Welsh National Opera musicians accept jobs deal
Members of the Musician's Union (MU) have been campaigning after WNO management said it was forced to consider making the orchestra part time and cut musicians' pay by 15%.Its campaign, which included sustained industrial action from September to March has achieved both goals, the MU said in a statement.
The Welsh government will also provide an additional £1.5m to support arts organisations, the union said.WNO is Wales' largest arts organisation and one of only two full time professional orchestras in the country."This is an incredibly difficult time for the arts in the UK and the opera sector has been especially hard hit, with WNO disproportionately affected and facing significant ongoing financial challenges," MU general secretary Naomi Pohl said.MU regional organiser for Wales and south-west England Andy Warnock said the WNO was "still in a fragile position overall".He added: "It's essential that WNO retains its full-time performing forces, which we know is the aim of the company's new leadership, so we need politicians and both Arts Councils in England and Wales to join us for discussions on how that can be achieved."
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South Wales Argus
21 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Revisiting some of Hefin David's hilarious Senedd moments
He was intelligent, thoughtful and genuine – a tenacious campaigner on behalf of his Caerphilly constituents who was dedicated to improving people's lives across Wales. But he also had something in spades that few politicians possess: a proper sense of humour. For many people, their abiding memory will be of a kind-hearted family man who had a knack for making people laugh and smile – even at the most trying times. In that spirit, we trawled through the archives to bring you just some of Dr David's very many witty contributions in the Senedd over the years. 'We'll get one off Temu' Often a forward-thinker, he led a debate in February on future flight technology, everything from drones to flying cars, laying down a challenge to economy secretary Rebecca Evans. 'Far from being the stuff of sci-fi, these air vehicles are actually working,' he told the debating chamber. 'I invite the minister to try one – we'll get one off Temu.' Scrutinising the housing minister in June, he asked whether the Welsh Government would give more money if the leader of Caerphilly council called for it. 'Just say, 'yes', and I'll let him know,' he remarked before his colleague could answer. He was known for his sharp sense of humour (Image: Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd Reporter) Dr David was a heckler extraordinaire, often getting a ticking off from the chair. Calling for order in January, Elin Jones, the Senedd's speaker or Llywydd, said: 'Can we listen to the minister's response? She's being heckled by her own backbenches.' He jokingly set the record straight, intervening to point out that he was heckling Plaid Cymru's Cefin Campbell – not his partner Vikki Howells, the higher education minister. 'Don't put that on a leaflet' During a debate about rugby TV rights in July last year, he said he had a lot in common with Rishi Sunak who had bemoaned going without 'lots of things' as a child including Sky TV. 'My dad wouldn't let us have Sky either and we had to listen to it on the radio,' He told the Senedd, stressing that's all he had in common with the former Tory prime minister. Plaid Cymru's Delyth Jewell later joked: 'Who knew you had so much in common with Rishi Sunak? For anyone who missed the beginning of the debate, I'm not going to give context.' Dr David told his political opponent: 'Don't put that on a leaflet!' In February last year, as the Senedd discussed apprenticeships, he thanked colleagues for referencing a report on transitions to employment which he had authored. He said: 'I'd be far too modest to do so myself but now that they have…' 'Wayne David isn't my dad' In mid-November, he paid tribute to the first minister's warmth during a debate on Eluned Morgan's first 100 days in office. He told the Senedd: 'We've known each other a long time now, she's the only first minister who gives me a cwtch every time I see her. I can see Mark Drakeford getting a little worried there – I'm not expecting anything, finance minister.' Dr David had a way of diffusing a fraught situation with humour, as in September 2023, when the Senedd was asked to express no confidence in the then-transport minister over 20mph. He paid credit to the Conservatives: 'They've achieved something today that many have tried and many have failed: they've united two thirds of this chamber around Lee Waters.' Then, he told the Senedd about an email he received from a constituent, saying: 'It may well be you have an ambition to be our representative in Westminster when your dad retires.' He clarified: 'Wayne David isn't my dad, and I think we need to make that absolutely clear.' 