News

Call for support for flood victims

Published

11 years ago

January 31, 2014

IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, William Powell AM has called on both the First Minister and the Natural Resources Minister to apply for aid from the EU’s Solidarity Fund and the European Investment Bank to help rebuild communities devastated by flooding in recent weeks.

The EU’s Solidarity Fund, which has a budget of up to £414 million for 2014, was set up to provide financial assistance to EU countries struck by major national disasters. William Powell recently visited the European Investment Bank, based in Luxemburg, and learnt how the Bank can also be an avenue that can be explored for extra resources for longer term coastal flood defence projects.

William Powell, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales and Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Natural Resources Minister, said:

“I’ve seen first-hand the devastation that has been caused by the recent weather in my region. I’m immensely proud of the resilience local people have shown in this crisis.

“However, we need extra resources made available to support these local communities. The EU Solidarity Fund was created in 2002 for just these types of events and the European Investment Bank is also an option too. I believe we have a strong case for extra help and the Welsh Labour Government needs to look closely at making an application while there is still time. The money is there and we need a Government that is willing to go and get it.

“The recent floods have been devastating for many homes and businesses. People need all the support they can get at the moment. I therefore urge the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to ensure that we can access all the support that is available.

“I will be raising these points again during a debate on the recent floods in the National Assembly next week.”

Alec Dauncey, Welsh Liberal Democrat European candidate and resident of Aberystwyth, said:

“This fund is a Europe-wide insurance. It’s all about member countries working together to deal with large scale natural disasters which might hit one of them. All countries pay into it and the money goes to a country or region which needs extra help.

“Elected MEP’s have to authorise these payments. I hope a case can be made for help that will reach Wales.”

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

36 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

News

Protest in Lampeter to save Wales’ oldest university

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Wales’ oldest university staged a march and demonstration last Friday (Dec 20) in a bid to highlight the plight of the Lampeter campus.

The protest, organised by the Lampeter Society, brought together former and current students, along with local residents, to oppose plans by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate humanities courses to Carmarthen next September.

The rally began at Lampeter Rugby Club at 10:30am, with demonstrators marching to the university campus. Despite the timing—on a weekday and so close to Christmas—organisers reported a strong turnout.

Ieuan Davies, one of the organisers and a Lampeter alumnus from the 1980s, said: “We wanted to show support for the students whose education is being directly affected by these plans, and to remind decision-makers of the devastating impact this will have on the local economy and culture.”

Established in 1822, Lampeter is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined with Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.

The proposed relocation of the humanities faculty has sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of higher education in Lampeter. Campaigners argue that losing the faculty would mark the end of over 200 years of academic heritage in the town.

The Lampeter Society has also launched a petition calling on the university and the Welsh Government to create a ‘viable, sustainable plan’ for the campus’s future. The petition requires 10,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the Senedd and can be accessed at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.