News

Greyhound racing ban debate ‘exposes deep divisions’, says industry body

Published

2 months ago

December 16, 2025

GBGB warns legislation is “deeply flawed” as cross-party concerns over process and evidence resurface

THE SENEDD has been accused of “sleepwalking into bad lawmaking” after a Stage One debate on plans to ban greyhound racing in Wales, with the sport’s governing body launching a fierce attack on both the policy and the process behind the proposed legislation.

The criticism follows Tuesday’s debate on the Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill, which seeks to make it a criminal offence to organise or operate greyhound racing anywhere in Wales.

In a statement issued after the debate, Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), said the way the Bill had been brought forward showed the Senedd “in the worst possible light,” accusing ministers of pursuing legislation despite serious warnings from their own scrutiny committees.

“This entire process shows the Welsh Senedd in the worst possible light,” Mr Bird said. “We have gone from a dodgy backroom deal to an indefensible policy sham which ignores the condemnation and objections that two separate cross-party Committees have rightly shown.”

Committee concerns ignored

The Bill has already attracted significant criticism during the scrutiny process, with Senedd committees raising concerns about the lack of a robust evidence base, the speed at which the legislation was introduced, and the absence of a full economic impact assessment.

During Stage One, Members were asked to consider whether the Bill’s general principles should proceed. While animal welfare campaigners argue that greyhound racing cannot be made ethical through regulation alone, critics of the Bill say the Welsh Government has failed to demonstrate why prohibition is necessary, particularly given that only one licensed greyhound track currently operates in Wales.

Mr Bird warned that voters would “look long and hard” at those Members who supported the Bill despite committee findings that the legislation was “deeply flawed”.

“This is neither good government nor good politics,” he said. “This Bill will do nothing to serve the priorities of the Welsh public, economy or animal welfare.”

Wider implications feared

One of the central arguments advanced by the GBGB is that the Bill could set a precedent extending far beyond greyhound racing.

Mr Bird said the debate had highlighted the risk that other activities involving animals — including farming, horse racing and even pet ownership — could become future targets if campaign-driven legislation replaces evidence-based policymaking.

“What this debate shows is that what is happening to greyhound racing today can very easily happen to farming, horse ownership and pet ownership tomorrow when the animal rights argument takes control of the political agenda,” he said.

“Wales is sleepwalking into an animal rights future that no one has voted for and which ignores common sense, factual evidence and proper process.”

Supporters argue moral case

Supporters of the Bill argue that public attitudes to animal welfare have shifted, and that greyhound racing — even when regulated — involves an unacceptable level of risk and harm to dogs.

A public petition calling for a ban attracted tens of thousands of signatures, and campaigners say Wales has an opportunity to show ethical leadership by becoming the first UK nation to outlaw the sport.

However, critics point out that public consultation responses were relatively limited, and that proposals to strengthen regulation were not fully explored before ministers opted for prohibition.

Judicial review threat

The GBGB says it has received support from politicians across party lines and intends to continue opposing the Bill as it moves through further stages of scrutiny.

“We have been buoyed by the tremendous amount of support we have been receiving from across the political divide in opposition to this flawed Bill,” Mr Bird said.

“We will continue to fight this through its committee stages and through a Judicial Review.”

Cut the Chase Coalition

A spokesperson from the Cut the Chase Coalition, comprising Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, Greyhound Rescue Wales, Hope Rescue and the RSPCA, said: “Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for all the dogs involved. That is why today’s vote is so important, and marks the latest step in what we hope will be the final lap for a pastime which is outdated, and puts animals at unnecessary risk.

“In backing the legislation’s general principles, Members of the Senedd (MSs) have made a clear statement that the risks greyhound racing continues to pose to dog welfare are simply not defendable in the interests of sport or entertainment.

“Across the UK, the industry’s own data shows the thousands of injuries that have occurred in recent years as a result of racing, while hundreds of dogs have lost their lives. Ending greyhound racing is the only way to protect dogs from such avoidable and unnecessary risk; and MSs have today voted in line with public opinion – after tens of thousands of people signed a petition urging the Welsh Government to take action.

“In the months ahead, we look forward to continuing to work with MSs as this legislation progresses through the Welsh Parliament, to ensure Wales joins the growing list of nations worldwide where greyhound racing has been consigned to where it belongs – the history books.”

What happens next

The Senedd’s decision at Stage One determines whether the Bill progresses to detailed amendment and further debate. If approved in principle, the legislation will face additional scrutiny, with potential changes proposed before a final vote.

As the Bill advances, the clash between animal welfare ethics, legislative standards, and the role of evidence in policymaking looks set to intensify — with the future of greyhound racing in Wales hanging in the balance.

Community

Princess of Wales praised for ‘skill’ during local wool mill and factory visit

Published

6 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Royal tour shines spotlight on west Wales textile heritage and local jobs

CATHERINE, Princess of Wales was told “she’s got the skill” after trying her hand at traditional textile work during a visit to west Wales on Tuesday (Feb 3).

