Latest news with #Welsh
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Powys venue to host Britain's elite bowlers this summer
The British Bowls Championships and International Series will be held at Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club from next month. The showpiece event begins on Monday, June 23 and will conclude on Sunday, June 29. Practice will dominate Monday before the championships take place on Tuesday and Wednesday with the international series beginning on Thursday after Wednesday morning's opening ceremony. Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club is the largest bowling club in Wales. Set in the heart of the Welsh countryside with panoramic views, there are three greens of international standard catering for all levels of competition. A major venue, the club is host to national, international and county bowling events throughout the season, as well as club competition. The series will see the top bowlers from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and Jersey compete in singles, pairs, triples and fours disciplines. The event will bring over 300 bowlers from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and Jersey to Llandrindod Wells for a week long feast of bowls action. The event will bring hundreds of bowlers and spectators to the event using the local bars and restaurants, pubs and accommodation within the town and the local area. Entry to the event is free and is a great spectacle with action each day from 8.30am until 8.30pm. Powys will be well represented with June Morgan, Barbara Sheers, Fiona Preece and Jo Weale of Presteigne Bowls Club competing in the ladies fours championship. Berriew's Caroline Taylor captain's the senior women's side in the international series and is joined by club-mate Emma Gittins along with Naomi Evans from Llanidloes and Jo Weale from Presteigne.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Leinster v Scarlets preview: Heat is on the Blue front-row and kick fielders
Scarlets finished eighth in the URC league-proper, surviving failing to secure any league points from a brave display against Sharks, going down 12-3 in Durban, in the final round. At the same time there is the temptation to say they deserved a break as their round 16 win over Leinster, 35-22 at Parc y Scarlets, was genuinely deserved, not least as they kept the Blues scoreless through the last half-hour. Leinster were second-best on the day as Scarlet made off with a bonus point, winning the try-scoring 4-3, clean breaks 12-8, defenders beaten 34-31 and, thanks to some judicious kicking, had 53 percent of the territory. Enough, admits Ronan Kelleher who was part of the starting front-row alongside Cian Healy and Thomas Clarkson in Llanelli, to give any team coming to the Aviva to play Leinster believe the feat can be repeated. 'Absolutely," grimaces the hooker, "obviously off the back of it they got into the play-offs and I thought they were really good on the day. "I thought we obviously were poor in parts as well, but we obviously know how much of a threat that they can cause. "Having played in it, you obviously get it first hand. We took a lot of learnings from that game, what we did wrong, what we need to get right this next day. "And I think that is going to be a massive challenge this weekend, but it had also been a massive focus for us last week because obviously we had the down week not playing in that game and this week now going ahead.' Scarlets started Alec Hepburn on the loose side and he played 78 minutes and there are those who will tell you he pushed Taine Plumtree close for Man of Match; Ryan Elias at hooker and Henry Thomas at tighthead at Parc y Scarlets played 54 minutes apiece. Irish fans are not used to thinking modern Welsh sides are good scrummagers but there was cause for thought there. 'They're quite good, tricky to manage, to be fair." continues Leinster, Ireland and Lions panellist, Kelleher. "Someone like Ryan Elias is experienced. He might not start on the weekend, I don't know what the story is with them, but he's quite good. Henry Thomas is a very experienced scrummager as well. "Alec Hepburn has obviously been around the block (London Welsh 2013-14, Exeter Chiefs 2014-2024, England 6 caps 2018, Scotland 4 caps 2024). I think the word I'd use is tricky, to be honest. "There has been a bit in the past about how some teams like to load up a lot of weight and you get that load on the neck in the scrum. I think they're a team that probably favours that a bit. "It's just about how you manage that with the referee and how you get through that game. How you communicate that as well. "Because it's important that we get clean scrums, because no one wants that in a game where it is collapsing, feet gone or people standing up because there is too much weight and that. It's just about how do you manage that really.' Besides the Northampton loss was also raining on the Irishman's parade at a time when he should be celebrating his Lions selection, buoyed from the best piece of TV news this season. 'Obviously it was Thursday here. Finished up training, grabbed the gear bag, ran home. I live with Hugo Keenan, so it was the two of us just watching it together. It was tense. "It was actually funny because it was one of those things. You hadn't really put much thought into it really. Obviously it was in the background of your mind, but you hadn't actually thought about it at all. "When I left training I was like 'jeez, it's happening in the next half an hour', but obviously it dragged on a bit. It was pretty nervy, the two of us just on the couch watching it. "Obviously absolutely delighted once my name was called. I was thrilled. Obviously we had to wait another couple of minutes [the forwards are announced en bloc first] until Hugo's name was called, so we could both celebrate together. "It was great, I was absolutely delighted. My family as well were absolutely thrilled, over the moon. It was unreal.' "As soon as my name was announced, my phone started buzzing. I had to throw it away until Hugo's thing. It was pretty surreal to be honest, but it was unbelievable.' The countdown to Australia has begun. 'We met up as a group there over in London and that was good. It's good to meet everyone. Obviously with those things, there is always obviously a small bit of anxiety going in to meet everyone, but everyone was dead sound. "It was brilliant meeting everyone. It's just a funny concept obviously because you're enemies for the three or four years in the build-up and then obviously you come together, and you have to get close quick. "It was great, it's very much been focused on the here and now. Obviously we had the disappointment with the finish in Europe and now obviously all our eyes are on this competition and trying to win this one.'
