Latest news with #JanetJones
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Call for defibrillator at Keepers Pond near drowning
Local Torfaen councillor Janet Jones is calling for a defibrillator to be installed at the popular tourist spot. Janet believes this is imperative before a 'fatality' occurs and that last week's incident involving a 27-year-old man who nearly drowned to death should be the wakeup call needed to spur this into motion. Torfaen councillor Janet Jones who thinks a defibrillator should be installed near the pond (Image: Torfaen Council) Addressing the subject Janet said: 'Greater action regarding safety needs to be taken now before there is a fatality. 'May I thank everyone involved in the recent incident for their prompt response, their actions saved this man's life.' Welsh Tourist Spot Keepers Pond where a man nearly drowned (Image: NQ) She continued: 'Over the past few year's leisure activities in and around the Keepers Pond have increased significantly, but with that comes concerns for public safety. 'During two meeting with Management partners and commoners at the Keepers Pond, the last one in April, also attended by my fellow councillor Nick Horler, I reiterated my concerns and again asked that a defibrillator be installed. Some present, were worried about possible vandalism of a defibrillator. 'I also raised my concerns at a steering committee meeting of the World Heritage Group held 12th June, and I was led to understand that my concerns would once again be brought to the attention of relevant officers.' Welsh Tourist Spot Keepers Pond where a man nearly drowned (Image: NQ) Currently there are defibrillators at Blaenavon Fire Station and the Blaenavon Blues Football Club however are situated a fair bit away from the Keepers Pond. Janet said: 'Unless you are a local resident, and know where these are situated, this could be costly when trying to save a life.' Monmouthshire Council responsible for the upkeep of the site were contacted for comment.
South Wales Argus
11-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Councillor concerned at wild swimming at Keeper's Pond
Keeper's Pond, above Blaenavon, is within the UNESCO recognised World Heritage site but local councillors have raised concerns over waste and whether enough is being done to remove it. Independent councillors Janet Jones and Nick Horler, who both represent Blaenavon, asked questions over action to address fly-tipping and litter at Torfaen Borough Council's June 10 meeting. Cllr Jones said the area, which was recognised by the United Nations body for its importance to the development of the industrial revolution, has seen an increase in leisure activities which she said can pose a threat to biodiversity. She said: 'We have seen an increase in the popularity of leisure activities within the World Heritage site. This has led to concerns about the preservation of biodiversity on our doorstep. In particular, the amount of off-roading along the mountainside, swimming, and general gatherings at the Keeper's Pond.' She asked if Torfaen council has a budget to 'manage and protect' its areas recognised as being of 'outstanding universal value'. Her colleague, Cllr Horler, said fly tipping on private land is a 'blight on our heritage landscape' and asked a budget be put in place to make it easier for officers to remove fly tipping once landowners have been given notice to do so. He also said the council should have a process to remove waste within a set time limit and for costs to be recovered from landowners. READ MORE: Council leader Anthony Hunt said he 'fully appreciates the frustration' caused by fly tipping and said the council always takes action 'as quickly as we can' to address it but said 'we do have to take care as regards the law and what we can do within those powers.' The Labour leader also said he'd be 'happy' to involve the fire brigade in discussions around addressing fly-tipping after Cllr Horler said he was concerned it was placing an additional strain on the service. On Keeper's Pond Cllr Hunt said it was recognised enjoyment of the 'beautiful countryside' has increased 'tensions' but said the actual pond is within Monmouthshire County Council's boundaries but he would be 'happy' to raise the issue with the council. He said Monmouthshire County Council is partner in the World Heritage site partnership and retains responsibility for its land and assets in the protected area.
CTV News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘Forget about the past': Fans weigh in on criticism of Wayne Gretzky over Trump ties
Former NHL player Wayne Gretzky, right, and his wife Janet Jones arrive before the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP) EDMONTON — It wasn't long ago that some Canadians were up in arms about hockey legend Wayne Gretzky's ties to U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. But as the Edmonton Oilers skate their way through the Stanley Cup final, hockey fans say it's time to let bygones be bygones. 'I don't think it matters,' said Craig Hiscock, a longtime Oilers fan, as he posed Wednesday for a photo with a statue of Gretzky outside Rogers Place in Edmonton ahead of Game 1. 'Let's forget about the past. What he did here was a lot for the city, a lot for hockey.' The statue was vandalized in March and smeared with what appeared to be and strongly smelled like feces. On Wednesday, a hip-high metal fence was up around the bronze figure. An online petition started in February calling for a new name for Wayne Gretzky Drive also has about 14,000 signatures. Gretzky, the Ontario-born hockey star who led the Oilers to four Stanley Cup victories in the 1980s, recently drew the ire of Canadians for his public support of Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire for Canada to join the U.S and become its 51st state. The Great One was photographed with Trump several times at the president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. In January, Gretzky and his wife, Janet, attended Trump's inauguration in Washington. Frustrations grew after he appeared as honorary captain for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off final with the United States. Video footage showed him giving the U.S. team a thumbs-up as he walked to the ice. Gretzky also congratulated Dallas Stars players in their locker room last month, after they advanced to the Western Conference final. The Oilers eliminated the Stars in five games and now have one win against the Florida Panthers in the Cup final. Game 2 is Friday night. Brian Foulken, who became a fan during the Gretzky era and collects Oilers merchandise, said Gretzky's accomplishments, including multiple scoring records that stand to this day, still resonate with people. As for the criticism, Foulken said people are going to have their own opinions. 'At the end of the day, (Gretzky) played here for a long time. The diehard Oilers (fans), we love him,' he said outside the arena before Game 1. 'He's an amazing player.' Foulken added that current Oilers captain Connor McDavid is inching closer to Gretzky-level greatness. Darren Rogers, a Gretzky fan since the Oilers' inception into the NHL in 1979, said Gretzky's leadership led the team to win multiple Stanley Cups. Politics aside, that accomplishment should matter more to people in the grand scheme of things, Rogers said. Gretzky was in Edmonton for Wednesday's game. And as storied as Gretzky is to the Oilers franchise, he appeared to still be catching up to this new generation's fan base. On an American sports network, he sat side by side with commentators, as they discussed the Oilers' new tradition of playing the pop song 'Pink Pony Club.' Players have been tight-lipped about the significance of the Chappell Roan hit, typically heard after the team plays 'La Bamba' by Los Lobos following a win. 'Pink Pony — is that a band or is that a song?' the 64-year-old Gretzky asked TNT Sports co-host Paul Bissonnette following the Oilers' 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1. '(Roan) sings a song, 'Pink Pony Club,' and it's famous. It's on the radio,' Bissonnette answered. 'It's the new generation, Wayne,' he added. Gretzky appeared disappointed to learn Roan isn't Canadian, but still seemed eager to check out the song. 'I gotta get that (as) my ringtone,' Gretzky said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Aaron Sousa, The Canadian Press
