Latest news with #Pwllheli
BBC News
20-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
My foster carers became family, now I want to foster too
A woman who was fostered as a child says she hopes to foster others in the Khan, 21, was born in Pakistan, but moved to north Wales with her family when she was said being fostered was "nerve-racking" at the start but now "they're like family to me".Foster Wales is hoping to recruit new carers, as the latest figures on their website state 4,785 children were in foster care in 2024, an increase of 3.7% since 2018. 'They're like family to me' "One of my parents died, so the other couldn't look after five of us at the same time, so we went into fostering, Ms Khan lived with a temporary foster family before she was moved to a permanent care setting. Her brothers moved to Manchester, but Ms Khan stayed in Wales."I didn't want to follow the religion, so the social worker took me to Pwllheli and introduced me to my foster carers that I now live with," she said."That was around 2016, so I've been living with them for nine years now."Ms Khan said that her emotions "were everywhere"."I was living with strangers at the time, but now they're like family to me... it's honestly the best experience I've ever had."I wouldn't refer to them as foster carers anymore, I would refer to them as their names, because they're family now." Ms Khan said she was worried about trying to fit in with a new community to begin said: "It was a bit nerve-racking, because I'm brown... I found it hard to fit in at the start."I had social workers at the start, and they were amazing, they were helping with the contact with my brothers."Ms Khan is now considering fostering herself in the future."The impact is has on children is amazing... the way you help them emotionally, mentally, physically. I would love to be one myself if I'm honest. How many foster families are there in Wales? According to Foster Wales, a national network of non-profit fostering services used by all Welsh local authorities:7,200 children were looked after in Wales in 20244,785 of those were in foster care, a figure that has increased by 3.7% between 2018 and 2024.Fôn Roberts, head of social services at Anglesey county council, said: "We've got 7,000 children in our care across Wales at the moment, and we've got approximately 3,800 foster families, so there's a short-fall of around 800 foster carers. "It is a challenge for local authorities, because obviously, there are other fostering agencies across Wales and the UK."We want to keep our children local, the challenge we're finding is some foster carers decide to retire, so they end their period of fostering with us."However we're always on the lookout for new foster families, whatever that looks like really."Mr Roberts said foster carers retiring was part of the reason for the increased recent figures. He also said there were a lot of misconceptions."People's beliefs that you have to be a married couple owning your own property, for example, to be able to foster, and that's completely not the case. You can be a single carer, you can be in rented accommodation."The fostering perception that people have out there isn't true."We have a range of different foster carers across Wales and we want to recruit more, so it's about breaking that misconception that people have".
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Upgrade of Caernarfon's Oval football pitch backed by planners
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 A Gwynedd football club's pitch improvements have been backed by planners. Cyngor Gwynedd unanimously approved a full application with conditions for the upgrading and reconstruction of Caernarfon's Oval stadium pitch on Monday, May 19. The facelift would involve levelling and replanting the original pitch with layers of different materials including sand and gravel "to ensure adequate drainage". It would also include manhole drainage pipes as well as a retaining wall and fence of lightweight railings being installed around the pitch. But conditions on granting permission for the upgrade at Clwb Peldroed Tref - Caernarfon Town FC - included recommendations for a geophysical survey of the site, which had been requested by the archaeology organisation, Heneb. It had noted in its observation that "evaluation by trial trenching or test pitting may be necessary". The football club is located in a town surrounded by historical features and close to the Roman Bath House and Segontium Roman site. The aim of the upgrade is to "redevelop" the existing natural grass pitch and construct a new natural turf football pitch with a reduced slope. The proposal had described the current playing surface as having "poor drainage," which "impacts the performance characteristics of the surface". The meeting heard that Welsh Water had also noted that the site was crossed by a public sewer but discussions were underway to resolve the situation. No objections had been received by the public to the plans and it was not considered that the proposal, including the fence on the retaining wall, would create an "alien feature" for the local area. The meeting was also told by planning officers that the development would not cause "any significant harm to the visual amenities of the local area or its residents." Local member, Cllr Gareth Coj Parry, said he was strongly in favour of the scheme. Proposing supporting the recommendation with conditions, Cllr Cai Larsen agreed saying it was a "positive development" for the town. The councillors voted 12 in favour to agree to delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager. This was to approve the application, subject to the conditions and to receive additional forthcoming information to address the observations made by Heneb and Welsh Water. Cllr Elin Hywel, who represents Pwllheli, added "I am in support of increasing the standard of sports clubs across Gwynedd, they play an important part for our young people, and bring us together in ways we can't in other areas." She joked "As you know, Pwllheli has the best team in the world, but we need to support Caernarfon as well!" The application had been received from Darren Billinghurst through the agent Louise O'Rourke of Sports Labs Limited. The Canaries play in the highest league in the Welsh footballing pyramid and sit in the top end of the JD Cymru Premier table. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
