Liz Truss – in a Cabinet of idiots the one vying with Priti Patel to eat the most plasticine in the corner of the classroom – was once Lord Chancellor. When the Supreme Court reached a judgement with which the May Government profoundly disagreed, the senior judges concerned were pilloried on the front pages of the more jackboot-oriented of the tabloid press as ‘Enemies of the People’. The correct step for Ms Truss to take was to uphold the independence of the judiciary and condemn the comments made about those whose abilities far outstrip those of their critics. Kow-towing coward and nonentity that she is, she conspicuously failed to do so. Not so Mr Buckland. The Scottish Court of Session, the senior civil Court in Scotland, found unanimously that Mr Johnson had misled the Queen over the suspension of Parliament. One of those ‘sources close to Number 10’ who drip poison to the media suggested the judgement

was bent because the Judges were Scottish. Next week the matter goes to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom for a final ruling. Two of its members are Scottish, including the Head of the Supreme Court, Lord Reed. Robert Buckland, who is committed by an oath of office to uphold the law, was having none of Number 10’s snivelling briefing against the judges. He slapped it down promptly, saying: ‘Our judges are renowned around the world for their excellence and impartiality and I have total confidence in their independence in every case’. The responses? You’d have thought he’d walked into rabid leavers’ living rooms and curled one out on the hearthrug while they watched ‘The Dambusters’ while they cheered the name of Guy Gibson’s dog. This one caught Cadno’s keen eye: ‘You mean infiltrated by the 4th Reich and paid by EU, Soros, Branson etc?’ This leads Cadno to the final ingredient for online success, promulgate a series of outrageous conspiracy theories, each more crackers than the last, and present them as though they were settled matters of fact. Using this method, readers, commentators sweep up objections to their repugnant views by suggesting that those with contrary opinions are traitors, fascists, or dupes of the MSM (mainstream media for those of you not in the online loop; which, come to think of it, means you won’t be reading this article anyway). But that is the brave new world in which Cadno finds himself, so he will start responding to it with increased vigour. Strap in, readers. It’s going to get a whole lot bumpier from here on in.

Bronwen, it turned out, was less of a guest than an infestation. An evening spent in her company was like reading Angela’s Ashes or a Boy Called It without the compensation of either book’s laugh out loud moments of levity and cheer. To the wife’s evident displeasure, Bron had travelled to Fairbourne without any intention of doing much more than hang around moaning. When the weather was sunny it was too hot to go outside. When it was overcast, which happens a lot in North Wales, there wasn’t anything to do. An effort to persuade her friend of the pleasures of going on the seafront railway resulted in the most cheerless journey of its type I can recall. Having got all the way to the end, where the ferry was waiting to go to Barmouth on the opposite side of the estuary, Bron decided she didn’t want to go to. The wife, who had set her heart on revisiting the town and picking a fight with anyone who dared address her in English was aghast. It was a pleasant day, the weather mild, the estuary like a millpond. She was determined to cross over. That meant that I would have to forgo the pleasure of joining the wife while she went spoiling for a row in that part of North Wales that is forever Solihull’s retirement village. It meant I would have to return with Bronwen and transport her back to the caravan, there to be alone with the Queen of Pain. I kissed the wife a meaningful farewell while an unrepentant and unconcerned Bron looked on and waited for the return train journey. It was a nice day. The sun was out,

Edwards

but not scorching. The sea breeze was light. The conversation was heavy going. Those bits of her that hadn’t been operated upon needed operating upon. The thousand and one shocks the flesh is heir to were multiplied a hundred-fold in Bron’s experience. As we headed back to the caravan she finally reached the bottom of the barrel and started discussing her piles. The wife had a lovely time. She’d met people who both spoke Welsh and disliked Dafydd Elis Thomas as much as she does. The following day, it started drizzling at breakfast and showed no sign of letting up as the morning wound on. I’ve never been a particular fan of walking in the rain, getting soaking wet. But faced with the choice of possible pneumonia with almost certain homicide should I remain in Bron’s company for a second day, I discovered the underappreciated pleasure of getting soaked through to your undercrackers in a combination of sea spray and rain. Hugging a polystyrene mug of something brown, hot, and allegedly tea as I hovered on the edge of the tide staring out at the wet seawater getting even wetter, I consoled myself. I might be wet, miserable, regretting buying an overpriced and inferior beverage. However, the missus was toasty warm inside the caravan with a nice mug of Glengettie. And Bronwen. I had a little smile at that thought. As summer turned to autumn, it would keep me warm inside for weeks to come.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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FUW wants Article 50 revoked

Westminster meeting: Alun Cairns with Glyn Roberts THE FUW has renewed said: “We had very constructive calls for Article 50 to be discussions about the revoked to allow the UK contingency planning required to ‘take back control’ and to support farmers and farming communities in the event of the deliver a smooth Brexit that does not threaten millions of UK crashing out of the EU next livelihoods. month. Following meetings with “But we also stressed that MPs and Secretary of State for other options must be considered if we are to safeguard the future Wales Alun Cairns in London, FUW President Glyn Roberts of our family farms and the rural

economy in Wales. “Those who are enthusiastic about Brexit should also be realistic about the dangers of getting it wrong, and the need for an orderly withdrawal over a realistic timescale. “The damage being done by the current strategy to businesses, our economy, our international reputation and

our political parties is clear for everyone to see.” Mr Roberts said that revoking Article 50 - a policy first agreed at an emergency meeting of the Union’s presidential team and committee chairs in mid January - must be considered as it is the only option which would take back control over the process and return us to a situation where a smooth and orderly Brexit was possible. “Given that we live in such uncertain and perhaps ridiculous times I can only think that our calls to revoke Article 50 were right all along. “A hard Brexit at short notice is likely to do untold damage to farmers and farming communities throughout Wales. “That’s why we need a pause, a plan and a restart when we absolutely ready. It is the best way forward and we urged all in Westminster to do the right thing for Wales and the UK.”

Suicide: don’t become a statistic

AGRICULTURE carries the highest rate of suicide above any other occupation and that’s why, for World Suicide Prevention day (Tuesday, September 10), the Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging those going through a tough time to seek help. FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Poor mental health is an issue that affects the farming community greatly and it is well known that loneliness and social isolation can lead to mental health problems. “The FUW understands that failing to deal with poor mental wellbeing could have serious consequences and lead to the farm running inefficiently, a serious injury, relationship breakdowns, poor physical health and even worse, it could lead to suicide.” Mr Roberts added that everyone can make a contribution in preventing suicide and believes that it is by joining together, those suffering can be better supported. “Suicidal behaviour is

universal and it knows no boundaries. It can affect anyone and therefore we all have a role to play to collectively address the challenges. “Of course, preventing suicide often requires the efforts of many, like family, friends, co-workers, community members, educators, healthcare professionals, and governments. “We must remember that every life lost represents someone’s partner, child, parent, friend or colleague. For each suicide, countless other people suffer intense grief. “So if you feel like your world is crashing down on you and you can’t cope any longer, or you know someone vulnerable please seek help immediately. “We will continue to shine a light on the consequences and causes of poor mental health in our farming communities and help to not just break the stigma but to make changes to legislation and attitudes so that we can continue to see a thriving, sustainable, happy, farming sector in Wales.”

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

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Farming

Search begins for Dairy Stockperson of the Year NFU CYMRU and NFU Mutual have once again begun searching for the Dairy Stockperson of the Year 2019. Now in its eighth year, the Welsh Dairy Stockperson of the Year Award seeks to champion dedicated, committed and enthusiastic dairy stock managers from across Wales. Gareth Richards, NFU Cymru Milk Board Chairman said: “As a dairy farmer, I am very passionate about the agricultural industry and championing those individuals who go the extra mile to ensure they have happy, healthy cows is important. “The award aims to recognise the key role that a good dairy stock person plays in a successful dairy enterprise and the Welsh dairy industry as a whole. Potential award winners will be judged on their care and management of the herd, the breeding programme, their handling skills, their

involvement in the dairy enterprise and their knowledge of the dairy industry in Wales. “This will be my second year of judging this fantastic award and I would urge you all to nominate a dairy farmer or manager in your area who you believe deserves to be recognised for their work within the industry.” The closing date for entries is Monday, October 7, and the winner will be announced at this year’s Welsh Dairy Show at the United Counties Showground, Carmarthen, on Tuesday, October 29. Rob Thomas, who will be judging on behalf of NFU Mutual again this year, said: “The quality of stockmanship is a major factor in determining the success of any dairy enterprise. We have some superb stock people involved in the dairy industry in Wales and I am confident that this will be a keenly contested competition

and one which NFU Mutual is pleased to support as the leading rural insurer in Wales.” Mair James, Welsh Dairy Show Secretary said: “This award is a fantastic way of raising the profile of the dairy industry and those who work within it, therefore the Welsh Dairy Show is pleased to be associated with NFU Cymru and NFU Mutual in this Award.” This year’s winner will receive £500 and a Welsh slate engraved cheese board. The person who nominates the winner of the award will also receive £50’s worth of local farm shop vouchers or goods. For more information regarding the award please visit the NFU Cymru website where you can download an application form. Alternatively, you can email clare.williams@ nfu.org.uk or call the NFU Cymru office on 01982 554200.

Championing the best in dairy farming: Stockperson of the Year Award

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Farming

Farming News wii No fair farm funding for Wales When we leave the house in the morning and say “see you later” to family, or friends, we presume that we will come back at the end of the day and ask how their day was. Of course, we’re going to see our children and wife or husband before we go to bed. Why wouldn’t we? The idea of us or them not being there is absurd, right? Sadly, that was not the case for 39 families across the UK in the agricultural sector over the past year. 6 of those families were from Wales. On paper, we see the figures. We see the statistics flash across news channels, a short clipping in the local paper. You might sigh thinking, oh not another one, poor family, and carry on with your day. Jump on the quad or tractor, life goes on. No further thought is spent on the 24-year-old who was run over and killed by a tractor, or the 62-year-old self-employed farm partner who was crushed and killed when she was run over by an out-of-control telehandler, or indeed the 3-year-old child who was run over and killed by a reversing vehicle and livestock trailer. Over the past year

transport – overturning vehicles or being struck by moving vehicles – caused most deaths, and across the UK nearly half of the agricultural workers killed were over 60 and two young children were killed - so the recent HSE figures highlight. The truth is that farming is a hazardous industry. We work with potentially dangerous machinery, vehicles, chemicals, livestock, at height or near pits and silos. It is also pretty clear that as an industry we are terrible at keeping ourselves and family members safe from harm. The numbers confirm the most tragic of incidents but don’t include the little accidents, which maybe should serve as a warning. So please, when you leave the house in the morning and say ‘see you later’ - mean it. Mean it right down to your very core. Pay attention to what you’re doing, slow down a bit and check that the brake is on, wear that helmet when you’re on the quad bike and be safe. Of course, it’s easier said than done, especially on a busy farm where there is never enough time to sit back, but planning the job - whatever that maybe could well be a life-saver.

John Davies, President of NFU Cymru: Concerned at funding gap

NFU CYMRU has expressed relief that the UK Government has committed to securing the Welsh farming budget for the years 2020-2022. This announcement comes as part of the UK Government’s response to the Lord Bew Review into the allocations of CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) convergence funding across the UK. NFU Cymru is however concerned about the impact that a significant additional cash boost to the Scottish farming budget will have on the competitiveness of farmers in the rest of the UK. The boost’s announcement was carefully timed to coincide with the Prime Minister’s visit to Scotland on an electioneering visit to marginal constituencies north of the English border. Last week, the UK Government pledged a oneoff payment of £160 million to Scottish farmers, along with an announcement today of an additional £51.4 million per year for the next two years. Wales will see an increase of

£5.2 million per year for the next two years. Budgets in England and Northern Ireland remain unchanged. The UK Government said in its response that the farm support budget is fixed until the end of this parliament. NFU Cymru President, John Davies said: “At a time of unprecedented uncertainty for Welsh farming, the news that, for the time being, the Welsh farming budget is safeguarded is to be welcomed. However, we must not forget that with UK politics in such a precarious position, the long term security of budgets that Welsh agriculture requires to help build a farming policy that meets our ambition for growth, is lacking. “Just after the referendum NFU Cymru set out several key principles for a postBrexit farming policy, and one of those principles centred around ensuring that Welsh farming remains competitive with the rest of the UK, EU and globally. Today’s announcement, which will see Scottish agriculture

get a significant injection of additional money, has the potential to distort the UK market place.” John Davies concluded: “NFU Cymru will now seek to meet with Welsh Government at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the additional support pledged under the Lord Bew Review is targeted at active family farming businesses.” The FUW was, however, more than ‘concerned’ about the unequal distribution of agricultural funding. It described the boost to Scottish farm funding as ‘political game-playing’. FUW President Glyn Roberts responded: “There can be absolutely no doubt that direct support, which underpins safe, top-quality food production, must be maintained to avoid causing irreparable damage to Wales and of course the UK as a whole. “As such, we welcomed the decision to set up a review of allocations based on environmental, agricultural and socio-economic factors,

and the top-up of £5.2 million for Wales means that as such our budget will be maintained until 2022. “However, the FUW has long argued that funding needs to be allocated fairly and giving Scotland an extra £160 million, could cause market distortion on an unprecedented scale and is extremely unfair on Welsh farmers.” The Union President further pointed out that in 2017 Scottish farm businesses received an average Pillar 1 payment of £23,971, which was more than 30% higher than the UK average of £18,306, and 65% higher than the Welsh average of £14,568. (Figures based on data downloaded from http:// cap-payments.defra.gov.uk). “As such, this reallocation of funding is likely to exacerbate differences between farm businesses in different nations which must compete in the same marketplace. Funding allocations like this must not be a precedent for future,” said Glyn Roberts. Whilst the FUW fully recognises the Less Favoured nature of 85% of Scottish land, it is worth noting in this context that Scottish farmers receive targeted Less Favoured Area support from the CAP Pillar 2 budget, which farmers in Wales do not receive, despite 80% of Welsh land being categorised as Less Favoured. “Overall this is not good news for farmers in Wales by comparison and it begs the question if this is purely a ploy to buy Scottish votes ahead of a potential General election,” added Glyn Roberts.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Farming

