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Family devastated by tragic fire that claimed life of 5-year-old Alysia

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A TRAGIC fire that claimed the life of a five-year-old girl, described as the “happiest little girl who was always smiling,” started in her bedroom, an inquest heard today.

Alysia Salisbury, who lived with her mother, two sisters, and her mother’s partner in Pontyglasier, near Crymych, died in the house fire on 28 May last year. Pembrokeshire Coroner Paul Bennett revealed during the inquest that Alysia, who was autistic, had a particular fascination with sensory experiences, including fire.

Her mother, Tara Salisbury, noted that Alysia was often captivated by the shape and movement of flames, particularly during family celebrations. “On her birthday, she would become distracted by the candles on her cake,” Tara explained. As a result, the family took precautions to limit access to potential fire hazards in the home.

Alysia’s older sister kept a lighter securely locked in a click-lock box on top of a tall cupboard in her attic bedroom. The only other lighter was stored outside the house in the family’s catering van.

On the evening of 27 May, Alysia had been enjoying a “sister sleepover” in her sibling’s first-floor bedroom. At around 9:30 pm, her older sister briefly went downstairs to warm a brioche in the oven. At this time, Alysia’s eldest sister was in her attic bedroom, while her mother and her partner were in their room.

Five minutes after the oven was turned on, the property’s smoke alarm sounded. Tara initially assumed it was triggered by the oven, as had happened before, and went downstairs to try to silence it. Her partner and the two sisters also came out of their rooms to investigate. There were no immediate signs of fire, and the door to Alysia’s bedroom remained shut.

However, moments later, smoke began to descend the stairs, and the family realised there was a fire in Alysia’s room. Tara and her partner rushed to open the bedroom door, only to find the nearby wooden desk fully engulfed in flames. The fire rapidly spread across the ceiling and out of the room, reaching the attic stairs.

Despite their efforts to control the fire, they were forced to leave the house as the flames intensified. Seconds later, the windows shattered, and the fire spread further. Firefighters arrived at the scene but were unable to save Alysia, who was found at 1:05 am the next morning.

In a heartfelt statement, Tara described Alysia as “one of a kind” and shared that the family would “miss that little smile every day for the rest of their lives.”

Jason Woodman, a fire investigator with the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, reported that the lighter from Alysia’s sister’s attic bedroom had been used to ignite something on the desk in the first-floor bedroom. Although there were scented candles on the desk, he could not definitively say whether they or another flammable item had started the blaze. The room had what was described as a “heavy fire load,” which caused the fire to spread quickly.

Tara explained that Alysia, despite her young age, was capable of using a lighter. Due to her autism, she had no fear of danger and would likely have been mesmerised by the flames as the fire grew.

A post-mortem conducted by Dr Stephen Leadbeatter at the University Hospital of Wales concluded that Alysia died from exposure to fire and fire effluent. Pembrokeshire Coroner Paul Bennett described the tragedy as unimaginable. “I cannot begin to imagine the horror and sheer sense of helplessness that Tara and Joshua went through,” he said. “To lose a young person is tragic, but to do so in such desperate circumstances cannot be comprehended.”

Mr Bennett recorded a verdict of accidental death and extended his deepest condolences to Alysia’s family. Tara concluded her statement by saying, “We miss her terribly. She was very, very loved and will be very, very missed for a long time.”

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Local MP completes his first Haverfordwest Parkrun

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HAVERFORDWEST Parkrun number 312 took place on Saturday (Mar 15) at the Racecourse, with 80 participants crossing the finish line—among them, Henry Tufnell MP, who completed his first parkrun.

The MP recorded a time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds at the free weekly 5k community event. His wife, Poppy, also took part, volunteering for the first time as one of 15 helpers who ensure the event runs smoothly under the parkrun UK umbrella.

The event, which has now seen 24,536 finishers, takes place every Saturday at 9:00am. Organisers expressed gratitude to Haverfordwest Racecourse Public Park Trust for their continued support in hosting the event and to Haverfordwest Cricket Club for providing toilet facilities for participants each week.

