NATIONAL EDUCATION UNION CYMRU has published a new manifesto outlining its vision to “Save Education in Wales” ahead of the Senedd elections in May.

The union says the document is designed to help political parties ensure their policies reflect the needs of the education workforce and learners across Wales.

Launching the manifesto, Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, said education must be at the heart of the next Welsh Government’s priorities.

“NEU Cymru members are clear that education must be a priority for the next Welsh Government. May’s election is important — this is our chance to vote for education in Wales,” she said.

She identified funding, workforce trust and tackling child poverty as key issues.

“Funding is clearly a priority for NEU Cymru, along with trusting the workforce and ending child poverty. The next Welsh Government needs to invest in education to ensure that we are supporting the next generation. But we can’t be complacent,” she added.

The union also set out areas it believes must be protected, including opposition to academisation.

“There are parts of the education system that we need to protect — no academisation of schools, for example, because in Wales children are the priority, not private interests. Free school meals for all our primary school children must be protected. And our Welsh values are important too — protecting diversity, equality and inclusion.”

The manifesto sets out a series of policy proposals aimed at strengthening public education in Wales as parties prepare their campaigns for May’s vote.

Class A drugs, cash and suspected supply items seized during warrant in Aberystwyth

POLICE have charged two people following a drugs warrant executed at a property in Penparcau, Aberystwyth.

Officers carried out the warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act on Friday (Feb 27), as part of an operation targeting the supply of illegal substances in the area.

During a search of the address, police recovered a quantity of Class A drugs, cash and items believed to be linked to drug dealing.

Gareth Farr, aged 45, of no fixed abode, and Chloe Evans, aged 38, of Penparcau, have both been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

The pair appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 2), where they were remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

Two other individuals arrested in connection with the investigation have been released on bail while enquiries continue.

PC Sturdy, from the Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team, said: “This warrant forms part of our continued efforts to disrupt the supply of illegal drugs in our communities. Drug-related activity causes significant harm, and we remain committed to targeting those involved.”

Police are urging anyone with information about suspected drug activity to contact Dyfed-Powys Police, or to report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

THE FIRST suspected case of a grey seal killing a common dolphin in Welsh waters has been recorded on a Pembrokeshire beach.

Marine investigators believe an adult female short-beaked common dolphin found stranded at Newgale Beach may have been attacked by a small group of grey seals operating between west Wales and the south-west coast of England.

The discovery marks a significant development in what researchers say is growing evidence that some male grey seals are preying on a wider range of marine mammals than previously understood.

Corkscrew injuries identified

The dolphin, measuring around six feet in length, suffered severe “corkscrew” injuries — distinctive spiral tearing of blubber and tissue — which are consistent with previous confirmed grey seal attacks on harbour porpoises.

Mat Westfield, Wales strandings co-ordinator for Marine Environmental Monitoring, said similar incidents had recently been investigated in north Devon.

He said: “It’s the first recorded case in Wales. Because it’s so close geographically to Devon, we suspect it may involve a small number of individual grey seals operating in that area.”

Bite marks were identified on the dolphin’s pectoral fins and around the torn blubber edges — patterns marine pathologists associate with grey seal predation.

The carcass has been sent for further examination. Full laboratory results could take up to six months, with tests expected to determine whether the dolphin had any pre-existing illness or injury.

Behaviour linked to adult males

Dr Izzy Langley, of the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of St Andrews, said evidence suggests the behaviour is limited to certain adult male grey seals rather than the wider population.

Grey seals are typically fish-eaters, feeding on sand eels, cod, herring and squid. However, over the past decade researchers have documented attacks on harbour porpoises and even other seal species.

Dr Langley said there was no clear evidence that dolphins targeted in such incidents were already sick or weakened.

She explained that researchers believe the attacks may involve ambush tactics from below, catching dolphins unaware while they forage.

“We’ve always found it difficult to understand how grey seals could kill a healthy dolphin,” she said. “It suggests this may not be an evolved predator-prey relationship, but behaviour developed by individual animals.”

Every confirmed case so far has involved adult male grey seals, leading scientists to suspect the behaviour may be learned rather than instinctive.

Rare but significant

Grey seals are common along the Pembrokeshire coastline and are a familiar sight around Ramsey Island, Skomer and the Marloes peninsula. While attacks on harbour porpoises have been recorded previously in Welsh waters, this is believed to be the first suspected fatal attack on a common dolphin.

Marine experts stress that such incidents remain rare and do not represent widespread predatory behaviour across the grey seal population.

However, the case is likely to prompt further monitoring of strandings along the west Wales coast as researchers seek to understand whether this represents an isolated event — or the emergence of a new behavioural pattern.