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Is the Holy Grail in Pembrokeshire?

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FEW items in human history have captured as much attention and imagination as ‘The Holy Grail’, maybe that weird colour-changing dress from 2017 but that’s it!

Whether you believe it’s the cup used by Jesus at The Last Supper that then caught his blood during his crucifixion or if you think that it might be the bloodline of Christ, the search for the Holy Grail is a story of intrigue, mystery, regular toilet-breaks and bloodshed.

Our crusade, our last crusade if you will, to find the truth about this holy relic is based around legend, myth and tales hundreds of years old (we also got told lots by a guy in a pub who claimed to have been there) so it’s only right to take a pinch of salt so big that it could be used to defrost a driveway.

But let’s get started: After the death of Jesus, the cup was reported to be in the possession of one of Jesus’ disciples, Joseph of Arimathea who, legend says, brought the cup at the worlds first Ikea built on the Gethesmane Trading Estate.

Joseph, it’s believed, was so unpopular in the early church that he was sent to Britain in the years following Jesus’ death to help spread the word of Chris, according to legend he took his pilgrim’s staff and the Grail to Glastonbury in South-West England and, on land given to him by an English King, founded the Abbey.

To mark the site of the Abbey, Joseph stuck his staff into the ground and from it ‘The Glastonbury Thorn’ is alleged to have bloomed. The Thorn, which Homebase plants section experts have proven originated in the Middle-East, flowers twice a year, at Christmas and again at Easter.

Fast-forward about 1500 years to Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, the Church of England began ‘reclaiming’ the wealth hoarded by religious institutions that were under the control of the Roman Catholic Church.

Shortly before the sacking of Glastonbury Abbey National, a Monk was sent off in possession of an important treasure which, among other things, could be The Holy Grail or a Sony Playstation 5.

When the Abbey was stripped of its riches, no sign of The Grail could be found, just lots of scrunched up sweet wrappers and old Argos catalogues which are probably worth money now, people pay money for any old rubbish; look at eBay.

Shortly after that a Monk, exhausted and close to death began, according to local legend, hammering on the door of the monastery on Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire, demanding sanctuary.

After being granted entry, he couldn’t find any takeaways on his JustEat app so he demanded the Friar wall him and his ‘Glastonbury Treasure’ up so the Monk could fulfill his vow of protecting the treasure with his life.

Over the next 400 years, the Grail becomes little more than a story, various ‘Grails’ have been found around the world with none standing up to serious scientific scrutiny. One we saw was just a heavily painted Sprite can.

But there’s a twist in our last crusade that, some say, could point to the very spot that ‘The Glastonbury Treasure’ is hidden.

In the 1970’s, builders were brought in on Caldey Island to help improve the garden area of the monastery as part of a pilot episode for ‘Changing Rooms’, it was during these building works that Arthur Gay, the gardener, reported witnessing the ghostly spectre of a Monk who walked through the gardens and disappeared through a wall.

Could Caldey Island hold the key to unlocking one of the oldest and most controversial mysteries that christianity has left us with?

Even if it doesn’t, imagine the episode of ‘Cash in the Attic’ we’d get….

Health

Smoke-free ambitions clouded by concerns over illicit market

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THE UK government introduced its Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament today, aiming to create a “smoke-free generation” by prohibiting anyone born after 1 January 2009 from legally purchasing cigarettes for the rest of their lives. The Bill also proposes strict new restrictions on nicotine products, including vapes, heat-not-burn products, and nicotine pouches.

Public health experts in Wales are largely supportive of the new legislation, seeing it as a potential driver in reducing the strain on the NHS in Wales. Smoking-related illnesses are a major contributor to healthcare costs, and advocates argue that curbing smoking among future generations will yield long-term health and economic benefits. This could be especially impactful in Welsh regions where smoking rates are persistently high.

However, there is also concern about how restrictions on safer nicotine alternatives, such as vapes and heat-not-burn products, could impact Welsh individuals trying to quit smoking. The Welsh NHS has invested in smoking cessation programs that promote these alternatives, and some fear that restrictions on these products may reduce access to effective cessation tools, ultimately affecting health outcomes.

Mike Salem, UK Country Associate for the Consumer Choice Center (CCC), reacted to the news: “Whilst it is predictable that the prohibition was going to be introduced, I am extremely concerned and disappointed with how little regard the government has had for consumers’ voices, particularly the young voices.”

The Bill revives an initiative initially proposed by the previous Conservative government before the election, though Labour’s version brings in tougher regulations. The proposal has sparked debates across various groups, with health advocates supporting the measures and others, like the CCC, voicing concerns about potential unintended consequences.