Farming News wii ‘Love Lamb’ in the workplace

Hybu Cig Cymru: Bringing lamb love to the workplace Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has celebrated ‘Love Lamb Week’ at the beginning of September by working with foodservice and catering providers to bring Welsh Lamb promotions and tastings to some of the country’s largest publicsector workplace cafeterias. Beginning as a grassroots initiative by farmers four years ago, Love Lamb Week in the first few days in September has become established as a celebration of lamb, marking the period when homeproduced meat is at the height of its season. This year HCC took advantage of the celebration by organising joint promotions with large and small retailers throughout the UK, investing

in targeted online advertising, and for the first time partnering with foodservice companies on workplace promotions in selected offices in Cardiff and Newport. The marketing included tastings of PGI Welsh Lamb, a barbecue-themed promotion, recipes and other literature, as well as a competition which will run through September. The Love Lamb Week promotions are part of a coordinated drive by HCC and Welsh suppliers to raise the profile of Welsh red meat in the UK foodservice sector, an industry currently worth £57billion a year. Emily Rees, HCC’s UK Market Development Executive, said, “The home market is exceptionally

important for us, especially now given the uncertainty caused by Brexit. She added, “It’s important that we make the most of every opportunity to promote Welsh Lamb, working with supermarkets and independent retailers of course, and through the media. But also through workplaces where we can raise the profile of Welsh Lamb as a healthy and convenient meal option. “Partnering with several food service companies who supply public sector workplaces, we are pleased with the results of these activities so far,” said Emily. “We plan to continue activity in the UK foodservice sector through tradeshows and other promotions.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Newyddion Cymraeg

Comisiynydd yn esbonio’r weithdrefn ar gyfer cwynion

Aled Roberts: Comisiynydd y Gymraeg

BETH yw’r budd gorau i’r cyhoedd yw blaenoriaeth Comisiynydd y Gymraeg wrth ddelio â chwynion am ddiffyg defnydd neu ddefnydd anfoddhaol o’r Gymraeg. Datrys diffygion a gwella’r gwasanaeth Cymraeg yw’r flaenoriaeth, ac mae’r

Comisiynydd yn ystyried hyn wrth benderfynu a fydd yn cynnal ymchwiliad ffurfiol i gŵyn. Rhwng Ebrill a Gorffennaf 2019, derbyniodd y Comisiynydd 43 o gwynion gan y cyhoedd lle roedd amheuaeth bod sefydliad yn torri un neu ragor o’u dyletswyddau i ddefnyddio’r

Gymraeg. Agorodd ymchwiliad statudol i 21 (48%) ohonynt. Roedd y 22 cwyn arall yn gwynion lle roedd y sefydliadau dan sylw wedi cadarnhau eu bod wedi cymryd camau i ddatrys y mater neu wedi ymrwymo i wneud, ac wedi rhoi sicrwydd digonol bod y mater yn annhebygol o ddigwydd eto. Dywedodd Aled Roberts, Comisiynydd y Gymraeg: “Mae pob un ymchwiliad statudol yn cymryd tua 6 mis i’w gwblhau. Wrth gwrs, mae yna achosion yn codi sy’n golygu mai dyma’r llwybr mwyaf priodol i ddelio ag achosion, a defnyddio mhwerau i orfodi sefydliadau i wella’u trefniadau. Rydw i wedi dilyn y llwybr yma gyda bron i hanner yr achosion y mae’n bosib i mi ymchwilio iddyn nhw. “Yn hanesyddol, roedd ymchwiliadau llawn yn cael eu hagor i’r mwyafrif helaeth o gwynion lle roedd yna amheuaeth

o fethiant. Roedd ymchwiliad llawn yn digwydd hyd yn oed pan oedd sefydliad eisoes yn cymryd camau i gywiro’r mater ac i roi trefniadau mewn lle i sicrhau nad oedd yn digwydd eto.” Un enghraifft o ymchwiliad statudol a gynhaliwyd er bod y sefydliad wedi cymryd camau i ddatrys y broblem oedd cwyn a dderbyniwyd am negeseuon e-bost uniaith Saesneg gan Gyngor Sir oedd wedi eu cynhyrchu’n awtomatig. Fe wnaeth y Cyngor gydnabod y methiant yn syth a chymryd camau i’w gywiro. Cynhaliwyd ymchwiliad llawn a dyfarnu fod methiant wedi bod, ond ni osodwyd unrhyw gamau gorfodi ar y Cyngor gan fod y mater wedi ei ddatrys. Cymrodd yr ymchwiliad yma 7 mis i’w gwblhau. Ychwanegodd Aled Roberts: “Pe bawn i’n agor ymchwiliad llawn, ffurfiol, i bob achos, a threulio 6 mis yn gweithio ar ddatrysiadau i faterion sydd

eisoes wedi cael eu datrys ers peth amser; yna dydw i ddim yn credu y buaswn i’n defnyddio adnoddau cyfyngedig fy swyddfa yn y ffordd mwyaf effeithlon posib. Dydw i ddim chwaith yn meddwl mai dyna fyddai’r gwasanaeth gorau y gallwn ei gynnig i siaradwyr Cymraeg ac i wella sefyllfa’r iaith. “Pan mai ymchwiliad statudol, llawn, yw’r ffordd o ddatrys methiant, yna rydw i’n gwneud hynny ac yn gosod camau i orfodi sefydliadau i ddatrys y sefyllfa ac i sicrhau na fydd y methiant yn cael ei ailadrodd. Rydw i wedi cryfhau’r ffordd ydyn ni’n monitro’r sut mae sefydliadau’n ymateb i ymchwiliadau a chamau gorfodi, fel na fyddwn ni mewn sefyllfa eto lle rydyn ni’n ymchwilio i’r un mater dro ar ôl tro.” Cychwynnodd y camau o gyflwyno newidiadau i’r drefn ymchwilio i gwynion yn 2018 pan wnaeth y Comisiynydd gomisiynu

archwiliad mewnol i’r trefniadau. Arweiniodd hynny at wneud addasiadau i’r drefn er mwyn galluogi’r Comisiynydd i ystyried sylwadau gan sefydliadau cyn dod i benderfyniad i agor ymchwiliad ai peidio. Er bod hynny’n addasiad i’r drefn oedd yn bodoli’n flaenorol, mae’n gyson â pholisi gorfodi’r Comisiynydd ac wedi arwain at lai o ymchwiliadau statudol yn cael eu hagor ac achwynwyr yn derbyn ymatebion yn gynt. Mae’r Comisiynydd yn talu sylw i argymhelliad Pwyllgor Diwylliant, y Gymraeg a Chyfathrebu’r Cynulliad yn ei ymdriniaeth â chwynion, sef bod rhaid “ymchwilio i opsiynau, lle y ceir hyblygrwydd o fewn y fframwaith deddfwriaethol, i gyflymu’r broses gwynion. Dylai hyn sicrhau y gwneir y defnydd gorau o adnoddau cyhoeddus, a sicrhau bod cwyn defnyddiwr gwasanaeth yn cael ei datrys yn gyflym lle bynnag y bo modd.”

Gwasg Gomer fydd yn atal cyhoeddi Based in Pembrokeshire, West Wales we sell to local and national farmers, smallholders and agricultural contractors, oﬀering cost-eﬀective delivery on quality agricultural machinery. Rhys buys and sells Tractors, Plant and Implements of all quality and also deals in breaking machinery, spares and oils. We have something to suit every budget and requirement.

Breaking most David Brown, International, Fordson & Leyland Tractors, also international, John Deere, New Holland, Ransomes & Massey Ferguson Combines

WANTED TRACTORS & MACHENERY DEAD OR ALIVE

Gwasg Gomer: Bydd yn parhau yn unig fel busnes argraffu

MAE GWASG GOMER wedi cyhoeddi y byddan nhw’n cau eu hadran gyhoeddi llyfrau. Y cwmmni bydd yn parhau gydag ond eu hadran argraffu yn dyfodol. Mae Gwasg Gomer yn gwmni argraffu a chyhoeddi sydd wedi ‘ i leoli yn Llandysul, Gorllewin Cymru. Sefydlwyd y cwmni yn 1892. Jonathan Lewis, ŵyr mawr sylfaenydd y cwmni, yw ‘ r rheolwr gyfarwyddwr presennol. Gwasg Gomer oedd y cwmni cyhoeddi hynaf yng Nghymru. Mynnodd y wasg y byddai’r penderfyniad yn diogelu dyfodol eu 55 o staff yn hytrach na arwain at golli swyddi. Wrth siarad ar raglen Post Prynhawn BBC Radio Cymru dywedodd y golygydd Bethan

Mair, sydd wedi gweithio â Gomer yn y gorffennol, fod modd disgrifio’r wasg fel ‘pwerdy cyhoeddi llenyddiaeth Gymraeg’. “Mae’r enwau mawrion ar lyfrau Gwasg Gomer, o Saunders Lewis, Waldo Williams, Gwenallt, T Llew Jones, Eigra Lewis Roberts mae’r rhestr mor faith allai fyth a’u henwi nhw i gyd.” Ychwanegodd: “Mae’r ffaith bod cyhoeddwyr hyd yn oed yn ystyried cau yn loes i rywun fel fi sydd yn caru llenyddiaeth a diwylliant, ond mae gweld Gwasg Gomer yn cau yn arbennig o llym.” Mewn datganiad fe ddywedodd y cwmni: “Y mae cwmni argraffu a chyhoeddi Gomer wedi penderfynu, ar ôl rhoddi ystyried manwl i gyfeiriad strategol y cwmni, i

osod terfyn graddol ar ei adran chyhoeddi ac i ganolbwyntio ar yr adran argraffu ac felly sicrhau dyfodol y staff o 55. “Yn y cyfamser bydd Gomer yn parhau i weithio gydag awduron a Chyngor Llyfrau Cymru i gyhoeddi teitlau sydd eisoes ar y gweill, yn ogystal â gweithredu fel cyhoeddwr i’r 3,500 o deitlau sydd mewn print yn gyfredol, ac yn sicrhau bod breindaliadau yn cael eu talu i awduron yn ogystal ag adargraffu teitlau poblogaidd pan fo galw am hynny.” Meddai Y Llywydd o Senedd, Elin Jones: “Newyddion trist iawn fod Gwasg Gomer yn dirwyn y gwaith cyhoeddi i ben. Cymaint o hanes yn y wasg yna, a chymaint o waith creadigol eto i ddod. Mae’r diwydiant cyhoeddi wedi bod, ac angen para i fod, yn rhan annatod o economi a diwylliant Ceredigion.” Y cwmni yn bwriadu parhau i argraffu’r cyfrolau sy’ ar y gweill, ac yn mynd i barhau i dalu breindaliadau i awduron y 3,500 o lyfrau sy’ mewn print ar hyn o bryd. Mae’r newyddion am gau ‘ r cyhoeddwr yn dilyn cyhoeddiad Prifysgol Aberystwyth ei fod yn bwriadu cau cwmni cyhoeddi sy ‘ n cynhyrchu adnoddau dysgu Cymraeg.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

2 Perrots Road Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 2HD

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Education

WG’s commitment to rural schools tested

CEREDIGION County Council will test the Welsh Government’s policy on rural school closures by moving ahead with plans to abolish three small schools and amalgamate them on one site. Notices will be published on the proposal to open a new Aeron Valley area school on a new site, and also to close Felinfach, Ciliau Parc and Dihewyd primary schools. The publication of a statutory notice gives people the chance to make an objection to the proposal. The development comes after Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet approved the recommendation to publish the notices. Councillor Catrin Miles is the Cabinet member responsible for Learning Services. She said, “Publishing the notices will help us carry on with our plan to open a brand new school in the Aeron Valley. It’s a chance for us to have brand new infrastructure and equipment to benefit the education of children in the Aeron Valley. “If people have concerns over the plan, they can object to the notices and make their voice heard.” The final decision on opening the new area school and close the existing three schools will be taken in a Full Council meeting in December. The notices will be published on September 16 and will close on October 13. The question of whether ‘people have concerns over the plan’ is yes. The Council backed-off its

Jon Coles

jon.coles@herald.email

previous plans in Dyffryn Aeron after a massive row. After a hastily arranged consultation in 2016, the Council faced complaints that it had taken insufficient steps to publicise its plans or hold meaningful consultations. The overwhelming majority of responses to its plans was negative, with many making the specific criticism that the presentation at informal consultations of only one option, which would lead to the closure of four schools, suggested that what was being presented to the public was a done deal. A plea for the Council to wait until the Welsh Government published then-new guidance on rural schools’ important role in communities was ignored. It was at the end of 2016, faced with the controversy winding out in the run-up to County Council elections in 2017, Ceredigion’s Cabinet decided to delay any decision until after the 2017 election. The ruling group’s concern over political fallout from the proposed closures was justified. In Ciliau Aeron, among generally positive results in May 2017, Plaid lost a seat. Local schools are among those affected by the programme of closures and mergers. In Ceredigion, there were once 90 schools and there are now 47. Those numbers were as high as 70 within the last decade. Ironically, one of the schools scheduled for closure as part of Ceredigion’s preferred

option for Dyffryn Aeron is Ysgol Dihewyd, a school, saved by absorbing students from Ysgol Trefilan which closed only four years ago. What is beyond doubt is that the lure of Welsh Government funding for new schools, albeit with many strings attached, has encouraged many councils to close schools in order to cash in on the funding offered. In many Welsh local authorities, increasing numbers of small schools, often in Welshspeaking rural communities have been forced to close and merge – often on new sites distant from the communities they serve. Welsh Government guidance on the issue states that there is: • A presumption against the closure of rural schools; • Cases to close rural schools must be strong; • Local authorities must carry out more rigorous consultation and conscientiously consider all viable alternatives

Students at Ysgol Dihewyd: Saved from closure to be threatened with closure announced its guidance, Ffred centre, rather than working with to closure including linking up Ffransis of Cymdeithas yr parents to improve the existing with other schools, known as Iaith Gymraeg said: “Officials schools. Council leaders have to federation. Ceredigion still want to close all control their officers and make Speaking presciently about schools in the Aeron Valley and the most of the opportunities schools in Dyffryn Aeron place the children in a single this policy presents.” when the Welsh Government

Swansea nominated for THE Award

S W A N S E A UNIVERSITY has been shortlisted in the Technological or Digital Innovation of the Year category in the Times Higher Education Awards 2019. The shortlisting is in recognition of Unitu, an online student voice platform that was introduced at Swansea University in the 2017-18 academic year. Unitu provides Swansea University students with the opportunity to submit anonymous feedback about each and every aspect of day-to-day university life, including studying and even campus cleanliness.

