Latest news with #NorthWales
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Veterans railcards could extend to family in new ‘legal duty' for armed forces
Families of veterans could receive cut-price train fares of their own as part of proposals to strengthen the UK's military covenant being considered by ministers, it is understood. Eligibility for the special railcard, which provides a discount of one third on most tickets, could be extended under plans to offer more support to the armed forces community. Under existing rules, spouses of veterans can be offered concessions when travelling as a companion to the cardholder, but cannot use benefits independently. It comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed plans to place a 'legal duty' on all Government departments to consider the needs of military personnel and their families when making policy. Number 10 said more details of the measure would be set out in due course, but could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved. It is understood that one proposal being considered is the extension of the veterans railcard to family members, though no decisions have been made. Sir Keir earlier met trainee pilots and their families as he visited RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales, to mark Armed Forces Day. He said: 'Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life. 'When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us. 'Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise, ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve, that is our duty. 'Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our armed forces community at the very heart of government decision-making. 'Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.' Labour pledged in its manifesto to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports the military community through a range of initiatives and grants. Under the new legislation all areas of Government will for the first time have to have 'due regard' in decision-making for the unique circumstances and position of the armed forces community, Downing Street said. Currently this is only legally required in areas of housing, healthcare and education at local level, meaning it does not apply to central Government. The extension will cover policy areas including employment, immigration, welfare, transport, pensions, childcare and criminal justice. The Government aims to make the changes in the next Armed Forces Bill, one of which is required every five years. The last Bill was passed in 2021. It comes ahead more than 200 events expected to take place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day. The town of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire will host this year's annual national event, and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors. It will feature a military parade with personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and the RAF's Red Arrows, including music from the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of the Coldstream Guards. A flypast by Chinook helicopters and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take place above the town's beaches, as well as a fireworks display and a concert by military musicians. Defence Secretary John Healey, who will attend the celebrations, said: 'On Armed Forces Day the nation unites to thank our armed forces: our service personnel, our reservists, our veterans and our cadets. 'This is the day we celebrate all they do, in ordinary and extraordinary ways, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. 'We're matching our words with actions, committing an extra £1.5 billion to fix forces' family housing this parliament, the largest pay rise in over 20 years for personnel, and bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. 'Our government's plan for change is renewing the nation's contract with those who serve.' The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the bidding process for next year's Armed Forces Day national event will open next week on Tuesday. Local authorities can apply for up to £50,000 in funding to host the celebrations.
The Independent
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Cut-price train travel for families planned in armed forces reforms
Families of military veterans could soon benefit from their own cut-price train fares, as ministers consider extending the popular Veterans Railcard to provide travel discounts. Under current rules, the railcard offers a third off most train tickets, but spouses of veterans can only access concessions when travelling alongside the cardholder, not independently. The proposed change would allow family members to use the benefits on their own. This potential expansion forms part of wider government efforts to strengthen the UK's military covenant. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed plans for a "legal duty" on all government departments, compelling them to consider the needs of military personnel and their families when formulating policy. Number 10 indicated that more details of this measure would be set out in due course, but suggested it could include initiatives such as extending travel benefits to the families of veterans and the bereaved. While the extension of the Veterans Railcard to family members is understood to be one proposal under consideration, officials stress that no final decisions have yet been made. Sir Keir earlier met trainee pilots and their families as he visited RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales, to mark Armed Forces Day. He said: 'Across the country and around the world, our service personnel and their families make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and protect our freedom and our way of life. 'When I became Prime Minister, I made a promise to serve those who have served us. 'Through the new Armed Forces Covenant, we are delivering on that promise, ensuring our service personnel, veterans and their families are treated with the respect they deserve, that is our duty. 'Our Armed Forces Covenant will put our armed forces community at the very heart of government decision-making. 