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News

Snow falls in Wales: School closures, road blockages, and weather warnings

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THE FIRST significant snowfall of the year has fallen across Wales, with snow covering parts of north-east Wales overnight. The weather has caused major disruptions, including the closure of 130 schools, road closures, and the issuing of weather warnings for snow and ice.

On Monday night (Nov 18), part of the A55 was closed at Caerwys due to what Traffic Wales described as a “collision and heavy snow.” The snow has continued to cause problems on the roads, with the A44 in Powys closed on Tuesday morning between the A470 at Llangurig and the B4343 at Dyffryn Castell due to snow accumulation. Drivers are advised to avoid travel in these areas unless absolutely necessary, as conditions are expected to remain hazardous throughout the week.

In the south of Wales, heavy rain has led to flood warnings being issued by Natural Resources Wales, particularly along the River Ely. The heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding have created additional risks for drivers, particularly those using rural or coastal roads.

School closures across Wales
The heavy snow has forced the closure of around 130 schools across Powys, Flintshire, Denbighshire, and Wrexham. Schools have been forced to close for the day as a result of unsafe conditions for students and staff. In some areas, like Llanfair-Dyffryn-Clwyd in Denbighshire, snow has blanketed farms and rural areas, making it difficult for buses and staff to reach schools.

For those needing information about school closures, local authorities are providing up-to-date lists, and parents are urged to stay informed about the situation in their area.

The Met Office has issued multiple weather warnings across the UK, including a yellow alert for snow and ice that will last until Wednesday. The snow, combined with icy conditions, is expected to cause disruption in parts of Wales, particularly in the north, and could lead to delays for drivers, train services, and other transport routes. The warnings are in place for areas including Powys, Wrexham, and Denbighshire, as well as parts of northern England and Scotland.

Dan Suri, a chief meteorologist at the Met Office, explained that the disruption was caused by a low-pressure system that moved eastwards on Monday night. This system brought a mixture of cold air and wintry conditions, which has resulted in widespread snow and ice. The system is expected to continue affecting the UK through the week, with additional updates to the warnings likely as conditions change.

The forecast for Tuesday predicts cold temperatures with occasional wintry showers, though some areas will experience breaks of sunshine in the afternoon. However, conditions are expected to remain cold, with a widespread frost likely overnight, especially in rural areas. Drivers are warned that icy patches are likely to form on untreated roads, increasing the risk of accidents.

Tips for navigating winter conditions
With snow and ice continuing to affect travel in Wales, it is important for motorists and residents to take precautions:

  1. Check Your Vehicle: Ensure your car is winter-ready with properly inflated tyres, a full windscreen washer reservoir, and working lights.
  2. Stay Updated: Regularly check weather updates and traffic reports for your area. Follow Traffig Cymru and Traffic Wales for real-time information on road closures and conditions.
  3. Drive Safely: Reduce your speed and increase the distance between vehicles. Avoid sharp turns, sudden acceleration, or harsh braking, as these can cause skidding on icy surfaces.
  4. Emergency Kit: Carry a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, warm clothing, food, water, and a phone charger, in case you get stranded.

With these winter conditions expected to persist, it’s crucial for residents and travelers in Wales to stay informed and prioritize safety when navigating the roads.

Community

Showmen’s lucky scape as fairground lorry bursts into flames

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A FIRE broke out in the cab of an articulated lorry at Pembroke Fair in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 16), prompting a call-out for Pembroke Dock firefighters.

Showmen sleeping in their caravans at the Commons had a lucky escape when their generator truck caught fire in the middle of the night. By the time the alarm was raised, the vehicle was already well alight.

Thanks to the swift actions of those at the scene, the blaze did not spread to nearby caravans—a potentially deadly situation due to the presence of sleeping occupants and Calor Gas bottles used for heating and cooking.

The incident occurred near Commons Road, Pembroke, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) receiving the call at 2:42am.

A MAWWFRS spokesperson said: “The crew responded to a vehicle fire involving the cab of an articulated lorry.

