Unsafe rockface keeps Milford children's playground closed
A spokesperson said: "This is a precautionary measure to ensure public safety, and the closure will remain in place until the inspection has taken place and the findings have been reviewed."At this stage we are unable to confirm a reopening date."We know how important this play area is to the local community, and we're doing everything we can to progress the inspection. However, public safety remains our priority."
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BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team halts training over litter
A mountain rescue team have said they were "heartbroken" to have to "down tools" to clean up rubbish including disposable barbecues during a training session at a beauty from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team were out in the area known as Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog national park when they spotted litter strewn across the a post on social media, the team said they were "forced to down tools – but not for a rescue". "Our volunteers give their time to help people in need. Picking up after others shouldn't be part of the job but sadly, it's becoming more common," the volunteers said. "In one of Wales' most beautiful areas, it was heartbreaking to see nature treated as a dumping ground."Training was paused as our volunteers gathered as much rubbish as they could safely carry out."The team said they also found plastic bottles, crisp packets and broken glass strewn across the warned litter "not only spoils the landscape, it's dangerous for wildlife, livestock and other visitors".They urged visitors to Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons, to "follow the simple leave no trace principle: whatever you bring with you, take it home". The "Instagrammable" national park is visited by about four million people each year and, last summer, the authority urged tourists to research and respect the area. Keep Wales Tidy said recent figures showed fast food packaging was found on 26.4% of streets and drinks litter on 43.6%, saying this was "a clear sign that throwaway culture is taking a toll on every corner of Wales".It warned litter "continues to blight communities, threaten wildlife and damage our precious natural environment".The organisation has teamed up with content creators across Wales to help spread the message to new audiences via social Derbyshire, Keep Wales Tidy chief executive, said it was "unacceptable that areas of such outstanding beauty are being disrespected in this way, putting wildlife, people and our fragile ecosystem at risk".He added: "We're saddened that mountain rescue volunteers had to come face to face with the growing problem of litter in one of Wales' most beautiful and fragile landscapes. "Their experience in Waterfall Country is, sadly, all too familiar."Ceredigion-based ecologist and content creator, Joe Wilkins, who does the Sandwich with a View series on Instagram, said: "As someone who loves Wales and encourages people to explore our wonderful nation responsibly, I know how vital it is that we keep these special places litter-free. "Nature in Wales is under pressure from many threats beyond our control, but taking our litter home is one simple action we can all take to help wildlife recover and thrive. "Let's make memories, not mess." 'Leave barbecues at home' Natural Resources Wales has also urged visitors to Wales' green spaces to enjoy the outdoors responsibly this summer."To prevent wildfires from igniting, do not light campfires, discard cigarettes or leave litter in the countryside, especially glass bottles," it said. It said barbecues should be left at home in dry weather or only used in designated spaces where signs say they are allowed, before being put out and disposed of responsibly once the ashes are also urged people to stay safe around water, adding waterfalls were dangerous places to swim due to strong currents.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Hereford firm sees 'phenomenal' rise in callouts over wasp nests
A Herefordshire pest control expert said he had seen a large rise in callouts over wasps this year, with about 40% more than usual. Dave Atkinson, who owns ARD Pest Control in Hereford, believes the population had risen "phenomenally" this year, which included "such a mild winter and early spring".His work has escalated because of multiple wasp nests at sites, including one client who had 11 nests at their property over about four or five weeks. Mr Atkinson said the wasp increase had kept the firm very busy for the past eight experts have said very warm and dry conditions can "commonly coincide" with strong years for wasps. Mr Atkinson said in previous years "you would just get one or two nests at a site".He added for the client with 11 "you can imagine the problems that they would have had, if they had been left".The pest control expert said: "I'm getting in lots of fours, fives and sixes at clients' properties now."So as far as client callouts [are concerned] it's probably gone 40% more than usual."Asked if he had seen the wasp population increase over the years and especially in 2025 because of the heatwaves, he replied: "I would say particularly this year."This was "due to the fact that we had such a mild winter and early spring", he said. He added the "population has increased phenomenally this year, as far as the pest control service callouts" requested were concerned. Mr Atkinson stressed he dealt with a wasp nest "cautiously", adding "you use specialist chemicals that are registered for that job specifically within the health and safety industry"."Mostly it's a powder that you inject directly into the nest or in close proximity to the nest... The wasps then carry the material into the nest and [it] actually wipes the whole nest out." The UK has about 9,000 species of wasps, most of them are solitary and do not live in large colonies and these are generally not a nuisance to humans. Wasp experts say they also are an important part of our eco-system, capturing insects such as caterpillars and greenfly. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Minehead: How community responded to fatal school bus crash
People who helped respond to a fatal school coach crash a week ago have praised the community spirit they witnessed Prince, a 10-year-old boy, died when a coach carrying pupils from Minehead Middle School in Somerset left the road near the village of Wheddon Cross and slid down a 20ft (6m) Thompson from Wheddon Cross was part of a team that supported families waiting at a nearby rest centre, providing hot drinks, food and a hub where information could be shared."I have to completely praise the police, the fire service, the ambulance service, the air ambulance - they are just amazing people; Musgrove Park sent nurses out. The whole community came together to help," she said. "It was a terrible day. The poor parents and children who will always remember I think this incident. You couldn't really forget it."People in the community do love those children more than anything in the world".She added: "The impact of this coach crash has pulled the community really together." While Ms Thompson's team gave immediate support to parents and children, a team of paramedics worked alongside them, triaging young with more serious injuries were taken to Musgrove Park Hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary, while those with minor injuries were taken to Minehead Community Hospital."Most staff offered to stay to help," said Hannah Coleman, the service lead for community urgent care, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust."There were quite a few patients with head injuries and cuts, some of them quite deep cuts from the rolling down the hill I would imagine."The children were very traumatised, very quiet."She added: It was really not like these children, who we know because we see them all the time when they come off their bikes and when they're poorly." Since the crash a week ago, local groups have raised tens of thousands of pounds, with planned events and crowdfunding appeals, and Somerset Council has given £50,000 to a Somerset Community Foundation Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton & Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, has also written to the government asking for support for the families involved."It is my job to follow this up and see what I can get the government to do to help my community," she said."Somerset Community Foundation is also making sure children can get support over the summer holidays." 'Painstaking' forensics Local ward councillor, Mandy Chilcott (Cons) also says she was working towards getting in-school support for those & Somerset Police said it continued to investigate the site of the crash."The coach was recovered on Saturday 19 July and is now subject to a painstaking forensic examination by experts," read a statement."Our Serious Collision Investigation Team has examined the collision site, and specialist officers searched the area. This was challenging due to the steep slope, woodland and undergrowth.""Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Oliver Price, 10, and a dedicated family liaison officer is available to children and an adult remain in hospital.