'Their courage, duty, and sacrifice are the foundation of our national values, and they deserve nothing less.' Labour pledged in its manifesto to fully implement the Armed Forces Covenant, which supports the military community through a range of initiatives and grants. Under the new legislation all areas of Government will for the first time have to have 'due regard' in decision-making for the unique circumstances and position of the armed forces community, Downing Street said. Currently, this is only legally required in areas of housing, healthcare and education at local level, meaning it does not apply to central Government. The extension will cover policy areas including employment, immigration, welfare, transport, pensions, childcare and criminal justice. The Government aims to make the changes in the next Armed Forces Bill, one of which is required every five years. The last Bill was passed in 2021. It comes ahead more than 200 events expected to take place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day. The town of Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire will host this year's annual national event, and is expected to welcome 200,000 visitors. It will feature a military parade with personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army and the RAF's Red Arrows, including music from the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of the Coldstream Guards. A flypast by Chinook helicopters and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will take place above the town's beaches, as well as a fireworks display and a concert by military musicians. Defence Secretary John Healey, who will attend the celebrations, said: 'On Armed Forces Day the nation unites to thank our armed forces: our service personnel, our reservists, our veterans and our cadets. 'This is the day we celebrate all they do, in ordinary and extraordinary ways, to make Britain secure at home and strong abroad. 'We're matching our words with actions, committing an extra £1.5 billion to fix forces' family housing this parliament, the largest pay rise in over 20 years for personnel, and bringing the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. 'Our government's plan for change is renewing the nation's contract with those who serve.' The Ministry of Defence has also announced that the bidding process for next year's Armed Forces Day national event will open next week on Tuesday. Show less
Leader Live
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Busy few months in store for North Wales cricketers
St Asaph's Ryan was certainly mighty in the latest spot of action for Wales National County (North), but it was the RAF who were able to soar to success. In the match played at Shifnal Cricket Club, the North Wales team lost out by 99 runs. Wales National County (North) were bowled out for 188, with Ryan hitting a brilliant 104 not out. This was in response to the RAF's 287 for seven. With the business end of the season still to come, the Wales NC North programme has enjoyed a productive summer to date; the first full season under head coach Chris Stead, who joined during the early stages of the 2024 season. Things began for the senior side with a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Staffordshire. The runs were very much shared about between Harrison Jones, pictured (72), Sam Aplin (54), Will Ryan (52) and Nat Scott (47) earlier this month as the North Wales side compiled 295 for four against Shropshire Seconds at Bomere Heath. Three wickets apiece from the returning Jason Foulkes and Matt Russell, plus a two for 27 haul from Jamie Grimshaw, contributed to restricting Shropshire to 224 all out. The seniors can look forward to plenty of action across the rest of the summer. A two-day trip to Northumberland will come on July 21 and 22 for T20 and 50-over encounters. Gwersyllt Park plays host to the clash versus Cumbria Seconds on July 15, while North Wales will take on the MCC at Northop Hall on August 24. Added to this, Wales National County (North) potentially have a game at home to Glamorgan Seconds, at St Asaph, on August 3. Further afield, Northop Hall's Jac Kennedy made his senior Wales National County debut against Wiltshire in the NCCA One Day Trophy, whilst Brymbo's Joe Norman did the same. This makes them the sixth and seventh North Walians to represent the senior team in the last four seasons, after Jason Foulkes, Will Ryan, Matt Ryan, Owen Reilly and Romano Franco. Kennedy remains very much in contention to feature in the NCCA three-day championship later this summer.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Welcome to Wrexham season 4 reviewed: McElhenney's pep talk, Mullin's hurt, and Ker's nipples
No matter how far Wrexham go under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, that first promotion back into the EFL two years ago will take some beating. Not just in terms of the record points tally, with the 111 garnered by Phil Parkinson's side en route to the National League title likely to remain unbeaten for a long, long time. But also the intense emotions released by the final whistle sounding at home to Boreham Wood to signal 15 years in the non-League wilderness were finally at an end. Advertisement As enjoyable and satisfying as the subsequent back-to-back promotions from Leagues Two and One proved, neither could hold a candle to that glorious April evening when dreams came true in north Wales. Even reaching the Premier League, a level Wrexham have never played at in their 160-year history, might struggle in comparison. It's been a similar story with the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series, which has helped earn the record-breaking income levels required to fund a rise through the divisions so rapid that the club now sit just one more promotion from taking a seat at the top table of English football. The finale of season two — and specifically how the endorphin-releasing Rocky theme tune, Gonna Fly Now, kicked in just as the crowd invaded the pitch to celebrate that non-League exile was over — felt similarly unassailable. Until now. A quite brilliant final episode of the current run builds towards a motivational pep talk from McElhenney to the squad a day or so before the home game against Charlton Athletic. Knowing victory in that 5.30pm kick-off will be enough to clinch promotion to the Championship, providing rivals Wycombe Wanderers failed to win at Leyton Orient earlier in the day, the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-creator had sought the opinion of an unnamed 'all-time NFL great' beforehand as to what message should be relayed. A need to play with the freedom they'd enjoyed as youngsters was the gist of the reply. 