Cyclist killed in road incident

30 July 2011 Last updated at 15:12 GMT There is an appeal for witnesses to cyclists on the road between Pennal and Cwrt A cyclist has died after a late night road crash in Gwynedd.

The 41-year-old man was in collision with a dark-coloured car on the A493 at Pennal near the Powys border at 23:50 BST on Friday.

North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses who saw two cyclists on the Pennal to Cwrt road beforehand.

The man who died was from the south of England. He will not be named until next of kin have been informed.

A section of the the road was closed while investigations took place but reopened on Saturday morning.

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Powell and Thomas back with Wales

Venue: TwickenhamDate: Saturday, 6 AugustKick-off: 1430 BSTCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; highlights on BBC Sport website and on BBC Three (Saturday 1900-2000 BST) and on BBC Two (Sunday 1100-1200 BST) Jonathan Thomas and Andy Powell are two experienced Wales back-row players Andy Powell and Jonathan Thomas have been included in a 39-man Wales squad to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, 6 August.

The back-rowers were discarded from the party of 35 players who recently travelled to Poland for the second of two intensive training camps.

Blues prop Scott Andrews and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens, who also missed the trip to Spala, return as well.

Dwayne Peel is again unavailable, but could join the squad on 4 August.

The Sale Sharks scrum-half has been unable to join up with the rest of the players because English clubs have refused to release any Welsh player outside the designated International Rugby Board window.

But IRB rules state that all players must be released for national squad training and matches "at least 35 days before" the opening match of the 2011 World Cup.

English players have been released to the England squad under the terms of the agreement between the clubs and the Rugby Football Union.

The Welsh regions have a similar agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union.

Of the 35 players who trained at an Olympic facility in Poland for 10 days, only Scarlets flanker Rob McCusker will be unavaible for selcetion to face England. McCusker is struggling with a back problem.

Coach Warren Gatland will name the side on Thursday, 4 August for the first of three warm-up matches.

"The team to face England at Twickenham will be selected from this training squad," said Gatland.

"We have established a nucleus of players who will form our RWC squad based on their performances in training over recent weeks, but it is now time to translate those efforts onto the field.

"The players have worked hard, but places in that final World Cup squad are still very much up for grabs and a lot will depend on what we see over the course of these next three games."

After facing England at Twickenham, Wales will welcome Martin Johnson's side to the Millennium Stadium on 13 August, before ending their warm-up schedule by hosting Argentina in Cardiff seven days later.

"We have not shied away from facing the top quality opposition in preparation for this World Cup and it doesn't come much tougher than facing the 2003 World Cup winners and 2007 finalists on their home patch," added Gatland.

"The warm-up fixtures will be tough, but we are in a really tough group at the World Cup and replicating those conditions can, ultimately, only be of benefit to us."

Gatland must name his 30-man squad for September's World Cup in New Zealand by 22 August.

Wales open their campaign against defending champions South Africa on 11 September. The tournament begins with hosts New Zealand facing Tonga two days earlier.

Wales squad to face England on Saturday, 6 August (kick-off: 1430 BST):

Forwards: Scott Andrews, Gethin Jenkins (Blues), Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Adam Jones, Paul James (Ospreys), Ken Owens, Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (Blues), Luke Charteris, Danny Lydiate, Toby Faletau (Dragons), Ryan Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull, (Scarlets), Gareth Delve (Melbourne Rebels), Andy Powell (Sale Sharks)

Backs: Michael Phillips (Bayonne), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), James Hook (Perpignan) Jonathan Davies, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams (Scarlets) Gavin Henson (unattached), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues), Lee Byrne (Clermont Auvergne), Aled Brew (Dragons), Shane Williams (Ospreys), George North, Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets).

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'Toughened' Wales pleases Gatland

Venue: TwickenhamDate: Saturday, 6 AugustKick-off: 1430 BSTCoverage: Live commentary on BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru; highlights on BBC Sport website and on BBC Three (Saturday 1900-2000 BST) and on BBC Two (Sunday 1100-1200 BST) Gatland says Wales will be "fitter than ever" for the World Cup in New Zealand Improved mental toughness and fitness will ensure Wales will compete against the best teams at the 2011 World Cup, according to coach Warren Gatland.

As they gear up for the tournament, which starts in September, the Wales squad has attended two separate intensive training camps in Poland.

And Gatland believes the hard work will prove vital in New Zealand.

"It was tough physically, it was tough mentally and the players were pushed hard," Gatland told BBC Wales Sport.

"They responded extremely well. It was about building that mental toughness - something we've been criticised for [not posessing].

"We know we've got good footballers and they're in pretty good shape physically.

"But sometimes it's that mental edge that has cost us games in the past when we haven't quite switched on or had a little lapse in concentration or haven't quite nailed a critical moment in a game and it's been incredibly costly."

Gatland is a firm believer in the benefits of using the training facility in the remote village of Spala in Poland, having trained there while coach of Ireland and London Wasps.

