Latest news with #Conwy
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
National Library of Wales is missing 2,200 items
About 2,200 items are missing at the National Library of Wales - an increase of 84% in two the archives and manuscripts missing are deeds of 13th Century Powis Castle, and "rolls" and "pedigree" documents from Gwrych Castle in Abergele, Conwy county, which twice hosted ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!Among missing books are the history of the national library building itself in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, by Daniel Huws, and books by George Bernard Shaw and Virginia library is creating a new "collection care" department and is currently recruiting a head of the department, as well as a head of unique collections. The number unaccounted for is significantly higher than the 1,200 items that were missing when BBC Wales gained figures through a Freedom of Information request in September 2023. A spokesperson said the increase is due to "new stock checking processes".The library is a legal deposit library, which means it is entitled to a copy of every print publication in Britain and Ireland, and no items are allowed to be taken from the the 2,206 missing items, the request under the latest Freedom of Information Act by BBC Wales showed that:1,708 books and magazines are missing, some since 1999 393 maps, some since 193982 in the "archives and manuscripts" category, some since 1978 21 "screen and sound" items, some since 2019two items in the "pictures and photographs" category, one since 2009 and the other since 2023Missing archives include papers of J Glyn Davies whose songs for children include Cerddi Huw Puw (1923), which are based on sailors' songs he had heard during his have been described as bearing "the marks of a genius".Also missing are papers relating to Chirk Castle near Wrexham, the construction of which began around 1295 during the reign of Edward sound recordings include the satirical song "Carlo" by Dafydd Iwan which was written for the investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969, and a recording by Treorchy Male journals include issues of the library's own journal, Welsh History Review, Flintshire Historical Society, Gwent Local History and The Carmarthen books cover topics from Owain Glyndŵr, the last native-born Welshman to claim the title Prince of Wales, to a biography of Keir Hardie, the first parliamentary leader of the Labour 1818 edition of 'The Pleasures of Imagination' by Mark Akenside is missing, as is Lady Charlotte Schreiber's journals (1911), the "confidences" of a collector of ceramics and antiques.A book by Phil Thompson and Tommy Smith called "Do That Again Son, and I'll Break Your Legs: Football's Hardmen" is also not accounted maps include a malt whisky map of Scotland, and several maps relating to Gogerddan, the principal estate of the old county of Cardiganshire in the 17th century. The library's head of communications, Rhodri ap Dyfrig, said that staff had "introduced new stock checking processes for published collections and therefore we fully expected that there would be an increase in the items recorded as not being in their correct location".He added: "The thorough process of monitoring of misplaced items takes place continuously and these checks are a normal and integral part of maintaining standards and good practice in the library sector."Due to this constant monitoring and work, the data we provide is a snapshot of a specific period in time, and this figure fluctuates regularly as items are found and relocated."The library carries out an annual audit of items worth more than £10,000 and no missing items that cross that threshold were found over the last library's collections include seven million books and newspapers, 1.5 million maps and 950,000 photographs located across 160 miles of Welsh government said: "The care and management of its collections is a matter for the National Library. "In doing so, it meets the Archive Service Accreditation – the UK-wide standard for archive services."
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wales is 'powerhouse of young creative talent' with record film nominations
Young filmmakers are making their mark on the industry with a record number of nominations at this year's Into Film Awards. Wales has received seven nominations across 11 categories for the 2025 awards, the highest of any Celtic nation, with nominees from Cardiff, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea. The nominees will attend the ceremony in London's Leicester Square on June 24. Jack Sargeant, Welsh minister for culture, said: "Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year." The Into Film Awards celebrate the creativity of young people in film and are supported by the UK film industry. This year's nominations highlight the growing strength of Wales' film sector, following the recent success of productions like Netflix's Havoc and Mr Burton. The nominated films reflect a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Animated Voices, made by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their lives in the UK, while Mariupol tells the story of the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: "We're thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year's Into Film Awards. "From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. "The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers."
