Postyn gôl yn cwympo ar fachgen

Gadawyd crys p?l droed ar y cae er cof am Casey Breese Ddydd Sadwrn

Mae bachgen 12 oed o Bowys wedi marw ar ol iddo gael ei fwrw gan byst gol tra yr oedd yn chwarae pel-droed.

Dywed yr heddlu fod Casey Breese yn chwarae pel-droed gyda bechgyn lleol ar gae chwarae yng Nghaersws ddydd Gwener pan gwympodd y pyst arno.

Dywedodd llefarydd ar ran Heddlu Dyfed-Powys fod y pyst gol yn cael eu harchwilio wedi "marwolaeth drist".

Ychwanegodd y llefarydd nad oedd amgylchiadau amheus ynglyn a'r farwolaeth.

Cymorth

Aeth hofrennydd ambiwlans awyr a Casey i Ysbyty Brenhinol Yr Amwythig lle bu farw o'i anafiadau.

"Mae'r plant oedd yn chwarae ar y cae ar y pryd wedi eu heffeithio gan y digwyddiad a bydd heddwas sydd wedi'i hyfforddi'n arbennig yn siarad gyda'u teuluoedd," meddai llefarydd yr heddlu.

Mae swyddog cyswllt yn rhoi cymorth i'r teuluoedd ac mae'r heddlu yn apelio am dystion i'r digwyddiad.

Dywedodd y Ditectif Arolygydd Ian Andrews fod yr heddlu yn cydweithio ag adran iechyd yr amgylchedd Cyngor Powys.

"Rydyn ni'n cydymdeimlo a'r teulu sydd wedi dioddef y colled arswydus yma."

Mae crwner Powys wedi ei hysbysu am y farwolaeth.

Cafodd gem gyfeillgar rhwng Clwb Pel-Droed Caersws a Chlwb Pel-Droed Caerfyrddin ei chanslo ddydd Sadwrn fel arwydd o barch.

Dywedodd is-gadeirydd Clwb Pel Droed Caerfyrddin, Robert Lloyd: "Cawsom gais yn hwyr yn y dydd ddoe wedi'r drychineb i ganslo'r gem.

"Yn naturiol fe gytunon ni ac yn estyn ein cydymdeimlad dwysaf i bawb sydd wedi'u heffeithio."

View the original article here

Public toilet offer to community

31 July 2011 Last updated at 07:58 GMT The council will save ?79,000 by not running the 28 facilities All but five of Carmarthenshire's public toilets are again going to be offered to town and community councils as the county tries to save ?79,000.

Only those at Llansteffan, Ferryside, Pendine, Burry Port and Cenarth will remain under county council control.

Councils taking over any of the 28 other toilets will be given ?1,000 and not be charged business rates.

Ammanford's mayor said she sympathised with the county council but said going to the toilet was a basic need.

It is the second time that Carmartheshire has tried to hand over most of its public toilets.

"We first wrote to the town and community councils in September last year to ask if they would consider taking over the responsibility for public conveniences," said Coun Philip Hughes, executive board member for the environment.

Continue reading the main story Carrreg Cennen; Llansteffan Green; Kidwelly; Gorslas; Pendine Springwell; Ammanford Co-op car park; Ammanford park; Whitland; Tumble; Cross Hands; Drefach Felindre Parc Puw; Newcastle Emlyn; Talley; Pontyweli; Abergorlech; Llanybydder car park; Llanybydder (near Cross Hands Hotel); Llansaint; Glanaman; Alltwallis; Llanboidy; Brechfa; Cynwyl Elfed; Llanpumpsaint; Meinciau; Llanddowror Meidrim; and Pencader.

Source: Carmarthenshire council

"Of the 25, two were prepared to take over the responsibility providing we carried out some upgrading works or repairs, and a further five said they would consider it," he added.

Mr Hughes said that some of the councils had said they would consider taking over a toilet, but felt the payment being offered was too low, and they could not afford to pay the business rates.

