The Pembrokeshire Herald 26/01/2024

Search for woman called off

ThE search for a woman, who was feared missing at sea after being observed at the water’s edge in Porthcawl, has been concluded.

Sentenced for breaking police officer’s watch

A PEMBROKE

DOCK man has appeared before magistrates after admitting breaking a police officer’s wristwatch as he was being loaded into a custody van.

Richard John was arrested soon after 8pm on May 21, 2023, after he began following an unknown male through the streets of Pembroke Dock.

as well as one of its side buttons, which resulted in the watch being unworkable. The cost of repairing the watch totalled £169.

The coastguard indicated that an ongoing police investigation is examining the circumstances. South Wales Police responded to reports of a woman sighted off the esplanade in Porthcawl, Bridgend county, shortly before 18:05 GMT on Tuesday.

RNLI, and police, engaged in an overnight search, which was suspended around 02:00 on Wednesday.

Emergency services, including the coastguard,

Rescue efforts recommenced later that Wednesday morning at the police’s request, facing “extremely

challenging” conditions. However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed on Wednesday evening that the search and rescue operation had ceased.

Croydon man denies violent assault in Tenby

AT Swansea Crown Court last week, Nathan Smith, a 41-year-old man from Croydon, vehemently denied charges of assaulting and strangling a woman in Penally Manor, near the coastal town of Tenby, Pembrokeshire.

The alleged violent incident is alleged to have occurred on December 17, 2023.

Smith, who is currently held at HMP Swansea, faced the court on January 19, pleading not guilty to both charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against Shania Smith.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson informed the court of a delayed bail application, pending a necessary consultation between South Wales Police and the Metropolitan Police over the suitability of a London-based bail address. Defence barrister James McKenna

concurred, emphasising the importance of the Metropolitan Police’s input in the bail proceedings.

Judge Geraint Walters highlighted the complexity of the situation, acknowledging

the Police’s response as a significant, albeit not decisive, factor in the bail decision. Walters was remanded Smith in custody, scheduling a bail hearing for January 24.

The trial, set for April 24.

“The defendant began following the victim down the street, calling him a nonce,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“[The victim] became concerned and he phoned the police.”

But following the officers’ arrival, John’s verbal attacks and abusive behaviour continued.

“He was warned by the officers and told to move away, but he continued,” said Ms Vaughan.

“He was arrested and put into a police van but as one of the officer’s was attempting to get him in, the defendant damaged the officer’s watch.”

Ms Vaughan said that during the tussle, the strap of the officer’s Suunto Spartan Ultra wristwatch was broken

John, 40, of Pennar, Pembroke Dock, appeared before magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison where he is currently on remand for an unrelated offence. He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and an additional charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was legally represented by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“My client was heavily intoxicated that night and has little recollection of what took place,” he said.

“He regrets what took place but he was drinking alcohol very heavily at that time as he didn’t have regular accommodation. Since he’s been in prison, he’s been seeking help for his mental health but also for his long-term usage of alcohol.”

Richard John was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £169 compensation for the damage caused to the officer’s wristwatch.

Fears for future of major store

ThE hERALD understands that the largest shop in Charles Street, Milford haven is under threat, and may close as soon as April this year.

The store, based in the former Woolworth’s building, sells fashion, homewares, toys and personal care products.

The Original Factory Shop slipped back into the red during its latest financial year as the government’s Covid support measures came to an end.

It is understood that staff at the store are aware that the shop may soon close.

Footfall in high streets has not recovered postCovid, and many more shoppers are buying from The Original Factory Shop’s website

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which was launched in 2010.

After a brief return to profitability, The Original Factory Shop has slipped back into financial difficulties. The end of government Covid support measures has significantly impacted the company’s finances. According to recent documents filed with Companies House, the company experienced a downturn from a £6.6 million profit to a £286,000 pre-tax loss in the year ending March 26, 2023. Revenue also saw a decrease from £124.4 million to £118.7 million, accompanied by a slight reduction in staff numbers from

1,936 to 1,877.

In June 2018, the company announced the closure of 32 stores due to falling profits and the withdrawal of credit insurance. Despite experiencing a substantial revenue increase in the financial year 2021/22, the company has faced challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis, affecting consumer sentiment and increasing overhead costs.

The company’s statement, endorsed by the board, highlighted these challenges but also noted a robust financial performance with an EBITDA of £4.6 million, down from £8.5 million in the previous fiscal year. Investments in identifying new store opportunities were

mentioned, resulting in the opening of ten new sites in strategic locations.

In a move to bolster its financial stability, The Original Factory Shop recently renewed its £12 million flexible asset-based loan facility for an additional three years, extending it to December 2023, which was previously set to expire in April 2024.

The potential closure of the Milford Haven store has raised concerns among the staff and the local community, marking a possible significant shift in the retail scene of Charles Street.

The Original Factory Shop headquarters in Burnley has been contacted for a comment,

Accused of carrying imitation

firearm

A WARRANT without bail has been issued for the arrest of a Pembroke Dock man accused of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place.

Kane Stewart is accused of carrying a BB gun through Salutation Square, Haverfordwest during an alleged incident on January 3.

in a public place, namely Salutation Square and of possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis.

He is further charged with possessing a knife

Stewart, 18, of Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock was summoned to appear

before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday morning, January 23. Following his failure to appear, magistrates issued a warrant without bail for his arrest.

Blaze ‘in room’ at seafront hotel

TENBY high Street was closed off on Wednesday due to an emergency incident at the Royal Lion hotel, where fire crews are addressing a room fire. The incident has prompted the deployment of several fire engines and a water truck to the location, which is a key route into the Walled Town.

Firefighters, carrying hoses and oxygen tanks, have been observed entering the hotel to manage the situation.

The extent of the fire or any potential damages is currently unknown, but

there were at least three fire engines at the scene, The Herald understands. The alarm was raised just before 17:00 HRS on Wednesday, witnesses at the scene said. In a separate but simultaneous incident, workers from Welsh Water/Dwr Cymru are attending to a burst water main further up the High Street. This issue has led to a temporary suspension of water supply to nearby businesses and properties. Welsh Water has confirmed the burst main on their website and anticipates restoring full water supply by tonight.

A Welsh Water spokesperson stated: “Our crews are currently on-site repairing a burst main on High Street, Tenby. We are working to restore water supplies as quickly as possible and thank the public for their patience.”

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for a statement regarding the fire at the Royal Lion Hotel.

Local authorities advise avoiding the High Street area until the situations are resolved and normalcy is restored.

Shoplifting spree

A COURT has heard how a haverfordwest man stole a packet of cooked chicken and a dog lead from B&M after enduring what his solicitor described as ‘extremely long waiting times’ at the Bro Cerwyn Crisis centre.

Earlier this week, Haverfordwest magistrates heard how Paul Roberts, 44, had been taken tothe Bro Cerwyn Centre by police officers on June 30 after they became concerned for his mental welfare.

“The officers became concerned for his mental health issues and so they took him to Bro Cerwyn,” Roberts’ solicitor, Mr Michael Kelleher, told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The defendant was waiting to see the Crisis team, but as you all know I’m sure, there are extremely long waiting times. He wasn’t thinking straight so he walked into two stores and tried to take various items.”

Roberts, of Gerald

Road, Haverfordwest, attempted to steal a packet of cooked chicken and a chicken sandwich from Haverfordwest’s Lidl store before entering B&M and stealing a Huntley dog chain, a Huntley dog collar and a packet of cooked chicken. The stolen items were valued at £12.25

Following his subsequent arrest he was found to be in possession of a quantity of diazepam, which is a controlled class C drug, as well as a quantity of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty to all four charges.

For possessing the Class B drug, Paul Roberts was fined £80. He was given a conditional discharge for six months for stealing the items from B&M. No separate penalties were awarded on the two remaining charges.

He was also ordered to pay £12.25 compensation to B&M for the stolen items, £85 costs and a £32 court surcharge.

Cause of fire that killed couple unclear

AN INQUEST conducted today has yet to uncover the cause of a tragic fire in St Dogmaels, which claimed the lives of a local couple, David Bowen Edwards, 60, and Margaret Eleanor Edwards, 55. The inquest, presided over by Deputy Pembrokeshire Coroner Gareth Lewis, heard that the fire occurred in December 2022 at the couple’s Church Lane residence.

The couple, who had been married for 18 years and together for 35, were well-known in the community. Mr. Edwards, a full-time carer for his wife, and Mrs. Edwards, who required a hospitaltype bed for her health

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conditions, were described as deeply devoted to each other.

Emergency services responded to the fire in the early hours of December 11, 2022.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a severe blaze that had engulfed the small terraced house, spreading to the upper floor and roof. Mrs. Edwards was found unresponsive downstairs and could not be revived despite resuscitation efforts. Mr. Edwards was later discovered deceased in the house after firefighters were forced to retreat due to the fire’s intensity.

The post mortem

reports indicated Mrs. Edwards died from carbon monoxide poisoning, while Mr. Edwards succumbed to burns.

Fire scene investigator Steven Christopher Rowland reported conducting a thorough examination of the scene. The investigation suggested the fire originated in the front downstairs bedroom, where Mrs. Edwards slept. Although an extension lead under her bed showed signs of arcing, and both her bed and mattress were connected to power outlets, Mr. Rowland stated that the precise cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Deputy Coroner Lewis acknowledged that while there was

no direct evidence linking the fire to the equipment provided by Pembrokeshire Community Equipment Services, he noted a potential lack of servicing and maintenance. He urged the service, a joint initiative by Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board, to reinforce their maintenance duties.

The inquest concluded with a verdict of accidental death for both Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. Deputy Coroner Lewis extended heartfelt condolences to their family and friends. The investigation into the fire’s exact cause remains ongoing.”

Ariel makes remarkable recovery after major surgery

ARIEL, a delightful Cocker Spaniel puppy from Pembrokeshire, has captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide with her incredible journey of recovery and resilience.

Ariel, who was born with multiple congenital anomalies, including six legs and two vulvas, was tragically abandoned in Pembroke town centre. Fortunately, Greenacres Animal Rescue stepped in to provide her with the care she desperately needed. The initial medical management was undertaken by Fenton Vets and the SMART clinic, who provided the essential early care. However, it soon became apparent that Ariel required specialist intervention, leading to her referral to the renowned Langford Vets at the University of Bristol.

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The surgery, while not typical, was described as ‘uneventful’, a testament to the skill and expertise of the medical team. Postoperation, Ariel showed incredible courage and resilience, taking the significant changes in her stride.

Greenacres Rescue has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for Ariel, with her story resonating globally, attracting attention from as far afield as Australia, China, and the USA. The organisation expressed its gratitude to the public for their support and to the veterinary teams for their exceptional care.

The veterinary team at Langford Vets, including surgeons Aaron Lutchman and Ed Friend, undertook a complex surgical procedure to remove Ariel’s additional limbs.

In a recent update, Ariel’s leading vet, Aaron, reported that the surgery went very well and Ariel was recovering swiftly. The successful operation has paved the way for Ariel to lead a normal, healthy life,

something that seemed almost unattainable given her challenging start in life.

As Ariel continues her recovery, the team at Greenacres Rescue

remains dedicated to her care, eagerly anticipating her discharge. This remarkable story of resilience and the triumph of compassionate care has truly captured the hearts of

people around the world, serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder of the extraordinary work done by animal rescues and veterinary professionals.

Greenacres Rescue extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who has followed and supported Ariel’s journey, and to the generous donors who contribute to the wellbeing of animals in need.

The looming Welsh housing crisis:

WALES is in a housing crisis, but official figures suggest that need not be the case

There are around 1.5m dwellings in Wales.

They range from bedsits to grand mansions, from granny annexes to purposebuilt executive homes built to satisfy “local” housing demand in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

A WALK ThROUGh ThE DATA

The ONS classes 120,450 of those as longterm vacant, with 85.4% of those genuinely vacant and the remaining 14.6% second homes.

Putting those percentages into numbers gives us 102,864 empty properties across Wales.

The Welsh Government counts vacant properties and second homes according to their Council Tax status.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

As a result, the Welsh Government says fewer than 23,000 properties are vacant.

There is a yawning chasm between the ONS count of vacant properties and the Welsh Government’s that cannot solely be accounted for by differing counting methodologies or ways of reckoning long-term vacancy.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, 12,537 Welsh households were assessed as homeless or owed a duty by local authorities to help them secure accommodation.

Another 11,185 individuals were in temporary accommodation in Wales as of August 2023. That is likely an underestimate due to the number of hidden homeless - for example, sofa surfers and those living in insecure

accommodations with relatives or friends.

No matter how you cut it, however, there is more than enough vacant property in Wales to house all those without a permanent roof over their heads.

MORE NEW hOMES, MORE WAITING FOR hOMES

That something has gone wrong in the Welsh

planning system is made even more obvious by referring to Wales’s housebuilding record and census results.

Between 2011 and 2021, the Welsh population grew by around 90,000 individuals. In the same period, housebuilders built around 60,000 new dwellings.

Some of those 60,000 dwellings will appear in the vacant home statistics,

Solutions are available

but the number must be vanishingly small.

Housebuilders are businesses; they would not build new homes - and carry on building themunless demand for them existed in the markets at which they are targeted.

As things stand, housebuilders will continue to build more than enough houses to account for any population increase; yet, the number of homeless people in Wales, the number of families in temporary accommodation, and the numbers in unsuitable accommodation waiting to be rehoused is growing.

Something, somewhere, doesn’t add up.

For example, both Ceredigion County Council and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park area continue giving planning permission for more homes. However, in both, the population is falling.

THE MARKET ISN’T WORKING

The reasons for such a disconnection in a complex market could be manifold.

Existing housing stock, the bricks and mortar of homes already built, remains in place. It would be ludicrous to suggest

applications for new housing across West Wales shows a pattern of housebuilders promising to build affordable homes for local families only to return later to say that if they build those homes, it will make building houses unaffordable.

In those circumstances, Council Planning Committees are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The original decision to grant planning must be based on demand and need, regardless of the number of affordable homes offered at that stage. Moreover, the areas for housing development will have been earmarked for such development in planning authorities’ Local Development Plans.

that housebuilders erected 60,000 plus new houses in a decade because 60,000 older ones were demolished or unfit. There is no evidence of that churn in housing stock.

One possibility underpinning second homes Council Tax charges and extended taxation on holiday homes is that houses are removed from Wales’s local markets and service external demand for them by non-residents.

In that scenario, the number of properties affordable by prospective local buyers or renters falls while incomers with greater means snap up available homes. As the number of available properties falls, demand comes to outstrip supply, causing homes to become unaffordable whether to buy or rent.

In some localised housing markets, that scenario’s undoubtedly the case. But it cannot be the sole cause of Wales’s housing crisis.

A BROKEN PLANNING SYSTEM

Wales’s planning system creates and embeds a dysfunctional property market - and it does so by design.

Looking back at

planning authorities to look on the sunny side of economic forecasting.

An LDP seldom predicts fewer or less well-paid jobs in the coming decade. Everything is geared to the new and ambitious instead of considering a cautious approach to economic reality. Wales’s economic growth is negligible - the same as the rest of the UK’s - but you’d never think so from LDPs.

It is “field of dreams” planning: if you build it (new unaffordable homes), they (well-paid new jobs and young professionals with higher incomes) will come.

Sentenced for breaching order

A PENALLY man has been sentenced after messaging a friend he had known for 30 years while she was in the company of another woman he had been prohibited from contacting.

Unknown to Shane Lloyd, his actions resulted in him breaching a restraining order which had been imposed by a law court in July 2023.

The two-year order prevented Shane Lloyd from having any direct or indirect contact with his former partner, and the order was to run until 2025.

Tom Lloyd, stressed that his client was unaware that his actions constituted a breach.

“My client contacted a woman who he has been friends with for 30 years,” he said. “There’s nothing stopping him from contacting that lady and he’s at liberty to do so.

A Planning Committee cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater. Houses must go up because a statutory plan says they must. However, councils have no tools to tackle developers and landowners gaming the system by promising something they do not intend to deliver.

In addition, landowners whose land appears earmarked for housing in LDPs can simply bank the land and the presumption favouring development. That reduces the amount of land available for new homes, further driving up the price of those homes when they are built.

The Welsh Government carries responsibility for Wales’s defective planning regime. The system needs reform from top to bottom to address its chronic underfunding and discourage speculation within the system.

WRONG hOMES IN ThE WRONG PLACES

Building the wrong dwellings in the wrong places is a separate but connected issue.

The dissonance between what those on low to average incomes need and what is being built is hard to square. The Welsh Government encourages

Look at Pembrokeshireor, better, Carmarthenshire. Boundless, self-promoting, self-deluding optimism has dominated LDPs and their predecessor development plans for over a decade. Yet net economic expansion has never arrived to justify it.

Until planning authorities look at the real world and the existing demand of those seeking to buy or rent affordable homes, they will continue to fuel market speculation favouring those with large disposable incomes or plenty of capital.

It’s pricing locals out of their home areas. Tinkering at the edges through ineffective development agreements, Council Tax changes, and increasing the taxes on holiday lets will not even touch the sides of Wales’s housing crisis.

But on January 17, 2024, Lloyd sent messages to a friend via Facebook.

“The defendant called her on Facebook messenger when she was with his former partner,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The call was on speaker so his former partner was able to hear everything that was being said. He began screaming and shouting abuse that he was going to kick the door down and kick [his partner’s] head in. This has affected her and she’s petrified.”

Lloyd, of Alma Gardens, Penally, pleaded guilty to the charge of breaching the restraining order, however his solicitor,

“He was literally talking to an old friend in text messages, not realising that his friend happened to be with his former partner. So he accepts now that he was in breach. But if he’d known that at the time, he would never have messaged her.”

After considering the mitigation, magistrates extended Lloyd’s restraining order by two years, which means it will now run until 2027. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 court surcharge.

Drug-driving offence

AhAVERFORDWEST

motorist has been ordered off the roads for three years after being convicted of his second drug-driving offence in a ten year period.

Nathan Murdoch, 34, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday when he pleaded guilty to driving above the specified legal drugs limit.

Magistrates were told that officers stopped him at around 3pm on July 14 in order to carry out a routine check as he was driving his VW Golf through Waterston, near Milford Haven

“His pupils were dilated and he volunteered that he had been smoking cannabis the previous day,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

‘Dead bodies’ at Stephen Crabb’s door

Ms Vaughan informed magistrates that Murdoch, of North Court, Haverfordwest, was convicted of a similar offence in 2019.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Peter Tarr.“He’d consumed cannabis the day before and was under the impression that he would be ok to drive the following day,” he said.

“He used to smoke [cannabis] daily, and has cut back to the extent that he very rarely uses it, so he’s taking steps in the right direction.”

Murdoch was disqualified from driving for a total of 36 months. He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, while further blood tests carried out at the police custody suite confirmed he had 2.8mcg of tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The prescribed legal limit is 2.

Sex offender sentenced

A 77-YEAR-OLD sex offender has appeared before haverfordwest magistrates after failing to comply with the notification requirements following a Crown Court conviction in 2015.

Roy Wilson of Victoria Gardens, Johnston, was requested to attend the police station on December 14 in compliance with the sex offenders’ register requirements. But his failure to attend resulted in a court appearance at Haverfordwest magistrates earlier this week where he pleaded guilty to his failure to comply.

“This is his fifth breach, but it’s the first time that he has been charged,”said Crown Prosecutor, Sian Vaughan. “So on this occasion, the [police] tolerance must have been exhausted.”

Wilson was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He neglected to register on the 14th but was phoned on the 18th to attend at the police station, where he was

DOZENS of ProPalestine demonstrators took to the streets of haverfordwest on Saturday (Jan 20) where they staged a ‘Mock Funeral’ on Castle Square representing 24,448 dead Palestinians who have been killed in Israel’s War on Gaza in the last 100 days.

The protestors then marched on Tory MP Stephen Crabb’s Office where the dead bodies were once again laid on the street and outside his Office door.

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desperately limited access to food, medicines and water.

One of the organisers Jim Scott of Stop the War Pembrokeshire said: “What kind of world are we living in where we have to make mock up dead bodies like this for a demonstration?! It is just beyond unfathomable what the people of Gaza are going through right now.

interviewed,” he said. “He said he’d forgotten.

“My client is 78 years old and he simply has a bad memory and suffers from various medical ailments, including bone cancer and prostate cancer. He has most things delivered to him and he spends much of the day on his own, asleep. And that is his life.”

Mr Kelleher said that his client tries to record important dates on a noticeboard inside his home.

“Most things that require his action come with a card or some form of notification, but this particular event is a yearly occurrence. It has no notification, so it’s entirely down to him.

“ It was a dreadful mistake, but he realises this now, and he will not make that same mistake again.”

Mr Kelleher informed magistrates that Roy Wilson will remain on the sex offenders register until 2025.

Wilson was fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Protester Ayesha Hussain stated, “it’s awful that we’ve had to come out again today because our MP Stephen Crabb has STILL refused to call for a ceasefire and stop the killing of innocent men, women and children in Gaza. It’s disgraceful that this is still allowed to happen. We won’t be going away. We will remain steadfast until Palestine is free and until Stephen Crabb grows a backbone and calls for a ceasefire!”

Since October 7th, 24,448 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza,10,400 of these were children and 7,100 women, a further 61,504 have been injured with 7,000 missing, 337 health workers, 117 journalists and 152 UN staff have been killed while 1.9 million Palestinians are now displaced with

Stephen Crabb & Simon Hart MP have blood on their hands. Crabb isn’t just complicit in the killings in Gaza, he Called for this in Parliament in October before it even happened! He’s the Chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel and is part of their propaganda machine de-humanising innocent babies, children, women and men. This is genocide, nothing less and Crabb will be judged by history for this”

The Campaign group Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire has also begun delivering weekly open letters to Stephen Crabb. This week’s letter focussed on the Genocide case in the Hague against Israels’s war crimes asking Stephen Crabb: “Will you support the ICJ ruling?” [if the international court decides that Israel is committing a Genocide in

Gaza.] Campaigners announced today that next week’s open letter to Stephen Crabb will be an invitation to meet with them and to discuss and justify his current position on the killings taking place in Palestine.

Farhana Akhtar said, ‘we have had to wrap white clothes around items to create makebelieve shrouds to raise awareness and make a powerful statement. Sadly, it is not makebelief in Gaza! The only items coming to Gaza in surplus are shrouds and it’s abhorrent that most of these shrouds are tiny in size as Israel continues its onslaught against children! We will not stop. We will be the voice for the voiceless and we will not be deterred!’

Key National Trade Unionists gave speeches at the rally including Cerith Griffiths of the Fire Brigades Union Cymru and Mairéad Canavan a National Executive member

of the NEU (National Education Union) who said: “I am supporting the demonstration because this is a human catastrophe caused by the deliberate action of the Government of Israel and is clearly a war crime and an act of genocide. The UK government has failed to call for a permanent ceasefire and continues to give unconditional support to Israel. As a teacher I’m particularly horrified by the cost of the genocide to children. Since 7 October 2023 , at least 23,469 Palestinians were killed in Gaza and 59,604 Palestinians were reportedly injured. Some 70 percent of the fatalities are women and children.” Since October 7, local demonstrations have repeatedly marched on Stephen Crabb’s constituency office as well as targeting Marks & Spencer and Barclays bank over their support for Israel’s war and occupation in Palestine, weekly vigils have also been held.

Guilty plea to manslaughter and attempted murder

VALDO CALOCANE a university graduate who formerly lived in haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility due to mental illness, in the harrowing Nottingham stabbings case. Known also as Adam Mendes, Calocane admitted to the killing of three and the attempted murder of three others during a spree of violence on 13 June last year.

Details of Calocane’s early life in Haverfordwest and his academic prowess came

to light following the incident. He completed a degree in mechanical engineering and resided near Ilkeston Road in Nottingham, close to where the tragic events unfolded.

The first attack, as revealed in Nottingham Crown Court this week, was on Grace O’Malley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber. Both 19-year-old University of Nottingham students were fatally stabbed by Calocane in the early

hours of a Tuesday as they were walking home. Prosecutor Karim Khalil KC described the attacks as “deliberate and merciless,” detailing how O’Malley-Kumar bravely fought to defend Webber before both were overcome.

Following these attacks, Calocane called his brother, ominously stating, “It’s already done,” and advised his family to leave the country. His violent spree continued with an attempted break-in at Seely Hirst House, a hostel for vulnerable men, and a

brutal assault on school caretaker Ian Coates, leaving him critically injured.

Calocane’s rampage escalated as he stole Coates’s van and drove into the city center, hitting several pedestrians. Among the severely injured was Wayne Birkett, who suffered a fractured skull, and pedestrians Sharon Miller and Marcin Gawronski, who narrowly survived the collision.

In the courtroom, Calocane, dressed in a black suit jacket, light-colored shirt, and

glasses, remained impassive. The court was filled with grieving family members and friends of the victims, where emotional sobs were heard as the prosecution detailed the attacks.

