Latest news with #HelenGriffiths
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
'The grass to feed my cows just hasn't grown'
A lack of grass caused by dry weather could leave one farmer facing an extra monthly bill of almost £1,000 for animal UK had its driest spring in 50 years in 2025, according to the Met Office. For some farmers, such as strawberry growers, the conditions have led to bumper yields - but other crops are livestock farmers like Helen Griffiths in Ashleworth, Gloucestershire, it means having to spend more to supplement her livestock's food."The grass growth generally keeps up with the cattle grazing until mid to late-July," she said. "This year, once they'd eaten off the grass that was there, that was it - the grass just hasn't grown." Mrs Griffiths said the lack of rain means the grass her cows and sheep would normally graze on at this time of year is not enough to sustain a result, she has had to dip into her stock of forage - hay and haylage - which would normally be saved for winter, and may have to buy in additional supplies. "I was quoted £30 per round hay bale delivered to the farm, which is quite high compared to previous years," she said."That's nearly £1,000 a month extra just feeding them because the grass isn't growing."Mrs Griffiths said the lack of rain has also impacted straw harvests for winter bedding, as grains have not grown as high as hoped. She added one of her fields which "typically floods" in winter only flooded "a little" in the past year, which she believes also impacted the grass."The weather seems to be increasingly extreme on different ends of the scale and as farmers that's something we have to battle on the frontline for," Mrs Griffiths said she is unsure what the implication may be for consumers."We don't necessarily dictate the prices," she explained. "It's very much down to big supermarkets and the big buyers." Meanwhile, Paul Keene said the sunshine has been "positive" for his strawberries, as it helps them "swell"."It really drives the flavour and we get the best crop ever," he said."When the strawberries are ready and it's a sunny day, we'll be full of customers eager to pick." But Mr Keene said his recently-planted pumpkins are "desperate for water"."We have just irrigated them furiously and a drop of rain would be most welcome," he said."We've got a reservoir full of water that will keep us going. As long as it gets filled up in winter, we're happy," he added.
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Wales Online
Freedom of famous Gwynedd beach now available to more people after investment
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The freedom to use a famous Gwynedd beach has been extended to more people after an investment. Wheelchair users will be able to enjoy the popular Morfa Bychan beach (Black Rock Sands) after Cyngor Gwynedd bought purpose-built wheelchairs. From the Easter holidays until the end of September the wheelchairs, designed for disabled people with reduced mobility, will be available for enjoyment of the beach and the water. They are available to hire free of charge. The chairs are an innovative solution to the problems that usual wheelchairs might experience on the beach. They have large wheels on the chair to make travelling over the sand easier, floats to enjoy the sea safely, and an adjustable harness to ensure the user is safe and comfortable in the chair. Helen Griffiths, one of the first users of the purpose-built wheelchairs, said: "It's great to be able to come to the beach and enjoy the wheelchairs. They make life a lot easier for me as a wheelchair user coming to the beach. It gives me much more freedom when I come here, and instead of having to sit on the beach in the back of a vehicle, I can now come and use the wheelchairs, take part and enjoy the beach as a whole. I will be here every day." Councillor Gwilym Jones, Local Member for Porthmadog (West), said: "Over the years, we have received a number of enquiries about a provision like this on Morfa Bychan beach, as it is an extremely popular and unique beach. Vehicles are already allowed to drive and park on the beach, which makes it convenient for users with physical impairments. "Similar chairs have long been available for hire on Pwllheli and Abersoch beaches following support from a local charity (Wheely Pete). I'm very happy to see that the Council has invested in similar provision for Morfa Bychan beach – the gentle slope of the beach makes it ideal for this provision." Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Local Member for Porthmadog (East) and Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, added: "Going to the beach is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and nature of Gwynedd at its best, not to mention that sea air can be beneficial for our mental health. It's extremely important that everyone has a fair chance to enjoy all that Morfa Bychan beach has to offer so I'm pleased that this investment in the new wheelchairs is opening new doors for people. 'We would encourage local residents and visitors who want to go to the beach but find it difficult due to reduced mobility to try these new wheelchairs. Thanks to Helen for raising the need for the chairs with me - I am extremely proud to see these chairs and hope to see the scheme go from strength to strength as more people use the wheelchairs." There is no cost for the hire of the wheelchairs and officers from the Maritime Service will demonstrate and explain how to use the wheelchairs safely. The chairs are available for hire on a daily basis (subject to availability) from Easter 2025 until the end of September 2025. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community See what's happening in your area:
North Wales Live
21-04-2025
- North Wales Live
Freedom of famous Gwynedd beach now available to more people after investment
The freedom to use a famous Gwynedd beach has been extended to more people after an investment. Wheelchair users will be able to enjoy the popular Morfa Bychan beach (Black Rock Sands) after Cyngor Gwynedd bought purpose-built wheelchairs. From the Easter holidays until the end of September the wheelchairs, designed for disabled people with reduced mobility, will be available for enjoyment of the beach and the water. They are available to hire free of charge. The chairs are an innovative solution to the problems that usual wheelchairs might experience on the beach. They have large wheels on the chair to make travelling over the sand easier, floats to enjoy the sea safely, and an adjustable harness to ensure the user is safe and comfortable in the chair. Helen Griffiths, one of the first users of the purpose-built wheelchairs, said: "It's great to be able to come to the beach and enjoy the wheelchairs. They make life a lot easier for me as a wheelchair user coming to the beach. It gives me much more freedom when I come here, and instead of having to sit on the beach in the back of a vehicle, I can now come and use the wheelchairs, take part and enjoy the beach as a whole. I will be here every day." Councillor Gwilym Jones, Local Member for Porthmadog (West), said: "Over the years, we have received a number of enquiries about a provision like this on Morfa Bychan beach, as it is an extremely popular and unique beach. Vehicles are already allowed to drive and park on the beach, which makes it convenient for users with physical impairments. "Similar chairs have long been available for hire on Pwllheli and Abersoch beaches following support from a local charity (Wheely Pete). I'm very happy to see that the Council has invested in similar provision for Morfa Bychan beach – the gentle slope of the beach makes it ideal for this provision." Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Local Member for Porthmadog (East) and Leader of Cyngor Gwynedd, added: "Going to the beach is a great opportunity to enjoy the scenery and nature of Gwynedd at its best, not to mention that sea air can be beneficial for our mental health. It's extremely important that everyone has a fair chance to enjoy all that Morfa Bychan beach has to offer so I'm pleased that this investment in the new wheelchairs is opening new doors for people. 'We would encourage local residents and visitors who want to go to the beach but find it difficult due to reduced mobility to try these new wheelchairs. Thanks to Helen for raising the need for the chairs with me - I am extremely proud to see these chairs and hope to see the scheme go from strength to strength as more people use the wheelchairs." There is no cost for the hire of the wheelchairs and officers from the Maritime Service will demonstrate and explain how to use the wheelchairs safely. The chairs are available for hire on a daily basis (subject to availability) from Easter 2025 until the end of September 2025.
