Latest news with #Powys
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Powys: 'Smallest school' close to England border to close
Councillors have voted to close the smallest primary school in Powys, in a move some have warned could see students move to schools outside council announced the closure of the 25-pupil Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin from 31 August, with students expected to move to Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, about six miles (9.6km) critics said parents could choose to send their children to schools in Oswestry, Shropshire, which is a similar distance Bro Cynllaith was one of three schools due to close in late 2021, but offered a reprieve as the plans were deemed unfeasible. Richard Jones, director of education on the council, said the proposal had received 20 objections, adding that the 31 August closure was "preferable" for pupils moving to a new school "so they can move at the start of a new, fresh academic year".Richard Church, also from the council, acknowledged concerns that students could move to schools in England, but questioned whether it "would be right" to make exceptions to keep schools open because they are close to England or another local authority in Wales."I don't believe it is sustainable to continue operating schools of this size - we can't make exceptions," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Sandra Davies, another council member, said she had previously campaigned against school closures in the area, but now had a different view."Having bigger schools does enhance children as individuals - they do thrive, and they are given more opportunities to grow," she council voted unanimously for the school to close.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bluetongue: Royal Welsh Show bans English livestock amid outbreak
The Royal Welsh Show is to ban livestock from England from this year's event following the spread of the bluetongue a statement, organisers said they "recognised the growing concern" around the recent Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) said livestock entries of animals susceptible to the virus - particularly cattle, sheep and goats - will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue virus restricted zone is to be extended to cover the whole of England from 1 July before the annual show in Llanelwedd, near Builth Wells in Powys, on 21-24 serotype 3 (BTV-3), mainly spread by midge bites, does not affect humans or risk food safety. RWAS said it was committed to working with and supporting exhibitors amid the outbreak and is working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the Welsh government veterinary team."Our goal is to ensure that appropriate policies and procedures are in place, in line with the most up-to-date guidance," the statement read."That said, we are taking steps to provide clarity based on current guidance, while being transparent that circumstances may evolve before the Royal Welsh Show in July."This policy has been introduced to safeguard the health of livestock exhibited at this year's Royal Welsh Show and to help reduce the risk of bluetongue spreading." The RWAS said:Entries will not be accepted from exhibitors located within a bluetongue restricted who are required to travel through a restricted zone to attend the show will also not be permitted to an exhibitor enters the show but subsequently moves into a restricted zone, they will no longer be eligible to unaffected by bluetongue restrictions will remain subject to the society's general rules and RWAS said the policy could change according to any updates in government policy before the pre-movement testing exemptions apply in England, Scotland and Wales until 12 June when the Welsh government is due to announce an summer, the Royal Welsh Show celebrated 120 years since the annual agricultural show first began. What is bluetongue? Bluetongue does not affect humans and poses no risk to public health or food safetyIn rare instances, however, dogs and other carnivores can contract it if they consume infected substances such as aborted material and affects cattle, goats, sheep, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas. The impacts on susceptible animals can vary greatly – but in most cases seen since September 2024 clinical signs have been mild and animals have is classed as a "notifiable" disease, meaning it is an offence not to report it to the of bluetongue in cattle include lethargy, crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle, and redness of the mouth, eyes and, sheep, signs include ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose, discharge from the eyes or nose and drooling from mouth, and the swelling of the lips, tongue, head and neck, as well as the coronary band (where the skin of the leg meets the horn of the foot).Other symptoms include red skin as a result of blood collecting beneath the surface, fever, lameness, breathing problems, abortion, foetal deformities and stillbirths. The disease can be fatal.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Powys council gets £500,000 for public toilet refurbishments
Toilets across one Welsh county will be refurbished after almost £500,000 was given to the local authority. The money has gone to Powys council as part of a budget deal between the Welsh government and Welsh Liberal Democrats leader Jane Dodds, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd. It will see public toilets spruced up in the towns of Knighton, Llandrindod Wells, Llanwrtyd Wells and Welsh government said decent, accessible toilets were essential in helping to attract more visitors. "We love to welcome visitors to Wales, with our promise of amazing scenery and experiences," said Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans. "But we also know that getting the basics right is essential, which is why these improvements are so important." It is the year of croeso [welcome] for tourism body Visit Wales and the funding will feed into this. Six public toilets in total on key travel routes will be refurbished, including improving disabled facilities. Llandrindod Wells is also expected to become the first town in mid Wales to offer changing places toilet alongside individual should be completed by the end of March 2026.
