News
Olympic champion to compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals
TWICE Olympic champion Helen Glover has a new rowing focus – ready for action at a Wales World Championships that may well mark the start of an exciting journey for the sport, and she believes coastal rowing will only continue to grow around the UK and beyond.
This weekend Glover will compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals hosted at Saundersfoot Harbour. Following an exciting recent announcement that coastal rowing is to be included in the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games, Beach Sprints are also eyeing a potential Olympic nomination for 2028.
As the sport grows fast, a home World Championships will continue to inspire more at a grassroots level to try the sport for the first time, whether they are transitioning from flat water rowing or coming into the sport with no experience. Reflecting on her journey into the sport as a relative newcomer herself, Helen praised the newer disciplines as fantastic additions to rowing’s proud tradition:
“In terms of a transition, it’s been easy because of people being welcoming and open minded. Everyone’s trying to learn about this sport because it’s just so fast growing, people want to make it work and make big things happen.
“It’s been really welcoming, training here in Wales. And it’s all kind of based around enjoying it, and everyone just having a great time and helping people learn about this new sport as quickly as they can.
When I first tried it, I wasn’t kind of deciding to make a transition or switch over. It was just a WhatsApp message that went round saying “who wants to try this out? It sounds fun.’
“I ended up going along to the occasional session, just to try a new fun type of rowing. I ended up getting selected for the world’s team! I never necessarily had it in my sights or thought this would be my new sport or anything like that. I just really enjoyed it, and every time I turned up there were more opportunities to try it again.
Anyone hoping to enter the sport at a grassroots level could well have a lot to aspire for in the near future, with many hoping to see it on an even bigger stage and an opportunity for rowing to attract wider and more diverse audiences. Helen said:
“I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it did end up at the Olympic Games. I think events like this weekend will be really important because it’ll showcase what the sport can do.
“Even I haven’t seen what it can do at this scale yet – I haven’t been to an event like this, an international event in all its glory. I think it will be really important to showcase to the world and rest of the UK what Beach Sprints can bring on that big scale.
“I think the accessibility thing is something that’s always an important aspect of Olympics sports, and Beach Sprints does have this in a really strong way. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s such a welcoming community. I’ve really experienced a lot of this feeling of appreciation of where you are, feeling lucky to be out on the waves. I’ve always felt that with rowing but never more so than in coastal rowing.
It’s just an amazing sport to take up. It takes a lot of the skills, a lot of the fitness that you will already have, but it’ll just challenge you in different ways. Something about rowers like that challenge, they look for that challenge. Everything’s happening at once, at crazy speed. It’s manic – but it’s all good fun.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Health
Rising trend of private healthcare use among friends and family in Wales
MORE than half of UK residents report having close family or friends who have used private healthcare services, according to the latest data from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN). In Wales, this figure is 58%, slightly above the UK-wide average of 55%. Meanwhile, 32% of Britons have used private healthcare themselves, with regions such as the East Midlands (64%) and Northern Ireland (59%) showing even higher familiarity with private healthcare options.
David Hare, Chief Executive of IHPN, said: “Private healthcare is becoming more mainstream, with people increasingly opting for private services to access healthcare more easily and quickly. Our findings highlight that most people in the UK know someone close who has used private healthcare, whether through insurance or self-pay. This demonstrates a shift toward private healthcare as a convenient and accessible option.”
The survey found that 45% of those choosing private healthcare did so because of long NHS waiting times, while 27% preferred the ease of booking private appointments. Around 20% receive private healthcare through work, and 17% believe private services offer higher-quality care. Accessibility is another key factor, with half of respondents agreeing that private healthcare is more accessible than NHS options.
Top Treatments Accessed Privately:
- Doctor consultation: 45%
- Diagnostic treatment (e.g., scans): 45%
- Other healthcare professional consultations: 35%
- GP appointments: 34%
- Minor operations (same-day discharge): 25%
- Major operations (overnight stay): 16%
- Ongoing serious condition treatment (e.g., cancer): 5%
IHPN’s Five Steps to Choosing Private Healthcare
If you’re considering private healthcare, IHPN suggests these key steps:
- Do Your Research: Consult inspection reports from national care regulators like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England and the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN). Scotland and Wales have independent inspectorates, available at hiw.org.uk and healthcareimprovementscotland.scot.
- Explore Payment Plans: Many providers offer flexible payment options, making private care more affordable.
- Find Local Options: Use resources such as ihpn.org.uk or phin.org.uk to locate private providers nearby.
- Take Control: It’s your choice; seek recommendations from friends and family or consult online ratings to find the right clinician or clinic. Your GP can also offer support.
- Book a Consultation: Before committing, schedule a consultation with a private provider to discuss treatment options and ask questions. Bring someone you trust if you wish, and take notes.
For more information on private healthcare options in the UK, visit ihpn.org.uk. For additional information, interviews, or case studies, contact Helen Trevorrow at 0794 000 9138 or [email protected].
Source: Statistics are from the “Going Private 2024” report by IHPN and Public First, based on a survey of 2,004 respondents across the UK.
Health
Smoke-free ambitions clouded by concerns over illicit market
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.
-
Crime7 days ago
Pembrokeshire man charged with sexual penetration of seven-week old baby
-
Crime7 days ago
Drink-driving Neyland rugby player drove Discovery into two cars
-
News6 days ago
£1.7bn boost for Welsh Government in UK Budget
-
Crime7 days ago
Man sentenced following police chase through broken window
-
Crime7 days ago
Man admits punching woman ‘forcefully’ causing her to fall to ground
-
Crime7 days ago
Carmarthen man jailed for 19 years after corrosive substance attack
-
News6 days ago
Pay boost announced for 2,600 workers in Pembrokeshire, as Budget unfolds
-
Crime7 days ago
Man admits threatening victim with claw hammer in town centre