The Pembrokeshire Herald 29/09/2023

New funding for the Torch Theatre

THE ARTS COUNCIL OF WALES has today released the outcome of its Investment Review relating to revenue funding for arts organisations across Wales. The Torch Theatre is delighted to have received a conditional offer (including a significant uplift from April 2024) of £650,000 for each of the next three years.

“We are grateful to the Arts Council of Wales for recognising the new energy and creativity in our delivery of community activities, alongside our wide range of live and cinema events. This decision represents an enormous vote of confidence from ACW in the strength and ambition of our application and an endorsement of both the strategic importance of the Torch and the tremendous value that we deliver for our communities, and the arts-ecology in Wales,” said Benjamin Lloyd, Torch Theatre’s Executive Director.

He added: “While the whole Torch Team and Board are thrilled with this very welcome news and ACW’s support, this does not address our well-publicised current funding gap. Our community has come to our support in recent weeks and we have been overwhelmed by your support and generosity.

“Our fundraising activities are ongoing and we will need the continued support of our community and local businesses in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime we can start planning with confidence for 2024/25 to ensure that

New grants window

A SECOND opportunity to apply for UK Shared Prosperity Funding dates announced Pembrokeshire County Council will open a second round inviting interested organisations to apply for funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) on Monday,

2nd October 2023. There will be a very short window for applications which will close at midnight on Sunday, 15th October 2023.

The application forms and guidance will be available on the Council’s website (opens in new tab) from 2nd October.

Mechanic fined for driving offences

IN COURT last week, Mr Niall Taylor, a 73-yearold resident of Hakin, Milford Haven, faced legal consequences for driving offences committed earlier this year on Hammond Avenue, Haverfordwest.

On January 18, Mr Taylor drove a Vauxhall Zafira on Hammond Avenue without a valid driving licence. To compound his predicament, there was no insurance in place for the vehicle at the time. These infringements were identified by Dyfed Powys Police, leading to the charges brought before the court.

Last Thursday, Mr Taylor entered a plea of guilty for both offences. The court imposed a fine of £54 for the licensing infringement and a more substantial fine of £108 for the lack of insurance. Additionally, he has been ordered to pay a

surcharge of £64 to fund victim services and a sum of £170 to the Crown Prosecution Service. The total amount to be settled by Mr Taylor stands at £396, which he will be paying back in monthly instalments of £25, beginning 24th October 2023.

While Mr Taylor’s driving record has been endorsed with penalty points for the infractions, there are no current disqualifications in place, allowing him to continue driving.

These proceedings serve as a significant reminder to motorists in Pembrokeshire and beyond about the importance of adhering to driving regulations and ensuring that all necessary documentation is in order - especially renewing your driving licence at 70, and then every three years thereafter.

we continue to deliver above and beyond for our funders, our community and for the arts in Wales.”

The Arts Council

of Wales Investment Review report can be viewed at https://arts. wales.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Huge boost for Pembroke Dock as Government announces 100 jobs

A HUNDRED jobs are up for grabs in a major boost for the local economy as the Government is launching a major recruitment drive in Pembrokeshire.

The Department for Work and Pensions is recruiting new Universal Credit review agents in Pembroke Dock, key workers on the frontline to reduce the levels of fraud and error across Universal Credit and save £6.4 billion by March 2028. Applications open today [Thursday 28 September].

Universal Credit review agents review claims to ensure people are receiving the payments to which they are entitled and tackle suspected fraudulent claims.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions,

Mel Stride MP, said: “These vital roles will be key to delivering on our mission to tackle fraud and error and ensure that the taxpayer gets the best value for money from our welfare system – which is clearly in all our interests.

“I encourage anyone who wants to join our

fantastic team and start an exciting Civil Service career to apply.”

Successful applicants will be offered on-the-job learning and development, with opportunities for hybrid working.

Junessa, a current Universal Credit review agent, said: “Believe in yourself, and apply for the role. There are great opportunities,

attractive salaries and a fantastic pension that awaits you.”

Her colleague Philip agreed, “I love working for DWP. Flexible working patterns, a great team and helping our customers are the best parts of my job.”

DWP is also recruiting thousands of work coaches across the country as part of a £3.5bn drive to boost employment and grow the economy.

Those interested in applying for the roles in Pembroke Dock should search “DWP EO jobs” online or click here to apply by 12 October:https:// www.dwpjobseorecruitmentmicrosite.co.uk/

For any further advice and guidance, contact your local Jobcentre Plus.

Fined over £6,000 for environmental offences

GRIFFITHS WASTE SOLUTIONS, a waste management company located at Withybush Industrial Estate in Pembrokeshire, has been slapped with a £6,300 penalty after acknowledging several severe environmental contraventions.

The case was heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, September 21. The prosecution was initiated by Natural Resources Wales due to the company’s repeated infringements over the past few years. Among the most egregious of these offences was the illicit dumping of a whopping 120.40 tonnes of

scrap metal in the vicinity of Westfield Cottage on May 9, 2021. This act was in blatant violation of their existing environmental permit conditions.

From September 2017 to August 2021, the company admitted it operated without a technically competent manager on site. Furthermore, they failed to store waste separately outdoors within the

designated bays on a solid surface. The firm also confessed to neglecting their responsibility of submitting waste returns for their primary site at Withybush Industrial Estate.

On March 19, 2021, Griffiths Waste Solutions received a suspension notice. However, they contravened its stipulations by permitting the deposit of soil and stone demolition

waste at the Withybush location. Additionally, they did not ensure the transferred waste was accompanied by a written description – a basic regulatory requirement. These offences spanned from September 2017 to March 2022.

Taking into consideration the guilty plea by Griffiths Waste Solutions, the Magistrates levied a fine of £3,000. On top of this, the company is mandated to cover court costs of £3,000 and a £300 victim surcharge, culminating in a total penalty of £6,300. The firm has until December 21 of this year to settle the full amount.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Science teacher accused of ‘lobbing’ books at pupils

Remanded on strangulation charge

A MAN from Pembrokeshire is currently held in custody, facing charges of assault and intentional strangulation.

Stuart Findlay, 60, hailing from Dairy Park Grove in Hakin, was presented before the Llanelli Magistrates Court on September 20, where he contested all three accusations brought against him.

He is charged with assaulting a woman by beating her, which reportedly occurred in Hakin between

September 14 and 17.

On September 18, also in Hakin, he is accused of using threatening or abusive language or actions towards another person, causing them distress. The final charge alleges that on the same day, he intentionally strangled the initial victim.

Findlay has asserted his innocence on all counts and remains in custody. His next court appearance is set for October 20 at the Swansea Crown Court.

IN A STARTLING revelation at a Fitness to Practise Hearing, the deputy headmaster of Ysgol Harri Tudor, Mr. Thomas Crichton, recounted how former science teacher, Tina Roberts, allegedly “lost control of her temper” and proceeded to “lob” exercise books at her students during the climax of a lesson.

The incident came to light after pupil C, who claims to have been hit by the books thrown by Mrs. Roberts, came forward. Describing the event, pupil C recalled sitting in the second row, near the classroom’s exit, when a book struck her face, and another hit her chest. She recounted the shock and anger she felt, exclaiming, “I was really angry and I started shouting.”

Headmistress Fiona Kite, in a statement to the hearing, referred to the lesson as ‘a train crash’. She criticised Mrs. Roberts for her inconsistency in maintaining discipline and decried the “inappropriate physical conduct” displayed by the teacher.

Mr. Crichton further revealed that upon speaking to Mrs. Roberts

after the incident, she was visibly upset. She not only admitted to her lapse in judgement but also pondered the appropriateness of her resignation. He recalled her stating, “it was clear she had made a mistake.”

Nicholas Kennan, representing Mrs. Roberts, argued that the students’ disregard for her instructions may have triggered the event. When Mrs. Roberts had asked the students to deposit their exercise books in a box at the front, pupil C and another, pupil M, had allegedly thrown them from their seats, which led to the unfortunate response from the teacher.

Kennan, in defence, posed a question to Mr. Crichton, highlighting that the class had been previously flagged as problematic. He queried whether Mrs. Roberts had, in fact, lost control of the class rather than her temper. To which Mr. Crichton firmly replied, “My interpretation was that she had lost control

of her temper.” He further stressed the importance of maintaining a safe classroom environment, stating that teachers must never resort to physical actions, regardless of the provocation.

Joining the school in January 2021, Mrs. Roberts only began her classroom teaching after the Easter holiday, due to the pandemic lockdown. Following the allegations, an independent investigation was commissioned by the school’s board of governors. The subsequent disciplinary hearing in February 2022 found the claims to be valid. Mrs. Roberts faced dismissal for gross misconduct, a decision she unsuccessfully appealed. The case has since been forwarded to the Education Workforce Council for a thorough assessment of her fitness to practice.

Mrs. Roberts partially admitted to throwing the books, but refutes claims that her actions were inappropriate. She further denies violating the school’s behavioural policies.The hearing is set to continue.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

New Year’s Day fracas: Unlawful wounding denied

A DISTURBANCE that unfolded in the Golden Lion pub on New Year’s Day of the previous year is now under close judicial scrutiny. William Griffiths, 29, of Ferry Point Road, Llansteffan, faces charges of unlawful wounding, having allegedly thrown a glass which struck Jonathan Walters. Griffiths has entered a plea of not guilty, asserting he acted in self-defence.

Court attendees closely watched the CCTV footage from inside the Golden Lion. It portrayed Walters, who had been enjoying a New Year’s Eve out with friends, approaching Griffiths and an acquaintance at their booth. The events that followed would be a focal point for the trial.

Walters, speaking of the events that evening, said he had entered the Golden Lion roughly thirty minutes prior to the altercation. Separated from his two friends briefly, he approached Griffiths’ table to recognise the faces of those he might know. But matters took a swift and unpredictable turn.

Prosecutor Brian

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Simpson detailed the chain of events, saying Walters initiated a conversation with Griffiths’ friend, which seemingly agitated Griffiths. “He appeared visibly perturbed,” noted Walters, “and his irritation with me seemed to escalate.”

The situation intensified when Griffiths doused Walters with his drink. CCTV footage shows a brief exchange among the trio post this incident. In what Walters describes as an act of “self-defence”, he reciprocated by splashing Griffiths with a drink after seeing him reach for a glass. It was then that the alleged glass attack by Griffiths occurred.

Walters confessed to retaliating by hurling another glass – not aimed directly at Griffiths but rather in his vicinity, as a means to facilitate an escape.

The outcome of the scuffle was a laceration above Walters’ right eye, requiring a hospital visit and seven stitches. While initially reticent about revealing the full details of the incident to medical personnel, he

later decided to pursue court proceedings.

Matthew Murphy, defending Griffiths, raised queries regarding Walters’ decision to approach and remain at the table amidst the evident hostilities, especially given the ongoing Covid restrictions mandating patrons to adhere to their assigned tables.

Griffiths, when interviewed by the police last November, admitted to throwing the glass but

denied any intention of inflicting harm, claiming it unintentionally slipped from his grasp. During his court testimony, Griffiths presented a different perspective, alleging Walters was “harassing others” before approaching his table. He further

claimed Walters used a derogatory homophobic term against him, causing him to react defensively, especially when Walters seemed to threaten him with a glass.

Prosecutor Simpson highlighted the discrepancy in Griffiths’

actions, noting the initial drink-throwing appeared to be an underhanded gesture while the subsequent glass toss was overhanded.

The trial continues, as the jury deliberates on the complexities surrounding this New Year’s Day altercation.

Update following concern over RAAC

IN LIGHT of recent advisories from the UK Government’s Department for Education regarding the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), Welsh local authorities and NHS estates teams have been working diligently to evaluate the public estate for potential risks.

While recent reports confirmed the presence of RAAC in 174 schools across England, there is growing concern about its extent in Wales. Initial assessments from all 22 local authorities have spotlighted four schools with RAAC materials: two situated in Anglesey, one in Conwy, and a fourth in Denbighshire.

The Menai Bridgebased Ysgol David Hughes welcomed students back last Friday. Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi is currently offering face-to-face tuition to specific year groups. Meanwhile, structural experts have conducted detailed evaluations of RAAC panels at Ysgol Maes Owen in Kinmel Bay. Ysgol Trefnant, Denbighshire, has undergone

similar checks and is set to welcome pupils again come Monday.

The dedication and swift action of school and local authority personnel during these trying times have not gone unnoticed. We express our sincere gratitude for their untiring efforts.

In addition to schools, the breadth of the inquiry extends to other public establishments, including social housing. Stock holding local authorities have been consulted on the matter, and Registered Social Landlords are assessing their inventories with the assistance of Community Housing Cymru.

This assessment challenge, potentially impacting thousands of buildings throughout Wales,

is significant. The proactive efforts of Ystadau Cymru, a body dedicated to the management excellence of the Welsh public sector estate, have been notable. They have initiated a survey, especially in light of the new data on RAAC’s presence in English schools.

While initial returns are still under review, it’s evident that local councils have wisely prioritised educational institutions and housing. Their balanced and vigilant approach to this pressing concern is commendable.

As the investigation into RAAC’s prevalence in the broader Welsh public estate continues, rest assured that all pertinent updates will be communicated to Members in a timely manner.

Hotel will continue to house migrant workers

T5 (temporary worker) seasonal worker category of the immigration system.

Geraint John Planning Ltd said workers are transported throughout the county to work at Puffin Produce facilities, carrying out farming and field-based work in the horticulture and dairy sectors at local farms and business within a 40-mile radius of the site.

A PEMBROKESHIRE

hotel that has been used as accommodation for migrant agricultural workers since March, may continue despite concerns about antisocial behaviour.

A retrospective ‘application’ submitted last month by Recruitment service Pro-Force Ltd and Pembrokeshire agricultural business Puffin Produce Ltd informed county planners the Nant

Y Ffin Hotel, Llandissilio is being used to house up to 67 seasonal workers.

The hotel has been used for accommodation for seasonal migrant workers since March, with up to 48 there at any one time.

Agent Geraint John Planning Ltd, in a statement submitted to

county planners, felt there is no need for an actual planning application as the accommodation for workers at the hotel did not represent a change of use of the building.

It said no physical changes have been made to the hotel for its new role, and that “only when works are to be undertaken to the building, to support its function, will full planning permission be sought for the change of use brought

about by such works”.

It added: “The application is accordingly made purely in the interest of transparency, to confirm the exact present use and function of the hotel, which is to provide accommodation for seasonal workers.”

Recruitment service

Pro-Force runs a ‘Seasonal Workers Scheme’ that has been running for three years, managed by the Home Office under the

“Puffin Produce is an expanding business, and thus its employee requirement is increasing year on year to fulfil the needs of the business. Some field-based roles are proving impossible to fill with workers from the local region, and as such, Puffin require seasonal workers from the European market to fulfil the employment requirements commensurate with the existing and everincreasing capacity of the business.”

Concerns have been raised by neighbouring

community councils Llandissilio and Clunderwen about antisocial behaviour, with workers congregating outside of the building and within the nearby chapel grounds; as well as a loss of value to local properties, increased pedestrian footfall and road safety issues/street lighting, and how workers will be integrated into the community.

A report by council planning officers said: “In considering the impact of potential anti-social behaviour and increased noise, the applicant has submitted details of its expectations of occupants’ behaviour and a complaints process to deal with any concerns within the locality.”

The application was approved with conditions – including complaints procedure – by planning officers under delegated powers.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Waters survives 20mph no-confidence vote

LEE WATERS, the Welsh Government Minister at the heart of the row over the 20mph default speed limit, survived a vote of no confidence on Wednesday, September 27.

As the petition against 20mph approached 450,000 signatures, you couldn’t blame the Conservatives for trying to cash in. However, a motion of no confidence was never the right way forward.

The result of the vote was never in doubt.

No matter Plaid Cymru’s misgivings and rumbles from the Labour backbenches, the Conservative motion had no chance of passing.

HEFIN DAVID PRICKS THE BUBBLE

After the Shadow Transport Minister, Natasha Ashgar, opened the debate with a determined and angry speech, it took all of one Hefin David sentence to prick the bubble of self-righteous anger the Conservatives blew up around themselves.

Mr. Waters, for all his qualities as a Minister, is not the most universally loved member of the Senedd; at least, not outside his imagination.

In a single lethal remark, Hefin David poked fun at Mr Waters and the Conservatives.

“I’d actually like to pay credit to the Conservatives right

now. They’ve achieved something today that many have tried and many have failed: they’ve united two-thirds of this Chamber around Lee Waters. I think that is a significant achievement, as we will see at voting time.”

Mr Waters yucked it up, he had no choice, and even some on the Conservative benches struggled to keep a straight face.

But Hefin David’s remark stung. With his quick, clean thrust, the hot air went out of the Conservative motion.

It highlighted the performative nature of the no-confidence motion, something which later speeches underlined.

CACK-HANDED IMPLEMENTATION UNDERMINES 20 MPH POLICY

As Jonathan Edwards writes in this week’s politics section, it is fair to say that the Welsh Government’s approach to the 20mph legislation has been “cack-handed”.

As happens too often - and the Climate Change Minister Julie James gave a prime example earlier - Welsh Government ministers are so convinced of their infallibility, so arrogant, and so often stuck on transmit rather than

receive their first tactic is to belittle and try to shout down opposition using the national media.

In one-party Wales, Welsh Government hubris has no nemesis. Conceited ministers, bereft of any need to reflect on their words or attitudes, plough on in the knowledge that a tame and lazy media will never really challenge them.

PRICE HITS A PERSONAL NOTE

The debate had some effective and affecting contributions.

The former Plaid leader, Adam Price, recalled the death of his cousin Malcolm in Carmarthenshire 51 years ago.

Mr Price said the fiveyear-old was killed after being hit by a car while crossing the road.

“In preparation for this debate, I went on a personal pilgrimage yesterday to the spot where Malcolm died.

“I saw the new 20mph sign a hundred yards or so away. It had already been daubed with paint.

“And I thought to myself what have become when this sincere, decent, principled attempt to save the lives of children and others is a catalyst for so much anger and hate.”

Conservative MS Laura Jones highlighted the Welsh Government’s tactic of making

exemptions difficult for local councils to implement.

She continued: “Everyone here wants to improve road safety, but this isn’t the way to go about it, and you should be ashamed of the belligerent approach to ramming this policy through and not taking into account those concerns over the last four years for Welsh motorists.”

WATERS ACKNOWLEDGES ERRORS BUT REMAINS DEFIANT ON SPEED

The Minister at the debate’s centre finally had his word.

Lee Waters, whose usual tone is hectoring and sneering in equal measure, struck a note of defiant contrition. 20mph was the right policy, but how the Welsh Government implemented it needed to change. He acknowledged that the Welsh Government must adapt its approach and that Wales’s local authorities needed room for greater flexibility regarding the 20mph speed limit. Mr Waters also touched upon the anger the petition had released but remained steadfast that the policy was essentially correct.

“Speeds are already down and, as a result, we can expect to see fewer accidents, fewer casualties, fewer deaths,

fewer tragedies,” Mr Waters said, “a little bit slower, Llywydd, but a whole lot better.”

MILLAR REFUSES OLIVE BRANCH

Darren Millar wound up the debate for the Conservatives. Like Lee Waters, there’s seldom a china shop that Mr. Millar can pass without charging around it like a bull. However, Mr. Millar showed a deftness of political touch. The debate’s tone did not demand his usual approach. Instead, he was relatively measured, responded to the debate constructively, and, until caught out by an intervention from Delyth Jewell, almost managed to convince that the motion was not a cynical attempt to grab headlines.

Delyth Jewell’s initial contribution to the debate had been sincere but low-key. Her intervention during Mr Millar’s speech unravelled a lot of the good work he’d done.

Ms Jewell said: “I think the tone of this debate has made clear where we are as a Senedd on this, and taking on board what you were saying now in terms of the Minister’s tone, in terms of the stories that have been shared, you have it in your power now to withdraw this motion, not to put it to a vote because—. I’m

not—. I hope that you’ll accept this, Darren. I’m not saying this to make a party political point. I am frightened about the effect that some of this could have on our politics. I’m imploring you, please, not to push this to a vote.”

Desperately reaching for the moral high ground, Mr Millar declined.

After pushing it to a vote, the motioninevitably - failed.

A TONE-DEAF AFTERMATH

And that should’ve been it. But immediately after the debate and running at right angles to the approach ultimately adopted by Darren Millar, there came the inevitable rabble-rousing and angry press release. Another followed it from the unfortunate Janet Finch-Saunders. If only she’d read the article that infuriated her instead of just the headline.

Had she done so, she’d have read almost exactly the words about 20mph Mr Waters used in his speech to the Senedd that drew approval from Darren Millar.

The Conservatives could and should have praised the petitioners for influencing the Welsh Government to modify its approach. Instead, they headed back down the rabbit hole and took the red pill.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

Lee Waters: The Minister struck an unaccustomed constructive and contrite tone

Cross-party agreement: Time to slow down the rhetoric and ease off the hate

Haverfordwest ‘Instagram friendly’ bridge approval expected

PLANS for an ‘Instagram-friendly’ signature bridge, part of Haverfordwest’s levelling-up works, are expected to get the goahead next week.

An application by Pembrokeshire County Council to demolish the existing footbridge between Riverside and Western Quayside, replacing it with the new bridge is recommended for approval when it comes before the authority’s planning committee on October 3.

The scheme, in the county town’s conservation area, also includes public realm reconfiguration and enhancement; and repair, renewal and refurbishment of the former Cleddau Foundry building.

In2020, Pembrokeshire County Council was awarded a Levelling Up Fund (LUF) grant for the Heart of Pembrokeshire:

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Rediscovering Haverfordwest Project.

The project includes the creation of a ‘signature bridge’ as the central feature of a ‘Cultural Corridor’.

The LUF application described this corridor as “a critical enabler of regeneration, broadening and amplifying the impact of investment in Haverfordwest Castle and other recent PCC investments”.

The ‘signature’ bridge is in addition to improvements at Haverfordwest Castle to create an outdoor performance area and renovation of the former jail.

A report for planners says: “The proposed ‘signature’ bridge would be a bold contemporary design and is deliberately intended to contrast with its surroundings.

“It would complement

recent development at the locality with no significant effect on the historic environment albeit that is will present itself as a ‘landmark’ structure within the townscape.

“The removal of the older modern steel bridge and its replacement would have a neutral to slightly positive impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area;

high quality materials are proposed. A condition to agree colours and materials is recommended.

“The public realm that is proposed would be a significant enhancement and the retention and refurbishment of the former foundry building, which is the only surviving structure associated with the former iron foundry established in the mid-

18th century, would be of benefit.”

The design of the new bridge has previously been labelled an ‘Instagrammable’ bridge by Councillor Rhys Jordan.

e gave the bridge this moniker when raising questions about costs associated with it.

Responding, Deputy Leader of Council,

and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, Councillor Paul Miller said the existing bridge would need replacing regardless of any regeneration works, adding the cost was made up of 90 per cent external grant funding. He said he had never used the phrase ‘Instagramable,’ and was not on the service himself.

Ascona rebrands three west Wales sites as Valero

ASCONA GROUP, a top 10 UK independent forecourt operator and one of The Sunday Times’ 100 fastest growing businesses, is pleased to announce that it will be rebranding three of the Group’s service stations in West Wales as part of its existing arrangement with Valero Energy Ltd (‘Valero’), the world’s largest independent petroleum refiner and one of the world’s largest renewable fuels producer.

In a UK-first for Valero, three sites currently trading under the Texaco brand will be rebranded to Valero. The new branding will launch on the 26th October 2023 at Ascona’s Green Garage, Crossways and Tenby Road service stations, which will be the first forecourts in the UK to showcase Valero’s

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livery.

As part of the rebranding, the three sites will offer Valero’s SaveUp loyalty programme, where customers can earn 1p for every litre of fuel purchased. This can then be redeemed in store or swapped for rewards at Marks & Spencer, Argos and John Lewis, as well as many other major UK retailers.

Existing Fastfuel customers will be able to continue using their Fastfuel cards at the Valero branded locations.

The transition to the new branding will commence on Monday 9th October 2023. All three sites will remain open as they undergo the changes, with minimal disruptions to regular service expected

between Monday 9th and Friday 13th October 2023. There will be a grand opening event on Thursday 26th October at Ascona’s Green Garage station to celebrate this exciting moment for Ascona and Valero.

Darren Briggs, Founder and CEO of Ascona Group, commented:“Valero provides an industryleading fuel supply package, and we are delighted to be supporting the team there as they embark on an exciting new phase of their UK strategy.

“The Valero team remains the perfect provider for Ascona as we continue to expand our operations in the UK via both organic and acquisitive growth, and focus on building the best-in-class retail roadside destinations for our customers.”

Road safety in Great Britain: Grim data revealed this week

THE Department for Transport’s recent annual ‘Reported Casualties’ report paints a distressing picture of road safety in Great Britain. This report indicates that 29,742 individuals are killed or seriously injured on the roads annually. To put this staggering figure into perspective, this is tantamount to 81 people per day, every day of the year, or a thousand coaches full of people.

Rebecca Guy, Road Safety Manager, England at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), expressed her deep concern over the findings, stating, “Despite significant strides by car manufacturers to enhance vehicle safety, the number of people fatally injured on our roads has seen a mere

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two per cent reduction since 2012.”

RoSPA, a champion in health and safety, emphasises that the government’s lack of strategy and funding plays a crucial role in this static situation. Guy further added, “While car occupants formed the majority of the road casualties in 2022, motorcyclists endured the highest casualty rates per billion miles travelled. This underscores that individuals on motorcycles are more susceptible to injuries on the road.”

Alarmingly, the last road safety strategy was presented by the government in 2019, and since then, no new strategies or significant policies have been unveiled. This hiatus in the government’s approach to road safety has been a significant

Call to protect community assets

communities for the future is vitally important.

“The motion passed with an amendment and I am pleased that we are on the correct path to deliver for community groups across Wales.”

point of concern for organisations like RoSPA. Guy urged, “We

beseech the government to release a well-defined, research-backed road

safety strategy before more lives are tragically lost on the roads.”

IN THE SENEDD this week, the Welsh Conservatives brought forward an opposition motion recognising the sheer importance of community assets to local communities and called on the Labour Government to “protect community assets by enabling local people to run and expand facilities that benefit the local community”. With amendments from the Labour Government voted through, the Welsh Conservative amended motion received crossparty support on the floor of the Senedd, highlighting the sheer importance of protecting

community assets.

Commenting after the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Social Justice Minister, Mark Isherwood MS said: “In our debate this week, I argued that enabling Wales will require the development of a longterm, overarching communities strategy to help empower local people and establish ‘asset-based community development’ as a key principle within community development.

“Unlocking both ‘people’ and ‘physical’ assets, empowering the people of the community and using existing community strengths to build sustainable

Also commenting after the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government, Sam Rowlands MS added: “Protecting community assets are vital for our local communities up and down Wales. It’s crucial that all action is taken to empower local people.

“It was regrettable that the Labour Government continued to raise budgetary restraints as an issue, yet our Councils sit on over £2.75bn in usable reserves.

“Now is the time for the Labour Government to work with our local Councils and ensure community assets are protected and made available for those who rely on them.”

Baby loss remembrance service resumes

In recognition of Baby Loss Awareness week, Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen and Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth will have pink and blue lights in the Chapel/Quiet Room. The week culminates in a ‘Wave of Light’ on 15 October, which is recognised across the world.

