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Western Telegraph
31 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire named among Wales' top knotweed hotspots
Figures released by invasive plant specialists Environet reported almost two thousand sightings of the destructive plant in the county in the last 12 months. Newport in Gwent was named the country's worst hotspot for sightings of the plant. Why Japanese Knotweed is a Problem Japanese knotweed is considered one of the most invasive and destructive plants in the UK. Known for its rapid growth and aggressive root system, it can reach up to three metres underground and seven metres horizontally, often pushing through concrete, tarmac, driveways, drains and even cavity walls. While it rarely causes structural damage directly, its presence can significantly reduce property value by around 5% on average and complicate the process of selling or securing a mortgage. Legal disputes between neighbours are not uncommon when the plant spreads across property boundaries. Knotweed is legally classified as a controlled plant under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. While having it on your land isn't illegal, allowing it to spread especially into the wild or onto neighbouring properties can result in prosecution or enforcement action. Using data from their interactive heatmap Exposed, the company revealed the locations across the UK with the most verified knotweed sightings and Wales is home to some of the highest concentrations. In total, Newport city recorded 1,747 verified sightings, while Rogerstone alone saw 268 cases, making the area one of the most affected nationwide. The Vale of Glamorgan had 434 reports, and Pembrokeshire saw 1,943, with 0.46 sightings per square mile still higher than the average in England. The invasive plant, which thrives in spring and summer, can cause serious structural issues if left unmanaged. While severe damage is rare, it can reduce a property's value by around 5% and lead to disputes if it spreads between properties. Environet's data shows Wales has 3.9 knotweed sightings per square mile, compared to 1.1 in England. Emily Grant, director at Environet, said: 'By mapping verified sightings, we're helping people understand the level of risk in their local area and encouraging early identification and treatment." She added that this time of year makes knotweed easy to spot, with its heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like stems. The company offers free identification if members of the public email a photograph to their experts. The heatmap, which draws from over 100,000 verified cases, allows users to enter their postcode to check local infestations, and even add new sightings with photos to aid nationwide awareness and treatment. Other Welsh areas in the top 10 include: Cardiff: 949 Swansea: 936 Llanelli: 693 Neath: 396 More rural counties such as Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Carmarthenshire also saw hundreds of sightings.
Western Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Narberth School pupils artwork greets visitors to museum
As part of the Anti-Racist Action Plan for Wales, the signs have been funded by Welsh Government. Dr Marian Gwyn, the heritage consultant who leads on anti-racist work in Welsh museums, approached the museum with the opportunity and it was decided by the museum to work with the school to create a series of images to depict 'welcome to all'. Jayne Edwards, the museum education co-ordinator, worked with the schools to create the wonderful images for the museum. Dr Gwyn said: "I'm thrilled to see Narberth Museum's fantastic use of Welsh Government funds to create this inclusive welcome panel. 'Designed by local primary school pupils, this colourful masterpiece celebrates the richness of human diversity, sending a powerful message of welcome to every visitor who steps through the museum's doors." The project was led by museum volunteer Mark Lewis, who has previously worked with Dr Gwyn on various anti-racist projects. The children's artworkhas been praised as 'a colourful masterpiece'. (Image: Gareth Davies Photography) Mark said: 'This project was a joy from beginning to end. It shows how museums have both the responsibility and opportunity to work towards celebrating diversity. 'Narberth Museum offers a warm welcome to everyone and these signs now make that explicitly evident. The museum is grateful to Dr Gwyn for giving us the opportunity to be part of this important project.' Museum curator Pauline Griffiths added: 'Working with our local school was fantastic and the children should be proud of what they have achieved. 'These impactful signs really show how much of a community organisation the museum is and how the doors are open to all of our visitors. We are delighted to have been a part of this important project.' Dylan Parry Evans, the graphic designer who created the final versions of the signs, said:"It's been a real joy turning the children's vibrant and colourful drawings into a piece that celebrates the spirit and diversity of our community." One large sign will be placed in the museum foyer to make a bold statement of warm welcome, while two street signs will stand outside the museum and in a location within the town.
Times
9 hours ago
- Times
One-night stand exposes Chinese anxiety
E very child in China knows that parks in Shanghai used to display the sign: 'No Dogs, No Chinese'. That blunt signage is in fact an urban myth but the city's foreign-run parks really did ban native visitors (and dogs) during the century that Shanghai was split into international concessions. Decades of foreign invasion and occupation have etched a paranoia into the national psyche — a fear that westerners see the Chinese as inherently inferior, no better than an animal known for its subservience. Today, China still wrestles with its cultural relationship with the foreign. How acceptable is it to admire and imbibe, say, European or Japanese influences? Or is preferring the foreign always a sign of internalised inferiority, and what's Chinese should be seen as just as good?