"So we have decided to revise our offer and increase the one-off payment to ?1,000 and cover the cost of the business rates permanently," he said.

He said the decision to invite others to manage the toilets was taken because the council had no statutory obligation to provide the service.

"Unfortunately, in these difficult financial times, the cost of operating these facilities just isn't sustainable," he said.

Richard Workman, director of technical services with Carmarthenshire council, said there had been an "increasing trend" for local communities to take over a greater responsibility for services such as public toilets.

"This can lead to a better quality of service, as it can be matched with the needs and expectations of the local community," he said.

The decision does not affect what the county calls its nine "superloos", which users pay 20p to use, and which are managed on behalf of the council by an external company called Danfo.

Continue reading the main story Ammanford - Carregamman Car Park; Carmarthen - John Street Car Park; Carmarthen - St Peters Car Park; Laugharne - Adjacent to Castle; Llandeilo - Central Car Park; Llandovery - Castle Car Park; Llanelli - Town Hall - Waunlanyrafon; Llanelli - Bus Station - Island Place and St. Clears - Central Car Park

Source: Carmarthenshire Council

Two of the toilets being offered are in Ammanford, whose mayor Irena Hopkins said she appreciated the financial problems faced by the county council.

But she insisted that using the toilet was a "basic need".

"Some people find it very difficult, especially those who have a medical condition," she said.

"I know that you can go into shops, but some shops don't like you doing that.

"I'm not sure how they can overcome it, but this is a basic need for everybody, and I would have thought that (public toilets) would be the last thing to go," she said.

View the original article here

Motorway tunnel opens after fire

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:02 GMT The lorry was removed on Wednesday and overnight high-pressure cleaning was completed to allow works to begin

The Brynglas tunnel on the M4 motorway near Newport has fully reopened following a lorry fire on Tuesday.

But Transport Minister Carl Sargeant said there would be a 30mph speed limit as there was only partial lighting.

He said there had been work around the clock over the last 72 hours to clear debris and examine the tunnel on the westbound carriageway of the M4.

The lorry was removed on Wednesday and overnight high-pressure cleaning was completed to allow works to begin.

The Welsh Government said engineers spent Thursday carrying out a full structural, technical and safety inspection while a major clean-up operation continued.

The eastbound tunnel had been reopened on Tuesday afternoon with a contraflow system.

Continue reading the main story

Following the structural assessment that was concluded earlier this morning - and the considerable amount of work carried out on the tunnels over the last 72 hours - the westbound tunnel has now been reopened”

End Quote Carl Sargeant Transport Minister All damaged lighting in the tunnel was removed, and lighting in the eastern section was being cleaned, repaired and tested.

Mr Sargeant said: "Following the structural assessment that was concluded earlier this morning - and the considerable amount of work carried out on the tunnels over the last 72 hours - the westbound tunnel has now been reopened.

"This morning we have resurfaced sections of the tunnel, replaced white lining, replaced reflective studs and cleaned the tunnel bore and surfacing.

"The westbound tunnel will be opened with only partial lighting.

"It will therefore be opened under a 30mph speed restriction which will remain in place until we are able to carry out improvements to the tunnel over the coming weeks during a series of night time closures to minimise disruption to road users."

The minister said he wanted to express his appreciation "for the professionalism of the emergency services and the team, who have worked tirelessly to reopen the tunnel before the Friday rush-hour in addition to the patience and understanding of motorists".

He added: "The initial blaze was dealt with expediently, with the safety of motorists paramount.

The tunnel, described as the main artery into Wales, reopened fully to traffic on Friday afternoon

"The fact that there were no fatalities or injuries, even though the fire took place during rush hour, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the emergency professionals involved."

Described as the main artery into Wales, the tunnel was closed on Tuesday morning following the incident at about 0830 BST.

Despite the severity of the blaze, and the chaos that followed, the lorry driver escaped unhurt.

Firefighters spent most of the day tackling the blaze, and black smoke was seen billowing from the tunnel.