CCTV footage, not shown in court, captured Calocane’s movements before the attacks, adding to the chilling narrative presented by the prosecution.

The court also learned of Calocane’s mental health history.

A native of GuineaBissau, he had been under mental health

care since relocating to the UK with his family in 2007. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, he had a history of concealing his psychosis and refusing medication. Incidents in 2020 and 2021, including a confrontation with a police officer and unauthorised entry into apartments, highlighted his deteriorating mental state.

STOP PRESS: as we are going to print the defendant was sentenced to a hospital order indefinitely. the judge said he may never be released.

Paranoid schizophrenia and a plea to MI5

IN a chilling revelation at Nottingham Crown Court, the case of former haverfordwest resident, Valdo Calocane, 32, unveils a tragic narrative of mental illness and missed warning signs. Calocane, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, believed he was under the control of MI5 and other malign forces, a delusion that led to a horrific series of events in Nottingham on 13 June last year.

Calocane, who has admitted to the manslaughter of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber, and Ian Coates on the grounds of diminished responsibility, also attempted to kill three others during his rampage. His defence, led by Peter Joyce KC, highlighted Calocane’s troubled past and his attempts to seek help, including a desperate plea at Thames House, MI5’s headquarters, in May 2021.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Nigel Blackwood detailed Calocane’s history of psychotic delusions. In one instance, Calocane broke into a flat, believing his family was in danger, causing one occupant to leap from an upstairs window in terror. On another occasion, he drove

hundreds of miles to his family home, consumed by the belief they were at risk, yet fearing MI5’s surveillance, he refused to enter.

Despite treatment by mental health services since 2020, Calocane often resisted medication, misled clinicians about his symptoms, and disengaged from mental health practitioners. Dr Blackwood remarked

on his intelligence and ability to conceal his illness, a factor that perhaps contributed to the tragedy’s escalation. Adding to the complexity of the case, it has emerged that an arrest warrant was out for Calocane since September 2022, following an alleged assault on a police officer. This warrant remained active at the time of the June attacks. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin of Nottinghamshire Police has acknowledged

shortcomings in their efforts to apprehend Calocane, though he noted the unlikelihood of Calocane receiving a custodial sentence for the assault.

Psychiatrists have warned of Calocane’s treatment-resistant schizophrenia, posing a deadly risk if he were to refuse medication in prison. “There is a significant risk of lethal behaviours returning,” Dr Blackwood cautioned, stressing the lack of insight Calocane has into his illness

and the moral and legal wrongness of his actions.

His difficulties in Nottingham were a far cry from his upbringing in Haverfordwest.

He moved to Pembrokeshire’s county town with his parents from the West African country of GuineaBissau, where he was born in September 1991. Neighbours described him as a polite churchgoer from a good family who would always say hello to them.

He attended the

Calvary Church along with his carer dad Amissao, 56, nurse mum Celeste, 44, and two younger siblings. Neighbour Marlene Raymond, 55, previously said: “I can picture the eldest boy now in his school uniform, he was very smart and handsome.

“He was very bright, all three children are –they are a nice family and have been lovely neighbours for years. I haven’t seen the oldest boy for some time –since he went away to college or uni. They are very clever, all of them are polite and intelligent children.”

The family worship at the Calvary Church in Haverfordwest which is less than a quarter of a mile from their home. Calocane’s guilty pleas to the manslaughter of Grace, Barnaby and school caretaker Ian Coates were accepted by prosecutors today.

As Calocane awaits sentencing this week, this case serves as a stark reminder of the intersections of mental health, criminal justice, and societal responsibility. It raises crucial questions about how individuals with severe mental illnesses are managed and monitored, especially when they show violent tendencies or seek help in unconventional ways.

School locks pupils out of toilets over concerns about vandalism

A PEMBROKEShIRE

secondary school which opened its new campus just over a year ago, has been compelled to restrict access to some of its toilets following incidents of vandalism.

Haverfordwest High School reports significant damage and misuse of the facilities by a number of pupils.

This decision, however, has sparked concerns among parents regarding the hygiene standards at the school.

A concerned parent, in an email to The Pembrokeshire Herald, highlighted that the school, which accommodates around 1,500 pupils.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Reportedly, out of 12 toilet units, only six are available to students at different times of the day. The Herald has learned that as many as 24 toilets have been locked for several weeks, with the school administration yet to communicate when they will be reopened.

This has led to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in the remaining toilets, as described by another worried parent. Accounts detail unsettling scenes of unclean seats, fecal matter on walls, and rampant littering. The growing frustration among parents is palpable, particularly concerning the health risks posed to their children in such an environment. The issue is compounded by what is claimed to be a lack of response from the school administration.

One parent alleges that after sending daily emails to Haverfordwest High VC School for a week without response, a recent phone call was initially met with denial, only to be acknowledged when evidence was mentioned.

An anonymous source stated: “At least 24 toilets have been locked for over a month. The open toilets are often filthy, with broken seats, urine on the seats, litter, and frequently no toilet paper. Many children avoid using them during the day, which is detrimental to their health. Despite five unanswered emails last week, I finally received a callback today. The head

is firm on not reopening the other toilets, citing misuse by a few students. However, this seems unfair to the majority who behave appropriately, and I suspect they are violating the required toilet-to-pupil ratio.”

In response to inquiries from The Pembrokeshire Herald, a spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council stated: “The School had taken the

difficult decision to limit access to toilets due to concerns over the way in which pupils had previously been treating the facilities.

“This has allowed members of staff to closely monitor the toilets used in an effort to identify the limited number of pupils causing mess and damage and to discourage pupils gathering in toilets to improve promptness to lessons.

“The access has been regularly reviewed to ensure there were no queues or pupils unable to access facilities and that they were suitably equipped.”

The council spokesperson added: “The School has this week opened an additional block of toilets and will continue to review the situation regularly.”

Policies will devastate rural Wales

WELS h GOVERNMENT rural policy will lead to job losses equivalent to double the amount forecasted at Port Talbot Steelworks.

That’s according to research the Labour government commissioned into the impact of its controversial Sustainable Farming Scheme.

The headline figure, 5,000 job losses across rural Wales, appears in an independent report into the Scheme’s impact.

When Tata Steel announced plans to cut 2,500 jobs in Port Talbot, Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay swiftly condemned the company. They highlighted the massive negative impact on the local community and wider supply chain jobs. They blamed the Westminster government for failing to plan for the future.

However, ministers have proven less keen on drawing attention to the negative consequences of their decisions.

REPORT’S “SHOCKING ASSESSMENT”

The recently published Potential Economic Effects of the Sustainable Farming Scheme Phase 4 Universal Actions Modelling Results research, carried out by ADAS, Pareto Consulting SRUC and University College Dublin, paints a bleak picture for Welsh farming. The modelling, based on the potential economic effects of the previous 2022 outline proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), predicts:

A 122,200 reduction in Welsh livestock units, in effect a 10.8% reduction in Welsh livestock numbers;

An 11% cut in labour on Welsh farms – the equivalent of losing 5,500 jobs based on current employment levels on Welsh farms;

A £125.3m hit to output from the sector and a loss of £199 million

to farm business income (85%)

ThEN AND NOW

The report’s findings are similar to one commissioned by the Welsh Government in 2009.

That report, prepared during EU negotiations about the Common Agricultural Policy, told Welsh Ministers that tampering with the subsidy regime would devastate Welsh farming.

Despite that, its current plans will cause negative impacts of which Ministers are - or should be - aware.

The difference is that in 2009, Welsh Government ministers fought for Welsh agriculture.

That’s not happening now.

Last week, Plaids Rural Affairs spokesperson, Lly Gruffydd MS, told the Herald he had never known a Welsh Government as hostile to farming as the current one.

His observation, fuelled by what farming unions described as “ignorant” and “uneducated” comments

by Labour backbenchers, including Joyce Watson, appear borne out by the report’s content.

Welsh Government ministers are happy to let rural Wales go hang while wringing their hands about job losses elsewhere.

As usual, it is always somebody else’s fault.

ALARM BELLS RING

Commenting, Samuel Kurtz, Shadow Rural Affairs Minister and Senedd Member for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said: “The Welsh Government’s commissioned report has reached a frightening conclusion and has rightly set alarm bells ringing within the agricultural industry.

“Destocking by the back door, over 5000 jobs lost, and farm business income taking a multimillion-pound hit – that’s the Welsh Government’s plan for agriculture, leaving it devastated.

“Farmers in Wales need a friend, and if further evidence was needed that this Welsh Government is no friend of farming, this report is just that.”

NFU Cymru

expressed outrage and dismay at the plans.

It said the report’s content “makes a mockery” of the Welsh Government consultation ‘Keeping Farmers Farming’.

The union added, “It is a pure fallacy” to suggest that the Welsh Government aims to “Keep Farmers Farm’ when the report shows the harm its proposals will do.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “The model makes some assumptions - including a projected 100% uptake of the Scheme by Welsh farmers. Nevertheless, these findings are shocking to read.

“Even though this modelling relates to the 2022 proposals, given that the fundamental elements of the Scheme have barely changed, the industry’s significant concerns about this impact assessment remain entirely valid.”

Mr Jones highlighted that wider impacts on Wales’s rural economy remain unmodelled.

“As recently as July last year, the Welsh Government announced record food and drink exports from Wales.

“Not even six months later, this report forecasts

that the core production base and producers behind this achievement will be significantly reduced. “The Welsh food and drink sector is Wales’ largest employer and delivers multiple benefits for the Welsh environment, economy, communities and culture; it is a huge success story for this country, and our ambition must be to support it.”

LOSING ThE COUNTRY

Every £1 the Welsh Government provides to Welsh agriculture generates £9 in return for Wales’s economy.

The web of connections to Welsh agriculture extends to diverse businesses across several sectors.

Agricultural machinery businesses, garages, fuel suppliers, food processing, seasonal labour, and small businesses in the service sector all depend on Welsh agricultural production.

The Welsh landscape, curated by Welsh farmers for thousands of years, is a major attraction for Welsh tourists. Many rural areas, including Pembrokeshire, depend

on tourism to bolster an economy beyond the end of the M4.

The effects of the urban and suburban Labour Party’s drive to eliminate Welsh farming to pursue its green dreams will cost far more than money.

Wales’s rural communities are centres for the Welsh language and culture.

Driving Welsh farmers, their families, and the communities depending on them off the land will drive them out of rural Wales.

The Welsh Government’s plans to plonk trees on productive agricultural land will never provide enough jobs whittling lovespoons to replace those losses.

And, while Tata argues commercial necessity, the Welsh Government is acting on choice.

Those choices could haunt Labour in rural Welsh seats, such as Pembrokeshire, that it must win to form a government.

Sir Keir Starmer said voters should look to Wales to see what Labour does in government. You can guarantee that Conservatives will do just that.

Charity funds creative activities for NHS staff to boost wellbeing

ThANKS to your generous donations, hywel Dda health Charities – the official charity of hywel Dda University health Board – has provided £35,000 to fund a twoyear programme of creative activities for NhS staff across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Hywel Dda Arts & Health Team has successfully delivered a two-year pilot programme of creative activities for staff which demonstrated how the arts can play an important role in improving staff wellbeing, retention, and patient care.

The new programme will empower even more NHS staff to benefit from a diverse programme of creative activities, promoting a healthy culture of break-taking and self-care.

Kathryn Lambert, Arts in Health Coordinator, said: “We believe that the creative activity provision has already contributed to a culture change

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

across the Health Board, in which staff are being encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

“Our incredible NHS workforce faces many challenges on a daily basis. The two-year programme will enable even more staff across the Health Board to benefit from creative activity, enhancing their wellbeing, morale and coping skills.”

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

Pembrokeshire’s

THE FARMERS’ Union of Wales’ Farmhouse Breakfast has quickly become an integral part of the calendar in Pembrokeshire, and Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz joined the local farming community in celebrating the best of local produce, while raising money for charity.

Held annually, the Farmhouse Breakfast is an opportunity for the rural community to come together over a locally sourced breakfast, all while raising money for FUW President, Ian Rickman’s Chairty of the Year, the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. In total, over £1000 was raised.

Speaking following the event, Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies said: “On a freezing Friday morning,

Senedd Members sample FUW’s farmhouse breakfast

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

the breakfast warmed me up and started the day off well. The company, as always, was welcoming and it was great to see many familiar faces. Pembrokeshire has a proud agricultural tradition, and it is good to see local produce being enjoyed by so many guests. The FUW do a great job in promoting the farming industry and supporting our farmers and I am grateful once again for them arranging today’s event.”

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS, Samuel Kurtz, added: “The FUW Farmhouse Breakfast is one of the highlights of my year. It’s great to enjoy the company of local farming friends whilst tucking into a locally sourced breakfast all while raising money

for an important charity. With so much uncertainty facing the agricultural industry, an opportunity to ‘chew the cud’ with local farmers is always helpful. A special ‘thank you’ to the whole Pembrokeshire

FUW team for putting on another successful event.”

Airport staff thanked for crucial role

ThE CRUCIAL role haverfordwest Airport and its staff play to keep emergency services aircraft flying at any time of day or night has been applauded by blue light teams.

Haverfordwest Airport is operated by Pembrokeshire County Council and its dedicated team of staff go above and beyond to provide emergency services with the support needed to help save lives.

Trained Airport staff are able to provide fuel

with rotors running, allowing the helicopters to get back on service as quickly as possible.

Recently the Airport Manager Philip Davies received thank you letters from Wales Air Ambulance and HM Maritime and Coastguard Agency for assisting out of hours to keep their helicopters flying.

The Wales Air Ambulance required fuel while on a Helicopter Emergency Medical

Service mission in the Cardigan area while flying in low cloud.

The representative of Wales Air Ambulance wrote: “Flying in these weather conditions is all about having a fallback plan or two and having sufficient fuel is often the key.

“The ready availability of fuel at the airport (including out-ofhours) is, in my opinion, essential and your rotors running refuel capability a distinct enhancement.

“Our refuel was conducted in a very safe and efficient manner

and your team are to be commended for their professionalism.”

A further letter from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “The captain of the aircraft, the crew and all of us at the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre would like to thank you and to stress how important the Airport is geographically in allowing us to carry out extra Search and Rescue missions in and around the area.

“The refuel allowed the aircraft up to 45 minutes extra on scene

and although ultimately they were stood down, they couldn’t have gotten back to base without the airport / local Council team going above and beyond to refuel the aircraft.

“The fact that the staff came back to the airport specially to refuel the aircraft even when they were off duty, is a testament to the teams that work there.”

Philip said: “Some people may not know that we provide fuel to the emergency services but we are very proud to do so and play an

important part in helping helicopters carry out their missions.

“Being able to refuel quickly and stay flying for an extra hour or so could make all the difference in medical or search and rescue scenarios.

“We have a very dedicated team here at the Airport who have absolutely no hesitation in taking the call at any time to refuel emergency services when required.

“It’s very nice to see this dedication recognised in these thank you messages.”

MP praises county firefighters

PRESELI

Pembrokeshire

Stephen Crabb MP visited haverfordwest Fire Station on Friday 12th January to meet with crews from one of Pembrokeshire’s important emergency services. Many of the crew had been involved in fighting the two major fires that have taken place in Pembrokeshire in the first few weeks of the 2024 – the blaze at the Waterston Industrial Site and the fire at the Duke of Edinburgh in Newgale. He started his visit to

the Fire Station by hearing about all the prevention action undertaken by the Fire and Rescue Service. As part of a strategy to reduce the risk of emergencies, the Fire and Rescue Service perform free property fire safety checks and alarm checks as well as installing smoke alarms and helping people to plan escape routes.

During his visit

Stephen Crabb MP was able to witness an emergency call at the station and saw the crew respond to planning and preparing in an emergency situation

before departing in the fire engine to Milford Haven.

Stephen was impressed to hear about the breadth of the training that is undertaken at the station from boat handling to road traffic incidents. Stephen was also interested to hear about the work undertaken around the management of wildfires and flooding in the county. Stephen was fascinated to hear about the different career paths of the Haverfordwest team and how well the full-time and retained crews work together to

respond to emergency situations right across the county.

Sadly, one of the most common emergencies in Pembrokeshire is road traffic accidents and Stephen was able to learn more about how these emergencies are responded to and the equipment that is used.

Stephen came away with a better understanding of how the Fire and Rescue Service operates both in emergencies but also in teaching fire safety to local people. Stephen hopes to meet more emergency service members such as the St John’s Ambulance, Coastguard and Welsh Ambulance Service Trust to hear about the work they do to keep our communities safe in Pembrokeshire.

Commenting, Stephen Crabb MP, said: “I thank the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service not only for their work but for taking the time to show me how much they do, and how they keep the people of Pembrokeshire safe day and night.”

“To hear some of the stories and get a better understanding of how they not only fight fire but engage directly with local people is both fascinating and reassuring.”

MIKE EDWARDS

WhEN I was younger and even dafter, I often thought about what it would be like to play rugby for Wales.

There was never a possibility of it happening, but that made my dreams even more vivid.

I would get the ball from Graham Price in a maul, trundle upfield, feed it to Allan Martin, who would palm it to Gareth Edwards, on to Phil Bennett, Steve Fenwick, to Ray Gravell; JPR would burst through the line before sending it back inside where I would collect it and touch down between the posts at the Arms Park.

The crowd would go wild.

And then, as the trite story goes, I would wake up.

When I look at rugby nowadays, I find myself thinking we would all get smashed to bits by eighteen-stone centres made of spanners.

Apart from JPR, of course.

Near the end of his international career, I was in the West Enclosure at the old National Stadium.

It was the year after Paul Ringer stopped being a rugby player and became a martyr at Twickenham. And I was there, watching Wales play England.

England were confident, and Wales were a side palpably past their best.

The ball came out to Mike Slemen, the English winger. He had space, speed, and the line seemingly at his mercy.

He hurtled towards the Welsh line, looking certain to score.

As if from nowhere, a red-shirted bullet wearing a sweatband around his head sped across the turf.

The crowd held its collective breath.

The impact

could have levelled cities. Its sound echoed around the concrete arena.

There was a moment’s silence. Then came a massive roar.

JPR had saved the day.

Again.

Somewhere inside, I thought, “I could do that”. It was a fantasy. I never could. I never would.

When the extraordinary becomes commonplace, its capacity to surprise or awe ends.

In modern rugby, the hits are as massive as the players. Every game has its share of big and bonejolting hits. The speed and power of the game have stripped it of its capacity to inspire awe.

When I grew up, rugby union was a game for all. You had fat props, lanky second rows, small scrum halves, whippetlike wingers, jinking flyhalves, and rugged back rows and centres.

It’s more identikit now. There are great individual talents, but they are - by and large - woven from the same cloth.

For goodness’ sake, I weighed sixteen-and-ahalf stone the last time I played serious rugby.

And I was thought a big bloke.

To put that in perspective, Louis ReesZammit weighs about fifteen-and-a-half stone. And he can run, skip past defenders, and catch the high ball.

The bloke who played hooker for my team weighed a stone less and was out of puff after jogging to the first lineout.

The game of rugby has changed. Players are bigger, faster, and fitter than ever before. But we’ll never see another JPR Williams or share in the dream that we could do that.

Mid and West Wales Fire supports ‘Register My Appliance Week’

MORE than 40 million large appliances in use in UK homes are unlikely to be registered with the manufacturers, rendering them extremely hard to trace if a safety repair is ever needed.

Today, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is supporting Register My Appliance Week and urging all households to take the simplest and most important act of care: registering their home appliances to ensure their brands know where to find them. Whether machines are newly purchased, long installed, have been acquired ‘nearly new’ or second-hand, registration is vital to help ensure the longest possible safe lifespan.

According to a new survey conducted for the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) by YouGov[1], the great majority (60%) of UK adults think their attitude to taking care of their appliances has changed over the past couple of years –whether to try to make their possessions last longer, or to save money or resources. Yet almost a third (32.2%) of people never or rarely register their large appliances. With an estimated 133 million fridges, washing machines and ovens in use in UK homes[2], this could mean some 42.8 million are unregistered. While recalls on home appliances are rare, issues with the equipment can develop over time

and a simple, free inhome adjustment by a qualified engineer can ensure a longer and safer life for machines. But, unlike our cars, a vast number of these valuable possessions are still untraceable because they are unregistered.

AMDEA’s Register My Appliance portal provides a quick and easy remedy offering online access to more than 70 leading brands, with most accepting registration of both new and older appliances.

The survey also revealed that over a quarter (29%) of adults had already purchased a second-hand large appliance in the past and 50% would consider it in the future. Similarly, in the past year, more than a half (53%) of adults

had purchased a small new cooking appliance but the majority (59%) still had not registered them. When it comes to older appliances, many UK adults (57%) are unaware that they can still register a machine even if they never had, or no longer have, the receipt. In most cases, all that is needed for registration is information about the model and serial number, with clear advice provided on the portal for where to find these details.

Wayne Thomas Home Fire Safety Manager said:“Given we are all concerned that our possessions need to last longer, working safely and efficiently, it makes sense to take care to register all our large appliances as well as those small appliances that we’re

increasingly relying on in the kitchen. It’s free and means you will be the first to know if a safety repair is ever needed. Just a few minutes well-spent for peace of mind and it might even extend the life of the appliance.”

The survey also probed consumers understanding of the terminology used to describe different types of ‘nearly new’ appliances. Although the terms ‘refurbished’ and ‘display model’ were understood by 73.4% and 72% of people respectively, only 46.2% knew what ‘out-of-box’ meant, and only 22.4% say they understood the term ‘graded’. 12.6% were baffled by all the descriptions.

While manufacturers and outlets may use slightly different terms to describe ‘nearly new’ or pre-used appliances, it’s always good to question why the product is reduced and check for a warranty. For initial guidance definitions are usually as follows:

• Out-of-box, or open box: Literally it is no longer in the original or sealed box. It is often an appliance that has been returned or used as a display model.

In either case they may have a small cosmetic blemish or scratch which must be disclosed.

• Graded: sometimes called B grade stock or factory seconds, are brand new appliances that have been returned to the

original supplier or manufacturer. There are multiple reasons for appliances being returned, but the most common is due to cosmetic damage or imperfections on the appliance. Again, the details should be made available.

• Refurbished: are products that have been returned because they were defective and have been fixed. Check that this has been done and tested by the manufacturer or their representative.

• Display model: as the name suggests this appliance has been on display. It has probably never been used but may have cosmetic blemishes and the original packaging may not be available. [1] All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2096 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 20-21 December 2023. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).[1] UK government figures: Energy Consumption in the UK (ECUK): Final Energy Consumption Tables. Figures used are for cold, wet (including old washer dryer numbers), electric hobs and electric ovens.

Veteran Firefighter honoured on retirement from Haverfordwest station

ThE local community and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) recently celebrated the distinguished career of Firefighter Andrew Chapman, who retired after 29 years of dedicated service. The retirement ceremony, held at the Haverfordwest fire station, was a poignant

moment for both the service and the community.

Station Manager Peter Phillips presented Chapman with a Certificate and Plaque, marking his commendable and welldeserved recognition. This accolade reflects Chapman’s significant contributions and unwavering commitment to the safety and well-

being of the community.

Throughout his career, Chapman consistently provided a minimum of 90 hours of cover per week, balancing these duties alongside his main job. His ability to manage such a demanding schedule showcases not only his dedication but also his exceptional skill and resilience.

Keith Jenkins, the

Watch Manager of Retained Personnel at Station 31 Haverfordwest, expressed the collective sentiment of the station, noting that while Chapman’s retirement is a loss for the team, given his vast experience and expertise, it is also a well-deserved respite for him. Chapman’s retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter

for the Haverfordwest fire station, where his presence and contributions have left an indelible impact.

As Chapman steps into retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of service and a strong example for current and future firefighters. His career stands as a testament to the critical role firefighters play in our communities, and

his achievements will continue to inspire those dedicated to public service.

The Pembrokeshire Herald joins the MAWWFRS and the Haverfordwest community in congratulating Andrew Chapman on his remarkable career and wishing him a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds attends Holocaust memorial event

ThIS week, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds attended a holocaust memorial event in Cardiff Bay. The event, which was held in the Pierhead building opposite the Senedd, saw a testimony from Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke.

A book of commitment was also made available for Senedd members to sign.

Commenting, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said: “It was an honour to attend the Holocaust

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memorial event today in the Pierhead and hear

Eva Clarke’s remarkable story.

It was so important that Eva could join us at this event and tell us all about both her and her mother’s harrowing tale of survival during one of humanity’s darkest moments.

Born in a coal train on route to Mauthausen concentration camp, both Eva and her mothers story offers a

reminder of the strength of a mothers love in the face of evil.

It is so incredibly important that we continue to remember those lives lost during the Holocaust and other genocides, whilst also ensuring that these terrible acts of cruelty are never allowed to happen again.

We must continue to work tirelessly to protect the rights and freedoms of communities across our society and guard them from the tyranny that prejudice can bring

New homes planned for Pembrokeshire village

A CONSULTATION on the early stages of plans for 67 affordable homes in Pembrokeshire by housing group Ateb has been launched today, January 19.