A candle (battery operated) will be lit at 7pm by the Senior Chaplain in memory of all the babies who lit up our lives for such a short time.

Councillors elected to Haverfordwest Council

THE DECLARATION of results for byelections to two Haverfordwest Town Council Wards are available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

The elections to the Priory and Portfield Wards took place on September 19 th , 2023.

Cllr Peter Lewis and Cllr Tasha Jones were elected to the Priory

Ward and Cllr Roy Thomas to the Portfield Ward. Returning Officer Will Bramble made the declaration of results at the Picton Centre, Haverfordwest, following the closure of polls and counting. The full declarations are available on the election results page of the Council’s website.

THE ANNUAL baby loss remembrance service will return on Thursday 12 October 2023 at St Luke’s Chapel in Withybush hospital in Haverfordwest at 7pm.

The ‘Forget Me Not’ service coincides with Baby Loss Awareness week (9-15 October) and is arranged by Midwifery and Bereavement teams and led by the Spiritual

Care Department (Chaplaincy). The service has long been a source of comfort for parents and families and provides an opportunity for people to reflect and to come together to pay respects and write a message in a safe space.

Euryl Howells, Senior Chaplain at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “This service of

remembrance is an important moment for parents and families who have been affected by the very sad experience of babies who have passed away.

“Infant and pregnancy loss is a very lonely grief. This space is a time to gather and remember precious little ones whether the loss was recent or in the more distant past.”

If you are unable to attend the service and wish to commemorate your loved one, please send a message to Loved.Forever.HDD@ wales.nhs.uk by Tuesday 10 October 2023

Should you require further information please contact Euryl Howells by telephone or email 01267 227563 or Euryl. Howells2@wales.nhs.uk

£20m to improve learning spaces

During a visit to Ysgol y Bedol in Carmarthenshire, the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, announced the £20m for schools to transform the experiences of disabled children and those with additional learning needs.

The £20m of capital funding for 2023-24 is allocated to improve the inclusivity of learning environments, create quiet or sensory areas, upgrade or purchase new equipment such as specialist sensory aids, and for works to improve additional learning provision through the medium of Welsh.

This is in addition to the £20m of capital funding the Welsh Government invested in 2022-23 to support disabled learners and those with additional learning needs.

Ysgol y Bedol

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in Garnant, Carmarthenshire used the grant of £120,000 in 2022-23 to develop a new sensory room and two classrooms specifically equipped to meet the needs of pupils with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as a new outdoor playing area.

Gethin Richards, Headteacher at Ysgol y Bedol, said:

“This development has ensured that our pupils have access to their education in an inclusive environment. The sensory room provides opportunities for pupils to relax and the teaching rooms accommodate the needs of pupils with autism. There are specific areas where they can develop awareness of their emotions and areas for learning, research and playing.

“The outer area is a

place for the pupils to explore the world around them in a way that is completely safe for them. In a short time, the pupils have settled into the new classes and made huge progress in their development.

“The resource also allows us to offer expertise and provision to pupils with autism through the medium of Welsh, which is absolutely vital for Welsh-speaking families and children in the area.”

The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said:

“This £20m investment will lead to a real difference for disabled learners, and those with additional learning needs, by making sure that our schools are accessible, and have the facilities to support inclusive learning.

“Every child in Wales deserves access to high quality education. I want to make sure every

learner can fulfil their potential.”

The investment will support the implementation of education reforms in

Wales, including the Additional Learning Needs Act, the Curriculum for Wales and the aim to increase the number of Welsh

speakers. Local authorities will determine the improvements to schools and settings based on local need.

Charity walk for WWII veteran raises both tensions and funds

deserves our support.”

Yet, the event was not without contention. Allegations emerged suggesting a participant, who it was claimed bears resemblance to Adolf Hitler and named as Alex Yerbury, arrived in military attire.

This attracted the attention and concern of anti-racism campaigners, Stand Up To Racism Swansea, who staged a counterprotest in Pembroke. Their claims that some of the marchers appeared intoxicated added to the unfolding drama. A claim which was denied.

MIKE EDWARDS

MY beloved spouse recently came into some money. Not a life-changing amount by any means, but the sort of tidy sum that comes from remembering a bachelor uncle’s birthdays and Christmases while telling other family members he’d emigrated to Anglesey.

After paying the cheque into the bank, the missus told me she has always wanted a little place in Ceredigion. I was mortified.

Much as I am fond of the place, it is miles away from the rugby club, the pub, and my favourite chippy.

ON SATURDAY (Sept

23) Pembrokeshire witnessed a charity walk that has since become a focal point of conversation, drawing both admiration and critique.

Organised by Darren Edmundson and promoted through the Twitter handle @98YearOldHomeless, the event began at the Pembroke Train Station at 10am and made its way to Tenby. Its objective was to raise funds for a 98-yearold WWII D-Day hero veteran, Alfi Guenigault, who had recently been served a no-fault

eviction notice.

The campaign backing Guenigault has garnered significant support. Separately to the walk, A GoFundMe page titled “98Year homeless world war 2 veteran” was set up with an initial goal of £10,000. As of now, the fundraiser has reached a commendable £8,891, with contributions from 367 donors.

Dolly Drayson, the chief organiser of that fundraiser, outlined the pressing needs of the veteran.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the charity walk, organiser Darren Edmundson said: “It went really well; everyone completed the ten miles.

“It was so disheartening to witness the far-left’s Stand Up to Racism counterprotesting against a WW2 D-Day veteran who is 98-years-old.

“They were fully aware that this was a non-political event.

“Alfred Guenigault is among the mere six surviving British D-Day veterans –he unquestionably

Stand Up to Racism West Wales, underscoring their prompt intervention, relayed their primary mission was to emphasise that right wing ideologies had no place in their community, resulting in the marchers being shown the exit.

This episode, a blend of genuine charity intentions and impassioned debate, serves as a poignant reminder of the deeply entrenched sentiments in west Wales.

As the fundraiser continues to gain momentum, the event’s aftermath is likely to be a subject of local conversation for a while.

The wife was having none of it. And so it was that I found myself stuck in traffic heading northwards and Borthwards last Saturday.

I don’t know if you have ever been to or heard of Borth. It’s a pleasant place to spend a long weekend. I had never thought about it as a place to live.

Borth has a street that goes all the way along its lengthy seafront. In the autumn and winter, the houses’ windows along the main drag are empty and dark.

Up on the hill are many fine houses. Some may contain families all year round, but most stare out onto the sweep of the bay, empty and dark.

My darling was not interested in those places. Neither was the wife interested in the many compact and bijoux cottages backing onto the beach.

When missus said she had always fancied a little place in Ceredigion, it had not occurred to me that she meant a metal shed up on

chocks facing a prevailing gale. But she did.

Yes, readers, the wife had researched precisely how far her legacy from late Uncle Emrys would stretch. She’d settled upon the endless possibilities for freezing misery we could enjoy spending our autumn years in a caravan.

The Wimberry Windjammer – I think that’s what it is called –had the utilitarian charm of a prefab. The wife was delighted at the range of nooks and crannies for her Whimsies and collection of slasher movies. She even raved over the rock-hard put-uup bed that doubled as a strikingly uncomfortable couch.

Years ago, I worked on an engineering site far from home and occasionally slept on a small camp bed in a Portakabin. I had sworn never to repeat the experience.

My well-upholstered hide craves comfort.

Mitzi, who’d joined us on the journey into the heart of darkness, loved the caravan so much that she piddled next to the steps.

“Look at the lovely walks nearby, Mike!” The wife trilled. I shuddered but forced a smile.

It was deceptively sunny outside. Yet the wind gusted with a determination suggesting an imminent visit to the Land of Oz. If we went out with the dog on a lead, we’d end up flying the damned thing like a kite. Nevertheless, the gas fire inside kept us warm, and the glazing kept out the draught.

Why was it, then, that I felt the chill hand of doom hovering over my shoulder?

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Ty Hotel’s group achieves 100th apprentice milestone

THE CELTIC COLLECTION, comprising a luxury resort, hotels and lodges across South Wales, has just enrolled its 100th active apprentice with the country’s leading provider of apprenticeships to the hospitality industry.

Daniel Wright, 21, who works at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, has the distinction of becoming The Celtic Collection’s centurion apprentice, by enrolling onto a Foundation Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery with Cambrian Training Company.

“Becoming an apprentice chef has been a transformative journey,” said Daniel. “The excitement of being the 100th apprentice fuels my passion even more. Together, we’re cooking up a future filled with endless possibilities.

“With determination and support from my amazing team, inspiring managers and the guidance of my training officer Will

Richards, I’m confident in successfully completing my apprenticeship.”

The Celtic Collection comprises 10 venues, including the flagship Celtic Manor Resort, International Convention Centre Wales, Coldra Court Hotel, Tŷ Hotel Magor, Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront and The Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff.

Apprenticeships delivered by Cambrian Training Company are prioritised to train and develop the workforce of over 1,600 employees across the group.

The Celtic Collection’s Celtic Pathways programme has enhanced staff skills, motivation and retention by giving all existing employees and new recruits the opportunity to work towards a qualification. Apprenticeships are a key part of this programme.

Award-winning training provider Cambrian Training Company plays a key role in delivering accredited apprenticeships, from

Level 2 to Level 5, in Hospitality, Professional Cookery, Leadership and Management, Customer Service and Business Administration, AAT Accounting as well as (BIIAB) British Institute of Inn keeping qualifications.

The company’s training officers work with apprentices across the

group, from the kitchen, culinary and front of house teams to staff working in human resources, accounts, maintenance and spas.

The Celtic Collection offers a range of initiatives to recruit, engage and empower employees to create their own career paths, upskill and achieve recognised qualifications to grow their career.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “Apprenticeships can help futureproof, motivate and diversify a workforce by providing people with the opportunity to gain highquality vocational skills. They are also crucial to our ambitious vision for a Wales where no one is held back.

“It’s excellent news that The Celtic Collection are celebrating their 100th apprentice and have seen the valuable role apprenticeships play in developing staff skills, motivating and retaining staff. As the 100th apprentice, I wish Daniel well in his future career.”

Tracy Israel, The Celtic Collection’s director of talent and development, said: “Apprenticeships are a critical part of our talent development and management philosophy. We are focused on looking after the talent already within the business as well as the talent we recruit.

“The challenge we have within hospitality is attracting people into the industry. When we recruit people, we want to retain

them by providing key opportunities to develop both professionally and personally. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to do this.

“We are reliant on ensuring that we have the right people in the right jobs, with the right skills and competencies; in order to deliver the best guest experience.

“We have some amazing apprentices within the business who act as apprenticeship ambassadors, which has resulted in employees now approaching us asking to do qualifications rather than the business having to encourage them.”

Praising the partnership with pan-Wales training provider Cambrian Training Company, she added: “They feel like part of the family and I sometimes have to remind myself that they are actually an independent company.

“Because of our longstanding partnership, they understand our needs so well, which is critical. We believe that we are quite unique in the hospitality industry in being a privately owned, family business with core values which are replicated by Cambrian Training. There is a real synergy between both parties.

“I love Cambrian Training Company’s ‘can do’ attitude and the fact that they come to me with ideas of how they can help the business, which is a major plus point.”

Cambrian Training Company’s business development officer, Rob Hookham, works closely with Tracy and is delighted to have enrolled all of the 100 apprentices at The Celtic Collection.

“This milestone showcases the immense potential of apprenticeships as a viable and rewarding career pathway,” he said. “The significance of this achievement extends beyond the numbers; it symbolises the triumph of determination, resilience and the power of collaboration.

“By combining practical, hands-on experience with theoretical learning, apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity for individuals to develop their skills, gain industry-specific knowledge and embark on a fulfilling career journey.

“This could not be done without all the training officers at Cambrian Training Company, which has not only succeeded in fostering a culture of excellence and professionalism, but has also established a strong network of support and mentorship.

“The apprentices, through their collective efforts, have created a vibrant community of learners, each supporting and inspiring one another to reach greater heights.”

The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

Lighting designer celebrates 30 years in the industry

AS THE TORCH THEATRE’S autumn production of Private Lives makes its way to the Torch stage this October, its freelance lighting designer, who works predominantly in Wales, will be celebrating his 30th year in the industry. Ceri James from Llanarthney near Carmarthen works quietly behind the scenes to devise and manage the lights for a variety of productions and is relishing the challenge of working on Private Lives.

His extensive career has taken him around the globe but he’s never far from Pembrokeshire. After graduating from RWCMD Cardiff in 1990, Ceri moved to California to study and work for the University of Southern California. He has designed over 20 productions for the Sherman Theatre Company and has designed lighting for Theatre Centre, Dalier Sylw, Theatr Clwyd, Theatr na n’Og, Salisbury Playhouse, Unicorn Theatre, Haymarket

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Theatre Leicester, The Royal Derngate Northampton, New Theatre Stoke, Theatr Bara Caws and Wales Theatre Company. He is a founder member of Mappa Mundi Theatre for whom he has designed over 30 productions.

‘I worked extensively in Cardiff as a Lighting Designer, Production Manager and Producer from 1992 – 2012 including Cardiff Millennium Celebrations, and Cardiff’s first Big Weekend. During this period, I was a Founding Member of Mappa Mundi Theatre producing over 20 productions,’ said Ceri.

But even though he has journeyed extensively with his work, he has also worked regularly for the Torch Theatre here in Pembrokeshire for the past 10 years since moving to Llanarthney. He has even worked with Chelsey Gillard, Torch Theatre’s Artistic Director before.

‘I first worked with

Chelsey Gillard in 2018 as a Lighting Designer for ‘Blue’ at Chapter Arts Centre and now five years later we are back working together on a terrific comedy drama and it’s just great,” added Ceri who designs using the latest 3d visualisations, making work digitally and

sharing ideas remotely. And Chelsey is just as delighted to be working with Ceri once more.

“Ceri’s work is so detailed, always adding to the storytelling of the production and ensuring the focus is where we need it to be onstage. I’m looking forward to

working with Ceri again, I admire his work so much and we already have a shared taste. Private Lives is going to be a brilliant spectacle and we can’t wait for you to see it,’ said Chelsey.

This October, Ceri will have designed four productions around

Wales, Private Lives and the tour of Torch Theatre original production Carwyn produced by Bale & Thomas. And this Christmas he will be Lighting Designer for Sherman Theatre’s Christmas shows –Hansel & Gretel and Peter Pan.

St Davids RNLI responds to kayaker in distress near Jack Sound

AT 3:30pm on Saturday, 23rd September, the St Davids RNLI lifeboat was dispatched in response to reports of a kayaker departing from Skokholm island towards Martins Haven. As the all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley made its way to the designated search zone, fresh intel indicated that the kayaker was observed just south of Jack Sound. This stretch of water, notorious for its unpredictable currents, separates Skomer island from the mainland. Upon reaching the scene, the RNLI crew witnessed the kayaker battling the turbulent overfalls at the edge of the Sound, a treacherous situation exacerbated by a mounting ebb tide clashing with an intensifying southerly wind. In a twist of fate, the kayak overturned,

prompting the St Davids RNLI to swiftly navigate through the overfalls and avoid nearby reefs and shallows to rescue the individual.

With expert precision, the volunteer crew managed to pull the kayaker to safety and retrieve the capsized vessel. After a quick assessment, it was determined that the kayaker was unharmed and didn’t require additional medical care. Coordinating with Little & Broad Haven Lifeboat, the rescued individual and his kayak were safely escorted ashore at Martins Haven. By 5pm, the lifeboats were decommissioned and returned to their respective stations, marking the end of another successful rescue operation by the St Davids RNLI.

Date for Pembrokeshire second homes council tax decision

A RECENT Pembrokeshire consultation on tax rule changes, which could see as much as a treble rate of council tax for second homes in future, will be discussed in December rather than next month.

Supply and demand factors are likely to support commodity prices in the year ahead, even as the global economy weakens.Capital at risk.

New local tax rules introduced by Welsh Government earlier this year saw local authorities being able to set and collect council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties at up to 300 per cent.

Pembrokeshire is currently operating a 100 per cent council tax premium for second homes, and a premium for long term empty properties in the county was introduced in 2019 for properties that have been empty for three years or more.

A public consultation on any potential changes was launched earlier this

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year, with Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet on course to consider the consultation results at its October 2 meeting, with a

final decision on options, made by full council at its meeting on October 12.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Predecision Overview and Scrutiny Committee were due to discuss the recent

consultation on the tax premiums at their meeting of September 19.

At the outset of the agenda item, they told that, following a recent members’ budget seminar, the decision had been taken to delay

the item to the December meeting.

A discussion on the item at the September 19 committee was cut short following a request by Councillor Aled Thomas, who said he was not happy without sight of

legal documentation, which was made available during previous meetings, but was not presented to the September 19 committee.

Cllr Thomas said he “wouldn’t feel comfortable making any recommendation without sight of that document”. However, Councillor Jordan Ryan said the ‘legal document’ was more in the form of background information, adding: “It wasn’t some major thing; but is members want to postpone I don’t think it’s the end of the world.”

Cllr Thomas was seconded by Councillor Mike Stoddart, the motion passing by six votes to four, with one abstention.

An extraordinary meeting of the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee is expected to discuss the issue further next month, with the matter going to full council in December.

Neighbouring Ceredigion has recently launched a similar consultation, which runs to October 29.

Pembrokeshire crowned the dog beach capital of the UK

IF YOU’VE ever wondered where the best beaches for your furry friends are, then look no further than our very own Pembrokeshire! New research has shown that our county is leading the UK when it comes to dog-friendly shorelines.

As the sun fades on another summer, the trend for ‘staycations’ shows no signs of slowing. Recent data indicates a 20% rise in searches for ‘winter breaks’ across Britain, and an impressive 75% of the populace planning a UK overnight trip within the coming year. But it’s not just humans who benefit from these local retreats – our canine companions are joining in on the fun too.

A detailed study conducted by Dream Cottages, a holiday cottage provider, has

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dug up data about where you should whisk your whiskered friend for a relaxing break. By measuring the number of dog-friendly beaches, expansive open spaces, convenient vets, and accessible pet stores, they’ve charted the best spots in the UK for a delightful doggy vacation.

And the result?

Pembrokeshire proudly tops the list for the highest number of dogfriendly beaches! With a staggering count of 81 dog-friendly beaches, Pembrokeshire has edged out Devon, which sits comfortably in second place with 76 beaches.

Yorkshire, despite coming in 10th place for beaches, took the overall crown as the best place for a dog-friendly

holiday considering its abundant open spaces. However, when it’s sandy shores you’re after, Pembrokeshire stands unmatched.

Pembrokeshire’s love for its canine visitors isn’t just about beaches. The entire community has embraced the ethos of making every visitor, on two legs or four, feel entirely at home.

Aislinn Peters, a spokesperson for Dream Cottages, emphasised the growing trend of inclusive holidays. “We understand people’s desire to bring their pets on holiday. Exploring new terrains, especially in areas as beautiful as Pembrokeshire, becomes even more special with your loyal companion by your side,” she stated.

It’s clear that more Brits are opting for home soil adventures, recognising the

unmatched beauty and hospitality the UK has to offer. And for those with a wagging tail by their side, Pembrokeshire

remains the beach paradise of choice. With winter around the corner and an evident love for staycations,

Pembrokeshire’s pristine beaches are poised to witness both human and canine footprints, come rain or shine!

Tom Sinclair

350mw power station battery storage scheme

PLANS are in motion for a groundbreaking 350MW battery energy storage facility at Pembroke Power Station, as revealed by the recent submission of preliminary details to county planners.

RWE Generation UK plc has moved forward with an environmental impact screening opinion request in anticipation of presenting full plans. These are set to detail provisions for as many as 549 battery units, along with necessary supporting infrastructure, at the power station situated in Pwllcrochan, Pembroke.

In a statement accompanying the request, RWE Generation UK plc emphasised that while the final design is still in the works, the broader vision is clear. “RWE stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, leading in renewables and pioneering offshore wind development. Our aim with this project is to bolster our ongoing transformation towards a greener future under the banner of the Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC). This will encompass the integration of cuttingedge technologies essential for a low carbon era.”

The PNZC initiative by RWE is anchored on three main pillars:

the production of green hydrogen, the decarbonisation of the Pembroke Power Station, and the exploration of floating offshore wind. Within this framework, the proposed battery system will play a pivotal role, especially

in supporting offshore wind and aiding the National Grid Electricity System Operator’s goal of achieving a zerocarbon electricity grid by 2025.

RWE further elaborated, “Our PNZC will amalgamate the vast spectrum of our decarbonisation expertise, merging innovation with offshore

wind, power engineering, and the design/operation of highly sophisticated plants.”

Key details of the proposal reveal that the facility will encompass a battery energy storage system, supplementary equipment, and cabling, all with a grid connection import and export capability of 350MW. Optimal connectivity

to the electricity grid is anticipated through proximity to the power station’s existing substation infrastructure, ensuring minimal cable routing distances.

Earlier this year, RWE Generation UK introduced the concept of the Pembroke Battery Energy Storage System during a meeting with Pembrokeshire County

Council in April. This was followed by a preapplication enquiry in May. If all goes according to plan and subsequent approvals are granted, construction might commence in the latter half of 2024. The ambitious timeline aims to have the battery facility up and running by the end of 2026.

North American birds ‘blown across Atlantic’ to Pembrokeshire

DOZENS of birdwatchers gathered around the coastal path at St Govan’s today after two extremely rare visitors to our shores were spotted.

The Magnolia Warbler made only its third recorded visit to our shores, while a Canada Warbler was spotted for the first time.

The birds are both native to North America and are likely to have been blown to the UK by the strong winds that were the remains of Hurricane Lee.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Surprising tourism figures in Carmarthenshire

A WHOPPING

£596.51 million was generated by Carmarthenshire’s tourism industry last year for the local economy.

New independent economic figures, put together for Carmarthenshire County Council, reveal that in 2022, over 3.46million people visited Carmarthenshire to enjoy its unique blend of countryside and coast. Broken down further, this equated to over 7.19 million tourist days spent within the county with 1.17 million people staying overnight in one of the 1,250 establishments in Carmarthenshire.

Carmarthenshire’s tourism industry now employs 6,652 people and its economic impact has grown 66% since 2011, from £358.89 million to £596.5 million in 2022.

Reflecting the importance of the tourism industry for our county,

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two Carmarthenshire projects have won a share of the Welsh Government’s £5m Brilliant Basics Fund to help deliver a first-class holiday experience.

Llansteffan Car Park – £224,000 of funding, on a total project investment worth £280,000, has been awarded to Carmarthenshire County Council to further develop the car parking facilities and visitor enhancements at one of the county’s most visited and photogenic villages.

Carmarthenshire Museum – £264,000, on a total project investment worth £330,000, has been secured to carry out the second phase of improvements at the historic facility in Abergwili, on the outskirts of Carmarthen. The Museum is currently exhibiting the masterpiece painting, Tobias and

the Angel by Andrea del Verrocchio. The funding will be invested in the car park and visitor enhancements, to improve capacity and accessibility.

Carmarthenshire County Council has been working with local tourism and hospitality providers, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, tourist attractions, activity providers, restaurants, pubs, businesses and

retailers, to provide the perfect welcome for guests and encourage them to return.

Cllr. Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism for Carmarthenshire County Council said: “There is a great deal of hard work taking place across our county to not only attract visitors to this unique and wonderful part of Wales but also to make them

want to return here on future holidays.

“Carmarthenshire’s tourism industry provides jobs for local people and supports local businesses; therefore I’m delighted that the County Council has secured Welsh Government funding to enhance the visitor attractions at Llansteffan and Carmarthenshire Museum.”

Deputy Minister for

Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden said: “The projects supported through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics fund make a real difference. Local tourism amenities have a big part to play in making a trip a memorable one. These facilities often go unnoticed, but they are an important part of a visitor’s experience and also benefit those who live in the area.”

Community invited to Brynhir housing development update event

THE PLANNED Brynhir housing development in Tenby has reached an important stage of the design process.

A drop-in community engagement event will be held on Tuesday 3rd October 2023 between 3:30pm and 7:30pm at the De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog St, Tenby, SA70 7JD.

The engagement event is an opportunity for Pembrokeshire County Council to showcase the latest plans for the Brynhir development to the community.

Representatives from the design consultants, the PCC Housing Development team and the wider housing teams will be on hand to answer any questions that you may have about the plans.

Offering a chance to share feedback and comment about the development, the event is also an opportunity for those who might have an

interest in these homes or other social housing to collect an application form in order to join the

housing register.

• If you have any questions about this development, please

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The fossil folly at Rosebank

CAW-caw, feathered friends and landbound folks! Stephen Seagull here, perched atop my favorite cliff, pondering on human affairs and their penchant for poking the seas. Today, let me squawk about this thing called Rosebank they’re all aflutter about.

So, there I was, riding the warm currents when I overheard one Rishi Sunak squawking from a big nest in Downing Street. To my beady eyes, it looked like the humans were once again diving headfirst into the waters, this time over Rosebank, an underwater treasure trove of that shiny black liquid.

Let me take you under my wing for a second: Just a season ago, I had to shade my beak and ruffle my feathers during what the humans dubbed the UK’s hottest day. It felt like the sun had dipped a little too close to our dear Pembrokeshire. And in that heated spell, some human nest declared their big green plans were all wrong. One would think they’d take the hint and fly right, yes? But no, they’re nesting deeper in their fossil follies: A coal treasure in Cumbria and now Rosebank. As we gulls say, “That’s not

flying; that’s just falling with style!”

From my aerial view, the implications are glaring. That clever owl from World Bank’s nest whispered that Rosebank’s treasure might cloud the skies akin to the combined

breath of 28 human territories. Imagine 28 gulls diving for one tiny fish, that’s the scene.

The human flock coos about “energy security” and “fewer shiny coins” being the prize. But let’s not have our feathers ruffled; it’s

a bit fishy, especially when that Rosebank treasure is supposedly sailing towards Europe. My seagull senses tell me the shiny coins won’t jingle any differently in the average human’s nest.

Now, hold onto your

human called Jeremy Hunt chirping about others and their green giveaways. Maybe he should preen his own feathers first.

Humans warble, “Can’t switch off fossil fuels at the drop of a feather.” My gull wisdom says, “Too much of anything is bad; moderation is key.” Or in bird-speak, “Don’t dive deep if you’ve had your fill of fish!”

Even the whispers from the trees, nests like the International Energy Agency and the Climate Change Committee, sing a somber song: New fossil digs are offkey. But some flocks, like Labour, seem tonedeaf.

Land and sky creatures, the age of fossils should be behind us. Over the horizon, many human tribes are echoing a greener chant. Why the circling here, I wonder?

tail feathers: Equinor, the big birdie leading this treasure hunt, is getting a mountain of shiny coins from their big nest – The Treasury. It’s like seeing a fellow gull drop a fresh catch and then get rewarded with fish! The irony? The

So, as I spread my wings to greet the Pembrokeshire dawn, here’s my cry: Rally, raise a ruckus, and let your voices soar! Be it through human letters, echoing #StopRosebank, or joining the shoreline chorus. From my lofty perch to the vast shores, Rosebank won’t unfold under our watchful eyes. Squawk on, comrades! Squawk on!