Drivers caught in the congestion reported taking up to an hour to travel a mile, with lengthy tailbacks spanning several junctions.

The incident has re-opened the debate on whether an M4 relief road is needed.

Speaking before the reopening, Rhodri-Gwynn Jones, director of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Wales, said the heat from the blaze could have caused concrete to expand and crack.

Keith Jones, director of the Institution of Civil Engineers Wales, said the tunnel's steel roof, which was extensively damaged, would be removed so workers could get to the concrete lining underneath.

The cost of repairing the 44-year-old tunnel "could run from tens of thousands of pounds to millions, depending on extent of the damage", but would be covered by insurance, he said.

View the original article here

Labour Rhondda veteran is mourned

28 July 2011 Last updated at 15:18 GMT Ken Hopkins, filmed by the BBC in 1996 Tributes have been paid to a Welsh Labour party stalwart.

Former local education authority director Ken Hopkins was a life-long Labour member from the Rhondda who chaired the party in Wales.

He helped shape Labour's policy towards devolution before its landslide victory at the 1997 general election.

The father-of-one and grandfather, who leaves a widow Margaret, died after an illness on Saturday. He was 86.

Continue reading the main story

It is not just the Rhondda Labour Party or indeed the wider labour movement that will miss him but his friends, neighbours, former pupils and colleagues”

End Quote Chris Bryant Rhondda MP Caerphilly MP Wayne David said Mr Hopkins was a convert to devolution who - after Wales voted No at the referendum of 1979 - was instrumental in shaping Labour's policy that led to the creation of the Welsh assembly.

"He was quite key in taking the Labour Party from effectively an opositionalist position to devolution, because the grass-roots never really supported devolution in 1979, certainly in the valleys," he said.

He remained an ardent opponent of nationalism and was "absolutely horrified" when Plaid Cymru won his local seat at the first assembly elections of 1999, Mr David said.

'Fight back'

Rhondda Labour Party secretary Kevin Morgan, a pupil of Mr Hopkins's when he was headmaster of Ferndale Grammar School, said: "He was absolutely devastated, but what was typical of him was he was there for the Labour Party in good times and bad times, and when there were bad times he led the fight back."

He was twice secretary of Rhondda Labour Party and was Welsh Labour chairman in 1991/92. He served on the party's Welsh and UK policy forums.

After teaching he became director of education for Mid-Glamorgan.

Friends say he continued to take an interest in policy, publishing a pamphlet in 2006 calling for government action to boost Welsh-language education.

Rhondda AM Leighton Andrews, who regained the seat for Labour in 1999, remembered a "party man who worked hard behind the scenes", adding: "He was passionate about education and passionate about enabling more people to move into education."

Writing on the social networking website Face book, where well-wishers left tributes, Rhondda MP Chris Bryant, said the party had lost a "loyal and committed member".

"It is not just the Rhondda Labour Party or indeed the wider labour movement that will miss him but his friends, neighbours, former pupils and colleagues," he said.

View the original article here

Cyrraedd y nod ariannol

Mae'r darged leol ar gyfer yr Eisteddfod eleni wedi pasio'r nod

Ar ddiwrnod cyntaf yr Eisteddfod yn Wrecsam a'r Fro fe gyhoeddwyd bod targed y gronfa leol wedi ei chyrraedd.

Dywedodd Aled Roberts, Cadeirydd Pwyllgor Gwaith yr Eisteddfod eleni, ei fod yn falch iawn eu bod wedi pasio'r targed o ?275,000.

Dros y penwythnos cyntaf mae'r Eisteddfod wedi cynnig dau docyn am bris un yn lleol.

Mae hwn yn ddatblygiad o'r cynllun yn 2010 ym Mlaenau Gwent o docyn am ddim i bobl leol yn bennaf ar y dydd Sul.

Yn ol Mr Roberts mae hi wedi bod yn amser eitha' anodd yn yr hinsawdd economaidd i gyrraedd y targed ariannol.

