News

Badger and the wind of change

Published

11 years ago

February 26, 2015

badger83image BADGER has previously spoken to you about so-called ‘green energy’. Badger is not sceptical of the value of green energy in improving our country’s energy security: far from it. Badger is not sceptical about the threat that humanity’s need to consume more natural resources poses to our planet. Nope. Badger is bang on with that. Badger is similarly, not sceptical about humanity being the prime mover behind recent climate change (either as the cause or the major cause). Badger is, however, rather doubtful that there is any real taste for the implications of adopting green energy, or even that the green energy can get to where it needs to go in the UK market without massive public investment, tax breaks, or subsidies. Let’s start at the beginning, readers, the key issue of price. In the abstract, people will express a willingness to do many things — pay higher taxes to support the NHS; pay a little more for ethically produced food; and accept that the cost of fuel and power will rise. Badger is, however, convinced that – human nature being what it is — when it boils down to pounds shillings and pence, a voter faced with the certainty of price rises and higher taxes on the one hand and the promise of jam today on the other will opt for the preserve of the status quo. The thing about doomsday readers is that it is always tomorrow, while there are bills to be paid and food to be bought today. Badger has similar feelings about France. In the abstract, he is sure France is a beautiful and fine country, rich in culture and heritage. In the particular, however, it is choc-a-block with the French. All the hot air of all Guardian writers, columnists, correspondents and readers combined crying softly

into their polenta while sipping their fairtrade herbal tea is unlikely to change a single mind about green energy; still less in an economy where people at the sharp end are facing the reality of high energy prices and low incomes. Badger believes the problem is more than one of communication and persuasion. there is a massive disconnect between the public and policy. There are several reasons for this.. but Badger wants to draw attention to two in particular. The scientific consensus is that climate change is being either accelerated or caused by humans. Climate change is a fact, even though it is expressed as ‘a theory’. but a scientific theory is not the same as just an idea that is somehow unprovable. Science is built upon the scientific method, a logical process of observation, experiment and analysis subject to peer-review. Scientists arrive at a consensus about the evidence that supports a particular set of principles about the science being researched. Arriving at a scientific consensus is not something that happens overnight. The slow process by which science arrives at a consensus keeps out poorly supported ideas, but gives strength to ideas that have lots of evidence. So, readers, when the media report on climate change and we see — for example — a newspaper columnist being given time to say that there is no such thing as climate change; we should take their assertions with a large pinch of salt. Newspaper columnists are seldom scientists. Politicians do not subject their judgements to the scientific method. if they did, you would have to ask where George Osborne fits into the tree of life. Neither politicians nor columnists even those with public school and

Oxbridge backgrounds understand the important distinction between scientific theory and rabble-musing argumentation. The second part follows closely from the first. The media presents a false equivalence between the scientific consensus and those who do not accept it.

Dr Nedwin Shellwinkle, Professor of Marmalade at the Ohio Institute of Jam-making and Chutney Creation, might be the bees knees on how to get loganberry preserve to the setting point. His qualifications as either “professor” or “doctor” are, however, most unlikely to give him insight into the complex systems of geophysics, chemistry and atmospheric dynamics to enable him to reach a considered and research-validated conclusion about climate change. Similarly, the facts that Lord Lawson has the reputation of being awfully clever and that he was once Chancellor of the Exchequer do not mean that his opinion is of equal weight to a scientific theory. The fact he can find people who believe as he does not mean that he has built a countervailing consensus of similar weight to the scientific one. So, readers, when the public are asked to think about ‘green’ energy and ‘green’ methods of power production, there is an awful lot of bag and baggage to get through. If the public do not believe that climate change is taking place or that it will affect them, they will not be interested in ‘greenness’. The other side of that is self-interest, if it will cost them more, people will cling to any opinion — no matter how facile or misinformed —to justify doing nothing. That is the expedient and selfish approach to most issues. It is human nature. And so, readers, at the point

we come to superficiality, we come to David Cameron. Funny that. If David Cameron thought there were five hundred votes in every marginal constituency that the Conservatives could get if they were a bit ‘greener’ in word and deed, you can damn well guarantee that the UK would be festooned with wind farms in such density and of such number that it could ride out any increase in sea levels by hovering over the lapping waves. That is die expedient and selfish approach to most issues. It is human nature. In Pembrokeshire of course, we are no strangers to local politician adopting expedient positions Jolin Allen-Mirehouse said he objected to one wind far development in 0 1 2 on the grounds that it would spoil his view of the peasants working in his fields (or something like that). Funny how old Johnny was rather more on board with being green when there was the chance of having some turbines on his own land. That is the expedient and selfish approach to most issues. It is human nature. All Johnny’s pompous wind-baggery cannot change that. So, if we are to proceed with a ‘green’ agenda those who favour it have to tap into the basest of human feelings. The ones that matter when folk in marginal constituencies vote Conservative but tell pollsters they voted for one of the other lot. Not abstract carbon swaps or our long-term interests. But greed: the here and the now. Persuade the people that you can satisfy their immediate desires — or sate their fear oi and there change -will be real transformation. That readers, will not take a wind of change that will take a miracle.

Farming

Basic Payment Scheme 2025 balance paid to 95% of Welsh farmers

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Final year of BPS as transition to Sustainable Farming Scheme begins

The WELSH Government says more than ninety-five per cent of farm businesses have now received their full or balance payment under the final year of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), ahead of the introduction of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in 2026.

Announcing the update on Friday (Dec 12), Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed that over 15,400 Welsh farm businesses have been paid £68.7m. This comes on top of the £160m issued in BPS advance payments since 14 October.