Choirs to sing for local charity, Paul Sartori

Tickets for the Evening Concert are available on the charity’s website or by phoning 01437 763223.

TWO local choirs, the Paul Sartori Community Choir and Neyland Ladies Choir are collaborating to deliver an Evening Concert on Saturday 30th September 2023 at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College in aid of Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The concert will also feature solos from talented young musicians, including local singer Mared Phillips.

The Paul Sartori Community Choir has come a long way since

it was founded in April 2022. It began as a way to unite the community and to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the local charity, known as Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The choir, now a permanent fixture, has helped many find the joy of singing in an inclusive fun choir. It is led by Mark Heron, Musical Director, who has a special association with the charity, as he was christened by Father Paul Sartori himself (the inspiration

for the charity). They delivered a successful performance recently at St Marys Church, Haverfordwest to a packed audience.

“It was a fantastic experience to perform to such a large, warm and welcoming audience at St Mary’s Church. The commitment and enthusiasm of choir members has blown me away, and I am sure the concert at Merlin Theatre will be another proud moment for me, as the choir stand in front of the audience and sing their

hearts out once more,” said Mark.

The Neyland Ladies Choir was formed by the late Ivor Thomas in 1977, his intention being to restart a mixed choral society in Neyland, however only one gentleman turned up to rehearsal! They have recently celebrated their 45th anniversary with a celebration concert, which also commemorated the coronation of King Charles III. The choir enjoys a wide repertoire, performing at services and concerts locally and further afield,

supporting many charities across Pembrokeshire. They have had a long association with the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home over many years and have regularly led the singing at the ‘Light up a Life’ ceremonies. The choir’s Musical Director is Lynne Kelleher and Accompanist is Miranda Davies.

“We have great pleasure in joining the Paul Sartori Community Choir to share music and once again raise vital funds for this fantastic cause,” said Lynne.

The Paul Sartori Community Choir is a relatively young choir, which was set up following a successful grant award from the Community Changemakers Fund delivered by South West Wales Connected (SWWCo); Great Western Railway (GWR); Transport for Wales (TFW) and 4theRegion. More recently they benefitted from a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The group have also been supported by local companies including Sigma Display who sponsored their a-frame promotional board.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provide a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of a life-limiting illness and the Paul Sartori Community Choir extends the support to the wider community. For further information on the charity and its services visit their website www.paulsartori. org or phone 01437 763223.

‘World’s biggest’ bookies wants to take over empty site

THE WORLD’S biggest privatelyowned betting company, Betfred is hoping to take over the empty site of the former Shaws the Drapers store in Haverfordwest town centre, which closed last year.

Last December, after weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Shaws had gone into liquidation, resulting in the closure of 28 shops throughout England and Wales, including Haverfordwest and Carmarthen.

The site of the former Shaws the Drapers store, at 6-7 Castle Square has been empty since then.

An application has now been submitted to county planners by Done Brothers (Cash Betting) Ltd to use the site as a

Betfred betting shop, which would require a change of planning use and alterations to the shopfront.

The applicants say the existing Betfred in the town, at nearby 48 High Street, would, if the application is successful, become vacant, and be marketed as a retail or commercial unit, ensuring there would be no additional Bookmakers proposed in this location.

Agent ID Planning, in its submission on behalf of Done Brothers, said that, despite marketing over a nine-month period, the property has been unable to secure a viable retail or other operator.

It added: “This

application seeks to facilitate a relocation of Betfred’s existing bookmaker business from 48 High Street to 6-7 Castle Square to a larger unit that better fits their business floorspace requirements.

“The relocation of Betfred’s existing Bookmaker business brings a large vacant unit back into active use on Castle Square which supports economic growth principles in national and local planning policy. Minor alterations are proposed to the front elevation to provide a new shopfront with a single access door.

“Betfred is the world’s biggest privately-owned betting company and one of the UK’s biggest privately-owned retail outlets. Licensed betting shops are regarded as

being main town centre uses and are seen to maintain the vitality and viability in local town

the main retail and commercial function.”

and district centres by complementing

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Llandeilo Antiques and Vintage Fair displays rare glass paperweights.

THIS successful fair has grown in popularity over the last year and can be located in the heart of Llandeilo, close to the main car park.Here you will find a bustling, vibrant Fair with lots of antiques and vintage to whet your appetite. The fair now includes a vintage element with a touch of retro and will be returning to Llandeilo on Saturday 7th October.

Being a Welsh Fair it is understandable that there should be a good selection of Welsh items on offer. Whether it’s an original Welsh watercolour or oil painting or a piece of Welsh pottery or examples of Welsh textiles.There will also be a selection of Welsh blankets and textiles on display , the result of Wales having a rich heritage , in the woollen industry.

One area of collecting that has grown in popularity over the years is paper weight collecting. These glass domes come in all sizes and designs and can be inexpensive with some small ones being bought for less than £10 however rarer examples

can fetch huge figures .

Decorative glass paperweights have a

flat or slightly concave base, usually polished but sometimes frosted, cut in one of several variations eg. star-cut bases have a multipointed star, while a diamond cut base has grooves cut in a crisscross pattern.although a footed weight has a flange in the base. The ground on which the inner parts rest may be clear or colored, made of unfused sand, or resemble lace.The domed top is usually faceted or cut and made of lead glass and may be coated with one or more thin layers of colored glass, and have windows cut through it to reveal the interior motif. The exact shape or profile of the dome varies from one artist or factory to another, Paperweights are made by individual artisans or in factories

the Han Dynasty, the paperweight was sure to follow shortly after. It is thought that the paperweights were a common tool in the scholar’s studios back then and were made of white jade.

By the 18th and 19th centuries, the paperweights’ popularity had grown in Europe and in 1845, a Venetian glassmaker Pietro Bigaglia showcased his glass weights at the Vienna Industrial Exposition. Although paperweights were inexpensive to produce, they were considered a luxury item that helped decorate rooms and kept paper organised.

where many artists and technicians collaborate; both may produce inexpensive as well as “collector” weights.

Workmanship, design, rarity, and condition determine a paperweight’s value: its glass should not have a yellow or greenish cast,and there should be no unintentional asymmetries, or unevenly spaced or broken elements. Visible flaws, such as bubbles, striations and scratches lessen their value.

Where did paperweights come from, you might be wonder .Glass paperweights date back to the time paper was first invented. A paperweight is a small object that is heavy enough to keep papers from blowing away. Given that paper was invented around 100 BC in China by

In the 19th century, paperweights were made in England, Venice, Bohemia, and the United States. France, however, was at the heart of paperweight production. The most famous pieces came from Baccarat, Saint Louis, Clichy, and Pantin factories. Clichy was the only house, whose paperweights were displayed at the Great Exposition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1851. Paperweights soon became the ultimate desk accessory, bringing colour and life to everyone’s home.

Traditionally, everything inside the paperweight is also made of glass. Some paperweights and most of the ones in the Neustadter collection are made using millefiori canes or lampwork. Lampworking is a type of glasswork, where the glass is melted and then shaped using hand movements.

Millefiori Cane, on the other hand, is something different. The term millefiori comes from two Italian words, mille (thousand) and fiori (flowers). It is a glasswork technique that produces decorative patterns. This method involves the creation of glass canes or rods that are later on heated in a

furnace and pulled thin. The record price for a millefiori paperweight is set to a quarter-million dollars in 1990. The piece was produced in the mid-1800s by the French Clichy factory. Glass paperweights have had a rich history and are still used in our daily lives. Although paperweights vary in their shape and form, material and decoration techniques, they come in handy when you are looking for bespoke gifts. Organisations, for example, use corporate paperweights as a promotional item, on which they can print or engrave their bespoke design. Whether you are using them for an event giveaway and a personalised present for your loved ones, glass paperweights are still very much admired and sought after.

Alison Peters

Has a huge range of paperweights on display at the Llandeilo fair including some rare designs and patterns. Her display is eye catching and quite extensive.

There will also be attractive displays of gardinalia at the fair and has proved extremely popular .Displays include watering cans , wheel barrows ,garden tools and large garden pots and urns.

The Llandeilo fair has a rich cross section of antiques and vintage on display, from jewellery,watches, books, post cards , ephemera, militaria and vintage clothes and accessories. There will also be collections of glass and up cycled and pre loved furniture, plus interior design pieces. I’m sure visitors will not be disappointed with the selection on offer at this popular fair.

Homemade refreshments will be available and doors open at 10 am until 4pm. Admission is just £1.and dogs are allowed entry.

Ben Lake launches election campaign at Crymych

BEN LAKE launched his election campaign at Crymych Rugby Club last Thursday and met with a packed room of supporters to outline his priorities as Plaid Cymru’s candidate for the new Ceredigion Preseli seat.

Ben Lake has represented Ceredigion in Westminster since 2017, increasing his majority in the 2019 election to 6,329 votes.

The new Ceredigion Preseli seat extends from Cardigan to Llanrhian along the Pembrokeshire coast, and includes the inland wards of Crymych, Clydau, Maenclochog and Cilgerran.

After the launch, Ben Lake said:

“I am grateful to all who joined me at Crymych Rugby Club last night and am truly humbled by everyone’s

support.

“My priorities were I to be elected as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli are clear – a fair deal for rural communities, investment in infrastructure and increased funding for public services, and a thriving, sustainable economy that has the needs of communities rather than those of large corporations as its focus.

“I look forward to getting to know more people and communities across north Pembrokeshire over the next few months whilst also continuing to serve the communities of Ceredigion to the best of my ability. I will do my utmost to convince the people of this wonderful new constituency of Ceredigion Preseli that I am worthy of their support.”

Senedd Member Paul Davies visits Dale Fort Field Centre

and young people to experience an outdoor residential as part of their educational journey. The facilities at the site are first-class and the staff are passionate about ensuring children have the opportunity to take a residential trip.”

PRESELI Pembrokeshire Senedd Member has recently visited Dale Fort Field Centre, a residential centre in the south of the County that hosts school and university trips. Mr Davies met with Tom Stamp, the Residential Centre’s manager to learn more about its operations and to discuss the proposed Outdoor Educa-

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

tion (Wales) Bill, which has been introduced by fellow Senedd Member Sam Rowlands MS.

Mr Davies said, “Dale Fort Field Centre is an impressive site that caters for school and university groups and provides an opportunity for children

He added “We also discussed the proposed Outdoor Education (Wales) Bill, which my colleague Sam Rowlands has been advocating at the Senedd. The Bill seeks to make it a statutory obligation for local authority-run and grant aided schools in Wales to be provided funding to ensure the opportunity for at least one week of residential outdoor education for young people at some stage during their school years.”

Mr Stamp said, “We were really pleased Paul could come to Dale Fort to see first-hand what we offer the c.3000 visiting students we host in Pembrokeshire each year and hope to welcome him back soon.”

New 20mph speed limit sparks major controversy

THE INTRODUCTION of the 20mph speed limit across Wales, while hailed by some for reducing traffic speeds, is now at the heart of an intensifying debate. Despite compliance data suggesting many are adhering to the new limit, a significant portion of the Welsh population seems to be vehemently opposing the change.

A recent Agilysis report underscores the tangible impact of the policy:

• A significant 2.9mph decrease in median speeds.

• Journey times in Cardiff and Wrexham have lengthened by 45 to 63 seconds on certain routes.

But it’s clear that for a vast number of Welsh residents, these statistics offer little consola-

tion. A record-breaking online petition, demanding the removal of the new speed limit, has garnered a staggering 400,000 signatures, compelling the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) to consider the issue for debate.

This coming Saturday, a major demonstration is scheduled in Cardiff, where protesters, armed with banners and slogans such as “Don’t comply, don’t pay,” plan to voice their dissent. Their grievances range from accusing the government of being tonedeaf to the populace’s concerns to a Monmouthshire village that reportedly abandoned their trial due to ensuing problems.

Further accusations point to the policy being more the brainchild of the Welsh Government’s Climate Change department than a genuine health and safety initiative.

Lee Waters, the Welsh deputy climate minister, finds himself in a precarious position. While staunchly defending the speed limit as a means to “save lives” and promote community safety, he’s fac-

ing increasing political pressure. The Tories are gearing up to table a vote of no confidence against him.

Natasha Asghar, the Welsh Tory transport spokesperson, was candid in her criticism,

asserting Waters’s “position is untenable” and accusing him of being unable to admit his mistake.

Despite evidence of road users complying, the overwhelming public sentiment appears to

be one of frustration and opposition. As Wales finds itself at this crossroad, the upcoming protest and subsequent political manoeuvres promise to shape the future of the controversial 20mph speed limit.

University students urged: Focus on fire safety

UNIVERSITIES

across Mid and West Wales are ringing the alarm bells – but not for the reason you might think. In support of the nation-wide “Student Fire Safety Week” initiative, which kicks off today and runs through 1st October, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is on a mission to raise fire safety awareness among students.

As thousands of students gear up to embark on their university journey, many find themselves living independently for the very first time. Yet, what is often overlooked amidst the excitement is the pressing concern of fire safety. Experts point

out that a lack of cooking experience combined with unfamiliarity with household appliances can spell disaster.

The statistics are alarming: a significant number of fire-related incidents in student halls can be traced back to unattended cooking and improper appliance use. To address this issue, MAWWFRS is going the extra mile by offering guidance to both freshers and returning students on how to keep themselves and their residences safe from potential fire hazards.

Among the pivotal safety pointers MAWWFRS is keen to highlight:

• Familiarise yourself with your

new living quarters and establish an evacuation plan.

• Ensure smoke alarms are operational with weekly tests.

• Avoid overloading electrical sockets.

• Remain vigilant while cooking; never leave it unattended.

• Regularly clean appliances to mitigate fire risks.

• Always turn off unused electrical devices.

• Refrain from charging gadgets overnight.

• Ensure that hallways and exits remain obstruction-free.

• Fire doors should always be kept shut; propping

them open is a nogo.

• In the unfortunate event of a fire, it’s paramount to evacuate immediately and dial 999.

Students are also encouraged to refer to the official MAWWFRS website and their social media outlets for a slew of valuable insights and precautionary measures to ensure they can enjoy their university life without any untoward incidents.

Safety first – that’s the call from the MAWWFRS to all students this week. As students move into their new homes away from home, it’s paramount to keep the potential fire risks at bay.

School receives prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award

PEMBROKE DOCK Community School has been awarded Gold for a second time by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights.

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to respect the rights of others in school.

Pembroke Dock Community School is the first school in Pembrokeshire to receive the Gold Award and is pleased to be recognised again.

The school has been working with UNICEF UK since 2015. It was awarded the Bronze certificate in 2016, then Silver and Gold in 2017.

The school was recently reaccredited with the Gold certificate

and held a celebration event on the return to school this term to mark their achievement.

Gold is the highest accolade given by UNICEF UK and shows a deep and thorough commitment to children’s rights at all levels of school life.

There are over 600 schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that have received Gold.

Michele Thomas, Headteacher of Pembroke Dock Community School said: “Children’s rights are central to our vision for the school, where children and young people’s rights are respected, promoted and protected by everyone.

“We are very proud to be recognised as a Rights Respecting School with the Gold Award for the second time. Pupils in Pembroke Dock Community School have a real say in what happens in school. Pupils have learnt about being

rights respecting global citizens, standing up for the rights of children in our community and the world.

“The Award recognises our achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the

Rights of the Child at the heart of a school’s planning, policies and practice.”

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham congratulated the school on this important

accolade.

“I am sure that pupils and staff at the school are extremely proud of receiving this Gold award and the fact it is for the second time is an outstanding achievement. It’s testament to the hard

work of the school community.”

Pictured are Mrs Rachel Scott and Mrs Kate Clarke, lead teachers for Rights Respecting Schools and Super Ambassadors, pupils Jacob Williams and Tilly Prevel.

Festival fun comes shaken and stirred on Education Day

CHILDREN from two Pembrokeshire primary schools have been getting hands on to learn the stories behind where their food comes from and what to do with it.

Sixty five pupils from Narberth School and St Aidan’s, Wiston, attended the Narberth Food Festival Education Day on Friday.

The one-day pre festival event, held in the festival marquee on the Town Moor, gives youngsters a chance to learn directly from food producers and experts while also trying out some food-related activities for themselves.

Education day organiser Vic, of the Narberth Food Festival committee, thanked all the experts who gave their time as well as the schools for taking part.

He said: “We have had a wonderful variety of activities thanks to people giving up their time and volunteering to help and it has been fantastic to see the children engaged all day.

“There have been lots of happy smiling faces and everyone is going home packed with knowledge about food and where it comes from.”

Workshops included learning about food heritage and culture, from Carwyn Graves,

author of the books

Welsh Food Stories and Apples of Wales, and the work of Pembrokeshire’s vegetable growers from Abby Meyrick, of Puffin Produce / Blas y Tir.

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society brought their Food Stori Bwyd project to the festival giving pupils a chance to find out more about the work of dairy producers from farmer Joy Smith as well as having a go at making their own butter by shaking jars of cream, followed by tastings including milkshake from Llaeth Preseli.

There was sausage making with the team from Andrew Rees butchers and students from Tenby’s Greenhill School helped pupils with the art of cake decorating.

A morning food preparation workshop helped youngsters learn how to use knives safely while chopping apples ready for the afternoon’s cookery sessions where they made apple butter and oatcakes for tasting.

There was also the chance to get crafty too.

Artist Diana Brook and students from Redhill High School led art sessions making pizza slice bunting decorated with ‘toppings’ picked out by the children.

Every child who attended also received a goodie bag thanks

to NFU Cymru and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society team.

Education Day marks the start of Narberth Food Festival each year with the festival opening to the public at 10am on Saturday, September 23rd for a tasty weekend of food and live music.

There will be chef demonstrations, talks, tastings, music performances, a bar and street food area and food hall with 50 plus stalls bursting with products to tempt your tastebuds.

Narberth Food Festival runs on Saturday, September 23rd and Sunday, September 24th, at the Town Moor, Narberth. Entry costs £5 each day (under 16s free). Gates open 10am to 6pm Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday.

Dogs are welcome in the outside public areas, but not the food marquees.

Two park and ride schemes will be in operation due to limited parking at the Town Moor. You can find them at SA67 7FE at Narberth School and SA67 8RG on the Templeton road into Narberth.

For more information see the festival website www. narberthfoodfestival. com.

TV comeback for brave Llanelli family

An inspirational family from the Llanelli area will be returning in a new season of the popular Welsh language version of Gogglebox, it’s been revealed.

During the first series of Gogglebocs Cymru mum Nia Phillips won the hearts of viewers when she opened up about her son’s courageous journey battling spina bifida.

Single mum Nia from Trefach told of George’s miracle journey and praised independent programme makers Cwmni Da and Chwarel for their inclusive approach to casting.

Nia, 51, and children George, 20, and Olivia, 16, became firm favourites with the audience in season one for giving their off-thecuff assessments of the weekly sport – including Welsh footballer Gareth Bale’s hair!

Fans were thrilled after hearing S4C had commissioned a second series of Gogglebocs Cymru after the first run of the ground-breaking show was a smash hit with viewers.

This time the run has been extended from 11 to 15 episodes which will be broadcast in two blocks.

In addition there are five more groupsfamilies and friends – this year, giving producers an ever greater spread of opinion across a wide range of programmes.

Starting at 9pm on Wednesday, October 18, the first six shows will be broadcast in October and November before taking a break and returning for a celebrity Christmas version on December 27 and a further eight episodes from February 14 next year, with the programmes being once again narrated by comedian and broadcaster Tudur Owen.

By the time the new series begins, Gogglebocs Cymru could also be an award winning programme as it has been nominated for a BAFTA Cymru award, with the ceremony taking place

the previous weekend.

The show is being made by two Gwyneddbased television production companies, Cwmni Da, in Caernarfon, and Chwarel, from Cricieth.

It is the first time Studio Lambert and Channel 4 have licensed the Gogglebox franchise to another UK-based broadcaster.

Nia Philips revealed George was diagnosed with spina bifida within a few days of being born.

The condition is caused when part of the neural tube – the structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord – does not develop or close properly. This leads to defects in the spinal cord and the bones of the spine. The condition is usually visible at birth and can cause mild or severe physical and intellectual disabilities.

Former council worker Nia said George’s remarkably positive outlook to shone through during the first season.

“He’s amazing, I’m so proud of him,” she said.

“George is seen sitting down during the programme so the majority of people won’t

notice he has a disability.

“People don’t really realise what goes on behind closed doors –we all live within our own bubbles. The show is fantastic in that sense, it’s really diverse and shows the strength of Wales.

“George is an inspiration. I know he’s mine, but he is just incredible. Everything is a daily struggle for him, but he just gets on with it. He always has a smile on his face.”

Within the first five weeks of his life, George underwent a series of major operations at Cardiff Royal Infirmary including shunt surgery to treat suspected hydrocephalus, spinal surgery and a procedure to treat his perforated bowel.

“When George was born, he had a blister on his back,” said Nia, “so they took him to the special care unit but told us not to worry. The following morning, the pediatrician came in and he was blue lighted to Cardiff. A bed became available and he had an operation every week for five weeks.

“We were warned he would be brain damaged and vegetative and would never walk or talk. He has proven them all of them wrong. He doesn’t walk very far and uses the

rapport and are very close. Because of the dynamic we have between us, as soon as we are all together, we revert to Welsh – we feel comfortable with each other, there’s no nerves it’s all natural.”

Series Producer Huw Maredudd, of Cwmni Da, said: “There were some wonderful moments during the first series and some great comments were made about it on social media.

“The viewing figures were great and there were clear signs that the programmes we featured enjoyed a boost to their viewing figures as well.

Gwynedd but now living in Greater Manchester taking part in the programme.”

S4C’s head of entertainment, Elen Rhys, added: “Following the huge success of series one on S4C, it’s a great pleasure to announce the second series of Gogglebocs Cymru.

“Once again we’re welcomed to homes across Wales and beyond, with many familiar faces to us, as well as some new additions to the cast –all giving us their unique slice of life and insight to all things telly.”

wheelchair in college, but nothing stops him, he’s a real fighter.”

As avid fans of the British reality series, the family were thrilled to be invited to join the Welsh version’s cast and have y become mini celebrities in their local community.

“We love Gogglebox and have always watched it together. It’s a lovely experience to do this together as a family,” said Nia.

Also delighted to be returning are brothers Huw Williams, 63, stephen, 58, and Mike, 65, who were brought up in Brynaman and described taking part in series one as one of the best experiences of their lives.

Former British Coal engineer Huw Williams, who now lives in Mynydd Isa, near Mold, has performed regularly in panto with Northop Presents and appeared as an extra on Emmerdale as a vicar.

He was happy that audiences had warmed to the trio’s brotherly banter.

Huw said: “To be honest, it’s a dream come true that people are prepared to pay for me to go down and sit with my brothers and watch the TV with a cup of coffee. It’s great!

“We have a great

“That the first series was so popular was thanks in no small part to the cast and the hard work of the crews and we are hoping the new series will be just as successful.

“We’ll have more families and groups of friends but they won’t all appear in every programme. We’ll be giving them some time off.”

Chwarel director and co-Executive Producer Sioned Wyn said: “Our aim was clear: we wanted to reflect modern Wales. For us, that meant introducing viewers to different types of families and friends and presenting a mixture of regional accents, fluent Welsh speakers and people learning the language.

“The basic idea of Gogglebocs Cymru is for people to sit down in front of the television and to watch programmes with family or friends and pass comments on what they’re seeing. It’ll be a chance for us laugh, cry and enjoy the programmes with them.”

She added: “Cast members range in age from 15 right up to 80 and span across Wales from Caernarfon to Wrexham, down to Cardiff and the Valleys and across to west Wales. We also have Mike and Carwyn and Mark, originally from

The new series of Gogglebocs Cymru will begin its run on S4C on Wednesday, October 18 at 9pm. English subtitles will be available and the programme can also be viewed on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.

The secrets of how Gogglebocs Cymru is made

Gogglebocs Cymru is filmed as the cast of characters view the week’s chosen programmes.

Producer Huw Maredudd, from Cwmni Da, explained: “A team of researchers comb through the schedules and choose the programmes to be viewed and discussed in that week’s programme.

“There will be a broad spectrum of programmes all the way from gripping drama series to quiz shows which hopefully will have the cast members shouting the answers at the screen.

“The footage is then edited ready for broadcast on the Wednesday evening. Condensing more than 40 hours of armchair chatter into television gold in three days is no easy feat but it seems to have worked because the programme has been nominated for a BAFTA Cymru award in the best entertainment category,”

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Thoughts on school absenteeism Additional learning needs system ‘requires greater consistency’

NEW figures show that more than 16% of 11-15-year-olds were persistently absent from school in Wales in 2022/23.

Speaking To The Herald Laura Doel, national secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said: “School is vital for children’s learning and social development. While it is concerning to see these stark figures, they echo what we hear from our members.

“Children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have been hit first by the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis, fuelling growing challenges with mental ill-health and anxiety among pupils. In some cases, there may also have been a shift in parental attitudes towards attendance.

“School leaders work hard to encourage pupils’ attendance but they alone

are not always able or equipped to tackle some of the complex deeprooted issues which act as a barrier to this.

“We need to see a coordinated, governmentled strategy to ensure children and families get the help they need with challenges in their lives, supported by significant new investment. Small Welsh government schemes to provide family engagement officers have helped some schools, but this kind of support needs to be business as usual everywhere if it is to lead to sustained improvement across Wales.

“Other schemes to improve pupil attendance like mentoring, expanding the provision for schools to support pupils with ALN (Additional Learning Needs) and broader early help for families from local authorities and the health service all need to be considered if we are to combat this problem.”

THE FIRST of at least two reports looking at the phased implementation of Welsh Government’s reform of additional learning needs (ALN) has been published today by Estyn.

The report explores how well the schools that participated in the review are putting in place key aspects of the new system and the support given by local authorities.

The report found that individual settings are interpreting and applying the legislation in different ways. A few local authorities and schools were unclear of how to apply the legal definitions of ALN, admitting to using their own definitions and waiting for clarification from tribunal outcomes. Different settings were inconsistent in what they defined as additional learning provision.

Owen Evans, Chief Inspector, says ‘Our interim findings recognise that moving from one system to

another is complex and takes time. Local authority officers and school staff have demonstrated resilience, honesty and ambition in adapting to this flagship legislation.’

‘With clarity of legal definitions and practical examples to aid their understanding, they will be better placed to consistently deliver on the Welsh Government’s ambition to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with additional learning needs.’

The report authors recognised that the education sector in Wales has been implementing the new framework during a period of unprecedented and significant challenge for the sector. The pandemic impacted the process of identifying and confirming which children had an ALN, resulting in two extensions from the Welsh Government to move pupils onto the new framework.

Pupils currently on the special education needs (SEN) system are being reclassified to move onto the ALN system. Overall, the numbers of learners who are reported to have ALN has reduced in the transition to the new system, though the proportion who have a statutory plan has remained similar. The report found that improvements in how schools have worked with pupils and parents, for example through person-centred practice, has helped parents better understand the support their child receives, whether they are identified as having ALN or not.

The report raises questions about the current funding of ALN in Wales. Despite a yearon-year increase in ALN funding for several years, approaches to evaluate the impact the funding has had on supporting the implementation of ALN reform were found to be variable and weak.

A lack of transparency

over funding has also been noted as a concern. School leaders have stated that they do not have a clear enough understanding of how local authorities determine their budgets for ALN, including those allocated to schools.

