News

FUW New Year’s message AS THE FUW approaches its

Published

6 years ago

January 19, 2015

AS THE FUW approaches its 60th anniversary we look back on a year in which falls in farm-gate prices and income from the CAP has had a severe impact on farm incomes, but the exceptionally kind weather at least means we are going into 2015 with far more fodder than in previous years. 2014 is a year in which significant announcements have been made – both in terms of the Union’s structure, with the creation of FUW Insurance Services Limited and other changes, and for Wales’ agriculture industry, with numerous key announcements, not least the appointment of Rebecca Evans as Deputy Minister for farming and food in July.

The Deputy Minister’s appointment marked a positive turning point in terms of recognition of the need for government and the FUW to work together for the good of the industry, while accepting that some differences of opinion will always exist. Whatever those differences are, or the challenges we face due to the impact of factors which are outside our control, I believe we are starting 2015 in a far stronger position because of the mutual respect between government and industry and the commitment to work together.

Such joined up thinking and working is going to be essential over the coming weeks and months, as we enter a period of major change and uncertainty: change due to the introduction of various rules relating to the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and uncertainty following the recent abolition of the 400 metre moorland line following a successful judicial review. The new CAP rules represent a massive escalation in the administrative burden for farmers and government departments alike, despite the previous European Commissioner’s commitment to simplified rules, and these will have some serious repercussions for many Welsh farmers.

The FUW has already highlighted major concerns to the new Commissioner, former Irish Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, and we will no doubt have the opportunity to raise concerns face-toface when we welcome the Commissioner to the 2015 Royal Welsh Show. Meanwhile, it is essential that farmers familiarise themselves with the new rules in order to minimise the risk of financial losses: 2015 is a reference year for the establishment of Basic Payment Scheme entitlements, so any errors or breaches – for example where a claimant cannot demonstrate sufficient management control of land taken on or where grazing is rented out – could result in permanent annual losses.

Anyone who needs guidance on such matters should contact their local FUW office, where they will receive a warm welcome and, if they are lucky, they may find a few mince pies left over! Meanwhile, we look forward to a year in which the FUW celebrates sixty years of protecting the interests of members, and continues to deliver invaluable one-to-one services through its County Offices, which have secured more than half a billion pounds for members over the past decade alone.

News

Five shouts in five days for Lifeboat crews at Angle

Published

1 day ago

June 19, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

ITS BEEN a really busy week for the crews at Angle with their first tasking to the 39 meter 300 tonne tall ship on Monday evening with engine failure and taking on water.

Crews then paged again in the early hours of Wednesday morning to a 11 meter sailing catamaran becalmed and low on fuel.

The training day Thursday was interrupted just after 12:30 PM with a tasking to a tender with three people on board that had upturned just off St Brides Haven.

Little & Broad Haven Lifeboat was also tasked along with Dale Coastguard.

Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat reached the three casualties and took them to shore where they were passed into the care of Dale Coastguard. Angle Lifeboat was stood down as it was passing through Jack’s Sound.

As the Lifeboat was returning from the shout another tasking request came through. A tanker had spotted an unmanned RIB approximately 10 miles SW of St Ann’s Head. Once on scene, after some investigation the RIB was believed to have come from a mooring and no people were missing. The Lifeboat towed the RIB back to Angle.

The Lifeboat was rehoused shortly after 4:00 PM

The 5th shout for Angle Lifeboat this week.

This was a large multi agency search.

The crew were paged at 09:35 AM to assist Tenby Lifeboats RNLI ALB and inshore Lifeboats to search for a missing person in the water following a report from a fisherman on rocks near Manorbier that he had lost sight of a person that had been rowing a dinghy toward shore and the occupant may be in the water. HM Coastguard Tenby had also been tasked to the search

The dinghy was handed over to Tenby inshore lifeboat crew after being picked up by a Range Safety boat who then brought it into the awaiting police at Manorbier Beach.

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 from St Athan and St Govans Coastguard Rescue Team had now also joined in the search for the missing person.

After several hours searching a man approached police at Manorbier, stating he’d been on the vessel off Manorbier, had got into difficulty and ended up in the water.

With the casualty now safely ashore, all units were stood down at 12:27PM.

Angle Lifeboat then headed to Tenby Harbour to pick up some sustenance, a fizzy drink and a chocolate brownie, before heading back to Angle and rehousing at 2:31PM. The lifeboat was refuelled and given a well earned wash ready for the next tasking.

News

A40 closed at Scleddau due to collision between car and motorbike

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES have shut the A40 at in Scleddau due to a serious road collision.

The accident happened just before 2pm. The Herald understands that the collision involved a motorcycle and car at a junction near The Gate Inn public house.

Police said: “Emergency services are currently on scene and dealing with the incident. Please find an alternative route if possible. Update to follow.”

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Moley’s Ambassador March to support those who have lost a child

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2021

Design Team

ON SATURDAY (Jun 19), Andrew Cole (aka Moley) will set off on a 24 hour walk around Pembrokeshire with the aim of doing as many miles in as little time as possible.

Moley is proud to have recently been made ambassador of the charity ‘2 Wish UponAa Star’ an organisation dedicated to supporting families that have lost a child under 25 years of age.

He will be setting off at 6am in the morning from Neyland and walking all day and night, finishing at 6am the following morning.

2 wish upon a star was set up by Rhian Mannings, who set up the charity after losing her own son.

By celebrating the lives of those lost, and offering support to families through their grief; Rhian and her team offer an essential service to the community and those families who have suffered the devastation of losing a loved one.

Appealing for support from the people of Pembrokeshire he said: “Please give generously to support the wonderful work of Rhian and her team. Also, if you happen to see me in the day, feel free to give me a beep of encouragement’

“If you would like to donate to Moley, and support the charity, you can visit his JustGiving page.”

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/moleycole