News

Sustainable farming initiatives cultivate hope for Wales’ biodiversity

Published

3 years ago

August 18, 2023

AS WALES grapples with the significant ecological impact of farming practices on its diverse landscapes, a glimmer of hope shines through in the determined efforts of farms like Jordanston near Milford Haven.

Ninety-per-cent of the land area in Wales is used for farming and agriculture. According to the National Trust, to maintain viability, farming has become more intensive and much less diverse, and this unfortunately has a negative impact on wildlife and nature.

Jordanston Farm near Milford Haven has been changing their farming practices for 25 years in an attempt to protect the local wildlife.

The family-run farm grows all their own fodder for the cattle, such as haylage, wheat and barley. They also rent out 20 acres for potato production.

Margaret Richards from Jordanston Farm said: “We joined an environmental scheme around 25 years ago. They offered the opportunity for a member of the scheme to visit the farm and form a bond with the farmers.”

Margaret’s daughter, Jayne, worked for the Tir Gofal team. She believed that environment schemes were of vital importance. However, food production and the existing farming business has to work alongside the schemes.

The Tir Gofal scheme aims to build a rapport with the farm and create a unique plan for each farm to follow to help improve their farm and the environment.

The scheme members stay in touch with the farm and share good practice. What’s working and what’s needed.

The farm is surrounded by 50 acres of woodland which creates a large wildlife corridor that greatly benefits wildlife on the farm.

Margaret continued: “We would lay hedges around the fields and during the winter we would leave the soil unsprayed for birds.

“There is now a one metre margin around each field for wildlife.”

Jordanston Farm then joined the Glastir scheme, which was set up by the Welsh Government.

The Glastir scheme is a farm land management scheme where the members commit to a management plan for a period of five years.

This year, Jordanston Farm is hoping to construct a new green corridor. This will provide a place for animals to be kept during the winter.

“It’s quite exciting. It is good for the animals and it’s environmentally friendly to build because there’s no carbon.”

Jayne or Margaret said that she has seen the positive changes over the years and her family have enjoyed seeing the benefits from their work.”

“It makes economic sense to make the changes to protect the wildlife.”

Margaret believes that a lot of local farms are doing what they can to help protect the environment.

“Most farms in the area are doing what they can. They’re ploughing less to reduce carbon, they’re testing the soil. As long as they try, that’s all that matters.”

The National Trust has been working to restore habitats and create nature-friendly farming practices across the region.

The National Trust has been working alongside Trehill Farm in Pembrokeshire after they experienced a limited yield in 2003 on their clifftop fields.

The poor productivity of this coastal strip provided impetus for the farm to manage the land differently.

By working with the natural carrying capacity of the land, the farm reduced input costs whilst also maximising its agri-environment income.

A series of earth banks now run throughout the farm, providing a network of habitat for wildlife, particularly farmland birds.

Coastal heath, grassland, hedge banks and nature-friendly cereals have been re-established across 70 hectares of coastal belt. This has helped better protect the adjoining Marloes Mere wetland and waters surrounding the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve against fertiliser and pesticide run-off, said the National Trust.

Earlier this year, Pembrokeshire Agricultural society were searching for Pembrokeshire farmers who could demonstrate their farm’s use of latest technological methods.

They offered the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award for a farmer who could demonstrate their methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture while also needing to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.