News
Make some noise: Crowds allowed at Welsh sport, festivals and outdoor gigs

THE Welsh Government has announced that sporting events, festivals and outdoor concerts are back on.
The latest easing of lockdown measures means that crowds of up to 10,000 people sitting and 4,000 people standing are now allowed at outdoor events in Wales.
Up to 30 people are now allowed to meet outside, including in private gardens, and extended households can now include a third person.
Meeting indoors is still not permitted and is not expected to be announced until late June at the earliest.
The Welsh Government announcement regarding the easing of restrictions has been described as a ‘phased’ move to alert level one and will take effect from Monday, June 7.
The easing of restrictions comes as concerns rise over the growing number of ‘India variant’ cases across the UK.
This ‘India variant’, or ‘Delta variant’ as the WHO have named it, is currently responsible for 97 cases across Wales, a 67% rise from last week.
Mark Drakeford said: “The risk of infection is significantly less outdoors than it is indoors. This is why we are phasing in the changes in this three-week cycle.
“This will allow more people to enjoy events outdoors and take advantage of the Welsh summer, while we continue to roll out the vaccination programme to all adults.”
Drakeford did go to to say that: “We have to be realistic. The fact that the Delta variant is spreading so quickly in the north-west of England will mean that it will cross the border into Wales.
“That is why we are delaying some of the measures we might otherwise take to maximise the amount of vaccination that we can carry out because that is our best defence against that new variant.”
Restrictions will be updated again in Wales on June 21, it’s expected that all restrictions will end in England at that time.
Charity
Seven-year-old completes Mayday Mile to support RNLI

Leo Candler walks and cycles 61 miles in one month for lifesaving charity
A DETERMINED seven-year-old from Pembrokeshire has raised hundreds of pounds for the RNLI after walking or cycling more than a mile every day throughout May.
Leo Candler took part in the RNLI’s Mayday Mile challenge, clocking up a total of 61 miles during the month. His efforts have already more than doubled his original fundraising target of £125, with donations currently standing at £286 — and still rising.
Inspired by his father’s role
Leo’s passion for the lifesaving charity is deeply rooted in family. His father, Scott, is both a Lifeguard Assessor Trainer and a volunteer crew member on the St Davids Lifeboat.
“Leo’s always been the RNLI’s number one fan,” said his mother, Simona Candler. “He’s grown up with the yellow wellies, supporting his dad on the beach, watching lifeboat launches, and visiting the RNLI College. He absolutely loves it.”
Some of Leo’s walks and rides took him to and from local lifeboat stations, and included visits to RNLI lifeguards at Whitesands Beach. He was often joined by his younger brother Zane, aged three, who is already following in his footsteps.
A mission that matters
“Even though Leo is only seven, he understands how important the RNLI’s work is — not just in the UK but around the world,” said Simona. “He knows his dad went to Bangladesh to help set up their lifeguard service, and he’s proud of that.”
She added: “It was amazing to see a boy his age so determined to get his miles in each day. We’re incredibly proud of both our boys.”
Leo’s fundraising campaign continues until the end of June. Donations can be made online by searching “RNLI – Leo Candler”.



Brave little fundraiser: Leo aboard St Davids Tamar Class Lifeboat (Pic: Herald)
Community
Travel advice issued for Pembrokeshire’s Long Course Weekend

Motorists and bus passengers across south Pembrokeshire are being advised to prepare for a series of road closures and transport changes as the Long Course Weekend returns to the region this weekend.
The popular endurance event, which draws thousands of athletes and spectators each year, will bring temporary disruptions to routes in and around Tenby on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June as competitors take part in the Wales Sportive and Wales Marathon.
Saturday 28th June – Wales Sportive
On Saturday, the Wales Sportive cycle event will see several roads in the wider Tenby area closed or converted to one-way systems to ensure participant safety. While the A40, A477, and the A478 Narberth to Kilgetty routes remain unaffected and fully open, other roads will be subject to closures and diversions throughout the day.

Sunday 29th June – Wales Marathon
Further closures will be in place on Sunday during the Wales Marathon, affecting routes between Tenby and Pembroke. These will operate on a rolling basis between 9.30am and 4pm, with the aim of minimising disruption while maintaining safety for runners and spectators.