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Brains Brewery calls on Meta to restore Facebook page
Brains Brewery, which is renowned for its beers, lost access to its Facebook page in January after a hacking incident led to all administrators being removed. The account in question has been active for over 15 years and has over 34,000 followers. A spokesperson for the company said: "Our Facebook page is one of our most important tools for staying connected with customers, marketing new products, and sharing our story. "Being locked out for this long is genuinely damaging." Despite numerous attempts to contact Meta and regain access, the page remains inaccessible. They explained: "Each time, the case is closed without resolution. "It's incredibly frustrating and genuinely damaging to our brand and business." The company says it has submitted multiple forms of ID to prove its legitimacy and even pays for Meta's premium business verification service. The spokesperson said: "I've spoken to call centre agents on 18 separate occasions and submitted all necessary proof of identity, both for Brains as a business and myself as Head of Brains. "We've sat for hours on chats, waiting in queues, chasing email threads that go nowhere." Further explaining, they added: "I've even tried reaching Meta's PR team, but nothing. "Technically, they haven't taken any action at all." The issue is particularly urgent now as Brains prepares for a major brand refresh, a relaunch that the brewery sees as vital to its growth after recent challenges. The spokesperson explained: "This rebrand is a comeback moment. "We've had huge support from our followers and community. "Losing access to our largest communications channel at a time like this is devastating." While Brains has retained control of its Instagram account, it only reaches around 4,000 followers, a fraction of the Facebook page's audience. Despite selling their pub estate in 2020, the company remains committed to producing its beloved beers and engaging the fans who have stood by them. The brewery is now publicly urging Meta to act, saying: "We didn't want to go public, but we've run out of options. "We're not asking for anything unreasonable. "We're simply asking Meta to help a legitimate, historic business regain access to its own account, one we've invested in and built for over 15 years." Brains Brewery is encouraging customers and supporters to help amplify its message in hopes that Meta will finally take notice and restore access. They said: "We're a proud Welsh institution with over 140 years of heritage, we never expected to be ignored like this." The brewery's Facebook page, @BrainsBrewery, remains publicly visible but is inactive. Brains continues to engage with customers via other social media platforms but says being locked out of their Facebook account is a major setback at a critical time. Despite attempts, Meta has yet to respond with regards to the matter.
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Extra support for areas with lots of Welsh speakers
This comes after ministers accepted recommendations from a report by the Commission for Welsh Speaking Communities, led by Dr Simon Brooks. The two-year study proposed several measures to protect Welsh as a community language. Welsh Language Secretary Mark Drakeford announced the plans at the Urdd Eisteddfod. The government will provide targeted support to areas with higher concentrations of Welsh speakers, ensure access to Welsh-medium education, and offer more guidance about the language across various policy areas. Recommendations were accepted in several areas, including the economy, housing, community development, and education. The government will work with local authorities and partners to discuss and implement these recommendations. Mr Drakeford said: "Cymraeg belongs to us all, and to every community across Wales. "I am grateful for the commission's hard work on this report, and I hope that by accepting their recommendations, we can strengthen Welsh in all our communities." "We agree in principle that areas of linguistic significance should be designated and will now progress this by working with partners to create tailored policies that respond to the specific needs of Welsh-speaking communities."
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Project to create tidal stream turbine blades in Wales
The Welsh Government has backed the project in a bid to revolutionise the tidal energy industry. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru, based in Broughton, has teamed up with Menter Mon and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult's Welsh team for this initiative. Their goal is to improve the efficiency and durability of tidal energy blades. This project is one of five in Wales which received a share of £1 million from the Welsh Government's VInnovate programme, intended to encourage innovative collaborations across industrial regions in Europe. The project also has the involvement of two Galician firms—marine renewable energy infrastructure manufacturer Magallanes Renovables and research organisation D3 Applied Technologies. Andy Silcox, interim chief technology officer at the AMRC, said: "Wales is already recognised as a trailblazer in the establishment of tidal energy sites, and a hub for cutting-edge marine energy research, contributing its extensive knowledge and experience. "This collaboration between AMRC Cymru, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult and Menter Mon will create a strategic partnership among the regions of Wales and Galicia, bringing together a unique blend of expertise and innovation in the field of renewable energy. "Supporting the design and development of the newest tidal turbine blades, the project will lay the groundwork for a lasting collaboration, driving future innovations and projects in renewable energy to contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape." More projects from Wales received funding in the 2024 VInnovate funding tranche than any other region. Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: "Wales' research and development sector is internationally renowned, with academia, industry and government working together to deliver big leaps in renewable energy innovation in particular. "This culture of innovation has been championed and guided by our Wales Innovates strategy, laying the foundations for a green and prosperous future for Wales driven by collaborative innovation and new technologies that can have a real and lasting positive impact on every part of our society."