Staff can then respond to the students’ feedback, allowing a meaningful discussion which is aiming to improve how staff and students engage with each other in as easy and as conversational a manner as possible. Since its introduction, Unitu has facilitated changes to learning and teaching environments and the wider student experience, whilst also providing a space to celebrate success and promote good practice. Improvements introduced following Unitu feedback include: • Additional wellbeing support. • New study spaces. • Additional bus routes to and from campuses. • Software installed on all PCs which allows students to access resources outside of lab/ lecture time. Professor Martin Stringer, pro-vice-chancellor for education, said: “We are very proud to be nominated in THE awards. This nomination demonstrates the importance

that Swansea University places on student engagement and working with our students to improve their learning and their wider experience across the University. “The roll-out of Unitu is a credit to our student partnership and engagement team, to the many colleagues who respond to student comments, and the support and commitment of our student body as a whole.” John Gill, the editor of Times Higher Education, said: “The THE Awards hold a place in the hearts of many in UK higher education and have now been a fixture in its calendar for well over a decade. “This year we decided to incorporate the complementary strengths of our THE Leadership and Management Awards so that the range of categories better reflects the reality of how universities operate today and the interwoven nature of so much of what they do. “This will be the biggest celebration of higher education that we have ever hosted.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Education

Schools get suicide & self-harm guidance

ON WORLD Suicide Prevention Day, the Welsh Government has published new Suicide and Self-harm guidance to support teachers and professionals who regularly come into contact with young people. The guidance focusses on early intervention and the safe management of self-harm and suicidal thoughts when they arise. The guidance will provide a quick and accessible source to the principles of best practice and signposts to other sources of support and advice. Speaking at a visit to Samaritans in Cardiff, the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams said: “Any suicide is one too many, a tragedy that touches family, friends and the whole community. We must continue to encourage open discussions with children and young people about their mental

health. This new guidance will support staff who have direct contact with young people to provide effective support and have those, often difficult, conversations which could ultimately end up saving a life.” The Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething said: “The long-term effects of suicide and self-harm are devastating. This guidance is an important resource and will support our wider work around embedding a whole school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing.” The National Advisory Group (NAG) on suicide and self-harm has been working with experts from academia to develop guidance for schools on how to talk about suicide and self-harm with their pupils. Professor Ann John of Swansea University has worked with colleagues on the NAG, young

people, Mind-Ed and elsewhere within education and health to produce this guidance. Prof Ann John, said: “Selfharm in school-aged children and young people is a very real issue that we all need to take seriously. It is often a way to deal with difficult distressing emotions. When a young person reveals they are self-harming it’s a huge opportunity to help the worst thing you can do is do nothing. Teachers and other school staff are often at the front line of having these conversations with young people but many worries they will say the wrong thing. Teachers in Wales said they wanted practical advice on how to help. This guidance does that and it’s great that the Welsh Government is raising knowledge and awareness in this way. It covers a general understanding of self-harm, signs to look out for, tips on how

STRICT school uniform rules have angered parents who believe their children should be allowed some flexibility when it comes to uniforms. But where does the law stand and what can parents do if they disagree with school rules? Hannah Parsons, Principal Associate Solicitor at DAS Law, tells you what you need to know… THE RULES A school is entitled to have rules requiring pupils to wear a school uniform. Many schools will have a home school agreement, which is entered into on joining the school, where parents and pupils agree to comply with the school’s behaviour and appearance policy. The school can discipline pupils for not complying with the school uniform rules although they are expected to consider a reasonable request to vary the uniform policy and must take care to ensure that any policy does not lead to discrimination, particularly on grounds of sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, disability, religion or belief. Each maintained school has a behaviour and discipline policy. The policy will provide for pupils to be disciplined if

they breach the school’s uniform and appearance rules. Any punishment should be in line with the published behaviour policy. The guidance states that where there is a breach of the school uniform policy, either a headteacher - or someone authorised by the headteacher - can ask a pupil to go home to remedy the uniform breach. The school is expected to consider carefully whether this would be appropriate taking into account the child’s age, vulnerability, the ease and time it will take the pupil, and also the availability of the child’s parents. This is not an exclusion but an authorised absence unless the pupil continues to breach the policy to avoid school by being sent home or takes longer than necessary to make the change. School uniform breaches are usually considered minor disciplinary matters though in some cases of repeated and persistent failures exclusion may be justified. DISPUTES Disputes about school uniform should be resolved locally and under the school’s complaints policy. Often school procedures for dealing with complaints provide for the complaint to be addressed initially to the

member of staff responsible, then the head of the department, and then the headteacher. The next step would be to put the complaint in writing to the chair of governors. Once the internal complaints and appeal process has been exhausted the Department for Education can deal with complaints about schools. As well as having rules on school uniform, schools are entitled to have rules regarding appearance. Provided the rules are reasonable and don’t infringe equality legislation the school is entitled to enforce the rules following its disciplinary policy. It is common for the school to make rules regarding wearing of jewellery in school - and in particular in PE lessons and the rules may require the jewellery to be removed. Such rules are likely to be considered reasonable. Many schools set out a specific policy for dealing with the situation where recently pierced earrings cannot be removed for PE lessons and make provision for children to be given another related task. The school’s policy will often draw attention to the requirement regarding earrings suggesting that any ear piercing takes into account the school policy.

Be informed about uniform

to have those conversations and what to do if they become aware that a pupil is self-harming.” Sarah Stone, Director of Samaritans Cymru, who has welcomed the guidance said: “We hope it provides teaching staff with the confidence to reach out to children and young people as a crucial form of prevention and early intervention. We believe this guidance sits within the wider potential and ambition of the new curriculum and must be seen as part of that wholeschool approach to maximise its effectiveness. Samaritans exist to reduce suicide and as such, we welcome any measure which upskills staff to recognise and intervene with both self-harm and suicidal thoughts; two major public health issues in Wales.” “New guidance will support staff”: Kirsty Williams

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Business

MONEY MATTERS

Households urged to change habits

By Mark Jones, director of Carmarthen-based Clay Shaw Butler chartered accountants and business consultants. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has urged the government to simplify the complexities of accessing apprenticeship funding. The Apprenticeship Levy took effect from 6 April 2017 and changed the way in which apprenticeships are funded. Larger employers are required to pay a levy of 0.5% of their annual pay bill. However, an annual allowance of £15,000 is available, so employers only pay the Levy if their annual pay bill is more than £3 million. The Levy is reported and paid through Pay as You Earn (PAYE). According to ICAEW, the benefits for non-levy paying employers are particularly enticing, with the government committing to paying 95% of its apprenticeship training costs, however, the complexities in accessing the funds are putting SMEs off applying. Apprenticeship funding is devolved across the UK. Iain Wright, Director for Business and Industrial Strategy at the ICAEW, said: “In our interactions with businesses up and down the country, we find SMEs more and more reluctant to run their own apprenticeship schemes due to the complexity of accessing Levy funds and the lack of flexibility built into the scheme. “The SME sector has traditionally been a big recruiter of 16-18 yearolds for apprenticeships, so this is a concerning development which could mean that talented young people are unable to access the skills and training they need to prosper in the workplace.” For more information, see https://economia.icaew.com/news/ august-2019/simplify-apprenticeshiplevy-icaew-tells-government In other news, the latest Trusts and Estates Newsletter HMRC has confirmed the continuation of the interim arrangement for interest reporting.

In 2016 the requirement for payers to deduct tax at source on bank and building society interest was removed and income from these sources is now paid gross. Due to this change, trustees and personal representatives had increased reporting requirements. HMRC introduced an interim arrangement so trustees do not have to submit returns, or make payments under informal arrangements, where the only source of income is savings interest and the tax liability is below £100. HMRC has confirmed that these arrangements have been extended to include the 2019/20 and 2020/21 tax years. The situation will continue to be reviewed in the longer term. If you want detailed help about trusts, then please contact the team at Clay Shaw Butler. Tax calendar dates for your diary September Thursday 19 - PAYE, Student loan and CIS deductions are due for month to 5th September 2019 October Saturday 5 - Deadline for notifying HMRC of new sources of taxable income or gains or liability to the High Income Child Benefit Charge for 2018/19 if no tax return has been issued 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

Homes: we all need to make basic changes are down by between 2% and S E P T E M B E R 5.5% compared to last year. traditionally marks the UKIFDA Chief Executive, start of Autumn and trade associations the UK and Guy Pulham, comments: Ireland Fuel Distributors “People who use oil to heat their homes would be forgiven Association (UKIFDA) and for not thinking about heating OFTEC have joined forces their homes at the moment with to launch their ‘Get Winter Ready’ campaign. many of us still experiencing The ‘Get Winter Ready’ warm days but we have launched this campaign to campaign is designed to encourage people to stock up encourage the 114,000 heating on oil, sooner not later. oil customers across Wales to It’s better to order early change their energy habits by ordering a supply of heating when demand is low. Ordering ahead of the bad weather also oil early, getting their boiler ensures no household is caught serviced and checking the oil out, especially in remote and tank in the garden is in tip-top rural areas where roads can be condition before the onset of disrupted. Delivery times only winter. The campaign has been increase as the weather gets worse.” launched as the latest figures OFTEC Chief Executive, from a recognised independent Paul Rose, comments: source show oil prices in “Regular maintenance by most regions across the UK

an experienced heating professional is the best way to avoid problems, so our advice is to book your boiler serviced now before cold weather sets in and use a qualified OFTEC registered technician who will check everything is working correctly and identify any potential problems. It’s simpler and less stressful to fix any issues now rather than wait for the whole system to stop working when you need it most.” Guy Pulham adds: “Each year, UKIFDA oil distributors remind customers that they should order early but people have got into a pattern of ordering the minimum quantity and running out in the middle of the worst weather when tanker drivers just can’t get to them. We are trying to educate

people to think ahead and be prepared. UKIFDA also advises customers to set up a regular monthly payment with their local oil supplier to offset higher bills during the winter months, especially with the additional expense of Christmas.” UKIFDA and OFTEC have also developed a host of moneysaving tips and useful advice on managing energy needs on their website www.oilsave.org. uk For detailed information on how installing a more efficient condensing boiler could save you hundreds over the year, to easy tips on making your existing system more efficient without spending a penny, www.oilsave.org.uk has been designed to help consumers get more from oil-fuelled energy.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Business

Hauliers welcome breathing space A PROPOSAL from the European Commission to modify the end date of its contingency measures on road haulage and aviation would give UK logistics operators welcome breathing space as they continue their Brexit preparations, according to the Freight Trade Association (FTA). But with both proposals only providing extended access to the EU transport market for an additional seven months (road until end July 2020 and aviation until 24 October 2020), and yet to be adopted into law, operators undertaking business planning for the year ahead still face uncertainty as they look to secure the stability of the UK’s supply chain. “The news from the European Commission is welcome,” says

Pauline Bastidon, FTA’s Head of European Policy, “as it eases some of the anxieties of UK road and air freight operators, who had been left to wonder whether they could still deliver goods to and from the EU after the end of the year. “FTA has been pushing to extend accessibility for logistics operators since Article 50 was extended beyond 12 April this year. The proposal is a positive signal and will be welcomed by our operator members - we urge the European Parliament and member states to adopt it as quickly as possible. “However, seven months is a relatively short time in business, and the logistics industry is wary that it could well be left to face yet another cliff edge of uncertainty if a long-term proposal for future road and air access cannot be

confirmed with the EU promptly. It is undeniable that the new agreements will help maintain trading relationships in the short term and are better than no agreement at all, but they do not provide a long term, sustainable solution for road haulage and aviation between the UK and EU. “The new EU measures will not protect the current operating levels of UK businesses, many of which will find their access to European markets constrained, even with the new accessibility agreements. This is especially true for road haulage. She continued: “Since Article 50 was triggered, FTA has been pushing Government to prioritise the needs of the logistics industry, to protect the UK’s highly interconnected supply chain and ensure that the businesses within

Redkite spreads wings A FAST-GROWING Welsh legal group has merged with a Herefordshire-based solicitors firm, creating a combined business with 12 offices and more than 185 staff. Redkite Solicitors, one of the largest legal firms in Wales and the south-west, has joined forces with Ledbury-based Orme & Slade. All 28 employees will remain with the firm, based in Ledbury's former Natwest Bank Chambers, and which will be rebranded as Redkite Solicitors Incorporating Orme & Slade. Redkite, which previously had 157 employees and 11 offices, is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy following a period of expansion. The firm, which is headquartered in Carmarthen, has doubled its turnover to £9 million since 2017. Redkite’s recent growth has helped create new jobs at the firm’s Spilman Street base in Carmarthen, which provides back-office and finance services. As part of the deal, the firm has taken over the entire Natwest Bank building in the centre of Ledbury, which has been extensively refurbished. The merger will allow the firm to offer a broader range of specialist legal services to local businesses, including litigation, contentious probate and employment law. It also brings extra investment in IT systems, designed to enable the