Huw Davis, the report author, says ‘The implementation of ALN reform in Wales is ongoing and I encourage local authorities and schools to take on board the recommendations we have laid out. We have included examples of effective practice that include ideas for providing clear, accurate and upto-date information to stakeholders as well as the positive development of cluster working.’

‘Welsh Government have an important role to play in ensuring all settings have a clear understanding of the legal definitions, as well as carrying out a more holistic evaluation of the impact of additional funding allocated to local authorities.’

Pembrokeshire Vikings and Llanelli Warriors clash in epic rugby showdown

IN a sun-soaked showdown at the MHRFC Observatory ground, the Pembrokeshire Vikings clashed with the Llanelli Warriors, setting the stage for a thrilling afternoon of rugby.

The day kicked off with an intense touch game, an evenly matched battle that culminated in a 3-3 tie. While the scoreboard may have been level, the real victor was the spirit of rugby, as the players left the field with smiles aplenty.

But the highlight of the day was yet to come, as the Don Noott Memorial Cup took centre stage. The Pembrokeshire Vikings had claimed victory in the previous year, a fact not lost on the Llanelli

Warriors who sought redemption. The ensuing contest was a fierce and hard-fought affair, marked by a display of exceptional skills despite the scorching heat. Notably, both teams fielded new players making their competitive debut, with one standout performer being Keiran Castle, who made a memorable first appearance, delivering impressive tackles all over the pitch.

The game was punctuated by bonecrunching hits, including those from Kyran Owens, while the ever-energetic veteran, Gethin Bateman, earned his keep by bagging a pair of tries.

Shaun Treadwell shone brightly on his debut for

the Vikings, earning the coveted title of Man of the Match.

What unfolded on the field was a remarkable display of Mixed Ability Rugby, captivating the hearts of a dedicated crowd of supporters who witnessed the passion, dedication, and camaraderie that rugby embodies.

In addition to the thrilling rugby action, the Pembrokeshire Vikings are set to host an exciting golf tournament. Scheduled for the 27th of October at the Milford Haven Golf Course, teams have a chance to vie for a £500 prize. For further details, please refer to the accompanying advertisement.

07535 135811

Tyla’s new role at The Torch

w H a T’S on

BORN and raised in Pembroke Dock, the Torch Theatre welcomes Tyla Thomas as Stage Manager for its autumn production Private Lives and its festive panto Beauty and the Beast. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Tyla is delighted to be working at her local venue and in the county where she grew up.

Tyla, who studied Stage Management and Technical Theatre at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff is no stranger to the Torch.

“This will be my third year working at the Torch, and in that time I have been lucky enough to be a part of many shows. I started in 2021 with the pantomime, ‘Cinderella’, as Deputy Stage Manager. In 2022 I was asked to stage manage the Welsh tour of ‘Carwyn’, which performed at the Torch for two weeks before travelling to various venues around the country. I was honoured to join the Torch at the Edinburgh Fringe, as the stage manager for both ‘Grav’ and ‘Angel’, and ‘Angel’s transfer to the Hope Theatre in London. Returning to Milford I was the Deputy Stage Manager for ‘Of

Mice and Men’, and the panto ‘Sleeping Beauty’.

2023 is exciting, as I will be stepping up as Stage Manager,’ explained Tyla who attended Pembroke Secondary School.

Her stage manager roles have taken her across Wales and beyond. Her recent productions include being Stage Manager on the book for ‘Assassins: The Musical’ (WAVDA), and Assistant Stage Manager for the Welsh language production ‘Pijin’ (Theatr Genedlaethol and Theatr Iolo). She has also worked on various events, including as Stage Manager for RWCMD’s ‘Annual Evening of Music and Drama for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’.

But there’s nothing quite like working at a theatre that you attended as a child and being inspired by its productions. Taking on the Stage Manager role with its challenges was just up Tyla’s street.

‘I love working at the Torch, and I have very much looked forward to coming back here on every show for the last three years. I enjoy coming back to the community that has been built here, and I am passionate about being a part of that community.

I was lucky enough to

have the Torch as my local theatre growing up, and it is a large part of the reason why I wanted this to be my career. The Torch was a great representation of what professional theatre can be, and it was right on my doorstep. I also am very appreciative of the opportunities the Torch has given me, my first DSM job in 2021, my first tour of Wales, my first Stage Manager job, going to work at Edinburgh Fringe on not one but two shows, and hopefully many more,’ said Tyla.

Private Lives (Noël Coward) can be seen at the Torch Theatre from Wednesday 4 October until Saturday 21 October and it’s most definitely a drama not to be missed as Tyla explains:

‘I think it will be a great production. I’m excited to see it all come together – set, props, costume, and I’m very excited for everyone to see what we’re all working so hard on. The set has been brilliantly designed by Kevin Jenkins in an art deco 1930’s style, so it’s going to be like stepping into the past! It will be a very big task for myself and my team, but I know at the end it will look amazing, and I’d love for everyone to come and see just how great it is!

Aled Jones as you’ve never heard him before

ALED JONES –the boy treble who captivated the world with his angelic voice is hitting the road for a major UK tour, in which he’ll go Full Circle and will appear on the Torch Theatre stage on Wednesday 27 March next year.

Selling over seven million albums, Aled was the original, classical crossover star. His recording of Walking in the Air, from the animated film The Snowman, firmly established him as a household name and he has become an integral part of the nation’s festivities. Equally at home on the classical stage, or starring in musical theatre productions in London West End, his credits include lead roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

Aled said: “It’s time to come Full Circle. I’m

really excited about this tour. I’ll be telling stories about how it all began, then taking the audience on a journey through my career. There’ll be songs, there’ll be stories, and there’ll be one or two surprises. There’ll also be a book – it’s going to be a very busy 2024 and I can’t wait to get on the road and visit interesting

places I’ve never visited before and of course see my wonderful fans.

“There have been some incredible moments

– meeting Royalty, playing concert halls all over the world, singing at Bob Geldof and Paula Yates’s wedding – and, of course, recording Walking In The Air, right through to Songs Of Praise and Classic FM.

“The show will be stories and songs from across my career. I’ll be singing some of my favourites, telling some of my stories, and showing previouslyunseen photographs. Who knows, the audience might even get to ask a few questions.”

As a singer, Aled is in demand globally and has performed in the world’s most iconic venues, from London’s Royal Albert Hall to the Sydney Opera House. Aled is a favourite with the Royal Family and even gave a private performance to King Charles III in Kensington

Palace.

And now he’s getting ready to tell his story during a series of intimate concerts, starting in Spring 2024.

He is an award-winning television broadcaster and radio presenter who’s interviewed hundreds of A-List stars over the years. He heads up BBC’s Songs of Praise and his own Saturday and Sunday morning shows on Classic FM.

Now, after 40 years in the business, he’s looking back on a remarkable career with a one-man show, that will feature never-before-heard music, tales from the decades and for the first time, his story told in his own words. It’s time to come Full Circle.

Aled Jones will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Wednesday 27 March at 7.30pm. Ticket prices £30 / £50 VIP / £70 Meet and Greet. For tickets phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Junior Stratford Players tread boards again

ONCE again the above group were back treading the boards for their annual presentation. This years offering was the musical ‘OLIVER’ written by Charles Dickins. Set in London during the 1830’s, it’s the story of a young orphan Oliver as he (in this production she) navigates Victorian England from workhouse to

apprentice pickpocket in London.

This group of youngsters age 6 to 17, 48 in total were outstanding and the show would not of been out of place in the West End. There were stellar performances throughout and it would be an injustice to single any one of the group out.

Milford Haven Drama Group are blessed to have such a talented wonderful young group of

players. This production was fully supported over the four nights with fully packed houses.

Superbly directed by the talented Geraint Sayers and produced by the ever present Vivien Barrat with musical director Ben Bryce on the key board.

Like all productions a considerable amount of work is carried out by personnel backstage and front of house, too many

to mention, without who these productions could not take place.

Thank you all for supporting the marvelous talented Drama Group and make a note in you diary and book for the following – The play ‘ Family Planning’ will be performed on 22nd to 24th November 2023 and of course next year’s Easter Pantomime ‘Aladdin’ 1st to 6th April 2024.

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk For up to date news please check our social network channels

point of one of the UK’s most extensive extraterrestrial sighting

Pembrokeshire sky. Their sketches and narratives, consistently

‘ENCOUNTERS’ explored in new documentary

similar despite being separated during their recounting, provided eerie credibility to their stories.

Yet, the tales from Broad Haven are just one segment of a wider tapestry. Steven Spielberg’s production company, known for iconic science fiction titles like E.T, Back to the Future, and Jurassic Park, has taken a deep dive into these mysteries with their new Netflix documentary series ‘Encounters’.

Broad Haven’s tales are masterfully presented in one of the episodes. However, ‘Encounters’ spreads its net far and wide, delving

into other gripping UFO and extraterrestrial events from around the world. Other episodes in the series explore accounts from a remote Scandinavian village with eerie lights, testimonies from a desert town in the U.S. plagued by abductions, and dark legends from an isolated mountain range in South America. The Broad Haven episode is particularly close to Spielberg’s heart, given his affinity for extraordinary tales of the unexplained. According to the director of ‘Encounters’, Yon Motskin, the decision to focus on Broad Haven stemmed from the sheer volume of corroborative

witness accounts. Over 450 individuals have testified to seeing something bizarre, and these recollections persist, even nearly half a century later.

The ‘Broad Haven Triangle’ remains one of Wales’s most tantalizing enigmas. With the gravitas of Spielberg’s production and the global platform provided by Netflix, the Pembrokeshire mysteries are poised to captivate and bewilder a new generation. Encounters, offering a journey into the unexplained from Broad Haven to beyond, is available to stream on Netflix now.

TV 29.9.23

6.00 Breakfast. 9.15 Morning Live. 10.00 Fraud Squad. 10.45 Claimed and Shamed. 11.15 Homes Under the Hammer. (R) 12.15 Bargain

Hunt. 1.00 BBC News at One; Weather. 1.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather. 1.45 Five Bedrooms. 2.30 Money for Nothing. 3.00 Escape to the Country. (R) 3.45 The Bidding Room. 4.30 The Vintage French Farmhouse. 5.15 Pointless. (R)

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather.

6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

7.00 The One Show. Live magazine show, hosted by Alex Jones and Roman Kemp.

Mrs Brown’s Boys

BBC1, 9.30pm

Dermot and Maria decide to renew their wedding vows, and Agnes is organising the ceremony. Normally, we’d expect her to throw herself into it with gusto, but sadly she’s going to have a fellow planner to work with – her archnemesis Hillary, who seems to be expecting a high-society ceremony. Can they come up with something that brings the family together?

7.30 Kiri’s TV Flashback. Kiri Pritchard-McLean finds funny clips revealing stereotypes around Welsh women. (R)

8.00 Dragons’ Den. Pitches include a booking service for dog-friendly businesses. (R)

9.00 Would I Lie to You? With panellists Lady Leshurr, Philippa Perry, Alan Titchmarsh and Mike Wozniak. (R)

9.30 Mrs Brown’s Boys. Dermot and Maria decide to renew their wedding vows. Last in the series.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 The Graham Norton Show.

11.30 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. (R)

12.40 Blankety Blank. (R) 1.15 Weather for the Week Ahead. 1.20

BBC News.

SATURDAY’S TV 30.9.23

BBC1

6.30 The Bidding Room. (R) 7.15

The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R)

8.00 Sign Zone: Gardeners’ World.

(R) 9.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics

UK. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45

Eggheads. (R) 2.15 Wanted Down

Under. (R) 3.00 Murder, Mystery and My Family. (R) 3.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R)

4.15 Serengeti II. (R) 5.15 Flog It!

(R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Ken Bruce, Alice Roberts, Perri ShakesDrayton and Kiell SmithBynoe.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two. Fleur East is back with more exclusives and backstage gossip.

7.00 Beechgrove Garden. The team looks back at how the 2023 growing season has been. Last in the series.

7.30 Gardeners’ World. Monty Don plants garlic and onions, and Joe Swift visits a gravel garden in Kent.

8.30 Golf: Ryder Cup Highlights. Eilidh Barbour presents action from day one in Rome.

10.00 Red Dwarf. (R)

10.30 Newsnight.

11.00 Weather.

11.05 Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. (R)

12.05 Film: His House. (2020)

1.30 Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast. (R) 2.30 Sign Zone: Panorama: Downfall of the Crypto King. (R) 3.30 This Is BBC Two.

6.15 Hey Duggee. (R) 6.30

Supertato. (R) 6.35 Shaun the

Sheep. (R) 6.55 Dennis & Gnasher

Unleashed! (R) 7.05 Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese. (R) 7.15 Grizzy and the Lemmings. (R) 7.30

Pokemon: Sun and Moon – Ultra

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure. 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.00 Emmerdale. Manpreet is stressed, Marlon offers reassurance to Chas, and Tom brings some positive news.

7.30 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. New Zealand v Italy (Kick-off 8.00pm). Mark Pougatch presents coverage of both teams’ third and penultimate match in Pool A, held at OL Stadium in Lyon.

10.25 ITV News; Weather.

10.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

11.10 The NFL Show. Craig Doyle presents a look ahead to the weekend’s clash between Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium, plus highlights of Green Bay Packers v Detroit Lions.

12.05 Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport. (R) 12.55 All Elite Wrestling: Collision. Hard-hitting action from AEW’s newest show.

Tipping Point. (R) 3.25 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure.

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Richard Holt: Yr Academi Felys. (R) 12.30

Heno. (R) 1.00 Dan Do. (R) 1.30 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Noson Lawen. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R)

6.00 Bwyd Epic Chris. (R)

ITV1 WALES S4C

6.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 6.30

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. (R) 8.20 ITV News.

8.25 Oti Mabuse’s Breakfast Show.

Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.20

Film: My Deadly Ex. (2020) 4.00

Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun.

5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. The presenter heads to Cumbria. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Shop Smart, Save Money. New series. Tips on childproofing a home for a new baby.

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 Live: Harvest on the Farm 2023. In the finale at the Essex farm, hosts Helen Skelton and Jules Hudson present a harvest festival extravaganza. Last in the series.

9.00 Amazing Railway Adventures with Nick Knowles. The presenter travels from Mount Vesuvius to Mount Etna on a journey from Naples to Sicily, where a gyrocopter trip goes terribly wrong.

10.00 Blood Money: The Curse of Brink’s-Mat Robbery. The inside story behind Britain’s biggest gold robbery. (R) 11.30 Film: Ocean’s Eleven. (2001) Crime comedy, starring George Clooney. 1.35 PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.35

CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL

5.15 BBC News. 5.25 BBC Wales Today; Weather. 5.35 Alan Carr’s Picture Slam.

6.20 Strictly Come Dancing. The celebrities take to the floor to perform their second routines, knowing that this week, two of them will face the dance-off. Presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Strictly Come Dancing

BBC1, 6.20pm

Last week, the celebrity couples took to the floor for the first time, which must have been nerve-racking, but at least they knew that no one was going to be voted out. Tonight though, the competition starts in earnest as the viewers get to have their say. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke’s scores from last week will be carried over and added to tonight’s marks.

8.35 Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. Alex Jones, Ellie Simmonds, Paddy McGuiness, Ranvir Singh, Rosie Ramsey, Seann Walsh and Sue Perkins take on a colossal spinning wheel and answer questions.

9.35 Blankety Blank. Bradley Walsh hosts the quiz show, in which Jason Watkins, Layton Williams, Anthea Turner, Rob Beckett, Nadia Jae and Jill Scott fill in the blanks to help the contestants.

10.10 BBC News; Weather.

10.30 Match of the Day. Gary Lineker presents highlights of the latest matches, including Tottenham.

12.00 Film: The Witches of Eastwick. (1987) 1.55 Weather for the Week Ahead. 2.00 BBC News.

Legends. (R) 7.55 Deadly Mission Shark. (R) 8.20 Blue Peter. (R)

8.50 Newsround. 9.00 Gardeners’ World. (R) 10.00 Ice Age Giants.

(R) 11.00 Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon. (R) 12.00

Britain’s Top Takeaways. (R) 1.00

Recipes That Made Me: Punjab. (R)

1.30 Film: Lilies of the Field.

(1963) 3.00 North America: Our Wild Adventures. (R) 4.00 Fake or Fortune? (R) 5.00 Flog It!

6.00 Dad’s Army. The platoon is marooned on a derelict pier. (R)

6.30 Saving Lives at Sea. In Calshot, the RNLI crew are called out to a young man. (R)

7.30 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. Katie Piper and Adam Pearson hunt for antiques in Northampton. (R)

8.30 Golf: Ryder Cup Highlights. Action from the foursomes and fourballs matches on day two.

10.00 Smokey Robinson Live in Hyde Park. (R)

11.00 Marvin Gaye: Live at Montreux. (R)

12.40 A Night of Wonder. (R) 1.45

Film: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. (2019) 3.25 Sign Zone: The Woman in the Wall. (R) 4.25 This Is BBC Two.

9.25 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. 11.35 Jason Atherton’s Dubai Dishes. 12.35 Ainsley’s Good Mood Food. 1.10 ITV News; Weather. 1.25 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. Argentina v Chile (Kickoff 2.00pm). 4.15 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. Fiji v Georgia (Kickoff 4.45pm). All the action from both teams' penultimate Pool C fixture, held at Stade de Bordeaux in France.

7.00 ITV News; Weather.

7.05 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

7.15 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. Scotland v Romania (Kick-off 8.00pm). All the action from the third and penultimate Pool B encounter for both sides, held at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France.

10.25 ITV News; Weather.

10.45 Bali 2002. Investigators hunt for the mastermind behind the bombings. Last in the series.

11.45 English Football League Highlights. Action from the latest fixtures, including Southampton v Leeds United and Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion. (R)

1.10 The Chase. (R) 2.00 Starstruck. (R) 3.05 Bali 2002. (R)

3.55 Unwind. 5.10 Jason Atherton’s Dubai Dishes. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 8.00 Stwnsh Sadwrn: Y Doniolis. 8.10 Dreigiau: Gwarchodwyr Berc. (R)

8.30 Byd Rwtsh Dai Potsh. (R)

8.40 Ar Goll yn Oz. (R) 9.00 CathOd. (R) 9.15 Cic. (R) 9.35 Mabinogi-ogi. (R) 10.00 Hydref Gwyllt Iolo. (R) 11.00 Adre. (R)

11.30 Codi Pac. (R) 12.00 Bwyd

Bach Shumana a Catrin. (R)

12.30 Am Dro! (R) 1.30 Cynefin. (R) 2.30 Adre. (R) 3.00 Garddio a Mwy. (R) 3.30 Cymru Wyllt Gudd. (R) 4.30 Dan Do. (R) 5.00 Pen/ Campwyr. (R) 5.25 Codi Hwyl: Llydaw. (R)

6.15 Ironman Cymru 2023. (R)

7.15 Newyddion a Chwaraeon.

7.30 Am Dro! (R)

8.30 Noson Lawen.

9.30 Anfamol. (R)

10.00 Gwyl y Dyn Gwyrdd 2023. (R)

11.00 Elis James – ’Nabod y Teip. (R)

11.35 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.20 The King of Queens. (R) 6.45 Cheers. (R) 7.35 The Simpsons. (R) 10.35 Film: Hotel for Dogs. (2009) 12.30 Live Betfred Super League Rugby. 3.00 Guy Martin: Supervan. 3.35 Four in a Bed. (R) 6.05 Channel 4 News.

6.35 The Windsors: Secrets of the Royal Tours. (R) 7.35 A Royal Guide to – Animals. 8.35 Britain’s Best Beach Huts. (R) 9.35 Film: Kingsman: The Golden Circle. (2017) 12.20 Film: The Spy Who Dumped Me. (2018) 2.30 The Simpsons. (R) 3.20 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R) 3.30-6.00 Hollyoaks Omnibus. (R)

6.00 Milkshake! 9.50 The Smurfs. (R) 10.05 SpongeBob

SquarePants. (R) 10.15

Entertainment News. 10.20

Friends. (R) 11.50 Columbo. (R)

1.20 Film: The Jewel of the Nile. (1985) 3.25 Film: The Man in the Iron Mask. (1998)

6.00 5 News Weekend.

6.05 Pompeii: The Discovery with Dan Snow. The historian investigates how the preserved city was found. (R)

7.35 Jersey and Guernsey. On Guernsey’s Cobo beach, caterer Mim Sarre hopes to fire up the pizza van ovens.

(R)

8.35 Andrew & Fergie’s Unconventional Relationship. Documentary about Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

9.35 Totally 1983: That Was the Year That Was. A look back at key events in TV, film, showbusiness and politics, including the breakfast TV battle between the BBC and ITV and the abduction of racehorse Shergar.

11.25 The Great Storm of ’87. A look back at the 1987 storm that devastated the UK. (R)

1.00 PlayOJO Live Casino Show.

3.00 Friends. (R) 3.55 Tribal Teens. (R) 4.45 Wildlife SOS. (R) 5.10 House Busters. (R) 5.35 Entertainment News. 5.40 Peppa Pig. (R) 5.45 Paw Patrol. (R)

BBC Four

7.00 Lost Land of the Tiger 8.00 Ray Mears’ Northern Wilderness

9.00 Black Snow 10.45 Parkinson with Sir David Attenborough, Nigella Lawson and Eddie Izzard

11.45 Parkinson: Hollywood Men

ITV2

4.40 Film: Sing (2016) 6.50 Film: Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) 9.00 Film: Wedding Crashers (2005) 11.25 Family Guy

ITV3

4.00 Coronation Street: Memorable Moments 4.30 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 6.45 Snooker: British Open 2023. Coverage of the concluding semi-final. 10.15 Wycliffe

ITV4

12.45 Snooker: British Open 2023. Coverage of the opening semi-final.

4.30 River Monsters 4.55 The Grand Fishing Adventure 9.00 English Football League Highlights. Action from the latest fixtures.

10.30 Film: Death Race (2008)

E4

2.30 Film: Kung Fu Panda (2008)

4.15 The Big Bang Theory 7.10

Film: Men in Black (1997) Sci-fi comedy, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. 9.00 Celebrity Gogglebox 10.00 Gogglebox

Film4

2.40 Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) 4.25

The Adventures of Tintin (2011)

6.45 The Eagle (2011) Action adventure, with Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell. 9.00 Boiling Point (2021) Premiere. Drama, starring Stephen Graham. 10.55 My Friend Dahmer (2017)

Brendan O'Carroll

Tess Daly

11.15 Homes Under the Hammer. (R) 12.15 Bargain Hunt. (R) 1.00 BBC News. 1.10 Weather for the Week Ahead. 1.15 Songs of Praise.

1.50 Points of View. 2.05 Money for Nothing. (R) 2.30 Escape to the Country. (R) 3.30 Film: Early Man. (2018) 4.50 The Mating Game. (R)

5.50 BBC News.

6.05 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

6.15 Countryfile. The second of two special harvest-themed episodes.

Stephen Graham

Boiling Point

BBC1, 9pm

In 2019, former head chef Philip Barantini made his second short film. It was then expanded into a feature-length movie – and now the same characters are appearing in this eagerly awaited five-part drama. Stephen Graham reprises his role as talented but troubled chef Andy, although it’s his former right-hand woman, Carly (Vinette Robinson), who is now centre stage.

7.15 Strictly Come Dancing: The Results. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman present this year’s first dance-off.

8.00 Antiques Roadshow. Highlights at Roundhay Park, include a rare Rolex ’double red’ Sea-Dweller watch.

9.00 Boiling Point. New series. Series spin-off from the 2021 film, starring Stephen Graham, picking up six months later. As new restaurant Point North faces big money investors in the dining room, head chef Carly battles personal demons.

10.00 BBC News; Weather.

10.25 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.30 Match of the Day 2.

11.20 The Women’s Football Show.

12.05 Film: Safe Haven. (2013)

1.50 Weather for the Week Ahead.

1.55 BBC News.

MONDAY’S TV 2.10.23

CHOICE

6.35 Countryfile. (R) 7.30

Breakfast. 9.00 Beechgrove Garden. (R) 9.30 Landward. 10.00

Saturday Kitchen Best Bites. 11.30

Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey. (R)

12.00 The A to Z of TV Cooking. (R)

12.15 MOTD Live Women’s Super League. Aston Villa v Manchester United (Kick-off 12.30pm). 2.45

Flog It! (R) 3.30 Weatherman

Walking. (R) 4.00 Wynne’s Welsh 70s. (R) 4.30 Celebrity Race Across the World. (R) 5.30 Super League.

6.30 Inside the Factory. Gregg Wallace visits a factory in Essex that produces 400,000 cereal bars a day. (R)

7.30 Golf: Ryder Cup Highlights. Action from the singles matches on day three of the biennial competition between Europe and USA, held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome.

9.00 Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. Paul and Bob head to Burgh Island on the south coast of Devon.

9.30 Miriam Margolyes: Australia Unmasked. Miriam explores how class and money impacts the Fair Go. (R)

10.30 Film: Ali & Ava. (2021) Premiere. Romantic drama, starring Adeel Akhtar and Claire Rushbrook.

12.00 Film: Mari. (2018) 1.30

Sign Zone: Question Time. (R)

2.30 The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies. (R) 3.30 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 Ainsley’s Food We Love. (R)

6.30 James Martin’s French Adventure. (R) 7.30 Ainsley’s Good Mood Food. (R) 8.25 Simply Raymond Blanc. (R) 9.25 ITV News. 9.30 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. 11.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. (R)

1.40 ITV News; Weather. 1.55 NFL Live. Atlanta Falcons v Jacksonville Jaguars (Kick-off 2.30pm).

6.00 In for a Penny. Stephen Mulhern heads to Barry for the game show in which he travels around the UK setting members of the public unusual challenges. (R)

6.30 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals. (R)

7.00 ITV News; Weather.

7.05 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

7.15 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. South Africa v Tonga (Kick-off 8.00pm). All the action from the Pool B match at Stade de Marseille in France. Mark Pougatch presents, with analysis from Brian O'Driscoll, Clive Woodward and John Barclay.

10.25 ITV News; Weather.

10.40 Fresh Cuts. New series. Dr Zoe Williams meets four pioneering black doctors.

11.40 The Savoy. Staff prepare for the re-opening of the hotel’s American bar. (R)

12.45 English Football League Highlights. (R) 2.00 The Chase. (R)

2.50 Motorsport UK. (R) 3.40 Unwind. 5.05 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 8.50 Penblwyddi Cyw. 9.00 Garddio a Mwy. (R) 9.30

Lowri Morgan: Her 333. (R) 10.00

Jason Mohammad: Stadiymau’r

Byd. (R) 11.00 Eryri: Pobol y Parc. (R) 12.00 Dan Do. (R) 12.30 Rygbi Pawb. (R) 1.15 Bwyd Epic Chris. (R) 1.45 Y ’Sgubor Flodau. (R)

2.45 Y Tyrchwyr gyda Iolo Williams. (R) 3.10 Hen Dy Newydd. (R) 4.05 Sain Ffagan. (R) 4.35 Tafwyl ’23. (R)

6.00 Cefn Gwlad. (R)

6.35 Pobol y Cwm Omnibws. (R)

7.45 Newyddion a Chwaraeon.

8.00 Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

9.00 Terfysg yn y Bae.

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.55 The Smurfs. (R) 10.10 SpongeBob SquarePants. (R) 10.25

Entertainment News. 10.30 NFL End Zone. 11.00 Friends. (R) 12.25 Police Interceptors. (R) 1.30 Film: The Fugitive. (1993) 4.05 Film: Ocean’s Twelve. (2004)

6.25 5 News Weekend.

