News

West Wales athletes announced for first Special Olympics GB Winter Games

Published

11 months ago

January 5, 2024

SPECIAL Olympics Great Britain, the United Kingdom’s biggest provider of sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities, has announced that five athletes from Special Olympics West Wales will participate and represent their region at its first National Winter Games.

Taking place in Folgaria, in the northern Italian region Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtiro, Special Olympics GB will stage alpine skiing and figure skating events for athletes with intellectual disabilities from 27 January to 3 February.

In total, 73 athletes from across England Scotland and Wales will participate in the Special Olympics GB National Winter Games, including the five local athletes listed below.

Name	Sport	SO Region/Club
Josh Davies	Alpine Skiing	SO Wales – SO West Wales
Llinos Gilmore-Jones	Alpine Skiing	SO Wales – SO West Wales
John Hayes	Alpine Skiing	SO Wales – SO West Wales
Steffan Hopping	Alpine Skiing	SO Wales – SO West Wales
Lizzie Williams	Alpine Skiing	SO Wales – SO West Wales

Colin Dyer, Chief Executive of Special Olympics GB, said: “We’re delighted to expand our programme of competitions by staging this first National Winter Games.

“Competing in national and international events has proven to be transformational for many of our athletes, inspiring them to develop new life skills and make changes, which support their independence and career.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Special Olympics Grampian club for investing so much time in planning this event, as the host club, and to Inclusive Skating for being our delivery partner on all figure skating events. Special thanks also go to our partners as their funding ensures that our athletes receive a world class sporting experience during this event.”

Special Olympics GB is being supported in its delivery of the National Winter Games by The Ski Company and Alpe Cimbra.

The competition will support the selection process for the subsequent Special Olympics World Winter Games, which take place in Torino, Italy, from 8 to 16 March 2025. Here, eight alpine skiers and two figure skaters will represent Team Special Olympics GB for the first time in a Special Olympics World Winter Games since 2017.

Across England, Scotland and Wales, Special Olympics GB provides regular sporting opportunities for more than 6,600 athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Its 95 accredited clubs offer training and competition in 27 different sports, which are delivered by a devoted team of 3,800 volunteers.

Community

Pembrokeshire County Council launches festive info hub

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WITH the festive season fast approaching, Pembrokeshire County Council has made it easier than ever to access essential service updates for Christmas and New Year.

The council’s website now features an updated ‘Christmas in Pembrokeshire’ page, providing answers to key holiday queries such as bin collection schedules and free parking availability.

Residents can also find information about leisure centre and library opening times, winter driving tips, bus timetables, salting routes, and a guide to Christmas markets across the county.

The page includes reminders about recycling rules, including what can and cannot be recycled, as well as details on Christmas tree recycling services.

For everything you need to know this festive season, visit https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/christmas-in-pembrokeshire.

Crime

Motorist almost three times over drink limit

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MOTORIST who was nearly three times over the drink-drive limit has been sentenced following a crash on the B4314 in Pendine.

Stuart Rickford, 43, was driving his Audi at 1:30pm on November 15 when he collided with another vehicle.

“There were no injuries, but when officers spoke to the defendant they had a strong smell of intoxicants,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court.

A roadside breath test proved positive, and Rickford, of Beach Hotel, Marsh Road, Pendine, later gave a reading of 93 mcg of alcohol at the police station. The legal limit is 35.

Rickford pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 80 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for 23 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Man jailed for threats at Withybush Hospital

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2024

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sentenced to seven days in custody after threatening to harm members of the public at Withybush Hospital.

Wayne Tydeman, 42, made threats while speaking to a community practice nurse following his release from a 24-week custodial sentence.

“He was on post-sentence supervision, and this is the first breach,” probation officer Julie Norman told the court.

Tydeman, of Dew Street, Haverfordwest, was remanded in custody and appeared via video link from Park Prison. His solicitor said his mental health had improved during his time in custody.

Judge Layton sentenced him to seven days in custody, warning: “If you fail to engage in the future, the sentence will be considerably longer.”