Latest news with #Welshpool
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Welshpool mother issues plea to parents after teen's river death
Michelle Guest knew something was seriously wrong when she heard sirens and saw a helicopter flying over her hometown of Welshpool, in her worst nightmares did she expect the emergency crews to be searching for her 15-year-old daughter, Holli receiving a phone call from a friend, Michelle ran across town to the River Severn and stood by the weir, praying that Holli had been carried downstream and was safely on the river bank, waiting to be a few hours later Holli was found 65ft (20m) from where she had entered the water. She was pronounced dead at the scene and her body was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Shropshire. Holli's family and friends should have celebrated her 16th birthday in June, but instead they are having to gather on 9 August to mark the first anniversary of her death. "Nearly 12 months later and I still can't get my head around it," said Michelle, a mother of seven."I wish she'd never gone down there and I wish somebody would wake me up from this nightmare, but it's not going to happen."She was always happy and very much loved by her friends."Michelle said she had had conversations with Holli about water safety in the past and asked her the day before her death to play safely by the river.A full inquest is yet to be heard, but Michelle said Holli died after getting caught in the backwash of a weir. A friend tried to help her out but could not manage against the force of the water, she said."I don't want any other family to go through what we're going through based on poor choices, just because the water looks inviting."Michelle is now trying to raise awareness about water safety by sharing her own experience on social media and organising fundraising events for charities that educate children about the dangers. Holli's death was one of 193 accidental water-related fatalities in the UK last year, according to the National Water Safety figures suggest that inland waterways, such as rivers, canals and reservoirs, continue to be the leading locations for drownings, accounting for 61% of accidental fatalities in 2024.A dedicated water safety and drowning prevention strategy was brought in by the Welsh government in Safety Wales, a group which brings together organisations including the Welsh government, also aims to cut the number of drowning casualties by promoting "a consistent and common approach to water safety".Its figures show there were 54 water-related fatalities in Wales in 2024, with the figure remaining between 48 and 55 between 2020 and 2023."I plead with all parents to speak with their children so they understand the dangers of water," said Michelle. "It can take a life. It took my Holli and I really don't want another family to suffer."
Powys County Times
19-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Plans for new dog grooming parlour in Powys village
Plans to convert a building in a Powys village into a dog grooming business have been submitted to Powys County Council. A planning application for a development that would see a building in Bryn-Y-Groes, near Llangadfan by Welshpool, were submitted to Powys County Council on July 10 and are currently awaiting the green light from the council. The application is seeking planning permission to renovate and change the building into a dog grooming parlour, with a planning statement prepared by estate agency Morris, Marshall & Poole on behalf of a Mr Edwards. It states: 'The application seeks retrospective planning permission for the renovation and change of use of a former store into a small-scale dog grooming business. 'The development has made efficient use of an existing structure, delivering economic and community benefit while maintaining the character and appearance of the surrounding area. 'External alterations have been sensitively designed, with materials and finishes in keeping with the original building to preserve local visual amenity. 'Internal upgrades have ensured the building meets modern operational standards without any adverse impacts on neighbouring properties or land uses. 'The site remains well-maintained, with no need for additional landscaping due to the quality and extent of existing soft landscaping. 'Biodiversity enhancements have been incorporated through the installation of bat and bird boxes, and all existing trees and hedgerows have been retained, ensuring no net loss of habitat. 'The development does not fall within a flood risk area and is appropriately serviced by existing surface water drainage infrastructure, with foul discharge limited to grey water from grooming activities. 'The proposal aligns with relevant planning policy, including the Powys Local Development Plan and Planning Policy Wales, and there are no material considerations that would justify refusal of the application. 'In light of the above, it is respectfully requested that Powys County Council grants planning permission for the development as proposed.'
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Plan to build 32-house estate on 450-space car park in Welshpool
A 450-space car park could be turned into an affordable housing under county council homes would be built on the Berriew Street car park in Welshpool, Powys, leaving 56 parking spaces, if the development goes Dorrance, deputy leader of Powys County Council and the cabinet member for housing, said the local authority had set a target of 350 social homes for rent by 2031 but land for development was in "short supply".When questioned about legality of transferring the land between council departments, head of housing services Andy Thompson said the move met legal requirements. Dorrance, of Labour, told the economy, residents and community scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday there was a high demand for social housing in Welshpool.A report found 414 households on the housing register placed Welshpool as their first are 33 homeless households living in temporary accommodation in the town, with an average of 370 days before they are cost of transferring the car park from the council's highways, transport and recycling department to housing was £280,000 while the market value would be £525, Democrat councillor Corinna Kenyon-Wade queried how the figures were reply, Mr Thompson explained they were based on how much developing houses to be sold at market value would be worth, and the difference in building homes for social councillor Peter Lewington said he wanted a more "balanced picture" to be reported so that the loss of car parking spaces on town centre businesses could be analysed.A meeting of the cabinet will consider the plan on Tuesday. This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Welsh bobsleigh duo target Winter Olympics history
