Community

Manorbier man makes UK team

Published

11 years ago

January 31, 2014

BRUCE TASKER, born in Manorbier will be the brakeman for the UK’s Team 1 bobsleigh team at the Sochi Winter Olympics, which start on Friday, February 7.

He attended Greenhill School in Tenby before leaving for the University of Bath to study Biochemistry. It was during his school years that Bruce developed a love for sport, most notably sprinting. After winning the county Championships he was invited to join Carmarthen Harriers whom Bruce represented from the age of 11 for over a decade. Initially competing over 100m, 200m and long jump, Bruce enjoyed most success in the 400m discipline, winning the British indoor Championships 3 years in a row over the under 17 and under 20 age groups and setting a number of Welsh records along the way.

Bruce represented Wales at numerous international competitions, and finally achieved his GB vest at the domestic international event in Loughborough in 2006. At school Bruce also enjoyed playing football and basketball, but at university he focussed solely on athletics and trained throughout his studies. He graduated with upper second class honours in 2008 and persisted with athletics for another 18 months after deciding to remain in Bath. During this time he switched to the 200m sprint but after a lone highlight of an U23 British bronze medal, Bruce felt like his time in athletics was coming to an end.

Bruce was encouraged to try out for bobsleigh in 2010 by the current top GB driver John Jackson. All the physical attributes he gained from years of sprint training helped him pass selection and a week later found himself ‘on ice’ in Italy and competing in the Europa Cup. A 6th place podium finish in his debut race left Bruce hooked on the sport and he went on to race on the World Cup circuit and the World Championships later on that season.

The summer of 2011 saw the selection of Stu Benson and Joel Fearon, who together with John Jackson and Bruce formed the 4man quartet for the subsequent winter season. After a slow start, the results gradually improved as the team developed as a crew and the season culminated in a fantastic 10th place at the World Championships. The 2012-13 season saw a dramatic improvement in performance, with the team achieving multiple podium finishes; most notably 5th place at both the World Championships and the Olympic test event in Sochi. These results earned the team funding from the National Lottery enabling them to train full time at Bath.

This season Britain’s bobsleigh performances throughout the FIBT World Cup Series has successfully earned Team GB four qualification spots for the bobsleigh events in Sochi. These include two men’s teams in the four-man bobsleigh, as well as one team in both the men and women’s two-man bobsleigh.

Team GB have won four medals in bobsleigh since the sports introduction at Chamonix in 1924, one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Most recent of those was at Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics in the four-man event, where Sean Olsson, Dean Ward, Courtney Rumbolt and Paul Attwood finishes; most notably 5th place at both the World Championships and the Olympic test event in Sochi. These results earned the team funding from the National Lottery enabling them to train full time at Bath.

Team GB have won four medals in bobsleigh since the sports introduction at Chamonix in 1924, one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Most recent of those was at Nagano 1998 Winter Olympics in the four-man event, where Sean Olsson, Dean Ward, Courtney Rumbolt and Paul Attwood won a joint-bronze medal after they achieved the same combined run score as France. The Sochi Games also marks fifty years since Tony Nash and Robin Dixon won gold in the two man bob at the Innsbruck 1964 Winter Olympics.

Bruce said: “I’m very honoured to be selected for the Winter Olympics in Sochi. It has been a long and tough journey for which there are many people to thank. It has been difficult keeping the excitement at bay but now we have qualified and been selected I can really begin to enjoy focussing on performing my best at the Olympic Winter Games.”

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

3 days ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.

Community

Landfill odour sparks calls for inquiry and legal action

Published

4 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS near Withyhedge landfill in Haverfordwest are demanding a public inquiry and considering legal action after foul odours returned just weeks after the site reopened on 6 January.

The landfill, closed last May to address odour issues, was declared fit to reopen by operator RML, which claimed its improvements would protect nearby communities. However, Colin Barnett, of campaign group Stop the Stink, said: “People in Crundale, Haverfordwest, and Spittal are being subjected to horrendous smells again.”

Describing the site as a “stink bomb on steroids,” Barnett supported Conservative MS Paul Davies’ calls for a public inquiry. “We’ve been flanneled by NRW, public health, and Pembrokeshire council. It’s disgraceful,” he said, adding that delays in resolving the issue had left litigation as the only option.

RML, part of Dauson Environmental Group, is owned by businessman David Neal, who has previous convictions for environmental crimes in 2013 and 2017. Last year, another of Neal’s companies pleaded guilty to environmental offences.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reported receiving 34 complaints since 6 January, with a rise in recent days coinciding with the end of a slurry-spreading ban. However, NRW stated no odours attributable to the landfill were detected and plans to inspect the site with Pembrokeshire council on 29 January.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I’ll keep a very close eye on this, and if concerns persist, we’ll discuss further steps with NRW.”

RML and the Welsh Government declined to comment.

Community

Public transport users urged to ‘check before travelling’ due to storm

Published

4 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRANSPORT FOR WALES and Network Rail are urging all customers to check before they travel on Friday morning and into the weekend with weather warnings in place across the country.

With Storm Eowyn set to hit Wales and winds reaching 90mph on Friday morning, customers should expect disruptions and are strongly urged to check before they travel.

There will be alterations to rail services, replacement road transport on certain routes and blanket speed restrictions at some locations, meaning journeys could take longer than usual.

Stand by buses are being planned at key locations around the network in preparation for travel disruption.

Across Wales and the Borders, Network Rail have positioned response teams to address any storm related problems to keep disruption to a minimum.

TfW Operations Director Sarah Higgins said: “It’s so important for our customers to plan ahead when looking to travel this Friday.

“While we’ve made a number of changes to our services based on detailed forecasts, storms can still be unpredictable.

“We’ve seen the impact storms can have, with damage to trains and infrastructure sometimes taking weeks or months to repair, so our cross-industry approach will hopefully limit that and keep our colleagues and customers safe. We apologise to customers for any disruption to their journeys as a result.”

Network Rail Wales & Borders Operations Director Rachel Heath added: “Our priority is always keeping safe everyone who travels and works on the railway.

“Unfortunately, there will be some delays and cancellations on Friday, as trains will not run on some lines and there will speed restrictions on other parts of the route.

“We are working closely with our train operator colleagues to ensure we can safely reopen affected lines as quickly as possible and urge passengers to check before they travel.”

Rail service changes:

No services to run on the Conwy Valley Line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
No services to run on the Heart of Wales line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
Speed restrictions at various locations around the network, meaning some journeys will take longer than usual. These include:

  50mph speed restrictions imposed from 0200 to 1500 Friday on the North Wales Coast – Bodorgan to Llandudno Junction.
  50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Carmarthen to Kidwelly.
  50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Neath and Swansea.
  50mph restrictions from 0100 – 0800 between Newport and Llanwern.

Customers who have connecting tickets for the following operators who have suspended services due to the adverse weather conditions, we’ll honour tickets dated 24 January on either Thursday 23 January or up to and including Tuesday 28 January.