"Ond dwi'n falch o allu dweud ein bod wedi pasio targed y gronfa leol erbyn hyn," meddai.

"Mae hyn yn mynd i roi hwb ychwanegol i ni."

Dau am bris un

Yn ol Hywel Wyn Edwards, Trefnydd yr Eisteddfod, mae'r gronfa leol bore Sadwrn wedi cyrraedd ?281,000.

Ategodd Mr Roberts bod yr arian yn dal i ddod i mewn.

"Fyddwn ni ddim yn stopio tan y byddwn ni wedi cyrraedd y targed answyddogol wnaethon ni ei osod fel Pwyllgor Gwaith, oedd dipyn uwch na'r ?275,000.

"Mae'r gwaith yn parhau - awn ymlaen."

Dywedodd ei fod yn falch iawn o'r ardaloedd lleol sydd wedi bod yn gefnogol iawn a bod rhai ardaloedd wedi bod yn llwyddiannus iawn, fel Dyffryn Ceiriog sydd dros 180% o'u targed ond bod ardaloedd mwy Seisnig wedi cyrraedd y nod.

Cafodd tua 16,000 o daflenni eu dosbarthu yn rhoi manylion am y cynllun dau docyn am bris un.

"Mae'r ymateb wedi bod yn dda iawn yn lleol ac yn un cadarnhaol iawn," yn ol Gwenllian Carr, Pennaeth Cyfathrebu'r Eisteddfod.

"Drwy hybu'r penwythnos cyntaf fel un teuluol a chysylltu efo pob disgybl yn yr ysgol gynradd, mae'n rhoi hwb i'r ymwelwyr."

Roedd hwn yn gynllyn arbennig ar gyfer ardal bwrdeistref Wrecsam.

Cyfieithu

Ategodd Mr Roberts bod y cynllun yn rhoi hwb i bobl leol di-Gymraeg ymweld a phrofi'r Eisteddfod am y tro cyntaf.

"Yn ystod yr wythnos dwi'n gobeithio y gallwn ni fel Cymry'r ardal fwynhau.

"Ond yr hyn sy'n braf ydi gweld cynifer o'r di-Gymraeg yn cefnogi ar y Maes.

"Cafodd y nifer mwya o declynnau cyfieithu eu defnyddio yn y cyngerdd agoriadol nos Wener.

"Dyna oedden ni eisiau yn yr ardal yma, yn hytrach na dim ond gweld yr un hen wynebau, bod 'na bobl newydd yn gweld yr arlwy sydd ar gael yma.

"Dwi'n teimlo'n ffyddiog ein bod yn mynd i gael Eisteddfod lwyddiannus iawn."

View the original article here

Six care home staff suspended

29 July 2011 Last updated at 14:39 GMT Serious failings were found at the Cerrig Camu care home Six staff have been suspended at a Gwynedd home which cares for adults with learning difficulties after a report criticised it for "a significant number of failings".

Inspectors visiting after a complaint found smelly rooms and a poor standard of care at Cerrig Camu in Dolgellau.

The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) has now told the home to make urgent improvements.

The home owners said it took client welfare extremely seriously.

The home caters for 24 adults in four buildings on the 11-acre estate. They are cared for by 57 staff.

Inspectors who visited in June found the bathrooms and toilets were in a poor state of repair, institutional in appearance and two bedrooms stank of urine.

'Appropriate intervention'

Continue reading the main story

A strong smell of disinfectant pervaded all communal areas making it uncomfortable to spend any time in these areas, particularly the corridors”

End Quote Jacqueline Hughes CSSIW report author They also reported that medication was not being given at prescribed times or recorded correctly, and found little evidence of "appropriate levels of staff training and competence in this area".

Poor morale among staff, lack of communication between individual staff and teams at all levels were also noted.

As for mealtimes at the home, inspectors observed the quality of the food to be "poor with little consideration for the identified health and medical needs" of the residents.

In the CSSIW report, its author Jacqueline Hughes said regular visits had been made to the home and reports prepared.