Agent Evans Banks Planning Limited has been instructed by Ateb Group Limited to undertake a Pre-Application Consultation process for the construction of a residential development of 67 dwellinghouses, access road and associated infrastructure at land off The Kilns, Llangwm, Pembrokeshire.

It says: “The consultation represents a proposal for the construction of a varied mix of housing including semi-detached houses and detached and semidetached bungalows. The development will be built in a series of cul-de-sac formations which utilises the gentle contours of the site.”

The consultation itself runs to February 19.

A supporting statement by Evans Banks Planning says: “The site has the benefit of outline planning permission for

an indicative total of 54 dwellinghouses, granted on November 2, 2022. The parameters and layout of that approved, indicative scheme have been examined and given full consideration as part of this detailed, current proposal.

“The proposed residential scheme has been redesigned to account for the current applicants’ discussions and preliminary agreement with local authority housing officers, and the high social housing need in evidence in this part of Pembrokeshire. The proposed scheme seeks to provide a complete range of affordable housing to meet that identified need, with units comprising a mix of social rented, intermediate rent and shared ownership tenures.”

It adds: “Proposed properties will be predominately two-storey with semi-detached house types being the predominate choice across the site, but also

with 10 detached and semidetached bungalows split in selected locations at opposite sides of the site.

“The site will provide a majority of social rented units with a total of 32 units to be provided, with a further 19 for intermediate rent. The remaining 16 units are geared to shared ownership.

“The scheme proposes 100 per cent affordable housing over a scheme of 67 units, in excess that required under LDP Policy and the 2022 outline planning permission. The proposed scheme is offering a broad range of house and bungalow types, and with tenures balanced in favour of social rented units, together with shared home ownership.”

A formal application will be submitted at a later date. Responses to the consultation may be made via email to info@ evansbanks.com or in writing to Evans Banks Planning Ltd, 2 Llandeilo Road, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, SA14 6NA.

Standards commissioner clears Andrew RT Davies

ANDREW RT DAVIES

has been cleared of breaching the Senedd’s rules for describing Wales’ default 20mph speed limit as a ‘blanket policy.

The Conservatives’ group leader was investigated by Douglas Bain, the standards commissioner, over tweets about September’s general reduction in speed limits on some roads.

The complainant claimed Mr Davies’ depiction of the change as a “blanket” speed limit breached rule two of the code of conduct which says members must act truthfully.

But, in an 11-page report, published on Wednesday January 24, the Senedd’s standards committee backed the

Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

commissioner’s finding that there was no such breach of the rules.

Mr Davies s not named in the report but sources have confirmed he is its subject.

Mr Bain was satisfied that the “blanket” description was “imprecise and inaccurate” but he concluded that that is not synonymous with being untruthful.

“Untruthfulness, like dishonesty, requires some element of deceit, fraud or moral turpitude,” he said. “Whilst all untruthful statements are imprecise and incorrect, not all imprecise and incorrect statements are untruthful.”

The commissioner pointed to evidence, which

he deemed was accepted by the complainant, that Mr Davies has made clear that there are exceptions to the new general speed limit.

He said: “I cannot be satisfied there was any element of deceit, fraud or moral turpitude.”

The report said Mr Davies contended that referring to a “blanket” 20mph was not the same as calling it a universal limit, citing dictionary definitions.

But the commissioner found: “The Collins Dictionary definition, for example, is ‘applying to or covering a wide group or variety of people, conditions or situations’.

“Significantly, it does not say applying to or covering almost all of a large group.

“None of the other definitions provided suggest that ‘blanket’ means other than providing universal coverage.”

Mr Bain concluded that incorrect usage of the phrase has to be tolerated under Article 10 (freedom

of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The standards committee, which includes Labour, Plaid Cymru and Conservative members, agreed with the concept of honesty being about more than incorrect or careless statements.

MSs concluded that without clear evidence of intent to mislead, the threshold had not been met by Mr Davies’ comments.

The Conservative group in the Senedd declined to comment.

Dog grooming salon go-ahead at Kilgetty takeaway appeal site

A PEMBROKES h IRE dog groomer has been given permission to open a salon at the site of a proposed Kilgetty takeaway which was granted on appeal last year after an earlier refusal.

Lauren Malloy, of Saundersfoot, sought permission from county planners for a change of use of the site at Llyniams, Carmarthen Road.

Miss Malloy, in her application said: “The property has previously been approved for other uses with a previous owner. It’s currently residential upstairs with recent planning for two commercial units downstairs. One unit has recently been approved planning to be a fast food (kebab) and the other unit a barber shop (in current use).

“I am a dog groomer and run my own business at 10 Meyrick Street Pembroke Dock (Lauren’s dog grooming). I am wanting to purchase the property, but my mortgage lenders will not release the mortgage until I have change of use on the unit.

building to a hot food take away it appears that this has not been implemented.”

“My plan is to live upstairs and run my business downstairs in the unit which has current use as a kebab and wish to rent the barber shop separate to my business.”

A report for planners, recommending approval, said: “Whilst there is an extant planning permission for the change of the residential use on the ground floor of the

It added: “The proposed new use would have positive social impact through the provision of a new service in the settlement as well as providing job opportunities.

“The proposed dog grooming salon would provide a new opportunity for a business outlet within an area characterised by a mix of commercial and

residential properties which would encourage a sustainable community and a thriving economy in compliance with [planning policies].”

The application was conditionally approved.

Last summer, the previous owners were granted permission for a takeaway on appeal after it was turned down the previous November.

That application was refused on several conditions, including the site being some 400m away from the

nearest public car park, which it was felt would lead to customers’ vehicles parking on double yellow lines outside the premises.

It was also felt that “the hot food takeaway is likely to attract some customers who would behave in an inconsiderate manner and generate undue noise and disturbance late in the evening which would have a detrimental impact on the occupants of nearby residential

properties at a time when they should reasonably expect some peace”. Following refusal, the applicants appealed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) –through agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries –against the decision.

A planning inspector accepted the appeal, concluding that proposal “would be unlikely to cause harm to the living conditions of local residents”.

Scolton Manor stables wedding venue plans approved

A PEMBROKEShIRE

COUNTY COUNCIL

scheme to change Scolton Manor’s Grade II-listed former stables to a wedding venue has been given the goahead by its county planners.

Pembrokeshire

County Council applied for permission to convert the Old Stables at Scolton Manor, Cardigan Road, Spittal, with a freestanding glass canopy to the courtyard of the Manor House.

The canopy will be self-supporting on four columns and would be able to be removed if not required.

Agent David Haward Associates, in a supporting statement, said: “The proposal is to convert the stable block to a wedding ceremony venue. Whilst it is a change of use, the proposed changes are minimal so as not to interfere with

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

the building’s fabric. Unfortunately, little maintenance work if any has been carried out since 2014, consequently the conversion is a good opportunity to carry out essential maintenance work to ensure the building’s fabric is preserved.

“The current use of the building is generally for storage which does not provide an income that can be used for essential building maintenance or repair. It is generally accepted that the best method of preserving listed buildings is to have an economic use for them.

“The conversion to a wedding venue will generate income that will provide a budget for general maintenance and repair. Due to the proposed use, there will be a further incentive to

keep the building in an attractive condition to prevent further decay.

The alterations required are all minor and can easily be reversed should the building no longer be required as a wedding venue.”

A report for planners said the change of use of the courtyard, carriage

house and blacksmith as a wedding venue “would enhance the facilities on offer at the site which would have positive social impacts”.

It added: “The country park is a facility which is open to the public offering a wide range of facilities and activities. The use of the former

stables and courtyard to provide wedding event facilities would add to the diversity of events on offer at the site.”

The Georgianstyle stable court was constructed c. 1840 to the design of William and James Owen of Haverfordwest.

Associated listed building consent for the changes was approved in early 2023, and previous plans for a wedding venue were withdrawn in 2020, as additional bat survey work was required.

The latest application has been conditionally approved under delegated powers.

Extra funding won’t stop cuts or tax rises

PLANS by the Westminster Government to increase funding for local government next year will boost the Welsh Government’s budget.

On Tuesday, January 23, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £500m uplift to England’s local government settlement. That spending means the Welsh Government will get a £25m uplift.

Conservative politicians have called for the £25m to go to Welsh councils to alleviate the pressure on their budgets. However, the Welsh Government will allocate the money where it wants, and there is no guarantee it will go to hard-pressed Welsh local authorities.

A Welsh Government spokesperson told The Herald: “We did not receive any notice of this funding announcement, and we await clarity on the details.”

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

Sam Rowlands MS, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said: “Households across Wales will welcome this new funding.

“Hard-pressed families are staring down the barrel of huge council tax rises because the Labour Welsh Government are shamefully underfunding local authorities.

“It’s imperative that every penny of this funding makes its way to into council budgets and that none of it is pinched by Labour and Plaid Cymru to fund their vanity projects.”

At the same time, the Welsh Conservatives called for Wales’s councils to raid their reserves and for the Welsh Government to cap Council Tax rises (see this week’s Politics section).

Responding to those calls, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “While

we’ve had to take some really difficult decisions to reshape our budget radically, we are protecting the core local government settlement by providing the 3.1% increase to local authorities promised last year, with a total annual core funding contribution of £5.7bn.

“We recognise the settlement falls short of the funding needed to meet all the inflationary pressures being faced by services and that local authorities face difficult decisions as they set their budgets.

“It is important they engage meaningfully with their local communities as they consider their priorities for the forthcoming year.”

The additional funding appears to be a large amount to the layperson. However, compared with the local government budget, it is a drop in the ocean.

For example, £25m would not close the gap between the

Welsh Government’s funding settlement for Pembrokeshire County Council and the amount the Council needs to preserve all services at their current level without raising Council Tax.

If the money were split equally between all Welsh councils, it would be approximately an extra £1m each.

Again, a large sum of money to the layperson is not enough to cover the gap between the teachers’ pay award and the money the Welsh Government provided Pembrokeshire and other councils to fund

it. In Carmarthenshire, two 1.5% pay uplifts have resulted in that Council being forced to find an extra £3m from its already over-committed settlement.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The Welsh Govt should fully fund the pay uplifts in order to avoid putting an additional pressure on Local Authorities and the knock-on impact on school budgets, which are already extremely tight.”

All Welsh councils are

in the same boat. So, £1m extra each will - near as damnit - make no difference to them. In Pembrokeshire, £1m extra would shave 0.1% off a Council Tax rise. Anyone pretending otherwise is a liar, a fool, or both.

The problem of funding public services through local authority spending is fundamental to those services’ future.

The system doesn’t work. The Welsh Government knows it needs reform. But the long grass has proven a very inviting place to park it.

Pub named among UK’s best by National Geographic

A TRADITIONAL pub in Pembrokeshire, affectionately known as ‘Bessie’s’, has been honoured with a prestigious accolade, being named as one of the UK’s best by National Geographic. The renowned publication has compiled a list of the 12 most exemplary pubs across the country, recognising these establishments as the epitome of British pub culture.

The ‘Perfect pubs’ list by National Geographic features a diverse range of establishments from various parts of the UK, including prominent cities like London, Belfast, and Edinburgh. These pubs have been celebrated for their embodiment of the timeless British pub experience.

National Geographic’s criteria for the perfect pub are stringent yet evocative of a bygone era. The ideal pub, according to the publication, is a haven for purists – a place of quiet contemplation and a serene refuge from the modern world. These pubs eschew loud music, flashy screens, and fancy food, favouring instead a simpler, more authentic atmosphere. The essence of such an establishment is to provide a space where patrons can enjoy their drinks without the distractions of modern technology or the overwhelming choice often found in contemporary venues.

The Dyffryn Arms in Cwm Gwaun, near Fishguard, popularly known as ‘Bessie’s’, stood out in this prestigious list, securing the fourth spot.

National Geographic lauded this quaint tavern as a “time-warp tavern,” epitomizing perfection. Described as being perched on the picturesque Preseli Hills, the pub is a relic of a bygone era,

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

offering a nostalgic experience reminiscent of old Britain.

The charm of ‘Bessie’s’ lies in its simplicity and its tribute to tradition. With a setup more akin to a cosy living room than a typical pub, it offers a unique experience. Upon ringing a bell, patrons are served Bass beer through a hatch, echoing a simpler time. The pub’s decor includes a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, further accentuating its traditional British character.

The acclaim from National Geographic is not the only recognition ‘Bessie’s’ has received. The pub boasts a high rating on Tripadvisor, with an impressive 4.5 score from 96 reviews, indicating a strong agreement among visitors with National Geographic’s assessment.

The list of the UK’s best pubs by National Geographic includes:

• The Bell Inn, Aldworth

• The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh

• Southampton Arms, North London

• The Dyffryn Arms, Cwm Gwaun

• Ypres Inn, Rye

• Pride of Spitalfields, East London

• Basketmakers, Brighton

• The Blisland Inn, Cornwall

• The Magnet, Stockport

• Birch hall Inn, North Yorkshire

• Queens head, Cambridgeshire

• Sunflower, Belfast

This recognition is not just a tribute to the Dyffryn Arms but a celebration of the enduring charm and cultural significance of traditional British pubs.

Award-winning Pembrokeshire nursing home changes hands

ChRISTINE & CO, a leading business property adviser, has facilitated the sale of the esteemed Williamston Nursing home in houghton, Pembrokeshire.

Renowned for its high-quality care, Williamston Nursing Home, which can accommodate up to 34 adults requiring nursing and personal support, has earned accolades as one of the top 20 rated care homes in Wales for 2020 and 2021 by carehomes.co.uk. This recognition highlights its commitment to excellence in the sector.

Nestled within over five acres of picturesque gardens and grounds in the Pembrokeshire countryside, the home boasts an impressive, extended period-built country manor house. Its prime location off Burton Road, straddling Haverfordwest and Neyland, adds to its charm and accessibility.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Cristina Bila, who has meticulously overseen the home for over a quarter of a century, decided to sell to focus on her care home group in England. Bila’s stewardship has been instrumental in shaping Williamston’s reputation as a premier care facility in Wales.

The acquisition by Kuljit Grewal, a newcomer to the nursing home sector, marks a new chapter for the facility. Grewal, backed by an experienced management team, is poised to build upon the home’s legacy. “I am excited to work with the dedicated team at Williamston and invest in its future enhancements,” says Grewal.

Reflecting on her tenure, Bila shares, “Owning and nurturing Williamston has been

a profound honor. I am proud to have contributed to its status as one of Wales’ finest care homes. Now, I turn my focus to expanding my group in England.”

Oliver McCarthy, Associate Director –Care at Christie & Co, remarks, “Having worked with Cristina since her first purchase through us, it’s been a rewarding journey. We’re delighted to facilitate this transition, confident that Kuljit will uphold and advance Williamston’s exemplary care standards.”

The sale, completed for an undisclosed sum, symbolizes both an end and a new beginning, promising continued excellence in care for the Pembrokeshire community.

Schools take part in the heart of AI development

A NEW transatlantic partnership aims to put child safety and wellbeing at the heart of tech decision-making, including the development and use of artificial intelligence.

The NSPCC and Common Sense Media UK partnership will begin with a pilot to scale digital citizenship and literacy classes in schools in south Wales.

NSPCC Cymru’s schools services team aims to reach fifty schools in the region by the end of June to help ensure the next generation of Welsh children are protected from online harm and abuse.

The leading UK and US children’s advocacy organisations, the NSPCC and Common Sense Media, will launch their partnership at a London conference this afternoon (January 25th).

The three-pronged partnership will advocate for children, ensuring their experiences and safety are central to decision making by tech companies and regulators, as well as front of mind for global policymakers.

The organisations will also roll out education programmes to increase digital literacy skills in schools and share a joint approach to research to improve the global understanding of the impact of generative AI on children.

This alliance comes as the NSPCC-run Childline reveals young people are contacting the service about AI child sexual abuse material and other harms linked to generative AI such as bullying and misinformation.

One 15-year-old girl told Childline: “A stranger online has made fake nudes of me. It looks so real, it’s my face and my room in the background. They must have taken the pictures from my Instagram and edited them. I’m so scared they will send them to my parents, the pictures are really convincing, and I don’t think they’d believe me that they’re fake.”

NSPCC Chief Executive Sir Peter Wanless and Common Sense Media founder and CEO James P. Steyer will discuss the global impact of AI on learning and

children’s safety at the BETT EdTech conference at the Excel in East London today.

They will argue that the benefits of AI cannot mean children’s safety is overlooked and launch their vision for the needs and safety of young people to be embedded in product and policy decisions in the boardroom, classroom, and legislatures.

This will be followed with a joint appearance at The Common Sense Summit on America’s Kids and Families in San Francisco at the end of the month, where speakers also include

Secretary Hillary Clinton and Meta whistle-blower Arturo Bejar.

NSPCC Chief Executive Sir Peter Wanless said: “As one of the leading voices helping to achieve the Online Safety Act in the UK, we have long acknowledged the need for global collaboration by Governments, civil society and tech firms to drive children’s safety online.

“This cannot be clearer than in AI where a rush to gleam the significant benefits of technology has led to worldwide concerns about the danger it can also

pose.

“The risk children face from unregulated and unsafe AI is already far too high, and their safety and experiences must be at the centre of conversations about its development and regulations. This partnership will seek to do that while also empowering young people with digital literacy skills to help them thrive.”

James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said: “To safely and responsibly harness the potential of AI for children, global organisations must work together to ensure

that the government and private sector have children’s best interests at heart for all technology design, development, and deployment.

“The NSPCC, and the UK more broadly, is seeing great progress by activating its educators, parents, and policymakers, and we look forward to amplifying their efforts in the U.S. and globally.”

The NSPCC and Common Sense Media UK partnership will begin with a pilot to scale digital citizenship and literacy classes in schools in south Wales.

The pilot will use NSPCC networks and Common Sense Media resources to help school leaders teach children invaluable lessons in both Welsh and English about navigating the constantly evolving tech landscape in which they live. In response to emerging possibilities of the digital world, NSPCCC and Common Sense Media aim to deliver best-in-class, age appropriate digital and AI literacy lessons to children across the UK and respond to urgent policy challenges for children in the US, Europe, and beyond.

Lord Ed Vaizey of Didcot, Chair of Common Sense Media UK, said: “With the NSPCC, Common Sense Media UK couldn’t have found a better partner to scale its mission and vision for children. Child advocacy is at the heart of everything we do. Collaborating with the UK’s leading child advocate will accelerate our common cause to keep children safe online, particularly in interacting with emerging AI technology.”

Rates relief reminder for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses

A REMINDER is going out to businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors in Pembrokeshire to apply for rate relief.

Welsh Government announced the retail, leisure and hospitality rates relief scheme in Wales for 2023/24.

Properties that can benefit include shops, pubs and restaurants, gyms, performance venues and hotels.

Relief will be granted to eligible businesses as a reduction to the rates bill based on occupation between 1st April 2023 to

31st March 2024. The scheme aims to provide support for eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 75% on nondomestic rates bills.

The closing date to apply is 31st March 2024.

More information on the relief and the application form can be found on Pembrokeshire County Council’s website at https://www. pembrokeshire.gov.uk/ business-rates/retailleisure-and-hospitalityrates-relief-in-wales

Trump

rides the Primaries’ thermal currents, but can he outfly Biden?

SQUAWK!

Stephen Seagull here, swooping in with my feathers ruffled over the latest political landscape. What a flap we’ve seen in the mainstream media, utterly gobsmacked by Donald Trump’s soaring success in the Iowa caucuses! With his wings spread wide, he’s been dominating the polls, sending his rivals fluttering away, leaving only Nikki haley bobbing in his wake before Tuesday’s New

hampshire primary.

CNN, their beaks agape, hailed Trump’s landslide victory in Iowa as a stunning show of strength. The New York Times, ruffling its pages in disbelief, chirped about an expected Trump coronation, squawking over the might of his political machine. Time magazine, too, marvelled at his commanding position, noting that not a feather has been

ruffled in his path to the Republican nomination. And let’s not forget The Washington Post’s Dan Balz, cooing that the end of any real competition might be just over the horizon.

Headline after headline, the same breathless tale: Trump is dominating. Disciplined. Ruthless. Hugely effective. Remarkable. But why, my feathered friends, should this dominance surprise us?

Since 2016, Trump has perched atop the Republican party, pecking at his opponents, squawking louder than anyone else, his antics gobbled up by the media like so many tasty morsels.

However, let’s not be bird-brained about this.

Trump’s victory in the Iowa caucuses wasn’t quite the majestic flight it’s made out to be. With only 56,260 votes from 2,083,979 registered Iowa voters, this was not

the mighty eagle’s swoop but a pigeon’s hop. Less than 3% of Iowans voted for him, and according to an entrance poll, only 46% of Republican caucus-goers considered themselves part of the MAGA movement.

Trump’s performance in New Hampshire is likely to reveal similar weaknesses. It’s as if the media has forgotten that Trump was president for four years. He’s the incumbent Republican president in all but name. Former presidents usually have a talon-hold on their party’s primaries because they control the party apparatus. Trump, having nested in the White House for a term, was always likely to be re-nominated.

What’s remarkable is not his current flight pattern but the fact that

he attracted so many competitors for the nomination, who raised quite the nest egg for their campaigns. Yet, it’s easy to overlook that Trump launched his third presidential bid just days after Republicans took a beating in the midterms, marking the third consecutive election where he weighed down his party.

The danger in the media’s awestruck coverage is that it paints Trump as an unstoppable force, soaring all the way to the general election. But we mustn’t confuse his performance in the primaries with success in the presidential election. When Americans truly focus on the election and the stark choice between Biden and Trump, I expect they will choose Biden.

Even without a criminal conviction, it’s hard to imagine a majority of Americans wanting a president with 91 criminal charges, two impeachments, involvement in an attempted coup, financial gains from his presidency, theft of topsecret documents, and allegations of serious misconduct.

So, as I spread my wings and prepare to glide over the political seascape, I urge you, dear readers, not to be swayed by the media’s current squawking. The flight path to the White House is long and fraught with turbulence. Trump’s current updraft may yet encounter a storm. Squawk, squawk! Over and out!

“

aniel w, Carmarthen

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vibrant culinary scene, The Pembrokeshire herald is set to showcase the crème de la crème of local food establishments over the next 8 weeks.

These standouts have clinched top honours in categories like Restaurant of the Year, Gastro Pub of the Year, Chef of the Year, and more, all through the votes of an enthusiastic public.

The Food Awards Wales 2023, aimed at recognising excellence and promoting the country’s diverse industry, received

from patrons who nominated their favourite spots across the region.

According to a spokesperson, “These awards are a testament to the passion and dedication of the country’s food industry. The winners represent the very best of the Welsh food scene, reflecting the quality and diversity of the industry.”

This celebration is not just about accolades; it’s about spotlighting the establishments that consistently provide exceptional culinary

coming weeks, we’ll be delving into the stories behind these winners, exploring what sets them apart in Wales’ dynamic food landscape.

As we raise a toast to these culinary champions, join us in savoring the richness of Wales’ gastronomic wonders –a celebration of flavour, tradition, and innovation that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Stay tuned for a delightful journey through the heart of Welsh cuisine!

Free family activities at The Torch Theatre

ThE DATES have been released for the free family activities at the Torch Theatre, Milford haven this half term. With the cost-ofliving crisis affecting most families and following the covid pandemic, the Torch Theatre is delighted that it can offer free activities for all. As part of A Warm

Space events running from now until the end of March, thanks to funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the family activities this half term will appeal.

Tim Howe, Senior Manager Youth and Community at the Torch is eager to welcome old and new faces to try their hand at some new activities.

Tim said: “Every member of the family is welcome to attend. Get moving and grooving with our fabulous Zumba sessions or take part in some Welsh language drama activity. There is also an arts and crafts session as part of The Three Little Pigs production here at the Torch on Saturday 17 February at 1pm and

Mean Girls movie night at the Palace

GET READY to celebrate as the dazzling new remake of Mean Girls comes to the Palace Cinema, haverfordwest!

The event promises a night filled with laughter, fun, and a heavy dose of nostalgia, as the audience immerses themselves in the world of Regina George and the Plastics. The Haverfordwest Cinema is gearing up to host this extraordinary blast from the past on [insert date]. The atmosphere is expected to be nothing short of electric, with attendees encouraged to relive the magic of 2004 – the year Mean Girls first hit the screens.

Partygoers can anticipate a celebration like no other, featuring an array of silliness, tons of fun, and an abundance of fresh popcorn to snack on. The event organisers have also teased the possibility of frozen cocktails and fancy dress prizes, making this a night to remember for fans of the cult classic.

One of the highlights is the exciting prospect of a special appearance from the Plastics themselves, adding an extra layer of glamour to an already star-studded evening. Whether you’re a Plastic, a Burnout, or a Mathlete, this is an opportunity to come together with fellow Mean Girls enthusiasts

3pm where families can get arty before buying tickets to see the show and have an oink-tastic time!”