The Redkite Team: Celebrating further expansion

Ledbury office to provide improved client service. The deal comes after Redkite merged with Cardiff and Breconbased firm Charles Crookes and Swansea-based Harris Arnold, in 2017 and April 2019 respectively. Another merger with Gloucestershire-based Phoenix Legal Group in late 2017 means the firm now has offices in Brecon, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Dursley, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Stonehouse, Stroud, Swansea, Tenby and Whitland. Neil Walker, chief executive of Redkite, said: "Redkite Solicitors has been helping individuals, families and businesses across England and Wales resolve their legal issues for over one hundred years. We have built our heritage on serving market towns and rural businesses and have developed our services to meet their particular needs. "As a law firm rooted in the local communities it serves, Orme &

Slade is the perfect fit for us as we expand our footprint in the border counties. "We are also pleased that this expansion has resulted in more employment opportunities in Carmarthen, demonstrating our continued commitment to investing in our operations in Wales." Julie Sutherland, previously a Director at Orme & Slade, is now Lead Partner for the Ledbury office at Redkite. Commenting on the merger, she said: "This is an exciting development for both Orme & Slade and Redkite Solicitors. By working together, we will be able to offer our clients an even broader range of specialist legal services as well as improved meeting facilities in the heart of the town. "We have always been driven by understanding and serving our clients' needs, and we look forward to providing a more holistic service as a result of this merger."

it can continue to keep Britain trading, whatever the format that Brexit ultimately takes. “Today’s proposal is one piece in the jigsaw puzzle but there are still several key areas where we urgently need further clarity and easements that need to be replicated as soon as possible so that logistics can continue to do what it does best: to keep Britain trading. “Many of these easements, including those previously conceded ahead of a potential no-deal exit in March, need to be discussed and ratified by the UK’s Parliament, and the recent decision for prorogation will mean that their formal extension may only come at the eleventh hour. This means that, once again, that logistics and supply chain managers are being left with very

“We need to start talks now”: Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay wants to avoid supply chaos

limited time to make changes to business and operating practices, often significant ones, without full clarity on what the post-Brexit picture might be.” RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said: “With only 38 working days to go until we leave the EU it is essential that information is delivered clearly and concisely. Traders, haulage operators in particular, simply

don’t have time to digest and implement the small print. They need to know right now how to get through the next few months. “It is essential that the entire supply chain here and abroad understands what will be required. This information will certainly reduce the impact but it won’t be until 1 November that we get a clearer idea of what ‘impact’ actually looks like.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Politics

Parliament suspended Jon Coles

jon@herald.email

Jacob Rees Mogg: Upholding parliamentary sovereignty

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MUCH as it did in August, at the height of a political crisis the House of Commons is taking a few weeks off. This time, the causes of the protracted break are the government’s active desire to avoid MPs doing their jobs, scrutinising the executive, and preparing for Brexit. In July and August, the cause of the protracted break was MPs’ desire to have a break from doing their jobs, scrutinising the executive, and preparing for Brexit. Whereas the former is a completely unacceptable subversion of parliamentary democracy, the latter was well-deserved holibobs for our overworked parliamentarians. THE PRIVY COUNCIL The current situation highlights that custom and customary arrangements are not strong enough to stand up to a determined executive which wants to get its way. When it came to the suspension of Parliament, custom and practice provided a useful way for the government to take cover. The Privy Council is supposed to advise the sovereign. However, its powers are merely customary. The members have no automatic right to attend all Privy Council meetings, and only some are summoned regularly to meetings (in practice at the Prime Minister’s discretion).

There are currently 702 individual Privy Councillors but the quorum for a meeting of the Council is three. Three attended the meeting of the Council which prorogued the House of Commons because only three were either invited or needed. The Privy Council went to Balmoral, where the Queen was on holiday. They advised her that Parliament should be prorogued and she was bound - by the same sort of custom and practice that makes the UK a monarchy - to suspend its sitting. The Lord President of the Council (usually the Leader of the House of Commons and presently Jacob Rees Mogg) decides when and where the council supposed to advise the monarch meets and what advice it gives. The monarch by constitutional convention accepts the Privy Council’s advice and it does not matter whether they agree with it or not. Although the monarch is, as a strict matter of law, the United Kingdom’s chief executive, Royal Assent has long been a formality In Belgium, also a constitutional monarchy, in 1990 the devout Roman Catholic king (Baudouin), asked the Belgian government to declare him temporarily unable to reign so that he could avoid signing new liberal abortion rules into law. Twentyfour hours later, once the Bill was signed into law, Baudouin took up the throne again. The prorogation of parliament for five weeks as the Brexit clocks ticks downwards, however one looks at it, reminds electors that parliamentary rules and customs are neither fit for purpose nor grounded in the modern world. Labour AM Alun Davies put it on Twitter: “A parliament suspended against its will is not a sovereign body. It’s worth noting that this couldn’t happen in the more modern parliaments in Wales and Scotland.”

RECESS When each House is not sitting, they adjourn periodically for recesses, which broadly align with school holidays in England and Wales. In the year following the State Opening of Parliament in 2017, the Commons spent 88 weekdays in recess, including 16 days in September for MPs to attend party conferences. The Lords spent 87 weekdays in recess. The retiring Speaker, John Bercow, argues that while party conferences are valuable opportunities for discussion, they mean that parliamentarians leave Westminster just weeks after having returned following the summer recess. This can mean that Parliament sits for just two weeks between midJuly and mid-October – almost a quarter of a year. Mr Bercow has suggested that party conferences should be moved to weekends to increase the time available to Parliament. He had to go. However, MPs’ responsibilities continue regardless of whether or not Parliament is sitting. It is up to each MP, by and large, how much time s/he spends carrying them out. For example, expectations of constituents are changing. MPs receive considerably more correspondence each week from their constituents than 50 years ago, and social media also makes them more accessible. Constituents increasingly expect MPs to conduct casework – helping individual constituents with specific issues, often on welfare and housing – rather than spending time representing them in Westminster. MPs can fulfil some of these duties either in Westminster or in their constituencies. Sitting days are therefore useful only as a measure of time spent at Westminster, rather than an indication of how MPs spend their total working time. WHAT NEXT? MPs could do nothing to stop the government forcing a suspension upon them. Once the Royal Prerogative has been

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Politics

as Johnson rolls the dice exercised, that’s it. The law which binds the Prime Minister to seek an extension beyond October 31 if he cannot get a Brexit deal by October 19, means that Boris Johnson’s room for manoeuvre is limited. He says he will seek an extension under no circumstances and members of the Cabinet have flagged they will do everything they can to disobey both the law’s letter and spirit. While, with prorogation in the Government’s interest, Royal Assent was the final word – the PM’s stance indicates the rule of law is open to challenge by any means available to it by the PM and his Cabinet. Every time he has gambled during his short premiership, Mr Johnson has lost. Raising the stakes in the only chance he

has left to recoup his losses. If the Prime Minister breaks the law, he will commit an offence of misfeasance in public office. Unless Mr Johnson has another wheeze up his sleeve, should he stand by his commitment to ‘die in a ditch’ before requesting an extension the UK’s immediate relationship with the EU will be decided in the High Court. The idea that such a case would take ages and pass over the period up to and beyond October 31, therefore bypassing the law, is misplaced. A judge hearing the case would almost be bound to make an order that the letter is sent while the substantive issue was sorted out – probably in the Supreme Court. While a Judge might hesitate to jail Boris Johnson,

one would almost certainly grant an injunction forcing compliance with the law and directing a civil servant to sign a letter requesting an extension in the PM’s place. The Prime Minister is not above the law and neither is his government. The alternative is that Mr Johnson resigns rather than sign the letter the law forces upon him. That would lead to a whole new set of possibilities. Having ducked, dodged, weaved, and outright lied his way to the top job – it would certainly answer the question of whether Mr Johnson has the courage of any convictions at all, but only at the cost of his career. Enjoying power: Boris Johnson

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Health

Dogs enhance owners’ exercise

Enhancing activity’s outcome: Exercising with your dog

IT’S NO secret that exercise leaves us feeling more energised. However, new research reveals exercising with a dog can enhance this effect, leaving us with significantly greater feelings of stamina and most of all, vigour - compared to going it alone. The mood data also showed that negative mood states like depression, anger and fatigue decreased following all runs. What is more, it’s possible to maintain the same exercise intensity when running with your dog as without, showing this activity is a feasible way to build exercise into both you and your dog’s routine, discounting perceptions that a dog’s need to stop intermittently would hinder your regime. Despite knowing we’ll feel better after exercise it’s easy to feel ‘treadmill-dread’ and put it off. The study reveals that dog owners who participated in the study felt that the prospect of running with their dog gave them the motivation to get up and go – turning ‘good intentions’ into ‘action’. Emotional connection with our dogs helps us go

the distance. Dog owners also reported feeling satisfied knowing that they’re doing an activity their pet loves too. The feeling of companionship on a run makes the activity itself more enjoyable. Study leader, Dr Sarah Edmunds from the University of Chichester said: “Despite nearly a quarter of adults in the UK owning a dog, there has been very little research investigating the role dogs play in their owners’ motivation for exercise. This is the first study, that we are aware of, which has looked specifically at the impact of running with dogs on their owner’s exercise experience. “Results show that our participants exercised at the same intensity both with and without their dog and they experienced a psychological benefit from running with their dog. Interview data found participants were autonomously motivated to run with their dogs. From a behaviour change point of view, this is of interest as autonomous motivation is associated with exercise adherence. This was a smallscale study, but it indicates taking your dog as a running

companion may help to provide that extra motivation to get you out running and help you enjoy the activity.” Exercising with a dog has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, leading owners to a more physically active lifestyle. Better yet, exercising with a dog isn’t just good for you, but it also boosts your dog’s overall health, mood and fitness levels. Henry Dove, Veterinary Expert for the grain-free pet food brand, Canagan, which supported the research said: “The companionship you share with your dog offers so many benefits and this can be applied to running with your dog. “Building runs into your pet’s daily exercise regime will ensure they will be fit, will be less likely to be overweight, will keep their joints mobile, and will strengthen their muscle mass. They will also get mental stimulation from going to new places and be happy that they are doing something with you. It is important to remember that like humans, your dog will need to build their running endurance over time, and they will need water along the way too.”

Pet therapy is perfect tonic PATIENTS who attend the Cleddau River Day Unit in South Pembrokeshire Hospital have been benefiting from the comfort and companionship of pet therapy. Volunteers Zambu the Labrador and his owner Gill make fortnightly visits to see patients at the unit. The calm canine is a delight to patients and staff alike, and staff on the ward are seeing positive results in their patients. Gill Cripwell said: “Zambu and I have a bond; he is my therapy and has supported my day-to-day emotions through a very emotional time in my life. “He reads my body language and tone of voice and is by my side instantly offering comfort. “Zambu has great perception reading body language and emotions and,

Zambu the Labrador: With one of Cleddau River Day Unit’s patients

is kind, sensitive and gentle. He has this gift of healing emotions and wellness and uses eye contact to read others. “Having Zambu in my life has made a huge difference and I am proud to be able to share this with other people. “The impact he has on

people is rewarding and long-lasting. He provides so much love and laughter he is proud to go to ‘work’ and share his gift of healing.” Jo Davies, Rehabilitation Team Leader added: “Working with not for profit organisation Cariad Pet Therapy, we have been able to welcome Zambu and his owner Gill to the unit. “We have found having Zambu to visit the day unit has been a benefit to our patients and service users. Their faces light up when he is near them, they love to pet him and play fetch. “The staff love to have him here also. “Pet therapy is well known for the improvement of those with anxiety and dementia, having Zambu here also sparks conversations about past pets and fond memories which is also very beneficial.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Health

Left-handedness linked to genes

A NEW study has for the first time identified regions of the genome associated with left-handedness in the general population and linked their effects with brain architecture. The new study, funded by the MRC and Wellcome, published in the journal Brain, identified some of the genetic variants associated with left-handedness by analysing the genomes of about 400,000 people from UK Biobank, which included 38,332 left-handers. Of the four genetic regions they identified, three of these were associated with proteins involved in brain development and structure. In particular, these proteins were related to microtubules, which are part of the scaffolding inside cells, called the cytoskeleton, which guides the construction and functioning of the cells in the body.