But the report added that many failings identified "have not triggered appropriate intervention from the responsible individual or the directors of the company".

Ms Hughes wroted that the service provided "does not provide an acceptable level of care or a comfortable, safe environment".

Smell of disinfectant

Continue reading the main story

The findings of that independent report have led us to take immediate action and suspended six of our care staff at Cerrig Camu, pending further enquiries”

End Quote Statement Regard Partnership Ltd One resident reported in October 2010 that he could not sleep properly because there were no curtains or blinds at his bedroom window.

But his concerns were ignored by staff and the resident "covered the windows in black plastic sacks and adhesive tape".

"Sitting areas have minimal furnishing and are clinical and institutional. Broken doors and windows were boarded up," Ms Hughes wrote.

"A strong smell of disinfectant pervaded all communal areas making it uncomfortable to spend any time in these areas, particularly the corridors."

'Immediate action'

CSSIW said it inspected the home after receiving an anonymous telephone call.

A spokesman for Gwynedd Council confirmed the authority and officers from CSSIW "are working together in accordance with national guidelines for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults".

Surrey-based Regard Partnership Ltd said it took client welfare extremely seriously and had procedures in place "to ensure that should a problem arise we are able to deal with it quickly".

It added that it has a "strict whistle blowing police that allows staff or clients to immediately and confidentially inform the management team of any problems that may be affecting them".

The company said it had requested an independent quality assessment of "client procedures" in response to a "concerned member of our staff".

"The findings of that independent report have led us to take immediate action and suspended six of our care staff at Cerrig Camu, pending further enquiries," it added.

View the original article here

Wrexham supporters' plea for calm

30 July 2011 Last updated at 14:03 GMT Wrexham Supporters' Trust want the club run as a community venture Wrexham Supporters' Trust (WST) has called for calm over cash-strapped Wrexham FC's future.

Around 115 staff at the club, including the players, have not been paid and two pre-season friendlies were called off.

Owners Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts put the club up for sale in May and say they have no more money while Mr Moss said he has received death threats.

WST said it "appreciated" the emotions and passions that have raised in the "rollercoaster week".

In a statement on its website, WST said: "This is a time for responsible and calm behaviour by all parties and all fans.

"The trust board is engaged in serious efforts to help our club survive and needs to be allowed to get on with the job professionally and without distractions.

"The trust board does not support, encourage or condone behaviour that brings into disrepute the wider fan base or those associated with Wrexham or football in the area.

"There is no justification for illegal and harassing activity by anyone and neither the Trust board nor the membership will be associated with such behaviour."

Wrexham Village, the holding company which owns Wrexham FC, also owns the Racecourse ground and the club's training facility.

Discussions Glyndwr University is discussing plans which could see it buy into the Racecourse with the WST buying the football club.

The Football Conference is seeking urgent assurances that Wrexham will be able to complete its fixtures in the coming season.

Wrexham's 2011/12 Blue Square Bet Premier campaign is due to get underway at the Racecourse against Cambridge on Saturday, 13 August.

The club's pre-season friendlies at Colwyn Bay on Thursday night and at Vauxhall Motors on Saturday have been cancelled.

The supporters' trust said it was confident it could complete a deal to take over the club.

Meanwhile, it has given its backing to the Wrexham Supporters' Federation which is appealing for fans to help pay the players' wages.

"The week ahead is undoubtedly a big one but the possibility of Glyndwr University buying the Racecourse and Colliers Park to enable the owners to clear the debt, pay players' wages and sell the club to the Trust is very much still alive," the WST statement added.

The Board is confident that if that agreement goes through there will be a workable lease arrangement to develop a unique partnership between the university and Wrexham football club, one that is genuinely committed to the community of Wrexham and north Wales.

"The trust will continue to provide timely updates and would ask members to rely on us for authoritative information, rather than gossip or speculation.

"As case in point Mr Moss has invited the Trust chief executive efficer to spend more time at the club working in preparation for a potential handover if the deal can be finalised."

View the original article here