Events: Monday 12 February at 11.00am, Wednesday 14 February at 11.30am and Friday 16 February at 11.00am – Family Zumba with Marcela; Friday (time to be confirmed) Gweithgaredd Drama

Cymraeg i’r Teulu / Welsh Language Family Drama Activity; Saturday 17 at 1pm –4pm Crafting activity related to Three Little Pigs in the company of a Theatre Designer. To book your place on any of these activities, phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

and revel in the memories of North Shore High School.

To secure your spot at the Mean Girls extravaganza, grab your BFFs and head to www. haverfordwestcinema. co.uk/events to purchase your tickets. And fear not, because at this event, you can totally sit with us!

It’s important to note that Mean Girls holds a 12A rating, making the event accessible to all audiences. However, for those under the age of 12, a cool mom or dad must accompany them. And for those looking to enjoy a frozen cocktail or two, there’ll be alcohol on sale for those aged 18 and above.

One Life: A gripping tale of humanity

IN 1988, That’s Life!, a BBC magazine show, broadcasted a pivotal episode that would go down in history. The episode highlighted Nicholas Winton, a former London stockbroker, and his role in the Kindertransport project, where he saved 669 Jewish children from the clutches of the Nazis in Czechoslovakia just before World War II erupted.

One Life masterfully recreates the aftermath of this event in a poignant

depiction, making it one of the most emotionally stirring moments in cinema this year. However, this is just a fraction of the captivating narrative that unfolds, showcasing acts of bravery and unsung heroism.

Directed by James Hawes, the film unfolds in two timelines. We witness the young Winton (played by Johnny Flynn), collaborating with his mother (Helena Bonham Carter) and others (Romola Garai, Alex Sharp) as he ventures to

Europe to organize visas, transportation, and foster families while the ominous Nazi threat looms. Winton, humble and openminded, identifies as a European, an agonistic, and a socialist, displaying remarkable selflessness. However, as we return to the late ‘80s, an older Winton (Anthony Hopkins) remains haunted by those he couldn’t rescue.

Featuring a stellar cast, including Lena Olin as Winton’s wife and Jonathan Pryce as his friend, the film unfolds

meticulously, building towards a cathartic climax. Winton, often hailed as the “British Schindler,” may not be widely known, especially beyond the UK, but One Life adeptly shines a spotlight on his legacy. Anthony Hopkins, following his impressive performances in The Father and Armageddon Time, delivers another outstanding portrayal as the older Winton. Yet, he is just one pivotal piece in a larger narrative that has the potential to renew one’s faith in humanity.

Coming soon: The End We Start From

IN “The End We Start From,” Jodie Comer portrays an unnamed character navigating a desolate, flooded England while experiencing the simultaneous challenges of apocalypse and motherhood.

The film, based on Megan Hunter’s novel, skillfully explores postapocalyptic survival with a compelling performance from Comer, shedding her Killing Eve persona.

As chaos unfolds, the baby’s father (Joel Fry) leads a journey north to find refuge. The film, directed by Mahalia

Belo and featuring a thoughtful script by Alice Birch, balances moments of profound grief with restrained emotion. Benedict Cumberbatch makes a powerful sevenminute cameo.

The episodic structure, while familiar, prioritizes serious contemplation over genre elements. Comer’s character oscillates between frustration and resilience, drawing the audience into her compelling journey.

“The End We Start From” concludes with heroic understatement, providing a nuanced exploration of new beginnings in the face of catastrophe.

Six Nations: Full Contact arrives on Netflix!

RUGBY enthusiasts, rejoice! The highly anticipated Six Nations: Full Contact documentary has just landed on Netflix, promising an unfiltered look into the exhilarating world of rugby.

With eight episodes chronicling the twists and turns of last year’s tournament, the series is poised to revolutionise how fans perceive the sport on the small screen.

Addressing concerns head-on, rest assured this documentary is anything but a letdown. It’s more than just decent – it’s a riveting watch. For avid rugby fans, it serves up a tantalising blend of insights, genuine tension, and a chance to witness the personalities that make the sport so compelling.

Produced by the Oscarwinning James Gay-Rees, renowned for his work on Amy (Winehouse) and Senna, the series brings heavyweight credentials to the rugby world. While it may not hit the absolute pinnacle due to some limitations in openness, it marks a promising start to a potentially transformative journey for rugby in the world of television.

Each of the eight episodes unfolds a specific

narrative centred around the players’ lives both on and off the field during last year’s tournament. It sheds light on internal team dynamics, selection rivalries, and the intense pressure that comes with Test rugby.

The series introduces a fly-on-the-wall perspective, offering glimpses into the personal lives of top players and the intricacies of team dynamics. However,

ABBA Revival to

grace

some may find it lacking in raw, unfiltered moments, with reports suggesting that not all teams fully embraced the project. Scotland’s episodes emerge as particularly captivating, offering an intimate look into the team’s dynamics. Frustrations of former Italy coach Kieran Crowley take centre stage, providing an authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by the Azzurri.

the Hangar,

From a Welsh standpoint, the documentary delves into the tumultuous period surrounding a player strike threat during the England match. While it provides insights, there’s a palpable absence of crucial behind-thescenes moments, leaving viewers with retrospective narratives from figures like Gatland and Biggar.

The chosen Welsh figures, including Biggar,

Gatland, and Louis ReesZammit, inject a personal touch into the narrative, though their impact may have diminished over time.

Standout stars like Ellis Genge steal the show with their candid perspectives, adding a refreshing layer of authenticity to the storytelling.

In summary, Six Nations: Full Contact is not just slick and highly watchable; it’s a commendable

step forward in rugby documentary-making. While it might not reach classic status, the hope is that it sparks the imagination of viewers and sets the stage for more authentic portrayals in the future. As rugby takes its first steps into the streaming world, this documentary could mark the beginning of an exciting and transformative journey for the sport.

Milford Haven with a night of nostalgia

PREPARE to step into the enchanting world of ABBA as the renowned UK tribute band, ABBA Revival, takes centre stage at hangar Milford haven on Saturday, 11th May.

The event promises an electrifying night filled with timeless hits, dazzling costumes, and pure entertainment, transporting attendees to an ABBA paradise. This is a golden opportunity to relive the classics brought to life by the premier tribute band in the country.

Tickets are now on sale, and eager fans are encouraged to secure their spots swiftly to ensure an unforgettable

night of music and memories. The first release ticket price is a reasonable £15, offering excellent value for an evening of fun and nostalgia.

For those seeking an enhanced experience, table reservations are available. To secure a spot for your group, simply send a direct message. Hangar Milford Haven, recognised as Pembrokeshire’s top event space, sets the perfect stage for this ABBA extravaganza.

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to dance the night away with ABBA Revival. This promises to be an event that unites fans of

all ages for a night of joy, laughter, and fantastic music.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this ABBAtastic takeover at Hangar Milford Haven, where the magic of ABBA comes alive! Grab your tickets, reserve your table, and let the “Dancing Queens” and “Super Troupers” unite for a night of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” and pure ABBA-mania. It’s time to say “Thank You for the Music” and create memories that will have you saying, “Mamma Mia, what a night!”

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, 11th May

Venue: Hangar, Milford Haven, UK

6.00

The Traitors

BBC1, 9pm

Claudia Winkleman presents the final day of the game of treachery and trust. The remaining contenders have survived every banishment and murder in Claudia's castle of treachery, but it all comes down to this day. Will the Faithful weed out all the Traitors and split the prize pot between them, or will any Traitors remain undetected?

Gladiators

BBC1, 5.50pm

The revamped version of Gladiators has already won the battle of the ratingsthe first episode was watched by more than six million viewers, making it the most viewed show of the weekend. Tonight though, the emphasis is on the onscreen battles as the Gladiators go head-to-head with the contenders in the old favourite Duel. Bradley and Barney Walsh are our hosts.

6.00

tackle the first bedroom.

9.00 The Traitors. The final of the game of treachery and trust. Last in the series.

10.10 BBC News at Ten. 10.40 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.50 The Graham Norton Show. 11.40 Film: Meet Joe Black. (1998)

6.45 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Inside the Factory. (R) 9.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics UK. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 Lightning. (R)

2.15 Inside the Supermarket. (R)

3.15 Animal Babies: First Year on Earth. (R) 4.15 Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Craig Doyle, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Anne-Marie Imafidon and Leo Reich.

6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. The duo are at the Kelsall Steam and Vintage Rally in Cheshire.

7.00 Newport: Dare to Dream.

7.30 The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure.

8.00 Gardeners’ World. The first of four compilations.

9.00 QI XL. Sandi Toksvig welcomes Kemah Bob, Alex Edelman, David Mitchell and Alan Davies.

9.45 Man Like Mobeen. (R) 10.10 The Traitors: Uncloaked. 10.40 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Film: Effie Gray. (2014) Fact-based period drama, starring Dakota Fanning.

12.55 Sign Zone: Britain’s Crumbling Schools – Panorama. (R) 1.25 The Secret Genius of Modern Life. (R) 2.25 Disappeared: Mexico’s Missing 43. (R) 3.25 Gladiators. 4.25 This Is BBC Two.

6.15 Hey Duggee. (R) 6.25 Supertato. (R) 6.30 Grizzy and the Lemmings. (R) 6.45 Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! (R) 7.00

Danger Mouse. (R) 7.10 Shaun the Sheep. (R) 7.20 Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese. (R) 7.30 Pokemon: Sun and Moon – Ultra Legends. (R) 7.50 The Football Academy. (R) 8.20 Blue Peter. (R) 8.50 Newsround. 9.00 Gardeners’ World. (R) 10.00 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein. (R) 10.30

show, and Michael takes The Wheel on the road to surprise a family in Hull.

7.50 Big Night of Musicals 2024 by the National Lottery. Jason Manford hosts a musical celebration from Manchester’s AO Arena, with spectacular performances and special guests including Beverley Knight, Nicole Scherzinger and Alfie Boe.

9.20 Casualty. Faith struggles with new restrictions on her first day back at Holby. Stevie jumps to conclusions causing her to doubt herself in her new role, and Rash makes a choice he regrets.

10.10 BBC News; Weather.

10.30 Match of the Day: The FA Cup. Highlights of the latest fourth-round ties.

12.00 Film: Halloween. (2018)

1.40 Weather for the Week Ahead.

1.45 BBC News.

12 Puppies and Us. (R) 11.30 Rick Stein’s India. (R) 12.30 Film: The Diary of Anne Frank. (1959) 3.15 Survivors: Portraits of the Holocaust. (R) 4.15 The Wonder of Animals. (R) 4.45 Flog It! (R) 5.00 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. (R) 5.30 Giantkillers: The Team That Wouldn’t Die. (R) 6.20 Weatherman Walking. (R)

6.50 Marcus Wareing’s Tales from a Kitchen Garden. The chef meets some salt marsh lambs, and learns about growing unusual vegetables.

7.50 Porridge. (R) 8.20 Slammed: The Eighties. The team face problems just as they start to show potential.

9.20 Show Tunes at the BBC. A selection of songs from musicals.

10.50 Andrew Lloyd Webber at the BBC. (R) 12.20 Elaine Paige: I’m Still Here. (R) 1.20 Elaine Paige at the BBC. (R) 2.20 Film: Wildlife. (2018) 4.00 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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 4.00 Jeopardy! 5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.00 Emmerdale. Gabby attempts to build bridges with Laurel, Chas does her research, and Marlon and Mary are worried about Rhona.

7.30 Live FA Cup Football. Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City (Kick-off 8.00pm). All the action from the fourth-round tie at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

10.30 ITV News; Weather. 11.00 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

11.15 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours. The rapper takes actress Anna Maxwell Martin on culinary tour of Amsterdam, teaching them everything they need to know about the Dutch capital through a dozen dishes. (R)

11.50 The NFL Show. Craig Doyle is joined by Osi Umenyiora and Jason Bell to review the divisional play-offs and look ahead to the Conference Championships.

12.40 Shop on TV. 3.00

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R) 12.30 Heno Aur. (R) 1.00 Ar Werth. (R) 1.30 Y Fets. (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 Cymru, Dad a Fi. (R) 6.30 Colleen Ramsey: Bywyd a Bwyd. (R) Newyddion S4C. 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 Am Dro! (R) 10.00 Sgwrs Dan y Lloer. (R) 10.35 Bariau. (R) 11.15 Gareth! (R) 11.50 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. 5.00 Chateau DIY.

6.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 7.30 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. (R) 9.25 ITV News. 9.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. 11.40 John and Lisa’s Food Trip Down Under. 12.40 ITV News; Weather. 1.00 ITV Racing: Live from Cheltenham. Coverage from Cheltenham and Doncaster. 4.00 Tipping Point: Best Ever Finals. (R) 4.30 ITV News; Weather. 4.45 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather. 5.00 The Chase Celebrity Special. (R) 6.00 Wheel of Fortune. Game show, hosted by Graham Norton.

7.00 The Masked Singer. The eight remaining singers do their best to remain anonymous.

8.30 Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win. Engaged couple Zanesh and Melike continue their game from last week.

9.30 Gordon, Gino & Fred: Viva Espana! Gordon Ramsay, Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix head to Galicia. (R) 10.20 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours. The rapper takes Patrice Evra on a culinary tour of London.

10.55 ITV News; Weather.

11.15 The Playboy Bunny Murder. Marcel Theroux investigates the unsolved murders of four young women. (R)

12.15 Shop on TV. 3.00 Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Jason Atherton’s Dubai Dishes. (R)

6.00 Cyw. 8.00 Stwnsh Sadwrn: Oi! Osgar. 8.10 Siwrne Ni. (R) 8.15 Dyffryn Mwmin. (R) 8.35 Larfa. (R) 8.40 Bwystfil. 8.50 Dennis a Dannedd. 9.05 Byd Rwtsh Dai Potsh. 9.15 Lego DREAMZzz. 9.35 Prosiect Z. 10.00 Teulu’r Castell. (R) 11.00 Trefi Gwyllt Iolo. (R) 11.30 Bois y Pizza: Chwe’ Gwlad. (R) 12.00 Ffermio. (R) 12.30 Nôl i’r Gwersyll. (R) 1.30 Sain Ffagan. (R) 2.00 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 2.30 Yn y Ffram. (R) 3.30 Adre. (R) 4.00 Colleen Ramsey: Bywyd a Bwyd. (R) 4.30 Sgwrs Dan y Lloer. (R) 5.00 Gatland a’i Garfan: Ffrainc 2023. (R) 5.55 Lleisiau Eraill: Aberteifi 2023. (R) 6.50 Prosiect Pum Mil. (R) 7.45 Newyddion a Chwaraeon. 8.00 Noson Lawen. 9.00 Canu gyda Fy Arwr. (R) 10.00 Radio Fa’ma. (R) 11.00 Der’ Dramor ’Da Fi! (R) 12.05 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.00 The King of Queens. (R) 7.15 Cheers. (R) 8.40 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 10.10 The Simpsons. (R) 12.40 The Secret Life of the Zoo. (R) 1.40 Secret Life of the Safari Park. (R) 2.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 5.20 Location, Location, Location. (R) 6.20 Channel 4 News. 6.50 Film: Armageddon. (1998) 9.45 Film: Gangs of New York. (2002) 12.45 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 1.35 The Simpsons. (R) 2.00 Couples Come Dine with Me. (R) 2.50 Hollyoaks Omnibus. (R) 5.00 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It: Brilliant Builds. (R) 5.55-6.15 Kirstie’s House of Craft. (R)

6.00 Milkshake! 9.50 SpongeBob SquarePants. 10.20 Entertainment News. 10.25 Friends. (R) 12.20 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (R) 2.20 Film: All Creatures Great and Small. (1975) 4.15 Film: Calendar Girls. (2003) 6.25 5 News Weekend. 6.30 10 Ways the Victorians Changed Britain. Michael Buerk narrates a documentary looking at landmark concepts and structures from the Victorian era that transformed the nation, including sewers, bridges and trains. (R) 7.50 Osborne House: A Royal Retreat. Behind the scenes of the royal residence on the Isle of Wight, which was where Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert went to escape the pressures of royal life. (R) 9.20 To the Manor Born: Britain’s Best Loved Comedy. A celebration of the popular sitcom. 10.40 1988: Most Shocking Moments. Controversies, scandals and surprises in TV, film, music and politics. 12.35 Criminals: Caught on

6.00

6.40

Trigger Point ITV, 9pm

Yet to return to active duty after the traumatic deaths of her brother Billy and colleague Nut, Lana is making a routine presentation when an explosion rocks a nearby power station. She is swiftly called into action by Hass, her replacement as Senior Expo, and finds both that the explosion was no accident and that much has changed in her absence.

Born from the Same Stranger ITV, 9pm

The second episode of the fascinating series following people who were born from donors as they learn more about their origins and track down potential relatives introduces viewers to brother and sister Tom and Isabel. He was conceived from a double donation of both sperm and egg and Isabel was conceived from a donated embryo.

one last attempt to develop a relationship with his family. Last in the series.

10.00 BBC News; Weather.

10.25 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.30 Match of the Day: The FA Cup. Action from the latest fourth-round ties.

11.40 The Women’s Football Show. Highlights of the weekend’s games in the Super League.

12.30 Film: Journey’s End. (2017) 2.10 Weather for the Week Ahead.

BBC News.

6.30 Countryfile. (R) 7.30 Breakfast. 9.00 Wild About Your Garden. (R) 9.45 Saturday Kitchen Best Bites. 11.15 Young MasterChef. (R) 12.15 Film: Pride and Prejudice. (1940) 2.15 Nature’s Miniature Miracles: Natural World. (R) 3.15 World’s Busiest Cities: Delhi. (R) 4.15 Flog It! (R) 4.45 Weatherman Walking. (R) 5.15 Ski Sunday.

6.00 Countryfile. Joe Crowley is in the Somerset Levels to explore the history, heritage, and farming of this unique wetland environment, which stretches from the Mendips to the Blackdown Hills.

7.00 Wrexham: Hollywood or Bust! A journey through the history of Wrexham AFC.

7.30 The Great Match. Wrexham’s memorable 1992 game with Arsenal. (R)

8.00 Inside the Factory. Gregg Wallace learns how bath bombs are made at Lush’s factory in Dorset.

9.00 Wilderness with Simon Reeve. Simon heads to Patagonia.

10.00 Film: The French Connection. (1971) Oscarwinning fact-based crime thriller, starring Gene Hackman.

11.40 Film: End of Watch. (2012) Crime thriller, with Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena.

1.20 Sign Zone: Question Time. (R) 2.20 Waterloo Road. (R) 3.20 Garden Rescue. (R) 4.05

6.45 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Celebrity Race Across the World. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics Live.

1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 Lightning. (R) 2.15 Inside the Supermarket. (R) 3.15 All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. (R) 4.15 Trawlermen: Hunting the Catch. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Babatunde Aleshe, Sophie Duker, Gaby Roslin and Jeff Stelling.

6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. David Jason and Jay Blades visits the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern.

Walking. Derek Brockway heads for the hills above Aberdyfi. (R)

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Midwives Under Pressure –Panorama. Current affairs report.

11.10 Have I Got News for You. Jo Brand guest hosts, with panellists Rylan and Robert Peston. (R)

11.40 Bad Education. Jinx abandons her studies to spend more time with Mitchell. (R)

12.10 Bad Education. (R) 12.45 The Graham Norton Show. (R)

1.35 BBC News.

7.00 The One Show. Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas present topical stories and celebrity chat.

7.30 EastEnders. Denise forgets her own birthday.

8.00 Only Connect.

8.30 University Challenge.

9.00 Silent Witness. Part one of two. The mummified corpse of a woman is found after being dead for a year.

10.00 Mastermind.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr Brenda Page. (R)

12.15 Film: The Wife. (2017) 1.50 Sign Zone: Countryfile. (R) 2.45 The Tourist. (R) 3.45 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure. (R) 7.00 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. (R) 8.45 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. 10.45 ITV News; Weather. 11.00 Live FA Cup Football. West Bromwich Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Kick-off 11.45am).

1.55 Live FA Cup Football. Liverpool v Norwich City (Kick-off 2.30pm). 4.50 Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win. (R) 5.50 ITV News; Weather.

6.10 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

6.20 Dancing on Ice. The couples perform routines inspired by beloved films.

8.00 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? New series. Jeremy Clarkson returns with the big-money quiz. 9.00 Trigger Point. New series. Return of the thriller, starring Vicky McClure.

10.00 ITV News; Weather.

10.15 The Dry. New series. Comedy drama, starring Roisin Gallagher.

10.45 The Dry. Shiv and her mum clash over her job prospects.

11.15 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights. Action from the 12th round of fixtures.

12.15 Made in Britain. (R) 12.45 Shop on TV. 3.00 Grand Slam Years: England 2016. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Karen Carney’s Leaders of

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 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. Moira is worried about Cain.

8.00 Coronation Street. Michael suspects Ed of starting the fire that almost killed him, Steve reluctantly leaves Tracy to look after Tommy, and Bethany evades Daniel’s interest in her writing.

9.00 Born from the Same Stranger. Following the story a brother and sister, with Tom being conceived from a double donation of both sperm and egg, while Isabel was conceived from a donated embryo.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather. 10.45 Sharp End. Political discussion.

11.45 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite. Hard-hitting action from the world of All Elite Wrestling. (R) 1.25 Shop on TV. 3.00 Mel Giedroyc and Martin Clunes Explore Britain by the Book. (R)

3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Dickinson’s Real Deal. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 8.50 Penblwyddi Cyw. 9.00 Cynefin. (R) 10.00 Y Fets. (R) 10.30 Iaith ar Daith. (R) 11.30 Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol. (R) 12.00 Ceffylau, Sheikhs a Chowbois. (R) 12.30 Rygbi Pawb. (R) 1.15 Prosiect Pum Mil. (R) 2.15 Ty am Ddim. (R) 3.15 Dudley: Cymru ar Blât. (R) 4.15 Fairbourne: Y Mor Wrth y Drws. (R) 5.10 3 Lle. (R) 5.35 Ffermio. (R) 6.10 Pobol y Cwm Omnibws. (R) 7.15 Newyddion a Chwaraeon. 7.30 Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol. 8.00 Priodas Pum Mil. 9.00 Taith Bywyd. 10.00 Jess Davies. (R) 10.30 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 11.00 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 11.35 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Cheers. (R) 7.35 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 8.30 The Simpsons. (R) 9.30 Sunday Brunch. 12.30 The Simpsons. (R) 2.05 Film: Babe. (1995) 4.00 Film: Steel Magnolias. (1989) 6.15 Channel 4 News. 6.45 World’s Greatest Train Journeys from Above. (R) 7.45 The Great Pottery Throw Down. 9.00 George Clarke’s Adventures in Americana. 10.00 Big Boys. 10.30 Gogglebox.

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Caeau Cymru. (R) 1.30 Colleen Ramsey: Bywyd a Bwyd. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Priodas Pum Mil. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Cegin Bryn. (R) 6.30 Rownd a Rownd. (R) Newyddion S4C. 7.00 Heno. 7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 8.00 Adre. (R) 8.25 Y Fets. 8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 9.00 Ffermio. 9.30 Ralio+. 10.00 Gwesty Aduniad. (R) 11.00 Ar Werth. (R) 11.35 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. 5.00 Chateau DIY. 6.00 Come Dine with Me. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 8.00 Michael Mosley: Secrets of Your Big Shop. 9.00 To Catch a Copper. 10.00 Night Coppers. (R) 11.05 First Dates. (R) 12.05 The Truth About Spiking: Untold. 12.40 24 Hours in A&E. (R) 1.35 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 2.25 Couples Come Dine with Me. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.45 Alexis Conran & Friends. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime. 1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15 Film: My Husband’s Secret Past. (2023) 4.00 BargainLoving Brits in the Sun. (R) 5.00 5 News at 5. 6.00 Your Dream Kitchen for Less. Mark Millar assists with projects in St Margaret’s Bay and Harrow. 6.55 5 News Update. 7.00 Police Interceptors.

Outsiders

BBC2, 9pm

After a successful run on Dave, this comedy survival show comes to BBC Two. In tonight’s opening double bill we meet the six comedians who are hoping to prove that they could survive if society collapsed. The teams are Ed Gamble and Lou Sanders, Kerry Godliman and Toussaint Douglass, and Jessica Knappett and Jamali Maddix.

After the Flood ITV, 9pm

In TV drama, as well as in life, you have to take the rough with the smoothand that’s something Jo is about to find out the hard way. We’re now on episode four and the investigation moves up another notch, with the finger of suspicion pointing firmly at Tasha. But as Jo makes the breakthrough she’s been hoping for, Molly lands herself in grave danger.

to the

Unfiltered

(R)

6.00 Breakfast. 9.30 Morning Live. 10.45 Dr Xand’s Con or Cure. 11.15 Homes Under the Hammer. (R) 12.15 Bargain Hunt. (R)

BBC News at One; Weather.

BBC Wales Today; Weather. 1.45 Doctors. 2.15 Money for Nothing. (R) 3.00 I Escaped to the Country. (R) 3.45 The Repair Shop. (R) 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. A woman wishes to sell items to fund a wedding. 5.15 Pointless. Alexander Armstrong is joined by co-host Vick Hope.