Up-to-date information on all road closures can be found on the event’s official website:
https://community.lcwwales.com/road-closures

Special arrangements for carers and emergency access
Care professionals requiring access to clients in affected areas can obtain vehicle passes through their care organisation managers. More details are available at:
https://community.lcwwales.com/road…/carers-information
In case of emergencies during the event, organisers can be contacted directly on 01437 765777.
Public transport disruptions
Local bus services will also be impacted by the weekend’s events, with changes in place on both Saturday and Sunday.
Friday 27th June
- All services will operate as normal.
Saturday 28th June
- 351 (Tenby-Kilgetty-Amroth-Pendine) – No service
- 381 (Haverfordwest-Narberth-Kilgetty-Saundersfoot-Tenby) – No service
- Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – No service
- 349 (Haverfordwest-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Tenby) – Will not serve Pembroke to Tenby until after 1pm
- 356 (Milford Haven-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Monkton) – No service to Pembroke Commons or Monkton until after 1pm
- 387/388 (Coastal Cruiser) – Service will not operate until after 11am
Sunday 29th June
- 387/388 (Coastal Cruiser) – No service
- Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – Will operate via the A4218 (Broadwell Hayes) instead of Marsh Road and Heywood Lane
Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel where necessary.
Business
Mind the gap: Welsh employers and Gen Z out of sync on skills

New report reveals Wales has the UK’s highest skills shortage – but young people are ready to step up
A MAJOR new report by The Open University has revealed a growing disconnect between Welsh employers and the next generation of workers, potentially undermining efforts to tackle the country’s persistent skills shortages.
The Business Barometer 2025: Skills for today and tomorrow surveyed over 2,000 business leaders and 1,000 Gen Z adults across the UK — including 139 employers and 80 young people under 25 in Wales. It found that 58% of Welsh organisations are currently experiencing a skills shortage — the highest of all UK nations.
Yet despite this, only 31% of those employers have specific initiatives in place to recruit, retain or train under-25s.
Gen Z ready to respond — but need support
Encouragingly, over half (54%) of young people surveyed in Wales are aware of the national skills gap and are actively considering it in their career planning:
- 73% are choosing careers based on areas of high demand
- 66% say they would stay longer with employers who offer training and development
However, the report suggests that this willingness is not being met with sufficient guidance or opportunity — especially in fast-growing areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital, and green skills.
While 58% of Welsh Gen Z respondents say they are interested or already working in AI, one in five Welsh employers report lacking confidence in their ability to deliver AI strategies due to talent shortages.
Call for action on training and inclusion
Dr Scott McKenzie, Assistant Director for Learning, Skills and Innovation at The Open University in Wales, said: “The data is clear: there’s a mismatch between employer intentions and practical action. But there’s also a real opportunity. Welsh organisations can bridge the gap by developing structured skills plans, investing in flexible learning, and opening pathways to a more diverse talent pool. Those who act now will be the ones best placed to thrive in the future.”
Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, Chancellor of The Open University, added: “Young people are motivated, digitally savvy and want to contribute. Employers must meet that energy with training pathways and real opportunities. Waiting for skills to arrive is no longer enough — smart organisations will build them proactively.”
Diversity still lagging behind
While 80% of Welsh employers say equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) is important to their organisation, 25% admit to having no initiatives in place for underrepresented groups such as returners, career changers, or people with disabilities and neurodivergences.
This is seen as a missed opportunity to reduce economic inactivity and broaden the talent pipeline — especially in sectors where workforce shortages are most acute.
Skills shortage set to worsen
The Business Barometer, now in its ninth year, shows the issue is far from easing. In Wales:
- 38% of employers expect the skills gap to worsen over the next five years
- 60% say shortages are increasing workloads on existing staff
- 43% report reduced productivity
- 37% have scaled back growth plans
- 20% fear they won’t be able to meet their AI ambitions by 2030
Yet, despite these pressures, only 36% of Welsh employers have a formal skills plan in place. And while training is proven to aid staff retention, 30% say they hesitate to invest in staff development for fear employees will leave.
Full report and recommendations available at: https://business.open.ac.uk/business-barometer
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