A GOODWICK hair salon is celebrating after scooping three major honours at a national ceremony in London.

Michelle Summers Davies, owner of MD Hair in Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, was named winner of Best Colour Salon, Best Boutique Salon, and Best Customer Service at the Salon Awards – an annual event recognising excellence and innovation across the UK hairdressing industry.

The awards are judged regionally by experienced industry professionals, with entries assessed on technical ability, creativity, client care and the overall salon experience.

Michelle’s salon impressed judges with its high standards, customer focus and consistent delivery of high-quality results.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: “I am over the moon to receive these awards as they reflect years of passion, hard work, and dedication from our entire team. It’s a true celebration of our craft, our creativity, and our community. Thank you to our clients for supporting us every step of the way – we will continue delivering outstanding experiences for our clients.”

The Goodwick stylist is also a finalist for Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, which take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane next week.

Michelle has worked in the industry for more than thirty-five years and has been part of the Matrix UKI artistic team for nineteen years, contributing to national campaigns and salon education across the UK. She has also worked on the hair teams for the National Television Awards and The X Factor.

NEW figures show Wales’ planning system is facing severe pressure, with more than two-thirds of public sector planners saying their teams do not have the capacity to keep up with demand.

An updated State of the Profession survey by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) found that 72% of planners working in the public sector in Wales report insufficient capacity within their teams.

A further 64% say they feel overstretched frequently or all of the time, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of the service.

Workforce pressures

The survey highlights a looming staffing crisis, with 15% of planners indicating they expect to retire within the next three years, while 3% say they intend to leave the profession entirely.

RTPI says this combination of overstretch and attrition threatens the ability of planning authorities to deliver on key national priorities.

Impact on national priorities

According to RTPI Cymru, a lack of planning capacity puts Wales at risk of falling behind on major commitments, including:

• addressing the housing crisis
• delivering renewable energy projects
• improving water quality
• supporting resilient and sustainable rural communities

RTPI Cymru’s newly published Planifesto 2026 calls for renewed investment, stronger political commitment and a recognition that planning is “critical national infrastructure”.

Call for action

Mark Hand, Director of RTPI Cymru, said: “These figures paint a deeply concerning picture for planning in Wales. With so many planners overstretched and significant numbers nearing retirement, we cannot deliver the homes, infrastructure and climate action our communities urgently need without real investment in people and resources.

“Our Cymru Planifesto 2026 sets out a clear and positive pathway forward – but it requires political commitment and a recognition that planning is essential to Wales’ future prosperity, resilience and well-being.”

ANIMAL health officers are carrying out visits across the Pontyberem area after a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in local poultry.

The Welsh Government has put in place a 3km Avian Influenza Protection Zone and a wider 10km Surveillance Zone around the infected premises. These controls are designed to limit any further spread of the disease.

Council officers will visit every address within the zones – including homes, farms, smallholdings and businesses – to provide information and ensure keepers understand the restrictions now in force. Any location where poultry or other captive birds are kept must follow strict movement and biosecurity requirements. A map of the zones and full details of the rules are available on the Welsh Government website.

The strain identified in Pontyberem is one adapted to birds and is considered to present very low risk to human health. Households and businesses that do not keep birds are not required to take any action.

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, said:

“The confirmation of avian influenza in the Pontyberem area is very sad news for the keeper involved, but I want to reassure residents that the risk to people is very low.

“I would urge anyone who keeps poultry or other captive birds within the affected zones to follow the enhanced biosecurity measures. Keepers elsewhere in Wales must also comply with the all-Wales prevention zone that came into force on 13 November.”

Residents are reminded that dead wild birds – including swans, geese, ducks, gulls and birds of prey – should be reported to the Defra Helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7).