6.30 When Holidays Go Horribly Wrong. Accounts of disastrous flights, including one to Hawaii that took a sinister turn when a passenger saw an engine falling apart before his eyes. Last in the series.

8.00 Hotel Benidorm: Fun-Loving Brits in the Sun. Staff try to keep their cool as the reception air conditioning malfunctions.

9.00 Inheritance Wars: Who Gets the Money? A legal battle that ended up in the House of Commons, and the extraordinary case of a lord whose Ming vase collection worth £8million shattered the lives of his children.

10.00 The Big Sex Scam. A woman who was conned out of more than £100,000.

10.55 Film: Sleeping with the Enemy. (1991) Thriller, starring Julia Roberts.

1.00 PlayOJO Live Casino Show.

3.00 Celebrity Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (R) 3.50 Tribal Teens. (R) 4.40 Wildlife SOS. (R) 5.05 House Busters. (R) 5.30

Entertainment News. 5.35 Peppa

BBC Four

7.00 David Tennant Remembers –Hamlet 7.15 Film: Hamlet (2009) Shakespeare’s tragedy, starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart. 10.20 Dame Janet Suzman Remembers – The Wars of the Roses 10.35 The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI

ITV2

4.05 Film: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) 6.10 Film: Despicable Me 3 (2017) 8.00 Film: Shanghai Noon (2000) Comedy western, starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. 10.10 Family Guy 11.35 American Dad!

ITV3

12.45 Snooker: British Open 2023. Coverage of the opening session of the final. 4.30 Coronation

Kirstie’s House of Craft. (R)

Pig. (R) 5.45 Paw Patrol. (R)

BBC1 BBC2 ITV1 WALES S4C CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL

6.30 The Bidding Room. (R) 7.15 The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R)

8.00 Sign Zone: This Farming Life.

(R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00

BBC News. 12.15 Politics Live.

1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 Politics

Live Conference 2023. 3.00

Murder, Mystery and My Family.

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

Union with David Olusoga BBC2, 9pm

Is the UK under threat? A growing number of people would love to see Scotland break away from the union, which would no doubt put strain on the bond between the remaining home nations. It’s a subject Olusoga explores in his new five-part series, of which he says: ”I’m seeking to bring a timely understanding of the history that lies behind the fault lines of contemporary Britain.”

6.30

7.00

7.30 EastEnders. Stacey is nervous ahead of going to court against Theo and things get worse when Martin shows her the posters plastered across the square. Freddie decides to confront his father.

8.00 Pizza Boys: World Cup Adventure. The duo arrive in the ancient capital city of Brittany in Nantes.

8.30 Ballroom Dreams – Our Lives. Following teenage dancers from Caerphilly.

9.00 Panorama. In-depth current affairs report.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Film: The Exorcist. (1973) Supernatural horror, starring Linda Blair.

12.35 The Graham Norton Show.

(R)

1.25 Alan Carr’s Picture Slam.

(R)

2.10 Weather for the Week

2.15 BBC News.

Ahead.

(R)

3.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R) 4.15 Serengeti II. (R)

5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Chris Hughes, Debra Stephenson, Inel Tomlinson and Toyah Willcox.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two. Fleur East chats to the first couple to be eliminated from the competition.

7.00 Chris and Meg’s Wild Summer. Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin head to the Western Isles. Last in the series. (R)

7.30 Mastermind.

8.00 Only Connect.

8.30 University Challenge.

9.00 Union with David Olusoga. New series. The relationship between the UK’s four constituent countries.

10.00 Sandylands.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Film: Selma. (2014) Factbased drama, starring David Oyelowo.

1.15 Sign Zone: Countryfile. (R)

2.10 Ambulance. (R) 3.10

Mrs Brown’s Boys. (R) 3.40 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.30 Emmerdale. Chas is struggling, while Tom and Belle prepare to start their new life.

8.00 Coronation Street. Paul shocks Billy by revealing a secret on their wedding day, police question Tyrone about a hit-and-run, and Yasmeen returns from Pakistan.

9.00 The Long Shadow. The Jacksons receive the devastating news that Emily has been murdered, and Neil accompanies his father to the mortuary to face the terrible duty of identifying his mother.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Sharp End. Discussion on the latest developments in Welsh politics.

11.40 Hotel Custody. A look at Grimsby’s new state-of-theart custody facility. (R)

12.30 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite. (R) 2.15 Tipping Point. (R) 3.00 Fresh Cuts. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Tenable. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C. 12.05 Adre. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Ceffylau Cymru. (R) 1.30 Pen/Campwyr. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C. 3.05 Eryri: Pobol y Parc. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Dan Do. (R) 6.30 Rownd a Rownd. (R) 7.00 Heno.

7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

8.00

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine.

11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15

Film: The Man with My Husband’s Face. (2023) 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun. 5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. Graeme Hall checks up on a 13-stone Newfoundland whose health is in danger. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. PC Matt Turner stops a vehicle with links to drug dealing. (R)

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 The Motorway. A head-on collision at rush hour brings the M66 to a standstill; 5 News Update.

(R) 8.25 Frasier. (R) 9.55 Chateau DIY. (R) 10.55 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. (R) 11.55 News. 12.00 Steph’s Packed Lunch. 2.10 Countdown.

3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00

The Great House Giveaway. 5.00 A New Life in the Sun. (R) 6.00 Four in a Bed. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R)

7.00 News. 8.00 Jimmy Doherty’s New Zealand Escape. 9.00 999: On the Front Line. (R) 10.00 Kidnap of Angel Lynn. (R) 11.05 My Name is Happy. 12.25 Sex Rated. (R) 1.20 24 Hours in A&E. (R) 2.15 Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 3.05 The Duchess and Her Magical Kingdom. (R) 4.00 The Great Pottery Throw Down. (R) 5.05 Tool Club. (R) 5.55 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R)

9.00 Endurance: Race to the Pole with Ben Fogle. New series. Ben and Dwayne Fields reenact 20th-century expeditions to the South Pole.

10.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts. A 58-year-old woman is rushed to A&E after having a life-threatening allergic reaction to nuts. (R) 11.05 Ambulance: Code Red. (R)

12.05 Police Interceptors. (R) 1.00

Night Football. New York Giants v Seattle

David Olusoga

TV 3.10.23

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather.

6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

7.00 The One Show.

7.30 EastEnders. Stacey suffers from the magistrate’s decision.

Alice Orr-Ewing

Partygate

Channel 4, 9.30pm

During the covid lockdowns, when many of us were unable to see our loved ones. So, when the news began to emerge that the people in charge of making the rules might have also been taking them a lot less seriously, there was understandable anger. Now, this docudrama aims to tell the story of the Covid pandemic through the story of what was happening at No 10.

8.00 Fake or Fortune? Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould investigate a potential Joshua Reynolds painting.

9.00 DIY SOS: The Big Build. The team help build a community centre and garden in Stoke, part of a charity set up by a local family to tackle poverty, isolation and mental health problems. (R)

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Talk Disability: Invisible Disabilities.

10.45 Juice. Jamma tries to keep Winnie and Guy from talking to each other. (R)

11.10 Juice. (R)

11.35 Ambulance. Sam and Danny head to an accident involving a 65-year-old man. (R)

12.35 The Repair Shop. (R) 1.35 BBC News.

WALES S4C CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL

6.30 The Bidding Room. (R) 7.15 The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R)

8.00 Sign Zone: Expert Witness.

(R) 8.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell.

10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics

Live. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45

First Minister’s Questions. 2.45 Eggheads. (R) 3.15 Wanted Down Under. (R) 4.00 Murder, Mystery and My Family. (R)

4.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R)

5.15 Flog It! 5.30 Weatherman Walking. (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two.

7.00 Gymnastics: World Championships. The men’s team final.

8.00 This Farming Life. Rachel and Camy find out how many of their ewes are pregnant.

9.00 Rise of the Nazis: The Manhunt. How the son of Josef Mengele considered turning his father in. Last in the series.

10.00 Jailed: Inside Maghaberry Prison. New series. Stephen Nolan enters the highsecurity Lisburn prison.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Film: The Place Beyond the Pines. (2012) Crime drama, starring Ryan Gosling.

1.30 Sign Zone: Money for Nothing. (R) 2.15 Claimed and Shamed. (R) 3.00 Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. (R) 4.00

This Is BBC Two.

6.30 Escape to the Country. (R)

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55

ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.30 Emmerdale. Chas puts her foot in it, Charles tries to apologise to Tom, while Cain and Caleb plot.

8.00 Coronation Street. Liam suffers an asthma attack when Mason forces him to try vaping, Kevin helps Cassie to hide the truth from Tyrone, and Yasmeen urges Stu to wait for Eliza.

9.00 The Real Crown: Inside the House of Windsor. Prince Charles has yet to find a bride, placing the future of the monarchy in peril.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Face to Face. Interviews with political leaders.

11.15 Grand Slammers. Part one of two. England Rugby World Cup winners tackle rugby behind bars. (R)

12.25 Wales on TV. (R) 12.55 British Touring Car Championship Highlights. (R) 2.05 Tipping Point. (R) 3.00 On Assignment. (R) 3.30 Ainsley’s Good Mood Food. (R)

3.55 Unwind. 5.10 Tenable. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Bwyd Bach Shumana a Catrin. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Lowri Morgan: Her 333. (R) 1.30 Cefn Gwlad. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Lorient 2023. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine.

Storm Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15

Film: Framed By My Sister. (2021)

4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun. 5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. Two feuding dogs cause trouble for three generations of a family.

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 GPs: Behind Closed Doors. Dr Aireen Abdul-Razak is puzzled by her teenage patient, Omar.

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 The Yorkshire Vet. Peter Wright fears a sick cat with a mysterious wound has been bitten by a snake; 5 News Update.

9.00 Secrets of Our Universe with Tim Peake. Tim meets a trainee astronaut and uses virtual reality to give her a lesson on how to survive in space. Last in the series.

10.00 White Nanny, Black Child. A group of Nigerians fostered by white families in the 1970s share their experiences.

Maximum

Payback

ITV, 9pm

The Bay’s Morven Christie stars as Lexie Noble, who seems to be living a settled life in Edinburgh, until one day her husband, Jared, is attacked in the street. Lexie is understandably shocked, but there are more bombshells to come as she works with the police to find out what happened, and discovers that the Jared’s firm had ties to notorious gangster, Cal Morris (Peter Mullan).

12.15 Bargain Hunt. (R) 1.00 BBC News at One; Weather. 1.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather. 1.45

Doctors. 2.15 Money for Nothing.

3.00 Escape to the Country. (R)

3.45 The Bidding Room. (R) 4.30 The Vintage French Farmhouse.

5.15 Pointless. (R)

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather.

6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

7.00 The One Show. With Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas.

7.30 EastEnders. Anna tries to repair the broken bond between Bobby and Freddie.

8.00 The Repair Shop. The craftspeople turn their attention to a rare historic painting, a vintage sewing machine, a Beatles souvenir and a splintered stainedglass window. (R)

9.00 Celebrity Race Across the World. The teams approach the halfway point as they travel from Corsica to Zermatt.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Rookie Nurses. Newly qualified Caitlin calms the nerves to get stuck in her first week in A&E. (R)

11.10 Film: Alien. (1979) Sci-fi horror, starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Ian Holm and John Hurt.

1.05 BBC News.

7.15 The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: See Hear. 8.30 Great Coastal Railway Journeys. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 11.30 Politics Live Conference 2023. 1.30 Impossible. (R) 2.15 Wanted Down Under. (R) 3.00 Murder, Mystery and My Family. (R) 3.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R)

4.15 Serengeti III. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Chris Hughes, Debra Stephenson, Inel Tomlinson and Toyah Willcox.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two. Janette Manrara chats to more couples about their progress.

7.00 Gymnastics: World Championships. The women’s team final.

8.00 Nadiya’s Simple Spices.

8.30 Nigella: At My Table. (R)

9.00 DNA Family Secrets. A pair of IVF twins would like to find their egg donor.

10.00 Moulin Rouge: Yes We CanCan!

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Unspun World with John Simpson.

11.45 Union with David Olusoga. (R)

12.45 Sign Zone: See Hear. (R)

1.15 Garden Rescue. (R) 2.00

Coco Chanel Unbuttoned. (R) 3.30 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.20 Party Political Broadcast. By the Conservative Party.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.30 Emmerdale. Craig manipulates Samson.

8.00 Coronation Street. Carla confronts Stephen with her discovery that he drugged her, Jenny has a change of heart, Tim forgets his anniversary, Paul overhears Billy speaking the unvarnished truth.

9.00 Payback. New series. A woman’s idyllic family life is turned upside down when she becomes entangled in an operation to topple a notorious crime lord. Crime drama, starring Morven Christie.

10.10 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.40 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.55 Grand Slammers. Part two of two. Finale of the prison challenge. (R)

12.10 No Return. (R) 1.00 English Football League Highlights. (R)

2.15 The Chase. (R) 3.05 Grand Slam Years: England 2016. (R)

3.55 Unwind. 5.10 Tenable. (R)

8.00 Geordie Hospital. 9.00 Grand Designs. 10.00 First Dates. (R)

11.05 The Great British Bake Off. (R) 12.35 Taskmaster. (R) 1.30

Ramsay’s 24 Hours to Hell and Back. (R) 2.20 Jimmy Doherty’s New Zealand Escape. (R) 3.15 Selling Super Houses. (R) 4.10

Couples Come Dine with Me. (R)

5.05 Great Home Transformation. (R) 5.55 Escape to the Chateau. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15

Film: Look Who’s Stalking. (2023)

4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun. 5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. Graeme Hall’s casebook starts with a broken bond between two best friends. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Swimming in Sewage: Britain’s Water Scandal. Michaela Strachan investigates sewage release in the UK’s rivers.

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 Norfolk and Suffolk: Country & Coast. Members of the Women’s Institute take to the air with the Norfolk Gliding Club; 5 News Update.

9.00 Casualty 24/7: Every Second Counts. A patient is rushed in after a suspected overdose.

10.00 999: Critical Condition. A man has sustained numerous injuries after being trapped in his car. (R)

11.05 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. (R)

12.05 Shoplifters & Scammers: At War with the Law. (R) 1.00 PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.00 Fantastic Foxes: Their Secret World. (R) 3.50 Tribal Teens. (R)

BBC Four

7.00 Life 8.00 Universe 9.00 Charles I: Downfall of a King 10.00

Ninja Warrior UK: Race for Glory 8.00 Superstore 9.00

Gino and Fred: Unseen Bits

3.45 Agatha Christie’s Marple 5.55 Heartbeat 8.00 Lewis 10.00 Cracker

3.45 The Professionals

6.00 BattleBots 7.00 River Monsters 8.00 The Grand Fishing Adventure 9.00 Film: Unstoppable (2010) Tony Scott’s action thriller, with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. 11.00 English Football League Highlights. Action from the latest fixtures.

E4 4.00 Married at First Sight UK 5.05 The Big Bang Theory 7.00 Hollyoaks 7.30 Young Sheldon 8.00 Modern Family 9.00 Married at First Sight UK 10.00 Sex Rated 11.05 Gogglebox

Film4

2.35 Hobson’s Choice (1953) Comedy, starring John Mills. 4.45 The Tall T (1957) Western, starring Randolph Scott. 6.20 Only the Brave (2017) Biographical drama, starring Josh Brolin. 9.00 A Time to Kill (1996) Courtroom drama, with Samuel L Jackson and Matthew McConaughey.

The Brixham dual motor riser recliner in a long lasting, luxury feel soft touch stylish fabric It offers lots more comfort than a conventional armchair, plus a welcome helping hand when you re standing up and sitting down

Peter Mullan

All Creatures Great and Small Channel 5, 9pm

The fourth season of this charming period drama begins in spring 1940, and Tristan’s absence leaves a hole in Skeldale House that nothing can fill. James and Helen dream about the future, hoping that James won’t be called up. A chance encounter with a young lad leaves the vet worrying whether his dog, Duke, is being mistreated. True to form, trouble brews when James wants to ‘put the animal first’.

CHOICE

Solomon and her crack team help dog-lover Michelle, husband James and their two children transform their family home through a lifechanging declutter. Last in the series.

9.00 Soldier. New series. The transformation from freshfaced civilians to infantry soldiers in the Army.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Question Time. Fiona Bruce hosts the political debate from Wolverhampton.

11.40 Newscast.

12.10 BBC News.

6.30 Money for Nothing. (R) 7.15

The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R)

8.00 Sign Zone: Marcus Wareing’s Tales from a Kitchen Garden. (R)

8.30 Kevin Sinfield: Going the Extra Mile. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell.

10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics

Live. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45

Eggheads. (R) 2.15 Wanted Down

Under. (R) 3.00 Murder, Mystery and My Family. (R) 3.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R)

4.15 Serengeti III. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. Chris Hughes, Debra Stephenson, Inel Tomlinson and Toyah Willcox take part.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two.

7.00 Gymnastics: World Championships. The men’s individual all-around final.

8.00 Saving Lives at Sea. In Whitby, north Yorkshire, the RNLI crew race to rescue two fossil hunters.

9.00 Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast. The artist’s last years see an explosion of creativity. Last in the series.

10.00 Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. (R)

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 No Activity. (R)

11.40 DNA Family Secrets. (R)

12.40 Rise of the Nazis: The Manhunt. (R) 1.40 Sign Zone: Strictly Come Dancing. (R) 3.55 Strictly Come Dancing: The Results. (R) 4.40 This Is BBC Two.

6.30 Escape to the Country. (R)

7.15 The Vintage French Farmhouse. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Gardeners’ World. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics UK. 1.00 Impossible. (R)

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.30 Emmerdale. Kim tries to help, and Chloe is glad of Charity’s assistance.

8.30 Wales This Week. Andrea Byrne investigates Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Maternity Unit.

9.00 A Dog Called Laura. Martin Clunes explores the lives of Britain’s guide dogs.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Ultra Processed Food: What Are We Eating? Tonight. Kate Quilton reports on ultra processed food, which has been linked by some to cancer, obesity, dementia and early mortality.

11.15 Backstage. Arts programme showcasing the most exciting Welsh talent. (R)

11.40 All Elite Wrestling: Rampage. Hard-hitting wrestling action. 12.40

2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C. 3.05 Mike Phillips: Croeso i Dubai. (R)

4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Cefn Gwlad. (R) 6.30 Pen/ Campwyr. (R) 7.00 Heno.

7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

8.00 Pobol y Cwm.

8.25 Rownd a Rownd.

8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

9.00 Jonathan: Cwpan y Byd.

10.00 Rygbi Pawb.

10.45 Trysorau Cymru: Tir, Tai a Chyfrinachau. (R)

11.15 Lowri Morgan: Her 333. (R)

11.50 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.05 Countdown. (R)

6.45 Cheers. (R) 7.35 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 8.25 Frasier. (R) 9.55 Chateau

WALES S4C

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15

Film: As Luck Would Have It: Murder 101. (2023) 4.00 BargainLoving Brits in the Sun. 5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. Master dog trainer Graeme Hall helps a Hungarian Vizsla. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. England v New Zealand.

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 The Dog Hospital With Graeme Hall. New series. The dog trainer goes behind the scenes at a leading animal hospital; 5 News Update.

9.00 All Creatures Great and Small. New series. Return of the drama, starring Nicholas Ralph.

10.00 A&E After Dark. The night staff at Hull Royal Infirmary try to save the life of 47-year-old Jane. (R)

11.05 Skin A&E. A hairdresser is determined to watch his own surgery being carried out. (R)

12.05 Police Interceptors. (R) 1.00

PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.00 Warship: Life at

CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL

Five Bedrooms. 2.30 Money for Nothing. 3.00 Escape to the Country. (R) 3.45 The Bidding Room. (R) 4.30 The Vintage French Farmhouse. 5.15 Pointless. (R)

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather.

6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

6.55 Party Political Broadcast. By Plaid Cymru. (R)

7.00 The One Show. With Alex Jones and Roman Kemp.

Ghosts BBC1, 8.30pm

The good news is that the delightfully silly sitcom is back for a fifth series – the bad news is that this run will be the last. But does that mean there will be some big changes ahead? As the series begins, Mike thinks it’s time they had a serious conversation about their finances following the loss of the B&B business, but Alison seems more interested in how she’s going to get revenge on the ghosts for April Fool’s Day.

7.30 We Are Strong Women –Our Lives. The lives of two women in training for Wales’ Strongest Woman. (R)

8.00 Would I Lie to You? With Victoria Derbyshire, Rhod Gilbert, Rosie Jones and Jamali Maddix. (R)

8.30 Ghosts. New series. Mike and Alison receive some lifechanging news.

9.00 Have I Got News for You. New series. Satirical quiz, with Victoria Coren Mitchell.

9.30 Mrs Brown’s Boys. Agnes tries to solve Dermot's relationship problems. (R)

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 The Graham Norton Show.

11.30 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. (R)

12.35 Blankety Blank. (R) 1.10 BBC News.

1.45 Eggheads. (R) 2.15 Wanted Down Under. (R) 3.00 Murder, Mystery and My Family. (R) 3.45 Great Canadian Railway Journeys. (R) 4.15 Serengeti III. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. Chris Hughes, Debra Stephenson, Inel Tomlinson and Toyah Willcox take part.

6.30 Strictly: It Takes Two. Janette Manrara gets all the backstage gossip.

7.00 Gymnastics: World Championships. Coverage of the women's individual allaround final on day seven of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships from the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium.

9.00 Gardeners’ World. Monty Don shares tips on what to do with windfall apples.

10.00 Red Dwarf. Lister and Cat are horrified when Rimmer duplicates himself. (R)

10.30 Newsnight.

11.00 Weather. The latest forecast.

11.05 Film: Official Secrets. (2019) Fact-based drama, starring Keira Knightley.

12.50 Sign Zone: Panorama. (R)

1.50 Clean It, Fix It. (R) 2.35 Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast. (R) 3.35 This Is BBC Two.

2.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 3.00 Tenable. 4.00 Tipping Point. 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.25 Party Political Broadcast. By Plaid Cymru.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.00 Emmerdale. Moira is suspicious, Jai makes a confession, and Charity confronts Mackenzie.

7.30 Rugby World Cup 2023 Live. France v Italy (Kick-off 8.00pm). All the action from both teams’ final match in Pool A, held at OL Lyon Stadium in France.

10.25 ITV News; Weather.

11.00 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

11.15 The NFL Show. Craig Doyle is joined by Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell to present action from Jacksonville Jaguars v Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders v Chicago Bears.

12.05 Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport. (R) 12.55 All Elite Wrestling: Collision. Hard-hitting action from AEW’s newest show. (R) 2.40 Tipping Point. (R)

3.30 Alison Hammond: Back to School. (R) 4.20 Unwind. (R)

5.10 Tenable. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C. 12.05 Richard Holt: Yr Academi Felys. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R)

1.00 Dan Do. (R) 1.30 Trysorau Cymru: Tir, Tai a Chyfrinachau. (R)

2.00 Newyddion S4C. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C. 3.05 Noson Lawen. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R)

6.00 Lowri Morgan: Her 333. (R)

6.25 Darllediad Gwleidyddol gan Plaid Cymru.

6.30 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R)

7.00 Heno.

7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

8.00 Cwpan Rygbi’r Byd 2023.

8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

9.00 Hanner Marathon Principality Caerdydd.

10.05 Y Gêm. (R)

10.35 Jonathan: Cwpan y Byd 2023. (R)

11.40 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.05 Countdown. (R)

6.45 Cheers. (R) 7.35 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 8.25 Frasier. (R) 9.55 Chateau DIY. (R) 10.55

Amazing Spaces. (R) 11.55 News.

12.00 Steph’s Packed Lunch. 2.10

Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 The Great House Giveaway. 5.00 A New Life in the Sun. (R) 6.00 Four in a Bed. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 News.

8.00 Secret World of Sandwiches. (R) 9.00 Gogglebox. 10.00 Open House: The Great Sex Experiment.

11.05 Film: Deadpool 2. (2018)

1.15 Film: Peppermint. (2018)

2.55 24 Hours to Hell and Back. (R)

3.45 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R) 3.55 Come Dine with Me. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine.

11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.40 Alexis Conran. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime.

1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15

Film: Gone Girl: The Disappearance of Jennifer Dulos. (2020) 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun.

5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. A security dog for a nightclub finds his job confusing. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Shop Smart, Save Money. A Leicester family get help in choosing the best products at the best price.

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 Susan Calman’s Grand Day Out. New series. The presenter heads to the northeast corner of England, taking in the stunning Pennines and Northumberland coast.

9.00 Amazing Railway Adventures with Nick Knowles. The presenter visits Bran Castle.

10.00 Film: The Fugitive. (1993) A doctor convicted of his wife's murder goes on the run, hoping to track down the one-armed man he believes is the real killer. Thriller, starring Harrison Ford.

12.35 ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

1.30 PlayOJO Live Casino Show.

3.30 Friends. (R)

The

Nicholas Ralph

Charlotte Ritchie

Alright, let’s take a cheeky little tumble into the world of Lords of the Fallen, circa 2014, darlings. Back in those days, Dark Souls had just a couple of outings under its belt, Bloodborne was still in the creative oven, and Elden Ring was just a gleam in From Software’s eye.

Lords of the Fallen, well, it was one of those early birds in the Soulslike nest, but it didn’t quite give me that tingling sensation, you know? It felt a bit sluggish, a tad unwieldy, and lacked that delicious gameplay flexibility that we’d come to adore in Dark Souls.

Now, according to the grand poobah of producers, Saul Gascon, the first game was tailor-made for a rather particular group of aficionados.

But now, nearly a decade on, CI Games is dusting off its shoulders and having another whirl at it with Lords of

the Fallen, and it seems like things are starting to sparkle even though the road here’s been a tad rocky.

They’ve been paying attention to how the genre’s been shifting, adding in all sorts of character classes and two distinct realms to explore. They’re addressing the niggles from the first go-round while tossing in their own cheeky spin on the Soulslike genre.

So, I had a natter with the creative guru, Cezar Virtosu, and he spilled the beans on how they kicked off with Lords of the Fallen 2 but ended up doing a bit of a restart.

Doesn’t matter if you’re well-acquainted with the lore or if you’re just dipping your toes into the franchise’s waters, they want you to feel like you’ve just strolled back into your cozy abode.

Now, when it comes to the gameplay, I took a spin with the

Blackfeather Ranger, a sprightly, speedy little number that brings to mind the lightning-fast moves of Bloodborne. The combat’s an absolute riot, with parry timings that are just oh-so-generous and blocking that packs a punch. And oh, the world is absolutely dripping with surprises and little secrets.

But what truly gives Lords of the Fallen its unique pizzazz is its two-world jig. Axiom, the realm of the living, oozes with darkness and atmosphere, while Umbral, the land of the dearly departed, runs alongside it.

You can hop between the two in the blink of an eye, but in Umbral, you’re up against some gnarly adversaries on your way back to Axiom. Kicking the bucket frequently tosses you into Umbral, introducing these quirky little puzzles into the mix.