The centre, which opened in 2000 and is used by many of Poland's Olympic athletes, has become synonymous with cryotherapy - the use of extreme low temperatures to accelerate recovery time and injury rehabilitation.

It's main purpose for Wales, said Gatland, was to allow him to cram as much training as possible into a short period of time.

"We were able to do more sessions with more intensity than we would have been able to do back here in Wales or at some other venue," said 47-year-old Gatland.

"It was tough physically, it was tough mentally and the players were pushed hard. They responded extremely well.

"It was nice to feel you were a club side and having a pre-season preparing for the start of the season."

The Wales squad have grown accustomed to the plush surroundings of a four-star hotel near their training base on the outskirts of Cardiff.

Their perceived pampered lifestyle has prompted groans of disapproval, especially from some past internationals, when results on the pitch have been poor.

But Gatland, who has been forced to deal with a spate of off-field controversies involving some squad members, says the players showed a faultless attitude and appetite for hard work.

"People might think we went to some flash resort, but it's definitely not like that at all," said the New Zealander, who is under contract until the 2015 World Cup.

Justin Tipuric's work ethic in training has caught Gatland's eye

"It's very basic in terms of the accommodation - one-star hotel stuff, but the facilities are excellent. Spala is in the middle of nowhere so there were no temptations.

"In fairness to the players, they called both camps to be dry so there was no drinking. We didn't go out and have a drink at all.

"The whole focus was rugby and just concentrating on that and preparing for the World Cup."

Gatland was also keen to stress the amount of skill work undertaken in Poland, and named Cardiff Blues scrum-half Lloyd Williams and Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric as two of the younger squad members to impress by showing "no inhibitions" and pushing some of the established faces.

The focus now turns to putting the theory into practice as Wales prepare for three warm-up games - home and away against England on 6 and 13 August, followed by Argentina's visit to Cardiff a week later.

Four years ago, Gatland's predecessor, Gareth Jenkins, saw his World Cup plans dismantle when his under-strength side crashed to a record 62-5 humiliation against England in their first warm-up match.

Jenkins' reign ended less than two months later when defeat by Fiji ended hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

"If you went and spoke to Gareth Jenkins he would say if he had his opportunity again he wouldn't pick the same side [against England]," added Gatland.

"We need to go up to Twickenham with a strong side. We need to give a good performance and build on that and get some confidence out of that first match."

Listen to more from Warren Gatland on BBC Radio Wales' The Back Page

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Tracking back

30 July 2011 Last updated at 08:10 GMT Diesel engines began to replace steam enginese in the 1960s A railway line aims to recreate sights and sounds of the 1960s using more than just trains this weekend.

Organisers at Llangollen Railway hope to step back in time with period costumes, music, and nearly 100 vehicles such as the iconic Mini and "less successful" Hillman Imp.

Visitors will also be asked to come in fancy dress.

The railway is currently trying to raise cash to extend the line 1.5 miles (2.4km) to Corwen.

"The 60s was a time of great change, including for the railways - with steam engines being scrapped and replaced with diesels and railcars," said event organiser Tez Pickthall.

"So, we're running a mixture of all those things on the railway and trying to make the usually sparkling steam engine 'Foxcite Manor' look dirty and uncared for by using special paint - just like they were in the 60s as they were run down for sale to the scrap man," he added.

There will also vintage buses operating a rail replacement service between Llangollen and Carrog to explain "how Dr Beeching closed the Dee Valley line in 1964".

Mr Pickthall said Llangollen Railway was currently trying to raise cash to match funding provided by the Welsh Government to help extend the line to Corwen.

"The atmosphere should be great," Mr Pickthall added.

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Fighting parents end play scheme

29 July 2011 Last updated at 13:58 GMT Tempers frayed over the first-come-first-served allocation of places A summer play scheme in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been cancelled after police were called in to separate parents fighting over limited places available for children.

Llantwit Fardre Community Council said it axed its plans after tempers flared on three days at Gwauncelyn Primary, Tonteg.

The council said the police were called when parents began fighting.

Councillor Graham Stacey said "there's no excuse" for the parents' behaviour.

The authority normally runs four schemes throughout the Llantwit Fardre, Tonteg, Church Village and Efail Isaf areas.

But they were reduced to just two this year, following a flood in one of the schools and changes to Welsh Government regulations regarding the sort of premises and number of staff needed to supervise the children.

On Monday, the first day of the scheme, between 140 and 160 parents queued for several hours to secure one of the 110 first-come-first-served places at Gwauncelyn Primary.

As it became obvious that not everyone was going to get in, tempers flared and violence broke out.

Similar scenes were repeated on Tuesday and Wednesday, although they were less severe as police were already on hand, anticipating difficulties.

'High tension'

In a letter to be sent out to all households in the area this week, Llantwit Fardre Community Council Leanne Handley said the risk of "further altercations between parents" left the council with "no alternative but to close down all play schemes with the last sessions being held on Friday 29 July."

