News

Withybush fundraisers make New Year’s honours list

Published

6 years ago

December 31, 2017

TWO fundraisers for patients undergoing cancer care at Withybush Hospital are being recognised in the New Year’s honours list.

67-year-old Bernie George, and 64-year-old Trish George, from Hakin, have been chosen for the British Empire Medal.

Since 2008 the pair has raised more than £350,000 for Withybush Hospital.

The full list of New Years Honours for Wales is:

DCVO
Mrs Kathrin Elizabeth Thomas, CVO, JP. Lord-Lieutenant of Mid-Glamorgan.

MVO
Ian John Miles. Senior manager Specialist Operations, Dyfed Powys Police.
Mrs Audrey Williams. For services to the Lieutenancy of Dyfed.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

CBE
Ms Clare Joanne Connor, OBE. Director of Women’s Cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board. For services to Cricket. (East Sussex)
Sean Nicholas Dennehey. Deputy chief executive Intellectual Property Office. For services to Intellectual Property. (Monmouthshire)
Professor Simon John Gibson, OBE. Chief executive, Wesley Clover Corporation. For services to the Economy in Wales. (Monmouth, Gwent)
Professor Karen Margaret Holford. Deputy vice Chancellor Cardiff University. For services to Engineering and the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering. (Cardiff)
David Robert Michael Melding. For political and public service. (South Glamorgan)
Professor Philip Alexander Routledge, OBE. Consultant Physician, Llandough Hospital, Cardiff and Professor Emeritus of Clinical Pharmacology. Cardiff University. For services to Medicine. (Cardiff)

OBE
Professor Antony Chapman. Formerly vice Chancellor Cardiff Metropolitan University. For services to Higher Education. (Cyncoed, Cardiff)
Sam Kennedy-Warburton. For services to Rugby Union. (Cardiff)
Professor Hilary Margaret Lappin-Scott. For services to Microbiology and the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering. (Swansea)
Ms Deborah Moggach. For services to Literature and Drama. (Powys)
Jonathan Howell Morgan. For services to Disability Sport in Wales. (Bishopston, Swansea)
David Arwyn Watkins. Managing director Cambrian Training Company. For services to Education and Training in Wales. (Welshpool, Powys)

MBE
Michael Bell. For services to the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra. (Roath, Cardiff)
Detective Constable Timothy John Bird. North Wales Police. For services to Policing and the community in North Wales. (Conwy)
Mrs Kathleen Nancy Burns. For services to Post 16 Education and Skills in Wales. (Abergavenny, Monmouthshire)
Mrs Catherine Vivian Lindsay Clay. For political and public service. (South Glamorgan)
Royston Vincent Court. For services to Inclusive Judo. (Penylan, Cardiff)
Alan Davis. Coach Maindy Flyers, Cardiff and Newport. For services to Youth Cycling and Diversity Inclusion in South Wales. (Cardiff)
Brian Timothy Exell. President Seashell Trust and Chair of Governors, Ysgol y Deri, Penarth. For services to Special Needs Education in Wales and England. (Ogmore By Sea, Vale of Glamorgan)
Dr Rosemary Fox. National director for Screening Programmes Public Health Wales. For services to Healthcare in Wales. (Whitchurch, Cardiff)
Sgt Scott John Gallagher. North Wales Police. For services to Policing and the National Police Air Service. (Flintshire)
Mrs Susan Yvonne Hollister. Headteacher, Cefn Hengoed Community School, Swansea. For services to Education in Swansea. (Neath, Neath Port Talbot)
William Thomas Hopkins. For services to the community, particularly Children and Maritime Safety, in South Wales. (Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot)
David Ellis Jenkins. For services to Maritime Safety. (Aberystwyth, Ceredigion)
Mrs Karen Jones. For services to Children with Life Limiting Illnesses in the North West and North Wales. (Neston, Cheshire)
Mrs Rowena Wendy Jones. Paediatric Oncology Outreach Specialist Nurse, Hywel Dda University Health Board. For services to Sick and Disabled Children and End of Life Care. (Aberaeron, Ceredigion)
Alexander Khan. Chief executive officer, Lifetime Training. For services to Apprenticeships. (Raglan, Monmouthshire)
Mark Ralph Langshaw. Managing director, Continental Teves Ltd. For services to the Economy and community in Blaenau Gwent. (Usk, Monmouthshire)
Mrs Margaret Lynne McCabe. Head, Welsh Tribunals Unit. For services to Administrative Justice in Wales.
Daniel McCallum. Co-founder and managing director of Awel Aman Tawe. For services to Community Energy in Wales.
Mrs Rachel Duncan Morgan. For services to UK Antarctic Heritage and Conservation. (Monmouthshire)
Constable Richard Hugh Morgan. South Wales Police. For charitable services to Armed Forces Veterans.
Mrs Elizabeth Julie Morris. Headteacher, Severn Primary School, Cardiff. For services to Education. (Highlight Park, South Glamorgan)
Ms Helen Margaret Phillips. For services to Welsh gymnastics and the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales. (Ducklington, Oxfordshire)
Gurmit Singh Randhawa. For services to community cohesion in the Vale of Glamorgan. (Barry, Vale of Glamorgan)
Mrs Louise Mary Rooney. Senior nurse and head of prison healthcare, HM Prison Usk. For services to nursing and prison healthcare in Monmouthshire. (Chepstow, Monmouthshire)
John Victor Frederick Voss. For services to Rugby. (Y Barri, South Glamorgan)
Edward John Watts. For services to the Scouting Movement, Mission to Seafarers and Community Cohesion in South Wales. (Newport, Gwent)

