COMMUNITIES along the River Teifi are set to play a central role in a major new project aimed at improving the health of one of west Wales’ most important rivers.

The Teifi Fyw — Living Teifi: People and Nature Together project has been given the green light after securing more than £1.4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The conservation project aims to respond to climate change, biodiversity loss and declining river health, while also recognising the Teifi’s deep cultural and historic importance to the communities which live and work along its catchment.

The first stage will be a two-year development phase, bringing together scientific evidence, local history, lived experience and creative work to help shape future restoration plans.

The project will be coordinated by Natural Resources Wales, working with the West Wales Rivers Trust, the Mining Remediation Authority, Strata Florida Trust, Mentera, Ceredigion County Council, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

It will also build on existing work carried out by the Teifi Nutrient Management Board and local stakeholder projects including Llais yr Afon and P.R.A.M.

Cllr Clive Davies welcomed the announcement, saying he looked forward to seeing the project outcomes realised.

The River Teifi is one of Wales’ best-known waterways, flowing through Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire before reaching the sea at Cardigan.

Project leaders say the aim is to ensure that restoration work is not only based on environmental evidence, but also reflects the values and priorities of the people who know the river best.

BRITISH WOOL recently reported that fleece value is at its highest for 10 years. With the shearing season underway for 2026, Heiniger’s Hefin Rowlands suggests that there has never been a better opportunity for farms to realise the best price for wool.

“The average payment increased to 68p per kilo last year, which was up from just 40p. Higher grade wools from breeds such as Cheviots are returning 85p per kilo. This makes the preparation for shearing and the shearing process all the more important,” he says.

Mr Rowlands points to the need for preparation to make the process better for shearers and sheep.

“Fasting, dagging and separating ewes from lambs will help, whether a farm is bringing in professional shearers or not. Straw, dirt and dung in fleeces seriously detracts from wool value, so both sheep and the area being used to shear should be as clean as possible,” he says.

He suggests that using the best quality equipment will also play a big part in how efficient the shearing process is.

“Factory sharp blades and the correct clothing are essential to any shearer. Heiniger has been manufacturing world-leading shears since 1946, so we know how important the right shears are to getting the best cut.  But even the best shears need to have clean, sharp combs and cutters, which is why we offer free postage for servicing our equipment,” he says.

British Wool suggests that returns for the 2026 cut could rise by a further 25p-30p per kilo, meaning some wool will realise prices in excess of £1 per kilo.

“There is strong demand and it pays to meet this with the best quality wool. Investing in equipment and a good set of shears has never been more important for farms looking to take advantage of rising wool prices. However, nothing beats experience and this is where professional shearers can help make all the difference,” he says.

Above all, Mr Rowlands advocates that farms give shearing the attention it deserves, especially in a year when returns are projected to be high.

“Spending on the right equipment, preparing sheep well and working carefully to produce a clean fleece will pay dividends. The average fleece weight is around 4 kilos which means a flock of 250 ewes could return upwards of £1000 this year, and that makes investing time and effort in shearing a worthy choice to maximise returns,” he concludes.

Reform UK leader denies wrongdoing as parliamentary watchdog examines undeclared payment

NIGEL FARAGE is facing a parliamentary standards investigation over a £5 million gift from a major Reform UK donor.

The Reform UK leader, who has been MP for Clacton since July 2024, was referred to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg after reports emerged that he had received a previously undeclared payment from Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in 2024.

The investigation is understood to relate to the rules requiring MPs to register relevant financial interests, including certain benefits received in the 12 months before entering Parliament.

Mr Farage has strongly denied wrongdoing and has said the money was a personal, unconditional gift connected to his safety and security, not his political activity.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Mr Farage’s office is in communication with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

“He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.

“We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.”

Mr Harborne has previously been identified as a significant donor to Reform UK. Reports say the £5 million payment was made before Mr Farage announced he would stand in Clacton at the 2024 general election.

The opening of an investigation does not mean Mr Farage has been found to have breached parliamentary rules.

However, the case is politically sensitive because of the size of the payment and because of Mr Farage’s prominent role as leader of Reform UK.

If the commissioner ultimately finds there has been a breach, the matter could be dealt with by correction in less serious cases, or referred to the Commons Standards Committee in more serious circumstances.

In the most serious cases, MPs can face suspension from the House of Commons. A suspension of ten sitting days or more can trigger a recall petition, potentially leading to a by-election if enough constituents sign it.

Mr Farage has previously been subject to a standards rectification process over late declarations of financial interests. The latest inquiry comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over political donations and party funding, with Reform UK under growing attention as it seeks to build on recent electoral gains.

Mr Farage remains entitled to the presumption that no breach has occurred unless and until the parliamentary standards process reaches a conclusion.