Latest news with #Llangollen
Sky News
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Fears for future of Welsh rugby amid cuts to grassroots scheme
There are fears for the future of Welsh rugby amid cuts to grassroots funding and a record string of defeats for the men's senior national team. The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) recently confirmed it would stop funding a scheme created to develop the game at grassroots level. Its rugby hub officers have been employed in schools across Wales since 2014, with match funding from the WRU. Their main purpose has been to engage young people in rugby and encourage them to pursue their interest in the sport in local clubs. The governing body for rugby union in Wales says the aim would be for a "restructured programme" with "100% coverage" across the country. The change in approach comes at a difficult time for the WRU, which reported a loss of £7.5m last year. A petition calling for the WRU to reconsider its decision to discontinue the scheme has been signed nearly 5,000 times, describing the hub officers as the "backbone of grassroots rugby". Some areas who have felt the benefit of the officers are fearing for the future of the grassroots game. Einion Davies is the chairman of Bro Gwernant Rugby Club in Llangollen, Denbighshire. This weekend, he is embarking on a sponsored walk to raise funds to secure the role for the next two years. Mr Davies told Sky News he was "shocked" to learn the hub officer scheme was coming to an end. "We were informed school that he works at, that the funding has been withdrawn," he said. "And the work that he's done there, as a club, we were keen to keep it all going, so we decided as a club to try and raise some of that money ourselves so we can keep him in his role." 'Big mistake' There was "hardly any rugby" played in the "predominantly football-orientated" area before a hub officer was appointed for the area, Mr Davies said. But he acknowledged that money was "tight" and that difficult decisions had to be made. "I would imagine, they've got to make cuts and whatever in some places. But, in my opinion, to cut the grassroots, an investment in grassroots, is a big mistake," he added. He hopes his 54-mile trek, split over three days, will help secure the role and help Bro Gwernant find the next generation of Welsh rugby stars. "As a club, we did put some of the money towards it as well, because obviously the cost, the National Insurance and everything's gone up, so the cost of the wages has gone up," he said. "So we were doing the fundraising anyway, but since this funding's been withdrawn from the WRU, it's made it a lot harder for the club. "We're striving to do our best to keep him, but it's made it a lot more difficult." The WRU said schools and educational establishments, who part-fund the programme, are "free to reconsider how they re-allocate their investment in rugby" as a result of its decision. Geraint John, the WRU's community director said: "Due to an internal consultation process we are unable to expand on our future plans for community further than the statement published last month.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Corwen: Crash that killed cyclist 'unavoidable', inquest hears
A woman who fatally hit a cyclist while driving said there was nothing she could do to stop it and she thinks about it "every single day", an inquest has Fanning, 56, from Pencoed, Corwen, Denbighshire, was cycling along the A5 towards Llangollen on the evening of 31 January 2022 when he was hit by a attempts to resuscitate Mr Fanning, he died at the scene from severe chest at the inquest in Ruthin, a forensic collision investigator described the crash as "unavoidable", while a coroner said Mr Fanning's dark, non-reflective clothing "diminished his visibility to other road users". Driver Lowri Williams said she momentarily glanced down at her gearstick and when she looked up there was "suddenly" a cyclist wearing dark clothing in front of told John Gittins, the senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, she tried to swerve but the vehicle struck Mr Fanning. She estimated her speed was between 50-55mph in a 60 mph seeing him lying in the road she called 999 while another passing motorist - a district nurse - performed CPR on him. Miss Williams said she had been arrested at the scene following the incident but was released without charge after being was breathalysed by police and found to be under the legal drink drive limit."I wish I could have changed what happened but I couldn't. There was nothing to stop it from happening," she said. Forensic collision investigator Ian Thompson compiled a report on behalf of North Wales Police, and said: "In my opinion this collision was unavoidable."His findings were consistent with Miss Williams swerving away at the last minute based on a reaction time of about 1.6 told the inquest that Miss Williams' phone was examined and it was not being used at the Thompson accepted that although lights from Mr Fanning's bike couldn't be found it was possible they were thrown off during the crash and lost. William Tyler, representing Mr Fanning's family, told the inquest they have "concerns about the way the collision was modelled" by Mr family said cycling was Mr Fanning's preferred mode of transport ever since his childhood. He cycled to France with a friend at 18 years old and was a popular member of the cycling club community, including Bala Cycling Club. Other motorists gave evidence about seeing Mr Fanning riding along the A5 that day and most said he was wearing dark clothes and they couldn't see any rear witness said they spotted him "at the last minute" because of his pedal reflectors and swerved to avoid Gittins concluded Mr Fanning's death was caused by a road traffic collision.