Latest news with #Alun
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Alun Wyn Jones impresses with first-ever interview in Welsh at Urdd Festival
Alun Wyn Jones impresses with first-ever interview in Welsh at Urdd Festival Proud "Eistedfodd Dad" and Welsh learner Alun Wyn Jones spoke to S4C Alun Wyn Jones spoke to S4C for his first ever interview speaking Welsh (Image: PA ) At the 2025 Eisteddfod Urdd Festival, former Wales rugby captain, Alun Wyn Jones, unveiled a surprising new talent—his steadily improving Welsh language skills. Embracing the role of a proud "Eisteddfod Dad," Alun chatted with S4C's Alun Williams, giving a warm and honest glimpse into his journey learning the language, in what is being dubbed his first ever Welsh speaking interview. Set against the backdrop of Margam Country Park, its historic castle visible in the distance, Alun Williams introduced "the legend" Alun Wyn Jones to the camera and asked how he was feeling. Showing a rare touch of nerves—something not often seen from the experienced number five—Alun responded simply in Welsh that he was 'well.' The former Welsh International explained that he was at the festival supporting his daughter, who is competing this year, and added he was there to watch the clog dance, orchestra, and folk dancing. "Lots of things to see!" he laughed. When asked if he considered himself an "Eisteddfod Dad," Alun proudly replied in Welsh, "Yes, an 'Eisteddfod Dad' and coffee helps." Alun's Welsh was further tested when he was asked what he thought about the event so far. He said, "People are enjoying." Then he admitted, "I've just started speaking Welsh. It's nice to be able to use the language with people like you," gesturing to the interviewer. When the interviewer praised Alun's Welsh as "excellent," Alun responded humbly, "A little bit, a little bit. I try and practice, practice, practice. Confidence comes with it, fingers crossed!" Article continues below Asked what motivated him to learn Welsh, Alun shared, "I've played rugby around the world but I didn't speak Welsh. Now I travel and bring the language with me." Originally from Swansea, Alun also revealed that his wife and daughter speak Welsh. "I am the minority in our house!" he laughed. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here The Urdd Eisteddfod is a much-loved national event that draws thousands of children and young people each year to take part in Welsh-language competitions such as singing, reciting, and dancing. The festival is currently underway at Margam Country Park, running from May 26 to May 31, marking the first time since 2003 that the event has been held there. Tickets are still available for those wishing to attend. Beyond arts and cultural competitions, the Urdd Eisteddfod also celebrates sports including football and rugby—something Alun highlighted as especially important. "It's so important to promote the sport as well at the Urdd Eisteddfod as well as the musical competitions. It's a fantastic opportunity for children to play sport and speak Welsh." As the interview came to a close, Alun Williams joked, "I must say, when I speak with people that don't speak Welsh as a first language and they ask me what my name is and I say 'Alun' and they say 'Alan?' I always say, 'You know Alun Wyn Jones, Welsh rugby captain? The same name.'" With a grin, Alun Wyn replied, "Probably better at rugby as well!" This lighthearted moment comes just months after a more emotional conversation for Alun Wyn Jones. In a heartfelt discussion on the High Performance podcast, he opened up about his late father, who passed away in 2016 after a long illness—before Alun had the chance to represent Wales and the British and Irish Lions. Reflecting on his father's legacy, Alun shared, "I hope he's proud. I'll never forget him and the kids know all about who he was, and what he did. I would happily be remembered as the son of my father." Read the full story here. Article continues below
Wales Online
17-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
21 images capture Paddle-Out protests in Wales and across the UK to demand sewage pollution action
Thousands of passionate water users gathered at beaches, rivers, and lakes across the UK to take a stand against sewage pollution today (Saturday, May 17) The nationwide Paddle-Out protests, organised by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), was a powerful visual demonstration of public frustration — with people of all ages, from surfers to swimmers, kayakers to bathers, uniting to demand urgent action on one of the UK's most pressing environmental crises. Over 40 locations, from the sunny shores of Bournemouth to the windswept sands of Broad Haven Beach, saw crowds paddle out into the water, their voices raised against the pollution that is choking the life out of the nation's blue spaces. The protests come at the start of the official bathing season in Wales and England — a time when the UK's waters should be a safe haven for those seeking summer fun, not a source of worry about their health. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Ahead of the protests, WalesOnline spoke with several Welsh protesters who are taking part in the movement. For Alun Moseley, a lifelong surfer and surf instructor from Baglan, the issue of sewage pollution is personal. "I've been lucky enough to surf all over the Welsh coastline and beyond," Alun shared. "But there's always this nagging feeling that the water is polluted. Having spent so much time in the sea, I've experienced sickness and skin irritation myself. And as an instructor, I've had to cancel so many classes for kids who are eager to surf, just because the water isn't safe." For Alun and countless others, the fight against sewage pollution is not just about cleaner waters — it's about reclaiming a space that should be safe, healing, and enjoyable for everyone. Yet, it's not just surfers and swimmers feeling the effects. Across the country, concern is growing over the impact