News

A Badger special: Badger and the money tree

Published

11 years ago

March 4, 2015

moneytree CHINESE mythology is not Badger’s forte. In his sett, Badger’s main concern with matters oriental is that his crispy hedgehog in bo’s’n sauce and worm Chow Mein are suitably yummy and come with a side order of prawn crackers. The legend of the money tree does, however, seem pertinent to the Local Health Board’s treatment of charitable funds raised for healthcare charities. You see readers, the coins on the money tree link paradise with a material bounty in this world. Paradise. readers. That’s what it is all about. In order to create an earthly paradise. the Health Board needs material bounty in excess of that provided by that loveable scallywag Mark Drakeford, whose world begins and ends in Cardiff Bay. And when it needs that material bounty it shakes the money tree and out the readies tumble.
twenty pence pieces and pound coins you give to local charities mount up over lime. The charities and appeals involved are above reproach in their conduct with your money. They have constitutions that set out how they are able to spend the money you donate to them. Let’s look at just one example. The Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Appeal. Registered Charity Number 1136641. its purposes, according to the Charity Commission website, are:

• Fundraising for additional facilities in proposed new cancer care day unit.
• Cancer support services to patients referred from local hospital.

• Distraction therapies including tranquillity room and pamper room. • Counselling venue and information centre also used by organisations. such as CRUSE, bereavement counselling, Pembs counselling services plus Pembs breast cancer support group. The Appeal has raised over half a million pounds to fulfil those purposes. Not Badger’s guess – he words of the Local Health Board who in 2010 wrote in a press release: “To date. almost £500,000 has been raised through the Bucketful of Hope Appeal and other donations to Ward 10 and the Chemotherapy Day Care Unit in readiness to fulfil Adam’s dream. “in a recent meeting between the charity members, the C h a irm an of the Board Chris Martin said that the Health Board is currently in discussions with clinical staff about the future of chemotherapy services and the chemotherapy day unit in Pembrokeshire.

“He said: “The Health Board will work closely with Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, and other fundraisers. to ensure that chemotherapy services are delivered in a modern day facility and that the funding which has been donated for this purpose will be used for the benefit of Pembrokeshire patients. Future proposals will be available by the early summer of next year and we look forward to working closely with the Bucketful of Hope appeal during that time.” “Adam’s mother Chris Evans-Thomas commented: “We did not envisage fundraising for this amount The Bucketful and the Board And what a lot of readies they are readers. All the f time and frustration was setting in, but to know that we will have a definite date for a new CDU by May 2011 is wonderful news!

It this means we can move forward with a real message of hope for the New Year!’ Almost four years have passed since that announcement. Where is the hope? More to the point, where is the money? The Health Board has callously claimed that the Bucketful of Hope Appeal has raised only £1 5,500 or so to the costs of a new Cancer Day Unit. Poppycock, readers! The Board are speaking out of an orifice that if spoken from would usually be subject to the sort of significant colorectal examination the Board could ill afford.

And the product of such speech reminds Badger of nothing so much as the fate of flatterers in Dante’s inferno. The Board is. however. not lying. It is, however, being very (very) economical with the truth. Bear with Badger readers and he will explain how and why he has reached that conclusion.
The money-go-round NHS charitable funds are organised into two types, like other charitable funds. Those funds are “Restricted” (which means that the funds can only be used for the specific purposes of the charity) and “Unrestricted” (which means that they can be used more broadly and at the discretion of the charity trustees). Under “Restricted Funds” are two sorts of other fund “Endowment” for example where someone donates the income from an asset for a specific purpose and “material funds, that is funds that can only be used for the purposes either specified by the donors or by the terms of the appeal which led to their donation.

Under “Unrestricted Funds” come “unrestricted funds” are those donated for a wider purpose and “designated funds’, which are set aside by the trustees for designated projects at their discretion. In the latter case the use of the funds to fulfil a purpose, such as building a new cancer day unit at Withybush, is entirely down to the trustees. So far readers. so dry. But what happens do you suppose when you give a Health Board the power to re-designate charitable funds? So that a Board can switch funds from restricted to unrestricted ones to suit itself? Well, readers what happened was this: In 2009/2010 the Health Board had £6.9 million in restricted funds. It had £13m in endowment funds and just under £5.4m in material funds. Remember readers that material funds can only be spent on the projects the donors direct. That is £5.4m that had to be spent on specific projects. And then POOP With a wave of a bean counter’s pencil some of it disappeared. Yes, in 2010/2011 there were only E1.5rn in material funds dedicated to the donors” intentions. £3.9m readers. £3.9 million went walkies out of a restricted material fund and became unrestricted for the trustees of the Board’s tame in-house charity to spend on whatever the Board wanted it spent on.
Why change?
Now the Board claims all this was all above board and all according to the law of the land. But was that accounting jiggery-pokery in the spirit of the law or in the spirit in which donations were made by Pembrokeshire residents to Pembrokeshire health causes for the benefit of Pembrokeshire residents? Or was it simply a cynical money grab to meet the agenda of a centralising Board. jealous of too much money being held in ways that meant the money was beyond its sticky mitts? Draw your own conclusions readers, pray do. Now from the above, certain issues

Education

Ysgol Henry Tudor reassures parents over Sikh ceremonial kirpan

Published

7 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

School says religious item worn by pupil is secured, symbolic and non-functional

YSGOL HENRY TUDOR has moved to reassure parents after confirming that a pupil is wearing a ceremonial kirpan as part of their Sikh faith.

The development comes after around a dozen parents with children at the school contacted The Herald expressing concern about the situation. The Herald has contacted the local authority for comment.