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. Linda is shaken when she receives a photo of Mick and Janine’s baby.

8.00 Slammed: The Eighties. After their best ever placing at the World Cup, Wales prepare for the Grand Slam. Last in the series.

9.00 Ambulance. New series. Documentary following the work of the ambulance service.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 BBC Wales Live. Weekly show featuring hard-hitting stories and in-depth interviews.

11.10 Match of the Day. Action from the midweek Premier League matches.

12.40 Michael McIntyre’s Big Show. (R) 1.40 BBC News.

6.35 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.20 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 7.50 Sign Zone: Planet Earth III. (R) 8.50 Lifeline. (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 Lightning. (R) 3.15 All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. (R) 4.15 Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. 6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed.

7.00 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. Rita Simons and Laila Morse scour Devon for antiques. Last in the series. 8.00 Great British Menu. The chefs from Central England serve their starters and fish dishes.

9.00 David Mitchell’s Outsiders. New series. David Mitchell challenges six comedians to spend a week living outdoors.

9.45 David Mitchell’s Outsiders. The pairs try to demonstrate various skills.

10.30 Newsnight. 11.10 Weather. 11.15 What We Do in the Shadows.

11.40 What We Do in the Shadows.

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 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. Mackenzie tries to reach out to Aaron.

8.00 The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live. The cash expert answers the financial questions that matter most in the Big Briefing, and offers tips and tricks for making finances go further in his News You Can Use segment.

9.00 TikTok: Murder Gone Viral. New series. Exploring true-crime cases linked to the socialmedia platform.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 On Assignment. New series. Rachel Younger finds out how last year’s earthquake is still affecting Turkey.

11.15 After the Flood. Jo is troubled by Lee’s connection to Tasha and Daniel. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Trefi Gwyllt Iolo. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Cymru, Dad a Fi. (R) 1.30 Ffermio. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Agor y Clo. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Bois y Pizza: Chwe’ Gwlad. (R) 6.30 Gareth! (R) Newyddion S4C. 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 Stryd i’r Sgrym. 9.45 Taith Bywyd. (R) 10.45 Astrid: Murder in Paris. 12.30 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a

12.05 Film: Moonlight. (2016) 1.50 Sign Zone: Great British Menu. (R)

(R)

6.45 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: See Hear. 8.30 Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 11.15 Politics Live. 1.00 Impossible. (R)

1.45 Lightning. (R) 2.15 The Secrets of Your Food. (R) 3.15 All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. (R) 4.15 Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games.

6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed.

7.00 Marcus Wareing’s Tales from a Kitchen Garden. Marcus Wareing learns how to manage deer, how salt is made and how to forage.

8.00 Great British Menu. The Central regions chefs prepare their mains and desserts.

9.00 Putin vs the West: At War. The inside story of the year that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

10.00 Inside No 9. (R)

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Unspun World with John Simpson.

11.45 Murder Trial: The Killing of Dr Brenda Page. (R)

12.45 Sign Zone: See Hear. (R) 1.15 Animal Park. (R) 2.00 Great British Menu. (R) 3.00 The Traitors. (R) 4.00 This Is BBC Two.

12.10 Shop on TV. 3.00 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Dickinson’s Real Deal. (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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 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. Nicola and Jimmy get worrying news.

8.00 Coronation Street. Tracy struggles to ignore her attraction to Tommy, Bethany conceals her desperation for gainful employment, and Bobby proves to be a bad influence on Simon.

9.00 After the Flood. As the investigation escalates and suspicion builds around Tasha, Jo finally makes a breakthrough but Molly finds herself in danger.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Peston. Political magazine show, hosted by Robert Peston.

11.40 Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Jeremy Clarkson returns with the big-money quiz. (R)

12.30 Shop on TV. 3.00 Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Drama That Shocked Britain – Tonight. (R) 3.25 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours. (R) 4.00 Unwind. 5.10 Dickinson’s Real Deal. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 11.00 Dysgu Gyda Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Bois y Pizza: Chwe’ Gwlad. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Gwlad Beirdd. (R) 1.30 Cegin Bryn. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Taith Bywyd. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Ralio+. (R) 6.30 Rownd a Rownd. (R) 7.00 Heno. 7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 8.00 Pobol y Cwm. 8.25 Dan Do. 8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 9.00 Bariau. 9.40 Priodas Pum Mil. (R) 10.40 Bois y Pizza: Chwe’ Gwlad. (R) 11.10 Rycia o ’Ma. (R) 11.40 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. 5.00 Chateau DIY. 6.00 Come Dine with Me. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 8.00 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It. 9.00 Johnny Vegas: Carry on Glamping. 10.00 Gogglebox. (R) 12.05 Open House: The Great Sex Experiment. (R) 1.05 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 2.00 The Simpsons. (R) 2.25 Film: The Florida Project. (2017

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.45 Alexis Conran & Friends. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime. 1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15 Film: Death at the Museum. (2023) 4.00 BargainLoving Brits in the Sun. (R) 5.00 5 News at 5. 6.00 Your Dream Kitchen for Less. Mark Millar helps couples in south Wales and Yorkshire. 6.55 5 News Update. 7.00 Shoplifters: Caught Red Handed. Officers deal with trespassers, shoplifters and a public disturbance. 7.55 5 News Update. 8.00 Smart Meters: Should You Get One? The truth behind the promised benefits of smart meters; 5 News Update. 9.00 Finders Keepers. Martin and Ashley suspect Rocky is behind Laura’s abduction.

The Apprentice BBC1, 9pm

The hunt is on for Lord Sugar's next business partner and this year's candidates kick-off proceedings in the breathtaking Scottish Highlands. Under the watchful eye of aides

Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, they are split into teams and tasked with hosting a corporate away day. Before long, there's chaos in the kitchen and tardy tours.

Six Nations Live ITV1, 7.15pm

This year’s tournament starts with what should be a real humdinger, as France and Ireland, the two pretournament favourites, lock horns. Andy Farrell was unveiled as the British & Irish Lions head coach for the 2025 tour to Australia last month, but as his Men in Green begin the defence of their Six Nations crown away in France, he is facing a few selection headaches.

6.00

at One;

1.30

1.45 Doctors. 2.15

for Nothing. (R) 3.00 I Escaped to the Country. (R) 3.45 The Repair Shop. (R) 4.30 The Travelling Auctioneers. 5.15 Pointless.

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather. 6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather. 7.00 Sarra Elgan’s Six Nations Preview. The challenges ahead for those involved in this year’s rugby festival.

7.30 EastEnders. Linda worries when Alfie wants to talk about what she said while drunk.

8.00 Dragons’ Den. The latest entrepreneurs bidding for the Dragons’ investment include a cat-loving inventor who thinks he’s found a pain-free way to keep feline teeth clean.

9.00 The Apprentice. New series. Lord Sugar’s candidates host a corporate away day in the Scottish Highlands.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.45 Question Time. Fiona Bruce hosts the political debate from Glasgow.

11.45 Newscast. A weekly roundup from Westminster.

12.15 BBC News.

6.45 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Gardeners’ World. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics Live. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 Lightning. (R) 2.15 The Secrets of Your Food. (R) 3.15 All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. (R) 4.15 Thailand: Earth’s Tropical Paradise. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R) 6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. Babatunde Aléshé, Sophie Duker, Gaby Roslin and Jeff Stelling take part.

6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed.

7.00 The One Show. 7.30 Rewind: 60 Years of Welsh Pop. (R)

8.00 Great British Menu. Sprinter Jonnie Peacock helps decide the winner of the Central region.

9.00 The Mayfair Hotel Megabuild. The construction work nears completion. (R) 10.00 The Apprentice: You’re Fired.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Putin vs the West: At War. (R)

12.15 Sign Zone: Make It at Market. (R) 1.00 Digging for Britain. (R) 2.00 Streets of Gold: Mumbai. (R) 3.00

6.45 The Travelling Auctioneers. (R) 7.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Inside the Factory. (R) 9.00 Nicky Campbell. 10.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics UK. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 Lightning. (R) 2.15 All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star. (R) 4.15 Madagascar. (R) 5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. Babatunde Aléshé, Sophie Duker, Gaby Roslin and Jeff Stelling take part.

6.30 David & Jay’s Touring Toolshed. A model helicopter pilot puts the duo to the test.

7.00 The One Show.

Rachel Parris, Harry Pinero and Lauren Layfield compete.

8.00 Here We Go. New series. Paul decides to take the family out on the water in his old boat.

8.30 Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job. Amanda Holden and Alan Carr renovate two wildly different bathrooms.

9.00 Would I Lie to You? Craig Charles, Amy Gledhill, Shazia Mirza and Jeremy Vine join the regulars.

9.30 Not Going Out. Lee and Lucy suspect Anna is having an affair. (R)

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 The Graham Norton Show.

11.30 Scrum V Classics. (R)

1.10 Six Nations Sin Bin. (R) 1.40 BBC News.

7.30 The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure. (R)

8.00 Gardeners’ World. In the second of four compilations, Monty Don looks at different types of roses.

9.00 Amityville: An Origin Story. New series. Docudrama examining the true story that inspired The Amityville Horror films.

9.50 Live at the Apollo Bites. (R)

10.00 Mock the Week. (R)

10.30 Newsnight.

11.00 Weather.

11.05 Film: Relic. (2020) Mystery horror, with Emily Mortimer. 12.30 Sign Zone: Midwives Under Pressure – Panorama. (R) 1.00 Nuclear Armageddon: How Close Are We? (R) 2.00 Gladiators. (R)

3.00 Great British Menu. (R) 4.00 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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 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. Nicola and Jimmy are worried for Angelica, Moira tries to help, and Lydia feels rejected.

8.30 Lindsey Burrow: Who Cares for Our Carers? Tonight. Examining the cost to unpaid carers.

9.00 Grantchester. Geordie investigates when Alfie, an Italian immigrant and one of the residents at Leonard’s halfway house, is found dead. Drama set in the 1950s, starring Robson Green.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Born from the Same Stranger. Following the story a brother and sister. (R)

11.45 Heathrow: Britain’s Busiest Airport. In 2019, the airport is having its busiest year to date. (R)

12.10 All Elite Wrestling: Rampage. (R) 1.05 Shop on TV. 3.00 Grantchester.

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 Dickinson’s Real Deal. 3.00 Riddiculous. 4.00 Tipping Point.

5.00 The Chase.

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.20 ITV Evening News; Weather.

6.45 Emmerdale. Wendy is worried that Bob has lost hope, Lydia fears that Sam doesn’t want her any more, and Chas leaves for her holiday.

7.15 Six Nations Live. France v Ireland (Kick-off 8.00pm). Jill Douglas presents coverage of the opening match of the championship, held at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

10.20 ITV News; Weather.

10.50 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

11.10 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours. The rapper takes Patrice Evra on a culinary tour of London. (R)

11.45 The NFL Show. Host Craig Doyle, former NFL defensive back Jason Bell, and twotime Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora review the Conference Championships and look ahead to the Super Bowl.

12.35 Shop on TV. 3.00 Wheel of Fortune. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Dickinson’s Real Deal. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Sgwrs Dan y Lloer. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 1.30 Straeon Tafarn. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Cynefin. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R) 6.00 Y Fets. (R) 6.30 Bois y Rhondda. (R) Newyddion S4C. 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. 10.00 Y Byd yn ei Le. 10.45 Rygbi Pawb Uchafbwyntiau. 11.35 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. 5.00 Chateau DIY. 6.00 Come Dine with Me. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 8.00 Secret Life of the Safari Park. 9.00 The Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle for Britain. 10.00 Catching a Killer: A Diary from the Grave. (R) 11.50 To Catch a Copper. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Ar Werth. (R) 1.30 Y Fets. (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 Cynefin. (R) 6.15 Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol. Wales Under-20s v Scotland Under-20s (Kick-off 7.30pm). 8.45 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 9.15 Sgwrs Dan y Lloer. (R) 10.20 Bwyd Epic Chris. 10.30 Bariau. (R) 11.05 Jonathan. (R) 12.10 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.15 Countdown. (R) 6.55 Cheers. (R) 7.45 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.35 The King of Queens. (R) 10.05 Frasier. (R) 11.35 Channel 4 News Summary. 11.40 Four in a Bed. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. 5.00 Chateau DIY. 6.00 Come Dine with Me. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 8.00 Extraordinary Extensions. 9.00 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. 10.00 I Literally Just Told You with Jimmy Carr. 11.05 Joe Lycett: More, More, More! How Do You Lycett? How Do You Lycett? (R) 12.05 Film: Thoroughbreds. (2017) 1.40 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 2.30 Come Dine with Me. (R) 4.35 Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It: Brilliant Builds. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.45 Alexis Conran & Friends. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime. 1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15 Film: You’ll Never Leave Me. (2022) 4.00 Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun. (R) 5.00 5 News at 5. 6.00 Your Dream Kitchen for Less. Mark Millar helps a Surrey woman who’s taken on the renovation of a narrowboat.

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Coastal Devon & Cornwall with Michael Portillo. Michael explores the South West Coast Path. (R) 7.55 5 News Update. 8.00 Cruising with Susan Calman. The second leg of the comedian’s river cruise through Portugal’s Douro valley. 9.00 Nicola Bulley: The Disappearance That Gripped Britain. Documentary shedding new light on Nicola Bulley’s disappearance. 10.15 When Live TV Goes Horribly Wrong. Richard Arnold narrates a rundown of live TV’s greatest fails. (R) 12.15

Opt for exercising and enjoying the views without having to wear glasses or contact lenses Visit one of our state-of-the-art clinics where you’ll find our world-class surgeons, who have successfully treated over 1 million eyes. And with a range of vision correction options to best suit your needs, soon you’ll be able to enjoy a life free from glasses, contact lenses, and even cataracts

Oh, blimey mate! Gather ‘round, ye noble Tekken aficionados, for I’ve got a tale to spin about the latest installment in the epic saga of iron-fisted fisticuffs – Tekken 8, a veritable dance of digital pugilism that struts on the stage of legacy like a peacock on a psychedelic parade.

Now, the Tekken series, my friends, it’s like a fine wine, aging with grace and swagger. It’s got the mechanical prowess of a maestro, the beats that resonate through your very soul, and a cast of characters that’s practically a family reunion spanning more decades than my wild days in the Hollywood hills. But here’s the conundrum, innit? How does one pay homage to the glorious past without becoming shackled by it? That, my dear chums, is the riddle that Tekken 8 endeavors to unravel.

In the grand tradition of not fixing what ain’t broke, Bandai Namco, in their infinite wisdom, hasn’t gone meddling with the combat mechanics that were already topnotch. Movement, spacing, and punishing – all the essentials remain

intact, but there’s a spicy twist in the form of recoverable health and the sizzling Heat System.

For the first time in Tekken’s storied history, we’ve got health that’s like a cat with nine lives –block a big hit, absorb damage with a Power Crush, or take a nosedive after a knock in the air, and voila, you’ve got gray health that’s hanging by a thread. But here’s the kicker –you ain’t getting it back by playing the wallflower. No siree! You gotta go on the offensive, unleash your arsenal of moves, and reclaim that precious life force. It’s a dance of life and death, my friends, and it forced me to adapt my mindset in the most splendid manner.

And then there’s the Heat system – a bonkers addition that turns up the heat, literally. It’s like a spicy curry for your offense – more chip damage, health regeneration, and new moves that’ll make your opponents’ eyes pop out like they’ve seen a ghost. Do you press on like a warrior possessed or strategically wait for a chance to patch up your battered health? It’s a dilemma that dances with you every round, making

Tekken 8 a pulsating spectacle.

Now, my fine folks, I reckon this might irk some of you purists. The extra offensive pressure might feel like a relentless barrage, especially for the likes of Hwoarang and those Mishima mischief-makers. But fear not, for the Heat system is the great equalizer, a tool that turns the tide and levels the playing field. It’s like the universe saying, “Oi, mate, everyone gets a shot at glory.”

And let’s not forget the genius training tools that Tekken 8 has dished out. The Arcade Quest mode is like a gentle breeze, gradually escalating the challenge, while the Training Mode is a smorgasbord of delights – combo challenges, save states for drilling specific scenarios, punishment training, and moves you can pin to the screen like a battle strategy master. It’s like having a sensei in the digital realm, guiding you through the intricate art of Tekken mastery.

So there you have it, mates –Tekken 8, a spirited celebration of the past, a bold leap into the future, and, above all, just some really good-ass Tekken!

Gêm o fythau a chwedlau

MAE un o raddedigion Prifysgol Cymru y Drindod Dewi Sant wedi creu gêm gardiau gyda’r gobaith o annog mwy o bobl i ymddiddori yn hanes a chwedloniaeth Cymru.

Mae Eifion Rogers a raddiodd yn 2007 gyda gradd BA Rheoli Chwaraeon wedi cael gyrfa amrywiol ers cwblhau ei astudiaethau gan gynnwys hyfforddi timau pêl-droed a chyhoeddi llyfr ar hanes pêl-droed ym Mrynaman.

Ac yntau bellach yn dilyn ei gariad at hanes a chwedloniaeth, ei fenter ddiweddaraf fu creu gêm gardiau yn seiliedig ar chwedlau Cymru.

Gyda’i deulu yn hanu o bentref bach Myddfai yn Sir Gaerfyrddin, sy’n adnabyddus am straeon llên gwerin am Feddygon Myddfai ac Arglwyddes y Llyn, mae Eifion wastad wedi ymddiddori yn y maes hwn.

Taith i Iwerddon yn ôl yn 2018 a sbardunodd y syniad am y gêm lle

dysgodd am fytholeg Iwerddon a llyfr yn cynnwys hen straeon llên gwerin a grëwyd gan blant ysgol o wybodaeth yr oeddent wedi’i chasglu gan eu perthnasau byw hynaf.

Yn ei ddychymyg, gwelai Eifion ei hun yn creu llyfr a oedd yn rhannu mythau a threftadaeth ei wlad ei hun, ond ar ôl cyfarfod â phartner busnes, David Daniel, penderfynon nhw fynd i lawr llwybr gêm gardiau hwyliog ac

addysgol.

Mae gêm Chwedlau Cymru, sydd wedi ei chreu yn Gymraeg ac yn Saesneg, yn sbin ar y gêm gardiau Top Trumps, ac yn cynnwys 32 o gymeriadau o fytholeg Cymru gan gynnwys Myrddin y Dewin, Mari Lwyd a Rhiannon.

Mae Eifion yn gobeithio y bydd yn cael ei defnyddio mewn ysgolion ac y bydd yn ysbrydoli pobl ledled y byd i ymddiddori yn y ffigurau eiconig hyn sydd wedi siapio diwylliant Cymru.

Mae’r gêm eisoes wedi’i chludo i 12 gwlad a 15 talaith yn UDA ac wedi ymddangos ar bapurau newydd a gorsafoedd radio rhanbarthol, cenedlaethol a rhyngwladol, yn ogystal ag S4C.

Fel un o raddedigion Y Drindod Dewi Sant, mae Eifion wedi gallu derbyn cyngor gan dîm Menter y Brifysgol i helpu gyda dechrau ei fusnes.

Meddai Dylan Williams-Evans, Swyddog Gweithredol Menter a Chronfeydd y

Dyfodol y Drindod Dewi Sant: “Mae’n wych gweld, ar ôl iddo fynychu ein Cwrs Dechrau Busnes, derbyn cefnogaeth un-iun a chael mynediad i’n Grant Entrepreneuriaeth i Fusnesau Newydd, fod Eifion wedi mynd yn ei flaen ac wedi defnyddio popeth y mae wedi’i ddysgu i ddechrau ei fusnes yn llwyddiannus mewn maes y mae’n angerddol iawn amdano a lle mae wedi gweld bwlch yn y farchnad.”

Mae Eifion yn canmol y Brifysgol am ei helpu i gyrraedd lle y mae heddiw gan ddweud: “Cafodd y Brifysgol effaith enfawr ar fy natblygiad a phopeth rydw i wedi’i gyflawni mewn bywyd hyd yn hyn.

“Fe wnes i feithrin perthnasoedd â staff y byddaf yn eu trysori am oes. Anghofiaf i byth am y ffordd y gwnaeth y brifysgol siapio fy mywyd.”

Gallwch gefnogi Eifion yn ei fenter a phrynu gêm gardiau Chwedlau Cymru yma: https://www. cardsofwales.com/cy

URC yn cyhoeddi diweddariad adolygu

AR DDYDD

GWENER 19 Ionawr, cyhoeddodd Undeb

Rygbi Cymru y cyntaf o’i ddiweddariadau chwarterol am y cynnydd a wnaed, yng nghyd-destun argymhellion yr

Adolygiad Annibynnol i’w ddiwylliant, a gwblhawyd ym mis Tachwedd 2023.

Mae Cadeirydd yr

Adolygiad Annibynnol, y Fonesig Anne Rafferty, eisoes wedi’i chadarnhau fel Cadeirydd y Grŵp

Goruchwylio allanol newydd am gyfnod o dair blynedd, i gynnig trosolwg allanol ac arweiniad am weithredu’r argymhellion.

Penodi’r Grŵp Goruchwylio yw’r cyntaf o tua 36 o argymhellion,

sydd wedi’u rhannu’n naw maes, ac mae’r argymhelliad i’w weithredu erbyn diwedd y mis hwn, gyda dau benodiad annibynnol pellach i’w cadarnhau’n aelodau o’r grŵp. Yr wyth maes arall dan sylw yw: Diwygio Bwrdd URC yn barhaus; Diwygio Cyngor URC; Gwella tryloywder yr Undeb; Cydraddoldeb, Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant; Cefnogaeth ariannol i glybiau; Buddsoddi yng ngêm merched a’r menywod; Gwella arferion cyflogaeth; a’r

Strategaeth Anabledd. Mae gan rai o’r argymhellion ynghylch diwygio’r Bwrdd a’r

Cyngor, er enghraifft, amserlen hirach i’w chwblhau o ganlyniad i sylwadau a wnaed

yn yr Adolygiad

Annibynnol ei hun. Cadarnhawyd, yn dilyn y newidiadau diweddar i lywodraethiant yr

Undeb, bod angen cyfnod o ymsefydlu cyn gweld effeithiau cadarnhaol y moderneiddio hyn.

O ganlyniad bydd y cyfnod ymgynghori am yr elfen hon o gynnydd URC yn digwydd ym mis Rhagfyr 2025. Bydd elfennau eraill yr argymhellion yn agos at gael eu gweithredu’n llwyr – neu wedi eu cwblhau – erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn.

“Rydym yn gwbl fwriadol yn gwneud ein hunain yn atebol yn gyhoeddus am weithredu’r argymhellion a wnaed gan yr Adolygiad Annibynnol yn gyflym

ac effeithiol.” Meddai Cadeirydd Undeb Rygbi Cymru, Richard CollierKeywood.

“Mae’r argymhellion hyn yn cynnig canllaw clir i ni am ddiwygio Undeb Rygbi Cymru ac rydym wedi ymrwymo’n llwyr i weithredu’r argymhellion hynny. Mae’n haddewidion wedi eu hail-adrodd a’u cadarnhau gan Nigel Walker (Prif Weithredwr Dros Dro URC) ac Abi Tierney ein Prif Weithredwr newydd –ac mae’r gwaith hwnnw eisoes ar waith mewn modd effeithiol.

“Rydym yn gweithio’n galed ar gynllun strategol a byddwn yn ymgynghori’n eang yn ystod y misoedd a’r wythnosau nesaf cyn cyhoeddi strategaeth newydd ‘Cymru’n Un’

erbyn mis Mehefin 2024.

“Bydd y strategaeth hon yn cwmpasu llawer o themâu’r Adolygiad Annibynnol ac yn ein helpu i wneud cynnydd pellach yng nghyddestun yr argymhellion.

“Eisoes mae gennym Gadeirydd ein Grŵp Goruchwylio yn ei lle a byddwn yn adrodd ein cynnydd i’r grŵp hwnnw, ac i’r cyhoedd, bob chwarter.

“Rydym wedi newid ein Bwrdd yn unol â’r argymhellion ac yn parhau i wella ein ffyrdd o weithio.

‘Rydym hefyd y gwneud gwaith da yng nghyddestun gweithredu’r gwelliannau a argymhellir i’n staff, a’n polisïau a’n gweithdrefnau cynhwysiant.”

NFU Cymru members re-elect Presidential team

NFU CYMRU

President Aled Jones and Deputy President Abi Reader have been re-elected to lead the union for another two years.

The pair were reelected at the NFU Cymru Council meeting, the union’s ruling body, in Cardiff on Tuesday, 16th January.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones is an eighthgeneration farmer who runs a pedigree herd of Holsteins with his son, Osian, in Caernarfon. Aled is married to Eilir, and together, they have four children, Osian, Prysor, Erwaun and Gruffudd and seven grandchildren. He has previously held various positions across the industry, including the post of Chairman of milk recording company Cattle Information Services (CIS) for seven years and a trustee of Holstein UK for eight years.

NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader is a third-generation mixed farmer, farming in partnership with her parents and uncle in Wenvoe, just outside Cardiff. The farm is home

to milking cows, sheep, beef cattle and around 120 acres of arable. Abi co-founded Cows on Tour and is an Open Farm Sunday host and former NFU Cymru Wales Woman Farmer of the Year. In 2019, she was honoured by the Queen with an MBE for her services to agriculture.

The recent meeting of the NFU Cymru Council also saw the union elect its wider officeholder team:

NFU Cymru National Board Chairs:-

Livestock Board: Rob Lewis (Brecon and Radnor)

Dairy Board: Jonathan Wilkinson (Montgomeryshire)

LFA Board: Kath Whitrow (Brecon and Radnor)

Rural Affairs Board: Hedd Pugh (Meirionydd)

NFU Cymru National Working Group Chairs:

Poultry: Richard Williams (Monmouthshire)

Organics: Haydn Evans (Carmarthenshire)

Elwyn Evans (Anglesey)

Combinable

Crops: Tom Rees (Pembrokeshire)

TB Focus Group: Roger Lewis (Pembrokeshire)

LAS Board Representative: Hedd Pugh (Meirionydd)

NFU Cymru Director John Mercer said: “We are incredibly lucky to have such a strong

national officeholder team working alongside our county officeholder teams and our professional NFU Cymru team of staff, all working together for the benefit of members and Welsh agriculture.

“With significant policy change on the horizon, volatile markets and global political uncertainty – never mind the day-to-day issues

affecting our members at the farm gate – it’s never been more important to have a strong team representing and protecting the interests of Welsh farmers.

“Many congratulations to all those elected, and we look forward to working closely together on behalf of Welsh agriculture in the coming two years.”

NFU Cymru launches Sustainable Farming Scheme roadshow

NFU C YMRY wants all members to attend one of its upcoming regional roadshow events discussing the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation.

The nine events across Wales, all kindly sponsored by Barclays Bank, form an important part of the comprehensive member engagement programme NFU Cymru is undertaking for the Welsh Government’s ‘Keep Farmers Farming’ Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation and support.

The roadshow events will see members of the NFU Cymru Policy team and the union’s elected officeholders giving attendees a detailed overview of the consultation and what it means for Welsh farming businesses.

The events aim to ensure farmers can respond effectively to the proposals put

forward by the Welsh Government. The discussed areas will include the Sustainable Farming Scheme framework, scheme eligibility, scheme rules, payment methodology and how the Welsh Government proposes to manage the transition from the Basic Payment Scheme to the Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2025.

The meetings will also consider the union’s concerns over several aspects of the proposals, including the 10% tree planting and 10% habitat requirements.

NFU Cymru

Sustainable Farming Scheme Roadshow schedule:

• Monday 29th

January - Welshpool Livestock Market2pm

• Monday 29th

January - Ruthin Rugby Club7.30pm

• Tuesday 30th

January - Nant yr Odyn Hotel, Anglesey - 2pm

• Tuesday 30th

JanuaryPorthmadog Football Club7.30pm

• Wednesday 31st

January - Brecon Livestock Market7.30pm

• Thursday 1st

February - Grove Golf Club, Porthcawl - 2pm

• Monday 5th

FebruaryAberystwyth Rugby Club - 2pm

• Monday 5th

February - Plas Hyfryd, Narberth7.30pm

• Wednesday 7th

February (National Tenants’ meeting) –NFU Cymru office, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells – 11am

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “This is the most significant Welsh Government

consultation for a generation. Farmers across Wales must contribute their views as part of the process –we need to ensure the industry’s voice is heard loud and clear.

With nine events taking place throughout Wales, there is ample opportunity for farmers to come along and hear from our Policy staff about the outline Welsh

Government proposals for future farm support.

The full consultation is 108 pages long, but the presentation at these events will cover the key aspects of which members need to be informed.

“Given this is the most significant consultation in a generation, NFU Cymru staff will be on hand to offer advice and support to members on

how to respond to the consultation.

“I’d also like to thank Barclays Bank for their support of NFU Cymru in running this important series of events.”

Please visit the NFU Cymru website for more information about the Welsh Government ‘Keep Farmers Farming’ Sustainable Farming Scheme consultation.

Unlocking clover’s potential

SCIENTISTS are trying to unlock the potential of clover and other legumes to reduce the use of fertiliser and emissions from livestock agriculture, thanks to a £3.3 million UK Government grant.

To achieve the government net zero targets by 2050, greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming must fall by 78% by 2035.

At the same time, the world’s population is forecast to reach 10 billion people by 2050, with demand for food predicted to rise by 70%.

CUTTING NITROGEN FERTILISERS

UK sheep and cattle production relies predominately on grassbased pastures, which use chemical nitrogen fertilisers to grow the grass used as feed for these livestock.

Manufacturing one tonne of chemical nitrogen fertiliser can release up to eight tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Clovers and other legumes can ‘fix’ Nitrogen from the atmosphere and share this with grasses growing in the same field.

As part of a new UK Government-funded project in partnership with industry, scientists at Aberystwyth University’s IBERS will look at the ability of red and white clover and another legume, Birdsfoot Trefoil, to improve the productivity of livestock whilst reducing reliance on chemical nitrogen fertiliser.

Germinal andAberystwyth University have developed new legume varieties that are more resilient to grazing by

cattle and sheep and extreme weather due to climate change.

Birdsfoot trefoil contains compounds called tannins, which can reduce methane emissions by cattle and sheep.

A NATURAL APPROACh

Researchers will work with commercial farmers in the ‘NUE-Leg’ project to maximise its benefits.

The project will look at how to best take advantage of the natural ability of legumes to fix Nitrogen, reducing reliance on chemical nitrogen fertilisers.

The research will include on-farm trials to identify how to support farmers in reaching net zero targets.

Dr Christina Marley from IBERS at Aberystwyth University said: “This project could help cut the use of fertilisers and agricultural emissions.

We aim to make the most of the ability of clovers and other legumes to increase nitrogen levels naturally in UK grasslands. We look forward to working with livestock farmers to understand how best to use these new legumes within real farming systems.

“There is so much potential in these adaptations to some of our native plants, as we, as a society, undertake a wider collective effort to tackle climate change”.

REDUCING PRICE VOLATILITY

Welcoming the DEFRA Award on behalf of ‘NUELeg’ Project Partners, Paul

Billings, Managing Director, Germinal UK & Ireland, said: “Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for growing grass. Without it, we could not grow the grass we need to feed our livestock and produce the dairy and meat products we need.

“However, nitrogen fertilisers are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in manufacturing and transportation and from in-field losses such as nitrous oxide and ammonia. They are also a source of nitrate losses to our waterways. They are expensive, and farmers have seen huge price volatility, particularly in the last two years when price fluctuations have been around 300%.

“Governments worldwide have rightly said we must reduce our reliance on nitrogen fertilisers. We need a solution.

Legumes such as white and red clovers grown with grass can fix Nitrogen from the air without emissions.

A current grass sward with a good clover content could fix, on average, between 100 and 150 kg of Nitrogen per hectare per year.

The clover will use about 75 kg of this for itself. The rest is available to the grass.

“But what if we could maximise the capacity of clovers to fix Nitrogen by ensuring we have enough clovers that can persist in the sward and match them with the right soil microbes and the right nutrition?

“We also need to wrap this up in a management approach that supports farmers and gives them the tools and information they need to make this work in a

commercial setting and make a profit.

“This is what we want to achieve with Project NUELeg.

“We want to achieve a threefold increase in the capacity of clovers to fix atmospheric Nitrogen up to 300 kg nitrogen per hectare per year, thereby eliminating the need for chemical nitrogen fertilisers.

“This project has the potential to be truly transformative for grassland farming in the UK and globally.

“It could be a gamechanger in both cutting emissions and in supporting farm profitability. In this context, we are very grateful to the UK Government for this funding award, which allows this important project to proceed to its next onfarm testing and proving phase.”

PROJECT PARTNERS

The NUE-Leg research project is a partnership between Aberystwyth University, Germinal, Origin Enterprises, the James Hutton Institute, Agrecalc, Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF), Dovecote Farm, Pilgrim’s Pride, Müller UK & Ireland and the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL).

The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs funds the project through the Farming Innovation Programme. The department is working in partnership with Innovate UK, which delivers the programme.

I want to start this week’s column by once again thanking everyone who helped make our annual breakfast week events another roaring success last week. It was great to see so many of you join us round the table for breakfast and talk about our industry. It also provided an opportunity to check in on friends and neighbours to see how they are doing.

Conversations around mental health are challenging, and in the farming community in particular, it can be difficult to open up about what you may be experiencing. Many of the common signs of mental ill-health can be missed when farmers are spending significant periods of time working long hours alone. Isolation is the norm for many farmers who also have to deal with the aftermath of storms, market uncertainty and questions over future income streams.

If you notice a change in behaviour in those around you, please check in with them. They will not always want to talk to you but in some cases just knowing that someone has noticed is enough to persuade them to get help. As part of our Mental Health First Aid training we have been offered some simple advice - when someone does start talking to you you just need to listen. There is no need to try and fix the person’s problems, you don’t have to try to work through their situation or offer advice. Just listen - it’s a key skill but one that could make a significant

difference.

I would also say that you don’t need to wait until you have suicidal thoughts before seeking help. It’s worth getting support and talking to someone if you feel you can’t cope with everyday challenges. Maybe you’re feeling tired more often, or feeling emotional for no obvious reasons or simply not wanting to do the things that you usually enjoy.

Struggling to cope with everyday life doesn’t look or feel the same in everyone and we certainly wouldn’t want to generalise about how it’ll make you feel or act. Some signs to look out for include, but are not limited to, lack of energy or feeling tired; feeling exhausted all of the time, experiencing ‘brain fog’ and finding it hard to think clearly; having trouble concentrating; being restless and agitated; feeling tearful; not wanting to talk to people or be with them and finding it difficult to cope with everyday things and task.

Should you recognise these signs in someone or you are experiencing some or all of these, please don’t feel like you are alone. Help is out there and sometimes the thing that makes us strong is reaching out for help.

Mental health has been an issue in the sector for a long time and we are facing unprecedented times and plenty of uncertainty which is never helpful when it comes to mental health issues. Thankfully in Wales there is a lot of support available and we should all seek help when we need to be supported.

Will love be in the air for RSPCA pets?

AS DYDD Santes Dwynwen approaches, marking a Welsh celebration of love akin to Valentine’s Day, RSPCA Cymru is filled with hope. This special day, falling on January 25, might just bring a wave of love and new homes for several overlooked pets in their care.

Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, RSPCA has been a beacon of hope, successfully rehoming over 17,000 animals across Wales in the past decade. However, the organization currently faces a significant rehoming crisis, the most severe in recent memory, largely attributed to the aftermath of the pandemic and the escalating cost of living. Their centres and branches are overwhelmed, with an increasing number of animals needing care and fewer adoptions.

Highlighted in this crisis are two French bulldogs, Lucas and Mickey, from the RSPCA Newport Animal Centre. These lovable dogs have been waiting for their forever homes for quite some time. Courtney Murphy, the deputy centre manager, expressed her affection for these dogs, noting their friendly and energetic nature. Lucas is a five-year-old bundle of joy who enjoys outdoor activities and cuddles, while Mickey, a playful one-year-old, adapts well despite losing a front leg.

Moo Moo, another long-term resident at the Newport Centre, is described as a ‘little sweetheart’. This timid cat seeks an adult-only home with experienced

owners. Meanwhile, at the RSPCA Bryn-YMaen Animal Centre, Baby and Roo, two young cats, await someone to provide them with a loving home. They are indoor cats, slightly shy but affectionate, suitable for a household with older children and someone present most of the day.

The Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre is also home to Tango, a three-year-old greyhound described as affectionate and active. She’s hoping for a family with older children, and possibly another dog companion, though she does have a prey drive and wears a muzzle comfortably.

Finally, there’s Timmy, a two-year-old who has spent 286 days in RSPCA care and is currently enjoying foster care. He seeks an adultonly home where he can enjoy playtime and quiet moments at his own pace.

As RSPCA Cymru enters its 200th year, the organization is on a mission to inspire a movement of one million supporters for animal welfare, aiming to “create a better world for every animal”. They encourage animal lovers to join their winter rescue efforts by donating, helping rescue teams reach thousands of animals in need.

For those interested in adopting a pet or supporting the RSPCA’s cause, visit www.rspca. org.uk/200. This Dydd Santes Dwynwen, let’s spread love and hope by giving these deserving animals the forever homes they eagerly await.

University to mark Apprenticeship Week

UWTSD will celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (February 5 to 11)/

The week-long event brings together businesses and apprentices to shine a light on the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, businesses, and the wider economy.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is “Skills for Life”, and U WTSD will host events and share e the stories of how apprenticeships can help individuals develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding

career and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills.

UWTSD has a highly successful Degree Apprenticeship Programme, built in partnership with Welsh businesses, providing great quality, the right skills pathways, and the right level of support to help achieve economic durability.

Regardless of size and sector, all employers in Wales can access and engage in the Apprenticeship Programme, which offers high-quality, fully funded training to anyone over

18 to drive a knowledge, skills-based economy, allowing employers and their employees to achieve their full potential.

Apprentices spend 20% of their work time on off-the-job training; this includes regular days or block releases to university special training days or practical workshops.

Bridget Moseley, head of UWTSD’s Apprenticeship Unit, said: “By offering apprenticeships, businesses are not only able to strengthen their business with a pipeline of talent but

are equipping future workforces with the right skills to ensure Wales remains competitive on a global scale.

“Working with the Welsh Government and employers, we have developed our apprenticeship portfolio to meet the needs and priorities of Wales.”

The University’s apprenticeship provision has been judged ‘Good’ in a recent inspection by Ofsted.

The review was of provision funded via the UK Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)

and included:

• BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering

• Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (Level 6)

• Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (Level 4)

• MA Archaeological Practice (Level 7)

• Embedded Electronics

• Stained Glass (Level 4)

• Senior Leader (Level 7)

The review concluded that the provision was good against all the criteria in the Education Inspection Framework of Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management and Apprenticeships.

The inspectors also highlighted the excellent additional learning and pastoral care provided by the University and the range of financial bursaries available to support apprentices to continue their studies.

WG targets sexual harassment in schools

ThE WELSh GOVERNMENT and NSPCC Cymru are working together and with young people to understand the solutions to preventing harmful behaviour.

On Wednesday (January 24), the Welsh Government published a new Peer-on-Peer Sexual Harassment Plan.

The plan sets out how the Welsh Government will work with partners to prevent and end peer-on-peer sexual harassment and address harmful behaviour when it occurs.

A safe learning environment is essential to giving young people the best chances in education.

The plan has been co-created with several partners across the education sector, local authorities, the police and charities.

Recent reviews from Estyn, the Senedd’s Children, Young People and Education Committee inquiry, and first-hand accounts from learners through the Everyone’s Invited platform have revealed the extent of young people experiencing

The Welsh Government plan sets out how schools and colleges understand their roles and responsibilities and provide quality training so staff can confidently address and teach about sexual harassment developmentally appropriately.

sexual harassment and harmful behaviour from their peers at school.

This evidence shows that learners need to be able to voice their concerns about what they’re experiencing and feel listened to and understood so schools, governments and partners have an accurate picture and can take steps to address it.

The Welsh Government is working on targeted engagement to understand the issues children and young people face to help put their voices and experiences first.

This work will seek to understand young people’s knowledge of peer-on-peer sexual harassment, whether they feel listened to and

supported when they talk about and report peer-on-peer sexual harassment, and what the solutions could be to stop it.

The Curriculum for Wales ensures all learners have access to developmentally appropriate lessons about healthy relationships with friends and family and develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour.

Lessons are tailored to a learner’s developmental stage. This learning, and a better awareness of harassment in schools brought forward by the new plan, aims to protect learners by empowering them to recognise harassment, speak out and get the

support they need.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “Schools across Wales do excellent work creating safe learning environments for their learners.

“However, just like in wider society, we know that harassment can be problematic.

“Everyone must know that any form of sexual harassment is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated.

“Protecting learners, listening and responding to their concerns is essential to ending harassment, supporting their wellbeing and boosting attendance.”

ARB outdoor kit elevates Isuzu D-Max experience

ARB, the preeminent Australian 4x4 accessories manufacturer, proudly introduces an expansive range of outdoor adventure accessories customised for the Isuzu D-Max. Catering to enthusiasts with a penchant for exploration, ARB’s comprehensive lineup covers vehicle camping, off-roading, green laning, and various other off-road adventures.

Elevating the camping experience, ARB presents an array of rooftop tents, including the rugged ARB Esperance Roof Top Tent with Ladder (Hard Shell), the versatile ARB Flinders Roof Top Tent, and the spacious ARB Simpson III Roof Top Tent with Ladder & Annex. For ground-level camping enthusiasts, the ARB Swag Skydome Tent provides a cosy and convenient option. These tents seamlessly integrate with the popular ARB Ascent Hardtop Gullwing Canopy, now an official accessory for the Isuzu D-Max.

ARB’s commitment to enhancing the camping lifestyle extends to the Slide Kitchen, a fully fitted kitchen drawer set complete with a gas hob, sink, and additional drawers. For those seeking extended adventures, the ARB Zero Fridge Freezer ensures perishables stay fresh. To maximise the D-Max’s space, ARB introduces the Awning Room Deluxe, a versatile extension completed with a floor, transforming the vehicle into a comfortable and spacious retreat.

Venturing into remote locations demands reliable support. ARB’s off-roading and green laning accessories include the indispensable Tred Pro Recovery Boards for overcoming challenging terrains, the Baserack & Cab Mount Kit for carrying extra equipment, and the comprehensive ARB Recovery Kit Weekender. This kit, featuring a snatch strap rated to 4.75 tonnes, shackles, and leather gloves, is complemented by ARB Recovery Points, ensuring secure front-

end recovery.

Isuzu and ARB joined forces in the middle of 2023, resulting in remarkable success. The collaboration generated sales totalling £124,000, with the ARB Ascent Canopy emerging as the top seller. This canopy, known for its excellent build quality and versatility, has captured the hearts of D-Max owners seeking durability and functionality.

Steve Page, Accessory Sales &

Marketing Co-Ordinator at Isuzu UK, commented, “Our partnership with ARB has exceeded expectations. The accessories provided have proven to be of the highest quality, and Isuzu D-Max owners have embraced the versatility they bring to their outdoor adventures.”

Established in 1975 in Australia, ARB has grown to become the largest manufacturer and distributor of 4x4 accessories. With

a presence in over 80 countries, ARB’s commitment to quality, reliability, and practicality remains steadfast.

As we approach Australia Day on January 26th, ARB invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore their range of accessories, celebrating the spirit of adventure and the rugged durability they offer. For more information, please visit www.isuzu.co.uk/ accessories or www. arb4x4uk.co.uk.

Stitching together mothers’ memories

MOThERS have been sewing a quilt to encourage discussions about their infant feeding choices as part of an Aberystwyth University academic’s project.

Dr Gillian McFadyen is one of the researchers leading the Motherhood Quilt and Guilt project in collaboration with academics from Swansea and Northumbria Universities.

The innovative project invited mothers to submit a voice recording re-counting their experiences feeding their babies and to donate an outgrown babygro, which could be stitched into the quilt.

Community workshops were then held in Aberystwyth and Swansea, which allowed local mothers to get together to share their experiences of motherhood and infant feeding whilst stitching the quilt.

The completed quilt will incorporate digital sensors, allowing people to hear audio clips from mothers about their

feeding journey.

Aberystwyth University International Politics lecturer Dr McFadyen researches political embroidery as a method of resistance, memory, activism and storytelling.

She explains: “The emotive and often divisive subject of how mothers feed their babies is a regular topic of discussion among policymakers, academics, mothers, and the public.

“The uniqueness of the Motherhood Quilt and Guilt is that it departs from dominant breastfeeding literature that focuses on positive emotions related to bonding and offers space for amplifying mothers’ voices and their range of experiences surrounding feeding.

“The project follows in the Welsh communal quilting tradition, as through the stitching workshops we create a space for mothers to come together and share their stories whilst sewing.”

Dr Sophia Komninou, Lecturer of Public Health Nutrition at

Swansea University, is collaborating on the project funded by Welsh Crucible.

She said: “Through previous research, we discovered that, regardless of how mothers feed their babies, they all harbour feelings of guilt.

“For those that formula feed or combination feed, there are often feelings of having failed to follow public health advice, especially if, before they had the baby, they were planning to breastfeed.

“However, those mothers that breastfeed also often feel that they are letting people down

- for example, they feel guilty that breastfeeding takes them away from their other children, makes them a less attentive partner, and means that they focus less on their career.”

Fellow collaborator Dr Angelika Strohmayer, Assistant Professor in the School of Design at Northumbria University, is interested in collaborative and digitally augmented craft practices. She said: “Within the quilt, we are incorporating a number of quilted spirals, using a traditional motif.

“The pattern guides people to interact with the

hidden touch sensors and simultaneously can also be seen as a metaphor for the spiralling emotions experienced by mothers.

“At the centre of each spiral, we are embedding an electronic touch sensor through which a mother’s story can be heard through a prerecorded audio clip.”

When it is completed, the project team plan to exhibit the digital quilt in venues across Wales to encourage public discussion, empathy and understanding of infant feeding choices and the complex emotional experiences of motherhood.

Major incident over Aerated Concrete at Withybush Hospital brought to end

hYWEL Dda University health Board has announced that the Internal Major Incident declared at Withybush hospital on 15 August 2023 due to the discovery of faulty concrete planks has now been brought to an end.

The health board was forced to act back in August due to concerns about the structural safety of Withybush Hospital site following the discovery of numerous defective Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) planks.

HThe decision to bring the incident to an end means that the health board has addressed the immediate health and safety issues and the risks that RAAC posed.

Andrew Carruthers, Hywel Dda University Health Board’s Director of Operations said: “This

is good news, but it is important to note that some services continue to be displaced and provided from alternative venues, which presents ongoing operational challenges.

“Repair work will continue throughout this year. There is also an

ongoing programme of regular survey work to monitor the condition of the RAAC, which will cause some disruption from time to time.”

Mr Carruthers has thanked all staff working in Withybush Hospital, South Pembrokeshire Hospital and throughout

the health board for all their hard work and for adapting to ensure patient services were maintained as fully as possible.

“I would also like to thank patients, visitors and member of the public for their patience, support and understanding during what has been a very

challenging time for us and our patients.” he said.

“We are grateful to our patients and staff, for their continued support, and for understanding when we have needed to temporarily move services to alternative locations. The collective hard work of staff and hospital management, with support from our local authority partners and Welsh Government, has made it possible for us to make repairs and to reach this point of de-escalation.” said Mr Carruthers.

“We look forward to continuing to working together to manage the repair and recommissioning of the affected wards. We expect to have wards back in use by the end of March 2024, with work to repair the kitchens and outpatient areas completed later this year.”

Consultants and specialists balloted on strikes

BMA Cymru Wales is polling consultants and SAS (specialist, associate specialist and speciality) doctors about whether to strike over their pay.

The ballots will close on March 4.

Consultants and SAS doctors comprise over half (54%) of the hospital-based medical workforce combined, with 3,137 Consultants and 1,088 SAS doctors working in hospitals across Wales.

BMA took the decision to ballot members on strike action after rejecting the Welsh Government’s first and final pay offer for the 2023/24 financial year.

For consultants and SAS doctors on closed contracts, the offer was 5%; SAS doctors on more recent contracts received as little as 1.5%.

Over the last 15 years, consultants and SAS doctors in Wales have experienced a pay cut of almost a third since 2008/9.

They received another sub-inflationary pay offer from the Welsh Government for 202324, which is below the recommendation made by the DDRB and the

worst offer in the UK.

Dr Stephen Kelly, chair of the BMA Cymru Wales consultants committee, said: “Whilst no doctor wants to strike, years of chronic underinvestment in the NHS workforce has led us here.

“With rising waiting lists, demand has completely outstretched capacity in NHS Wales. Colleagues regularly tell me things are worse than

ever, and subsequently choose to retire early or leave NHS Wales.

“Doctors and patients deserve better than this. Investing in staff retention should be the Welsh Government’s number one priority when looking to improve NHS services. Quite simply, we have run out of options.”

Welsh SAS committee deputy chair Dr Julie Jones said:

“We are demoralised and burnt out. Day in and day out, we want to provide patients with the quality care they deserve, but huge staffing gaps make this work impossible. We all deserve better than this.

“We want to serve our patients who are our top priority, but poor pay and even worse conditions have forced us to take this step.”

Meanwhile, contract

negotiations between the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, and BMA Cymru Wales’ GP committee ended without resolution in October, leading to a stark warning from GP leaders on the future of General Practice.

GPC Wales is now lobbying the Welsh Government for an urgent financial rescue package to save the service from collapse.