'Promoted to the backbenches' He often had Senedd members, including the opposition, in stitches (Image: Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd Reporter) During first minister's questions in July 2022, he struggled to hold it together to ask his question due to a colleague mucking about on the back benches. He said: 'I'm sorry. Alun Davies was being very silly there, he made me laugh.' The speaker joked: 'That statement is now on the record.' On another occasion, he congratulated his Labour colleague on his 'promotion' to the backbenches after he was sacked by then-incoming first minister Mark Drakeford. Following a fiery exchange between the then-first minister and Plaid Cymru's leader at FMQs in December 2022, he lightened the mood as he would often do. 'Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the co-operation agreement, I'm glad to see it's still so healthy,' he said, prompting laughter around the chamber. 'She's either staring me out or she's frozen' When Dawn Bowden revealed in a June 2022 meeting that Dr David told her he would hide in the changing rooms to avoid PE at school, he joked: 'That was a confidential conversation!' And, in a remote meeting during the pandemic, he wasn't 100 per cent sure if the then-culture minister was having technical troubles. 'She's either staring me out or she's frozen,' he said. In June 2021, he told the Senedd: 'You won't believe this but I was awful at sport in school,' as he claimed credit for the Senedd rugby side 'absolutely smashing' Westminster's team. 'But, in school, I was not interested in sport because I felt it was a team game,' he said. 'And the chief whip will know I'm not so good at team stuff sometimes.' When a transport chief lost their thread while appearing before a Senedd committee in January 2021, he could hardly resist pointing out: 'You lost your train of thought.' 'One thing I haven't done is upset the Queen' In 2019, Dr David, a child of the 1980s, was chuffed to bits with the title of a committee report about the Welsh Baccalaureate, proclaiming 'Bacc to the future' as one of the best ever. Another time, while trying to pry a clear-cut answer out of his friend and colleague Vaughan Gething, he said: 'I feel like Jeremy Paxman interviewing Michael Howard.' Dr David wasn't afraid to poke fun at himself. When a witness described sixth formers as 'more mature' in 2020, he replied in typical fashion: 'You didn't know me in sixth form, then.' In September 2022, he recalled an encounter with the Queen at the Senedd's official opening after he was first elected in 2016: 'She was looking directly at me. I have to say, Llywydd, I feel uncomfortable when you look directly at me. 'I wasn't sure whether she had a frown on her face. I wasn't sure whether I had upset her, and I was thinking, 'Oh my God, I've upset her – it's probably because I'm wearing a red tie'. 'But … she did actually give me – and I'm not making this up – a reassuring smile. So, I could rest easy… and think, 'One thing I haven't done is upset the Queen'.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Rare UK coin with Queen's portrait to enter circulation for last time – and it could be worth 95 times its face value
Plus, we share how you can spot a rare coin ALL CHANGE Rare UK coin with Queen's portrait to enter circulation for last time – and it could be worth 95 times its face value THE final batch of £1 coins featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II's portrait will enter circulation for the last time - and they could be worth a pretty penny. More than 23million of the coins are being released today, Wednesday August 20 by the Royal Mint has said. 1 The £1 are entering circulation That means you could spot one in your change in the coming weeks. These pieces will be the final ones bearing Elizabeth II's portrait to enter circulation. Plus, the Royal Mint said these coins dated 2022, are the rarest £1 coins in active circulation. If you are keen to spot the coin, there are a few details you can spot. The front, or heads side, of the coin features a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth and the date 2022. While the reverse, or tails side, features an image of a crown with an English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh leek and Northern Irish shamrock. The coin joins a raft of other rare £1 pieces, including the 2011 Edinburgh City coin that has sold for 95 times its face value. These coins have a mintage of just 935,000, making it a rare find. Back in June, the coin sold for £23 on eBay after 21 bids. The coin was part of a series depicting the four capital cities of the UK and is the only £1 coin with a mintage below one million. Five 50ps that could earn you thousands In comparison, a recent bidder paid £7.53 for one of the coins after fighting off bids from five others. But coins are only worth what sellers are willing to pay for them. So another piece may sell for a higher or lower price later down the line. It comes as the official maker of UK coins is also set to release 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins. The 50p and £1 are the only denominations with Charles's portrait to have entered circulation so far. The King's £1 coins feature an intricate bee design on the reverse and are part of the Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'This release represents a pivotal moment in British coinage history. 