Using detailed brain imaging from approximately 10,000 of these participants, the researchers found that these genetic effects were associated with differences in brain structure in white matter tracts, which contain the cytoskeleton of the brain that joins languagerelated regions. The researchers also found correlations between the genetic regions involved in left-handedness and a very slightly lower chance of having Parkinson’s disease, but a very slightly higher chance of having schizophrenia. However, the researchers stressed that these links only correspond to a very small difference in the actual number of people with these diseases, and are correlational so they do not show cause-and-effect. Studying the genetic links could help to improve

understanding of how these serious medical conditions develop. Dr Akira Wiberg, an MRC Clinical Research Training Fellow from the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Oxford, who carried out the analyses, said: “Around 90% of people are right-handed, and this has been the case for at least 10,000 years. “We discovered that, in left-handed participants, the language areas of the left and right sides of the brain communicate with each other in a more coordinated way. This raises the intriguing possibility for future research that left-handers might have an advantage when it comes to performing verbal tasks, but it must be remembered that these differences were only seen

as averages over very large numbers of people and not all left-handers will be similar.” Professor Gwenaëlle Douaud, an MRC Career Development Fellow from the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging at the University of Oxford, who was joint senior author on the study, said: “Many animals show left-right asymmetry in their development, such as snail shells coiling to the left or right, and this is driven by genes for cell scaffolding, what we call the “cytoskeleton”. “For the first time in humans, we have been able to establish that these handedness-associated cytoskeletal differences are visible in the brain. We know from other animals, such as snails and frogs that these effects are caused by very early genetically-guided events, so this raises the tantalising possibility that the hallmarks

Brain development in the womb: Identified as left-handed link of the future development of handedness start appearing in the brain in the womb.” Professor Dominic Furniss, a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Fellow from the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, and Musculoskeletal Science at the University of Oxford, who was a joint senior author on the study, said: “Throughout history, left-handedness has been considered unlucky, or even malicious. Indeed, this is

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reflected in the words for left and right in many languages. For example, in English “right” also means correct or proper; in French “gauche” means both left and clumsy. “Here we have demonstrated that lefthandedness is a consequence of the developmental biology of the brain, in part driven by the complex interplay of many genes. It is part of the rich tapestry of what makes us human”.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Motoring

The Mini Remastered DAVID BROWN AUTOMOTIVE has revealed Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition, a one-of-akind performance version of the celebrated city car. The highly tuned Mini Remastered, to be made on a limited production run of 60 cars to mark the first Mini launching in 1959, will be made in partnership with classic car performance specialist, Oselli. The performance-enhanced Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition offers customers an engine unit developed by Oselli, with other tuning upgrades added. The powertrain unit is a punchy 1,420cc Stage 3 engine. The uprated engine will be paired with a remastered five-speed gearbox. With 40% more power than the original A-series engine, the powertrain unit will deliver more than 100bhp with buckets of torque to make for a thrilling driving experience. The exhaust system and air intake will be specially engineered to manage the higher power output. A strong focus on raceready driving means the chassis is uprated with key

suspension enhancements, featuring adjustable SPAX performance dampers. A racespec brake kit comes in the form of large diameter disc brakes gripped by four-piston callipers’ at the front of the car, and alloy rear drum brakes at the rear. Compared to the standard model, the tyres are wider and are made for performance at high speed. The tyres are fitted to 7J x 13-inch Enkei alloy wheels, finished in gold or silver. The wheels are wider and larger in diameter compared to the standard wheels to accommodate the larger brakes and for a more performance-focused drive. The styling of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition has been honed to reflect the highlytuned nature of the rest of the car. Customers have the choice of two main colourways; with either a primary body colour in off-white paint or dark grey and a choice of a three-tier full-length racing stripe and side accents in either Crimson, Royal Blue or Racing Green. The cast alloy engine cover will be painted to match the exterior stripe and fitted with a unique build plate. A mesh grille with two

white inset LED spotlights adds to the sporty theme of Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition, while the build number is painted onto the grille and on the rear of the car. A monotone bonnet badge denotes the car’s performance ability, a hint to lineage introduced by David Brown Automotive with the same feature on the Speedback Silverstone Edition. Inside, Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition is available to order either as a two-seater with a rear hand-trimmed roll cage or as a four-seater car, featuring accent colours to match the chosen racing stripe colour and black accents. Like other models from David Brown Automotive, this new model further demonstrates a commitment to bespoke British handcraftsmanship, combined with modern engineering, technology and conveniences. “This exciting new performance version of the Mini Remastered is a step forward for our company,” said David Brown, company founder and CEO. “We are thrilled to be working with Oselli and this partnership sets a marker of intent for our

Mini Remastered, Oselli Edition: ‘One-of-a-kind’ ambitions in the performance with customers looking for a car sector. We are sure this fast classic car, with the Mini Oselli Edition will prove a hit Remastered proving so popular

in its own right and the ideal platform for performance enhancements.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 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

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Motoring

Car buyers’ weirdest questions revealed USED car dealers across the UK have revealed the often strange – and sometimes downright bizarre – requests they have received from customers. Among the oddest was a customer who wanted to take a car home to check if his dog liked it before he committed to buying, while one consumer wanted to know if he’d be able to fit a coffin in the back of a Ford Mondeo. CarGurus, which was founded by TripAdvisor cofounder Langley Steinert, surveyed thousands of used car dealers in its UK network to find the strangest questions asked on the forecourt. While the survey results show a common theme of buyers asking questions around the price, and payment terms, CarGurus

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has compiled a list of the ten weirdest questions asked by consumers before they decided whether to buy a car. 1 Will a coffin fit in the back of a Ford Mondeo? 2 Can I take the car home to see if my dog likes it? 3 Can you make this lefthand drive? 4 Would you take animals/ property as payment? 5 Can I check the chassis number to see if it’s lucky? 6 Can I take my 80-yearold wife for a test drive to scare her? 7 Can you fit it with a radio and tape deck? 8 Can you deliver it to Australia? 9 Can you put the seats down so I can see if I can sleep in the back? 10 Can you fill it with balloons and put a bow on it? Also included in the

results was a plethora of customers who were overly concerned about fitting sometimes odd possessions in the car; these included a tuba, a longbow and arrow, a double bass and one optimistic buyer was keen to find out if he could install his baby’s child car seat on the rear shelf of a 2 seat midengine Toyota MR2 sports car. While the most common questions fielded by dealers are typically about more conventional things; whether or not the car has a full service history, what the dealer’s ‘best price’ is, or how long the used car has been on the market for – 31 days on average according to CarGurus - but some customers take things much further. Several dealers reported

KIA SPORTAGE1 1.6 5dr, petrol, fsh, 1 owner, black, 29k..........................................£11,995.00 CITROEN C1 1.0 FEEL,white, 5dr, 16k, fsh ................................................................. £5,495.00 PEUGEOT 108 1.0 ACTIVE, red, 5dr, 13k, fsh............................................................. £5,750.00 MINI CLUBMAN 2.0 COOPER D ESTATE, grey, 5dr, 30k, 1 owner ......................... £10,995.00 CITROEN C1 1.0 FEEL PURETECH ,silver, 5dr, 16k, fsh ........................................... £5,995.00 FORD FIESTA STYLE 1.5 Tdi, black, fsh 32k ............................................................... £5,995.00 TOYOTA AYGO 1.0 XPLAY, white, 5dr, fsh ................................................................. £4,650.00 VAUXHALL CORSA 1.2 EXCITE, 3dr, white, 45k ....................................................... £5,495.00 VOLKSWAGEN MOVE UP 1.0 , white, 5dr, 22k, fsh ................................................... £5,750.00 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6 DESIGN CDTi, 5dr, white, fsh .............................................. £4,995.00 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 2.0 E GT, 5dr, 67k, red, s/history............................................. £9,995.00 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.6 SRi CDTi, 5dr, silver, 61k, fsh, 1 owner ................................ £7,250.00 BMW 520 2.0 D M SPORT AUTOMATIC ESTATE, white, s/history .........................£11,995.00 FORD FOCUS 1,6 EDGE TDCi ESTATE, silver, 1 owner ............................................ £4,495.00 PUEGEOT 208 1.4 ACCESS Hdi 5dr, fsh, 1 owner choice of silver/grey/black from .. £4,750.00 FORD MONDEO 2.0 TDCi AUTOMATIC, 5dr, black, fsh, 1 owner........................... £6,995.00 FORD FOCUS 2.0 TITANIUM TDCi, white, 5dr, fsh .................................................. £4,995.00 VOLKSWAGEON GOLF 1.6 SE B/MOTION TECH Tdi, black, 5dr............................ £4,995.00 VAUXHALL ASTRA 1.3 CDTi SPORTS TOURER ESTATE, silver, fsh, 1 owner ....... £3,995.00 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.6 SE Tdi b/motion tech, silver, 5dr, s/history, 60k ............... £7,495.00 MINI COOPER 1.6D CLUBMAN ESTATE, diesel, blue .............................................. £4,250.00 FIAT 500 1.2 COLOUR THERAPY, yellow, 41k ........................................................... £4,495.00 NISSAN QASHQAI 1.5 Dci TENKA , 5dr, gold, .......................................................... £7,250.00 FORD FIESTA 1.4 ZETEC TDCi, 5dr, white ................................................................ £3,595.00 PEUGEOT 107 1.0, yelLow, 56k, 3dr............................................................................. £2,995.00 AUDI A3 SPORT 2.0 Tdi, red 5dr ................................................................................. £5,495.00 FIAT QUBO 1.2 DYNAMIQUE MULTIJET Dci, wheel chair access,green, 15k, fsh .. £4,995.00 FIAT QUBO 1.2 DYNAMIQUE MULTIJET Dci, black mpv, 39k, s/history ................ £4,995.00 FORD KUGA 2.0 TDCi ZETEC, white, 5dr, s/history ................................................. £6,350.00 CITROEN DS3 1.6 DSPORT 110, silver ....................................................................... £3,995.00 PEUGEOT 107 1.0 URBAN AUTOMATIC, yellow, 56k, 3dr ....................................... £3,250.00 FIAT 500 1.2 POP, navy, 45k, s/history ......................................................................... £3,250.00

being asked whether a car could be taken for months at a time without payment as an extended test drive, after which the buyer would decide whether or not to purchase. Similarly, many dealers are often asked if payment for a car can be delayed, or if they can take a vehicle off the market for up to six months to allow the customer to raise the cash. Others report being asked to transport cars hundreds of miles away so that the customer can view it in person and it’s not uncommon for used car dealers to be asked to deliver cars as far away as Australia, Malta and Nigeria. Chris Knapman, Editor of CarGurus, said: “When searching for and purchasing a car it’s important to know

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The Ford Mondeo: Not for coffin carrying it’ll meet your requirements “By factoring dealer – however unusual they reviews into how we rank search results, CarGurus can might be. Asking questions easily highlight dealerships is, therefore, a crucial part of the buying process, and that go above and beyond when it comes to keeping something dealers fully expect when a consumer customers happy – even makes contact, whether it’s if they do draw the line at taking animals as partin the showroom or online via CarGurus. payment.”

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF PLUS 1.6 SE Tdi, 5dr,blue, s/history ....................................... £4,995.00 FORD FIESTA 1.3 EDGE, 5dr, blue, s/history, ............................................................ £3,495.00 RENAULT CLIO 1.2, black, 3dr,.................................................................................... £1,995.00 FORD FIESTA 1.2 STYLE PLUS, 5dr, silver, 61k, s/history ......................................... £3,995.00 VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3 LIFE CDTi, silver, 5dr........................................................... £1,995.00 FORD FIESTA 1.4 ZETEC TDCi, 5dr, red, 66k, s/history ........................................... £3,595.00 VAUXHALL CORSA 1.3 SXi, silver, 3dr ....................................................................... £1,995.00 PUEGEOT 207 1.4S, 5dr, silver, s/history ..................................................................... £1,995.00 TOYOTA AYGO 1.0 VVTi +, grey, 3dr ......................................................................... £1,995.00 FORD FIESTA 2.0 ST, silver .......................................................................................... £2,550.00 AUDI TT 1.8 ROADSTER CONVERTIBLE, blue ....................................................... £2,500.00

COMMERCIALS

Prices inclusive of 20% VAT 2016 16 2015 15 2014 64 2014 14 2013 63 2013 13 2011 61 2011 11 2010 60 2009 59 2009 09 2009 58 2008 58 2007 56

CITROEN BERLINGO 1.6 Hdi ENTERPRISE, white ................................................. £6,995.00 FIAT FIORINO 1.3 MULTIJET, white, fsh ................................................................... £3,250.00 PEUGEOT PARTNER 1.6 S Hdi, white, 52k, fsh .......................................................... £5,495.00 FORD FIESTA 1.5 TDCi, white .................................................................................... £3,995.00 FORD TRANSIT 2.2 T280 125bhp, white, fsh 1 owner ................................................ £4,995.00 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY 1.6 Tdi STARTLINE, silver, fsh............................................ £5,750.00 CITROEN RELAY 35 2.2 DROPSIDE........................................................................... £4,995.00 FORD TRANSIT 2.2 T300S, yellow .............................................................................. £5,000.00 VAUXHALL COMBO 1.3 CDTi, ex bt, white, fsh......................................................... £3,250.00 FORD TRANSIT 2.2 260, white,sld with window, swb ex BT, 76k .............................. £4,750.00 VAUXHALL CORSA VAN 1.3 CDTi, white, ex BT, fsh CHOICE from ....................... £2,395.00 VAUXHALL COMBO 1.3 CDTi, white, s/history ......................................................... £2,750.00 VAUXHALL CORSA VAN 1.3 CDTi, white, CHOICE from ........................................ £2,395.00 FORD TRANSIT T350 2.4 BOX VAN, white, fsh, 1 owner .......................................... £3,495.00

TWIN AXLE FLATBED TRAILER ....................................... £1,500.00

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Motors

JLR launches new Defender

THE DEFENDER has always been a symbol of strength and the new model is the toughest and most capable Land Rover yet, combining a new body structure with world-first technologies and proven hardware to create a Defender that is fit for the 21st century. The lightweight allaluminium monocoque construction of the new D7x architecture delivers the stiffest Land Rover body ever created, with a torsional rigidity of 30kNm/Degree – making it three times more rigid than traditional body-onframe designs. These strong foundations provide the perfect basis for the all-independent suspension, twin-speed transfer box and permanent all-wheel drive.

