Business

ECITB welcomes new Chair for the Wales Regional Forum

Published

1 year ago

September 18, 2024

ALTRAD’S Mark Poole has been appointed Chair of the ECITB Wales Regional Forum and a Council Member after approval by the Board of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

Mark, who is Learning and Competence Manager at Altrad, is already a member of the ECITB’s CCNSG Safety Passport Committee and also spent eight years with the industry-led skills body in three different roles between 1998 and 2006.

More recently, Mark has played an instrumental role in creating development pathways at one of the largest employers in the engineering construction industry (ECI), having joined Altrad in 2020.

For example, Mark put in place a supervisory management development pathway for Altrad. He also played a leading role in helping trial and introduce the ECITB’s Work Ready Programme, with Altrad becoming a partner in several locations across the UK to create employment opportunities for new entrants.

He said: “I feel proud and privileged to have been elected by ECITB contractors to represent their interests in Wales. I intend to do my utmost for them.”

Mark’s industry experience spans more than four decades. He started out as a 16-year-old mechanical fitter apprentice, while he achieved his first trainer Level 3 qualification in 1988.

Since the late 1980s, Mark’s career has been rooted in the world of training, including close links to Wales, where he co-founded the Cardiff-based charity TRACK 2000, which provided training for the socially disadvantaged.

During the 1990s, Mark held the role of Training and Enterprise Manager of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and was the vice-chair of the region’s Training Provider Association.

Mark joined the ECITB in 1998 as a Senior Development Advisor within the Product Development Team, where he developed the ECITB’s flagship Supervisory Management Training & Development (SMTD) programme.

He went on to become Head of Partnering and Funding, creating the UK-wide initiative ‘Ambition Energy – Engineering Construction’, and then Regional Operations Manager with responsibility for Wales, the Midlands, South West, South Coast, London Head Offices, East of England and Southern North Sea.

From 2006 to 2020, Mark was founding Managing Director of Phoenix Training Solutions, a leading training provider of the ECITB. During this time, Mark developed numerous ECITB national courses and assessment tests, such as IOSH Engineering Construction.

Mark was also a leading safety training consultant for the governments of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, whilst his company was a preferred training provider on Hinkley Point C (HPC) for IOSH Construction and ILM Nuclear Safety Culture training; both courses Mark had developed.

Now with Altrad, Mark has taken on operational training management for Altrad’s Wales and Southern region.

He added: “Whilst at the ECITB, I directly influenced regionalisation and the establishment of regional fora and chairs.

“Put simply, the ECITB has become part of my professional DNA since 1998 and I feel a sense of loyalty to the team it employs and contractor community it is there to serve.

“Having the experience from within the ECITB, externally as a leading training provider and now within the industry’s largest engineering services contractor, I will have a lot to bring to the table for the wider benefit of all within the region.”

ECITB Chief Executive Andrew Hockey says the link to industry – through the ECITB’s Board, Council and regional fora – ensures the organisation fully understands the needs of employers in the ECI.

He said: “Our regional fora bring industry expertise to our work while helping us forge better connections in the ECI across the regions.

“Mark’s industry experience will be invaluable in identifying and addressing skills needs in Wales and driving our work forward in the region.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

9 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

13 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.