Illicit market worries

The CCC has highlighted fears that prohibitions may fuel an already significant black market for tobacco products in the UK. According to Salem, 2023 saw the highest number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the country, with one in five cigarettes sold illegally. He warns that restrictions risk expanding this underground market.

“It is no surprise that gangs and illegal suppliers are already positioning themselves in this market in anticipation of the prohibition,” Salem said. He cited experiences from other regions, such as the state of Victoria in Australia, where similar prohibitions have led to gang-related violence and exposed children to criminal activities, including arson.

Impact on young people

Critics of the Bill argue that the Labour Party’s approach may negatively impact young people, whom they claim are already disadvantaged by recent policies. “The Labour Party has shown that it is the Party of Boomers, and is letting young people down,” Salem said. He added that recent increases in tuition fees and levies on alcohol and soft drinks, along with tougher employment markets, restrict young people’s lifestyle choices and increase their exposure to illegal markets.

Public health debate

Supporters of the Bill believe these measures are necessary to protect public health. They argue that strict controls on tobacco and nicotine products are crucial steps towards reducing smoking rates, improving long-term health outcomes, and reducing the burden on the NHS. Advocates also believe that limiting youth exposure to nicotine will reduce future smoking rates.

However, Salem argues that the Bill may have the opposite effect. “Not everyone can quit cold turkey,” he said, noting that many people have found success using alternative products like vapes, heat-not-burn devices, and nicotine pouches. “Restricting safer methods of consuming nicotine makes it extremely difficult for those who are trying hard to quit smoking to do so permanently and positively.”

Alternative solutions proposed

The CCC says it is calling on the government to ensure existing laws are enforced first, such as banning nicotine sales to under-18s, before introducing a total prohibition. They argue that failing to do so will lead to worse public health outcomes and put consumers and children in a vulnerable position. The Bill now moves forward for further debate, with both sides urging careful consideration of the potential impacts on public health, youth, and the illicit market.

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Crime

Bin lorry driver banned after “squishing” man in road rage incident

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RHYS GRIFFITHS, a former bin lorry driver, has been banned from driving after injuring a man by colliding with his car door during a road confrontation on St Issels Avenue, Haverfordwest, on 22 February 2023.

Swansea Crown Court heard from Prosecutor Harry Dickens that Griffiths, 32, accelerated towards the victim’s vehicle, stopping bumper-to-bumper. Following a brief verbal exchange, the victim turned back to his car, only to hear Griffiths rev his engine, mount the kerb, and strike the driver-side door, pinning the man against his own car. Though the victim felt pain in his thighs, he did not require medical attention, and only minor damage was reported to the car.

Griffiths left the scene without stopping, and a witness alerted the police. The victim later told officers: “There was no need for this incident at all.”

Griffiths initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, later changing his plea to guilty on the day of his trial. His defence lawyer, Emily Bennett, expressed Griffiths’ “deep shame” over the incident, noting he had been redeployed from his job as a bin lorry driver due to the offence.

Judge Paul Thomas KC described Griffiths’ actions as “incredibly stupid” and sentenced him to 10 months, suspended for 18 months. Griffiths must complete 100 hours of unpaid work, 25 rehabilitation days, and pay £1,200 in costs due to the lateness of his plea. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must pass an extended driving test to regain his licence.

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Health

Welsh GP committee reject contract offer and hold referendum for members

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BMA Cymru Wales’ GP committee has voted unanimously to reject the Welsh Government’s offer for the 2024/2025 GMS (General Medical services) contract, as it fails to provide a credible and sustainable future for general practice.

GPs in Wales will now vote on whether to accept or reject the contract in a referendum which will open later this month.*

Dr Gareth Oelmann, chair of the BMA’s Welsh GP committee said:

“The decision to disregard the serious concerns and valuable contribution of general practice once again in Wales is beyond insulting, it is dangerous, leaving more surgeries and their patients in peril.

“We are deeply concerned that this offer will leave more practices with no option but to close their doors. GP practices are being denied the resources they need to deliver vital services to the population.

“For years, the service has been starved of adequate funding which has led to the closure of 100 surgeries since 2012. This is having a devastating impact on general practice.

“A recent survey** of our members showed that 91% of GPs are routinely unable to meet patient demand due to unsustainably high workloads.

“With 100 fewer surgeries for patients to turn to, GPs are now seeing up to 35% more patients each, causing unsustainably high workloads and burnout with doctors being expected to do more with less, risking patient safety. How long can this continue?”

Dr Oelmann continued: “General Practice is the foundation of a high-quality, cost-effective health system, but successive governments have insisted on ignoring the vital role general practice plays in the national health service.

“Welsh Government had an opportunity to change the current trajectory but has failed to do so. It is now up to GPs to decide what happens next.”

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