Configurable Terrain Response makes its debut in new Defender, allowing drivers to fine-tune the set-up of the vehicle to suit the precise offroad conditions like never before. The Terrain Response 2 system also includes a new Wade programme to provide the ultimate reassurance when driving through water by optimising all of the vehicle systems accordingly. Nick Rogers, Executive Director, Product Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover, said: “We’ve embraced Defender’s stunning capability and minimalistic, functional interior to reinvent the icon for the 21st century. New Defender gives us the licence to do things differently, to push the boundaries and do the unthinkable, without ever losing

the character and authenticity of the original. From the start, we had an absolute obsession with functionality beneath the skin, from choosing the right materials through to state-ofthe-art connectivity. The result is not only the most capable Land Rover ever made but also a truly comfortable, modern vehicle that people will love to drive.” The core team of engineers and designers agreed the new Defender family would include 90 and 110 body designs, retain the distinctive silhouette, sidehinged rear door arrangement and include a central front jump seat at the very beginning of the programme. To retain the famous Defender silhouette, accommodate a family of body designs and support the latest

range of electrified powertrains, Land Rover developed the new all-aluminium D7x platform. It has the unique combination of practicality, flexibility and capability expected from a 4x4 wearing the Defender name and doesn’t share a single body-inwhite panel with another Land Rover model. This commitment to engineering integrity means the Defender has its line in body assembly at the new manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia. The short rear overhang, the same for both body designs, is made possible by mounting the spare wheel externally, rather than under the rear floor, where it is readily accessible off-road, and the trademark side-hinged rear door is engineered to accommodate any of the available wheels and

The new Defender: The ‘toughest Land Rover yet’ tyre combinations. Land Rover has introduced a series of technologies to help deliver the capability customers expect from a Defender, including the latest generation of its patented Terrain Response system. Configurable Terrain Response technology allows drivers to use the touchscreen of the new Pivi Pro infotainment to fine-

tune every aspect of the vehicle to suit its precise surroundings. In the original Defender, drivers could lock the central differential manually using the high-to-low range gear selector. In the new Defender, drivers can prevent crossaxle slip using the Centre Slip Limited and Centre and Rear Slip Limited options on the central touchscreen controller.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Letters

Interesting BREXIT DEAR SIR, In response to your article in the herald dated 30th August. I have realised that the Remainers have been right all along when they say I did not know all the true facts before voting to leave, and it’s true! We WERE lied to apparently - so I decided to do a little research. I just voted to leave because I thought our sovereignty was being compromised by foreign un elected masters. That we were compelled to have unlimited uncontrolled immigration, our laws and export agreements dictated by Brussels bureaucrats - and had to pay eyewatering amounts for the privilege However... I did not know more than 4,000 EU officials get paid more than our Prime Minister. I did not know that, unlike the UK, 18 countries get more back from the EU than they put in. I did not know that the EU occupies over 45 buildings - 2 of which were purpose built monuments of grandeur and are the largest buildings in Europe. I did not know that the EU Parliament spends 150 million euros a year moving to Strasbourg every month for 4 days committee meetings - and any attempt to stop this madness is vetoed by France. I did not know that the EU has had a huge luxury shopping Mall built in Brussels for exclusive use of EU employees. I did not know that every day queues of chauffeur driven cars, with their engines running, wait outside EU establishments while their occupants go in, sign in for their attendance allowance and expenses, then come straight back out and are driven away. I did not know that many of them (like the Kinnocks) end up as millionaires as a reward for looking the other way! I did not know that Clegg was lying when he mocked Nigel Farage for saying that an EU army was being planned - and Brussels said all along that it would NEVER happen. I did not know that the EU had been financing the mass movement of industries from UK to mainland Europe. I did not know that every member of the EU Council has to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the EU - so they are not a country’s representative to the EU. They are the EU’s representative to the country! I did not know that mep`s allowance is € 4.513 per month. The monthly pre-tax salary of MEPs is €8,757.70 (as of 1 July 2018) which is the equivalent of an annual gross salary of €105,092. I did not know 44,000 EU officials and 11,000 employees cost over €8billion a year – 4,000 of those officials earn more than €290,000 a year, which is more

than the German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s salary’. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that I have never for a moment doubted the correctness of my decision but I am now more sure than ever. I am so glad that the Remainers prompted me to look deeper into the bureaucratic absurdity of being in the EU. Financial and industrial deals from the EU . This is what successive governments have allowed to happen. 1) Cadbury moved factory to Poland 2011 with EU grant. 2) Ford Transit moved to Turkey 2013 with EU grant. 3) Jaguar Land Rover has recently agreed to build a new plant in Slovakia with EU grant, owned by Tata, the same company who have trashed our steel works and emptied the workers pension funds. 4) Peugeot closed its Ryton (was Rootes Group) plant and moved production to Slovakia with EU grant. 5) British Army’s new Ajax fighting vehicles to be built in SPAIN using SWEDISH steel at the request of the EU to support jobs in Spain with EU grant, rather than Wales. 6) Dyson gone to Malaysia, with an EU loan. 7) Crown Closures, Bournemouth (Was METAL BOX), gone to Poland with EU grant, once employed 1,200. 8) M&S manufacturing gone to far east with EU loan. 9) Hornby models gone. In fact all toys and models now gone from UK along with the patents all with with EU grants. 10) Gillette gone to eastern Europe with EU grant. 11) Texas Instruments Greenock gone to Germany with EU grant. 12) Indesit at Bodelwyddan Wales gone with EU grant. 13) Sekisui Alveo said production at its Merthyr Tydfil Industrial Park foam plant will relocate production to Roermond in the Netherlands, with EU funding. 14) Hoover Merthyr factory moved out of UK to Czech Republic and the Far East by Italian company Candy with EU backing. 15) ICI integration into Holland’s AkzoNobel with EU bank loan and within days of the merger, several factories in the UK, were closed, eliminating 3,500 jobs 16) Boots sold to Italians Stefano Pessina who have based their HQ in Switzerland to avoid tax to the tune of £80 million a year, using an EU loan for the purchase. 17) JDS Uniphase run by two Dutch men, bought up companies in the UK with £20 million in EU ‘regeneration’ grants, created a pollution nightmare and just closed it all down leaving 1,200 out of

work and an environmental cleanup paid for by the UK tax-payer. They also raided the pension fund and drained it dry. 18) UK airports are owned by a Spanish company. 19) Scottish Power is owned by a Spanish company. 20) Most London buses are run by Spanish and German companies. 21) The Hinkley Point C nuclear power station to be built by French company EDF, part owned by the French government, using cheap Chinese steel that has catastrophically failed in other nuclear installations. Now EDF say the costs will be double or more and it will be very late even if it does come online. 22) Swindon was once our producer of rail locomotives and rolling stock. Not any more, it’s Bombardier in Derby and due to their losses in the aviation market, that could see the end of the British railways manufacturing altogether even though Bombardier had EU grants to keep Derby going which they diverted to their loss-making aviation side in Canada. 23) 39% of British invention patents have been passed to foreign companies, many of them in the EU 24) The Mini cars that Cameron stood in front of as an example of British engineering, are built by BMW mostly in Holland and Austria. His campaign bus was made in Germany even though we have Plaxton, Optare, Bluebird, Dennis etc., in the UK. 25) The bicycle for the Greens was made in the far east, not by Raleigh UK but then they are probably going to move to the Netherlands too as they have said recently. 26) Vince Cable who gave away 5 Vital Navy Tanker shipping orders to Korea. Anyone who thinks the EU is good for British industry or any other business simply hasn’t paid attention to what has been systematically asset-stripped from the UK. Or are my facts wrong? GOOGLE IT. Our political elite asleep on the gravy train: Says it all just about, but not forgetting project fear? A total of 39,155 stated they wanted to leave, while the remain camp received 29,367 votes. This gave Brexit a majority of 14.28%. A total of 39,155 stated they wanted to leave, while the remain camp received 29,367 votes. This gave Brexit a majority of 14.28%. Turnout in the county was 74.39% with 68,555 voters going to the polls, a higher level than last year’s general election. There were 33 rejected ballot papers. With the leave campaign winning in both Wales and the UK, politicians representing Pembrokeshire have spoken out. Conservative MP Stephen Crabb for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said the government failed to communicate its messages to the working classes. “I just think there is a

disconnect with the white working class. We didn’t get our core messages across to them,” he said. “When we tried to explain to them just how important the European Single Market was to their jobs, their livelihoods, we didn’t quite land those messages successfully. “And I think that is one of the themes that is emerging this evening is that old industrial white working class areas clearly haven’t bought the message that we have tried hard to communicate.” A total of 52.5% of Welsh voters opted for leave, with a turnout of 71.6%. Of the 2 only four going for remain. what is Crabb suggesting It will be an interesting next election, there is many a constituent unhappy with their MP`s performance , Crabb`s coat hangs on a shaky nail with his majority at only 314, look at his voting record, On 2 March 2016, Crabb voted with the government to reduce by £30 per week the amount of employment support allowance, from a man brought up on benefit, his expense controversy and the issue with his sending of sexually explicit messages to a 19-year-old female candidate he had interviewed for a role in his office. An interesting point would be to clarify where could these jobs be lost. Interesting times. Friedel Williams

LATEST BUS SERVICE CUT DEAR SIR, This spring, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Interim Plan decided to support tourism initiatives which help to deliver “growth outside the main summer months”. How did the council implement this new strategy – they nearly halved the summer season “outside” the core sixweek “season”, for South Pembrokeshire’s sole bus service, the 387/388 Coastal Cruiser bus. The cut means the Coastal Cruiser’s winter timetable starts on the 8th not 29th of September, thus missing its busiest period, and the successive weekends of Ironman, Tenby Festival and Narberth Food Festival – all “outside the main summer months”. The winter timetable has reduced to Saturday only, with shorter hours. Milk and bread don’t last seven days. There are now no shops in south Pembrokeshire, so residents have to shop in Pembroke and the Dock, where most shops close half-day on a Saturday. Medical appointments, council offices and other admin services are closed on Saturdays. On Sundays, without the Coastal Cruiser, no buses will connect Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Letters

Kate Hansford, Pembroke

CUT THE CRUISER Dear Sir I wholeheartedly agree with the lady who complained that PCC are about to cut the Coastal Cruiser winter bus service from three days weekly to one bus on a Saturday. This means that the elderly especially those who live in Angle have no access to a bank due to the fact that the bus only runs on a Saturday. The caring bus driver who goes out of his way to be helpful, regaling us all with a potted history of interesting places on route and dropping off disabled and frail people’s shopping, has had his contract cut by a third. The hikers and cyclists who use the bus in September and there are many, are now prevented from using it. Those who own a caravan

in Angle and cannot drive can only visit on a Saturday unless they want to book a taxi which by the way will set them back £60 (£30 each way) Angle no longer has a school, a shop, a post office or an ATM and from next year a chargeable car park and no bus. Well done PCC and particularly the cabinet member for tourism whose excuse for axing the winter service is lack of funding. The bus is always packed!!. PCC’s mission statement reads ‘we will work together to help provide support and services for Pembrokeshire people and visitors to the county ‘You couldn’t make it up. Melanie Phillips Pembroke

DISTURBING BBC! Dear Editor, The other night, I viewed a rather disturbing edition of BBC Parliament recorded on

September 4th. The “Exiting the EU Committee” of MPs questioned James Hoakham of the Freight Transport Association , Andrew Opie the Director of Food and Sustainability of the British Retail Consortium and Karen Wheeler,Former Director General of HM Revenue and Customs . I had already envisaged there would be chaos on the Dover to Calais route prior to the programme,but what emerged was far, far worse. I wonder if Welsh hauliers are totally prepared for the massive gridlocks to come when we leave the EU , whether with a deal or not? With traffic of 10000 lorries a day and only about 300 spaces in the “red lanes” used for checks, the authorities simply won’t cope. There are thousands of separate commodity codes which will cause immense problems for those trucks carrying mixed loads ; export health certificates are needed

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for all separate consignments on a lorry; organic producers can’t export into the EU after a no deal ........and to cap it all......heat-treated pallets wiil be required for goods into the EU from outside. They said that there was a gross shortage of such pallets. Welsh MPs Stephen Crabb [Tory] of Pembrokeshire and Hywel Williams [PC] of Arfon were on the committee, I suggest that Welsh hauliers to mainland Europe , who are unsure of all requirements urgently check with them . I’m afraid they face a horrendous time which will inevitably put some of them out of business. Welsh farmers and food producers who export into Europe will also face immense difficulties and loss of markets. Yours faithfully, L J Jenkins, Gwbert, Cardigan

TRUMP STUPIDITY Dear Sir, Populism is a worldwide political force, produced by the values of the Gutter Media in all countries, that ignorance is better than education, and Donald Trump is the most obvious result, in a whole collection of mountebanks who possess huge power to destroy the human race. So Boris, like Donald, thinks that politics is just like Big Business, doing aggressive Deals, and that is how the Media presents it, ‘Bojo is playing hardball.’ There is no understanding of the moral principles upon which the EU was founded, to prevent the recurrence of world wars. All that Populism amounts to, is the mindless hatred of strangers. So Donald’s US audience will be pleased when Donald

broke off negotiations with the nasty Taliban, because one of their members has exploded a bomb, to kill more innocents. I could get any 14 year old, to understand that Donald has just given power to the most extreme killers of the Taliban. Every time that other Taliban members suggest ‘peace talks’ with the USA, all the psychopath has to do, is to kill more people, to keep the war going. There are many more vivid examples which could be taught to teenagers, from which they could learn, that, if you genuinely did not wish Afghan children to inherit their parents’ hatred, Donald and Boris are not the kind of statesmen to solve such intellectual problems. Britain is an example to the world. In Northern Ireland, we still have the hatred of 400 years, passed down to children. C. N. Westerman, 221 Meadow Rise, Brynna,

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Pint-sized Plays gets ready for its 2019 season P embrokeshire based international writing competition, Pint-sized Plays is getting ready for this year’s round of performances in pubs. Now in its eleventh year, There were 400 entries from all over the world this year – the largest amount since the competition began twelve years ago. The winning plays will be performed in six pubs in Tenby on the 23 and, 24, then it’s off to Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard on Saturday September 28 where all six winners and four runners up will be performed in the regular annual Script Slam. This is always a fun evening where the audience in the theatre actually get to vote for their favourite script.