Shadow minister praises “game-changing” diabetes device

AN INNOVATIVE tech firm is developing the ‘holy grail’ in diabetes monitoring, which could drastically transform the lives of people living with the condition, according to a member of the Senedd.

Natasha Asghar MS gave her view following a recent visit to Afon Technology in Caldicot, Monmouthshire.

Afon Technology is developing the world’s first wearable, noninvasive blood glucose monitoring device. The cutting-edge technology is poised to revolutionise blood glucose monitoring and offers a solution that eliminates pain and discomfort.

The firm’s noninvasive continuous

blood glucose monitoring sensor, called Glucowear, is worn on the inside of the wrist with or without a watch, and it feeds back to the user’s chosen smart device to display blood glucose data. Unlike the current continuous glucose

monitoring devices, it will measure blood glucose levels in real-time without the need to penetrate the skin at all, making it easier to manage the condition and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure

and limb amputations.

Natasha Asghar MS, who represents South Wales East in the Senedd and is also Shadow Technology Minister, said: “The team at Afon Technology are working tirelessly around the clock to develop what will be a huge game changer for people living with diabetes.

“Most of us will know someone with diabetes and know they have to prick themselves with a needle countless times a day, which can cause pain and discomfort. But all of that would end with the non-invasive Glucowear with patients also being able to get real-time readings straight to their smart device.”

She added: “This is a true Welsh success

story, and I look forward to working closely with Afon Technology as this exciting project progresses.” Companies such as Apple, Samsung and Google are rumoured to have been trying to develop non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, but so far none have been successful. Afon Technology hopes to win the race to this important milestone.

Sabih Chaudhry, CEO of Afon Technology, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Natasha to our office and laboratory, having someone from the Welsh parliament come to see us shows that they are recognising a small Welsh company that is developing the holy grail in diabetes monitoring.”

Shared-spaces.co.uk

SSH@businessinfocus.co.uk

BTata fallout will hit the whole economy

ON JANUARY 19, Tata Steel announced it would start formal consultation on up to 2,800 job losses in its UK operations.

2,500 of the projected job losses will be at Tata’s Port Talbot steelworks.

Port Talbot Steelworks is the largest single private sector contributor to Wales’s economic output. Although metal manufacturing contributes less gross value added to the Welsh economy than agriculture and food manufacturing, it is a cornerstone for industries that rely on its products and secures upstream and downstream jobs.

RIPPLE EFFECT AFFECTS FREEPORT

The job losses will devastate the town and create a ripple effect on the wider economy of South-West Wales.

Former industrial towns like Caldicot, Ammanford, and Merthyr have never recovered from the blow of losing well-paid, secure, skilled jobs.

The Port Talbot site is a key Celtic Sea Freeport scheme element.

The Celtic Freeport aims to accelerate Wales’ path to net zero, including

creating new industries like sustainable fuels and rolling out floating offshore wind (FLOW).

A strong local supply chain, from skills to materials like concrete and steel, is crucial to Freeport’s success.

The decision to end high-grade steel production at Port Talbot puts a large spanner in those works.

Not only does the end of high-grade steel production affect the steel supply for the Freeport project, but it also jeopardises innovative projects aiming to capture production off-gases to manufacture advanced fuels and energy and calls into question the commercial market for hydrogen-based energy production.

Moreover, ending high-quality steel production at Port Talbot could mean massive job losses at Tata’s Trostre plant in Llanelli and its Llanwern works. Both facilities depend on highgrade steel supplied by Port Talbot. Steel manufactured from scrap, which is what Tata plans, will not meet the demands of those plants’ industrial customers. If those industrial customers go elsewhere, it isn’t easy to see how either plant can

continue operating at its current level or at all.

Trostre employs around 700 people, and Llanwern employs around 600. Replacing those jobs, in those numbers, and at comparable pay with pie-in-the-sky-byeand-bye green jobs will be next to impossible.

NO SURPRISE AT CUTS

Cutting production at Port Talbot cannot have surprised the UK and Welsh Governments.

Market pressures, a failure to innovate early enough, high energy costs, and pressure to facilitate token gestures to reduce the 0.001% Wales contributes to global carbon emissions have all played their part in the current crisis.

Additional pressures come from the international market. China now produces more steel every two years than the UK has produced since the Industrial Revolution. Meanwhile, driven by huge government subsidies, the US is already modernising its steel production.

Tata has highlighted issues about the Steelworks’ viability for

years.

The company claims losses at the plant run to £1m daily. Those costs are not eased by the UK’s dysfunctional energy market, where prices to commercial and industrial consumers are higher than in other countries. In addition, the plant’s blast furnaces are yesterday’s technology.

Both the Welsh and UK governments are committed to reducing carbon emissions from industry. Port Talbot is the UK’s largest single carbon emitter, accounting for 37% of Wales’s carbon emissions. At the same time, Tata says it wants to achieve net zero by 2045.

Current jobs are the price of that net-zero future. However, there is no sign of future jobs in the same density or at the same wage level to replace those lost now. Bleating about “a just transition” is just that: bleating. Job losses are inevitable as part of the drive to net zero.

Planning for future technologies is all very well, but people need jobs and money now. High rhetoric about retraining for jobs that don’t exist will never trump basic needs in the present.

Jobs lost now will not be replaced in the short

or medium term

The result could be depopulation, loss of skilled labour elsewhere, and adverse consequences on service industries and businesses dependent on the economic activity of workers at the Port Talbot Steelworks.

Ben Francis, FSB Wales Policy Chair, said: “The announcement from Tata Steel today will be devastating for the impacted families and communities and reflects the wider uncertainty of the economy as a whole.

“There now needs to be a clear and immediate plan to support the supply chain businesses that the decision will impact. The transition process will be incredibly important for those businesses.

Similarly, we would like to see a clear offer of support for local businesses in and around Port Talbot, which this substantial reduction in the workforce will impact.

“We expect to see a shared purpose by both UK and Welsh governments on the future of operations at Tata and a wider plan for diversifying the local economy and want to be sure that they will include the business community around the table.”

Ground investigation works begin at Pembroke Port and Criterion Quay

IN a major step towards enhancing Pembrokeshire’s maritime capabilities, the Port of Milford haven announced a comprehensive series of ground investigation works at Pembroke Port, Criterion Quay, and surrounding waterways. These activities, commencing immediately and running until the end of February, are critical for future developments, particularly in positioning the region as a hub for the burgeoning floating offshore wind (FLOW) and marine renewables industries.

Causeway Geotech, a specialist operator, has been entrusted with the coordination of these surveys. The focus is twofold: firstly, a benthic survey aims to identify vital marine wildlife and habitats, ensuring that the environmental impact

of the developments is thoroughly assessed. Secondly, borehole drilling will be conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the seabed’s composition.

Residents and visitors to Pembroke Port and Criterion Quay can expect to see the surveying teams in action 7 days a week, during standard working hours. By the end of January, the operations will extend afloat, featuring a jackup barge and additional workboats in the area. These afloat works are scheduled to operate around the clock, also concluding by February’s end.

The Port of Milford Haven emphasises the low impact of these works, not anticipating significant noise levels. However, they encourage community feedback and queries via their dedicated email: feedback@mhpa. co.uk.

Marine leisure users are advised to stay informed about the ongoing activities through the Port’s Notice to Mariners, available on their website.

This initiative is a critical step in preparing Pembrokeshire for the opportunities presented by the FLOW and marine renewables sectors. By developing deep-water dockside facilities tailored to industry needs, the Waterway is poised to become the closest, best-equipped, and deepest port in proximity to the Celtic Sea, offering unparalleled advantages for future maritime and renewable energy projects.

csvELy LIBERAL

W ITH ANDREW LyE

future on “stopping the boats” and tax cuts in the forthcoming Budget, I fail to see what public service is better now than when the Tories were elected in 2010. The NhS is struggling. More cuts to local government services and higher Council Tax bills are on the cards. Overcrowded prisons. An army that continues to shrink in numbers at a fast pace at a time that the world has become a much more volatile place. The list goes on and on.

Here in Wales, the Senedd Reform Bill Committee has published its report ahead of the introduction of the Senedd Cymru (Members and Elections) Bill.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Regional MS for Mid & West Wales, Jane Dodds sits as a member of the committee and has played a fundamental role in the scrutiny of the electoral method proposed by the Welsh Government.

Ahead of the upcoming Senedd reforms, the party has set out our position to see the Senedd expanded in terms of its members whilst also pushing for the fairest electoral system possible with the introduction of the Single Transferable Vote system.

The Welsh Government proposals, backed by Plaid Cymru, were published ahead of the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform concluding its work, leading Jane Dodds MS to call the proposals a “stitch up”.

The party has also raised concerns over the proposed pairing of constituencies, which risk having no meaning for electors, and the continuing use of the closed list D’hont electoral system.

Commenting, Jane Dodds said:

“We as a party have long called for a larger and more representative Senedd and that is why I welcome these proposed reforms.”

Governments’ “moral and

“For more than two decades we have grappled with an ongoing debate around ensuring that our parliament is properly equipped to the job it needs to do.”

“Having played a full role in the Senedd Reform Committee where we gathered evidence on how to create a more effective and fairer democracy for the people of Wales, I am glad to see that we are finally starting to answer those key questions about how the Senedd can meet the current and future challenges our country faces.”

“However, at the same time, I am opposed to the continuing use of the Closed List voting system.”

“There’s no evidence that the proposals from Welsh Labour and their Plaid Cymru partners will benefit voters.”

“What’s more, they will rob voters of choice and essentially lock smaller parties out of the Senedd, something which will prevent voters from being given a meaningful choice over who represents them.”

“The Single Transferable Vote (STV) would, both in theory and in practice, help shape a fairer, more accountable democracy in Wales where every vote counts.”

“I am also concerned that the proposed new constituencies do not represent communities which residents feel that they belong in and as a result will fail to ensure greater accountability between Members of the Senedd and their communities.”

“I will be working hard over the coming weeks to build support for amendments to the Bill that will ensure we don’t miss out on the opportunity to deliver a democracy and Senedd that works for Wales.”

I hope that Jane Dodds is successful in achieving a change to an STV voting system. In an election, EVERY vote should count.

NEW analysis in the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) flagship UK Poverty report quantifies for the first time how many thousands of pounds families need to escape poverty – and how that has worsened over time.

It is now 20 years and six prime ministers since there was a sustained fall in poverty.

Paul Kissack, Group Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, says: “Over the last two decades, we have seen poverty deepen, with more and more families falling further below the poverty line.

“Little wonder that the visceral signs of hardship and deprivation are all around us –from rocketing use of foodbanks to growing numbers of homeless families.

“It is a story of both moral and fiscal irresponsibility – an affront to the dignity of those living in hardship, while driving up pressures on public services like the NHS.”

incomes of people in poverty to the poverty line, has grown wider.

Six million of the UK’s poorest people –those living in very deep poverty – would need - on average - to more than double their income to move out of poverty.

Analysis of the latest data shows that the average person in poverty has an income of 29% below the poverty line, with the gap up from 23% in the mid-1990s.

In 1979, the direct comparable figure was 14%.

The average income of people in very deep poverty – is 59% below the poverty line.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation defines poverty as a household with less than 60% of the median income after accounting for housing costs.

It defines deep poverty as a household income of less than 40% of the median after accounting for housing costs.

That is equivalent to a couple with two children under 14:

£12,800 more to reach the poverty line.

Over one in five people in the UK (22%) were in poverty in 2021/22

This equates to 14.4 million people in total, with 8.1 million workingage adults, 4.2 million children and 2.1 million pensioners living in poverty

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of working-age adults in poverty live in working households. This has increased by three percentage points, from 61% to 64%, between 2020/21 and 2021/22

The number and proportion of children and pensioners in poverty rose between 2020/21 and 2021/22, as well as overall poverty

Around two in every ten adults are in poverty in the UK, with about three in every ten children being in poverty

Around six million people lived in very deep poverty in 2021/22.

WELSh GOVERNMENT LAUNChES NEW STRATEGY

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

ThE WIDENING GAP

The poverty gap, or the amount of money needed to bring the

In poverty - needing an additional £6,200 per year to reach the poverty line. In the mid-90s, the gap was £3,300 after adjusting for inflation.

In very deep poverty - needing a whopping

On Tuesday (January 23), the Welsh Government launched another strategy to tackle child poverty.

The strategy’s announcement comes 25 years after devolution

fiscal irresponsibility” behind poverty

placed many levers to tackle child poverty in the Welsh Government’s hands.

Despite claims that ending child poverty has been a priority for successive Welsh Governments since 1999, poverty remains entrenched in Wales, with yesterday’s poorest citizens giving rise to new generations who have experienced nothing but deprivation.

Poverty in Wales hovers around the UK average, and there are many English regions with very much higher rates.

Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip Jane Hutt said: “Tackling child poverty and working with others to achieve this is at the heart of everything we do as a government at all levels in Wales.

“Through this strategy, we will ensure that child poverty is a priority in cross-government decision-making.”

However, the Welsh Government has - again - refused to include a statutory framework to support its ambitions and ensure results.

Key elements of the welfare benefits system remain in Westminster’s hands. However, the experience of the

Scottish Government is a cautionary tale of where good intentions can lead.

The devolved Scottish Government varied welfare benefits payments to increase the amount paid to Scotland’s poorest families. Those decisions have led to a widening funding gap between what the Scottish Government wants to do and what it can deliver.

Apart from the chaos surrounding Nicola Sturgeon’s exit and the scandals that have engulfed the SNP, the failure to move the dial one inch towards balancing public expectations with financial reality has electorally hammered the SNP.

Anyone inclined to believe Plaid Cymru’s repeated references to Scotland as though it were a land of milk and honey is living in cloudcuckoo land.

WG STRATEGY LACKS CLARITY AND AMBITION

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Social Justice, Sioned Williams MS, said: “After 25 years in power in Wales, it’s hard to accept the narrative that tackling child poverty is an absolute priority for the

Labour Government. But without real action, their words ring hollow.

“From scrapping their goal to eradicate child poverty by 2020, failing to fund Free School Meals for children from lower-income families over school holidays, and more recently cancelling their Universal Baby Bundles – their poor record speaks for itself.

“As child poverty levels remain stubbornly high, this already delayed Child Poverty Strategy simply lacks teeth. Without statutory targets to monitor progress, how can we ensure this Labour Government is truly motivated to eradicate child poverty in Wales?

“Plaid Cymru knows that this is not as good as it gets. The Labour Government must listen to experts in the field and re-introduce statutory targets to stamp out child poverty – our children depend on it.”

Responding to The Centre For Cities report, which shows that between 2014-21, the growth in the share of children in relative poverty from working households is highest in Swansea, Newport and Cardiff than in other British cities, Mark

BLUE vIEW

WITH PAUL DAvIES MS

Withyhedge Woes!

If you’ve driven around the north of haverfordwest, then I’m sure you’ve been unable to miss the foul stench coming from the Withyhedge landfill site. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the agency responsible for managing the environment in Wales and regulating the waste industry, has given a permit for the site to receive up to 250,000 tons of waste per annum.

Isherwood MS, Shadow Social Justice Minister said: “The growth of poverty among children in working households is extremely concerning.

“The Children’s Commissioner for Wales has previously strongly criticised the Labour Government’s plans to tackle child poverty in Wales, stating they lacked ‘ambition, clarity and detail’, and we can see the devastating results of that lack of ambition in these figures.

“Unless we see the urgent implementation of a clear and robust child poverty strategy, Labour will continue to fail the children of Wales, as they have done for the past 25 years.

“After all, this isn’t a new problem. Wales has seen rising child poverty for two decades, often at the highest levels in the UK.”

Regarding the new child poverty strategy, Mark Isherwood added: Labour has been directly responsible for tackling poverty in Wales over the last 25 years. Try as they might to hide from the truth; the facts don’t lie.

“This typifies the Labour Government, who will talk the talk but won’t walk the walk.”

As you can imagine, this is having a huge impact on residents living in close proximity to the site – and those living in the surrounding areas – and many of them have contacted me to express how unpleasant the odour is and how difficult it is for them to live and work in the area. For some, the stench has prevented them from undertaking work outdoors in the community and for others the odour is so bad, that they can smell it in their own homes, even with the windows closed.

I’ve visited the site myself and I understand exactly how they feel. For some, the odour is unbearable and it’s very clear that urgent action now needs to be taken to address the problem. I facilitated a meeting at the site with local councillors, representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council and with colleagues from Stephen Crabb’s office. There’s also been a public meeting to discuss the matter, which gave residents an opportunity to air their views and explain exactly how the odour is affecting their lives.

In light of constituents’ concerns, my colleague Stephen Crabb and I have written a joint letter to the Minister for Climate Change at the Senedd. We’ve explained that we want urgent action from Natural Resources Wales, including effective enforcement action to be taken against Resource Management UK Ltd who own the site. As the Welsh Government is ultimately responsible for NRW, the Minister has the opportunity to intervene and prioritise this issue. We want something done now and that’s why we’ve asked what’s preventing swifter action and we’ve invited the Minister to visit the site herself and speak to local residents.

I hope the Minister takes us up on that offer as witnessing the stench firsthand will show exactly why this issue needs to be addressed urgently. In the meantime, myself and my colleagues will continue to use every opportunity to get this matter addressed as quickly as possible. This is an ongoing issue, but Pembrokeshire Herald readers can be assured that this is something that I am working hard to address. In the meantime, if you are affected by this issue and want to know more about the action that is being taken, please email me at paul.davies@ senedd.wales

The site operator has explained that they have put a management plan in place and they believe actions are being taken on site to mitigate the situation and reduce the impact on surrounding areas. But the reality is that people living in and around the area are still living with this unbearable stench. Some residents have said that’s made them feel sick, others have said that it’s caused headaches – and it’s just not acceptable.

WELL, it’s been quite a whirlwind lately. Not only in terms of our weather but also some of the real attacks on services, our institutions and our worldview.

First, the Post Office scandal.

The TV series depicting the tragedies that unfolded because of computer software faults, and not human error as the Post Office tried to claim for years, are absolutely heartbreaking.

The fact that Post sub-masters/mistresses were wrongly accused of stealing money or false accounting, and some were imprisoned sent a shockwave throughout the country.

On the doorstep, it has made for angry conversations, finger-pointing and real despair as to what the world is coming to.

The power of ‘good’ television is evident and needed to expose these cover-ups.

What if this programme had never been produced?

The rule of law is a precious commodity, not to be taken for granted.

If we do not protect it, we could find ourselves in a similar position – and then who would protect us?

Then came the tragedy of Port Talbot and the Tata Steel crises.

Potentially, 3,000 job losses will decimate an entire community (families, friends, shops, businesses, supply chains).

This is a bitter blow for workers, especially as a joint union plan, supported by the Welsh Government, had already been put forward.

That plan would see a just transition that reflects the way forward many countries are adopting in their steel sectors: green steel, re-training, and investment for the future.

Where was the UK government in all this?

Giving Tata £500 million for what? how could this happen?

The memories of pit closures and the decimation of communities such as Ebbw Vale are still visible.

An incoming UK Labour government has pledged £3bn for green steel.

And finally, the two storms have caused chaos this week: Isha and Jocelyn.

Tragically, one person has died, and many thousands are without power.

There have been many more storms and bad weather events in recent times.

Last night, I watched a programme on the 1928 Thames River flooding in London.

I had never heard of it before. But it hit London hard, with lots of basement flats flooded across the city.

Many people died. Because of this and the 1952 floods, the Thames Barrage was built.

The action was eventually taken. But it shouldn’t take people dying for change to happen.

We should have an infrastructure that works for us all; that keeps the lights on and that keeps us safe and warm.

Yet our infrastructure is crumbling, and any incoming Labour government will have to deal with a lack of investment in our most vital services: services we all rely on not only in times of crisis but the ones we take for granted all the time.

This is the real difference between the Conservatives and the Labour Party. We will invest in services that are vitally important, not sell them off to the highest bidder. Labour has a plan for a more hopeful future.

Can the Welsh Government Save Port Talbot Steelworks?

ThE ANNOUNCEMENT by Tata Steel that they intend to close both Port Talbot Steel Blast Furnaces by the end of the year at a loss of three thousand jobs is an economic body blow to Wales, writes Jonathan Edwards MP.

It’s not only the direct jobs at Port Talbot that need to be considered, but also the vast supply chain across South Wales and beyond the plant sustains.

Fears were rightly expressed about what this meant for the Tata Steel Packaging plant in Trostre, which sustains over 600 Carmarthenshire jobs. Trostre is heavily reliant upon the steel produced at Port Talbot.

In 1971, UK steel production was 24m tonnes. Today, steel produces 6m tonnes.

That collapse in production shows steel is an industry in long-term decline. Its fate is symptomatic of the regrettable waning importance of manufacturing in the UK.

In this decade, driven largely by two factors, its demise has accelerated.

Firstly, according to the Financial Times, Tata’s UK operations were losing £1.5m a day.

Secondly, there is a need to decarbonise steelmaking. Tata Port Talbot is the UK’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide.

The question is how

the transition is managed. Tata seems to have gone for a swift strike instead of a more managed process.

They plan to close the existing blast furnaces as soon as possible and install a new electric arc furnace by 2027.

In the interim, Tata will import semiproduced steel from their plants in India and the Netherlands.

The plan will cost Tata £750m, and the UK Government will provide £500m.

That leaves the Tories wide open to the accusations that they have effectively spent half a billion pounds to make 3,000 Welsh workers redundant.

Electric Arc Furnaces have advantages in recycling old steel and being far more environmentally friendly. However, they can not produce new steel and need far fewer workers to operate them.

Moving to this technology would leave the UK unable to produce virgin steel used for manufacturing everything from bean tins to motorcars. It contrasts with the Brexit promises that leaving the EU was the only way to save jobs at Port Talbot.

To avoid economic devastation, the Unions have argued for a different approach based on keeping blast furnace steel production going

until the new electric arc furnace is fully operational.

Unite argues that such a transitional plan will cost £1.5bn, only £250m more than the current cliff edge Tata & UK Government plan.

The Labour party has pledged a £3bn plan to fund the steel industry transition plan. Therefore, even if its spending pledge contains the £500m already allocated by the UK Government, there should be sufficient surplus to fund the Unite plan.

With a change in the UK Government highly likely in the next year, the context could quickly change.

The political challenge is how Tata can be persuaded to wait a few months before beginning to implement its plans, especially regarding staff redundancies and various aspects of decommissioning.

It’s not as if Tata can’t afford to wait.

Despite the losses of its UK-based operations, it paid out dividends of £1.4bn to shareholders between 2019 and 2023.

It seems to me that the Labour-run Welsh Government could play a very important role at this stage, acting as intermediaries between Shadow UK Government Labour Ministers and Tata.

Welsh Ministers and Civil Servants would

surely have established relationships with Tata. They could even offer bridging support between now and when Labour assumes power at the UK level to implement the full alternative plan the Labour Party claims to have ready.

I read the transcript of the Senedd debate this week on the Tata announcement with a degree of pessimism. There were many comments of despair and disappointment but not many proposals for a way forward.

Read the debate if anyone wants an example of a talking shop whilst Wales burns.

Plaid Cymru indeed offered nationalisation as a panacea. However, they did so with the full knowledge that they could never implement UK Government policy and the Welsh Government could never afford it.

We are often told how wonderful life will be when a Labour UK Government works with a Labour Welsh Government.

The Tata situation provides the ideal opportunity to see how this could work in practice in the gravest of circumstances.

The question is: will Labour Leader Kier Starmer send Labour’s Welsh Government Ministers out to bat?

The problems of budgets and council tax

As a former council leader, I know how difficult it is when the time comes to set the budget for the year. There are huge pressure on local budgets, from social care to schools, which together make up over 60% of local government expenditure.

Now, as councils prepare to set their council tax rates for the next year, the average planned rise across Wales is above 8%. In Pembrokeshire, the council has consulted on raising council tax by as much as 25%. These sorts of rises will place an unsustainable amount of pressure on household budgets at a time when people are already struggling thanks to global pressures caused by, among other things, the war in Ukraine.

So why are we seeing such massive council tax rises on the cards? It’s all because of how councils are funded.

The Welsh Government’s most recent budget has granted a measly 3.1% uplift for councils. Councils have already warned the Welsh Government that an increase this small will inevitably result in cuts to services that people rely on day-to-day, and significant increases to council tax rises.

The Welsh Conservatives continue to call for an independent

By Sam Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government

review of the funding formula which determines how much councils get from the Welsh Government. Beyond being unfair, it also places additional pressure on hard-pressed families. On average, council tax makes up 20-25% of council funding. A much larger proportion comes from the central Welsh Government. So when the funding formula isn’t working, we see councils having to balance budgets through massive council tax rises. These rises are indicative of the enormous burdens that local authorities are expected to shoulder

thanks to a raw deal from Welsh Government, who have spent huge amounts of money on vanity projects while the provision of public services in Wales suffer and council budgets are balanced on the backs of households in Wales. This is a political choice.