'You already did the work of a man,' urges McElhenney, having moments earlier asked the players to close their eyes and visualise those days before football became a job for them. 'Now go out there and play like a little boy.' As the co-chairman continues to push the need to channel that inner 10-year-old, the episode switches to home movie footage of the players as kids, interspersed with match action from the game against Charlton. It's cleverly done, with the audience treated to a young Ollie Rathbone weaving in and out of an opposition defence to score with a thumping finish in junior football just moments before being shown doing exactly the same to break the deadlock after 15 minutes. Advertisement Then comes a video of Sam Smith as a toddler being urged to kick a ball in the hallway of the family home, followed straight after by the striker's acrobatic finish to put Wrexham 2-0 up just three minutes on from Rathbone's opener. By the time Smith heads in the third goal from a Max Cleworth cross with nine minutes of the 90 to go — 'This one's hitting him,' promises a pre-teen Cleworth to camera in presumably his back garden when growing up — the hairs on the back of the neck are well and truly up. It makes for great TV and suitably caps another triumphant year for the production team behind Welcome to Wrexham, a show that has developed a happy knack of striking just the right balance between sporting action and turning the spotlight on the local community since debuting in autumn 2022. The latest run is no different, with a touch of Hollywood glamour sprinkled on top for good measure. Neither of their celebrity co-owners was a regular at games last season, with Reynolds attending just four and McElhenney five, including two on the road at Birmingham City and Blackpool, but the pair are a more regular presence on screen, usually talking to the camera together or via Zoom. Both bring humour to go with their storytelling skills, such as when using what McElhenney describes as 'Disney tropes' to chart the 10-week period in Wrexham's season that sees autumn become winter, including the traditional 'all is well with the world' start to a typical film in the movie company's stable that soon morphs into events taking a nosedive through tragedy. I'm not sure my traumatised six-year-old self would quite agree striker Jack Marriott breaking his leg is on a par with Bambi's mum being killed, as is suggested by Wrexham's co-owners here, but the general analogy works, especially when the required happy ending arrives courtesy of Rathbone netting a last-minute winner against Barnsley to close out an episode. The show also deals sensitively with big off-field emotional events. The 'farewell' to the late Arthur Massey, who was Wrexham's oldest supporter, is beautifully done. As is Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer befriending Archie White, a young fan suffering from a rare form of blood cancer, and the serious heart attack suffered by Maurice Jones in the crowd at Wycombe in March, which held up play for 20 minutes as medics battled to save his life. Advertisement Also handled well is the season's biggest talking point, the sudden ostracising of Mullin and Palmer. We know by now that Welcome to Wrexham is not a 'warts and all' production. Uncomfortable moments, such as when Luke Armstrong's record £500,000 transfer from Harrogate Town collapsed due to a failure to submit the relevant paperwork in time, have previously been totally ignored. But, here, the show tackles head-on a topic that continues to split opinion. By filming Mullin speaking to his performance coach about his axing in a coffee shop as Palmer chats to his father, Andy, on the telephone, the producers got far more than would surely have been the case with a more formal interview to camera. Both players were obviously hurt by Parkinson's decision, but handled themselves well. Never more so than when Palmer was watching April's win over Burton Albion at home on TV and the commentator described Steven Fletcher as 'an icon at the Racecourse'. This prompted the striker's young son to ask innocently, 'Are you an icon, Daddy?'. The reply — 'It's not up to me to decide, Buddy' — was perfectly judged. As the man who ultimately set McElhenney on the road to buying the club during the pandemic, Humphrey Ker has been another integral figure in Wrexham's rise. Thankfully, he's sticking around, even if his role has changed in the past 12 months to allow more of a family and career focus back in the States. Ker's attempts to get fit enough to run a marathon in aid of the Wrexham Miners Project proved an entertaining subplot throughout series four. He clearly hated every minute but still brought his customary good humour to proceedings, even when his nipples started to bleed during the 26.2-mile slog around the streets of Manchester. There were no such mishaps for Parkinson's team in their own distance race, lasting almost 10 months. Advertisement As with previous years, the show really steps up a gear when covering the matches themselves, as slick editing and great camerawork helped replicate the tension of the run-in, particularly during the slew of 1-0 wins that kept Wrexham on course for automatic promotion when performances perhaps didn't warrant it. That intense rush as the final whistle blew against Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United et al, invariably followed by the manager or another member of his staff puffing out their cheeks in relief, could certainly be felt through the screen. There's plenty of other great footage, too, including the November afternoon at Stockport County when Parkinson displayed much quicker thinking than his unusually off-key players during a 1-0 defeat. Having been called a 'f***ing t*t' by a female home fan standing just behind the technical area, the Wrexham manager turns around, mid-game, to shout, 'You're supposed to be a lady!'. Cue merriment among the other Stockport supporters within earshot, one even quipping, 'Who told you that?'. The camera quickly moves on, but the clip helps explain why Welcome to Wrexham retains sufficient appeal that a fifth series is already in the pipeline. Sure, the show excels at the big moments, such as the season's final episode, but it can also turn the most minor of footnotes in the Wrexham story, such as that random touchline exchange involving Parkinson at Edgeley Park, into TV gold. Welcome to Wrexham, series four, is available in the U.S. on FX and streaming on Hulu. UK viewers can watch the final episode on Disney+ from Friday, June 27. (Top photo courtesy of FX Networks)
