A FAMILY farm business at Rhydsais Farm in Talgarreg, Ceredigion, has been prosecuted after a slurry store collapse resulted in the pollution of at least 12km of waterways.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) found Rhydsais Cyf guilty of environmental crime after the farm’s slurry store collapsed on February 16, 2022, which released between 60,000 and 70,000 gallons of slurry into an unnamed tributary of the Afon Clettwr Fach.

Water sample analysis from the subsequent investigation showed significant pollution levels extending from Rhydsais Farm to the confluence of the Afon Clettwr with the Afon Teifi, 12km away.

Rhydsais Cyf was found guilty of an offence under the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.

It was ordered to pay a total of £13,035. This included a £5,000 fine, a victim surcharge of £190 and £7,845 towards NRW’s costs of bringing the prosecution.

The unnamed tributary flows into the Afon Clettwr Fach, which flows into the Afon Clettwr, which eventually flows into the Afon Teifi.

The collapse of the slurry store was initially reported to NRW by one of the directors of Rhydsais Cyf, and subsequent pollution reports were made to NRW by members of the public downstream of the farm.

Natural Resources Wales environment officers were diverted from other duties to investigate the incident on the farm and to assess the downstream impact.

On the day of the incident, the river downstream was found to be heavily discoloured and covered in foam, with a strong odour of slurry.

Six dead fish were discovered in the Afon Clettwr Fach the day after the incident. This likely underestimates the total fish kill as the pollution had caused poor visibility, and the rivers were in high flow following rain, NRW said.

Investigation
A day after the incident, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water alerted NRW to unusually high levels of ammonia detected at the Llechryd Water Treatment Works abstraction point which supplies water to properties in south Ceredigion.

The abstraction point was promptly closed until ammonia levels had dropped. The elevated level of ammonia may have been due to the Rhydsais slurry flowing through.

During the investigation, it was revealed that the collapsed slurry store had been in place since the 1970s and had not received any formal maintenance apart from visual inspections in the past decade.

NRW contended in court that the pollution was caused by the slurry store being beyond its lifespan and had not been maintained properly.

Team leader of the Ceredigion Environment Team, Dr Carol Fielding, said: “The impact of this incident was felt well beyond the stream that the slurry entered. It damaged water quality and local wildlife within the catchment of the Afon Teifi.

“Every farmer has a duty to ensure their slurry stores are structurally sound to prevent such disasters.

“We will not hesitate to take enforcement action – including prosecution – when we have evidence of serious environmental breaches.

“We regulate and work with farmers to avoid damage to the environment and we encourage them to contact us or Farming Connect for advice and support.”

IT’S been nearly a decade since all age groups attending the Torch Youth Theatre have appeared on stage together. This July’s production of The Wind and the Willows will bring over 40 young people to the stage in this wonderful, endearing show with a modern Torch Theatre twist and including the Torch Voices Choir.

The British classic is inspired by the well-known children’s novelist Kenneth Grahame, who first published Wind and the Willows in 1908. Since then, the much-loved family favourite has been adapted to film and theatre and everyone has fallen in love with the heroic Badger, Ratty, Mole and of course the utterly splendid Toad of Toad Hall.

Celebrating friendship, loyalty and adventure, the actors aged eight to 18 will delight every member of the family this July, with a classic tale filled with picnics, ‘poop poops’ and a few unexpected twists.

Tim Howe, Torch Theatre’s Senior Manager for Youth and Community is eagerly looking forward to this adaptation of The Wind and the Willows by Glyn Maxwell:

“It has been quite a while since our main house stage has been filled with a Torch Youth Theatre production, and what better way to do it than with this story of enduring friendship set beside the riverbank. In this version Mole, Ratty, Badger, and of course the world-famous Toad take on the villainous Wild Wooders, the dastardly Weasel and a mysterious yellow monster called ‘The Slurpex’. Come and see if our heroes can defeat them all,” said Tim.

He added: “We are incredibly excited to be providing this opportunity to our young people, we know that alongside a spectacular production our rehearsal room and theatre will be filled with memories being made and friendships being formed. Not only does this production provide irreplaceable lifelong memories, but also supports our young people with long term benefits for mental health and wellbeing. We are always on the lookout for individuals and businesses to support this vital work so if this is something you are interested in please do get in touch.”

Torch Youth Theatre cannot wait to welcome you all along for a Toadaly-tastic time! POOP POOP!
 
Book your tickets online or call 01646 695267.

The Wind and The Willows will be performed on the Torch Theatre stage from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 July at 6.30pm. Ticket prices: £10. £8 concessions. To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

LABOUR Leader Keir Starmer received a warm welcome in West Wales today as he visited the newly formed constituency of Caerfyrddin. The visit, which marks a crucial point in his campaign, saw Starmer engaging with local residents and political figures amidst a backdrop of light drizzle, described humorously by Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething as “liquid sunshine.”

Starmer’s visit commenced at a converted barn, now functioning as a wedding venue outside Carmarthen. Despite the weather, the atmosphere was one of optimism and enthusiasm. Starmer was accompanied by Welsh First Minister Vaughan Gething, highlighting the strong collaboration between the national and local branches of the Labour Party.

Martha O’Niel, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Caerfyrddin, expressed her delight at Starmer’s visit. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Keir to Whitland, in the brand new constituency of Caerfyrddin,” she said. “We need a fresh start and a strong voice to work with a potential UK Labour Government for the people of Caerfyrddin. Mae’n bryd am newid (It’s time for change).”

Local Labour councillor Scott Emanuel also shared his optimism. “It was a pleasure to spend the morning listening to Keir Starmer in Carmarthen. Let’s hope he’s Prime Minister come Friday,” Emanuel remarked, reflecting the sentiment of many local supporters.

The visit is seen as a significant move by Starmer, who is making his final campaign efforts in Plaid Cymru territory. Matt Dathan, a journalist from The Times, noted the strategic importance of Starmer’s presence in the region, describing it as a “final day of campaigning in Plaid Cymru territory in Carmarthen.”

The Times’ Political correspondent Chris McKeon, who has been closely following the campaign, captured the essence of the day. “Here we are then, the last day, which Keir Starmer kicks off at a wedding venue outside Carmarthen. It is drizzling, though Starmer says Vaughan Gething has assured him it is really just ‘liquid sunshine’,” he reported on X, formerly Twitter.

As the campaign draws to a close, Starmer’s visit to West Wales underscores Labour’s commitment to engaging with local communities and addressing regional issues. The Labour leader’s focus on areas like Caerfyrddin highlights the party’s strategy to broaden its appeal and strengthen its presence across Wales.

Herald.Wales will continue to provide updates as the campaign progresses and election results come in.

Commenting on Keir Starmer’s visit, Andrew RT Davies MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives told Herald.Wales: “Let Keir Starmer’s visit to Wales today act as a stark warning to the whole UK; don’t unleash his blueprint on Britain.

“The only change Labour has offered Wales is the worst outcomes in the UK for every public service metric from waiting times to educational outcomes.

“I hope Keir Starmer has packed a clothes peg to mask the smell of the Withyhedge landfill site, causing untold misery for Pembrokeshire residents, neglected by Vaughan Gething’s Labour Welsh Government.”