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Rural Pembrokeshire village get ready for ultrafast digital upgrade

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THE RURAL community of Glandwr, in Pembrokeshire, will now be able to access some of the fastest and most reliable broadband speeds in Europe thanks to a partnership between local residents and Openreach.

The secluded village of Glandwr, situated 4 miles south of Crymych, will soon be able to access speeds of up to one gigabit bit per second (1Gbps) using Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) technology where fibre is run directly from the exchange all the way to property.

In order to build this ‘full fibre’ network Openreach engineers ran 21km of fibre cable overhead and underground from the telephone exchange in Cardigan to the residents of Glandwr.

The improved fibre broadband infrastructure, which will cover approximately 100 properties, is being enabled by Openreach’s Community Fibre Partnership (CFP) programme – a scheme which is designed to help people living and working in rural communities that are not included in any current roll-out plans.

Nearly 90 communities across every part of rural Wales have benefitted from Openereach’s CFP programme with more than 11,000 properties now being able to access fibre broadband as a result. In total, more than 260 Welsh communities have been working with Openreach to explore this method of delivering fibre broadband.

The cost of the Glandwr CFP was covered by investment from both Openreach and the residents themselves who were able to access the Welsh Government’s top-up to the UK Government’s Rural Gigabit Voucher scheme as part of their contribution.

Welcoming the new infrastructure on a recent visit to Glandwr, Paul Davies MS for Preseli and Pembrokeshire, said: “This is great news for the community.

“I’d like to thank Openreach and their engineers for all the hard work that’s gone into connecting Glandwr and also congratulate the community that have led on this project.

“As a result of this scheme the residents of Glandwr will now be able to connect with the rest of the world using ultrafast full fibre broadband.”

Openreach Partnership Director for Wales, Connie Dixon, said: “We all know how essential it is for homes and businesses up and down the country to have fast, reliable broadband. From running a business to home schooling and shopping – so much is done online.

“While more than 95 per cent of premises in Wales can already access superfast broadband we know there is more to do to reach those final premises.

“There are a small number of communities, such as Glandwr, that are missing out on good broadband connectivity as providers, for a variety of reasons, struggle to upgrade alone. To bridge this gap our Community Fibre Partnership helps bring ultrafast connections to those areas.

“By making ultrafast broadband available to the Glandwr community we’re underlining our commitment to making fibre broadband as widely available as possible across Wales – including the ‘hard to reach’ areas.”

Rural residents and businesses in Wales may be eligible for vouchers from both UK and Welsh Government to cover the costs of installing gigabit-capable broadband to their premises when part of a group project. To find out more visit Community Fibre Partnerships (openreach.com) Once Openreach has installed the infrastructure, residents can place an order for the new faster services with an Internet Service Provider of their choice.

The Community Fibre Partnership scheme is in addition to Openreach’s existing work in Wales, where more than 320,000 homes and businesses can already order ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband.

The business recently made a number of announcements on its latest build plans across Wales where more than 415,000 additional homes and businesses – in 140 mainly rural and harder to serve areas across every single Welsh local authority area – will get access to ultrafast fibre broadband. The company is also working in partnership with Welsh Government to reach those that are in the final 5%.

Openreach plays an important role across Wales. More than 2,500 of our people live and work here. Recent research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) highlighted the clear economic benefits of connecting everyone in Wales to full fibre. It estimated this would create a £2 billion boost to the local economy.

Further afield Openreach is investing £12 billion to build its ultrafast full fibre technology to a total of 25 million premises across the UK, including more than six million in the hardest-to-serve parts of the country by the end of 2026.

This short video explains what Full Fibre technology is and you can find out more about our Fibre First programme, latest availability and local plans here.

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Community

49 Welsh locations crowned among best beaches in the world

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KEEP WALES TIDY has today announced the Wales Coast Award winners for 2024, spotlighting the 49 coastal sites achieving the high standards required to receive a prestigious Blue Flag, Green Coast or Seaside Award.

With more and more local authorities and organisations facing pressure on reduced budgets, it is heartening to see so many continue to prioritise the delivery of the exceptional standards required to achieve these awards in the stunning coastal areas which surround our beautiful country.

Blue Flag is managed internationally by FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education) and is one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches, marinas and boats. The programme’s mission is to promote environmental education, sustainable development of tourism, environmental management systems and ensure safety and access for beach users.

The 24 Welsh beaches achieving this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related not only to water quality, but also information provision, environmental education, safety, and site management in equal measure.

Alongside the 24 Blue Flag awards, 13 beaches in Wales were awarded the Green Coast Award which recognises their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Awards are ‘hidden gems’ along the Welsh coastline, exceptional places to visit and enjoy diversity and rich coastal heritage.

In addition, a total of 12 beaches, including Aberporth and Rhyl Central, also achieved the Seaside Award for the standard of their facilities and water quality.

This continued recognition of our stunning Welsh coastline is due once again to the huge effort of staff and volunteers at sites across Wales, and a shared drive to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Wales boasts some of Europe’s finest beaches and water quality, and the global recognition of our coastline is a true reflection of the dedication and hard work of so many people, today we celebrate the announcement of 49 winners for the Wales Coast Awards 2024.

“With 24 Blue Flag awards, 13 Green Coast Awards, and 12 Seaside Awards, I commend the dedication to preserving our pristine coastal environments.

“As we celebrate in this achievement, let us also heed the call to protect and preserve our coastal treasures. Let’s ensure that we leave nothing but footprints, allowing these breathtaking spaces to be enjoyed for many generations to come.”

