News

205-million-year-old bone bed sheds light dinosaurs in Wales

Published

4 months ago

May 31, 2024

A LARGE fossil discovery has helped shed light on the history of dinosaurs in Wales.

Until recently, the land of the dragon didn’t have any dinosaurs. However, in the last ten years, several dinosaurs have been reported, but their life conditions were not well known.

In a new study by a team from the University of Bristol and published in Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, important details have been revealed for the first time.

They found that early Welsh dinosaurs from over 200 million year ago lived on a tropical lowland beside the sea. Dinosaur trackways are known from Barry and other sites nearby, showing that dinosaurs had walked across the warm lowlands.

The discovery was made at Lavernock Point, close to Cardiff and Penarth, where the cliffs of dark-coloured shales and limestones document ancient shallow seas. At several levels, there are accumulations of bones, including the remains of fish, sharks, marine reptiles and occasionally, dinosaurs.

Former student of the Bristol MSc in Palaeobiology Owain Evans led the study. He explained: “The bone bed paints the picture of a tropical archipelago, which was subjected to frequent storms, that washed material from around the surrounding area, both in land and out at sea, into a tidal zone. This means that from just one fossil horizon, we can reconstruct a complex ecological system, with a diverse array of marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and placodonts in the water, and dinosaurs on land.

“I had visited the coast at Penarth all my life, growing up in Cardiff, but never noticed the fossils. Then, the more I read, the more amazing it became. Local geologists had been collecting bones since the 1870s, and most of these are in the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff.”

Cindy Howells, Curator of Palaeontology at the National Museum of Wales, adds: “The collections from Lavernock go all the way back to the 19th century, with many sections of the bone bed being collected over the years. The presence of dinosaur fossils at the site ensure that it remains one of the most significant localities for palaeontology in Wales.”

Two discoveries made by the team while conducting fieldwork at Lavernock were the fossilized remains of a placodont osteoderm, and a single coelacanth gular bone.

Supervisor Dr Chris Duffin said: “The remains of coelacanths and placodonts are relatively rare in the UK, which makes these finds even more remarkable. These two fossils alone help build a broader picture of what the Rhaetian in the UK would have looked like.”

Professor Michael Benton from Bristol’s School of Earth Sciences, another project supervisor, adds: “The volume of dinosaur remains found at Lavernock is extremely exciting, and is a chance to study a complex, and often mysterious period in their evolutionary history. We have identified the remains of a large Plateosaurus like animal, along with several bones which likely belonged to a predatory theropod.”

A significant section of the paper is dedicated to the abundant microfossils found at the site, which include fish teeth, scales and bone fragments. By examining thousands of specimens, the team were able to identify the key species in the shallow seas and work out the relative importance of each.

The origins of the Welsh dragons have been pinned down at last.

News

Angle RNLI assists broken down motor vessel

Published

6 mins ago

September 22, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AT 7:18pm on Thursday (Sept 19), Angle All-Weather Lifeboat launched on service following a call for assistance from a 27ft motorboat with three persons onboard that had suffered engine failure off Lawrenny.

The lifeboat launched on service shortly after and around 25 minutes later located the vessel at anchor opposite Benton Castle. With a flooding tide pushing the vessel towards the shore, the crew swiftly set about passing a tow to the vessel.

With the tow set, the crew began the journey to Milford Marina. Arriving off the entrance to the docks channel just after 9pm, the casualty vessel was placed into an alongside tow and left safely alongside in the lock pits to await assistance back to their berth from the marina workboat.

With no further assistance required, the crew were stood down and returned station where the lifeboat was back alongside her berth and readied for further service by 10pm.

Business

Freshways expands UK presence with acquisition of Totally Welsh Dairy

Published

29 mins ago

September 22, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A SURREY-BASED dairy supplier, Freshways Group, has completed the acquisition of Haverfordwest’s Totally Welsh Dairy. This development, which was finalized on September 11, represents a significant expansion for Freshways.

Established in 1990, Totally Welsh Dairy is renowned for its commitment to quality, sourcing its milk exclusively from Welsh farmers within a 40-mile radius of its bottling plant. The company prides itself on sustainable practices, notably its use of reusable glass bottles and its dedication to local packaging solutions.

This acquisition is part of a broader strategy by Freshways, following its earlier purchase of Milk & More from Müller in January 2024. The integration of Milk & More has already enhanced Freshways’ home delivery service and its overall sustainability initiatives.

Bali Nijjar, Managing Director of Freshways, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition: “We are delighted to incorporate Totally Welsh Dairy into the Freshways family. Their dedication to quality and sustainable practices complements our values perfectly. This acquisition not only broadens our product range but also supports local Welsh agriculture and enhances our delivery capabilities, catering to the increasing consumer demand for convenient, eco-friendly dairy products.”

Mark Hunter, Managing Director and owner of Totally Welsh, commented on the sale: “Joining forces with Freshways ensures a promising future for Totally Welsh. It opens new avenues for growth and opportunities for our committed team.”

In response to the rising demand for eco-friendly packaging, Totally Welsh Dairy has recently upgraded its facilities with a new glass bottling line. This enhancement will benefit the doorstep delivery customers of Milk & More.

News

British triathlete Pete Dyson triumphs at Ironman Wales 2024

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a stunning display of endurance and determination, Britain’s own Pete Dyson emerged as the champion of Ironman Wales 2024, completing the gruelling course in just 09:34:24. The event, held in the picturesque settings of Tenby and Pembrokeshire, was marked not only by athletic prowess but also by a heartfelt cause—raising funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Dyson, who has announced this race as his final high-level triathlon, has long supported the charity close to his heart. “Now in 2024, I see my triathlon journey reaching its natural end,” Dyson remarked before the race. “I’d like to come full circle and make Ironman Wales my last high-level triathlon. It’s an iconic race, much harder than most, and seems an ideal place to wave goodbye.”

The charity, which is the official partner of the Ironman triathlon in the UK, saw significant representation at the event with 40 participants donning the Alzheimer’s Research UK kit. This not only helped raise vital funds but also greatly increased awareness for the cause.

Dyson’s victory and his commitment to Alzheimer’s research have been praised by many, highlighting the spirit of community and support that defines the best of sporting endeavours.