South Wales Argus
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Record number of Welsh nominees at Into Film Awards 2025
Wales has received seven nominations across 11 categories for the 2025 awards, the highest of any Celtic nation, with nominees from Cardiff, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, and Swansea. The nominees will attend the ceremony in London's Leicester Square on June 24. Jack Sargeant, Welsh minister for culture, said: "Wales is showing itself to be a powerhouse of young creative talent, as can clearly be seen by the record-breaking number of Welsh nominees this year." The Into Film Awards celebrate the creativity of young people in film and are supported by the UK film industry. This year's nominations highlight the growing strength of Wales' film sector, following the recent success of productions like Netflix's Havoc and Mr Burton. The nominated films reflect a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Animated Voices, made by young people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Cardiff, explores their lives in the UK, while Mariupol tells the story of the war in Ukraine through the eyes of a displaced individual. Non Stevens, head of Into Film Cymru, said: "We're thrilled to see diverse young Welsh voices achieving record-breaking recognition at this year's Into Film Awards. "From Penygroes to Cardiff, from animation to documentary, these young creators are telling authentic stories with exceptional creativity and technical skill. "The record number of nominations this year not only reflects growing confidence and talent but also shows how film education can inspire the next generation of Welsh storytellers."
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ryan Reynolds' Welsh teacher to receive top Welsh honour
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's translator is to receive a top Welsh honour. Broadcaster and journalist Maxine Hughes will be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year's National Eisteddfod in Wrexham county. Hughes, originally from Conwy, is well known for being the official Welsh translator and poking fun at the two Wrexham FC owners in television show Welcome to Wrexham. The Gorsedd of the Bards is an association made up of people who have made a distinguished contribution to the Welsh nation, the language, and its culture. Hughes, who previously worked for BBC News and now lives in Washington DC, flew out to Los Angeles and landed the part of the "official Welsh translator" for the television features in a video acting as a disgruntled translator who makes her opinion clear of Deadpool star Reynolds and McElhenney, who starred in It's Always Sunny in ignores what they say and then provides her own commentary on the pair in Welsh, as the subtitles reveal to the receiving a blue robe for services to the nation will be Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth worked as a journalist and broadcaster for the BBC before being elected as a Senedd member for Anglesey in 2013. Journalist and broadcaster Dewi Llwyd will also receive the honour at this year's festival. Llwyd, from Bangor, has reported in Welsh on some of the biggest news stories in Wales and the world for nearly half a century. He has been the face of S4C's election programmes and has presented the channel's main news programme along with the discussion show "Pawb a'i Farn" for many years. Actor Mark Lewis Jones, from Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, will also receive an honour. He has appeared in series such as The Crown, Game of Thrones, and is also known for his roles in films such as "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and "The Far Side of the World".
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Trolls say I'm so big that I should be dead – but here's why I'd rather be size 24 than take fat jabs
TUCKING into her Chinese takeaway with the family, the then 14-year-old Beckie Bold suddenly drop- ped her knife and fork in shock. 'I'll give you £50 if you lose weight,' her aunt told her, eyes full of judgment. 5 5 Despite being so stunned, Beckie agreed and within two years had shed 7st. Fast forward 12 years, Beckie is now 26 and a size 24. She is one of the UK's most prolific ' fatfluencers ', with more than 50,000 followers on social media. 'When you're told from such a pivotal age that you should lose weight, it sticks,' she says. 'I starved myself to get that £50, and growing up, I suffered with eating disorders as a result. Now I'm part of the body-positive, plus-size community and I want people to know you can be fat and healthy. 'I know first hand that being skinny doesn't equal health or happiness.' While 5ft 2in Beckie might try to put a positive spin on being bigger, Health Secretary Wes Streeting is insisting the NHS 'get with the times'. He says it should speed up the roll-out of weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, following research that suggests they could reduce the risk of heart attacks and cancer, and help people live longer. It could take 12 years to distribute Mounjaro to 3.4million peopl e who are eligible, but Mr Streeting believes the service 'can, and should, go faster'. But Beckie, of Conwy, is adamant she will not go down that route. 'I would never take Ozempic or any of those fat jabs,' she says. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons 'They're so scary. I've seen many people online who have taken these jabs and ended up with nerve damage or other serious side effects. 