Competing this year for the coveted Pint-Pot award are: Ever Changing Skyline by Emma Pitt, Here to Stay? by Doc Watson, Stowaways by Keith Johnson, The Bad Baby Club by Julie Barnett, Trapped by Barry Wood, Zoo Detective by Barry Wood, Every Cloud by Tony Cottrell, Color Me Screwed by Nedra Pezold Roberts, The Interview by Doc Watson and Visiting Time by Roy Brown Pint-sized Plays organiser, Derek Webb, says of competition: “Each year it seems to get better and better and now that we publish the winning scripts, Pint-sized Plays are being performed all over the world, which is terrific for our talented writers. This year three of last

years plays went up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival too where they played to packed houses all month – so the word is certainly spreading! At the Script Slam, winners and runners up are on equal terms, and the overall winner of the Best Script award is decided by the audience. On more than one occasion, a ‘runner-up’ has walked away with the top prize. And, besides the Award for Best Script and Runnerup, prizes are also awarded for Best Performance by Peter Richards, Artistic Director of Fluellen Theatre Company. The 2019 Pint-Sized Plays Script Slam starts at 7.30pm on Saturday September 28th at TheatrGwaun in Fishguard. Tickets (£7.50) can be booked on pintsizedplays.org.uk.

Potts returns to Folly Farm

Returning to Folly Farm: Paul Potts

Following a sell-out concert in 2017 , International tenor and the inaugural winner of Britain’s Got Talent, Paul Potts is returning to Folly Farm in October for a top Charity Concert at The Follies Theatre. The concert is again being promoted by the Rotary club of Narberth and Whitland and the club is delighted that Paul is coming down to Pembrokeshire for his only UK performance this Autumn before leaving for a 2 month European tour. The Rotary Club is also delighted that Paul

will be supported by top Pembrokeshire ladies Choir, ‘Bella Voce’ , who continue to go from strength to strength following their performance at The Royal Albert Hall last year and previously as support for Katherine Jenkins. Concert organiser Rotarian John Hughes said that the club is very excited that they are going to be performing with Paul in what is surely going to be a night to remember. The Rotary year runs from the 1st July until the 30th June and this will be the major fundraiser during newly

installed President Elaine Bradbury’s year. Paul and his wife Juelz came down to Folly Farm recently to launch the concert and said that he was very much looking forward to coming down in October as they had had such a great time in 2017. Tickets for the concert are now on sale and already proving to be in great demand. They are priced at £30 for the central block and £25 for the two side blocks and can be purchased online at www.nwrotary.co.uk and by telephone from Paul Sartori on 01437 763223. (Online and telephone bookings subject to small booking fee). They can also be purchased locally for cash at Dales Music Shop, Tenby. Rock ‘n Rolla Boutique, Narberth. Ocky White Travel, Haverfordwest and from Paul Sartori shops in Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock. The Rotary Club would like to sincerely thank, Mr Chris Ebsworth and everyone at Folly Farm for once again making the magnificent venue available for the concert and for everything else they continue to do for Rotary in Pembrokeshire.

Pint-sized plays: ready to tread the boards

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STEPHEN KING. Once upon a time simply seeing his name was enough to fill my heart with fear. The master of the macabre is undergoing yet another resurgence with countless films and TV shows being made to bring his dark tales to a brand new, horror-hungry generation who are literally lapping it all up. From the spooky yet forgettable remake of Pet Sematary to the distinctly alright Castle Rock, Stephen King is nearly a genre all of his own and, given the popularity and stength of his back catalogue of stories, it makes sense. Horror is so progressive though that you need to remake horror movies every 20 years-or-so just to keep the movies fresh and scary for a new generation. Sit a teenage down now and see if they’re as terrified of The Shining or Halloween nowadays, I bet they’re not, but a remake/sequel to either of them has the potential to terrify if done right. IT was on the list of films that was prime to be remade and unleashed to terrify a new generation. Yes Tim curry was good, but watch it again and see if there’s enough in it to scare a modern audience, I’d argue that there isn’t. I have no nostalgia factor for Tim Curry’s Pennywise, some call him definitive but I’d counter that with the point that Curry WAS the definitive killer clown up until a few years ago. Then a Skarsgaard came along and blew it up. Pennywise went from a kitsch, dare I say camp, clowny villain to a genuinely terrifying force of nature who had the ability to creep an audience out with a simple

Andy Chandler

andy@herald.email

and horrible smile. The original IT miniseries will always be there for the hardcore fans who need a nostalgia hit every now and then, but you can’t convince me that Curry’s Pennywise is definitive, not any more. Another factor that IT has in it’s favour is The Loser’s Club. Stranger Things managed to find a very cool cast of child actors to carry the central story of it’s show for 3 series now. Making children the focus of a horror film/show ramps up the tension because “they’re so young” and “they don’t deserve to be going up against whatever threat is going after them”. Hell, it worked for Newt in Aliens, Danny in The Shining and it still works in IT. A group of outcast kids who figure out that something untoward is stalking the streets of their small American town was always going to have mass appeal in the modern age because we all love to be scared and, at the moment, we all love the 80’s too. The story of IT is a walking horror cliche: In October 1988, Bill Denbrough crafts a paper sailboat for Georgie, his six-year-old brother. Georgie sails the boat along the rainy streets of small town Derry, Maine, only to have it fall down a storm drain. As he attempts to retrieve it, Georgie sees a clown in the drain, who introduces himself as “Pennywise the Dancing Clown”. Pennywise entices Georgie to come closer, then bites his arm off and drags him into the sewer. The following summer, Bill, still haunted by Georgie’s disappearance, calculates

that his brother’s body may have washed up in a marshy wasteland called the Barrens. He recruits his friends to investigate, believing Georgie may still be alive. Beverly Marsh, a girl bullied over rumors of promiscuity, also joins the group; both Bill and Ben develop feelings for her. Now calling themselves “The Losers Club”, they realize they are all being stalked by the same entity, which they refer to as “It”. They determine that It assumes the appearance of what they fear most, awakening every 27 years to feed on the children of Derry before returning to hibernation, and moves about by using the sewer lines, which all lead to an old stone well hidden under an abandoned house. After another attack by Pennywise, the group ventures to the house to confront It.... Dark, funny, gory and, above all, terrifying on times, It was one of the scariest horror movies of the decade when I first saw it in cinemas. The sequel, with the kids now played by grown up actors, hit cinemas last week and I genuinely cannot wait to see it, after watching the first again of course. Fans of King will be in there element here and, believe it or not, Pennywise shows up in almost every scene of the original movie. Even hiding in graffiti to watch the kids at one point. Bill Skaarsgard’s Pennywise is worth the price of admission on it’s own, the fact that the sequel also has James McAvoy, Bill Hader and Jessica Chastain in is just the icing on the cake for this fully-fledged King afficionado. 4/5

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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Entertainment

movie of the week Carys Eleri ready for Wales-wide tour

This time last year we were all reeling after Thanos snapped his fingers and decimated half of all living things in the universe. The heartbreak felt across the world when SpiderMan, Doctor Strange, Star Lord and all were turned to dust by the Mad Titan was profound, matched only by the realisation that we’d have to wait for a year to find out what happens next. Starting 21 days after The Decimation, Endgame gets the band together remarkably

quickly. Remember though, everyone here has lost someone so Earth’s mightiest heroes are rather weary. The opening scene reunites a lot of existing characters and even brings in Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel to the main Avengers fold. Every member of the cast brings their A game to this, for a script that is so sci-fi and fantastical, it would’ve been easy for some scenes to have felt forced or tacked on, or even for some characters to feel out of their depth, but that never happens. In an ensemble film of this scale, characters were bound to fall between the cracks, it just seems a shame that a character as powerful and as useful as Captain Marvel felt a tad under-used. But as much as Endgame is an end, it’s also a beginning for the next phase of Marvel movies, whatever that may bring.

The week in geek

Freema Agyeman is reprising the role of Martha Jones in a new Torchwood audio drama from Big Finish called ‘Dissected’. Big Finish do great dramas based around some of the biggest sci-fi franchises out there, it’s a great way to get more out of TV shows that no longer have an audience big enough for TV such as Blake’s 7, previous Doctors from Doctor Who and, of course, Torchwood. BOO-HISS! It doesn’t look like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker will be crossing paths with Robert Pattinson’s Batman, filmmakers have come out this week and distanced Joker from the new Batman film starring Edward Cullen which is expected to start shooting early next year.

The latest film to be getting the reboot treatment is John Woo’s second best film (after MI:2, of course) Face/Off. The original was a great actioner starring Nicholas Cage and John Travolta as face-swapping enemies. Could be good. Margot Robbie, fresh off the back of bringing us a damn-near definitive movie version of Harley Quin, is hoping her midas touch will rub off on her new project, a remake of 90’s favourite Tank Girl. I was today years old when I discovered that the X on a PlayStation controller wasn’t ever intended to be pronounced as ‘ex’, it’s actually meant to be said ‘cross’....... thanks Sony.

Fresh from its second run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff), a unique, one-woman, sciencecomedy musical from BAFTA Award-nominated, Welsh actress and singer Carys Eleri, will take on a 11-venue tour of Wales this autumn alongside a brand new, Welsh language adaptation called Cer i Grafu… sori… GARU! Written and performed by Carys Eleri, Lovecraft (Not the Sex Shop in Cardiff)/Cer i Grafu… sori… GARU! is a joyous but deeply personal show about the neuroscience of love and loneliness, tackling the most current themes of wellbeing and mental health with a soundtrack of original, multi-genre songs. It is Carys’ debut as a writer – she is perhaps best known as the lead actor in S4C’s hit series Parch, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA in 2018 – and it was developed from scratch with the support of Wales Millennium Centre. Lovecraft made its debut at Wales Millennium Centre’s Festival of Voice in June 2018 followed by a run at the 2018 Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the world’s largest arts festival. It went on to win a Best Cabaret Fringe Award at the Adelaide Fringe - the world’s second largest annual fringe festival – in March 2019. It returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August this year as part of Arts Council of Wales’ This is Wales programme, before it embarks, in two versions, on its Waleswide autumn tour. Graeme Farrow, the Centre’s Artistic Director, said: “This is a dazzlingly

contemporary show that gives Carys – who’s fast becoming a household name in Wales – a chance to flex all her creative muscles at once. And in a first for the Centre, we’re taking two versions – one in Welsh, one in English – on a six-week tour of Wales, performing in 11 of its most prestigious

venues. Wales Millennium Centre is committed to creating innovative work that showcases Wales to the world, and this is one of our best examples of that ambition. We can’t wait to share this show, which has charmed theatregoers in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Adelaide already, with audiences the

length and breadth of Wales.” Carys Eleri said: “I cannot wait to tour across the sexiest country in the world with the sexiest science-show that ever came out of it. Whether it’s in Welsh or English, come join the fun my darlings to so we can kick this loneliness epidemic in the teeth. Cwtch is King.”

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Double Crossword

CRYPTIC

Down

Across 1 6 9

Park with a turn on, including gym,

etc. (5)

results? (5)

Its acid with no good usage in

engraving (7)

10 Soak (with an overcharge?) (5)

11 Be an unoriginal essayist (5)

12 Its muddy where the lads holding the horse (5)

13 With scorn, possibly said to be in a racket (7)

Belabour a claim to be an

accomplished party (6) A bite to drink? (3)

Most hornets, if disturbed, will go

12 Offers to go round the air

16 Companion with a bad cold (5)

22 Its in or out of the window (4)

24 Decision thats always wrong! (3)

18 Way down (5)

19 Fashionable teams have guts (7)

Solution to this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s puzzles will be printed here next week

TEL:01792363699

22 25

29 30

QUICK

Across 21 Like the wolf, superior in breeding 1 Procrastinate (5), (7) 6 Vision (5), (6) 9 Ignore, disregard 26 A knotty little snag (5) 22 Caught when confusing (7), directions get misread? (6) 27 Went riding with Isaac in outer 10 Roughnecks (5), 23 Not much of a title, maybe, Brentford (5) 11 Paper for the letter heading (6) 28 Chatter quietly at speed (5) quantities (5), 25 The prison officer turned to go home 12 Vapour from hot 29 First person to think highly about (5) water (5), in a dream (7) 26 For the present, put her at the 13 Star sign (7), 30 Old people with average ways (5) 15 Body of water (3) back of the queue (4) 31 Moved the Edwards out of 17 Continent (4), 28 Crusty bird? Among the harpies, 18 Agreement (6), Gateshead (5) anyway (3) 19 Cutting stroke (5), 20 Broad street (6), 22 Always (4), 24 Father (3), 25 Printing method thats full of holes

The distance is simply astronomical

getting out of line (5)

20 A letter in slang, one gathers (6)

15 18

weather (5)

19 On board, we have Autocue (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

15 Calm about the terrible cost of

Sudoku

14 Shelter in the street from the

18 Take by the nose? (6)

A card or essay about Englands

(6)

Artists strange potential (7)

capital (4)

ying! (5)

13 How to lie unnoticeably (5)

17 Czechoslovakian city? (4)

opiates (6)

terminal with the fliers (5)

15 Dry as some house claret (3)

2 Lingo in which, out East, to re-order 3

Those pulled out for the best

25 Horse opera (7), 26 Herb type (5), 27 Aircraft detection system (5), 28 Card game (5), 29 Football ocial (7), 30 Piles (5), 31 Tyrants, autocrats (5) Down 2 Moral principles (6), 3 Mohair (6), 4 Armative (3), 5 Planet (5), 6 Withdraw from a contest (7), 7 Article (4), 8

Hand tool (6), 12 Edge along (5), 13 Cold dish (5), 14 Lubricaed (5), 15 Work out (5), 16 Decorate (5), 18 Pallid (5), 19 Stitches (7), 21 Leave empty (6), 22 Engraves (6), 23 Pencil rubber (6), 25 Broaden (5), 26 Food fish (4), 28 Not dry (3)

2 8 6

9 6

6 8 7

1 5 9

Last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s answers

3, G-loss 8, Lower 10,

Cryptic Across:

Pip-pa 11, Per 12, Bread 13, Details 15, Revel 18, (des)Ire 19, Desire 21, G-lasses 22, D-O-es 23, Cant 24, SE-Minal 26, Amused

29, L-ot

31, Super

32,

O-Rd-ered 34, N-inn-Y 35, Rum 36, Diana 37, Weepy 38, Alder. Down:

1, (some) Hopes 2, Derails 4, Lars

5, Spares 6, S-ides 7, Up-per 9, Wet 12, Blessed 14, Ira 16, Vital 17, Left-y 19, D-evil-ry 20, Id-E-as 21, Gee up

23, Ca-tere-r

24, Seri-Al

25, No.-D

Music 28, Senna 30, T-em-po 32, Once 33, Rue. Quick Across:

27,

3, Spare 8, Heron 10,

Uncle 11, Rip 12, Roost 13, Limited 15, Senor 18,

Cop 19, Pirate 21, Panacea 22, Purl 23,Cell 24, Arduous 26, Assess 29, Sum 31, Roses 34, Rises

35, Leg

32, Returns

36, Basis 37, Duped 38, Ethos.

