Latest news with #RoyalWelsh
Western Telegraph
29-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Army announce three large scale exercises at Castlemartin
The Royal Tank Regiment Battlegroup will kick off the exercises from June 9 to June 27, followed by the Queen's Royal Hussars Battlegroup from October 13 to November 7. The Royal Welsh Battlegroup will conclude the exercises from November 17 to December 5. The exercises are crucial for the units involved, providing vital training for the Royal Tank Regiment, the Queen's Royal Hussars, and the Royal Welsh. The Royal Tank Regiment, the oldest tank unit in the world, and the Queen's Royal Hussars, the British Army's senior armoured regiment, both operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank. The Royal Welsh is an armoured infantry regiment with roots dating back to 1689. Castlemartin Training Area is large enough for live-firing, tactical battlegroup-level exercises involving multiple armoured fighting vehicles. It plays a key role in maintaining full training capability for units within the UK. The exercises will see the training area used by hundreds of personnel and require the transportation of numerous heavy vehicles, including Challenger 2 tanks, to and from the area. This will begin during the preparation phase, approximately a week prior to the start of each exercise, and may cause some travel delays to local traffic. The exercises will also involve live firing from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm and night firing on Monday to Thursday between 8pm and 3am. These times are the earliest and latest that firing can take place and on some days it is expected that firing will not take place for these full times. Disturbances to local residents will be kept to a minimum and firing times will be published widely within the local community to help minimise disruption. Senior training safety officer for Castlemartin, Major John Poole, said: "Castlemartin Training Area provides essential training opportunities for large scale exercises, such as this, which support the training of military personnel from multiple units. "We remain grateful to the local population for their continued support." The public can find out more about the exercise by visiting the UK Government website and searching Castlemartin firing notices.
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Ex-MS William Powell named Powys County Council chairman
A FORMER Welsh Assembly member for Mid and West Wales has been elected as the chairman of Powys County Council for the next year. Cllr William Powell (Liberal Democrat) was unanimously approved as the new chairman of the council. He took over the chains of office from the incumbent, Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson (Conservative) at Powys County Council's annual general meeting on Thursday, May 15. Last year, Cllr Powell who represents Talgarth in Brecknockshire served as council vice-chairman and in 2023/2024 had been elected to the assistant vice-chairman's role. Cllr Powell said: 'We've had so many moving tributes and wise words this morning I think I will break the habit of a lifetime and keep my comments to a minimum. 'I'm immensely grateful to my colleagues for the faith you have expressed in me in today. RECOMMENDED READING: 'Thank you all very much indeed.' Earlier outgoing chairman, Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson (Conservative) said that one of his last public engagements on behalf of the authority he attended was the VE Day 80th anniversary service at Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff on May 7. Cllr Wilkinson (Llangyniew and Meifod – Montgomeryshire) said: 'Llandaff Cathedral is quite a remarkable building in itself, heavily bombed during the war (Second World War) and then rebuilt. 'They have a wonderful organ there and the organ recital there was fantastic, the choir is known throughout the country and the band of the Royal Welsh (Regiment) played. 'That was a very memorable service of thanks during that week of commemorative events. 'We had our own here on May 8 with the raising of the flag at county hall and I had the privilege of reading that proclamation in recognition of the sacrifices made during the war to ensure our freedom.' 'There were members of the Royal British Legion and other organisations here and ex-servicemen and it was an absolute pleasure to meet those individuals.' He went on to thank Cllr Powell as vice-chairman and Cllr Geoff Morgan the assistant vice-chairman for the support they had given him in the role during the last year and wished them 'the best of luck' as they move forward. Cllr Wilkinson said: 'Also I would very much like to thank the behind the scenes team particularly Karen Southgate, Steve Boyd and Carol Johnson who have supported me and given me a nudge when I forget things and ensure the smooth running of things.' A vote confirmed that Cllr Geoff Morgan (Reform UK) who represents the Ithon Valley in Radnorshire moves up from assistant vice-chairman to vice-chairman. Liberal Democrat Cllr Danny Bebb who represents Churchstoke in Montgomeryshire was elected to take on the assistant vice-chairman's role. The roles rotate between councillors who represent wards in the historic shires of Brecknockshire, Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire which make up modern day Powys.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Labour faces 'mutiny' over 'betrayal' of British soldiers over bid to axe law that protects Northern Ireland veterans from legal action - as army regiments break ranks to voice their anger over planned reforms
Labour is facing a 'mutiny' for 'betraying' British soldiers over its plan to scrap legal protection for Northern Ireland veterans. It comes as three of the biggest infantry regiments in the British Army appeared to break ranks online to condemn proposals to axe the Legacy Act. The legislation offers protection for UK troops who served during the Troubles fighting the IRA, by shutting down historical inquests and preventing new civil cases from being launched. Two separate tweets from The Rifles' and the Royal Fusiliers Regimental HQ's accounts on X shared a petition urging members to sign it to spark a debate in Parliament to 'correct' the reforms to the Act. An email from The Royal Welsh's Regimental HQ - seen by MailOnline - was also sent out by retired Colonel Rob Dickinson, calling on troops and their families to back the campaign. The move by the units is extraordinarily unusual as soldiers are not permitted to share political views. Defence experts say it appeared to be part of a 'co-ordinated' plan of rebellion, allegedly led by senior officers. Andrew Fox, a retired Parachute Regiment Major, said it hinted at a 'mutiny' brewing within the Army. 'Engaging in a political campaign of this nature is unheard of,' the decorated paratrooper told MailOnline. 'It shows the depths of betrayal felt in the armed forces over the government's proposal. 