'As we release more of the King Charles III £1 coins into circulation alongside the final coins of Queen Elizabeth II, we're witnessing the physical representation of our monarchy's transition." She added: "This dual release creates an exceptional opportunity for both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting.' 'Finding these new coins in your change could spark a rewarding hobby that connects you with the heritage, history and craftsmanship behind British currency.' And that is not the only rare coin that collectors are keen to get their hands on. The Kew Gardens 50p recently fetched £205 on eBay after 29 buyers battled it out for the piece. Other rare coins to keep an eye out for are the Atlantic Salmon 50p, How to spot rare coins and banknotes Rare coins and notes hiding down the back of your sofa could sell for hundreds of pounds. If you are lucky enough to find a rare £10 note you might be able to sell it for multiple times its face value. You can spot rare notes by keeping an eye out for the serial numbers. These numbers can be found on the side with the Monarch's face, just under the value £10 in the corner of the note. Also, if you have a serial number on your note that is quite quirky, you could cash in thousands. For example, one seller bagged £3,600 after spotting a specific serial number relating to the year Jane Austen was born on one of their notes. You can check if your notes are worth anything on eBay, just tick "completed and sold items" and filter by the highest value. This will give you an idea of what people are willing to pay for some notes. But bear in mind that yours is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. This is also the case for coins, you can determine how rare your coin is by looking a the latest scarcity index.
Western Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Aberjazz Fishguard Jazz and Blues Festival is coming to town
The 22nd Aberjazz Jazz 'n' Blues Festival 2025 is coming to Fishguard this bank holiday weekend. The festival takes place from Thursday, August 21 to Monday, August 25 . The festival takes place in Fishguard and the surrounding area and for five busy days the town comes alive with music, creative workshops, and an atmosphere of pure musical magic. 'Aberjazz would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone, locals and visitors, to our annual Jazz & Blues Festival,' said the festival's organisers. 'Once again Aberjazz is thrilled to bring you another incredible line up of jazz and blues music, celebrating homegrown Welsh talent and phenomenal musicians from across the jazz and blues spectrum. 'Whether you're a seasoned jazz enthusiast, a blues devotee, or you're simply here to soak up the vibes, we hope you'll find plenty to make you smile.' With more than twenty ticketed events, many of them double bills, an extensive free AberjazzFringe, many workshops, most of which are free plus a New Orleans style parade, with a Welsh twist, there is certainly plenty to do and see. Aberjazz Festival starts on Thursday, August 21 at 1pm with a double bill of Dave Speight, and afterwards, the Brian Rawson band in the Ffwrn. The programme includes J4, Dale Storr, Ma Bessie's Speakeasy, Gareth Evans, Cluster Funk, The Jay Azzolina Quartet, Seven Steps [music of Miles Davis], Yeti and many more. Aberjazz will also be welcoming Alice Armstrong and Cinelli Brothers as this year's headliners. The Aberjazz parade will take place on the afternoon of Sunday, August 24. It will be led by Aberjazz dragon, Idris, and the band Mr Wilson's Second Liners, who the crowd will follow through the town to the back of the market where they will join the Aberjam-open mic, workshops, street food and bar. There are workshops to suit all tastes, whether you want to dance, sing, or pick up tips on playing various instruments, come to one of the free workshops. You can even learn some Welsh through the medium of song. The free Aberjazz Fringe, will have live music popping up in the pubs, clubs, and restaurants all over town. The Connections will end the festival in style at the closing party in Ffwrn on Monday August 25. Aberjazz thanked the festival's main sponsor, the Arts Council of Wales, as well as Pembrokeshire County Council, Fishguard & Goodwick Town Council, Agritrader and all other contributors. The latest news about the festival can be found on and Tickets cost from £10 to £22.50. 'All of us at Aberjazz hope everyone, young and old, can be part of the musical magic,' said the festival's organisers. 'Enjoy the music, the company, and the spirit of Aberjazz - this festival belongs to all of us.'