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The forgotten feud between Helen Skelton and huge TV star that saw her sensationally blasted for 'plagiarising' show with rip-off series - just days before 'romance' with Gethin Jones made public
George Clarke revealed his frustration over Helen Skelton 's brand new property show Forever Home in a now-deleted post. The 51 year old - best known for presenting Channel 4 's George Clarke's Amazing Spaces - took to Instagram to share his annoyance over the new programme. Forever Home, which is presented by Helen and architect Patrick Bradley, hit BBC Two on May 15. The show's press release states: 'In the programme, presenter Helen Skelton and Northern Ireland architect Patrick Bradley follow one such young couple. Jess and Colin are leaving London to return to their family roots in Powys in rural Wales where they hope to create their dream house.' But one person who isn't very happy about the show is George. Sharing a screen grab of the press release of the new programme, George fumed: 'What is that saying again?…. DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loo p. However the post backfired as someone pointed out in the comments section: 'Nobody tell him Kevin McClouds been doing Grand Design for 30 years' 'Oh that's it…. 'plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery' #BUILDINGHOME #CHANNEL4 @channel4.' However the post backfired as someone pointed out in the comments section: 'Nobody tell him Kevin McClouds been doing Grand Design for 30 years.' The post is no longer on George's account. MailOnline contacted George's rep for comment. Speaking about the show, Helen said: 'Bringing old properties back to life is always something that has fascinated me, I love a property with a story to tell. 'Watching Colin and Jess create their forever home with Patrick's guidance and ideas has been a total privilege. 'It is not always straightforward creating a dream property. 'I have lived the restoration highs and lows myself having completed my own project so getting a ring side seat for this one was a total joy.' George is an architect, who studied at Newcastle University, and is best known for presenting the likes of The Restoration Man, The Home Show and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. He's also worked on the likes of Property Dreams, Build A New Life in the Country, George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations and George Clarke's Building Home. George's rant came days before Helen and Gethin 'went public' as she wrapped her arms around the Blue Peter star on a motorbike ride. The pair - who work together on BBC's Morning Live - have been linked romantically in recent months. Looking stylish, Helen opted for a tan leather jacket and denim jeans as she gripped Gethin's waist. Wearing a black motorbike helmet, the star hopped on the back of Gethin's Triumph Bonneville bike. It came after the pair were seen leaving the BBC Morning Live studios just minutes after each other on Wednesday. Earlier this week it was revealed that Gethin is reportedly 'ticking all the boxes' for Helen. A source told The Mirror: 'Helen and Gethin are definitely getting close, they've been on a few outings together. 'Gethin has helped her through some really tough times, it's not been an easy few years for Helen, but he has been a tower of strength for her.' Helen split from her husband Richie Myler, 35, in April 2022. The former couple met in 2011. They split just four months after the birth of their third child. The two share Ernie, nine, Louis, eight, and Elsie, three. Meanwhile Gethin has been linked to Katherine Jenkins, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Katja Zwara and Cici Coleman.
The Guardian
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jacqueline Wilson ‘very wary' of writing adult Tracy Beaker novel
Jacqueline Wilson has said she would feel 'very wary' about writing an adult novel about Tracy Beaker 'because it would seem inappropriate that we would learn about her sex life'. Last year, the beloved children's author published her first novel for adults since the 1970s. Think Again was a sequel to her Girls series for teenagers, which was published between 1998 and 2002, and revisited its protagonist Ellie, who in the new book is turning 40. It became a bestseller, resonating with fans who grew up with Ellie and her friends. Wilson has since announced a second adult sequel, due out in August, this time revisiting her 1999 children's book The Illustrated Mum. Writing these sequels 'gives me pleasure', Wilson told the audience at the Hay festival in Powys. But though she plans to write more, she said Beaker, her most famous character, is unlikely to be a subject. Beaker, largely thanks to the popular TV series based on Wilson's novels, has become much bigger than just the character she created, the author explained. The feisty, curly haired heroine means a great deal to Wilson personally, too: 'She's my girl that made everything happen for me.' So while she was happy to write about Beaker as an adult from the perspective of her daughter, Jess, writing about a grownup Tracy does not appeal, as it would involve writing about her sex life. 'I don't want to go there,' the 79-year-old author said. However, Wilson did add that over the years she has learned not to say, 'I would never do that.' In two or three years' time – 'if I've got them!' the author joked – 'something or other' might make her think, 'ah, I could do it this way,' she said. 'So who knows?' Wilson said she does know which of her former characters is next to be revisited in an adult book, but she hasn't started writing it yet, and her publishers won't allow her to say who it is. However, she said she hopes the book will be out next year, 'and I hope it will be a good choice'. The writer acknowledged that some people might think she is only taking on these adult projects because she 'can't get any new ideas', but she insisted that is not true. 'But I do like to go back,' she said. 'It's a kind of literary Friends Reunited.' During the Hay event, Wilson also expressed worry that 12 of her novels have apparently been used to train AI models. 'Authors are completely unable to monitor what happens,' and 'certainly don't give permission for that,' she said. However, the author 'takes comfort' from finding that, when her partner's brother-in-law asked AI to write a story for his daughter in the style of Jacqueline Wilson, 'it was just unbearably awful. So I hope anyone who likes my books could not be happy with an AI version.'
