Latest news with #Cardiff-bound
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ystrad Mynach's famous white squirrel has died
A famous and rare one-in-100,000 white squirrel has reportedly died. The creature had been a hit with locals in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly borough, over the last few years. Residents and visitors regularly shared sightings on social media, which helped the rodent make national news a number of times since it was first spotted around 2023. The squirrel appeared to have red-blue eyes and bright white fur, so it was thought to have been an albino squirrel. Albinism is a genetic mutation that causes a complete lack of pigment. Sadly, local man Kev Hart, who regularly saw the beautiful animal in his garden, shared that he found it dead. READ MORE: Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Wales and 14 areas will see the worst of it READ MORE: Tractor driver had asked for permission to cross before Cardiff-bound train hit him He said it didn't have any obvious signs of injury and he hopes to bury it soon. He told WalesOnline: "I came across the deceased squirrel opposite my drive, which is down the lane next to Portofinos. "There are no visual signs that it had been run over or attacked in any way. I will wrap it in plastic sheeting and bury it later. "I'm gutted because I have gotten used to see it running around." He added: "I used to see it least once a week. Last week he was running across the roof of the toilet block. "He was always risking it by crossing the road though, but there was no visible damage to him to explain his death." The white squirrel isn't the only unusual squirrel that has been spotted in the town. Earlier this week a striking grey and white squirrel was pictured visiting someone's garden. It is likely that the squirrel is leucistic, a genetic condition causing the partial loss of pigmentation resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration. You can read about that here. In the wild grey squirrels typically live between two and five years, but they can live up to nine years. Grey squirrels often die due to a combination of predation, disease, and human-related factors like car collisions.
Wales Online
04-06-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Tractor driver had asked for permission to cross before Cardiff-bound train hit him
Tractor driver had asked for permission to cross before Cardiff-bound train hit him A 32-year-old man was arrested and then released under investigation The train, which did not derail, continued for another 500m before coming to a stop with the trailer still hanging off its front A tractor driver crossing a railway line in Leominster had asked for permission to cross before a train hit him, initial investigation findings suggest. The driver of the tractor had been using the level crossing at Nordan Farm near Leominster at 10.37am on May 22 when the Transport for Wales train which had been travelling between Manchester and Cardiff collided with the agricultural trailer which was being hauled by the tractor. The train, which did not derail, continued for another 500m before coming to a stop with the trailer still hanging off its front. The tractor driver was not injured in the incident but six train passengers did suffer injuries described as minor. Two of the people who were injured were taken to hospital and later discharged. An investigation is underway, conducted by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). In its report released on Wednesday detailing its initial findings the branch found that it seems normal protocol was followed in that the tractor driver did make a telephone call to the signaller to ask if it was safe to cross by using the telephones that are available beside the railway line. The Nordan Farm crossing is regularly used by drivers of agricultural vehicles. When the farmer did cross the trailer their tractor was carrying was hit within seconds by the train which was travelling at 80mph, according to the investigation branch. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Article continues below The RAIB statement reads: 'Nordan Farm user worked crossing is fitted with telephones. Users are directed by signs at the crossing to use the telephones to obtain permission from the signaller before opening the crossing gates and crossing the railway. "The evidence available to RAIB shows that the driver of the tractor involved in this accident telephoned the signaller before using the crossing.' It added: 'RAIB's initial analysis indicates that the train was travelling at around 80mph when it struck the trailer. "As a result of the collision, the trailer parted from the tractor and became wedged on the front of the train. The train then ran for around 500m under braking before it came to a stand.' The investigation, which is ongoing, will determine the sequence of events that led to the accident and will monitor what went wrong for the incident to happen. The crash damaged the train, trailer, track, lineside equipment and another level crossing beyond Nordan Farm. Rail disruption hit the network for more than 24 hours, with the line blocked between Hereford and Shrewsbury, after the crash. British Transport Police arrested a 32-year-old man who was released under investigation. Article continues below
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
Wales international's younger brother 'on fire' as he takes jersey off club legend
