News
Nigel completes ultra-marathon ‘Race To The Stones’ for charity
A VOLUNTEER coastguard rescue officer has raised over £1,500 by completing the ultra-marathon Race To The Stones.
Last month Nigel Williams, 39, from Milford Haven, joined over 3,400 runners and walkers to take on one of the UK’S most popular endurance events.
The event, which has been voted the UK’s Best Endurance Event for the past three years, was 100km long along Rideway in Oxfordshire to Avebury in Wiltshire. Nigel completed the ultra-marathon at 4am with a finishing time of 20 hours and 32 mins.
He has raised £1,574 which will be split between the Wales Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Association, the funds included £250 for each charity from Nigel’s employers Valero Pembroke Refinery.
Nigel said: “This was a massive challenge which took a lot of time to train for, so I’m happy I completed it. This was an amazing experience with a finishing time of 20hrs 32mins. I was planning on doing the run anyway, so I decided to do it for worthy charities.
“I’ve seen the Wales Air Ambulance operating in the area many times and it is such an amazing service to have available. I decided to do my run for both the Wales Air Ambulance and the Coastguard Association.”
In December 2020, the Charity achieved its aim of operating a 24/7 service. Wales now has access to the service’s Emergency Department-standard critical care around the clock and to keep the helicopters in the air, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year.
The Valero Pembroke Refinery inspector is grateful for the support he has received, he added: “I have had amazing support from my family and friends and I would like to say thank you to them.
“I raised a lot more than I thought was possible. The money will be split 50/50 between the Charities.”
Katie Macro, the Charity’s South West Wales Community Fundraiser, said: “A huge congratulations to Nigel on competing Race To The Stones in the amazing time of 20hrs 32mins. His determination and commitment to the event is shown by the support and donations that he has received from family, friends and his workplace – Valero Pembroke Refinery. Thank you for supporting us and for raising over £1,500 for two important charities. Every penny you’ve raised will help people who need the Wales Air Ambulance across Wales.”
There’s still time to show your support to Nigel by donating to his fundraising page – Nigel Williams Race To The Stones 100km https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NigelRTTS
There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance.
These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.
Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.
News
Ruling against language campaigner over English-only parking notice
A COURT in Aberystwyth has this week (May 13) ruled against the language campaigner Toni Schiavone and has allowed parking company One Parking Solution to claim costs in an extended legal dispute over an English-only parking notice. However, Toni Schiavone said he will continue to refuse to pay until he receives a copy of the notice from the parking company in Welsh.
According to the judge, there was no legal basis to force the parking company to provide a Welsh language service. Language campaigners insist that this demonstrates a “serious flaw” in the legislation that protects the rights of Welsh speakers.
Toni Schiavone received the original charge in September 2020 for parking in a private car park in Llangrannog, but refused to pay as he did not receive the charge in Welsh or bilingually, despite sending the company two letters as well as calling them.
The first two cases were thrown out over technical issues, but at a hearing on 26 January this year, One Parking Solution won an appeal to continue to prosecute Mr Schiavone, after the judge ruled that there were no grounds to throw out the first two cases of the court.
Speaking during today’s court proceedings, Toni Schiavone said: “The Welsh language is an official and equal language in Wales and we as Welsh speakers have rights according to the law, and in principle, that should be respected. The request for a Parking Charge Notice in Welsh or bilingually is reasonable and practical. It would have cost around £60 to translate.
“This case could have been resolved very easily and very quickly by providing a Welsh or bilingual Parking Charge Notice. Does not doing so show prejudice against the Welsh language? In my opinion, it does.”
Mr Schiavone told the court that the claimant had behaved threateningly, sending him a letter claiming £10,156.70 in legal expenses a day before his hearing in January as well as another letter with additional costs of over £4,000 two days before today’s case. According to research by Cymdeithas yr Iaith, translating the fine into Welsh would have cost only £60.
The judge Lowri Williams said that Toni had behaved in an “honest, principled” manner during the case, and had shown an “unwavering dedication to the Welsh language and the cause for the language.”
However, she said during her verdict that there was nothing in the 1967 Welsh Language Act, the 1993 Welsh Language Act, or the 2011 Welsh Language Measure to compel the parking company to provide a Welsh language service.
She therefore ordered that Toni pay the £100 charge, as well as £70 for administrative costs, £11.90 interest and £85 for the court fee within 21 days.
After explaining her ruling and order, Toni Schiavone said “I understand, but I refuse to pay.” His statement was met by applause from his supporters in the public gallery.
Following the case, Siân Howys, Chair of Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Rights Group, said: “Today’s judgment shows that – despite the Welsh Government’s claim – the Welsh language does not have equal status in Wales. The judge has done her work thoroughly and found that there is nothing in the legislation that ensures that Toni’s right to use his own language in his own country is respected.
“It is clear, therefore, that the Welsh Government needs to correct the serious flaw in the legislation in order to ensure that the people of Wales can use the Welsh language in all aspects of their lives.”
News
Cllr Jon Harvey elected Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council
CLLR JON HARVEY has been elected as the new Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Harvey, who represents the Pembroke St Mary North ward, was elected as Leader at the Annual General Meeting of Council held on Friday May 10.
A Town Planner by profession, Cllr Harvey spent 12 years in various Planning Officer roles in Local Government before moving into the private sector and a career at senior level planning, housebuilding and development.
More recently, he was the Head of Development at a Swansea-based Housing Association.
With a love of music and theatre, Cllr Harvey has managed an indie rock band, promoted a number of gigs locally and has staged managed plays including at the Edinburgh fringe.
Married with four grown-up children, Cllr Harvey served as the Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery under former Leader Cllr David Simpson.
Cllr Harvey, who is not affiliated to any group, was first elected to Council in September 2018.
He said: “I am deeply honoured to stand before you today as your new Leader and the responsibility is not one I take lightly.
“I pledge to lead with passion, dedication, integrity, transparency and compassion.
“I am convinced that if we all work together with common purpose and work towards common goals we can make a real difference to the lives of those residents that we serve.”
Cllr Harvey will name his Cabinet in the coming days.
News
New Chairman takes the chains at Pembrokeshire County Council
THE NEW Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council is Cllr Steve Alderman.
Cllr Alderman, previously the Authority’s Vice-Chairman, was installed at the Annual Meeting of Council at County Hall in Haverfordwest held on Friday, 10th May.
Cllr Alderman, who represents Hundleton, takes over from Cllr Tom Tudor.
Cllr Alderman is well respected in the farming community as a lifelong farmer, working with his family until retiring in 2019.
Cllr Alderman has also been Pembrokeshire NFU County chairman as well as a representative on the Welsh NFU Council and numerous other rural and economic development bodies in the area.
Outgoing Council Leader Cllr David Simpson proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Tudor who also gave an overview of his busy year as Chairman.
Cllr Alderman was nominated by Cllr Tim Evans and seconded by Cllr Pat Davies.
Cllr Alderman, who was first elected in 2019, is not affiliated to any group on the Council.
Upon taking the chains, Cllr Alderman said: “I am extremely proud to be made Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and I aim to represent this Council to the very best of my ability.
“I hope my experience as Council appointed member of the National Park, as well as the various Overview and Scrutiny Committees I am involved in, will stand me in good stead for this important year ahead.”
At the same meeting Cllr Maureen Bowen was elected the new Vice Chairman of Council.
Cllr Bowen, who represents Pembroke Dock Bush and is a member of the Labour Group, joined the Council in 2022.
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