20-05-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Live
Upgrade of Caernarfon's Oval football pitch backed by planners
A Gwynedd football club's pitch improvements have been backed by planners. Cyngor Gwynedd unanimously approved a full application with conditions for the upgrading and reconstruction of Caernarfon's Oval stadium pitch on Monday, May 19. The facelift would involve levelling and replanting the original pitch with layers of different materials including sand and gravel "to ensure adequate drainage". It would also include manhole drainage pipes as well as a retaining wall and fence of lightweight railings being installed around the pitch. But conditions on granting permission for the upgrade at Clwb Peldroed Tref - Caernarfon Town FC - included recommendations for a geophysical survey of the site, which had been requested by the archaeology organisation, Heneb. It had noted in its observation that "evaluation by trial trenching or test pitting may be necessary". The football club is located in a town surrounded by historical features and close to the Roman Bath House and Segontium Roman site. The aim of the upgrade is to "redevelop" the existing natural grass pitch and construct a new natural turf football pitch with a reduced slope. The proposal had described the current playing surface as having "poor drainage," which "impacts the performance characteristics of the surface". The meeting heard that Welsh Water had also noted that the site was crossed by a public sewer but discussions were underway to resolve the situation. No objections had been received by the public to the plans and it was not considered that the proposal, including the fence on the retaining wall, would create an "alien feature" for the local area. The meeting was also told by planning officers that the development would not cause "any significant harm to the visual amenities of the local area or its residents." Local member, Cllr Gareth Coj Parry, said he was strongly in favour of the scheme. Proposing supporting the recommendation with conditions, Cllr Cai Larsen agreed saying it was a "positive development" for the town. The councillors voted 12 in favour to agree to delegate the right to the Senior Planning Manager. This was to approve the application, subject to the conditions and to receive additional forthcoming information to address the observations made by Heneb and Welsh Water. Cllr Elin Hywel, who represents Pwllheli, added "I am in support of increasing the standard of sports clubs across Gwynedd, they play an important part for our young people, and bring us together in ways we can't in other areas." She joked "As you know, Pwllheli has the best team in the world, but we need to support Caernarfon as well!" The application had been received from Darren Billinghurst through the agent Louise O'Rourke of Sports Labs Limited. The Canaries play in the highest league in the Welsh footballing pyramid and sit in the top end of the JD Cymru Premier table.
Leader Live
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
End-to-end thriller as Mold finish campaign with defeat
Following two seasons in the top flight, Mold's final match before their return to Division Two was a 78-33 loss during their trip to Pwllheli. Mold gained a bonus point from their efforts and they conclude the campaign eight points from safety. At the other end of the rankings, it was celebration time for Nant Conwy. They retained their Division One North crown thanks to a thrilling 26-25 success at home to second-placed Pwllheli. It's been an epic race for the championship and Nant deservedly claim the title on the back of their undefeated campaign. Caernarfon remained on course for a runners-up finish as they got the better of Bala 33-22 and Llandudno gained a 29-13 triumph at home to COBRA. Wrexham Athletic were just pipped to the Division Three North East title. Llanidloes required a bonus point win over Ruthin Athletic to edge ahead of Wrexham at the top and they did just this with a four-try showing in a 34-22 outcome. RGC's Super Rugby Cymru season ended in frustrating fashion as they departed the play-offs with a 15-12 reverse at home to Carmarthen Quins. Carmarthen had much of the early pressure and this told when a cross-field kick was collected by winger Louis Rees for the opening try of the afternoon. RGC came out of the blocks quickly after the break and they soon had a try to celebrate. Charlie Probert pulled away to score and Billy McBryde added the conversion points. Then, from their first visit to the RGC 22 of the half, Quins came away with a try from Ifan Davies, who took advantage of space on the wing and went over. It was a tense half, with both sets of players knowing that any mistake could be crucial in this knockout game. Carmarthen stretched their lead out with try from an attacking maul. In the 78th minute, Caio Parry gave RGC hope with a try, but McBryde hit the post with a conversion drop kick attempt. RGC had one final push with over 15 phases looking to get the score, but Quins held out. Other result: Bridgend 33 Swansea 30.
Leader Live
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Mold on their travels to conclude their tough campaign
Wrexham's upturn in form, which has seen them win four games on the bounce, means that Mold's two-year stay in the top flight comes to an end. The Chester Road side will hope for a winning send-off when they head to fourth-placed Bethesda. Defending champions Nant Conwy will make sure they retain the title if they avoid defeat at home to second-placed Pwllheli. To maintain their title hopes, Pwllheli must deny Nant any points, while winning their remaining two games with bonus points. Third-placed Caernarfon welcome Bala, while COBRA pay a visit to Llandudno. Llanidloes will pip Wrexham Athletic to the Division Three North East crown if they secure a bonus point win at home to Ruthin Athletic. Wrexham ended their season with a 59-7 midweek win over Denbigh Athletic. It's also a big weekend for RGC, who open their Super Rugby Cymru play-off tilt at home to Carmarthen Quins tomorrow. Caio Parry (2), Rhys Tudor, Billy McBryde (2), Pedr Jones (2), Sam Williams and Gareth Parry shared the tries last time out as RGC ended their regular season with a thrilling 59-38 success at home to Aberavon. Victory for the North Walians will see them through to the play-off quarter-finals.