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Many people just won't realise how much of an accomplishment this is'
We asked you for your views following Hibernian's title-winning heroics at what some of you had to say:George: Brilliant, just brilliant. Such a gutsy performance, aligned with loads of skill, across the Sunshine on Leith during the summer. Come back refreshed and take all you have into the Champions Well done Hibs, an amazing achievement. The feel good factor is alive and kicking at I thought that was it for the rest of Scottish women's football when Celtic and Rangers went professional in 2020. How pleased I am to be proved wrong. Well done to all involved at Hibs, an absolutely phenomenal performance from our Hibee: Awesome achievement for Hibs. Many people just won't realise how much of an accomplishment this is. Congratulations, Hibees!Alan: Well what an end of season for Hibs women, going one better than the men's team and winning the league. Thoroughly deserved and Grant Scott take a bow - what management throughout the season. This team epitomises what a team can do when they truly are a team together! Fantastic advertisement for the women's game in Scotland. Think I can hear 'Sunshine on Leith' all the way down here in Llangollen!
Sky News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Politics latest: Starmer outlines 'benefits' for the UK from closer EU ties - but minister says 'no deal yet'
'No discussions about coalitions', Badenoch tells Sky News - as she defends Freudian slip By Dan Whitehead, news correspondent Before her speech at the Conservative conference in North Wales, Kemi Badenoch paid a visit to the heritage railway in Llangollen. In the glorious sunshine, she stood high up in the drivers' spot on the footplate of the steam locomotive. But the train was going nowhere. Political metaphors aside, there was no denial from the UK Conservative leader that the party has a fight on its hands in Wales. "We can fix Wales, only if we face facts," she told an audience of around 250 party faithful. The Tories lost all their MPs here in the last general election; I asked her if she's preparing for a similar wipe out in the Senedd next May? "Absolutely not." The fact is many Tories fear what happened on a UK level could happen again in Wales; a recent poll putting them in fourth place behind Plaid, Reform and Labour. Last week, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Wales was his top priority, so under a new proportional-representation system coming to Wales in 2026, what about a coalition? "I have always said at national level we are not forming any coalitions or any deals or pacts with Reform." She really didn't want to talk coalitions. "I'm being very, very clear. I'm not having any discussions about coalitions. They are a distraction. It's a serious point only if you think this is all about doing a deal." But realistically, a coalition is on the cards. Her speech included criticism of Labour's plans for a tourism tax in Wales, the 20 mile per hour zones, and Senedd expansion which will see the number of politicians rise from 60 to 96. But there was a Freudian slip. She referred to meeting MSPs, (Members of the Scottish Parliament) rather than MSs, members of the Senedd (watch below). Does that demonstrate where her and the party's mind is when it comes to Wales? "No it doesn't. What really matters is I'm here, again, because I'm demonstrating our commitment to Wales." As she wrapped up her speech, there was, of course, a standing ovation - but the atmosphere was hardly electric.
Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Kemi Badenoch fails geography test
Geography isn't Kemi Badenoch's strong suit it seems. Speaking at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llangollen on Friday, she said it was 'wonderful to meet so many MSPs'. Of course they were sitting a couple of hundred miles away in Holyrood. At least last year when Badenoch introduced Ben Houchen as the newly re-elected Conservative mayor for 'Tyne Tees' (rather than Tees Valley) she was only 45 miles off the mark. 'Why is nobody listening to the Tories?', a Labour source quipped to the Huffington Post after the gaffe. 'Answers on a postcard … although I suspect Badenoch would send her answers to the wrong address.' Even for government ministers it's sometimes hard to tell whether the system is out to get you or just