Owen Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive said: “We’re delighted to see another successful year of Coast Awards here in Wales, with 49 stunning locations recognised among the world’s best.

“Achieving these prestigious awards means meeting rigorous standards put in place to ensure the safe enjoyment of visitors now and in years to come. This success is testament to the hard work of all involved in maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty of our Welsh coastline.”

A full list of awards can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website here

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As pressure builds, RML closes Withyhedge to fresh rubbish

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THE WITHYHEDGE landfill site will be closed to all waste inputs, except engineering material, starting Wednesday, May 15.

The company behind the controversial and stinking landfill site, RML, announced the move ahead of the end of an enforcement notice from Natural Resources Wales.

RML’s announcement followed Pembrokeshire County Council’s decision to seek an injunction against the company to curtail their activities on site.

The Council’s letter of claim states the local authority has received 62 complaints about the stench from Withyhedge and notes, and NRW has received 2400.

It also addresses how the scandal has unfolded.

“In March 2022, ownership of RML passed to Dauson Environmental Group from Potter Group. It is noteworthy that Mr David John Neal is your director and the director at Dauson.

“He has been twice prosecuted for environmental offences in south Wales. Around November 2023, the Council began receiving complaints about a malodour escaping from the landfill and adversely affecting residents.

“Initially, our pollution control team directed complaints to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) because of its role as the environmental regulator. However, the sudden volume of complaints prompted the Council to contact NRW itself in early December.”

“The Council’s case is straightforward. In causing or permitting noxious and offensive gases to escape the landfill… you are committing the tort of public nuisance.”

In light of “over-tipping”, acknowledged by David Neal at a Council scrutiny committee meeting in March,  the Council also asked RML to disclose its records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

The Council also asked for the disclosure of documents relevant to the proceedings, including records of waste brought in or removed from the landfill.

In April, NRW issued an enforcement notice to compel RML to address problems at the Rudbaxton site.

NRW officers will conduct a series of assessments this week to determine whether RML has completed specified actions to address the ongoing odour issues.

RML’s announcement that they intend to voluntarily cease waste acceptance temporarily at the landfill from May 14 does not affect the deadline in the Notice.

Tests and assessments will continue on-site and off-site to establish progress against the need to reduce emissions. 

Officers will also conduct a full-site inspection to assess RML’s compliance with their permit. 

Once those assessments have been completed, NRW will then be in a position to establish whether the operator has complied with all elements of the Regulation 36 Enforcement Notice. 

If the Notice has not been fully complied with or further issues are identified, NRW will consider its enforcement response.

Huwel Manley, Head of South West Operations for NRW, said: “The May 14 deadline is the final date for RML Ltd to have completed all the actions they have identified to control the odour issues at Withyhedge Landfill.

“Determining if the operator has addressed all the steps set out in our Notice and, crucially, if they have reduced odour and landfill gas emissions from the site will take some time.

“We fully understand the strength of feeling and growing impatience amongst people living and working in the surrounding communities. 

“We want to reassure them that our officers will focus their efforts on inspecting the work carried out by RML and undertaking assessments on and off-site over the days following the deadline, including a full site inspection next week.

“Only when those assessments have been completed, and data analysed will we be in a clearer position to determine if the Regulation 36 Notice has been complied with and whether the action taken by the operator has improved the odour issue.

“If the steps required in the Notice are not complied with, we will consider the appropriate further enforcement action, looking at all options available under the regulations.

“While the pressing work required by the operator progresses over the coming days, the site remains under investigation, and we will continue our regulatory efforts.”

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Farming

Rural expert urges communities to help bolster farmers’ mental wellbeing

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A RURAL insurance expert is calling on Welsh residents to step up their support for local farmers, amid growing concerns over their mental health.

Freddie Hamilton-Russell of rural insurance broker Lycetts has issued his appeal during Mental Health Awareness Week, when the spotlight turns to the pressures faced by different sectors of the community.

For farmers, the combination of economic instability, market volatility, red tape, a changing subsidy regime and climate change not only threatens their livelihoods but also risks impacting their mental wellbeing.

“Farming is not just a business, it’s a way of life that demands resilience in the face of the myriad of evolving challenges,” said Hamilton-Russell.

“But even the most mentally resilient can struggle under the weight of financial and economic uncertainty. It’s important that residents support the local agricultural sector to help keep their rural communities alive.”

Hamilton-Russell highlighted several ways in which people can make a difference.

“Minor changes in shopping habits can make a big difference,” he said. “From buying local farm produce to help ensure farmers have a steady income to patronising local restaurants that champion local fare.”

In recent years, many farmers have been thrust into diversified enterprises in a bid to survive – from farm shops, cafes and glamping sites to B&Bs, wedding venues and petting farms.

“Residents can help support these new ventures, not only by visiting them, but also by promoting them to friends, family, colleagues and on their social media channels,” Hamilton-Russell added.

“In addition, our Welsh farmers also need access to mental health resources that address the unique pressures of the farming sector and wider agricultural communities.

“Organisations such as RABI (The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) provide an invaluable service to UK farmers, helping them become more resilient and better able to cope with future challenges.

“By fostering awareness and advocating for such dedicated services, we can help safeguard the mental health of our farming community.

“Every individual can contribute to this cause. Whether it’s choosing to buy local, spreading the word about rural enterprises or supporting mental health initiatives, your actions can make a profound difference.”

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