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL

BEM
Mrs Catherine Cicely Beech. For services to the community in Ceredigion. (Borth, Ceredigion)
Mrs Mary Clarke. For services to Flood Defence and the community in Cardiff. (Rhiwbina, Cardiff)
Mrs Diane Gail Curtis. Manager, Bowel Screening Wales. For services to Cancer Patients. (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff)
Mrs Sheila Delahoy. For services to Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis charities in Flintshire.
Gareth Evans. Deputy Local Policing Inspector South Wales Police. For services to Community Cohesion and Engagement. (Cardiff)
Mrs Gay Sandra Fifield. For services to Older People in South Wales. (Barry, South Glamorgan)
Bernard Oswyn George. For services to Withybush Hospital Chemotherapy Day Unit Pembrokeshire. (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Mrs Patricia Elizabeth George. For services to Withybush Hospital Chemotherapy Day Unit, Pembrokeshire. (Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire)
Mrs Teifwen Mary George. For services to equality, young people, charity and the community in Merthyr Tydfil. (Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taff)
David Edward Gravell. For services to charity. Sport and Education in Wales. (Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire)
Mrs Jenny Griffiths. For services to Wrexham Maelor Hospital North Wales. (Llay, Wrexham)
Gareth Jones. For services to Church communities in Skewen and Neath South West Wales. (Neath, West Glamorgan)
Mrs Helena Jones. For services to Young People and the community in Wales. (Brecon, Powys)
Mrs Maria Kovacevic-Thomas. For services to the National Health Service and voluntary service in Merthyr Tydfil. (Heolgerrig, Merthyr Tydfil)
Mrs Angeline Margaret Lawson. For services to Children, the Judiciary and the community in Denbighshire. (Denbigh, Denbighshire)
Mrs Ellen Maisie Mann. Nurse, Cwm Taf University Health Board. For services to Children and Young People. (Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff)
Alistair McInnes. Civilian assistant, Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force. For voluntary service to Young People. (Brecon, Powys)
Elvet Owen Richards. For services to the community in Trelystan, Powys. (Marton, Shropshire)
William Robert Roberts. For services to in community in Tyn-y-Groes Conwy. (Conwy)
Mrs Jeanette Lavon Smith. County Youth Officer, West Glamorgan St John Ambulance. For voluntary service to First Aid and to Young People. (Swansea, West Glamorgan)
Mrs Sheila Lynnette Thomas. For services to Music, Education and the Welsh Language in Powys. (Brecon, Powys)
Dr Margaret Ruth Vincent. For charitable services in the UK and Abroad and the community in Swansea. (Swansea)
Ms Alyson Elizabeth Williams. For services to Young People and the community in Swansea. (Cwmbwria, Swansea)

QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL

QPM
Matthew Jonathan Jukes. Deputy chief constable, South Wales Police.
Superintendent Lee Porter. South Wales Police.

QUEEN’S AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL

QAM
Mrs Kath Charters. Clinical Data Specialist, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
David Roger Thomas John. Advanced Paramedic Practitioner, Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

Health

Pembrokeshire residents suffer severe health decline ‘due to landfill gases’

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE couple, Mr Richard and Revd Patricia Rogers of Crud yr Awel, are experiencing severe health issues attributed to emissions from the Withyhedge Landfill, resulting in drastic lifestyle changes and severe symptoms.

Revd Rogers, who has managed asthma since childhood, reported a significant deterioration in her condition following exposure to landfill gases. Despite having controlled her asthma with minimal medication for years, she now requires intensive treatment including increased doses of Symbicort and Salbutamol Sulfate inhalers, alongside courses of steroids and antibiotics. Her symptoms have escalated to include extreme breathlessness, a hacking cough, frequent nosebleeds, continual headaches, and vertigo, culminating in a severe impact on her ability to perform daily tasks and care for her disabled daughter.

The couple’s health is closely monitored through their doctor’s surgery, and they attend the asthma clinic regularly. However, feeling powerless to directly change the situation, they have taken a stand by cancelling their council tax payments, a decision they plan to maintain until the landfill issue is resolved.

Revd Rogers has also prepared a letter to the Coroner, outlining the severity of her health issues as potentially life-threatening due to the landfill’s impact. This dramatic step underlines the gravity of their situation and their desperation for a resolution.