The royal spent the day meeting staff and apprentices at two well-known manufacturers – Melin Tregwynt in Pembrokeshire and Hiut Denim in Cardigan – highlighting the region’s long-standing reputation for craftsmanship and small-scale, high-quality production.

Stitching and mending at historic mill

At Melin Tregwynt, a family-run woollen mill that now operates as an employee-owned trust, the princess was guided through each stage of production, from weaving to finishing.

In the quality control room she was invited to mend a blanket using a needle and thread, carefully repairing the fabric under the watchful eye of experienced staff.

Paula Harding, who has worked at the mill for more than a decade, praised her technique, saying: “She did it right – and she didn’t go through the other side. That’s skill. She’s got the skill.”

Laughing, the princess told workers: “You make it look so easy,” adding that the craft was clearly “a labour of love”.

She asked questions about the history of the business, which has produced Welsh-designed blankets and throws for more than a century, and spoke with several generations of the same families who have worked at the mill.

‘Made in Wales’ denim

Later, the princess travelled to Hiut Denim, the Cardigan-based firm credited with bringing jeans manufacturing back to the town after large factories closed in the early 2000s.

The company now focuses on small-batch, premium denim and employs skilled cutters and machinists locally.

During a tour of the factory floor, the princess tried cutting out a pair of jeans and helped stitch a “Made in Wales” label onto a finished pair that staff said would be presented to the Prince of Wales.

“He will love those,” she replied.

She joked that there was “no pressure” when handed the cutting tools and said she enjoys making clothes herself, admitting the most adventurous project she had attempted was sewing a pair of pyjamas.

The royal also stopped to greet Barney, the factory’s English cocker spaniel, drawing smiles from staff.

Meeting well-wishers

Crowds gathered outside both sites to catch a glimpse of the visitor, with the princess spending time chatting with families and children before moving on.

The visit forms part of ongoing efforts by the royal household to showcase traditional industries and skilled manufacturing across the UK, with west Wales’ textile sector recognised as a key part of the region’s heritage and economy.

For workers at both businesses, the message was simple: the spotlight on locally made products and homegrown skills was just as important as the royal presence itself.

***Local flavour: The Princess of Wales chats with staff and accepts a jar of Crwst’s Welsh honey butter before departing Cardigan following her visit to Hiut Denim (Pic: Crwst).***

Crime

Man spared jail after admitting child abuse image offences

Published

6 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Police seized devices after intelligence linked Pembrokeshire address to illegal cloud storage accounts

A 23-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has avoided immediate custody after admitting making and possessing indecent images of children, including extreme bestiality material.

Ryan Beale, aged 23, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing this week.

At his first hearing, before magistrates on December 31, he entered guilty pleas and being granted conditional bail.

The court heard the case followed an intelligence-led police investigation linking Beale to a Dropbox account suspected of storing illegal material. Officers executed a warrant at his home on December 18.

During his arrest, Beale told officers: “I don’t use Dropbox,” claiming his email and Google accounts had been compromised.

However, police seized his mobile phone and computer equipment. A forensic examination found the email address connected to the Dropbox account stored on his device. Although the account had also been accessed from overseas locations, including Nigeria, investigators were satisfied it was controlled by Beale and linked to a larger cloud storage account containing significant volumes of illegal content.

Officers discovered 120 Category A images, 36 Category B images and 29 Category C images.

Category A represents the most serious level of abuse.

The material included extreme and disturbing bestiality content. Further Category C images were also located within the Dropbox account.

Two identified victims depicted in the images were girls aged nine and eleven.

Beale initially denied the allegations but later admitted the offences.

Passing sentence, at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Feb 3) the His Honour Geraint Walters said: “This was not an innocent pastime. Every time an adult views that image, a child is still being abused.”

He added that an early guilty plea had spared Beale immediate custody but warned the offences would have lifelong consequences.

“The public have no time for anybody doing this,” the judge said. “If you’re doing this, the police will find out. They didn’t knock on your door randomly — they knew what they were looking for.”

Beale was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and pay £300 in prosecution costs.

The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, ordered the forfeiture and destruction of his electronic devices, and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

“If you keep yourself out of trouble, you won’t have to serve that custodial sentence,” the judge told him.

Entertainment

One Night in Dublin returns to the Torch with a brand-new show

Published

6 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN is heading back to the stage at the Torch Theatre with a lively new production fronted by renowned Irish singer Danny Muldoon.

Tickets are already selling fast for the feel-good celebration of Irish music, which promises two hours of songs, stories and plenty of craic.

Backed by an award-winning five-piece band, Muldoon leads audiences through a packed set of sing-along favourites including Galway Girl, Tell Me Ma, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey in the Jar, The Wild Rover and The Galway Shawl, along with many more well-loved classics.

The show recreates the atmosphere of a bustling Dublin pub, complete with fiddle, whistle, guitars, banjo, bodhrán, accordion and driving drums, transporting the audience straight into “Murphy’s Tavern” for an unforgettable night of live entertainment.

Fans can also expect hits from Irish legends including The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, The Dubliners, The Fureys, Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys.

One Night in Dublin comes to the Torch Theatre on Thursday, March 26 at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £26.50. Visit the theatre website or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267 to book.