Down:

1, Merit 2, Topical 4, Prod 5,

Russia 6, Enter 7, Allot 9, Rim 12, Repairs 14, Ton 16,

Names 17, Reply 19, Peruses 20, Spear 21, Press 23, Cumulus 24, Assist 25, Out 27, Sofas 28, Eerie 30, Anger 32, Redo 33, Rep

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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### Whitland Town Hall - with the best dance floor in the West. ### DAYTIME ACTIVITIES: Digital Class: Lounge, Tuesdays: 0915-1115. Bring your device along – laptop, tablet, phone (any system, any device) and learn how to get the most from it, solve your problems and make friends. Craft Workshop: £6 Course fee plus materials if needed and £1 to Whitland Town Hall. A splendid way to make friends. Await more announcements. YOGA: Wednesdays: Main Hall: 1730-1830 PARENTS AND TODDLERS: Tuesdays and Thursdays: Main Hall: 0915-1115. Safe activities for toddlers with good company over a cuppa for parents and carers. Contact Carol on 01834 831662 CHAMBER OF TRADE: Got a business in this area? Get together with others to improve your foot-fall and enquiries, work together for a new prosperous Whitland. SHORT MAT BOWLS: Tuesdays in the Main Hall. 19002030. Competitive and different. Come and try it! Ring Ron on 01994 240078. DANCING FEVER: Wednesdays Main Hall from 1900-2230. For fun and friends. Music, dance and good company. Classes from absolute beginners upwards. Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba & Rueda Dance Classes! Taught in a fun, relaxed and friendly environment. Once you walk into Whitland Town Hall, you will be greeted by one of the friendly team members, where you will pay for your class and get signed in. The place to make friends – it’s fine to come alone as you’ll be dancing with several partners. HEAVEN DANCE ACADEMY: Thursdays: Main Hall. 16002000, 1600-1900. Go to Heaven through hiphop,break-dancing,the Stomp,jazz fusion, gymnastic dancing, and more. Meet the famous Carima Heaven.

Guaranteed to wear your children out. As seen on television and YouTube with Paul O’Grady! Ages from 5 to adult. This is coooool.

Entertainment

Director screens award-winning film at King Street

AFON TAF GARDENING CLUB: Speak to the members for advice. Excellent selection of speakers and interesting summer trips. Thursdays 1930-2130; always on third Thursday of the Month. Main Hall. Just turn up or ring Christine on 01834-860069. RUGBY TOTS: Saturdays Main Hall at 09151230: Make your child’s development more fun! Dynamic weekly play sessions enable both boys and girls aged 2-7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment.Drop in and see what goes on. At last there’s something that will soak up their energy and give you a bit of piece! Contact Jo on 0345 313 0409 or email jo@ rugbytots.co.uk Rugbytots: The world’s favourite rugby play programme. WHITLAND TOWN COUNCIL: Whitland Town Council meets in the Mayor’s Parlour at 7pm - All meetings open to the public. WHITLAND TOWN HALL TEAM MEETING: Meets usually on the second Monday of each month in the Mayor’s Parlour at 1900. Come and see your Town Hall Team in action. Tell us how we can serve Whitland better. Join the happy Town Hall Team and make friends. Serve the community and make Whitland smile! Ring Gwyn on 01994 241 231 THE ANSWER FOR YOUR FUNCTION Whitland Town Hall has everything for your wedding reception, dinner, dance or conference. We also have elegant and practical table ware for hire at reasonable rates. Caterers for all occasions. Come and see the Hall for yourself. For bookings and enquiries contact Vivienne on 07833-392153

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The Last Man on the Moon: special showing in Carmarthen As the highlight of have the opportunity to meet Space – this year’s themed in person the film’s director Open Art competition at and co-writer, Mark Craig, King Street Gallery from for a behind-the scenes talk about the making of the film; September 20 to October 2 – the gallery are proud to host the story of astronaut Gene a special one-time screening Cernan who stepped off the of the 2014 award-winning moon in December 1972 and documentary, The Last Man left his footprints and his on the Moon on Saturday, daughter’s initials in the lunar September 21 from 6:30dust. Over four decades later 8:30pm. Cost £5. he was finally ready to share his epic and deeply personal The audience will also

experiences. The Last Man on the Moon combines rare archive material, compelling Visual FX and unprecedented access to present an iconic historical character on the big screen. Space Art Competition The concept of space is, of course, multi-dimensional, multi-factoral and can be interpreted in a wide variety of

ways. Over the years King Street Gallery’s Open Competition attracts a high standard of entries and we anticipate this year will continue the tradition. Each entry is £15 and the winner (according to public vote) will receive £200. Entries may be delivered during gallery hours and the deadline is Saturday, September 14.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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The Hammonds

Ropes for Boats: How to choose the right one for the job

HAVING the right rope or lines aboard is an essential part of boating. For all the fancy gear you can have aboard a boat, without a simple rope to tie something down you can be in real trouble. Lines are used for docking, lashing down gear, anchoring, hauling cray pots, pulling up and controlling sails, hanging up big fish, making and setting nets and holding clothing together. There is no end to the useful jobs you can do with the right type and size of rope. Navy and fishing boats drove the original need for rope with manila, sisal and hemp - the plants that gave the fibre to make them from. Rope workers twisted and bound these hardy stalks of fibre into the lines used for hauling all matter of gear around the ocean. Manila is grown in the Philippines and was considered the premium rope. It was much favoured by the British navy during the age of sail. WW2 and the huge demand for supplying rope to the U.S. navy drove the DuPont company to develop nylon for manufacturing dock lines. Australian rope, however, was still made from hemp grown on the NSW north coast. These crops were abandoned after the war but were later rediscovered by some happy hippies in the seventies! Modern rope comes in a wide range of types, some with long names, utilising many forms of manufacture. Some suit particular jobs better than others, and it is best to use the right rope for the job at hand. Many brand names are around, but a general run down follows: • Silver rope is made from polyethylene and has a hairy appearance, with a three-strand lay with floating ability. It has good U.V. and abrasion resistance, is popular for docking, anchoring and lashing, and is easy to splice. This

•

economical rope is the most popular rope found on boats. Nylon rope has high strength. Its ability to stretch up to 30% means it is popular for anchoring, docking and towing. It comes in three, eight and twelve strand lays with good U.V resistance, but does not float and goes hard over time when stowed. Its high cost means that it is not so popular. Polypropylene rope is usually green and has twice the strength of silver rope. It is mostly used for fishing, and is good for cray pot lines. Its three strand in soft, medium and hard lay types have poor U.V. resistance, so it can’t be left in sun full time. It floats, is economical, and easy to splice. Double braid polyester rope is the most popular rope for yachting. It has a sixteen-plait jacket over an eight-plait core, high UV resistance and low stretch. It is available in many colours. This easy to tie rope is economical and a pleasure to use. It is good for sailing sheets and halyards, dock lines and truck tie down lines, but is tougher to splice unless you’re a pro. Pre-stretched polyester rope is thirty-two braid over eight core and is mostly used for running

rigging on yachts and dinghies. It is good for lashing when no stretch is required. • V.B. cord is available in two, three, four, five and six mm and is popular for small lashing jobs. It has high strength and good U.V. resistance. It is available in variety of colours, originally being designed for pulling up Venetian blinds. It is also used for decorative plating and macramé type applications. • Kevlar rope is a super high strength braided rope used on racing yachts for its ability to provide thin lines for use aloft, doing the job that formerly required much larger ropes. It comes at a high cost, so is not for all. • Manila rope does not float, has average U.V. resistance, but will absorb water. It looks great with its traditional colour, is easy to splice and is great for rope work. It is mostly used on traditional wooden boats. Keep your ropes coiled and out of the weather and sun if not in use. Make sure your anchor line is long enough and coiled ready to deploy in a hurry if you need it. Use the right rope for the job intended, as a rope breaking under strain can cause injury. A fresh supple rope is a pleasure to use and will be easy to tie and hold its knot.

HOW TO EAT SUSTAINABLY AND CHEAPLY IT is a myth that we need to buy expensive, organic produce, or shop in ‘foodie’ delis to be doing our bit for the planet. Eating sustainably and eating cheaply can go hand in hand, so long as we re-programme our consumer approach to food. The best way to reduce the impact our food makes is actually to buy less of it – shocking but possible I promise! We also need to start sourcing our food from outside the supermarkets. These top ten tips will point you in the right direction. 1. Grow your food Whether you live on an acre of land or in a block of flats, you can always find somewhere to grow food. A window sill or balcony, are perfect for herbs, salads or tomato plants. If you have a bigger space, there’s no excuse. If you plant from seed, you’re looking at a few pennies per lettuce or beetroot bunch. Or if, like me, you cheated and used seedlings then it’s more like a 10p a vegetable. Either way, it’s pretty good value for organic, freshly picked produce. Growing your own food remains the single most effective way of connecting you to your food supply. If you’ve grown it, you not only want to eat it but there’s no way you’re going to waste it either. In the last few weeks, I have put courgettes in everything from fritters to chocolate cakes to ensure that the hours I lovingly weeded, watered and waited are not in vain. 2. Reduce meat Meat is not only expensive to buy; producing it takes a significant toll on the planets resources. In the U.S. alone, 70 percent of agricultural land is given over to growing food for livestock, using huge amounts of water as well. The 2011 Livewell Report – aimed at establishing the ideal balance between healthy and sustainable eating – recommended reducing our consumption of white and red meat from an average of 79kg per person a year to 10kg a year. 3. Visit markets Farmers markets continue to be one of the best locations to buy local food cheaply. Of course, you can also buy some very expensive food here

too, so stick to the seasonal fruit and veg. Try visiting at the end of the day to get the real knock down deals – no stall owner wants to be left with a pile of unsold bread rolls or wilting herbs. As well as markets, look out for farms where you can pick your own fruit, or buy honey and eggs from a roadside table. 4. Buy direct One of the best ways to reduce the cost of organic food is to buy direct from the retailer through a food coop. This is particularly good for dry goods like rice, beans, nuts and flour, which you can buy in bulk and divvy out to members. Co-ops do require a little extra work as members need to collect the money, separate the goods and generally be quite organised, but the reward is in purchasing quality food at wholesale prices. Go to www. foodcoops.org and type in your postcode to find one near you. 5. Forage Despite the commercialisation of our food supply, there is still an abundance of food to be had for free. If you live outside of a city, you only need to look in the fields and hedgerows to find a wealth of vitamin-rich produce waiting to be whipped into a meal. In the last few months, I have served up wild garlic pesto, nettle soup, elderflower cordial and gooseberry fool, and I’m only a beginner. Experienced foragers will be stockpiling nuts, roots and mushrooms by now. Dive in and do your bit for the planet and your pocket. 6. Buy and cook in bulk It may seem to counter-intuitive, but buying more can often cost less. A number of wholefood stores now offer the opportunity to buy oil, lentils, cereal, beans and other dry goods in large quantities at far cheaper prices per kilo than if you buy a smaller amount. Also cook more than you need and freeze it. There’s a lot of time and energy that goes into making a lasagne, so why not make two and put one away for another day. 7. Talk to a granny Part of the reason we spend too

much on food is that the old wisdoms are no longer passed down. We don’t trust our noses to tell us when food is off, but throw it out according to a date that the supermarket has stamped on the lid. Making jams, preserves and pickles when fruit is cheap and plentiful was once a family activity and recipes were passed down through the generations. My granny – like many others – cooked a roast on Sunday, served it cold on Monday and turned it into mince for Tuesday’s dinner. Rediscovering some of these old frugal ways, can keep costs and waste to a minimum. 8. Make the most of leftovers The average British family throws out £50 of food a month. We think nothing of scraping our child’s untouched meal into the bin or throwing out the end of the cheese or bread. There are hundreds of recipes that will turn these unwanted leftovers into another family meal, which will not only save money but prevent you from having to cook from scratch again. Whizz up stale bread to make breadcrumbs, put soured milk into baking, freeze leftover wine or beer in ice cube trays to use when cooking. Check out www.lovefoodhatewaste. com for more tips. 9. Swap Get to know your neighbours and start a food exchange. Some might have apples trees while others are great at baking. You could have more rhubarb than you know what to do with. Those who have excess food and little time could provide the produce while others could turn it into delicious pies, cakes or jams. 10. Eat less It might sound a little extreme but the reality is that most of us eat too much. Our bodies would be much better off if we gave our digestive system a break – at least between meals – and didn’t eat until we were bursting. Obesity is now as big a problem worldwide as hunger, so buying and eating only the amount of food that your body actually needs can help the planet, your pocket and your health.

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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.

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THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

Selling your home? Problem Solved! Thinking of selling or unhappy with your agent? Contact us now to arrange your free valuation and market appraisal'

Ammanford Office 39 Quay St SA18 3BS

Llanelli Office 22 Murray St SA15 1DZ

ammanford@westwalesproperties.co.uk

llanelli@westwalesproperties.co.uk

01269 596659

01554 759655

THE HERALD FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13 2019

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