'No one seems to know or care about that. Everyone's so focused on getting skinny. 'There's no long-term data to show what this can do. People who take this stuff are basically guinea pigs.' Despite research showing the weight issu e in the UK is reaching epidemic levels, with 64.5 per cent of adults in England overweight or living with obesity, Beckie says: 'There's no obesity 'crisis'. 'The Government believes that people who are obese, as calculated on the very outdated BMI scale, will cost them money and that's what they care about.' Beckie does not believe it should be accelerating the roll- out of fat jabs, either. 'I don't understand why the Government is seeing it as such a big deal,' she argues. 'Why is it such a priority for people to lose weight when we have got so many bigger things going on in the world? KEYBOARD WARRIORS 'There's still this old narrative that everyone who is overweight is automatically un- healthy, that people who are plus-size cost the NHS money.' As an influencer, Beckie — who refuses to weigh herself — gets trolled daily. 'Keyboard warriors tell me I shouldn't exist because of my weight,' she says. 'One guy told me I'd die of heart failure within two years. 'These trolls don't think fat people should be on this Earth. 'People tell me I don't know what a salad looks like and that I should take weight-loss injections.' According to the latest figures from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the UK could save £52billion by 2050 if weight-loss medication was given to 15million overweight people. 'I think saving money is a big reason as to why they're doing it,' says Beckie. But that's crap. 'I was the most unhealthy I've ever been at my thinnest. 'Everyone believes that if you're skinny, then you're fine.' 5 Despite multiple studies linking obesity with a catalogue of life-threatening health conditions, from heart disease to cancer and diabetes, Beckie refuses to accept a connection. 'There's no correlation between health and weight, but so many people believe that this is the case, that's why they fear being fat,' she says. 'And that's why these quick-fix jabs are so popular. 'But they can eat away at fat and muscle mass and can leave people looking so gaunt. How is that healthy?' 'QUICK FIX JABS' Beckie also believes people who truly need the jab will be overlooked for those who want it for cosmetic reasons. 'I know that some people do get them because they might have diabetes and the jabs may help to reduce that,' she says. 'But all you hear is, 'I want to get skinny'. And it's scary.' Beckie is particularly aggrieved because she suffers from lipoedema, a condition that causes a painful build-up of fat in her arms, legs and body. Yet she claims she cannot get treated on the NHS. Beckie says: 'Lipoedema surgery is actually classed as cosmetic surgery on the NHS, so despite the fact this is a lifelong, painful condition, they won't treat it. 'Yet they will give out these weight-loss jabs to pretty much anyone who wants them for cosmetic reasons. It really p***es me off.' Another reason Beckie is so down on the jabs is the effect they have on her business. There's no correlation between health and weight, but so many people believe that this is the case, that's why they fear being fat. As a ' fatfluencer ' she regularly posts videos of herself munching on McDonald's and modelling plus-size outfits, which helps her rake in money through clothing brand deals. But with weight-loss jabs surging in popularity — in March alone, 1.5million people used them, according to market intelligence company IQVIA — many of her peers have switched teams, becoming 'jabfluencers'. She explains: 'It's quite disheartening, because so many of those in the plus-size community, who always promoted body confidence, have started using the jabs. 'They have a huge platform already, based on teaching people to love themselves. But now they're talking about weight- loss jabs and using their pages for before and after pictures. 'They want to be skinny, no matter the health impacts. 'Because of that, being a plus-size influencer now feels like a constant battle. 'We're shouting from the rooftops about body acceptance, but since the jabs it feels like more and more people are turning on the body-positive community. And brands are starting to go back on their word about representation. 'Now, you rarely see plus-size people modelling. Half of the 'fatfluencers' aren't fat any more. It's really sad.' 5 Beckie is adamant she will not stop spreading her body-confident message. She says: 'My content is all about larger women having body positivity and eating what they like. 'I am vegan but I'll eat a McDonald's McPlant whenever I want. And if I want a Chinese takeaway, I'm getting a Chinese. I'll happily gobble up veg chow and sweet and sour tofu balls. 'I never calorie count or anything like that, because I think it's super-toxic.' And Beckie, who is single, insists she is the proof that larger people can be healthy. Despite her lipoedema and the chronic pain that comes with it, she claims she is in good health. 'I post videos of me at the gym to prove it,' she says. 'I think every person who is able-bodied should eat well and exercise. It's a way to feel good about yourself, regardless of size. 'I do have chronic conditions now but that's not due to my weight. It's due to my body. 'I really believe 'overweight' doesn't mean unhealthy — and I wish our politicians would see that too.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
