News

Local woman volunteering in Laos

Published

9 years ago

November 10, 2017

THE ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE in Laos and local village schools are set to have another pair of hands at work, as Claire Edwards embarks on a unique Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA) volunteer eco-tour.

Claire will play a key role in establishing a new era for the conservation of the Asian elephant. She will get up close and personal with many of the majestic residents of the Elephant Conservation Centre, a rehabilitation, research and breeding facility which also has a purpose-built hospital dedicated to elephant rescued from the logging trade and promotes responsible tourism.

Riding elephants to and from their jungle bedroom and helping with calves in the elephant nursery are just a couple of ‘perks’ Claire will enjoy as part of her volunteering. She will also assist in the veterinary clinic, viewing platform maintenance plus works on new infrastructure projects.

Laos conservation efforts are diverse and Claire will get well acquainted with local flora, fauna and environmental initiatives within the Nam Tien protected area.

Elephants are not the only Laos residents to benefit from Claire’s visit – or to lend rich colour to her Laotian experience. Besides helping elephants, Claire will also support local village schools in improving education opportunities. She will spend time teaching English to school children, boosting their employment options and enhancing their futures.

Claire will also have the opportunity to experience authentic school life in a way that few other travellers will. She will be involved in initiatives like building bathrooms and classrooms to help improve the schools. Another important initiative is planting banana and sugar cane, the main source of food for those stunning elephants.

But it’s not all volunteer work for Claire in beautiful Laos. The second week of her trip comprises an incredible cultural and adventure experience. With so much to explore plus plenty of delicious local food, she will truly enjoy incredible moments in one of the most beautiful, remote parts of the world.

To Claire, the opportunity of a volunteer Laos adventure tour is a once in a lifetime chance.

VESA is the organisation making Claire Edwards Laos adventure possible. This unique initiative offers students the chance to fuse supporting the indigenous people of remote villages with true adventure tourism. Every VESA tour is tailored to the individual student’s skills and experience. So they are able to contribute their fullest potential to communities in need while experiencing authentically immersive adventure travel.

Each student also raises sponsorship funds that help to cover the costs involved in participating in the program. These costs include hiring local skilled tradespeople to supervise and assist in the building projects, building materials and donations to local organisations.

VESA Director Tom McDowell explains the contribution volunteers make.

“The efforts of the students will make a real, positive difference to the elephants, by helping to plant sufficient food for these heavy weight grazers to last them through the long dry season’,” he says.

“By teaching the youngsters basic English,” he added, “we’re also helping them to communicate with the wider world, and empowering them to improve their own lives.”

Currently VESA organises eco-breaks in Laos, as well as South Africa, Fiji and Ecuador. To learn more about VESA, visit www.vesabroad.com.

Claire Edwards can be contacted by email – [email protected] or to donate to this meaningful project, she has set up a gofundme page – https://www.gofundme.com/vesa-volunteer-work-in-se-asia

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

10 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges new deal for Wales after Starmer quits

Published

17 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister says next Prime Minister must focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for Wales’ democratic mandate

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said the next UK Prime Minister must commit to a “new relationship with Wales” as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave office.

The Plaid Cymru leader said he wished Sir Keir well, but warned that political instability in Westminster was affecting the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with Number 10 on issues that matter to people in Wales.

***First Minister: Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales needs greater powers, fair funding and respect from Westminster***

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in Downing Street until Labour selects a successor.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “I am disappointed that the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with the UK Prime Minister on issues which matter to the people of Wales is being hampered by the turmoil in Westminster.

“I wish Sir Keir Starmer well as he prepares to leave office. I would like to see his successor recognising that Wales needs a new relationship with Westminster, with a focus on greater powers, fair funding, and respect for the democratic mandate delivered by the people of Wales.

“My government and I will always seek a constructive relationship with whoever is in Number 10, but we have clear expectations that the respect agenda must work both ways.”

In a shorter statement posted online, the First Minister added: “The next PM must commit to a new relationship with Wales — with a focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for our mandate.”

Labour’s National Executive Committee is expected to open nominations for the party leadership on July 9, with the process due to be completed before Parliament returns from its summer break in September if a contest is required.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to enter the race after returning to Parliament following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The change of leadership comes at a sensitive time for Wales, with questions over fair funding, the future of devolution, public services and the relationship between Cardiff Bay and Westminster likely to feature prominently in the weeks ahead.

News

Welsh Conservatives say Starmer resignation will not fix Labour’s failures

Published

37 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Darren Millar says Wales needs “tough decisions” as Labour prepares to choose a new Prime Minister

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation will not change the impact of Labour’s failures on Wales.

Darren Millar MS said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing families and businesses across the country.

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in office until Labour selects a successor, with Andy Burnham widely expected to enter the race.

***Darren Millar MS: Said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing the country***

The Welsh Conservatives said Wales was still facing the consequences of Labour decisions on the cost of living, energy, welfare and defence spending.

They said the focus should now be on “getting Britain working again” rather than simply changing the person leading the Labour Party.

Mr Millar said: “Sir Keir Starmer may be going, but Labour’s failures remain.

“The last thing Wales and the rest of the UK needs is another Labour leader who won’t stand up to Labour MPs on welfare, energy, defence spending and action on the cost of living.

“His decision is a reminder that Kemi Badenoch is the only leader of a political party in the UK with the backbone to make tough decisions and get Britain working again.”

The resignation has triggered a major political transition at Westminster.

For Wales, the change at No 10 comes at a time of growing political pressure over public services, household costs, economic growth and the future direction of the UK Government.

Welsh Labour figures are likely to face renewed scrutiny as opposition parties seek to link the party’s record in Westminster with its long period in power in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives are expected to argue that a change of Labour leader will not mean a change of policy unless the party changes direction.

Starmer said in his resignation speech that becoming Prime Minister had been the “proudest moment” of his life, but accepted that his party no longer believed he was best placed to lead it into the next general election.