In a letter sent to parents on Wednesday (Mar 25), the school explained that a Sikh family had recently joined the school community, and that the pupil is an Amritdhari Sikh — meaning they are required to wear certain articles of faith.

One of these is the kirpan, a small ceremonial blade which holds deep religious significance within Sikhism.

The school stressed that in this case the kirpan is “small, sheathed and secured,” and cannot be unsheathed. It added that the item is worn purely as a symbol of faith and “not as a functional item.”

Reassurance over safety

The letter made clear that appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the situation is managed safely and in line with safeguarding responsibilities and UK law.

School leaders said they remain committed to respecting the religious beliefs of all pupils while maintaining a safe environment, adding that the matter will continue to be monitored “sensitively and appropriately.”

In some settings, schools may agree adjustments to how a kirpan is worn — such as ensuring it is very small, secured, or sealed — so that religious requirements are respected while maintaining safety.

Understanding the kirpan

The kirpan is one of the five articles of faith — known as the Five Ks — observed by initiated Sikhs. It symbolises a duty to stand up against injustice and to protect others.

Under UK law, Sikhs are permitted to carry a kirpan for religious reasons. In schools, these are typically very small, kept in a sheath, and often secured so they cannot be drawn.

Across the UK, many schools have policies in place to accommodate the wearing of the kirpan while ensuring appropriate safeguards are followed.

Promoting inclusion

The school’s letter reflects a wider approach across education settings in Wales and the UK, where inclusivity and respect for different faiths are balanced with clear safety measures.

No incidents relating to the matter have been reported.

Crime

Teen jailed after starting fire while others slept

Published

12 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Fire set in shared home left sleeping residents at risk and caused £130,000 damage

A TEENAGER who started a fire in his bedroom while other residents slept has been jailed for four years.

Jack Gornall, aged 18, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting a series of offences including arson, threats with a knife, assault, and sending malicious communications.

The court heard that in the early hours of Sunday (Nov 17), Gornall deliberately started a fire inside his room at a shared property on Mansel Street, Carmarthen.

He then barricaded the door before climbing out of a first-floor window, leaving others inside the building at risk.

One resident was asleep at the time and had to be rescued by police. Two officers were later treated for smoke inhalation after tackling the incident before firefighters brought the blaze under control.

The fire caused extensive damage to the property, estimated at around £130,000.

Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court that Gornall had earlier gone out to buy cigarettes and a lighter, and had carried out internet searches relating to accelerants in the days leading up to the fire.

The court also heard details of other offences.

In October 2024, Gornall repeatedly contacted his sister after being blocked, including calling her child’s phone. When she answered, he became abusive and threatened to report her to social services.

On another occasion in January 2025, he approached a car in Llandysul and produced a kitchen knife, waving it at occupants through an open window. The driver sped away and alerted police.

He also admitted stealing alcohol from a supermarket in Carmarthen, during which he became aggressive and assaulted a member of staff.

Gornall pleaded guilty to all offences at an early stage.

Judge Catherine Richards sentenced him to four years’ detention in a Young Offender Institution.

Climate

Port Talbot confirmed as ‘cornerstone’ of wind industry — questions remain for Milford Haven

Published

12 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New government-backed deal with ABP reinforces Port Talbot’s central role in Celtic Sea wind plans

PORT TALBOT has been firmly established as the “cornerstone” of the UK’s floating offshore wind ambitions in the Celtic Sea, following a major agreement between the UK Government and Associated British Ports.

The deal confirms government support for the development of large-scale port infrastructure at Port Talbot, enabling manufacturing, assembly and deployment of floating wind turbines for gigawatt-scale projects.

The announcement strengthens Port Talbot’s position as the primary industrial hub for the emerging sector.

Henrik L. Pedersen, Chief Executive of Associated British Ports, said the development would “establish the port as a cornerstone of the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind industry.”

Clear role for Port Talbot

The agreement, subject to final regulatory approval, will support the delivery of major offshore wind projects awarded through the latest Celtic Sea leasing round.

Government ministers visiting the site described the development as a key step in building the UK’s clean energy future.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the project would help Wales “storm ahead in floating offshore wind,” supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic growth.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added that the investment would “further cement Port Talbot as a hub of the industries of the future.”

Milford Haven still waiting for detail

The latest announcement comes just days after questions were raised about Milford Haven’s role within the wider Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot’s position as a manufacturing and assembly hub is now clearly defined, there has still been no detailed breakdown of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

Industry figures continue to point to Milford Haven’s strengths in operations, maintenance, logistics and servicing of offshore wind projects.

However, no formal commitments have yet been made.

Industry backing grows

Developers involved in Celtic Sea wind projects welcomed the progress at Port Talbot, describing it as essential infrastructure for delivering future schemes.

Ocean Winds said strengthening port infrastructure was “essential” to ensuring regional ports can support the rollout of offshore wind.

The Crown Estate also described the move as a key step towards unlocking the economic potential of the Celtic Sea, which could create thousands of jobs across Wales and beyond.

Growing pressure for answers

With Port Talbot now firmly positioned at the centre of construction and deployment, attention is likely to turn to how other ports—including Milford Haven—fit into the wider strategy.

For Pembrokeshire, the question remains unchanged:

As billions of pounds flow into the Celtic Sea over the coming decade, will Milford Haven secure a defined share of that investment—or continue to wait for clarity?

Pictured above:

From left to right: Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans; David Rees MS for Aberavon; Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey; Secretary of State Jo Stevens; Ashley Curnow, Divisional Port Manager (ABP); Julian Walker, Chief Commercial Officer and Regional Director (ABP), Mike Goddard, Head of Programme, Future Port Talbot (ABP)