of sewage pollution on local communities, wildlife, and the economy. Kate Evans, one of the protest organisers, expressed her deep concern: "What horrified me was the fact that the orcas of Scotland can no longer reproduce — and that's because of the sewage going into the sea," she said. "If the orcas can't reproduce, it won't be long before other creatures can't reproduce either. The worrying part is if we're going off statistics, it's not going to take very long." In Pembrokeshire, where the issue hits especially close to home, organisers Ella Staden, Kate Beardsmore, Lloyd Nelmes, Kate J, and Kate Evans are calling for urgent action to protect the region's fragile ecosystems, coastal way of life, and the tourism industry so vital to the area. "People here have had enough," said Ella Staden, SAS's regional rep. "This coastline is our pride and joy — it's where we live, work, and play. But between cancelled beach days, illnesses, and the damage to wildlife, we're seeing the effects of pollution first-hand. And we're not staying silent about it anymore." Andy Drumm, who grew up in Broad Haven and now lives in the village once again, spoke emotionally about the long-term damage to the area's rich coastal life. "What started me on the path to becoming an environmentalist was a school trip to explore the rock pools on Broad Haven beach," he said. "They were teeming with life — sea potatoes, molluscs, sea hares — an entire universe of creatures I'd never imagined." Now, he says, that biodiversity has all but vanished. "The diversity of species in those rock pools has been dramatically reduced. It breaks my heart. I've seen the change with my own eyes over decades, and I truly believe it's down to the declining water quality flowing into the sea around Broad Haven." Lucy Jones, who is leading the protests in Newton Bay, Porthcawl, also shared that her connection to the sea goes back to childhood. "I try to go by the sea every day," she said. "I try to go there when I can, sometimes after work. I'm an avid swimmer, and I've learned to paddleboard. I work quite a stressful job, and the sea has become an outlet for me — it's like the fountain of youth." However, Lucy's passion for the water has also made her acutely aware of the growing concerns surrounding its safety. She's encountered many who've had negative experiences that have left them hesitant to return to the sea. "I know people who have gone swimming and then in the evening have felt unwell — gastroenteritis-type symptoms, even though they haven't eaten anything bad or done anything differently other than going into the sea. We can't definitively say it was that, but we can't say it wasn't either." While there are some precautions, like bringing a bottle of water or showering after swimming, Lucy stresses that these shouldn't be necessary. "We shouldn't have to do that. The sea should be a place of enjoyment and health, not a source of worry," she added. Below are some images from today's display at Porthcawl's Newton Bay.
South Wales Argus
30-04-2025
- South Wales Argus
Lights out for Barry tourist caught in Spanish blackout
Spain Portugal and parts of France were heavily involved which wasn't good news for Alun who was holidaying in Torrevieja Spain. Across the Iberian Peninsula, the outage grounded flights, paralysed train systems and disrupted mobile communication. Power first went out Monday morning on April 28. In capitals, Madrid and Lisbon offices closed and traffic was gridlocked as traffic lights had stopped working. In Barcelona, residents walked into stores searching for battery-powered radios and civilians directed traffic at junctions along the Gran Via avenue that cuts through the city. Alun Williams of Barry on holidays in Torrevieja during a power outage (Image: Alun Williams) Alun described the experience: 'At around 11.30am local time we noticed the power had gone in our apartment. We tried to investigate whether it was the trip switched but it still didn't work. 'We then asked if the other apartments had power which they hadn't. We took a walk down the beach and we discovered the whole resort was out. 'We had limited connectivity but were able to find out that the whole of Spain had a power cut. The local supermarket was shut with police stationed outside. 'We did start worry what would have caused this?' The beach in Torrevieja during a power outage (Image: Alun Williams) It wasn't long before locals started speculating and panicking. Alun explained: 'You could see people talking about possible Russian interference as we learnt Portugal also had a power cut which further fuelled our concern that it had something to do with the Russians. 'All the restaurants were closed and all, but one Supermarket had closed so we assumed it had a generator. It was packed with people panic buying and most shelves were empty. 'It was very eerie, and we anxious about what was happening. 'At around 6pm we were still without power with no end in sight and we'd lost all communication.' Alun Williams of Barry on holidays in Torrevieja during a power outage (Image: Alun Williams) Eventually power was restored almost 23 hours later Tuesday April 29 around 11am. The cause of the power outage hasn't been confirmed. The Portuguese National Cybersecurity Centre in a statement said there was no sign the outage was due to a cyber-attack. The Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez described the problem in the European grid as a 'strong oscillation' and added that the cause is still being determined. The Spanish leader asked the public to refrain from speculation and said no theory about the cause of the outage had been discarded. 'We are analysing all the potential causes without discarding any hypothesis,' the prime minister said. He went on to detail that, at 12.22pm on Monday, Spain's power grid lost 15 gigawatts, the equivalent of 60% of its national demand, in a matter of five seconds. 'We have never had a complete collapse of the system,' he added.