The Rogers’ story is not just a personal tragedy but a stark example of the broader environmental and health challenges faced by the community surrounding the Withyhedge Landfill.

They are calling for punitive measures against those responsible, including compensation for the financial impacts of their ordeal.

Their story has surfaced on the same day we reported that Natural Resources Wales is taking further enforcement action against the firm running the site.

NRW has issued site operators Resources Management UK Ltd (RML) with a further Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice which requires the operator to deliver a series of actions by specified deadlines to address ongoing smells from the landfill.

You can read more about the Enforcement Notice on the NRW website.

Outgoing Council Leader, Cllr David Simpson, said in a statement this week: “The smell from Withyhedge is having a major impact on residents and visitors. This situation has gone on too long and it is unacceptable.

“We now need to see RML act on the demands of the Notice and within the deadlines.

“The Council fully backs NRW’s stance that nothing is off the table in terms of further enforcement, including suspending the site’s environmental permit if appropriate, and we remain committed to working with NRW to ensure a long term solution to these issues.”

NRW issues new enforcement notice at Withyhedge

Entertainment

Fishguard Festival of Music launches at the Senedd in Cardiff

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Paul Davies MS for Preseli Pembrokeshire hosts event to promote major programme of summer concerts.

THIS year’s Fishguard Festival of Music/Gwyl Gerdd Abergwaun was officially launched at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay this week (Wednesday) in an event hosted by Paul Davies MS Preseli Pembrokeshire. Guests attending heard from the festival’s artistic director Gillian Green MBE about the 18 events extending over three weeks that will be staged at venues across Pembrokeshire from 18 to 31 July, including a concert by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra at St David’s Cathedral.

Paul Davies MS, said: “I’m truly honoured once again to sponsor the launch of the Fishguard Festival of Music. Over the summer, Fishguard will host world-famous musicians like harpist Catrin Finch and fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain, and the festival also includes performances from the National Youth Orchestra of Wales, the National Youth Choir of Wales and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra – so there really is something for everyone! Tickets to these performances sell out quickly and so make sure to head over to the Festival’s website and secure your tickets before it’s too late.”

Gillian Green MBE, Artistic Director of the Fishguard Festival of Music, added: “The Fishguard Festival plays a significant role on the cultural map of Wales and our mission to bring world-class music to Pembrokeshire is as strong as ever. This year we will have a real feast of music awaiting audiences in West Wales. The local community’s work in producing this fantastic festival is nothing short of a small miracle.”

Artists performing at this year’s festival include Peter Donohoe, Catrin Finch and the Marmen String Quartet. The full programme is available to view on the festival’s website www.fishguardmusicfestival.com

Climate

NRW to reduce mowing in May to help pollinators

Published

5 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) will reduce mowing as much as possible on the land in its care during May to help tackle the nature emergency and in support of Plantlife’s ‘No Mow May’ campaign.

The scale and rate of biodiversity loss across Wales is accelerating. Every third mouthful of food we eat has been created by pollination, and without pollinators our food supply would collapse.

Half of the UK’s 27 bumblebee species are in decline, and of the 43 species of butterfly seen in Wales, 10 are in severe decline and 17 are declining.

There are several reasons for the decline in pollinators, such as climate change, pollution and pesticides, and change in how land is managed.

Throughout the growing season, NRW cuts grass and vegetation in areas such as forests, nature reserves, river banks, flood defences and reservoir embankments.

Reducing mowing in May will help biodiversity by allowing spring plants to set seed and grow to provide nectar and pollen for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

NRW will reduce its mowing activities in May as much as possible, but essential grass cutting will continue in some areas across Wales.

There are several reasons for this, for example:

to manage access to forests and nature reserves to make sure people are safe when they visit.
to easily inspect flood defences and repair them if needed, helping to reduce flood risk to communities.
for nature conservation, for example to manage an invasive species or to benefit species in a certain area by cutting the vegetation.

David Letellier, NRW’s Head of Operations South Wales Central, said: “We’re committed to tackling the climate and nature emergencies and helping nature and people thrive together.

“We will reduce our mowing activities in May as much as possible to support pollinators, but we want people to understand that we may carry out essential grass cutting to benefit certain communities or species.

“For example, we may continue mowing flood defences to make sure they are in good working order, or if mowing some sites in May would leave wildflowers to recover and bloom throughout the late summer to benefit certain pollinators.

“We need to act now to protect our pollinators. This is why we manage all of our sites to make them as pollinator friendly as possible and to provide food and shelter for other species.

“There are things we can all do to make it easier for pollinators to survive. These can be relatively simple, such as managing grass verges in a more sensitive way, or leaving wild areas around our offices, homes and public buildings.

“We can all help by making our gardens pollinator-friendly by not using pesticides, not mowing the lawn as often, and growing pollinator-friendly plants.”