News

Plaid call for devolution of Wales’ natural resources

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Green power: Parties want energy devolution

PLAID CYMRU have called for full devolution of Wales’ natural resources. The Party has called for responsibility over energy and the Crown Estate to be taken away from Westminster and devolved to the National Assembly so that the Welsh Government could use Wales’ resources in the interests of the people of Wales.

Plaid Shadow Energy Minister, Llyr Gruffydd said: “Wales is an energy rich nation. We already generate almost twice as much electricity as we use while other parts of the UK depend on imports and yet we pay more in Wales than any other nation in the UK. It cannot be right that while wages are lower in Wales than the rest of the UK, we are forbidden from benefiting from our resources which could drastically lower the cost of living. “While the UK Government has agreed to allow the Scottish Government to have full control over its resources, Wales’ resources are still under the full control of the UK Government, for whom the people of Wales did not vote. This is not power for the sake of power.

Over a thousand people died in Wales last winter primarily as a result of high energy costs. We cannot continue to allow this to happen.” Plaid go on to say that they have committed to setting up a publiclyowned energy company, similar to EDF in France and Vattenfall in Sweden, if it forms the Welsh Government in 2016, which could use profits to subsidise bills for consumers in Wales.

Agreeing with Plaid Cymru’s stance, Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party leader said of the issue: “It is essential that Wales has complete ownership of its vast renewable energy supplies. Energy security, the elimination of fuel poverty, and a future based on the sound economic footing renewables will give us, should be reasons enough for us to hold sovereignty over our own clean energy.

Scotland now produces more electricity from renewables than any other source of energy, and is on target to produce 100% of all electricity from renewables by 2020. It is an outrage that Wales cannot perform on the same footing. “Greens want to see everyone in Wales benefiting from this cheaper, cleaner form of energy, and we would want to see many more local and community energy schemes.

We would like to see people everywhere freed from the shackles of the big dirty energy producers and their relentless price hikes”. She went on to criticise the socalled, UK austerity programme, saying: “Austerity is hurting our most vulnerable people most, and it is unforgivable that high fuel costs continue to force so many into poverty. Yet it need not be this way. Renewable energy is cheaper than dirty fossil energy.

The Welsh Government should make the harvesting of our own energy for home security and export a top priority.” A spokesperson for the Welsh Government told The Herald: “We have consistently called for the further devolution of energy powers to Wales. We are also acutely aware of the impact rising energy costs are having on households and businesses in Wales and have provided support to help reduce the ever-increasing costs of energy consumption.”

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

10 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Community

Special guests for Torch showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’

Published

17 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was the most appropriate day for the screening before a Pembrokeshire audience of a remarkable film, narrated by the last surviving ‘Dambuster’ of the RAF’s 617 Squadron.

The RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, and World War II Veteran Duncan Hilling, of Saundersfoot, were chief guests at the Torch Theatre for the showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’, one of three large dams in Germany attacked by 617 Squadron in May 1943.

They were joined by service representatives, air cadets and many locals – the evening being a fundraising event for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire.

Exquisitely created in digital format, the film describes the story of Avro Lancaster bomber AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam, with the narration by the late Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson, who died in 2022. He was the bomb aimer on the aircraft which dropped an ‘Upkeep’ bomb on the dam.

It is the culmination of six years of work by film producer Andrew Panton and Pitor Forkasiewicz and is now part of the IBCC archive. Also shown was a short film ‘Remembering the Avro Lancaster’ in which four wartime aircrew visit a preserved Lancaster at a Lincolnshire museum. The film was launched that day by the IBCC, with the Torch audience being the first to see a live screening.

The event was organised by Andrew Panton’s brother, Ian, of St Davids, who commented: “There was no doubt that many found this a very special occasion for Remembering Them, and so many others, on Remembrance Sunday.”

On display during the evening was a Lancaster bomb aimer’s panel, re-created by Dr Andy Watkin, a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.