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Why did Senedd vote against fair funding for Wales from HS2?

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THE SENEDD recently voted down a motion demanding fair funding for Wales from the High-Speed Rail 2 (HS2) project, reigniting concerns over Westminster’s treatment of Welsh interests in major infrastructure investments. The decision has sparked frustration across political lines, particularly given the widely accepted view that Wales has been unfairly denied financial compensation for a rail scheme that provides no direct benefit to the country.

A flawed classification

The root of the controversy lies in HS2’s classification as an ‘England and Wales’ project, despite not a single mile of track being laid in Wales. This designation, originally justified by the Conservative UK Government on the grounds that HS2 would benefit North Wales via a link to Crewe, has deprived Wales of consequential funding under the Barnett formula. However, the scrapping of the Birmingham-Manchester leg of HS2 by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak further undermined this justification, leaving many to question why Wales has continued to be excluded from receiving a fair share of funding.

While Scotland and Northern Ireland have received consequential funding from the HS2 project, Wales has been left without any direct financial benefit. Estimates suggest that Wales should have received around £4bn-5bn in consequential funding if HS2 had been correctly classified as an England-only project. However, recent recalculations by the Treasury have seen those figures fluctuate dramatically, with more recent estimates dropping to mere millions—a shift that suspiciously coincides with the arrival of a Labour government in Westminster.

Cross-party recognition of unfairness

There is a broad political consensus in the Senedd that Wales has been shortchanged. In 2022, Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies broke ranks with his party to tell Boris Johnson that Wales was owed funding from HS2. Labour in Wales has long argued that the country has been systematically underfunded in rail infrastructure, and Plaid Cymru, alongside the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has also championed the cause.

Yet, despite this shared recognition of unfairness, when a motion was tabled in the Senedd this week demanding that HS2 be reclassified as an England-only project and that Wales receive its fair share of funding, both Labour and Conservative MSs voted against it.

Why did the motion fail?

The failure of the motion appears to be as much about political maneuvering as it is about policy disagreements.

The motion, proposed by Plaid Cymru, called for:

  • Updated figures on the rail enhancement funding shortfall in Wales.
  • A confirmation from the Welsh Government that HS2 should be reclassified as an England-only project.
  • A formal request to the UK Secretary of State for Transport to release the full consequential funding to Wales.

However, Labour and Conservative MSs rejected the motion, with Labour opting instead to delete its contents entirely and replace it with a statement highlighting the supposed benefits of having a Labour government in Westminster. Several Welsh Conservative MSs indicated that they might have supported the motion if Plaid Cymru had not included language that criticised the previous UK Government’s unfulfilled pledge to electrify the North Wales Main Line. This suggests that party rivalries overshadowed any genuine attempt to secure additional funding for Wales.

Apathy and absenteeism in the debate

The broader issue at play is the growing sense of disengagement from Senedd members during opposition debates. The HS2 debate saw conspicuously low attendance from both Conservative and Labour MSs. Onlookers noted that only two or three Conservatives were present, while Labour benches had around seven members in attendance. Such poor participation, despite the significance of the topic, raises concerns about whether some MSs are taking their duties seriously.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds described the debate as “depressing,” noting that while all parties seem to agree that Wales has been shortchanged, they were unable to unify on the issue.

Labour’s dilemma: Party loyalty vs Welsh interests

The shift in Labour’s stance on HS2 funding is notable. Before Keir Starmer’s election as Prime Minister, Welsh Labour had been vocal in demanding fair funding for Wales. However, since the new UK Government took office, Labour MSs in Cardiff Bay appear to have softened their approach, likely to avoid disrupting relations with their Westminster counterparts.

This reluctance to push for what is widely acknowledged as a fair claim for Wales has led to accusations that party loyalties are being prioritised over the national interest. Labour backbencher Alun Davies, one of the few to go on record about the issue, acknowledged the problem, stating that while HS2 funding is a historic and ongoing issue, the real solution lies in the full devolution of rail infrastructure.

