Tonight, Pembrokeshire’s own Angharad James-Turner will captain the Cymru Women’s national football team in the first leg of their crucial Euro 2025 play-off final against the Republic of Ireland in Cardiff. As the youngest player ever to accumulate 100 caps for Cymru, Angharad’s leadership and experience will be invaluable as Cymru battles for a spot in next summer’s European Championship.

A Star in the making

Angharad James’ footballing career began in the heart of Pembrokeshire, where she first showcased her talent with local club Manorbier Ladies, not far from her hometown of Haverfordwest. Her ability on the pitch quickly caught the attention of larger clubs, and at 16, she joined the Arsenal Academy. By 2011, she had made her debut for Arsenal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, marking the start of an illustrious career.

From there, James has played for an impressive array of clubs across the globe, including Notts County, Yeovil Town, Everton, Reading, North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, and Tottenham Hotspur. Her versatility as a midfielder, as well as her time playing as a fullback at Spurs, has earned her a reputation as an exceptional player who can control the game and set up her teammates with key assists​

Now 30, James has become the heartbeat of the Welsh national team. She was named Cymru captain in October 2024, taking over the leadership role from Sophie Ingle. Despite the big shoes to fill, Angharad has proven herself to be more than capable, leading her team through tough qualifiers, including the pivotal play-offs for Euro 2025​

A champion on and off the pitch

Angharad’s international career is nothing short of remarkable. She made her senior debut for Wales at just 17 and reached 100 caps in 2022, the same day Wales qualified for the World Cup play-offs for the first time. Her contribution to Welsh football has been pivotal, and she was named to represent Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics​

Off the pitch, Angharad is equally impressive. She’s a proud Welsh speaker and regularly conducts interviews in Welsh, despite the challenges of living abroad for much of her career. In a recent social media post, she spoke about her ongoing commitment to the language, sharing her belief that it’s important to keep Welsh alive and accessible​

In addition to her football career, Angharad is also a proud co-owner of a coffee van, “Two Sides Grind,” which she runs with her partner Amy James-Turner and their dog, Betsy. The duo is working towards one day owning a coffee shop, demonstrating Angharad’s entrepreneurial spirit​

A historic moment for Pembrokeshire

For those in Pembrokeshire, Angharad’s journey is a point of immense pride. From her early days in Manorbier to becoming the captain of Wales, she is an inspiration to young athletes across the county. Her determination, humility, and skill make her a true role model, not only in Wales but around the world.

As Cymru takes on the Republic of Ireland in tonight’s crucial first leg, Angharad James-Turner’s leadership will be central to their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2025. Whatever the outcome, Pembrokeshire can be proud of one of their own leading the charge for Welsh football at the highest level.

Wales v Ireland – how to follow all the action

Wales v Republic of Ireland (first leg)

29th of November, Cardiff City Stadium. K.O. 19:15pm

• Match Of The Day Wales – BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer
• Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds
• Follow all updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Republic of Ireland v Wales (second leg)

3rd of December, Aviva Stadium. K.O. 19:30pm

• Match Of The Day Wales – BBC One Wales, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
• Radio Wales Sport and Chwaraeon Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds
• Follow all updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

A TOTAL of 19 individuals have been fined for littering offences after failing to pay fixed penalties and being taken to court by Pembrokeshire County Council.

At Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Nov 28), fines ranged from £123 to £220, with additional victim surcharges and costs bringing the total penalties for each case to as much as £574.66.

Among those prosecuted, Flavius Andrei, aged 35, of Tenby, was fined £220 for discarding a cigarette butt on St Julian Street, Tenby, in April. In a separate case, Lee Cureton, aged 47, from Bristol, was also fined £220 for dropping a cigarette butt on the Esplanade in Tenby.

Further fines were issued to Pembrokeshire residents. Kelly Edwards, 35, of Pembroke Dock, and Darren Ferrier, 38, from Swansea, were fined £220 each for littering on Dimond Street and Gordon Street in Pembroke Dock, respectively.

Other notable cases included Toni Fletcher, 52, from Hereford, whose guilty plea led to a reduced fine of £123 after littering on St George’s Street, Tenby. Similarly, Tom Ryan, 38, from Dinas Cross, received a £133 fine for discarding a cigarette at Haverfordwest Railway Station.

Despite warnings and enforcement efforts, the offenders either failed to appear in court or had their cases proved in absence. The offences primarily involved cigarette butts, but one individual, Sally Owen, 61, from Newcastle, was accused of discarding a soft drink can in Haverfordwest. Her case was withdrawn.

Pembrokeshire County Council continues to crack down on littering to preserve the area’s environment. A spokesperson said: “These prosecutions highlight the importance of keeping our public spaces clean and the consequences for those who disregard the law.”

Fines from these cases totalled over £11,800, including victim surcharges and court costs, demonstrating the financial implications of littering offences.

THE BEVAN COMMISSION, in collaboration with Llais and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in the United States, has launched the ‘Silly Rules’ initiative to tackle barriers hindering health and social care services in Wales.

The initiative, introduced on November 18, aims to identify outdated or unnecessary processes that obstruct safe and effective care, offering solutions to improve services for all.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES
People, communities, and health and social care staff are encouraged to contribute to the initiative by completing a survey. This will help identify processes that no longer add value and may be creating unnecessary challenges in delivering or receiving care.

Building on the success of the 2016 ‘Breaking the Rules for Better Care’ campaign by Professor Don Berwick, a Bevan Commissioner and healthcare improvement pioneer, this initiative seeks to adapt global lessons to the Welsh context. The original campaign transformed healthcare systems worldwide by addressing inefficiencies, reducing waste, and improving outcomes for both patients and professionals.

WORKING TOGETHER FOR BETTER CARE
Dr. Helen Howson, Director of the Bevan Commission, highlighted the importance of collaboration: “Often the best solutions come from the people who experience health and care services and those working in the system—both those providing and receiving care. We know there are processes and rules that may have made sense at one time but are now outdated, creating unnecessary barriers and frustration.

“By launching the Silly Rules initiative in Wales, we’re giving everyone an opportunity to help identify these. This isn’t just about finding problems—it’s about working together to create practical solutions that make health and care work better for everyone. Building on the success we’ve seen globally, we believe this initiative can transform care delivery in Wales, making it more efficient, responsive, and patient-centered.”

Alyson Thomas, Chief Executive of Llais, echoed this sentiment: “This is a great opportunity for us to join forces with the Bevan Commission to hear your ‘Silly Rules.’ Our unique role in Llais allows us to hear from people across both health and social care, giving us access to a broader range of ideas and experiences. This initiative ensures that people accessing care, along with staff, have a voice in shaping better services.”

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CARE
Findings from the Silly Rules survey will be shared in the first quarter of 2025 with health boards, trusts, social care organisations, and communities across Wales. This collective insight will guide policymakers and leaders in removing unnecessary barriers, improving care outcomes, enhancing staff satisfaction, and ensuring a better experience for everyone.

Health and social care staff, alongside Welsh communities, are encouraged to participate and contribute to these meaningful improvements. Together, we can break down the barriers to better care.