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Chris Ingram gives Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 its first UK win

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CHRIS INGRAM and Alex Kihurani have given the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 its first victory in the UK by winning the 2024 Nicky Grist Stages – while Castrol MEM Rally Team stablemates Meirion Evans/Jonathan Jackson made it yet another double podium celebration for the Carmarthenshire squad with third in an identical car.
 
Chris set the fastest time through the opening Llyn Login stage, which was a remarkable achievement given that it was the first special stage that he’d ever driven in the Toyota. The Suisscourtage/Michelin-backed driver held a slender lead as he arrived back in Builth Wells for midday service and extended that advantage when the loop of four stages through Llyn Login, Monument, Halfway and Bowlsey were repeated in the afternoon. The 2019 FIA European rally champion finished 14.7 seconds ahead of second-placed Keith Cronin/Shane Buckley (Ford Fiesta Rally2). 


It was also an excellent performance from Meirion, who continues to build his experience of rallying on the unfamiliar gravel surface. The morning’s stages were particularly loose, with patches of damp under the trees in Halfway making it even more tricky. After a cautious opening stage, Meirion held third at midday service and maintained that strong position after a confident and precise drive in the afternoon.
 
Chris Ingram said: “I’m delighted to give the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 its first win in the UK. We had a great battle with Keith Cronin, and Meirion [Evans] was really quick as well. We only did twenty miles testing at most in the car before the Nicky Grist Stages, so to jump in and be on their pace on our first rally in the car is very encouraging. I’m sure we’ll find some tweaks to get the Toyota more suited to my driving style before the next round of the British Rally Championship and to keep improving is the key. There is a lot to come from both me and this car, and the aim is to unlock that potential in the next few rallies. Today was perfect preparation for the remainder of the BRC and we’ll keep moving forward from here for sure.”
 
Meirion Evans said: “I was a little scrappy in the morning – it was just a case of finding my feet again on gravel. The surface was a bit inconsistent too and loose in places and it was easy to run wide, which is what we did a few times. We clipped both rear wheels on separate stages and we were lucky not to get a puncture because a wheel had bent a bit, but there were no real dramas apart from that. The afternoon was really nice. It was the first time that I’d driven a four-wheel drive car on dry gravel and on a surface that was much more consistent in the afternoon I felt like we were improving with every stage. I’m not going to find the pace of the top guys on what is still a very unfamiliar surface overnight, but I’m sure we will get there. We’re not a million miles away, but it will take a bit more work. As for the Toyota Yaris, it once again ran perfectly.”
 
The Castrol MEM Rally Team’s next appearance will be on the Voyonic Grampian Forest Rally (9 August), Round 4 of the 2024 Probite British Rally Championship.

News

Andrew RT Davies resigns as Welsh Conservative leader after confidence vote

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ANDREW RT DAVIES has stepped down as leader of the Welsh Conservatives after narrowly surviving a confidence vote within his party.

In a letter announcing his resignation, Davies expressed regret, stating that his position had become “untenable” after some Members of the Senedd (MSs) threatened to resign from his frontbench if he remained in post.

The vote, held on Tuesday morning, saw Davies secure nine votes in support but faced opposition from seven MSs. Reflecting on the outcome, he said: “It was clear from the result that a substantial minority of the group do not support our approach.”

Davies has served as leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Senedd for most of the past 13 years. His departure marks the end of a tenure defined by both challenges and significant contributions to the party in Wales.

Commenting on the resignation, Reform UK Wales Spokesman, Oliver Lewis said: “True to form, the Tories have turfed out another leader thinking that will resurrect their failing party. They care more about jousting for position than they do about serving Welsh people.

“It does not matter who they have as leader, the simple fact is they have failed in opposition just as they failed Wales in Government in Westminster for 14 years.

“The people of Wales want real change in 2026 and that is just what we plan to offer them. Wales needs Reform.”

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Health

Hywel Dda appoints new Deputy Chief Executive Officer

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HYWEL DDA University Health Board has today announced the appointment of Lisa Gostling as its Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

Lisa has held the role of Deputy Chief Executive at the health board on an interim basis since February this year, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer, which was announced in October.

Professor Phil Kloer, Chief Executive Officer, at Hywel Dda said: “I am delighted that, following a competitive process, Lisa is appointed to the post of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, a responsibility that she will hold in addition to her post of Executive Director of Workforce and Organisational Development.”

Lisa relocated from the West Midlands to Pembrokeshire and developed her career within the workforce and organisational development teams at the Health Board. She has worked for Hywel Dda and its predecessor organisations since 1993.

Since 2015, she has been a member of the Executive team and Board as Director of Workforce and Organisational Development. Since February this year, she also held the role of interim Deputy Chief Executive Officer. She holds a CIPD qualification from Sandwell College and is a keen Welsh learner.

Phil continues: “Lisa’s innovative approach to recruitment and to staff development has been of great benefit to our health board – including the development of our culture and values that shapes our work every day, and the establishment of the Apprenticeship Program that has seen us enable several local people to join our Hywel Dda teams and develop their career with us.

“Lisa has also been instrumental in supporting our work to reduce our dependency upon agency staffing and building our substantive workforce – ensuring greater sustainability and quality in our teams.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Lisa in her new role and wish her every success for the future.”

Lisa Gostling, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, added: “It is an honour to be appointed to this position and support Phil, our Board, and our teams across the health board in delivering health care for our communities.

“I look forward to building on the foundations of the past six months and working with our team of staff who are all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of current and future generations.”

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Community

Henry Tufnell MP advocates for Pembroke’s bell restoration project

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LAST weekend, Henry Tufnell MP visited St David’s Cathedral, where he had the opportunity to witness the tradition of bell ringing and meet with members of the St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project. The meeting underscored the vital importance of preserving Pembroke’s unique heritage while also addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the restoration team.

St Mary’s Church, located in the heart of Pembroke, is home to a set of historic bells that have been a cherished part of the town’s life for over 260 years. However, due to structural and safety concerns, these bells have been silent, putting a pause on their role in significant civic and cultural events, including Remembrance Sunday and local celebrations.

A significant £150,000 from the £10.5 million UK Government funding pot has been allocated to this restoration project, but delays in finalising the grant have hindered progress. Henry pledged his commitment to ensuring that the project receives the attention it deserves to move forward without further obstacles.

Following his visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Speaking with members of the St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project at St David’s Cathedral highlighted how much this initiative means to the people of Pembroke. Restoring these historic bells is about more than just tradition; it’s about community pride and keeping our heritage alive for future generations. I’m determined to help ensure this project gets the green light it needs and I will be doing everything in my power to ensure it happens.”

The St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project has garnered widespread support from local residents and businesses, whose donations have helped secure the match funding required for the Fund. Completing the project would be a significant milestone, securing a vital piece of Pembroke’s history for years to come.

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