Final round of BPS payments

The Basic Payment Scheme, which has been the backbone of farm support in Wales for a decade, provides direct income support to help farmers plan and manage their businesses. BPS 2025 marks the last year in which full BPS payments will be made before the scheme begins to be phased out.

The Cabinet Secretary said officials would “continue to process the outstanding BPS 2025 claims as soon as possible,” adding that all but the most complex cases should be completed by 30 June 2026.

Payments issued today represent the main balance due to farmers following earlier advances, giving many businesses the cash flow they need during the quieter winter period—traditionally a challenging time in the agricultural calendar.

Shift to Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2026

From 1 January 2026, the Welsh Government will begin rolling out the Sustainable Farming Scheme, a major reform to how agricultural support is delivered. The SFS will reward farmers for environmental outcomes such as habitat management, carbon reduction and biodiversity improvements, alongside continued food production.

The government has argued that the new scheme is essential to meeting Wales’ climate and nature targets while ensuring long-term resilience in the sector. However, the transition has been closely watched by farming unions, who have raised concerns about the administrative burden, income stability, and the speed at which BPS is being phased out.

Mr Irranca-Davies reaffirmed the government’s stance, saying: “This government is steadfastly committed to supporting Welsh farmers to sustainably produce quality food. This is demonstrated today in our payment of the BPS 2025 balance payments and will continue throughout the transition period.”

Sector reaction

Farming unions are expected to scrutinise the detail of today’s announcement, particularly around remaining unpaid cases. Last year, late payments led to frustration in parts of the sector, with unions calling for greater certainty as the industry faces rising input costs, supply chain pressures and continued market volatility.

The move to the SFS remains one of the most significant agricultural policy changes in Wales since devolution. Ministers insist the shift is designed to support both food production and environmental stewardship, while critics warn the transition must not undermine farm viability—especially for family-run livestock farms that dominate rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.

What happens next

Farmers still awaiting their BPS 2025 balance will continue to be processed “as soon as possible”, the Welsh Government said. Officials will also publish updated guidance on the Sustainable Farming Scheme ahead of its launch.

The coming year will therefore become a pivotal moment for Welsh agriculture, as the long-standing BPS framework—which provided over £200m annually to Welsh farmers—makes way for a new results-based model that will shape the industry for decades to come.

News

Improved train timetable launches across Wales

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Extra services, later trains and boosted Sunday routes as £800m rail investment takes effect

An improved train timetable has come into force across Wales today (Sunday, 14 December), with Transport for Wales (TfW) introducing more frequent services, stronger connections and additional late-night trains on key routes.

The winter timetable update brings one of the most substantial uplifts in recent years on the Wales and Borders network, forming part of the Welsh Government’s ongoing £800 million investment in brand-new rolling stock and reliability improvements.

More trains and later journeys

Among the upgrades, passengers will see:

A new hourly additional service between Chester and Wrexham, effectively doubling the frequency on one of the region’s busiest commuter corridors.
An extra train in each direction every day on the Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Three later last trains from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil, supporting shift workers and the night-time economy.
A new hourly Sunday service on the Coryton line in Cardiff.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said improved connectivity was “absolutely vital” for economic growth and passenger confidence.

“These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services and greater connectivity,” he said. “This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

“We will see the doubling of trains between Wrexham and Chester and a later service from the capital to valley communities. In South Wales, people will continue to benefit from simpler, fairer fares through TfW’s Pay As You Go service, and its forthcoming introduction in North Wales will help even more passengers access easy, transparent pricing.”

Full details of the updated timetable are available at: tfw.wales/service-status/timetables

News

Wrecked guard boat still under watch off north Pembrokeshire coast

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tidal changes monitored after dramatic early-morning rescue

A GUARD VESSEL that ran aground off the north Pembrokeshire coast in the early hours of Thursday morning (Dec 11) remains under close observation as tides continue to shift.

The Resolute, a 24-metre guard boat understood to be working for an offshore wind project off the Irish coast, had been sheltering in worsening weather when she was pushed onto rocks near Aber Hywel, Dinas, shortly after 3:25am.

Four crew members were onboard when the vessel grounded in rough seas and a strong southerly wind.

Major rescue effort launched

The crew issued an emergency alert, prompting a full multi-agency response.
A coastguard rescue helicopter, both Fishguard RNLI lifeboats, and coastguard teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene.

Turbulent air made a winch rescue impossible and Fishguard’s all-weather lifeboat was unable to get close due to cliffs and submerged hazards. The inshore lifeboat was instead deployed to attempt a transfer in extremely challenging conditions.

During the evacuation, the third crew member descending to the vessel’s life raft slipped, fell into the water and was swept away. Speaking afterwards, RNLI crew member Cedwyn Rogers said the team immediately switched into “hyper-focused” mode as training took over.

Despite the casualty drifting, helm Warren Bean — a volunteer with more than 30 years’ RNLI experience — manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside, allowing crew to haul the man to safety. The remaining crew member was then retrieved, and all four were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and brought ashore to Fishguard.

All rescue units were later stood down.

Vessel still stranded and taking on water

The Herald understands that the Resolute remained aground on the rocks yesterday and was taking on water. The crew were later assisted back onboard by a local fisherman to assess damage on behalf of the vessel’s operators.

Management representatives from Ireland were due to arrive to draw up a recovery plan, including arrangements to remove fuel to prevent any potential environmental impact.

Further inspections have been taking place today as the team evaluates the next steps.

Coastguard statement

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “At 3.28am on Thursday morning, HM Coastguard was made aware of a vessel with four persons onboard aground on rocks at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire. RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Fishguard and St Davids were sent to the scene. The four people aboard were rescued by lifeboat, and the helicopter was stood down. The vessel, which is still aground, is being monitored as tidal conditions change.”