“The main fire was out on the crew’s arrival, and firefighters used one hose reel jet to dampen down the area. A thermal imaging camera was deployed to check for remaining hot spots.

“Safety information and guidance were given to the vehicle’s driver.

“The crew left the scene at 3:18am.”

No injuries were reported.

(Pictures: File images)

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Community

Native oyster success story on the Milford Haven Waterway

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AFTER more than a year of careful rearing, thousands of juvenile native oysters have now been returned to the Milford Haven Waterway, marking a major milestone in an ambitious restoration project involving the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Since the project began in late 2023, Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences has been nurturing native oyster broodstock collected from Angle Bay and Burton Ferry. These oysters spawned multiple times in controlled conditions, producing hundreds of thousands of larvae. The tiny larvae were then reared until they were ready to settle on to shells, where they mostly remain fixed as they grow. Some scallop shells held as many as 160 individual oyster spat, ranging from 4mm to 10mm in size.

In February, an estimated 200,000 baby oysters were released into the Waterway by students from Paddle West. Braving a strong easterly wind, the team (assisted by Sky the dog, and with rescue cover support from Rudders Boatyard) successfully deposited the oysters onto the seabed. While not all will survive, many are expected to take hold and contribute to the recovery of the native oyster population.

Once abundant in UK waters, native oyster populations have dramatically declined due to habitat loss, pollution, over-harvesting and disease

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Biodiversity Officer, Sarah Mellor, said “This collaborative project is a major step forward for native oyster restoration in Wales. Achieving complex native oyster reefs once again in the Daugleddau may seem a distant dream, but this project has accelerated our learning and made the dream tangible. These oysters will play a vital role in improving water quality, storing carbon and creating habitat for marine life.”

To further support the restoration effort, some of the oyster-covered scallop shells have been placed into oyster hotels at Rudders Boatyard, where they will be closely monitored. Atlantic Edge Oysters will also oversee a selection of the young oysters to assess their growth rates.

The oysters will be tracked as part of the Natur am Byth! Mòr restoration project, delivered by the Marine Conservation Society with assistance from Sue Burton, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer.

Sue said,“Native oyster restoration needs oyster suppliers and growers, and this project has proved that we can deliver this in Wales with our home-grown native oysters and expertise.”

The project is being delivered in partnership with Bangor University, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer and Tethys Oysters in Angle Bay. It forms part of the Blue Carbon Strand of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Wild Coast! Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places Programme, funded by the Welsh Government and co-ordinated by Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales.

The restored oysters will now be closely monitored to assess their survival and growth, helping to inform future restoration efforts and strengthen the long-term recovery of the species in the Milford Haven Waterway.

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Oriel y Parc opens its doors to a world of peace and tranquillity

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An exhibition featuring the work of two leading artists and illustrators is to open at the National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids.

Featuring the work of Jackie Morris and Elly Morgan, ‘Tangnefedd Rhyngom: Peace Between Us’  invites visitors to explore the theme of peace, creating an opportunity for people to pause, reflect and connect with the quiet beauty of the world around them.

The exhibition brings together two distinct approaches to peace.  Jackie Morris – illustrator, artists and writer best known for The Lost Words and The Lost Spells – presents a series of prints depicting painted doves, using her signature style to convey peace as a dynamic force.  In contrast, Elly Morgan, known for her intricate ceramic work, offers a tactile interpretation of peace through her ceramic doves which draw inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s  natural landscapes.

Elly Morgan’s Wings of Peace

On World Poetry Day (March 22), Jackie Morris will host a talk and a question and an answer session which will provide a deeper insight into the exhibition as well as  themes that inspire her work.  The free event will take lace between 2 pm and 3 pm. 

Meanwhile Elly Morgan will lead a family-friendly workshop from 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 23.  The drop-in invites participants of all ages to contribute to a collaborative installation using recycled materials and acrylic paints.

The exhibition will be on display at Oriel y Parc until Sunday, April 27.

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