Wales international's younger brother 'on fire' as he takes jersey off club legend The 22-year-old helped his club to title glory in what was described as a 'changing of the guard' Lloyd is 'on fire' after making the No. 10 jersey his own (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Newport RFC have been crowned the best team in Wales outside of the professional game after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18 in the first-ever Super Rygbi Cymru final, with young fly-half Jac Lloyd helping them to victory with a player of the match performance. The Black & Ambers ended their 150th anniversary season on a high at Eugene Cross Park as they defeated the Steelmen on Sunday afternoon to become the inaugural winners of the new league and take the second-tier title for the first time since 2004. Tries from Dafydd Buckland, Lloyd and Carwyn Penny helped Newport to victory, with the outside-half putting the outcome beyond all doubt from the tee as he was named the official player of the match. The 22-year-old - who is the younger brother of Wales international and Cardiff-bound Scarlets star Ioan Lloyd - has quickly become a key player for Ty Morris' side after breaking into the team earlier this season. Lloyd, who can also play at full-back, came through the Bristol Bears' academy and played for Sydney University in the Shute Shield before moving to Newport in 2023. He made 16 appearances in his first season with the club as they finished runners-up in the Welsh Premiership, with seven of those coming as starting fly-half. Article continues below However, with club legend and long-time star playmaker Matt O'Brien taking on further responsibilities as part of the Dragons' senior coaching staff, it has fallen to someone else to pull the strings for the Black & Ambers, with former Wales U20s star Lloyd stepping up to fill the role. Having made the jersey his own, the youngster looks set to be the main man at No.10 for Morris' team, with O'Brien himself giving his seal of approval after Sunday's victory over Ebbw Vale. While he confirmed that he is planning on staying at the club for "a couple more seasons", the 32-year-old admitted that he currently doesn't expect to get back into the team ahead of the "on fire" Lloyd. Dedicating the title win to club legend and 'Mr Newport' Brian Jones, who died last month, O'Brien told S4C: "It feels brilliant, the supporters they deserve it more than anyone. "A lot of hard work has gone into it over the last four or five years and we got the reward today. I think the better side won." The fly-half was named Player of the Match as Newport defeated Ebbw Vale in the Super Rygbi Cymru final (Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency ) Quizzed on his future, he added: "I'm potentially still going to have a couple more seasons but I'll be playing a lot less with everything going on. "But I think you saw today, the changing of the guard has probably happened already, to be honest. Jac Lloyd, I don't think I'll ever get the shirt back off him, he's on fire "I'm chuffed for him, I'm chuffed for the club and with the 150th anniversary, I think it's a great way to finish, obviously with the passing of BJ a few weeks ago as well as we all know, so I'm really pleased. " Lloyd's standout performance against Ebbw Vale comes after head coach Morris hailed him as "one of the best all-rounders in the league" after rising to the challenge of filling O'Brien's boots at fly-half. 'We were aware at the beginning of last season about Matt's commitments to the Dragons and where his future lied regarding coaching,' the coach told the South Wales Argus. 'We had to accept that Matt was not going to be available as much but the way things worked out meant he still played around 70 per cent of games last year. 'We thought that we would be making the transition but Jac probably didn't get as much game time as he wanted last season, but he has this time. He has really grown into the role, especially post-Christmas when Matt has been unavailable or injured. Article continues below 'Jac has had time in the saddle, has grabbed that 10 jersey and, in my opinion, is one of the best all-rounders in the league," Morris added. "[He] has been able to have the time to make errors whereas previously he would have two or three games and then Matt would have two or three games. 'He is growing in terms of his performances but also with his confidence around the group, being a leader, talking a lot and controlling games.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newport lift Super Rygbi Cymru title at Ebbw Vale
Newport have been crowned inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru champions after beating Ebbw Vale 27-18 at Eugene Cross Park. The Black and Ambers led 17-6 at the break and maintained the initiative to inflict the Steelmen's first home defeat of the season. Evan Lloyd put the hosts in front with an early penalty, but after fly-half opponent Jac Lloyd replied, Dafydd Buckland went over for a lead Newport held onto until the final whistle. Jac Lloyd, brother of Wales and Scarlets' Cardiff-bound 10 Ioan Lloyd, broke through for his own touchdown in a man-of-the-match display. Wing Carwyn Penny was next to cross before Ebbw Vale hit back through Ewan Bowden and Curtis Gregory added a second touchdown before Jac Lloyd put the outcome beyond doubt with a penalty. Cardiff finished top of the table during the regular season, but lost out in the play-offs that ended with Newport travelling to Ebbw Vale in the final. Super Rygbi Cymru competition launched by WRU