Welsh bobsleigh hopefuls Adele Nicoll and Kya Placide have their sights firmly set on the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be staged in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from 6 to 22 February. Nicoll, 28, from Welshpool, and Placide, 20, from Cardiff, are relative newcomers to the sport but have already made an impression on the Team GB setup. Advertisement Placide's bobsleigh journey began by chance in May 2023 while training on an athletics track. "An athlete who was already involved suggested I'd be good at it because I looked powerful and fast," she says. "I only really knew about bobsleigh from Cool Runnings, I didn't even realise Great Britain had a team. After attending testing days in Bath, before I knew it, I was on the ice for my first season." The pair recently attended a Team GB media day in Edinburgh as part of their preparations. "We're here at the Team GB Winter Olympics summit event," says Nicoll. "It's really helping us get into the spirit and mindset for the Games." Advertisement Both athletes have transitioned from other sports and credit their diverse sporting backgrounds for giving them an edge on the ice. "I'm the biggest advocate for athletics as a foundation for any sport," said Nicoll, who also competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the shot put. "It's an individual sport, so you learn the discipline to turn up every day even when you're training alone. You also learn to deal with losses, which is huge." Placide, who has a background in both gymnastics and athletics, added: "The demands of gymnastics and athletics have really helped me excel in bobsleigh." Kya Placide and Adele Nicoll won gold in the women's bobsleigh at the Europa Cup in Switzerland in January 2024 [British Bobsleigh & Skeleton/Viesturs Lacis] Eyes on qualification To secure their spot in the two-person bobsleigh event in Italy, Nicoll and Placide must meet strict performance standards, compete on multiple tracks, and earn enough points to stay high in the world rankings. Advertisement With a crucial season ahead, Nicoll knows exactly what is at stake. "The World Cup this year will be huge for us, we're giving ourselves a fighting chance of being on the podium in every single race," she said. "I've improved massively with my driving over the last couple of years. I feel like I've really developed the ability to give myself feedback and make those fine adjustments that make the difference at this level." She insists the pair will do everything they can to achieve their Olympic dream. "We're leaving no stone unturned to put ourselves in that position," she added. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and 100% focus from everyone involved, but we believe in what we're doing." Advertisement Making history for Wales Both athletes have made no secret of their ambition to make history by achieving Britain's best-ever finish by a female bobsleigh team. For Nicoll, the pride in her roots is clear. "I can't describe how proud I am to come from such a small Welsh town," said the Welshpool native. "I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth but I had parents who were unwavering in their support. We didn't have the best of everything, but they made sure we did the best with what we had. "To go to the Olympic Games and represent Great Britain is amazing, but I'll also be representing Welshpool, my family, and everyone who's helped me along the way." Advertisement Placide has dreamed of the Olympics since she was a child even if bobsleigh was never on the radar back then. "I remember telling my mum, 'I'm going to the Olympics in gymnastics', she laughed. "Then that didn't happen, so when I moved to athletics, I said it again, 'I'm going to the Olympics in athletics'. And now here I am in bobsleigh, with a real chance of going to the Games. It's just mental when I think about it." With their determination and belief, the Welsh pair hope their journey will inspire others to chase their own dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Welsh bobsleigh duo target Winter Olympics history
Welsh bobsleigh hopefuls Adele Nicoll and Kya Placide have their sights firmly set on the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be staged in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from 6 to 22 28, from Welshpool, and Placide, 20, from Cardiff, are relative newcomers to the sport but have already made an impression on the Team GB bobsleigh journey began by chance in May 2023 while training on an athletics track. "An athlete who was already involved suggested I'd be good at it because I looked powerful and fast," she says. "I only really knew about bobsleigh from Cool Runnings, I didn't even realise Great Britain had a team. After attending testing days in Bath, before I knew it, I was on the ice for my first season." The pair recently attended a Team GB media day in Edinburgh as part of their preparations. "We're here at the Team GB Winter Olympics summit event," says Nicoll. "It's really helping us get into the spirit and mindset for the Games."Both athletes have transitioned from other sports and credit their diverse sporting backgrounds for giving them an edge on the ice."I'm the biggest advocate for athletics as a foundation for any sport," said Nicoll, who also competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the shot put."It's an individual sport, so you learn the discipline to turn up every day even when you're training alone. You also learn to deal with losses, which is huge."Placide, who has a background in both gymnastics and athletics, added: "The demands of gymnastics and athletics have really helped me excel in bobsleigh." Eyes on qualification To secure their spot in the two-person bobsleigh event in Italy, Nicoll and Placide must meet strict performance standards, compete on multiple tracks, and earn enough points to stay high in the world a crucial season ahead, Nicoll knows exactly what is at stake. "The World Cup this year will be huge for us, we're giving ourselves a fighting chance of being on the podium in every single race," she said."I've improved massively with my driving over the last couple of years. I feel like I've really developed the ability to give myself feedback and make those fine adjustments that make the difference at this level."She insists the pair will do everything they can to achieve their Olympic dream. "We're leaving no stone unturned to put ourselves in that position," she added. "It's going to take a lot of hard work and 100% focus from everyone involved, but we believe in what we're doing." Making history for Wales Both athletes have made no secret of their ambition to make history by achieving Britain's best-ever finish by a female bobsleigh Nicoll, the pride in her roots is clear."I can't describe how proud I am to come from such a small Welsh town," said the Welshpool native. "I didn't grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth but I had parents who were unwavering in their support. We didn't have the best of everything, but they made sure we did the best with what we had."To go to the Olympic Games and represent Great Britain is amazing, but I'll also be representing Welshpool, my family, and everyone who's helped me along the way."Placide has dreamed of the Olympics since she was a child even if bobsleigh was never on the radar back then. "I remember telling my mum, 'I'm going to the Olympics in gymnastics', she laughed. "Then that didn't happen, so when I moved to athletics, I said it again, 'I'm going to the Olympics in athletics'. And now here I am in bobsleigh, with a real chance of going to the Games. It's just mental when I think about it."With their determination and belief, the Welsh pair hope their journey will inspire others to chase their own dreams, no matter how unlikely they may seem.