Now, there’s this gem called the Umbral

Lamp, a nifty gadget that shines a light on Umbral from the cozy confines of Axiom, making those pesky barriers vanish and offering up some snazzy traversal options. Plus, it’s got its uses in combat, letting you amp up your damage by yanking and releasing souls from your foes, although it does come with a rather limited supply.

So, to wrap it all up in a bow, Lords of the Fallen is shaping up rather nicely, my friends. Hexworks, they’re really putting their backs into setting it apart from the earlier outing and the bustling Soulslike scene.

Now, granted, a mere two hours of gameplay isn’t enough to pen the final word, but there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Almost a decade since the debut act, the gang behind this venture are brimming with enthusiasm about what they’ve cooked up. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

wiTH eddie THe gaMe guru

Archif Ddarlledu Cymru’n Cyflwyno

MAE tocynnau ar werth nawr ar gyfer cyfres o ddigwyddiadau

arbennig gan Archif

Ddarlledu Cymru

a’i partneriaid BBC

Cymru, S4C ac ITV

Cymru.

Bydd y gyfres yn

dathlu darlledwyr Cymru

yn ogystal â sêr darlledu Cymru a’u cyfraniad at dreftadaeth sgrin a sain y wlad.

Mae’r tri digwyddiad cyntaf yn y gyfres Archif

Ddarlledu Cymru’n

Cyflwyno... yn rhoi

llwyfan i unigolion o’r byd drama, comedi, cyflwyno a newyddiaduraeth, ac yn adrodd straeon am eu bywyd, gwaith a’u gyrfa gan dynnu ar glipiau prin o Archif Ddarlledu

Cymru.

Yr actor byd enwog a seren Y Gwyll / Hinterland, Richard

Harrington fydd yn

cael ei holi gan y gyflwynwraig Ffion Dafis yn y digwyddiad cyntaf

ar 26 Hydref, ac yn ail ar 30 Tachwedd bydd

Caryl Parry Jones y gomediwraig, cantores a chyflwynwraig yn hel

atgofion gyda Ffion eto wrth y llyw.

Y trydydd digwyddiad

i‘w gyhoeddi heddiw

yw noson arbennig yng

Nghornel Clip Llyfrgell

Caerfyrddin yw noson yng nghwmni cyflwynwyr

BBC Radio Wales

ddoe a heddiw, a hyn o dan adain Dot Davies.

Bydd Dot yn holi’r newyddiadurwr Gilbert

John, y cyflwynydd Roy

Noble a’r seren reggae a chyflwynwraig BBC Radio Wales Aleighcia

Scott.

Yn ogystal â hyn bydd y gynulleidfa’n cael cipolwg ar hen glipiau o archif newyddion a digwyddiadau Caerfyrddin.

Ariennir Archif

Ddarlledu Cymru gan

Gronfa Treftadaeth y Loteri Genedlaethol,

Llywodraeth Cymru a’r Llyfrgell Genedlaethol a’i bwriad yw sicrhau bod treftadaeth ddarlledu Cymru yn cael ei warchod a’i rannu gyda’r cyhoedd.

Dywedodd Dafydd Tudur, Rheolwr Prosiect Archif Ddarlledu Cymru: “Mae’n bleser o’r mwyaf cael cyhoeddi’r gyfres Archif Ddarlledu Cymru’n Cyflwyno... sydd yn

dechrau rhaglen eang o weithgareddau i’w cynnal dros y flwyddyn nesaf.

“Ein bwriad trwy eu cynnal ydi agor drysau’r Llyfrgell Genedlaethol i fwy o bobol, estyn croeso i bobol o bell ac agos, ac wrth wneud hyn annog unigolion i ddod i chwilota yn Archif Ddarlledu Cymru am raglenni sain a fideo.

“Pwrpas prosiect

yr archif yw dathlu treftadaeth darlledu Cymru, ac rydan ni wir yn gyffrous am greu cyfleoedd i gynulleidfaoedd hen a newydd i ddeall mwy am yr archif a sut i gael mynediad ato.”

Mae tocynnau ar werth nawr ar gyfer y tri digwyddiad ar wefan y Llyfrgell: digwyddiadau. llyfrgell.cymru

Rhaid i lywodraethau weithio gyda’i gilydd ynghylch cyllid

MAE Pwyllgor

Economi’r Senedd yn

galw ar Lywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru i gydweithio’n

fwy effeithiol ar y Gronfa

Ffyniant Gyffredin a’r Gronfa Ffyniant Bro.

Mae’r Pwyllgor wedi cynnal ymchwiliad i sut mae’r cronfeydd hyn yn

cael eu dosbarthu a’u gweinyddu ledled Cymru, yn dilyn ymadawiad y DU â’r UE.

Mae adroddiad y Pwyllgor heddiw yn amlinellu’r problemau cychwynnol ac yn argymell ffyrdd o wella’r modd y caiff arian ei ddosbarthu, ac yn galw am fwy o gyfraniad gan

Lywodraeth Cymru yn y gwaith o gynllunio a chyflwyno cronfeydd yn y dyfodol. Mae hefyd yn gofyn am eglurder gan Lywodraeth y DU ynghylch a fydd y cronfeydd hyn yn parhau ar ôl 2025.

Clywodd y Pwyllgor

dystiolaeth gan

amrywiaeth eang o bobl, Llywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth

Cymru, cynghorau lleol, academyddion blaenllaw

a’r rhai sydd wedi cael arian.

Dywedodd Paul Davies AS, Cadeirydd Pwyllgor yr Economi, Masnach a Materion Gwledig, y canlynol: “Yn

dilyn ymadawiad y DU â’r UE, ac ers cyflwyno’r Gronfa Ffyniant Bro

a’r Gronfa Ffyniant Gyffredin, rydym wedi nodi nifer o broblemau cychwynnol.

“Mae ariannu datblygiad economaidd yng Nghymru yn gyfrifoldeb a rennir, mae’n flaenoriaeth i bawb. Er mwyn i gyllid datblygu weithio i bobl Cymru, mae’n rhaid i Lywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru gydweithio’n fwy effeithiol.

“Rhaid i’r broses hon hefyd barhau i gynnwys cynghorau lleol sydd mewn sefyllfa dda i ddeall eu cymunedau, ac sydd wedi gweithio’n galed i gyflwyno ceisiadau i’r Gronfa Ffyniant Bro, ac i roi’r Gronfa Ffyniant Gyffredin ar waith yn eu hardaloedd lleol.

“Ond yn hollbwysig, rhaid i bob sefydliad gael cyfle teg i gael

Y ddion

budd o’r Gronfa Ffyniant Gyffredin. Rydym wedi clywed am yr heriau a wynebir gan rai cyrff yn y sector gwirfoddol, prifysgolion a cholegau o ran cael mynediad at gyllid, ac am bryderon bod rhai awdurdodau lleol yn blaenoriaethu eu prosiectau eu hunain.

“Mae angen i sefydliadau hefyd wybod

y bydd y cymorth yn parhau ac mae angen sicrwydd ar bobl. Rhaid inni gael sicrwydd gan Lywodraeth y DU y bydd cyllid yn parhau y tu hwnt i 2025, pan fydd y cylch ariannu presennol hwn yn dod i ben.

“Rydym ar gam cynnar yn y broses, ond mae llwyddiant economaidd Cymru mewn perygl os

na fydd llywodraethau’n cydweithio ar drefniadau ariannu yn y cyfnod ar ôl gadael yr UE.

“Dyna pam rydym heddiw yn gwneud nifer o argymhellion i Lywodraeth y DU a Llywodraeth Cymru i werthuso’r hyn sy’n digwydd a gwella’r system ar gyfer y blynyddoedd i ddod.”

‘Habitat Wales Scheme statement has not addressed funding concerns’

NFU Cymru has called for further clarity on funding for the new Habitat Wales Scheme following an announcement that the scheme will be open for applications later this week.

In a written statement today (Monday 25th September), the Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced that applications for the Habitat Wales Scheme will open on Friday 29th September, with contracts commencing in January 2024.

Details around the budget for this new interim scheme are still unclear and NFU Cymru says this ambiguity is unsettling for those considering entering the scheme, particularly the thousands of farmers those who have previously held Glastir contracts.

NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman Hedd Pugh said: “As developments unfold we are increasingly anxious for Glastir contractholders, many of whom have been participants in agri-environment

schemes for decades and who have adapted their businesses as a result, who could well lose a significant part of their income in 2024. We’ve had no reassurances that the new, interim scheme will match levels of income currently received through Glastir.

“For an industry that is so reliant on certainty and long-term planning - and having weathered significant financial storms and volatility in the last year - it is very difficult for farmers to make a commitment to this scheme when we still don’t know the budget available with only three months until the scheme begins. Regrettably, today’s statement does little to answer the fundamental questions farmers need answered in order to inform decisions about participation in the scheme.

“To maintain the confidence of farming in the proposed direction of travel, the budget of around £35m for agrienvironment must be at least maintained.”

NFU Cymru has previously placed on the public record its concerns that the

decisions over the transition from Glastir to the new interim scheme were taken

without comprehensive impact assessment and economic modelling.

Longer term optimism for Welsh beef sector

The latest Welsh beef sector indicators offer optimism of longer-term market stability - and even the possibility of some positive price growth - after new calf registration numbers matched other statistics showing supply tightening from the end of 2024 forward.

September’s edition of Hybu Cig CymruMeat Promotion Wales’ (HCC) Market Bulletin alerts subscribers to evidence that, after a more plentiful 2023, supply may contract if there is no recovery in registration numbers during the second half of 2023.

Market Bulletin reports that from January to July this year, total calf birth registrations in Wales fell by two per cent, compared to the same period a year ago. It stems from recent data from the British Cattle Movement Service

(BCMS), who registered almost 223,100 calves during the period – more than 5,000 alves less year-on-year.

“Trends across Britain reveal total calf registrations are down two per cent to 1.5 million head,” explained Glesni Phillips, HCC’s Market Intelligence, Analysis and Business Insight Executive. “In Wales, we are seeing the least number of calf registrations recorded during the first half of the year since 2019.

“It’s a different trend to what we have seen to date in 2023; BCMS figures relating to the numbers of prime cattle on the ground currently suggest supply will remain plentiful during the remainder of this year- but it might well be tight from the end of next year,” said Glesni. “All in all, it would suggest that in late 2024 supply will reduce, and that should give the sector

some optimism moving forward.”

Glesni said dairy female calves registered in the first six months of this year in Wales decreased by six per cent compared to the same period a year

ago, but dairy male numbers were down by a significant twenty per cent. “Dairy male calf numbers have been in decline for some time, probably influenced by a combination of increased uptake of sexed semen

on farm and new dairy calf management requirements. In 2021, males accounted for 37 per cent of dairy registrations; now it’s just 30 per cent,” said Glesni. “Moving forward, this will likely impact on

the availability of animals for beef production within the supply chain.”

HCC’s September Market Bulletin is available here: https:// meatpromotion.wales/ en/news-industry-info/ market-bulletin

Farming can help reverse biodiversity losses

THIS WEEK we are raising a glass to our milk and dairy producers, as we celebrate the nutritious and sustainable food and drink that we all enjoy. We also celebrate the role milk plays in our children’s diet, especially on World School Milk Day (Wednesday 27 September).

THE LUSH valleys of Wales might be on the brink of ecological degradation, as revealed by the latest ‘State of Nature’ report. However, in a turn of hope, the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN), an initiative led by Welsh farmers, proclaims that the solution to this environmental riddle might be hidden within the agricultural sprawl of our countryside. This enlightening report paints a bleak picture of Wales’ biodiversity, attributing significant declines to past agricultural practices. But, by the same token,

it identifies the potential of agriculture to be the linchpin for ecological recovery.

“We’ve played our part in the problem, but we also hold the key to the solution,” asserts Hywel Morgan, NFFN Cymru chair. “A pivot towards nature-friendly farming not only holds promise for biodiversity recovery but also positions farms for profitability in the long run,” he adds, drawing from his personal shift to a more regenerative farming approach.

Surprisingly, 88% of Wales’ picturesque land area is dedicated to agriculture. A profound 20% decline in species

abundance since 1994 signifies the urgent need for a revamped farming paradigm. On the brighter side, pollinating insects in the region have shown an impressive upswing by 14% since 1970.

One key highlight from the report is the need for nature-friendly farming, along with sustainable forestry and fishing, to be ramped up on a broader scale. Local endeavours, although successful in providing benefits for many species, need to be implemented more extensively.

The NFFN, having already unified over 3,000 UK farmers under its sustainable banner,

is now imploring Welsh policymakers to design schemes that will realise both ecological and agricultural ambitions. The impending Sustainable Farming Scheme, slated for 2025, holds significant promise, but NFFN believes it must be ambitious enough to address the enormity of the challenges ahead.

With nature-friendly farming at the helm, we stand at the cusp of a green revolution, potentially transforming our fields and landscapes. The vision is clear – all that remains is the fervent will to turn this into a tangible reality.

In the UK, our history of school milk spans back over 100 years to the Provision of Meals Act 1906. This recognised that the provision of school food would allow those in need and undernourished children to benefit more from education. Also, it acknowledged that providing milk for school children could help prevent poor nutrition.

After the Great Depression and the two World Wars malnutrition among children was a great concern. So school milk schemes were introduced and developed. Throughout the 20th century, the provision of milk to school children has helped combat undernutrition in times of scarcity and this staple food continues to be celebrated.

Milk and dairy products have an important part to play in our daily diet as they provide an important source of protein and calcium and contain essential vitamins and minerals, all of which are needed for a balanced diet.

Those nutrients are needed for the normal growth and development of bones in children.

In addition, milk and yoghurt are rich in iodine, a nutrient which supports

growth in children. What is important to remember is that bone mass is built throughout childhood into early adulthood and a good calcium intake as part of a healthy, balanced diet, along with plenty of physical activity including exercises for strong muscles and bones, is essential for lifelong bone health.

For those who are conscious of the footprint of dairy products, we are proud to say that our dairy industry has made huge improvements in its effort to tackle climate change whilst continuing to provide sustainable, nutritious food.

Globally, the dairy industry is essential in producing healthy, nutritious food, often on land that can not be used to grow food for human consumption. But our dairy cows can graze that land and transform grass into highly nutritious products like milk. In addition, our milk and dairy products rank amongst the top five traded agricultural commodities by value and volume, providing benefits for national and local economies.

Our dairy industry is part of a sustainable food solution and it’s tremendously important that our policy makers know that the dairy sector is here to help keep our planet and the population healthy and thriving.

We are definitely raising a glass to celebrate milk and those who produce it and hope that dairy lovers across the country will do the same and not just on World School Milk Day!

TS corner

Pets shielded from financial strain courtesy of Purina and RSPCA

IN the wake of the escalating cost of living crisis, South Wales stands as the leading recipient of a charitable initiative known as the

is a beacon of hope for pet owners

struggling to afford vital veterinary care.

To date, a staggering £75,000 has been utilised in covering veterinary treatments. South Wales leads the charge, with a generous allocation of £7,313.47 in pet care vouchers, the highest amongst all English and Welsh regions. This initiative, which debuted last October, empowers RSPCA officers to distribute vouchers to the public, ensuring pets receive necessary care funded graciously by Purina.

The ongoing economic instability has triggered concern amongst 81% of pet owners, stating pet care expenses have surged. Moreover, a worrying 30% doubt their ability to sustainably care for their pets. The charity’s recent findings suggest regions such as South Wales, Sussex, and West Mercia are among the most

grateful beneficiaries of this programme.

“The cost of living crisis poses a formidable challenge for countless pet owners,” remarks Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner. He emphasises the invaluable role Purina plays, stating, “Our collaboration is instrumental in preserving the cherished bond between pets and their families, offering a much-needed lifeline.”

Purina’s commitment remains unwavering. They’ve already pledged an astounding £150,000, translating to future assistance for hundreds of more pets. Thanks to the fund, 868 pets, including 562 dogs and 306 cats, have received treatments encompassing emergencies, chronic ailments, and more.

Calum Macrae, Purina’s UK managing director, expressed

his enthusiasm, “The profound bond between pets and their families is immeasurable. It’s genuinely uplifting to witness the immediate and transformative impact our collaboration has had across countless households.”

The narrative of an elderly couple in Hampshire and their severely matted dog is a poignant testament to the initiative’s success. The couple, grappling with financial woes, felt helpless regarding their pet’s deteriorating condition. However, the Purina-funded vouchers were their saving grace, ensuring the dog received timely treatment.

The RSPCA ardently encourages anyone facing financial hardships to explore their dedicated cost of living web pages, providing an array of resources and support for those in need.

‘Better Together Fund’. This novel alliance between petcare titan Purina and the revered RSPCA

New advice for schools about vaping

TODAY, Public Health Wales has published new guidance for secondary schools to tackle vaping.

The guidance sets out details of vaping use among young people in Wales and actions schools can take to address vaping.

Figures from the School Health Research Network show that 20% of young people from year 7 to year 11 say they’ve tried vaping, with 5% of secondary school pupils in Wales vaping at least once a week.

Health and Well-being is a mandatory part of the new Curriculum for Wales, and the guidance provides opportunities to introduce learning about vaping and vaping devices. This should be delivered as part of broader substance misuse education.

The guidance also includes advice for schools to expand their smoking and behaviour policies to address the rise in vaping. Schools are encouraged to develop this with learners, staff and their wider school community.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: “ No one under 18 should be vaping.

Schools are telling us this is a real issue, whether it’s because of peer pressure, colourful marketing targeted at children or a lack of understanding of the potential health risks. I hope this new guidance will help pupils understand the impact of vaping so they can make the right decisions.

“Our new curriculum gives teachers the flexibility to adapt their lessons to suit issues and

challenges facing their pupils this should include learning about the health and well-being impacts of vaping. All secondary schools are now teaching this curriculum to years 7 and 8, and this resource will support all secondary school pupils.”

The Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said:

“Vapes have no place in the hands of children and young people and

supporting people to have a smoke-free childhood is a priority.

“Giving our young people the tools they need to stay healthy is an important way we can help them to improve their health and wellbeing. This guidance will help schools to highlight the health risks of vaping and support young people who may be addicted and wish to stop.”

Dr Julie Bishop, Director of Health

Improvement at Public Health Wales, said:

“Our work with the multi-agency incident response group has highlighted significant new challenges that our education settings are experiencing when responding to vaping among young people in Wales. We hope this comprehensive guidance will provide the first step in supporting education staff in addressing this growing issue.”

Welsh Water unveils graduate intake for 2024

IN A MOVE signalling the expansive growth and commitment to nurturing new talent, Welsh Water – the only not-for-profit water company in England and Wales – has unfurled its grandest graduate initiative to date for the year 2024. This esteemed water company is opening its doors to an unparalleled 30 graduate positions, spanning diverse domains such as finance, IT, management, engineering, science, and quantity surveying. An indicator of its success, since its inception in 2009, this distinctive two-year endeavour has paved the way for 99

graduates. A significant number among them have continued to ride the waves with the company, carving out prosperous career paths.

The effervescent Rana Al-Yanai, an alumnus of the programme, shared her enriching journey:

“The programme took me through riveting chapters on water management, waste, and evolving business strategies. With each sunrise, I encountered novel challenges, amplifying my leadership and coaching acumen, sculpting me into a more assertive persona.”

Echoing the company’s enthusiasm, Martin Driscoll, the

Director of People at Welsh Water, articulated, “Our pulse beats for crafting genuine life opportunities and momentous job prospects. Our graduate endeavour is our bridge to infusing vibrant talent into our fold and refining the skills quintessential to fulfilling our pledge to customers and managing our indispensable service. The horizon looks promising, and we’re poised for the influx of applications for our most extensive talent drive yet.”

Reflecting on his invaluable experiences, Harri Moncrieffe, a budding professional approaching the

culmination of his tenure with the graduate programme, expressed, “It’s a pedestal like no other, launching your career trajectory into an arena bustling with challenges and dynamism. My immersion into multifaceted teams, ranging from nimble reactive strategies to

Tion

behemoth projects, has been a cornerstone in my evolution.”

As the British nation stands witness to this monumental announcement, it’s clear that Welsh Water is more than just a utility company; it’s a beacon of opportunity for the next generation.

o T or S

Motorists face £1000 fine for relying on sat-navs

DRIVERS have been warned they could be slapped with a hefty £1000 fine and face severe penalties for following sat-nav speed limits.

With speed limit changes happening around the UK, motoring experts at LeaseCar. uk have told drivers not to rely on sat-navs for speed limits.

Councils across the UK are introducing 20mph speed limits in a bid to reduce the number of accidents making roads safer.

MHowever, GPS firms say map updates may not update immediately, meaning motorists relying on their sat-navs for the speed limit could be in trouble.

Research has shown that Britain is a nation of sat nav junkies with 40% of drivers relying on a sat nav when heading out on a road trip.

That equates to over 20 million drivers who rely on their satnav for directions and road information including speed limits.

If a driver is found to break the new 20mph speed limit, they are liable for a speeding fine and penalty points.

If pulled over by the police, motorists could be sent a fixed penalty notice or ordered to attend court to plead guilty or not guilty.

The minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three penalty points added to the driver’s license.

Drivers who claim they are not guilty of the speeding offence but are found guilty by the courts could face a maximum fine of £1,000.

Motorists who are within two years of passing their test could also get their driving

license revoked if they build up six or more penalty points.

The Welsh government are introducing a default 20mph speed limit on roads across Wales from 17 September 2023.

A further 65km of London’s road network is also set to be capped at 20mph as part of Vision Zero.

There are also plans to introduce 20mph across Cornwall and in Scotland and more rural authorities are introducing largerscale extended 20mph programmes.

If the 20mph default limit proves to save lives, reduce collisions and make communities safer, there are predictions that England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will feel the pressure to follow Wales’s lead and

adopt the switch.

Motoring groups are warning that the potential for millions of drivers to fall foul of the planned speed limit changes is high and recommended using a satnav for directions only until the full updates have taken place.

Tim Alcock from LeaseCar.uk said: “With new speed limits being introduced across the UK, it is extremely important that drivers aren’t solely relying on their sat-navs to get the speed limit.

“The devices may not update straight away, meaning motorists could be travelling 10mph over the new limits.

“Currently, most police forces have a tolerance of 10 per cent plus 2mph above the limit before drivers face prosecution for speeding.

“If found to be

travelling at the old limits in the new 20mph zones, drivers face fines as high as £1000. New drivers need to be especially careful because they receive much harsher penalties, and could potentially get their driver’s licence revoked.

“Although it will take some getting used to for drivers, these speed limits have been introduced to reduce accidents and fatalities on British roads.

“Those driving in Wales must remember that the changes affect most 30mph roads, but speed limit signs will be in place where the speed limit has changed.

“It is important that drivers are always aware of their surroundings and be aware of traffic signs which are giving them instructions to avoid being caught out.”

Charity funds refurbish staff room

THANKS to donations. Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has been able to purchase furniture and artwork worth over £4,000 for the staff room in Gwenllian Ward at Glangwili Hospital.

Gwenllian Ward provides care for people who are recovering from a stroke. The charity has funded seating, a dining table, a coffee table, lockers and a wall mural for the staff room.

Sion Davies, Senior Nurse Manager, said: “We are very grateful that charitable funds have enabled us to refurbish the staff room in Gwenllian Ward. It’s really going to improve the working environment for staff working on the ward.

“Staff rooms give staff an area to relax and temporarily

disengage from their working day. People only take a brief respite in a work-free zone to relax and recharge. The team has purchased green furniture and natural art to encourage peace and tranquillity. It’s really going to improve our staff morale and well-being.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

Health board bids farewell to retiring Director of Nursing

Following a long and fulfilling career in the NHS, Mandy Rayani will be retiring from her post as Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience at the end of December 2023.

Mandy’s decision to retire at the end of this year comes at a point when she will have been a member of the NHS family for 40 years. Her career saw her take on roles such as Divisional Nurse Mental Health, Regional Nurse Welsh Government, Chief Nurse and Lead for AHPs in a Trust in England and last but far from least, joining our Hywel Dda family in 2017.

During her time with the health board, Mandy has led its nursing workforce with great passion, professional expertise and determination to improve the quality and experience of patient care.

HShe has been a great ambassador for the nursing profession, and

a respected leader and colleague across the health board and NHS Wales.

Mandy said: “I have had a busy, fulfilling and rewarding career in nursing. Through this time, I have worked with some amazingly talented and caring people, and I will miss my colleagues immensely.

“I came in to nursing because I wanted to make a difference to the lives of people - not just patients, but their families/carers, and the people who deliver care: our workforce. While I will miss the opportunity to help shape the future delivery of patient care within the Hywel Dda region, I hope that, to some extent, I have helped to make a difference for those who we serve.”

Steve Moore, Chief Executive said: “On behalf of the Board and the Executive Team, I wish to express our sincerest gratitude to Mandy for everything she has achieved, with and for our staff,

patients, their families and carers, and our local communities. In her retirement, Mandy plans to spend more

quality time with her family and we wish her a very happy and healthy retirement.”

The health board

will be recruiting to the Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience post in the coming months.

NHS Wales to build a culture of speaking up.

NEW guidance will help NHS Wales to build a culture in which ‘Speaking Up’, is supported safely and all concerns are listened to.

Today [20th September 2023] the Welsh Government and NHS Wales have published the Speaking up Safely Framework for NHS Wales. This framework will enhance existing procedures to ensure a consistent approach across Wales and provide assurances to staff that concerns will be taken seriously, heard fairly and will not result in personal repercussions.

Developed in social partnership with trade unions and NHS Wales employers, it sets out the responsibilities of all NHS Wales organisations, their executive teams, and boards, along with those of managers and individual members of staff to create a culture

in which ‘Speaking Up’, is supported within a safe environment and everyone knows how to raise a concern and knows the process which will follow.

Having effective arrangements in place to allow staff to raise concerns better protects patients and staff and improves people’s experiences of healthcare. The aim of the new framework is to ensure all individuals have a voice, are listened to, and receive a timely and appropriate response.

Following recent events, the Welsh Government has written to all Welsh Health Boards to ask them to set out the mechanisms they have in place to encourage staff to speak up confidently about anything that gets in the way of delivering safe, high quality care.

The Minister for Health and Social Services,

Eluned Morgan said: “Recent events have been a stark reminder of how vital it is that everyone working in the NHS feel safe and confident to speak up about anything that gets in the way of delivering safe, high-quality care.”

“Speaking up and bringing issues and concerns into the open is a brave and vulnerable thing to do and NHS Managers must be willing to listen, deal with concerns appropriately and be open to constructive challenge.”

“I am committed to creating a culture where speaking up is welcomed and seen as an opportunity to listen, learn and improve. The introduction of this framework will assist in driving this change and ensure that workplaces are safe, respectful and inclusive for all employees.”

Staff shortages and sickness absences threaten NHS

DESPITE increasing to record levels, the NHS workforce in Wales continues to face challenges with recruitment and retention, sickness absence and a heavy reliance on temporary staff.

An Audit Wales data briefing highlights these challenges alongside other metrics, trends, and comparisons to provide an overall picture of the current NHS workforce in Wales.

Having a healthy, motivated, and sustainable workforce is central to the success of the NHS.

However, the NHS workforce is under significant pressure as the service looks to recover backlogs in planned care and deal with heightened urgent and emergency care demand.