'Not only for those who served in the past, but also those who serve now and will serve in the future. How can any soldier deploy in confidence, knowing that 30, 40, 50 years later, they might find themselves dragged through the courts on the flimsiest of evidence?' Robert Clark, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran who was a sponsor of the petition, said the government's plan marked a 'deep betrayal' of UK troops. 'It's quite extraordinary that serving soldiers - almost undoubtedly officers, who run regiments' official social media accounts - have broken ranks over a political issue,' Mr Clark, a former regular soldier who now serves as a reservist, told MailOnline. 'It's quite extraordinary - but that just goes to show the strength of feeling on this within the British Army. 'There are very few people still serving who are Northern Ireland veterans, so for those personnel to stand shoulder to shoulder with their former colleagues and speak out further shows the deep sense of betrayal and anger at the government.' The Research Fellow at the Yorktown Institute added: 'I have several friends who served in Belfast, South Armagh, and Crossmaglen - and they'll never vote Labour again.' Military sources and critics fear the canning of the legislation will allow veterans - some now in their 80s - to be dragged through court and reinvestigated after previously being cleared of wrongdoing. A petition was set up earlier this month by retired brigadier Ian Robert Liles, who called on Labour to scrap the reforms amid fears it would lead to veterans being prosecuted. British soldiers of the Royal Anglian Regiment with protective shields are seen moving in to quell a riot in the Bogside area of Londonderry on August 14, 1971 British forces spent decades based in Northern Ireland, operating in the country between 1969 and 2007 while they fought the IRA. Pictured is a soldier in Belfast in October 1993 Mr Liles said the campaign was aimed at blocking the law change, which would affect former soldiers who served under Operation Banner, the codename for Britain's military campaign in Northern Ireland between 1969 and 2007. The petition has already reached more than 44,000 signatures - almost half of the 100,000 it will need to trigger a debate in Parliament. The unauthorised post by the Rifles, made on Tuesday, has since triggered an investigation by the Ministry of Defence. The post, which featured the regiment's logo, said: 'The Government is looking to repeal elements of the NI Troubles Act. This will mean that veterans can be reinvestigated despite having previously been cleared of any wrongdoings. 'So that a parliamentary debate can be held to correct this, we encourage you to click on the link and sign your name.' The tweet was deleted on Wednesday evening. In a similar post, the Fusiliers RHQ - which is based in the Tower of London - wrote on X: 'Army veterans recently launched a petition, objecting to Labour's 'Two Tier Justice' of pursuing Army Veterans. They need 100K signatures to get the subject debated - CAN YOU HELP? Please sign and share!' Meanwhile, in the email from the Royal Welsh's RHQ, Col Dickinson - who is chairman of the regimental association - described the law reform as a 'sensitive issue'. Pictured is a member of the Royal Welsh during an urban training drill in Sissonne, France on April 24 'Many of us served in Northern Ireland and this petition relates to the rights of NI veterans so you may wish to promulgate to your family and friends,' he wrote. 'Clearly signing such a petition is entirely up to the individual. If the petition secures 100,000 signatories, the petition will be considered for debate in parliament.' Major Fox, who previously served in the Royal Welsh before earning his maroon beret in the Parachute Regiment, said it was 'very likely' the email had been sent to serving soldiers. The Legacy Act prevented dozens of civil cases and inquests linked to the Troubles from going ahead. It also offered conditional immunity for perpetrators of crimes during the conflict, in exchange for their co-operation with a new investigatory body called the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR). The legislation - pushed into law by the former Conservative government - followed a number of high-profile prosecutions of British Army veterans who served during the Troubles. It was opposed by Northern Irish parties, including Sinn Fein, the DUP and the Republic of Ireland. A Northern Irish High Court ruled the legislation was incompatible with human rights laws, while critics railed against the potential of offering conditional amnesty to those who committed offences. Last month, former troopers in the British Army's elite Special Air Service (SAS) accused the Government of 'throwing them under the bus' over the changes. The SAS Regimental Association - which represents regular and reserve units in the SAS - hit out at the plan and urged its 5,000-strong membership to write to their MPs. It is believed almost 200 people have since expressed their anger, with a letter from the association warning: 'Hundreds [of veterans] are ensnared in legacy processes, in many cases facing years of more uncertainty and stress after decades of the same. The letter said it was 'unsurprising veterans feel unjustly hounded for doing their duty' given there were 'endless avenues for legal appeal and continual changes in government policy', reported the Times. The backlash comes after an inquest ruled an SAS squad used unjustified force to kill four IRA terrorists - who had used a mounted machine gun to shoot up a police station in 1992. SAS veteran Phil Campion was enraged his comrades could be hit by future murder probes over their service. The 56-year-old Staff Sergeant said: 'We're being unfairly hounded. It's insane. It comes as an inquest ruled a Special Air Service squad used unjustified force to kill four IRA terrorists who had used a mounted machine gun to shoot up a police station in 1992 (pictured is the truck with its mounted machine gun, rear) 'The government has thrown a shroud of protection around the IRA and completely thrown us under the bus.' Phil, who served 15 years in the military, five of which were with 22 SAS, and spent about five years on operational tours in Northern Ireland, added: 'There are people who risked their lives to serve who now feel very bitter and twisted about it all.' The Government is retaining certain elements of the Legacy Act, including the ICRIR. However, it will scrap the controversial amnesty policy. An MoD spokesman said a probe had been launched into the post on the official Rifles X account. 'We are investigating a tweet which was published in error and without correct authorisation,' an official said. The Rifles is the British Army's largest infantry regiment. Describing itself as one of the finest fighting units, it has been at the forefront of overseas operations for decades.