She added that the "unusually high demand for places", particularly at Gwauncelyn, had caused "high tension and even fighting amongst the parents requiring a police presence".

Rhondda Cynon Taf councillor for Church Village Graham Stacey, who also serves on Llantwit Fardre Community Council, said cancellation of the remaining play schemes would mean that "a minority of parents will have ruined the holidays for everyone".

"First-come-first-served seemed the fairest system at the time, but in the light of what's happened, we'll have to go back and take a look at whether there's a safer way in which we can relaunch the play schemes," said Mr Stacey.

"It was always going to be difficult this summer, as we've had to juggle around with venues on a tighter budget, and haven't been able to offer as many places as normal, but that's no excuse for the behaviour which children and our employees have had to suffer."

One parent, who only wanted to be identified as Emma, told BBC Wales: "I saw the police hauling two parents off, but there were dozens abusing the staff as well as each other.

"There's a lot of people around here who seriously ought to be ashamed of themselves.

"When adults behave like that if they can't get their own way, then what hope is there for the kids?"

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Couple back 1,800 cow mega-dairy

29 July 2011 Last updated at 07:08 GMT The county council is to consider a retrospective planning bid for the dairy which houses 1,800 cows

A couple running a mega-dairy without planning permission in Carmarthenshire have defended the operation.

Some people living close to the two giant sheds at Cwrt Malle Farm near Carmarthen want them pulled down.

The county council is to consider a retrospective planning bid for the dairy which houses 1,800 cows.

Farmers Howell and Susan Richards defended their development on BBC One Wales' programme Welsh Mega-Dairies, which was broadcast on Thursday.

Mr and Mrs Richards rapidly expanded their business over a year ago without planning consent.

Their cows are milked 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and do not graze the grass surrounding the farm.

United States

Mr Richards argued it should be seen as a way to improving farming fortunes rather than turning the cows into little more than an industrial operation.

He said he was inspired by a mega-dairy he saw in the US where dairy herds numbering 30,000 were kept in sheds.

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We are now considering their impact on the community, the local road network and the local environment”

End Quote Eifion Bowen Carmarthenshire council "I learned more in a week out there than I probably learned in 10 years of farming here," he tells the programme.

But they may be forced to pull down their sheds if the planning decision does not go their way.

Carmarthenshire council's head of planning Eifion Bowen said the couple were warned they needed permission before the development was finished.

"We are now considering their impact on the community, the local road network and the local environment," he said.

Another farmer, in Welshpool, is contemplating following the Richards by increasing his own herd five-fold to 1,000, all housed in a high-tech dairy.

Fraser Jones's proposals for a three-storey milking parlour and sheds has attracted 833 comments - most in opposition.

Concerns

Critics cite concerns over an increase in lorries delivering feed and taking away milk, as well as the problems of disposing of slurry from so many cows in such a small space.

Campaign group Compassion in World Farming said there are animal welfare concerns surround mega-dairies.

Organic dairy farmer Allan Rogers says farmers can make a profit without mega-dairies

Chief executive Philip Lymbury claimed cows are pushed to their physical limits to produce more milk and keeping them permanently indoors makes them more likely to suffer serious health issues.

The programme also heard from Allan and Heather Rogers, who have an organic dairy farm at Chirk near Wrexham.

They argued their commitment to producing high-quality milk, which they sell direct to the customer, is making a profit while still giving their herd the chance to graze on pasture, and also a longer life.

Their 160 cows graze on grass from March to November and in winter feed predominately on forage crops such as oats and peas which the Rogers grow on their own land.

Mr Rogers said it does away with the need to buy in expensive processed feed supplements.

"Going for low input means the cost of production is also lower so we can gain a few more pence on each litre we produce," he said.

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Weever fish warning to beachgoers

29 July 2011 Last updated at 12:18 GMT Weever fish lie hidden in the sand Beachgoers in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are being warned about a rise in the number of people being stung by the venomous weever fish.

RNLI lifeguards said three people were stung in Tenby earlier this week and another was injured in Newgale, near Haverfordwest.

There have also been a rise in reports of weever fish on beaches at Llangrannog and New Quay in Ceredigion.

The fish have spines laced with venom and hide in the sand in shallow water.

The RNLI said the increase in injuries coincided with a rise in temperatures.

Phil Davies, RNLI lifeguard manager, said: "It's great to see people enjoying the Welsh beaches in this warm weather, but we would like to ask the public to be careful when walking in shallow water.

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Our advice to avoid being stung is to always wear some kind of footwear when walking in shallow water”

End Quote Phil Davies RNLI lifeguard manager "A weever fish sting can be particularly painful and they are very hard to spot since they're buried in the sand.

"Our advice to avoid being stung is to always wear some kind of footwear when walking in shallow water, whether it is a flip-flop or a jelly shoe."

People who are stung are advised to approach the RNLI's lifeguards, who are trained first aiders.

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