Audit Wales is currently undertaking detailed examinations of workforce planning arrangements in each of

the NHS bodies in Wales.

Audit Wales produced a briefing that brings together a wide range of data on the NHS workforce in Wales as context for that work.

The data briefing shows that the NHS workforce in Wales continues to grow, with a 27% increase in workforce numbers since 2012-13. It also shows that the NHS in Wales is committed to being a flexible employer and growing its workforce through training and education.

However, that growth in staffing is not uniform across all staff groups.

NHS Wales has seen ambulance staffing and administration and estates staffing grow substantially. In the case of admin and estate staff, numbers have increased by over 50%.

At the same time, healthcare assistants and support staffing levels have reduced, and nursing has seen some

but limited growth.

Moreover, while the number of staff employed has increased, there has been a sharp reduction in the number of nurses and clinical specialists working full-time hours in the Welsh NHS.

The NHS workforce in Wales continues to face many ongoing challenges.

There were 6,800 vacancies across all staff groups at the end of March 2022, with notable gaps of nearly 2,500 staff in nursing and midwifery.

More staff are leaving the NHS than at any other time in the last five years.

Of particular concern is the chronic decline of general practices in Wales.

The total number of GPs in Wales has remained constant over the last ten years at around 2,000.

However, demands on GP services are expected to continue to increase. That is because the proportion of the

population that is elderly

is forecast to grow. Over the last ten years, the number of GPs per 10,000 people over 65 has reduced by around 14%.

In the future, Audit Wales expects around a 17% increase in people aged over 65 in the next decade.

Linked to this will be an increasing need to manage chronic needs in the community.

An absolute decline in healthcare assistants, a long-term shortage of nurses, and contracting numbers of GPs available to deliver primary care in the community will lead to two outcomes. Firstly, delivering adequate community care - the lynchpin of most future NHS planning - will become more difficult. Secondly, the quality of care delivered will be threatened as staff with lower or fewer qualifications are used to deliver primary and community care services.

Compounding those issues is the level of sickness absence within the Welsh NHS. Those levels have grown and equated to an estimated 1.4 million working days in 2022-23.

Shortages of fulltime qualified staff and the huge number of vacancies for clinical specialists means there is a continued - and growing - reliance on agency staff. In 2022-23, agency staff represented 5.5% of the overall cost of the NHS

workforce at £325 million. The Auditor General, Adrian Crompton, said: “This data briefing aims to provide insight into the NHS workforce in Wales and some of the challenges it faces.

“Alongside the work on workforce planning my auditors are undertaking at each NHS body in Wales, I hope it can be a stimulus for taking forward the essential actions needed to strengthen the NHS workforce.”

B u S ine SS

Trailer maker Peter is as good as gold as he celebrates 50th anniversary on the line

A SKILLED trailer maker is celebrating 50 years on the job –and one of the shortest commutes in Wales.

Father of two Peter Jones, 66, has always lived within 200 yards of the Ifor Williams Trailers factory in Cynwyd, near Corwen, where he’s worked since 1973.

Living so close has meant that he’s been able to walk there every day – come rain or shine or even snow.

Peter is the longest serving current employee and, as a mark of appreciation on reaching the golden milestone, he was presented with a Clogau Gold watch by managing director John Williams.

Working at Ifor Williams Trailers has been something of a family affair for him. Younger brother, Graham, is also an employee and has worked there for 48 years while older brother, Martin, clocked up 44 years before he left.

Peter started there aged 16 after studying engineering for a year at the then Coleg Meirionnydd in Dolgellau.

His first job was fitting the slats in the floors of the company’s signature livestock trailers which were the only products when he joined.

Their iconic horseboxes started rolling off the production line soon after.

Since then the firm has grown spectacularly and now has six factories in Denbighshire and Deeside and employs more than 600 people.

The product range has also expanded with trailers for all kinds of possible uses - everything from flatbeds and tippers to car transporters and box vans, from catering units to mobile business trailers and medical

clinics.

They are sold through a network of more than 100 distributors across the UK, most of Europe and as far afield as Australia and New Zealand.

Over the years Peter has been in a number of production roles and is currently making axles for a whole range of the trailers – and says he’s enjoyed every one of them.

Peter said: “As well as my two brothers, my brother in law and my sister used to work here, so we’ve got a few years between all of us.

“I have really enjoyed my time here. It’s been a good job, I can’t fault it. There‘s a very good bunch of people working here.

“The time has passed unbelievably quickly –it’s always been busy here.

“I’m still going and

I’ve got no plans to retire at the moment. I feel all right and I’ll carry on as long as I can. I’m very happy to have a job here.

“Without Ifor Williams Trailers, finding a good job in a rural area like this would have been very difficult. There would be no jobs –there’d be nothing.

“I’m very proud of the trailers we build –I reckon they are the best on the market and it’s down to the great design and the good people who build them.

“The company has grown a heck of a lot since I started and it’s now global – we’ve even got distributors in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s put Cynwyd on the map, it’s put Wales on the map – it’s an iconic product and the company is flying the flag for Wales.”

Managing Director John Williams said:

“Peter has been a model employee and I would like to place on record our gratitude for his exemplary record of service over five decades.

“Peter is a fantastic operator whose skills have benefited many Team Leaders while he has worked in various roles at the Cynwyd site, notably the Livestock and Canopy lines. Peter has made Canopies that now reside with their owners all over the world.

“Peter has witnessed many changes during his time here and has been a proud part of the evolution of the company.

“He has played an important role in the success of the brand and he has helped forge the DNA of Ifor Williams Trailers, helping to

build our reputation for the quality and robust durability of our trailers.

“I’m glad to say Peter hasn’t reached the end of the line with us yet and that he’s carrying on as an important member of the team after reaching this incredible landmark.

“Peter has set the very best example to us all with his conduct within the workplace and being content and 100% productive in one company for 50 years likely places Peter in the top 0.01% of employees in the world.

“Over the 50 years ,all of Peter’s work colleagues, Team Leaders, Site Manufacturing Leaders, the Directors and our founder my 93 year old father, Ifor, are all incredibly proud that Peter has achieved this truly commendable milestone.”

Dream Jobs on Hold: Welsh Gen Z Grapple with Economic Woes

A SOBERING new report reveals that Welsh Gen Z is putting dreams on hold as the grip of rising living costs tightens. An alarming 73% of young Welsh people admit to curbing their expectations for the future.

In collaboration between The Prince’s Trust and LADbible Group, the study investigates the barriers young individuals face when pursuing their ambitions. The looming shadow of economic instability appears to be drastically reshaping aspirations.

Close to half (47%) of the surveyed youths stated that financial uncertainties have pressed pause on their pursuit of an ideal career. Financial pressure is not the sole deterrent; respondents cited lack of experience (41%), limited opportunities (36%), and a deficiency in confidence (35%) and qualifications (34%) as significant hurdles.

Interestingly, the

young Welsh people described their “dream job” as roles that spark happiness (65%), offer enjoyment (63%), and ensure financial stability (52%). Notably, ambitions of entrepreneurship, parttime roles, and workplace perks rank lower in priority.

Contrary to previous generations, Gen Z in Wales are adopting a short-term perspective. A compelling 73% shared they now favour any available job over their dream job, a sentiment more pronounced in Wales than the UK average, where 60% echoed the same sentiment. Over the past two years, 58% have curbed their longterm aspirations, pointing to a growing trend of pragmatism among young job-seekers.

Noteworthy concerns impacting their vision for the future include the surging cost of living (54%), uncertainties in the UK economy (51%), and mental health (48%). As for life goals, financial

stability, independence, and living a happy life topped the list.

Lindsey Wright of The Prince’s Trust commented on the findings, saying: “While aspirations are being tapered, the dream job is evolving rather than vanishing. We must rally behind our youth, especially those

disadvantaged, aiding them in unlocking their true potential.”

Echoing the sentiment, Emily Driscoll from LADbible Group noted: “This insight underscores the profound effects of the cost-of-living crisis on young aspirations. We aim to spotlight these

challenges and amplify the available support.”

The Prince’s Trust, a beacon of hope for many, aids thousands of young people annually, equipping them with the necessary skills and confidence to navigate the professional realm. Astoundingly, 75% of young individuals under

their tutelage find their way into work, education, or training.

This research, shedding light on the sentiments of Gen Z and Millennials, was driven by the combined efforts of The Prince’s Trust and LADbible Group, utilising the expansive consumer youth panel, LADnation.

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POSITIVELY LIBERAL

over the last week is negativity. Whether its where Sunak has watered down key clean energy pledges, the possible scrapping of HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester or the possible scrapping of the triple lock pension.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has spoken of the need for the people of Britain deserving a fair deal. The first part is below.

“In very tough times, the British people have shown remarkable decency and strength. Everywhere I go across our great United Kingdom, I see people from all backgrounds and all walks of life, working hard, raising families, helping others and playing by the rules – but finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

Now more than ever, people deserve a fair deal.

Everyone should be able to afford a decent home in a safe, clean neighbourhood –with a comfortable retirement when the time comes. Every child should be able to go to a good school and have real opportunities to fulfil their potential. If anyone in your family is ill, frail or disabled, they should get the highquality healthcare they need.

SBut that’s not the reality for too many people in the UK today, because this out-of-touch Conservative Government is letting us all down and taking everyone for granted.

Soaring energy bills, food prices and housing costs are overwhelming millions of families and pensioners. We need a Government with a plan to tackle this cost-ofliving crisis, but instead the Conservatives have made it so much worse because they just don’t care.

poli

Government. They know that every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote to elect a strong local champion who will fight for a fair deal for you and your community.

A fair deal that gives everyone the opportunity to get on in life, wherever they start.

A fair deal that puts power in your hands, so you can do your bit – for your children, your community, your business and your environment.

A fair deal that holds the powerful to account, to make sure they do their bit too. Where everyone plays by the same rules.

That is the fair deal the Liberal Democrats are fighting for. I know we can achieve it.

Liberal Democrat members have backed our plan for a fair deal, setting out our priorities ahead of the next generation:

A fair, prosperous and innovative economy that promotes opportunity and wellbeing.

Everyone deserves the chance to get on in life and see their hard work and aspiration properly rewarded. Businesses and entrepreneurs should be supported to create worthwhile jobs in every part of the UK. But the Conservatives’ botched deal with Europe has damaged trade and prosperity and is acting as a permanent brake on the economy.

20mph is the new bendy bananas

TThey have let the NHS crisis spiral out of control, failing to deliver the new hospitals they promised and making people wait hours for an ambulance, weeks to see a GP or months for urgent cancer treatment. They are allowing water companies to pump filthy sewage into our rivers, damaging our precious local environment.

All that must change.

More and more people are turning to the Liberal Democrats to put an end to this terrible Conservative

Liberal Democrats are the champions of small businesses – the engines of our economy and the beating heart of local communities. We put people first, with a focus on education, training and flexible working. We believe in harnessing the benefits of new technology and innovations for everyone. And we understand that to grow the UK’s economy we must fix the broken relationship with Europe.”

Part 2 will appear next week.

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

IT IS unlikely that anyone involved in the drafting and passing of European Commission Regulation number 2257/94, approved on the 16th of September 1994, would have thought that they would be creating a propaganda opportunity for the fringe element in UK politics at the time who supported UK withdrawal from the EU let alone sow the seeds for a successful Brexit referendum 22 years later. Jonathan Edwards MP writes. The so-called bendy banana regulation would have seemed completely insignificant to most European legislators,

who probably scoffed at how skilful propagandists and fantasists like Boris Johnson turned it into a totemic example of Brussels violating the basic freedoms of the great British public.

In a similar vein, I suspect the Senedd Members who supported The Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 on the 12th of July of last year had any idea what the public response would be on the enactment of the legislation this month.

Whilst the bendy bananas saga was a bit of a slow burner, the new 20mph law in Wales has led to an immediate outpouring

of anger amongst many individuals. In my 14 years as a Member of Parliament, I have never received so many organic e-mails on an issue from constituents, despite the topic having nothing to do with Westminster competence.

My position on the policy is that it makes sense in large urban areas suffering from congestion. Therefore, its introduction should have been encouraged in cities such as Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. I am less convinced about the merits of the policy in rural areas such as Carmarthenshire. However, in this article, I aim to explore the similarities between

Joined up Government: 20mph row rages as Fflecsibws scrapped

Bananas: A propaganda slip-up for the Welsh Government

bendy bananas and 20mph regarding their political implications.

The Welsh Government has handled matters in a completely cack-handed manner, imposing a blanket change and challenging Local Authorities to exempt areas.

The junior coalition partner in Wales, realising that they had stepped on a self-planted landmine, proposed a motion calling on Local Authorities to review their exemption list, thus passing the buck completely to County Councils. No wonder Labour Senedd Members jumped in the getaway car.

The Senedd suffers from the same lack of media and public scrutiny as the European Parliament.

Apart from some honourable exceptions, the media landscape in Wales is particularly poor, and the UK media shows the same indifference to events in the Senedd as they did to Brussels. This means that legislators often operate in bubbles isolated from the glare of publicity and public interest. This also means that what often seems like innocuous legislation hasn’t been scrutinised from all angles.

There is no bigger critic of the Westminster political system than

BLUE VIEW

WITH SAM KURTZ

This week in the Senedd I was pleased to take part in a debate on Community Assets and highlight the valuable role that community / volunteer run projects have in towns and villages across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire.

the Millenium Falcon from Star Wars, the original of which was built in the dockyard’s hangers.

me; however, one of its advantages over the Senedd and Brussels is the media and public affairs glare on all proposals brought forward for debate.

As an MP, most of the queries I receive are about policy proposals that haven’t become law as opposed to vice versa.

In other words, the strong public opinions in respect of 20mph had it been a matter for Westminster would have happened before the Senedd voted. I might be wrong, but I suspect all five Senedd Members representing my own constituency of Carmarthen East and Dinefwr would have voted for the policy. However, all five have employed a policy of radio silence since the new law was introduced.

I strongly suspect if you asked the average person in the street, they wouldn’t know they had five Senedd representatives, let alone name them.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly for those of us who passionately care about developing our democratic national political institutions in Wales, is how those opposed to a Welsh political identity have their own totem pole to gather support around.

To compound the political malfunction in Cardiff Bay, someone had the bright idea of preemptively announcing plans to enlarge the Senedd while a petition against 20mph went viral.

Perhaps it was an effort by the Labour Party to deflect attention. Still, its effect was to offer ultra-unionists an early Christmas present. This was compounded again by some in the national movement who, for some bizarre reason, have turned the whole furore into a nationalist vs. unionist fight when their whole focus should be on returning the debate to one on the merits of the policy.

Before I am accused of being hysterical, I am not saying that 20mph will lead to the abolition of the Senedd. However, I fear we live in a period of huge political flux which will go beyond the next Westminster election and the formation of a likely Labour government.

In such a scenario, the Tories will likely go fully populist, with the devolved parliaments an easy target. Labour will find itself in trouble very quickly in the next Parliament. You would be brave to bet on their protracted stay in power at the UK level.

We could easily face a referendum on Senedd

annulment within a few years.

Would Wales vote itself out of existence? Probably not.

But then nobody in Westminster, not even its proponents, thought the Brexit referendum would end in a vote to leave.

As with bendy bananas, there is far more at play than the terms of the regulation itself. Earlier this year, despite all the Brexit chaos, the British Government decided to enshrine the Bendy Bananas regulation in post-Brexit UK law.

Welsh national democracy faces threats on multiple fronts.

Firstly, the right wing of British politics and the command and control far-left fringe are playing a long game to restore total Westminster supremacy over Wales.

Secondly, tin-eared Senedd Members are aloof from the communities they serve.

To make matters worse, the proposed closed list system for Senedd elections and enlarged constituencies will further estrange Senedd Members from their electorate.

For those of us who care about the development of Wales as a political nation, there is a perfect storm brewing.

Let’s hope it changes course.

With Local Authority budgets stretched, the ability for communities to run their own facilities is becoming more popular. In recent years we have seen pubs saved from closing thanks to the local community stepping in and taking ownership as well as community centres being owned and managed by volunteers.

The Historic Dockyard Garrison Chapel, located within the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock is a perfect example of a Community Asset which is being sought to be run by the local community.

The Chapel is approaching its 190th birthday and is the only Georgian Military chapel which survives in Wales. In the days of shipbuilding at the dockyard the Chapel’s choir would sing along the slip way whenever a new ship was launched. For thirty years at the end of the last century it was in a state of disrepair.

Then in 2003 it received funding and was rebuilt and restored under the ownership of Pembrokeshire County Council who looked to make commercial use out of it. Since 2008 it has been rented out at a peppercorn rent to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. The Centre, which was opened by the late Queen in 2014, houses a museum to the proud military history of Pembroke Dock and also a scale model of

With the creation of the Haven Freeport securing the future of the port on both sides of the Haven Waterway, it is reassuring that a piece of the dockyard’s history remains as a key asset to the community and town.

For the past few years, I have been in correspondence with the fantastic team of volunteers and trustees to see if they can take ownership of the building as a community asset and away from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Whilst it is not safeguarding library facilities for the town, or safeguarding a community pub, it does offer a valuable service to the community and showcase the history of the town and allow visitors, school children and locals to better understand what has made their community.

It is the hard work of dedicated volunteers and that enables buildings such as the Garrison Chapel and the Heritage Centre that it houses to survive. It enables their stories to live on and to be shared with future generations.

I urge readers if they are yet to visit, to drop into the Chapel, enjoy the exhibition and learn more about the history of their local community.

Cack-handed: The Welsh Government’s approach has been a gift to grifters

KEEPING WARM VITAL TO MAINTAINING HEALTH

Age Cymru is urging older people to keep their homes warm this winter to maintain their health despite many financial challenges.

The charity is making the call as it launches its Spread the Warmth campaign, which highlights the health benefits of keeping yourself and your home warm. The campaign says keeping warm puts less strain on the heart and lungs while improving the symptoms of existing health conditions and assisting with pain management.

It also says that being warm can protect people’s physical and mental well-being and thereby help them to become more resilient to the many challenges posed by winter.

CLAIM YOUR BENEFITS

While we have yet to hear what levels of financial support may be provided by the Welsh and UK governments this winter, it is important that people claim all their financial entitlements. Last year, more than £200m of pension credit went unclaimed in Wales.

The average Pension Credit award is worth more than £3,500 per year, and it can open doors to a whole host of other benefits, including support with energy bills, help with council tax and rent, reduced water bills, free NHS dental treatment, and a free TV License if over 75 years of age.

Pension Credit works by topping up the weekly income of a single pensioner to £201.05 or a pensioner couple to £306.85, or more in some circumstances, and is entirely separate from the State Pension.

GET YOUR FLU JAB

If eligible, you should already have been contacted by your GP surgery and invited to make an appointment for your free flu vaccination. However, this year, healthy 50–64-year-olds will not be included in the NHS free vaccination programme, but you

can still ask your local chemist for a paid vaccine. There are also vaccines available for pneumococcal and shingles for some people.

KEEP YOUR HOME WARM AND SAFE

Contact a registered heating engineer to service your heating system before the onset of winter. It’s also a good idea to contact a chimney sweep to check that vents and chimneys are clean and clear of debris to allow smoke and toxic gases to escape.

Check smoke detectors are positioned properly and are working so they will give you an early warning if a fire starts in your home.

Most utility services host a Priority Services Register for vulnerable customers to provide early warnings of service disruption and specialist advice, so ask your supplier how to register for this free service.

Age Cymru’s Health Initiatives officer, Angharad Phillips, says: “We urge older people not to cut out heating their home altogether. At the very least, people should keep their bedroom and at least one living room at a safe temperature of between 18 to 21 degrees.

“Cutting back on safety checks or servicing could cause greater safety and health risks. Be ready and reassured that your heating will work for you when you need it later in the year. Throughout the campaign, Age Cymru will be sharing information and ideas on how to keep your home warm as economically as possible. Try to put things in place now, as we know the weather can change and temperatures can drop quickly.”

“Reach out to charities such as Age Cymru, health professionals, and your energy supplier to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep yourself and your home warm this winter.”

For more information on our Spread the Warmth campaign, call 029 2043 1555 or visit www.agecymru.org. uk/spreadthewarmth

Andrew RT Davies: Labour has Priorities Wrong

THIS week, we saw a record-breaking Senedd petition calling for Labour to rescind their disastrous blanket 20mph speed limit reach over 400,000 signatures from Wales, writes Andrew RT Davies.

To put this into perspective, the petition has now received more signatures than those who voted for Labour in the last Senedd election.

The Welsh Conservatives will always support 20mph speed limits where it’s appropriate, but we cannot support a blanket approach, which Labour has imposed onto the people of Wales. It is clear from the petition

that the Welsh public agrees.

What has caused this massive uproar is the way this blanket change has been rolled out. Little to no consultation – and when the people were asked and they said no, Labour pressed ahead with it regardless.

Labour has admitted that it will harm the economy. The Police have said it will change the way they deploy their officers.

A fireman explained how it will slow fire engines getting to an emergency.

And emissions will actually go up.

On top of all of that, people are rightly angry about the cost.

Instead of wasting

money on their vanity projects like their blanket 20mph rollout, you might think Labour would prioritise finally ending the inhumane two-year waits in the Welsh NHS. Or reducing the drop in the number of young people taking GCSEs in ICT and Maths.

No, instead of addressing these pressing issues, they have attacked motorists. Costing the Welsh economy up to £9 billion in the process. But what does that £9 billion hit actually mean?

Simply, it’s less money from taxes to pay for nurses, doctors and teachers.

It means less money for businesses to give pay rises or bonuses to

staff.

Ultimately, it’s less money in your pocket to pay for the things you want for you and your family.

However, it’s all fine for Labour as they’re creating jobs for the boys. Labour, Plaid and the Lib Dems would rather spend £120 million on more out-oftouch politicians than giving our nurses a pay rise.

Twenty-five years of Labour running Wales has put us at the bottom of every league table. Labour must change their priorities and put the people of Wales first.

Andrew RT Davies is the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives

Councils’ Net Zero ambitions at risk

IN Bangor, over 10,000 marched with joy, hope and the desire for a better, brighter – and independent – future.

There were families spanning generations. There were people from every corner of Wales and further afield. There were those born in Wales and those who have moved here and made Wales their home. Fairness and justice have brought them all to believe in the future of an independent Wales.

That future is not some distant dream. Across Europe there are small nations showing Wales how it’s done, from Latvia, to Croatia, to Estonia and Denmark – even just across the Celtic Sea in Ireland. The hope and optimism of Bangor is a recognition of the realities of the 21st century.

WITH influence over significant sources of emissions and established local networks, councils are a critical player in achieving the target of zero emissions by 2050. Yet, the cost of living crisis, inflation and rising fuel and energy costs risk distracting and deprioritising local efforts towards net zero, a new collaborative report between the LGIU report and law firm Browne Jacobson has found.

Net Zero and Local Democracy: building and maintaining public support found that while the climate emergency is a global crisis, it requires coordination internationally, nationally and locally, with funding, governance and partnerships directed in the right places. With more than 300 councils in the UK declaring climate emergencies, local action is an essential component of climate action, and local government is the essential agent in its leadership.

Councils influence important policy areas like housing, transport, health

and wellbeing, which can significantly contribute to reduced emissions. They can align action with the needs and preferences of local communities. Through discussion and consultation with residents, councils can tailor decisions to local contexts, sharing knowledge about possible solutions.

Councils can build partnerships with residents, businesses, the third sector and other parts of government to enable and encourage behaviour change that changes how people use energy, transport, housing, waste services, and much more. Many are linking the changes necessary on emissions to positive changes for households, such as reducing energy bills over the long term.

However, public support has been severely tested in recent highprofile disagreements surrounding the Ultra Low Emissions Zone and Low Traffic Networks expansion, which has stymied the debate and eroded progress. This and the cost of living crisis risk weakening councils’

resolve to deliver net zero democratically.

The report finds that despite many external pressures, maintaining democratic support is essential for achieving net zero because it will enable shared understanding and build public support for change.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), said: “With the country struggling under the weight of the cost of living crisis, it is tempting to focus efforts on that alone. However, if councils agree that the net zero targets are necessary, they must accept that they cannot deliver their contribution alone. It requires the support of residents, businesses and the public sector across our communities to contribute towards net zero goals.

A democratic approach to net zero in local areas will improve decision-making and planning by incorporating broader views and perspectives, adding legitimacy to the process and helping build local

trust. This is essential for changing behaviours and implementing local strategies. By working with the community and fostering support, councils can also maximise the co-benefits of net zero, ensuring that the transition is just and fair.”

Ben Standing, Partner, Browne Jacobson, added: “We are proud to have partnered with the LGiU on this insightful report around the net zero agenda, which resonates with our firm values and ambitions around ESG and positive societal impact. As a firm that supports a large local authority client base on various important environmental and planning law issues, it is evident that difficult choices are to be made if the country is ever going to hit its national net-zero targets. This report highlights the integral role that local democracy plays to help enable the meaningful changes required at the local level, which will ultimately support us in achieving our national goals.”

they suck out of us, the longer we have to labour under their systems, taxes and laws which were simply not designed for an economy or country like Wales.

Some may say that this is a social union – we can work to make it better, incrementally improving devolution and selfgovernment, campaigning for federalism, confederalism or radical federalism. Wonderful aspirations. Totally unrealistic. Surveys and polling of the majority in England, show that none of this will happen. They are not interested because theirs is a nation, a country, a single unit.

Welsh polling has shown consistent growth in the realisation that taking charge of our own destiny gives us the agency to change and improve lives, to create a Welsh Way of doing things, with the firm intent of making – and leaving – our world a better place for future generations.

Most recently that polling has consistently been in the mid to high 30’s. This is one in three in Wales in favour of independence, up from one in ten just a decade ago. A trend which comfortably puts us on two in three in favour within another decade.

Some data also suggests that there are a further one in four in Wales already supportive of independence but only if Scotland becomes independent.

But why should Wales seek Scottish consent to support independence? If you are one of the quarter of the population who would reassess support for independence if Scotland were to leave, reassess it now – what Scotland does should not impact decisions about our future.

The longer we stay attached to Westminster, the more we lose to them. The more rents they collect from us, the more assets

The longer we wait the worse things will become for the people of Wales. For over 50 years we’ve tolerated being the poorest part of the UK. For over fifty years we’ve tolerated the highest rates of child poverty in the UK. For over fifty years we have tolerated being unfairly treated in a Union which once gave us the vague comfort that standards of living were rising.

Today, living standards and quality of life are in free fall, Wales is getting poorer and faster than any other part of the UK. There are more children than ever in relative and absolute poverty in Wales.

But we have good infrastructure, we have excellent schools, universities and colleges, we have a skilled and well educated workforce, we have natural resources, we have a stunning country, diverse and beautiful, we have a majestic coastline and much more.