This is why we’re also calling for a cap on council tax rises. The cap would mean that any rise over a 5% threshold would have to be approved by a local referendum. This would not only ensure that council budgets are focused on the things that really matter, but would also ensure that Welsh Government funded

councils properly, instead of giving them a raw deal and expecting them to levy the difference on local residents. It would protect families from ridiculous rises, like the potential 25% rise we’ve seen in Pembrokeshire.

A cap would also mean that councils would have to give consideration to the idea of using their reserves. Councils save money into a rainy-day fund. They’re rightly reluctant to dip into it unless times are really hard. But I would argue that those times are now. People are feeling the pinch at the moment, and many councils could use just a very small portion of their reserves to keep council tax rises at a more realistic level. With some councils sitting on more than £200 million in usable reserves, they should be strongly encouraged to use some of this money to cover shortfalls, even if it’s just a short term measure to help people while cost of living pressures continue to have an impact.

There are huge pressures on councils at the moment, piled onto them by the Labour Welsh Government’s failure to properly prioritise their funding. Unless we reform the funding model, Welsh Government will continue to force councils to pass those pressures onto struggling families at the worst possible time.

Local Senedd Member talks energy transformation

SENEDD Member

Paul Davies has recently met with Wales and West Utilities to hear more about some of their projects being planned and already underway to support the transition to Net Zero in Wales. Mr Davies also discussed ‘hyLine Cymru’, the proposal to build a new 130km hydrogen pipeline from Pembrokeshire to Port Talbot, which could save 3.2m tonnes of CO2 each year and unlock 4.5GW of offshore wind generation. If

the pipeline is built, it would pave the way for commercial scale hydrogen production in Pembrokeshire, Port Talbot and in the Celtic Sea.

Following the event, Mr Davies said, “I’m grateful to Wales and West Utilities for coming to the Senedd to discuss HyLine Cymru and explain how the pipeline could help deliver cleaner, greener energy across south Wales. It was also interesting to hear from some of their partners, like RWE power, about the role they are playing

in helping to maximise decarbonisation opportunities in south Wales. Hydrogen will undoubtedly play an enormous role in

providing energy in the future and so it’s vital that Welsh homes and businesses can make the most of the opportunities that hydrogen offers.”

ThIS WEEK, we continue with Guto Owen’s four-part series exploring energy independence for Wales.

The people of Wales should be in the position to make the necessary decisions which sets Wales on the right, strategic energy trajectory. For our benefit, and for those countries who are a market for our energy exports. While also serving as a route to market for Ireland’s vast energy resources by creating a strong Celtic energy partnership. Plus acting as a hub for the global import of clean energy via our superb ports. And the opportunity is very real now - not in ten or twenty years - because the demand for clean energy is alive and large now.

But where will the money which is needed for this large-scale investment come from? This is not a case of merely opening our doors for others to benefit from our natural resources, while we settle for a tip. It is disappointing that the Welsh Government continues to support such accommodation after 25 years of devolution. Policies have been implemented which leave crumbs on the table for Wales’ communities.

We should invest our own money in the form of pension funds or by using our considerable assets as collateral in raising finance. We need to be thinking of sums in the billions and, yes, we should do this in partnership with others who also have the finance, the technology, and the know-how. This is Wales being very much open for swift business on energy.

Consider Silicon Valley, which has grown Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Amazon and more. Massive private companies with risky venture capital behind them. Well, to an extent but it was US pension funds which underwrote the financing of these transformational companies with the strategic oversight of the US Government. Spurring incredible creativity of the kind which is now being

emulated in the clean energy tech sector. The biggest risk is not to be investing at scale and quickly into clean tech. We, therefore, have a choice; be active players in the new, clean energy game; or remain as largely passive consumers.

Now assess the industrial and manufacturing strengths which remain across south Wales and extend to northeast Wales. Businesses which employ thousands and are suffering due to the high costs of energy but are facing the need to decarbonise to remain in business. The virtuous circle is to invest in the development of clean energy to power these industries which can then sell their clean products. The vicious circle is one of continued managed decline.

A few years ago, I estimated that every person in Wales spends around £1,000 a year on electricity, heat, and transport fuel. With no sign of the energy crisis abating, you could probably double that sum. Most of that money flows out of Wales. So, our internal market for energy is large. A market which presents energy self-supply opportunities to keep wealth within Wales; let alone the wealth creation which can accrue from exporting to our neighbours. And Wales has a strong financial technology sector which can support the development of the required investments and financial exchanges. A century ago, the world’s first £1m cheque is reported to have been written at Cardiff’s historic Coal Exchange. Why can’t we re-kindle that dynamic relationship between money and energy in Wales; for positive, sustainable change? Which doesn’t just repair communities, but which enables them to flourish. While keeping a little over to repair the Coal Exchange itself.

death notices

MR. BEN HART

Milford Haven & St. Ishmaels . Ben passed away suddenly on Monday 15th January aged 42 years. Dearly loved by so many, Ben will be deeply missed by all who knew him. The funeral service will take place on Monday 19th February at 11.30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Black attire not necessary, to celebrate Ben please wear a splash of colour if you are able. Following the service, light refreshments will served at St. Ishmaels Sports Club. Family flowers only, if able please make a donation in his memory to a charity of your own choice. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Milford Haven.

ELSIE MARy JANE BARRy

BARRY Elsie Mary Jane Of Haverfordwest. Jane passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on the 15th January, 2024 aged 87 years. Much loved wife to the late Ronald, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral service, Wednesday 31st January, 2024 at 10.45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Family flowers only. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

MR. ALLAN ASTLES Hazelbeach. Allan Astles of Hazelbeach, passed away after a short illness on Sunday 14th January, aged 83. He was predeceased by his wife Mary and leaves his three children Phillip, Nigel and Yvonne. Beloved Granfer to Ashley, Seren, Morgan, Chloe and Connor and great-granfer to Cian, Reeva-Rae and Lacey-Myah. Father-in-law

to Phil and also to Sheila. The funeral service will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on Friday 9th February at 12:15. The family ask mourners wear whatever they feel comfortable in. Family flowers only with donations, if desired, made payable to Sandy Bear (Children’s Bereavement Charity) c/o Yvonne Horrocks, 5 Hazelbeach Road, Waterston, SA73 1DX. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Funeral Directors. Telephone 01646 693180.

MR JACKIE JENKINS

JENKINS Jackie Fishguard Peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday 16th January, Jackie of Fishguard. Beloved husband of the late Joyce, devoted father of Bunny & Paul, cherished grandfather of Rachel, Matthew, Luke and the late Lee & Darren, treasured great grandfather of Harvey & Cian, Albie & Freddie, Arthur & Oscar and Nico, dear brother of Janet and respected friend to many. Funeral service of Tuesday 30th January at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30am. No flowers by request. Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘Paul Sartori Foundation’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons, Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel - 01348 873250.

GARETH JONES

JONES Gareth Peacefully at Caldey Grange Care Home, Kilgetty on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, David Gareth Jones, Windrush House, Eglwyswrw, aged 82 years. Much loved

father of Sharon and Sarah, proud grandfather of David, Donna, Stephen and Byron, cherished great-grandfather of Krystal, Jaxx, Jayden, Jessie-Rose and Jack, dear brother of the late Val. He will be sadly missed by his partner Judith. Public funeral service on Saturday, February 3 at St Cristiolus Church, Eglwyswrw at 11.00am. Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, towards ‘Dementia UK’ ℅ Colin Phillips and Daughters Funeral Directors, 4 Morgan Street, Cardigan. Tel: 01239 621192.

ELIzABETH HANNAH DAvIES

DAVIES Elizabeth Hannah Fishguard Peacefully on Friday 5th January 2024 at Parc Wern Care Home, Ammanford, Liz of Fishguard. Daughter of the late Bella, beloved sister and sister-in-law of Hoss and Pam, much loved aunt of her nephews Mark & Paul and their families. Loved by her many cousins, friends and neighbours, faithful member of Hermon Chapel where she will be sadly missed. Funeral service on Friday 2nd February at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3:15pm. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘Parc Wern Nursing Home’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

GILLIAN MARy MATHIAS

MATHIAS Gillian Mary Burton Gill passed away peacefully at home with her family at her side on Friday 12th January 2024, aged 78 years, of Church Cottage, Burton. Beloved wife of John, devoted mother of Rod and

Annabel, cherished motherin-law of Elena and Stuart and loving grandmother of Eirwen, Lucas and Jonty. Gill was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The funeral service will take place on Saturday 27th January 2024 at 2:00pm at St. Mary’s Church, Burton followed by interment in the churchyard. Family flowers only, donations in lieu for the Paul Sartori Foundation can be made at www. paulsartori.org, or donations in lieu for Burton Church can be sent c/o Mrs Diane Campbell, Glenshee, 2. Kiln Park, Burton, SA73 1NY. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Milford Haven. Tel: 01646 693180.

JOHN MEIRION JAMES JAMES John Meirion (Jesse) Neyland The death occurred peacefully at his home on Saturday 20th January of Mr. John Meirion ‘Jesse’ James, aged 86 years of Westfield Drive, Neyland. Devoted husband of the late Pamela, dearly loved father and father in law of Jacqueline, Christopher & Nia, cherished grandfather to Rose, Olivia & Tom, adored great grandfather of Jesse, Lydia & Honey, beloved sister of Mary and special person to Adrian. Jesse will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The funeral service will take place on Thursday 1st February at 2pm at St. Clement’s Church, Neyland followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3.15pm. Immediate family flowers only, donations if desired for The Welsh Guards Charity, cheques made payable to “Welsh Guards

Lieutenant Colonels Fund” to The Regimental Adjutant, Regimental Headquarters Welsh Guards, Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, London SW1E 6HQ. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven. Telephone 01646 693180.

CLIvE HOUGHTON

HOUGHTON Clive Milford Haven. The death occurred suddenly but peacefully at his home on Monday 15th January of Mr. Clive Houghton of Milford Haven. A dearly loved husband, father, father-in-law, step dad, grandad, great grandad and brother. The funeral service will take place on Monday 29th January at 3pm at Kingdom Hall, Haverfordwest, followed by a gathering at Camrose Village Hall. Family flowers only, donations if desired may be sent to Macmillan Cancer Support, 89 Albert Embankment, London, SE1 7UQ. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven. Telephone 01646 693180.

MARJORIE JOyCE JONES

JONES Marjorie Joyce Milford Haven The death occurred peacefully after a short illness at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Friday 12th January 2024 of Mrs. Marjorie Joyce Jones, aged 92 years, of Gateholm Avenue, Milford Haven. A beloved wife of the late Hugh Jones, a devoted mother of Sian, Jude and the late James and a loving sister of Alan, Marjorie was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew

her. The funeral service will take place on Friday 26th January 2024 at 2:00pm at Milford Haven Cemetery. Floral tributes welcome from all. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Milford Haven. Tel: 01646 693180.

LESLIE JOHN GWyTHER GWYTHER Leslie John Aged 92, Les passed peacefully at East Park, Jeffreyston 9th January 2024. Beloved husband to Babs and father to Ann and Steven. He was an inspiration and loved by family and friends. May he rest in peace with his darling wife, children and Shep. Funeral service will take place on, 31st January 2024 at Bethany Baptist Church, 21 Treown Street, Pembroke Dock at 2pm with a following wake. Donations would be appreciated to the wonderful South Pembs Hospital Pembroke Dock Further enquiries to funeral directors John Roberts & Son, 1 Bush St, Pembroke Dock 01646 683115

CLIvE JAMES

JAMES Clive Pembroke The death occurred peacefully at Bush House Care Home, Pembroke on Thursday 18th January of Mr Clive James, aged 76 years of Gibbas Way, Pembroke, formerly of Neyland. Beloved husband of Margaret. A private funeral service will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Funeral arrangements are being carried out by E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, 21, Main Street, Pembroke (01646) 682680 & Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth (01834) 831876.

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THE vIBRANT WORLD OF GRAFFITI ART IN LONDON

DEAR SIR,

I am currently authoring a book that delves into the vibrant world of Graffiti Art in London and Bristol, tracing its evolution from the 1980s to the present day. This project aims to celebrate the art form and its artists, and in this regard, I am seeking assistance from your esteemed readership.

I am particularly interested in gathering information about a graffiti artist known as Billy Gannon, who may be more recognizably known by his artistic aliases “Gunnin” or “Gunning.” Billy has been a resident of Pembroke Dock since 2010, and his contributions to the graffiti art scene are of significant interest to my research.

If any of your readers have personal anecdotes, photographs, or any form of documentation related

to Billy’s work, I would be immensely grateful to hear from them. Insights into his artistic journey, especially any interactions or discussions about his work or his views on fellow artists like Banksy, would add invaluable depth to my book.

Moreover, if anyone has had the opportunity to collaborate with Billy on any of his projects, their experiences would provide a unique perspective that I am eager to explore.

I assure all contributors that any information shared will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. My intent is to celebrate the art and its creators, and every contribution will be credited appropriately, should they wish.

For those willing to share their stories or any relevant information, please feel free to reach out to me at mikehale283@gmail.com for a friendly and private discussion.

I appreciate your time

and look forward to the possibility of enriching my book with the personal stories and experiences of your readers.

Mike hale

TENT FOR LENT

DEAR SIR,

I am writing to you as the Community Fundraising Officer at ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity. We are excited to announce the launch of our annual “Tent for Lent” campaign. This initiative serves as a call to action, urging individuals to engage in fundraising activities or to sacrifice personal luxuries during Lent. The savings garnered from these acts of self-denial are then donated to support our global projects.

At ShelterBox, our mission is to provide emergency shelter to those who have been

forcibly displaced from their homes, leaving them without the fundamental necessities to survive. Our aid extends beyond shelter; we also supply critical items like cooking essentials, blankets, winter clothing, and solar lights. These seemingly simple items can significantly improve the lives of those who have lost almost everything.

Participating in “Tent for Lent” can be as straightforward as skipping takeaway coffees, dining out, or indulging in sweet treats, and donating the money saved to our cause. Such contributions play a vital role in ensuring that individuals impacted by disasters or conflicts are not left without shelter. Our supporters have creatively embraced this challenge, with some even relinquishing their beds to sleep under canvas in various weather conditions, all to raise funds.

Every contribution, no matter the size, is impactful. It enables us to assist people

globally, including those in Somalia and Ethiopia currently enduring the worst drought in East Africa in 40 years. Our efforts in regions like Syria and Ukraine, where people are braving harsh winters after being displaced from their homes, are only feasible through these donations.

We are continually inspired and deeply grateful for our supporters’ dedication and willingness to forego personal comforts, especially during a period that traditionally emphasizes personal sacrifice and reflection.

Participation in “Tent for Lent” in any form can profoundly impact the lives of individuals you may never meet. Every penny donated makes a difference.

For more information or to get involved, please visit shelterbox.org/tentforlent.

Louisa Arnold

serVIces

CLEARANCES

CAR PARTS

CARPENTRy

CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHy

ELECTRICAL

FENCING, DRIvEWAyS AND LANDSCAPING

FABRICATION

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING

HAIRDRESSING

HANDyMAN

RECLAIMED BUILDING MATERIAL

RUBBISH AND WASTE REMOvAL

PROFESSIONAL CAR WASH

PODIATRy

SCRAP METAL

SHUTTERS & BLINDS

STORAGE TANKS

SOUND LIGHT AND STAGE

TECHNOLOGy AND COMPUTERS

TRAILERS

YOUNG GUNS READY TO IGNITE SIX NATIONS SIX NATIONS 2024

IN A DEFIANT call

to the rugby fraternity, Warren Gatland, Wales’ seasoned head coach, has issued a warning not to underestimate his young squad in the upcoming Six Nations championship. Despite finishing fifth in the past two editions and facing a string of challenges, Gatland remains unwavering in his belief that the youthful Welsh team is primed for success.

Gatland, with a coaching career spanning 17 Six Nations involvements, recognises the significance of momentum in the tournament. Speaking at the competition launch in Dublin, he asserted, “This is my 17th involvement in Six Nations, so I’ve been around for a while, and we’ve seen in the past how this tournament is all about momentum.”

The head coach acknowledged the hurdles Wales faced with retirements, transfers, and injuries to key players, resulting in the formation of one of the youngest squads in his illustrious career.

Despite this, Gatland exuded confidence, declaring, “Absolutely” when asked if Wales could secure the Six Nations title.

Wales will kick off their campaign at home against Scotland, a match Gatland views as a pivotal opportunity. “If we win that, then we can go without fear to Twickenham, with England in a similar position to us by making changes,” he remarked, outlining his strategic approach.

The third game on the horizon is a clash against Ireland in Dublin, presenting the potential for a Triple Crown and much more.

Gatland, the tournament’s most experienced coach, having secured four titles during his initial spell with Wales, is well aware of the challenges but remains undeterred.

Facing the loss of key players due to injuries, transfers, and retirements, Gatland expressed optimism about the emerging talent within the Welsh squad. Dafydd Jenkins is poised to become the youngest Wales captain since Gareth Edwards in 1968. Gatland

highlighted the positives, citing the exposure and development these players have received at the regional level.

“Despite the doom and gloom, I’m excited about the youngsters we’ve got coming through and what we can potentially achieve,” Gatland told the Scrum V podcast. “It has always been the case with Wales that you write us off at your peril. Do that, and you could get caught with your pants down.”

With five new caps and eight players experiencing the Six Nations for the first time, Gatland sees this as a period of opportunity and reset for Welsh rugby. As the national team readies for the challenges ahead, Gatland emphasises hard work, organisation, and the potential for confidence and self-belief following a victorious first game.

As Wales gears up for the Six Nations, Gatland’s rallying cry echoes through the valleys, a proclamation that the young guns are ready to defy expectations and script a compelling resurgence in Welsh rugby.

Scotland awaits

SCOTLAND’S rugby squad is grappling with a double blow as key players, stand-off Adam hastings of Gloucester and uncapped Leicester Tigers prop Will hurd, are ruled out of action due to injuries.

Hastings, 27, sustained a knee injury during Gloucester’s recent Challenge Cup clash against Castres, where his notable try contributed to a 35-5 victory. His club confirmed that Hastings will consult with a specialist later this week to assess the extent of the injury before embarking on rehabilitation with the Gloucester Rugby medical staff.

In response to Hurd’s foot injury, Northampton Saints tighthead Elliot Millar-Mills has been called up to join the squad. The 31-year-old, weighing in at 121kg, qualifies for the Scottish national team through his Scottish mother. Millar-Mills, who began his career with Stockport and Macclesfield, joined Northampton at the start of the current season after a brief stint with Edinburgh and Wasps in 2021. Notably, his sister Bridget is a representative of the Scotland women’s national team.

Hastings’ injury comes at a challenging time, given his recent return to form after persistent setbacks since his last Scotland appearance against Fiji in November 2022. His absence leaves Finn Russell and Ben Healy as the remaining stand-offs in Gregor Townsend’s squad, emphasizing the importance of squad depth.

While prop Javan Sebastian and scrum-half Jamie Dobie are seen training with the Scotland squad during their recovery from injuries, the focus remains on how the team will navigate the upcoming tests without key players. As the squad readjusts, questions arise about the adaptability of the team and the opportunities it presents for newer faces like Millar-Mills to step up on the international stage. The resilience of the Scottish squad will be closely observed by fans as they face these unexpected challenges in the upcoming fixtures.

Milford impress again 2-1 over Clarbeston Road

MILFORD UNITED travelled to Clarbeston Road currently sitting in 6th place in the league while the hosts sit in 5th place.

The pitch was inspected and deemed playable although a little soft underfoot.

Milford united started sprightly pushing forwards to try and take an early lead, both teams battled hard to try and break the deadlock and on 36 minutes the ball was played down the left flank to Parks who drove forward into Clarbeston’s penalty area only to be brought down.

The referee pointed to the spot which gave Liam Parr an opportunity to put the visitors one up from the spot. A somewhat controversial penalty decision.

Parr stepped up and made no mistake beating the keeper to his right side giving Milford the lead.

Shortly after in the 41st minute the visitors had a corner and Reid

swung one into the back post where parks headed home to put Milford 2-0 up.

The second half started with both teams missing chances at either end, Clarby started to press but Milford’s defence were strong and cancelled out any half chances. On the 89th minute Clarby pulled one back through Travis Jones who drilled one through a busy Milford united box into the bottom corner to make it 1-2. With only 4 minutes left Clarby pressed for an equaliser but Milford stayed strong to secure a 2-1 win and gain 3 valuable points. It was another gutsy display from Steve Parks team and came out worthy winners.

Milford manager Steve Parks reflected on their start to 2024, ‘It’s been a tough start to the new year losing 4-0 at Monkton and then Facing Goodwick. Although losing 3-1 we gave a good account of ourselves which was pleasing. To come away

2-1 winners at Clarby was great which shows we can compete with the top teams’ Parks also is focused

on keeping their foot on the gas, with the mid to lower table looking very tight. “It’s very important to pick

up points. There are some very experienced teams below us who are capable of a good run. If We can keep playing

the way we have been we should be able to secure enough points to stay away from the bottom.”

Division 2: St. Ishmaels humble the Wizards

ST IShMALES

hosted Merlins Bridge Reserves who after a good pre christmas season, have started the new year in unrecognisable form.

The hosts who are unbeaten in the league since September took full advantage of Bridge’s wobble and struck ten past them in a comprehensive win. Nathan Thomas impressed with a hat-trick and two assists. Adam Kingsbeer also bagged a brace, while skipper Devonald, Ninnis and Hawkins all got on the scoresheet.

We spoke to Tish manager Graham Ninnis after the game –Herald – Firstly, a great win yesterday! Bridge have been going well, you must be delighted with that result?

Ninnis – Thank you, yes delighted for the boys, played really well second

Herald – After a slow start in the league, you’re now unbeaten in the league since September. What’s changed?

Ninnis – It was always going to be that way with a new manager and young team starting the season , especially on the back of a disappointing season the year before , the hard work in training is starting to show on a Saturday now , but we can still improve and it’s only half way so a lot of hard work to go yet Herald – With that being said, what are your goals for the rest of the season?

Ninnis – We didn’t set any goals this season besides basically improving every week which so far has gone to plan , then see how far up the league we end and how far we can go in the cups we’ve got left , next season will be when we set goals really

Manderwood PeMBrokesHIre league

Fixtures

v Tenby

Pennar Robins v Fishguard Sports

Division 2

Cosheston v St Clears

Hakin United II v Narberth

Herbrandston v Camrose

Merlins Bridge II v Broad Haven Monkton Swifts II v Johnston St Ishmaels v Carew II

Division 3

Goodwick United II v Neyland II

Haverfordwest CC v Kilgetty II

Lawrenny v Clarbeston Road II

Pembroke Boro v St Florence Pendine v Pennar Robins II

Solva v Letterston

Division 4

Carew III v Milford Athletic

Fishguard Sports II v St Ishmaels II

Monkton Swifts III v Angle

Division 5

Broad Haven II v Pembroke Boro II

Hundleton v Manorbier United Johnston II v Cosheston II

Milford Athletic II v Haverfordwest CC II

Narberth II v Herbrandston II

St Clears II v Lawrenny II

tapestry of fascinating tales, including a historical link to the illustrious Manchester United.

Founded in 1885, the club’s journey through time mirrors the evolution of football itself.

In its early years, United graced the slopes of Pill Lane, where the notorious incline played into the hands of those who mastered it. Legend has it that battling uphill was not just a physical challenge but also a

The club’s lore is rich with personalities, none more intriguing than Brian Burgoyne. His exceptional talent caught the eyes of Manchester United in 1954. At just 15, Brian’s homesickness led him back to Milford, leaving us to ponder what might have been had fate not intervened – particularly poignant considering the tragic Munich air disaster. Brian’s return saw him embrace local life, including an apprenticeship at the dry dock, and he

history is further embellished by the likes of Firpo Hoggins and Bull Best, who are etched in local folklore as footballing giants.

The club’s relocation to Marble Hall in the 1950s marked a new era. The late 1960s saw a dramatic turn when the entire Barry Town football team, amidst a dispute with their club, shifted en masse to Milford United. This period, known as the ‘Barry Boys’ era, witnessed the club clinching the South

(Assistant Coach,) Andrew Burgoyne (First Aider,) Daniel Armstrong, Jacob Horn, Liam Davies, Scott Reid, Steven Parks (1st team Manager.) Front row: Sam Davies, Griffiths (Club Captain,) Noah Codd (mini Robin,) Liam Parks, Joe Hall, leuan Rutherford

stands as a beacon of community and sporting spirit. With an impressive roster of 267 registered players across various age groups, the club’s dedication to nurturing talent is evident. From mini, junior, and senior teams to the inclusion of two senior men’s teams, a senior ladies’ team,

vibrancy have been possible due to the support of various local businesses and organizations, including BDS, FAW Grassroots, Sport Wales, Tesco, Unite Union, EWJH Golf, GB Electrical and Building, West Coast Scaffolding, West Wales Motorcycle Training,

LNG.

A special acknowledgement goes to Andrew Burgoyne, whose insights have been invaluable in piecing together this rich tapestry of a club that is not just an institution but a living, breathing part of our local heritage.

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