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Younger generations more ‘self concious’

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NEW RESEARCH conducted by Weight Watchers has revealed that modern Welsh women are considerably less confident than their mothers were at the same age.

As part of the survey, Weight Watchers questioned over 2,000 women across the UK and in Wales.

Weight Watchers state that today’s young Welsh women are ‘losing out in the self-confidence generation game’, as their survey results have exposed the fact that over two thirds of Welsh women aged between 18 and 30 do not currently consider themselves to be confident.

Whilst 62% of Welsh women, more than the national average of 58%, feel their body is the area they are least confident about, research also revealed that the older generations of women are twice as positive about themselves as the younger generation, with less than 7% of Welsh 18 to 30 year-olds feeling confident in their bodies at all.

Weight Watchers say that although young women today enjoy considerably more freedom and equality both in their careers and relationships than previous generations, they are more lacking in confidence and self-esteem compared to older women when they were the same age.

In a cross generational study conducted by Weight Watchers, it was revealed that the younger women asked had 50% less positive thoughts about themselves a day compared to their mothers’ generation, alongside a third more negative thoughts per day.

For Welsh women, there was a strong correlation between body confidence and the women’s overall happiness. 20% of women aged between 50 and 65 reported having body confidence in their thirties, with 74% of these women agreeing that they currently felt happy in themselves.

Sadly, less than 10% of today’s 30-year-olds felt that they were happy in their appearance, with only 66% feeling happy in themselves overall.

This evidence was further supported by the result that young women place more than four times more emphasis on physical improvement by working on their health and fitness (59%), but only 5% of these women answered that they were happy about their body.

Nearly half of the women surveyed stated that their body was the area of their life they currently felt most unhappy about.

Commenting on the findings of the Weight Watchers research, Dr Katy Tapper, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at City University London, said: “It is unsurprising that these findings indicate young women today are feeling far less confident in their bodies than the older generation did at the same age.

“The UK is seeing rising rates of obesity in young women which can contribute to decreased body confidence and lead to lower mood levels.”

However, it was reported that young women had higher degrees of confidence in their relationships and professional capabilities than their mother’s generation did at their age. 58% of the older women survey agreed that today’s young women are much more empowered than they were at the same age.

However, 55% of the older generation concurred that the pressure to look good is more prevalent today, which could potentially be a consequence of the rise of the selfie. They said that this is likely due to the perceived confidence that results from the current social media climate of confidence building through curated photographic representations of the self.

The older generations were more likely to be pleased with how they look in the mirror (38%), be proud of something they had accomplished during the day (21%) or walk down the street feeling good about themselves when they were the same age (75%).

Zoe Griffiths, Head of Public Health and Programme at Weight Watchers, remarked on the survey results, saying: “It is clear that women today are far harder on themselves in all aspects of life than their mothers’ generation was. From careers and relationships to the way they look, women today are pushing themselves to exceed in every way.

“This is a trend can have a huge impact on young women’s confidence which is why at Weight Watchers, we believe it is incredibly important for women to build a strong and positive relationship with body and mind.

“We want to empower women to focus on building greater self-belief to achieve positive change.”

This researched has been conducted by Weight Watchers as a part of #WomanKind, a nationwide campaign that explores why modern women are unkind to themselves and how they can counter this cultural habit, to make healthier choices by focusing on building greater selfbelief to build better relationships with themselves.

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Community

Cardigan residents rally in solidarity with Palestine

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Peaceful protest calls for ceasefire and highlights local arms links

CARDIGAN residents came together on Saturday (July 5) for a peaceful demonstration outside the Guildhall, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Supporting Gaza: Protester outside Cardigan Guildhall on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Protesters held placards reading “Ceasefire Now”, “Free Palestine”, and “Stop Bombing Gaza”, while waving Palestinian flags. The rally was one of a series of similar events held across Wales and the UK in recent weeks, including in Aberystwyth, Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor.

Campaigners also handed out leaflets raising concerns about QinetiQ, the weapons technology company that operates the MOD-Aberporth site at Parcllyn, near Cardigan. The leaflet claims QinetiQ is involved in the testing and training of drones and missile systems used in conflict zones.

As part of the protest, demonstrators promoted a forthcoming public meeting organised by the group West Wales Against Arms. The meeting is due to take place at 7:00pm on Monday, July 14, and will focus on what organisers describe as the complicity of local companies in the war in Gaza.

One protester told The Herald: “We are here because we believe ordinary people should speak out against war and occupation. Silence helps no one.”

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Community

Public meeting to discuss future of Fishguard Library

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Consultation explores options to reduce running costs and secure long-term future

A PUBLIC meeting will take place at 6:30pm on Monday (July 14) at Fishguard Town Hall to discuss the future operation of Fishguard Library, as part of a public consultation being run jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council and Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council (FGTC).

The consultation explores potential models to reduce the running costs of the library and ensure it remains financially sustainable in its current location. One option under consideration is a Community Managed Partnership Library, supported by local volunteers. The public meeting will focus on how such a model might work and gauge whether there is sufficient local interest to make it viable.

FGTC is currently considering taking over the management of Fishguard Town Hall through a Community Asset Transfer. A joint working group of PCC and FGTC members has been set up to assess the options and gather public feedback.

The consultation begins on Thursday (July 10) and runs until 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 20. Documents will be available online at:
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/consultations
Paper copies will also be available in English and Welsh at Fishguard Town Hall from the same date.

The six options under consideration are:

  1. Relocate the library to smaller premises elsewhere in the locality
  2. Share the existing library space with a third-party such as a shop or café
  3. Increase the annual financial contribution from the Town Council
  4. Reduce the library’s opening hours
  5. Create a Community Managed Library Partnership
  6. Close the library and replace it with mobile provision

All options are explained in more detail in the consultation documents.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We know how important the library at Fishguard Town Hall is to local people. Alongside Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council, we are working to strike a balance that secures library provision while delivering necessary savings.

“Please take the opportunity to read the consultation documents and attend the public meeting on July 14 to learn more.”

A spokesperson for FGTC added: “We know how valued the library is by our community and want to see its fantastic service continue. At the same time, we must recognise the need to reduce costs. We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and join the public meeting.”

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Community

Councillor slams ‘inconsiderate’ fly-tippers after roofing waste dumped in Pembroke

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Receipt found in rubbish pile passed to authorities for investigation

A COUNTY councillor has hit out after a pile of building waste, including broken roofing slates, timber, insulation, and packaging, was illegally dumped on a roadside verge in Pembroke.

The fly-tipping incident occurred at the top of Norgan’s Hill, where a mound of slate tiles and other construction debris was discovered discarded next to a gate leading into the countryside.

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the fly-tipping was not only antisocial but also a financial burden on residents.

“Big thank you to those inconsiderate individuals who chose to illegally dump their leftover roof slates at the top of Norgan’s Hill,” Cllr Grimes posted on social media.

“That’s now going to cost us, as council tax payers, to have the council send out a team to collect and properly dispose of your waste. It’s completely unacceptable.”

The Herald understands that among the items left in the pile was a shop receipt with identifiable details on it. This has been handed to the relevant authorities in the hope that the individuals responsible can be traced and prosecuted.

Under UK law, fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to £50,000 or even imprisonment.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been notified of the incident and is expected to remove the waste in the coming days.

Cllr Grimes urged anyone with information about the fly-tipping to contact the council or Dyfed-Powys Police, and reminded residents that legal methods of disposal, including local recycling centres and commercial waste services, are readily available.

“This kind of behaviour shows a complete disregard for our community and environment,” he said. “It will not be tolerated.”

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