In short, Wales has all the ingredients to become an incredibly successful, wealthy, healthy and vibrant nation. But we won’t be able to capitalise on this until we have the freedom to do so. That freedom only comes with independence.

death notices

RACHEL EVANS

Rachel Evans Simpson

Cross It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Rach, suddenly but peacefully on September 8th in Glangwili Hospital. Rach was 38 years old and had lived with a chronic disease for many years but enjoyed life to the full when she was able. The funeral will take place on Friday, 6th October at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 2.30pm. It will be informal. We invite you to add a touch of purple in support of Crohn’s and Colitis. There will be family flowers only with donations made payable to Crohn’s and Colitis UK c/o Funeral Directors Messrs

W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd Landsker House, 21 Station Road, Narberth or via www.rossitersfunerals. co.uk

ROY BROxHAM

Mr Roy Broxham Tenby

The death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital on Wednesday, 13th September of Mr Roy Broxham, he was aged 78. Roy will be sadly missed by his wife Carina,

son Rory, daughters Kirsten and Elspet. And also Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. The funeral service takes place on Thursday, 28th September at St. Mary’s Church, Tenby at 2.00pm followed by committal at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3.15pm There will be immediate family flowers only with donations in memory of Roy made payable to Cancer Research, Wales c/o Funeral Directors Messrs W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, SA70 8AB or Landsker House, 21 Station Road, Narberth, SA67 7DR or via www. rossitersfunerals.co.uk

DONALD PHILLIPS

PHILLIPS Donald It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of Donald Phillips of Upper Thornton, who died peacefully at home with family by his side on Wednesday 13th September 2023. Donald, beloved husband of Margaret and brother to Pam and Hillary. A much loved father and father-inlaw of Jane and Wynne, Mandy and Richard,Iain

and Jane, and Neil. A devoted Grandy to Emily, Katie, Christopher, Carly, Abi, James, Megan, Josh and Dan, and Great Grandy to Owain, Gethin, Leia, Madison, Libby and Alfie. He left school to join BP as a Navigation Officer Cadet, where he attained the position of First Officer, on leaving the sea he attained various positions including Boarding Officer with the Port Health Authority, then as a Jetty Marine Supervisor at Texaco until his retirement in 1993. Donald enjoyed a round of golf, tending to his gardens and DIY. During his time at sea he travelled extensively and has entertained his family and friends with many tales of his adventures and escapades which will never been forgotten. He will be sorely missed.

VALERIE GEORGE

Mrs. Valerie George Milford Haven The death occurred peacefully in the loving care of Hafan Y Coed Nursing Home, Llanelli on Friday 8th September of Mrs. Valerie Trefina George, aged 83 years of Steynton, Milford Haven. Dearly loved and devoted

wife of the late Mike. Val will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her. A private funeral has taken place. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Funeral Directors, Milford Haven. Telephone 01646 693180.

ESTHER MARY REES

REES Esther Mary

Formerly of New Moat Peacefully at South Pembs. Hospital on Monday 18th September surrounded by her family, Esther, formerly of Awel Deg, New Moat. Beloved wife of the late Bryn, treasured mother of Kevin, Karen, Julie, Peter and the late Keith and Sonia, respected mother in law and adored mam to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. There will be a private family funeral at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Donations in memory if desired towards the Wales Air Ambulance c/o Mr. Clive Rees, Bro Mair, Maenclochog, Clunderwen, SA66 7LA. Enquiries to Dennis Jones Funeral Director, Efailwen. Tel 01994 419561.

GARETH JOHNSCOURFIELD

SCOURFIELD Gareth John Dipl Arch (Hons), RIBA, FFBE, MCIOB, MRICS, ACI, Arb Peacefully on Sunday 17th September, at Glangwili Hospital, aged 69 years, Gareth of Sir John’s Hill, Laugharne (formerly of Pembroke Dock). Beloved husband of Liz, much loved dad of Angharad Kate, a dear brother of Paul & wife Jo and Sal

(Anne) & husband Phil, a loving uncle to Josh, Tom & Tim, Ben & Hannah and Lucy & Jack, sadly missed by Hayley, Josie & Andrew, and a dearly loved friend of many. Public funeral service at St Martin’s Church, Laugharne on Wednesday 4th October at 2.30pm, followed by committal at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 4.00pm. Traditional funeral attire with a splash of red or a snazzy tie would be appreciated by the family. Family flowers only please, donations in lieu, if so desired, may be made for League of Friends Glangwili Hospital to benefit Padarn Ward for the wonderful care

Gareth received, or St Martin’s Church, via www. pefd.co.uk or c/o Peter Evans Funeral Directors, Rosewood, Plashett, Laugharne, Carmarthen, SA33 4TT. Tel: 01994 427 261.

JENNY TOWEY

TOWEY Jenny No length of time can take away The thoughts of you from day to day As time goes by you will always stay Loved and remembered everyday Loved and missed by Ernie, Michelle, Matthew, Jack and Alex.

ROBERT DAVID GIBBS

Mr. Robert David Gibbs Pembroke Dock The death occurred peacefully at his home on Thursday 7th September of Mr. Robert Gibbs “Bob”, of Amphion Court, Pembroke Dock. he was 66. The funeral took place on Tuesday 19th September with a Service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium Narberth at 1.45p.m. Any enquiries can be made to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, who carried out the arrangements.

Pause for thought...

There are times when life can be tough for a Christian. The author of the Book of Hebrews understood that which is why he wrote the letter we now find in the New Testament. We can’t be sure of the exact date he composed it, but he might well have done it in the mid 60’s AD when the emperor Nero was inflicting ‘the most exquisite tortures’ on ‘a class hated for their abominations’ (Tacitus).

I’m not sure what I would have said if I had been faced with that daunting challenge, but our unknown author chose to remind them of some of the great heroes of the faith. He believed their courageous witness would inspire his readers to behave in the same way too.

If I had to produce a list of Christians who have inspired me I would certainly have to include my friends Ladislav and Melanija. When I first met this amazing couple in the early 1990’s he was the pastor of a church situated on the edge of a battlefield in wartorn Yugoslavia. It was a very

dangerous place to be but in spite of the challenges and difficulties of serving God there they were doing all they could to show God’s love to everyone they met.

They certainly know what it is to suffer. Melanija’s father for example was repeatedly stabbed and nearly died from his wounds. But despite everything they had to endure they continued to reach out to both sides of the ethnic divide. Is it any wonder I find them inspirational?

Sadly, I never met Corrie Ten Boom, and I never will until we meet in glory, but I was delighted to read that her story has been retold in a new cinema adaption of her life entitled ‘The Hiding Place’ Corrie was a Dutch watchmaker, who worked with her father, sister and other members of her family to help people escape from the Nazis during World War II. Sadly though, they were caught and eventually sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp. ‘The Hiding Place’ tells the story of all they did to show God’s love with those who were imprisoned there with them.

Given all she did I would have to include her too.

We are living in a cynical age. It’s a time of volatility, uncertainty and extreme cruelty which is why I am so thankful for people like Ladislav, Melanija and Corrie Ten Boom. They were convinced that God is always in ultimate control of our lives and their brave witness encourages me to believe it too.

In addition to this they were willing to forgive those who had treated them badly. Melanija forgave the soldiers who brutally mistreated her family for example, and Corrie Ten Boom forgave a former concentration camp guard. I find these words of hers particularly empowering: “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”

There’s a lot of talk about ‘social influencers’ at the moment. If you’re searching for one you could do no better than look to the ones who have inspired me.

Rob James

TT er S & no T ice S

picture of the week!

SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC

DEAR SIR,

I would like to express my concerns regarding the Welsh Government’s new 20mph speed limit. While I wholeheartedly support the imposition of this limit near critical venues like schools and hospitals, I believe that in many areas the existing 30mph limit is appropriate. Would it not have been more sensible to entrust this decision to Local Authorities who are intimately acquainted with their respective areas?

The new speed limit has several potential economic ramifications. For instance, businesses may experience unnecessary delays. Lorry drivers, subject

to tacograph limits, might risk exceeding their permissible driving hours. Consider school buses – they operate on tight schedules, and any delay translates to increased operational costs. Additionally, taxi users might witness a surge in fares as journeys are extended. It appears that the private sector may bear a disproportionate brunt of these changes.

To help mitigate some of these concerns, particularly in rural Wales, may I propose the installation of signs prior to lay-bys stating:

“NOTICE TO SLOWMOVING TRAFFIC: Please use the lay-by ahead to allow traffic to pass. Thank you for your courtesy!” Such an approach could encourage a segment of slower drivers to allow others to proceed, potentially compensating for the time lost in 20mph

zones.

A frequent source of frustration on our roads is being stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle for prolonged periods. This, coupled with the new 20mph limit, may compel some drivers to make risky overtaking decisions on winding roads, arguably a major accident catalyst. Why not pilot this signage suggestion on some of our more challenging Welsh routes, Mr. Drakeford? This gesture might go a long way in placating many aggrieved Welsh motorists.

L J Jenkins

WALES TRIUMPHED!

DEAR SIR, What an exhilarating rugby match that

Llawhaden Castle by Karl Everall

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk

was! Wales triumphed with forty points, overshadowing Australia’s mere six. Let us tip our hats to the strategic genius, fondly known as Gats. It seems the only wizards these days are in Wales and not down under!

Heartfelt congratulations to Wales! Exceptional performance! Ardderchog! Outstanding efforts, Gareth and the other Gareth.

Lyn Jenkins

NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS

DEAR SIR,

Four projects from Wales have been named as finalists in The National Lottery Project of the Year category in the 2023 National Lottery Awards and need your readers’ support to help them win.

The National Lottery Awards are the annual search for the UK’s favourite National Lottery-funded people and projects. They celebrate the inspirational individuals and organisations who do extraordinary things with the £30 million raised every week by National Lottery players for good causes.

Flying the flag for Wales in the Arts, Culture and Film category is Hear We Are - a Deaf-led project run by Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff, exploring the perspectives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, particularly those working in or excluded from the creative sector. Representing Wales in the Community and Charity category is Get The Boys A Lift (GTBAL), a not-for-profit organisation launched by a group of friends in Pembrokeshire who were keen to encourage

For up to date news please check our social network channels

discussions about mental health.

Hoping to make a big splash in the Heritage category is Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities), which brings together local communities, fishers, researchers, and government to safeguard sharks, skates, and rays, whilst cultivating a new appreciation and opening-up access to the underwater environment in Wales. And looking to score a winner in the Sports category is Wales’s first LGBTQ+ football club, Cardiff Dragons FC. Founded in 2008, the club has emerged as a shining example of an organisation where inclusion and acceptance take centre stage.

The fab four from Wales are up against 13 other projects from around the UK competing for the title of The National Lottery Project of the Year.

They could be in with the chance of winning £5,000 and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy. They would be delighted if people could support them by casting a vote on www. lotterygoodcauses.org. uk/awards or by tweeting using their unique hashtag on X (formerly known as Twitter) #NLAHearWeAre , #NLAGTBAL, #NLASIARC or #NLADragons. But please be quick! Voting closes at 12pm on 9th October.

deeply entrenched political divisions, particularly between Conservative and Labour voters, can potentially hamper our collective ability to acknowledge and act upon established medical facts—facts that should transcend partisan lines.

It is universally true that the most costeffective approach to healthcare is prompt diagnosis and swift intervention. Quick treatment not only alleviates suffering but also minimizes the spread of disease, thereby decreasing overall costs in the long run. Waiting lists, on the other hand, are a ticking time bomb that exacerbate health risks and inflate medical expenses.

Over the past two decades, advanced diagnostic tools such as medical imaging scanners have revolutionized our ability to detect a wide array of medical conditions earlier than traditional methods. Despite their

high upfront costs, these machines offer unparalleled value when used efficiently.

To maximize the return on investment from these scanners, it is crucial to reimagine the operational framework. Instead of intermittent use, the scanners should operate around the clock, 16 or even 24 hours a day, facilitated by trained operators working staggered 30hour weeks. This allows for rapid dissemination of vital information to the hospital’s expert medical team.

The key innovation here is to invest wisely in logistical support mechanisms that we already understand well, such as dedicated transport services. Whether through volunteers, minibuses, or taxis coordinated by a hospital-based control room utilizing modern communication technologies, a streamlined process can ensure a steady flow of patients to and from the scanner.

While it may seem distasteful to discuss healthcare in purely financial terms, it’s an unavoidable aspect of public debate. The suggested approach, which involves a modest additional outlay for improved patient transportation, would leverage the full potential of our medical technologies, yielding more value for each pound spent.

C. N. Westerman

NATIONAL LOTTERY AWARDS

DEAR SIR,

To celebrate Deaf Awareness Month and the start of the baking season, RNID are encouraging everyone to support people who are deaf or have hearing loss by hosting a bake sale.

Whether you’re a seasoned baker, enjoy eating the cookie dough when no one

is looking, or just like watching baking on tv, hosting a bake sale is a great way to have fun and make a difference.

87,000 Deaf people across the UK use British Sign Language (BSL), a rich and visual language which involves hand shapes and movements, lip patterns, facial expressions and shoulder movements. BSL was legally recognised in 2022 but deaf people still face many barriers in society, and we need your help to break them down.

You don’t need to be a baking expert to make your event a success, and we’ll support you along the way. You can download lots of free materials from RNID’s website, plus top tips for running a great event.

So grab your apron, get some friends together and bake for RNID.

For more information visit rnid. org.uk

Teri Devine

Jonathan Tuchner, National Lottery Promotions Unit

ServiceS

CARAVANS

CLEARANCES

CAR PARTS

ELECTRICAL

FENCING, DRIVEWAYS AND LANDSCAPING

HAIRDRESSING

CARPENTRY

CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHY

FABRICATION

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

HANDYMAN

OVEN CLEANING

Teen golfer Jemma Nand-Lal triumphs again

IN a remarkable display of skill and determination, 15-yearold golf sensation Jemma Nand-Lal continues her meteoric rise in the world of golf.

Fresh off her recent accolade as the Dyfed girl champion golfer of 2023, Jemma has added another feather to her cap by securing the prestigious Ladies Scratch Knockout title at Tenby Golf Club for the second consecutive year.

The momentous victory took place at the highly-anticipated Finals Day at Tenby Golf Club, where the young prodigy, a native of Tenby, demonstrated her golfing prowess.

This year’s Scratch trophy was claimed after a gruelling 36-hole

battle on the challenging Pembrokeshire links course, where she faced off against formidable opponent Holly Watkins.

In a nail-biting encounter, Jemma found herself trailing by one after the morning’s first 18 holes. However, she refused to be discouraged by the adverse conditions and the ever-narrowing margin. With sheer determination and a fighting spirit, she executed a spectacular turnaround by birdie-ing the 34th and 35th holes, ultimately clinching victory with a 2&1 scoreline.

Impressed spectators, including the ladies County captain who closely followed the match, couldn’t help but praise Jemma’s extraordinary performance. The captain

remarked, “Jemma, your short game was of an impeccable standard,” acknowledging the young golfer’s exceptional skills and composure under pressure.

Not to be overshadowed by his sister’s remarkable achievement, Jemma’s teenage brother, Joseph, also made his mark on the season finale at Tenby Golf Club. Joseph secured the Men’s Handicap Davis Cup knockout final, triumphing over his opponent, Robert Willcox, with a narrow 1-up victory.

The Nand-Lal siblings’ outstanding success is a testament to their family’s dedication to the sport and their promising futures in the world of golf.

Hakin United clinch crucial victory over Milford United

HAKIN United secured a vital 2-0 win against local rivals Milford United at Marble Hall. Milford United, who started the season strongly, suffered their third consecutive defeat.

In the 16th minute, Hakin United opened the scoring when Shane Walsh capitalized on a goalkeeper error. Despite a determined effort from Milford United, they couldn’t find the net. In the 59th minute, Hakin United extended their lead as Shane Walsh scored his second goal, sealing a crucial victory.

TMilford United Line-up: Chris Malloy, Rhys Brawn, Sam Davies, Daniel Armstrong, Scott Griffiths (Captain), Thomas Grimwood, Ieuan Rutherford, Morgan Picton, Liam Parks, Liam Parr, Scott Reid.

Hakin United Line-up: Rhys Sinnott, Kieran King, Tom Llewellin, Jay Power, Jake Merry, Ben Aldred, Leon Luby, Jack Britton, Sam Christopher, Ryan Wilson (Captain), Shane Walsh. Referee: Sion Jenkins.

Goodwick United Dominates Derby Rivals with 7-0

Victory

In a local derby, Goodwick United showcased their dominance as they trounced Fishguard Sports 7-0. Rhys Dalling was the star of the match, netting an impressive four goals for the champions.

SPlayer-manager Chris O’Sullivan was delighted with his team’s performance in their last two outings, where they scored a

staggering sixteen goals without conceding. Daniel James set up Dalling for the opening goal, while Rhys Jones and Dalling combined for the second.

After the break, Goodwick continued to apply relentless pressure, with Dalling scoring his third and fourth goals. Substitute players Kyle O’Sullivan and Will Haworth added two more goals to complete the 7-0 drubbing.

Goodwick United Line-up: Kyle Marsh, Steff Hayes, Ben Adams, James Bryan, Scott Delaney (Captain), Steven Dockerty, Rhys Jones, Jake Smith, Rhys Dalling, Jonny Horgan, Daniel James.

Fishguard Sports Line-up: Patrick Hughes (Captain), Haydn Hughes, Ieuan Llewellyn, Henry Sturman, Sean Thomas, Anthony Couzens, Steve Lewis, Greg Hughes, Luke Thomas, Iwan Howells, Adam Lawrence, Tomas Lawrence, Scott Edwards, Sean Chandler. Referee: Sean O’Connor.

Pennar Robins and Carew Settle for a Draw at Bush Camp

Pennar Robins and Carew played out an evenly contested draw at Bush Camp, with both teams sharing the spoils in a 2-2 deadlock.

In the 14th minute, Carew took the lead as skipper Shaun Whitfield’s corner was met with a powerful header by Max Brindley. Pennar Robins responded as Richard Hughes assisted Ceri Griffiths, who scored a sensational 20-yard shot to

level the match.

Carew briefly regained the lead when Leon Stewart capitalized on a goalkeeper error, but Pennar Robins equalized again through Richard Hughes. Despite chances on both ends, there were no further goals, and the match ended in a draw.

Pennar Robins Line-up: Rory Williams, Craig Asparassa, Jason Donohoe, Ross Jones, Jason Donohoe, Connor Roberts (Captain), Conner Willis, Kieran Smith, Liam Williams, Sean Edmundson, Ceri Griffiths, Richard Hughes.

Carew Line-up: Tom Davies, Shaun Whitfield (Captain), Gareth Lewis, Sam Southcott, Zac Rowell, Archie Smith, Leon Stewart, Marcus Griffiths, James Hinchliffe, Max Brindley, George Waters. Referee: David Badger.

Monkton Swifts Salvage Late Draw Against Tenby

Monkton Swifts secured a hard-fought draw against Tenby in a thrilling match at the Clicketts Ground. The game ended 3-3, with Dylan Davies scoring a stoppage-time equalizer for the Swifts.

Tenby took an early lead with a goal from Dan Storer, but Monkton Swifts quickly responded with a goal from Noah Davies. Jake Seaton added a second goal for the Swifts before halftime. In the second half, Tenby equalized through Adam Muskett’s penalty and took the lead again through Spencer Williams. However, Dylan Davies

rescued a point for Monkton Swifts with a late goal.

Tenby Line-up: Dylan Noot, Ricki Morgan, Sam Butler, Ned Davies, Toby Rossiter, Dan Storer (Captain), Richard Perry, Spencer Williams, Chris Millward, James Mansbridge, Adam Muskett.

Monkton Swifts Line-up: Stuart James, Chris Richards (Captain), Will Abrahams, Jake Seaton, Ben Steele, Noah Davison, Jamie Wilkes, Dylan Davies, Cameron Brunton, Nathan Ferrier, Josh Dearsley. Referee: John Jenkins.

Kilgetty Stages Dramatic Comeback with Lloyd Hughes’ Superb Double

Kilgetty pulled off a remarkable turnaround to defeat Merlins Bridge 3-2. The hosts, Merlins Bridge, started strongly with an early goal courtesy of striker Joe Leahy, followed by a second goal by Tom Jago, doubling their lead.

Wizards manager Jay Kennedy must have been pleased with his team’s performance, taking a comfortable two-goal lead into half-time. However, the second half belonged to Kilgetty.

Shortly after the break, Kilgetty was awarded a penalty, which was expertly converted by Lloyd Hughes. Just two minutes later, they leveled the score when Callum Proctor found the net. The visitors completed their comeback with a stunning free-kick from Lloyd Hughes, sealing a 3-2 victory.

This impressive win marks Kilgetty’s second

consecutive league victory, propelling them to ninth place in the table, while Merlins Bridge remains in sixth.

Merlins Bridge Line-up: Rhys Tresfon, Danny Peters, Andrew John, Jordan Thomas, Jamie Palmer, Nick Squire (Captain), Tom Jago, Dai Davies, Joe Leahy, Steffan Williams, Tom Mezzetta. Kilgetty Line-up: Richard Webb, Richard Tebbutt, Ross Hurst, Owain Coombs, Callum Proctor, Richard Cope, Adam Johns, Lloyd Huges, Henry Lawrence, Steve Thomas, Brett Evans. Referee: Paul Rooney.

Clarbeston Road Comes from Behind to Beat Neyland

Clarbeston Road secured a hard-fought victory against Neyland at Knockfield, coming from behind to win 2-1. Neyland played with ten men after Corey Richards received a second yellow card.

Neyland took the lead through Taylor Collins, but Ben John equalized for Clarbeston Road just before half-time. In the second half, Rob Morgans scored the decisive winner for Clarbeston Road.

Clarbeston Road Line-up: Rhys Mansell, Ben Clague, Joules Ward, Matthew Ellis, Rheinallt George (Captain), Jake Booth, Rob Morgans, Ben John, Keegan Summers, Travis Jones.

Neyland Line-up: Jake Payne, Rhys Phillips, Morgan James, Sean Hannon, Jamie Evans, Max Bowman-Davies, Jack John, Corey Richards, Mike Chandler (Captain), Taylor Collins

Manderwood peMBroKeSHire league

Fixtures

v Solva

Pennar Robins II v Letterston

St Florence v Goodwick United II

DIVISION 4

Angle v Fishguard Sports II

Camrose II v Milford Athletic

Carew III v Monkton Swifts III

N Hedges & Saundersfoot v Prendergast Villa

Newport Tigers v St Ishmaels II

Tenby II v Milford United

DIVISION 5

Broad Haven II v Haverfordwest CC II

Hundleton v Narberth II

Letterston II v Pembroke Boro II

Manorbier United v Herbrandston II

Milford Athletic II v Lawrenny II

St Clears II v Johnston II

Week 3 round up - Home nations conquer

collisions, so intense that some may have registered on the Richter scale. Notably, the Springboks set a record with 32 dominant tackles, the highest ever recorded by Opta for a Tier 1 nation.

Georgia and Portugal

Play Out Dramatic Draw in Rugby World Cup

Georgia and Portugal showcased their mettle on the rugby pitch, ending their match in a rare 1818 draw – only the fourth tie in the history of the men’s Rugby World Cup. The contest was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams missing crucial opportunities to secure victory in the dying moments.

Georgia, determined to break the deadlock, pushed for a late equalising try, but their hopes were dashed when they failed to convert it.

Portugal then found themselves in a prime position to snatch victory with a late penalty, but the

heart-wrenching miss left fans on the edge of their seats.

When the dust settles, it’s Portugal who may wear the brighter smiles. Despite being down 13-0 at one point, their remarkable comeback to take an 18-13 lead displayed commendable resilience. This draw marks the first time Portugal has avoided defeat in a Rugby World Cup match, a significant achievement for the Portuguese squad.

Ireland Prevails Over South Africa in a Clash of Titans

The rugby world witnessed a fierce battle as Ireland triumphed over South Africa with a final score of 13-8. The match featured bone-crushing

Amidst the physicality, both teams showcased glimpses of high-quality rugby. However, Ireland’s struggles with their set piece, losing six lineouts –their most since November 2010 against the same opponent – nearly became the talking point of the match had they not clinched victory.

South Africa’s kicking game also faltered, with four missed kicks – a joint record for this World Cup alongside two other matches. This concerning trend leaves coach Jacques Nienaber with much to ponder ahead of a potential quarter-final clash against hosts France.

Ireland’s win marks their 16th consecutive Test victory, placing them in an elite category alongside New Zealand, South Africa, and England for their impressive winning streak. The possibility of surpassing these teams hinges on their performance in the upcoming matches, making it the minimum objective for coach Andy Farrell’s

conquer in spectaular fashion

determined squad.

England Dominates Chile with RecordBreaking Performance England delivered a resounding performance, defeating Chile 71-0 in a match that saw Chile initially holding their own for the first 20 minutes. However, the momentum shifted when Henry Arundell scored the opening try, setting the stage for England’s dominance.

Arundell’s remarkable achievement of scoring five tries in a single match made him only the fourth player in the history of the men’s Rugby World Cup to achieve this feat. Notably, he also became the second-youngest player to score three or more tries in a single tournament match, with the legendary Jonah Lomu holding the record as the youngest.

Wales Stun Australia with Historic Victory Wales concluded the weekend in spectacular fashion with a convincing 40-6 victory over two-time champions Australia. This triumph marked Wales’ largest-ever win in a Test against the Wallabies and inflicted Australia’s

Jac Morgan lauded as “Phenomenal” leader for Wales

heaviest defeat in Rugby World Cup history, ironically surpassing a previous record set by an Eddie Jones-coached England team in 2019.

Although various head-to-head statistics suggested a closer contest, Wales demonstrated their clinical prowess. They capitalised on scoring opportunities, entering the Wallabies’ 22 eleven times and averaging 2.8 points per entry, in stark contrast to Australia’s four entries at an average of 0.8 points per entry.

Gareth Anscombe’s 23 points, achieved through precise kicking, matched Dan Biggar’s record for the most points by a Wales player in a Rugby World Cup match. This victory marks a crucial moment for Wales, as they steadily build momentum and could potentially mount a formidable challenge for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup in this year’s tournament.

Wales’ Rugby World Cup journey is gathering momentum, with their captain, Jac Morgan, being hailed as a “phenomenal” leader after instrumental performances that have propelled the team into the quarter-finals.

At just 23 years old, Jac Morgan, a dynamic flanker, has emerged as the standout player for Wales in this tournament, playing pivotal roles in crucial victories over Fiji and Australia in Pool C. Despite having only 14 caps to his name and captaining Wales just four times, Morgan’s leadership and allround game have drawn comparisons to rugby legend Sam Warburton, who steered Wales to a World Cup semi-final at the tender age of 22 in 2011.

Wales has already secured a spot in the quarter-finals, and victory over Georgia in Nantes next week will guarantee them the top spot in their group. This achievement marks their fourth consecutive World Cup campaign in the knockout phase under the guidance of head coach Warren Gatland.

Wales assistant coach

and forwards specialist, Jonathan Humphreys, showered praise on Jac Morgan, saying, “Jac is phenomenal. He is one of these guys where nothing fazes him. He is just the same kid all the way through the week, then two minutes before the game, just the same kid. He is brave, and he has such an impact on the game, such an impact on

the group.”

Morgan shares the captaincy for the World Cup with hooker Dewi Lake, and Gatland commended Morgan’s growth in this role, saying, “He is definitely a player who leads from the front. I thought he was outstanding (against Australia), and he did exactly that. It was a brilliant performance from

him.”

Wales, following a few days’ break after their impressive 40-6 victory over Australia, is now gearing up for their next challenge against Georgia. The team’s solid pack and their ability to be a “hard team to beat” have been key to their success, according to full-back Liam Williams and lock Will Rowlands.

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