The bigger picture: Structural inequality in UK funding

At its core, the HS2 funding dispute highlights a deeper issue: Wales remains the only UK nation without full control over its rail infrastructure funding. Without these powers, Wales is at the mercy of UK Government decisions that consistently prioritise England’s transport needs while leaving Welsh infrastructure underfunded.

Even if Plaid Cymru’s motion had passed, the UK Government would still have had to be pressured into acting. However, the rejection of the motion sends a worrying signal that the Welsh political establishment is not willing to present a united front on an issue of major financial importance.

In the end, the Senedd’s decision to reject the motion is a stark reminder of how political maneuvering can obstruct meaningful progress. While MSs from across the political spectrum claim to support fair funding for Wales, when the opportunity arose to take a stand, party interests and political calculations took precedence. The failure to secure HS2 consequential funding is not just a financial injustice—it is yet another example of how Wales continues to be placed at the back of the queue when it comes to Westminster’s spending priorities.

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Future of Wales’ last Greyhound track uncertain amid ban proposal

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THE VALLEY Greyhound Stadium in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly, the last remaining greyhound racing track in Wales, faces an uncertain future following the Welsh Government’s proposal to outlaw the sport.

Greyhound racing has been a part of Welsh sporting history for nearly a century, with the first races taking place on April 7, 1928. At its peak, the sport drew tens of thousands of spectators, with the Welsh White City Stadium in Cardiff once attracting crowds of 25,000. The Valley Greyhound Stadium itself opened in 1976 and has undergone significant renovations over the years, including the addition of an indoor lounge and licensed bar in 2011. The stadium was granted a licence by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) in August 2023, ensuring compliance with modern animal welfare and racing standards.

Welsh Government pushes for ban

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced on February 18, 2025, that the government intends to implement a ban on greyhound racing “as soon as practically possible.” He stated: “I believe that now is the right time to move to ban greyhound racing in Wales. We are proud to be the first nation in the UK to do this.”

The proposed ban follows increasing pressure from animal welfare groups and a government consultation that received 35,000 signatures supporting the end of the sport. Welfare concerns, including the risks of injury and post-racing care for retired dogs, have been key drivers behind the move.

Divided opinions on the proposal

The announcement has sparked widespread debate. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the decision, arguing that it aligns with evidence-based policy on animal welfare. BVA President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux commented: “It is crucial that all animals in sporting activities are protected under the highest welfare standards.”

However, industry representatives and racing enthusiasts argue that the decision is not grounded in sufficient evidence. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has strongly opposed the move, with Chairman Jeremy Cooper stating: “This decision has been heavily influenced by animal rights activists. Our industry has made significant strides in ensuring the welfare of greyhounds.”

Essex businessman Dave Barclay, who has owned the Valley Greyhound Stadium since November 2021, is understood to be seeking legal advice in light of the government’s plans.

Impact on local economy and sport

If the ban is enacted, Wales would become the first UK nation to outlaw greyhound racing, leaving only 18 tracks operational in the rest of the country following the closure of Crayford Stadium in January. The closure of the Valley Greyhound Stadium is expected to result in the loss of approximately 30 jobs and leave a void in the local sporting community.

Former England and British and Irish Lions rugby player Mike Burton, now a greyhound trainer, expressed disappointment: “I come to Wales because they are good people, they are all grafters and love the sport. This is a huge loss.”

Uncertain future for greyhound racing in Wales

Despite the outcry from the industry, the Welsh Government remains committed to phasing out the sport. The exact timeline for implementation is unclear, but with the next Senedd election set for May 2026, the ban could be in place before then.

As the debate continues, stakeholders on both sides await further details on the government’s plan, including support measures for affected workers and provisions for the welfare of retired racing greyhounds. For now, the final bend looms for Wales’ last greyhound track, and its future remains uncertain.

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