News
Ashmole & Co delighted to sponsor Wales YFC dance competition at Royal Welsh Show
ASHMOLE & CO one of south Wales’ largest bilingual accountancy firms, is delighted to support Wales YFC through sponsorship of the dance competition at the Royal Welsh Show later this month.
Ashmole & Co have been working with the Welsh farming community since its inception in 1897. The firm is very passionate about the agricultural sector both professionally and personally, with many partners and staff having benefited greatly from being past or present members of Wales YFC. Supporting the future generation of farmers is extremely important to all the team.
The Royal Welsh Show is the highlight of the year for many YFC members. The event is packed full of competitions such as shearing, dancing, stock judging and flower arranging. The dance competition that Ashmole & Co are sponsoring will take place at 1pm on the main YFC stage on Tuesday, 25 July 2023.
Ceri Llwyd, Ashmole & Co’s Partner in the Llandovery and Llandeilo office, said, “As the Auditor of Wales YFC, we know the importance of this bilingual, rural, youth organisation in helping and supporting young people become successful farmers, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens. It has been an honour to work with Wales YFC over many years assisting with their accounts and audit of the charity. We have developed an excellent working relationship and I very much hope that this will continue for years to come. We would like to wish everyone competing at the Royal Welsh Show luck. We hope everyone enjoys the tremendous experience.”
The Wales Federation of YFC is a vibrant and lively charity which enthusiastically empowers young people to take responsibility and play an energetic role in their communities, whilst encouraging personal development through a wide range of programmes which the members have the responsibility of designing and managing. The organisation involves over 5,000 members between 10 and 28 years as well as many thousands of supporters, volunteers, parents and friends. It is estimated that over 210,000 Welsh people have been members or participants over the organisation’s 80 year history.
Mared Rand Jones, Chief Executive Officer for Wales YFC, said, “The Royal Welsh Show is the pinnacle of the year for YFC members and we look forward to seeing our members once again representing their counties and competing in a variety of competitions. Wales YFC will be showcasing the very best and the public will be entertained throughout the four days of the Show. We thank Ashmole & Co for their tremendous support to Wales YFC, as a charity organisation we depend on kind sponsorship to be able to provide activities and competitions for our members. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Wales YFC Centre during the Show.”
The 2023 Royal Welsh Show will take place from Monday 24 July – Thursday 27 July. The show is the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar. Along with an exciting four days of livestock and equine competitions, the show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities including forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink and a 12-hour programme each day of exciting entertainment, attractions and displays. Representatives from Ashmole & Co will be present at the event. If you would like to arrange a meeting with one of our Partners during the show please get in touch with your local office.
Business
Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire
FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.
Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.
Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.
The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.
According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.
The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.
In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”
The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
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)
-
News6 days ago
£1.7bn boost for Welsh Government in UK Budget
-
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
-
Business7 days ago
Tenby Imperial Hotel renovation plans get green light
-
Crime6 days ago
Coroners inquest opened and adjourned following death of schoolgirl, 12
-
Charity6 days ago
Two nights of rock ’n’ roll raise thousands for Paul Sartori Hospice
-
News6 days ago
Taxes up, spending up – It’s Reeves’ gig gamble
-
News6 days ago
HM Coastguard warning: ‘Do not use marine flares as fireworks’