North Wales Live
03-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Why Regimental Goat will get special treatment before Bangor military parade
Every soldier knows the dire consequences of being found drinking on duty. But one bearded Lance Corporal parading in Bangor later this month has been excused any disciplinary action. For this one is a goat and part of his official, daily, army rations is a pint of Guinness! As the Regimental Goat of the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh, L/Cpl Shenkin the Goat will be given his traditional daily pint before heading an illustrious parade. Shenkin will lead the spectacular Bangor city centre parade with 200 uniformed army and RAF personnel on Thursday, May 29 as part of the city's marking of its 1,500th year of foundation in 525AD. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Goat Major "Jacko" Jackson said: "Until recently the Regimental Goat of the Royal Welsh was also issued with two cigarettes a day which it would briefly chew, then swallow. Quite correctly, he was weaned off cigarettes. "But the daily pint of Guinness remain on official Rations - as necessary of course, as part of their intake of iron vitamins!" he said. Indeed when visiting his regimental headquarters at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff Shenkin sometimes goes into the beer-garden of the Heath pub opposite. "He loves human company, and customers love him, but I have to stay alert. Given half a chance he'd cadge another free beer from one of the pub patrons!" said Sgt Jackson. Shenkin's predecessor Regimental Goat Lance Corporal Gwillam 'Taffy' Jenkins had other chill-out routines after a day on parade. He seemed to like BBC Radio Two which was played 24-hours a day in his luxury Regimental Goat-quarters. And his other love was plotting ways of ambushing unsuspecting young officers. "More than a few of them suffered badly bruised backsides," laughed his former handler." It will almost be a homecoming in North Wales for Shenkin as he was selected by the Regiment from a herd of feral goats which for centuries have thrived on Llandudno 's Great Orme. Regimental Goat Shenkin will take pride and place ahead of the Army Band, the Welsh Guards, The Royal Welsh, RAF, 160 Medical Squadron, and others past Bangor High Street's Town Clock where newly elected Mayor Medwyn Hughes and senior military officers will "salute" him as he trots ahead. Bangor City Councillor Mark Roberts, a former "red beret" Para explained: "They won't be actually saluting the Goat but rather the coat it wears bearing the insignia and honours of the Regiment. The Goat represents the long and distinguished history of the Royal Welsh and all those regiments amalgamated into it." After the Bangor parade, Shenkin and his Goat Major will be at the Storiel children's play area to meet the children of Bangor but the army asks: Please no food gifts or dogs off leads. Shenkin has a very strict diet … and very sharp horns.
North Wales Chronicle
01-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor to host military parade to mark 1,500th anniversary
The parade, which has been two years in the planning, will take place on Thursday, May 29, and will be one of the key highlights of the city's anniversary celebrations. The parade will begin at 11.30am at the War Memorial, Glanrafon, and will proceed down the high street and Dean Street. A formal salute will be given at 12 noon by the town clock, before the parade ends back at the Storiel playing fields at 12.30pm. Just under 200 serving soldiers and airmen from RAF Valley will be marching, joined by veterans and cadets from bases in London, Catterick, and Cardiff. A planned low-pass over the high street by RAF Valley, weather permitting, will add a dramatic aerial element to the events. The Royal Welsh and Regimental Goat will lead the parade, followed by the Army Band travelling from Catterick. The Welsh Guards were granted the Freedom of the City of Bangor in 2014, strengthening their historic ties with the city, as well as with the Royal Welsh and RAF Valley in the years that followed. Welsh Guards Regimental Adjutant Lt. Col. Guy Bartle-Jones said: "What Bangor City Council has achieved in pulling together such a grand military salute to the city's 1,500-year anniversary is quite unique and highly commendable." READ MORE: New Age UK campaign urges midlifers to be more active to prepare for later life Dr Martin Hanks, city director at Bangor City Council, added: "We are immensely proud to see Bangor host such a meaningful and significant event. "The time, effort and dedication shown by key partners have been fantastic, and for that we are extremely grateful. "The parade is not just a celebration of service, but a reflection of the deep respect and unity within our city. "Join us for this historic occasion as Bangor honours its past and looks forward to its future."