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Palestine Action ‘terror' group behind RAF Brize Norton raid ‘plots attacks on three more air bases and drone factory'
THE Palestine Action group behind the RAF Brize Norton raid is plotting attacks on three more air bases and a drone factory. The organisation is preparing to hit targets up and down the country, as reported by The Times and Telegraph. 8 8 In their exclusive investigations, a Palestine Action meeting was recorded during which members talked about damage at the RAF Brize Norton. The group, who said it will 'continue to operate' despite "intimidating tactics" had also been recruiting members before being officially proscribed a terrorist organisation. The organiser of the 'direct action workshop', listened to by the Telegraph, said their members were aged from 18 to 80, from "nursery teachers to surgeons". She said "anyone" could be a member as long as they "want to take direct action for Palestine". When talking about their targets, they were told to hit "everything you can find with a sledgehammer" and that "sacrifices" would have to be made. Members were also asked to download the messaging app Signal, to allow for encrypted communication to be passed. The discussion then focused on how to covertly target military bases. Three RAF bases were highlighted as potential targets, RAF Cranwell and RAF Barkston Heath, both in Lincolnshire, and RAF Valley, in Anglesey, North Wales. RAF Cranwell was the world's first Air Academy and still trains the next generation of RAF officers. Meanwhile, RAF Barkston Heath is a relief landing ground for RAF Cranwell and is the home of 57 Sqn's B Flight of No 3 Flying Training School. Elsewhere, RAF Valley on Anglesey is the No 4 Flying Training School, responsible for creating the UK's next generation of fighter pilots. The female organiser further spread the message to take action against firms supplying arms to Israel. This included one drone factory in Leicester that is home to UAV Tactical Systems. The meeting's organiser was standing in front of a flag associated with the YPJ. Details heard in the meeting by the Telegraph were passed on to the police and the Ministry of Defence. 8 8 8 This comes after pro-Palestine protesters were seen clashing with cops as chaos erupted in London on Monday. A huge mob descended on Trafalgar Square in central London, leading Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to announced she had decided to proscribe Palestine Action. She explained that she will lay an order before Parliament next week which, if passed, will make membership and support for the protest group illegal. The ban will see the organisation on par with Hamas, al-Qaeda and Islamic State. The decision was made after activists from the pro-Palestinian group broke into RAF Brize Norton last week. Speaking on Sunday, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" and "frustrated" at the planned demonstration today. He wrote on social media: "I'm sure many people will be as shocked and frustrated as I am to see a protest taking place tomorrow in support of Palestine Action. "This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. 'Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft. 'Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences. "The right to protest is essential and we will always defend it but actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as legitimate protest.' Footage shared online showed two Palestine Action members breaking into the base and vandalising two planes in a "grotesque" breach of security. They spray red paint into the rear of one of the jet's two engines and deep into the aircraft itself. The pair of activists can then be seen roaming free across the grounds of the airbase on electric scooters. Brize Norton is the RAF 's largest airbase and home to more than 6,000 military and civilian personnel as well as the UK's largest military aircraft. The MoD slammed the "vandalism of Royal Air Force assets" in a scathing statement. A spokeswoman for the ministry said: "Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain. "They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. "It is our responsibility to support those who defend us." The shocking break-in at the Oxfordshire base prompted a security review at military bases across the UK. Hundreds commented under videos of the activists' efforts on social media, asking how security could be "that lacking" at a major military air base. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: "We have received a report of people gaining access to RAF Brize Norton and causing criminal damage. "An investigation has been launched and we are working with the Ministry of Defence Police and partners at RAF Brize Norton. "Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible." Palestine Action has since been desperately trying to recruit more members in a bid to create autonomous cells around the country. In an article published in April, Huda Ammori, the group's co-founder, said: 'By being security-conscious and working in small groups, we can make it difficult for the authorities to respond to individual actions by targeting the movement as a whole – such that Palestine Action can continue to grow, even in hostile conditions.' Those recruited have were also warned in the meeting they may face "legal risks" - but a free lawyer could be provided to them by the government if arrested. But Palestine Action itself would not be paying for any legal fees. Members were told they would have to accept a "level of sacrifice" for the cause, and it emerged there are 19 recruits already in prison. The meeting leader did not tell participants that if Palestine Action is proscribed, members would in fact face being thrown behind bars for up to 14 years. Despite talking about arrests, the organiser stressed this was not the goal, and urged everyone to avoid being identified. All of the members were read out an 'actions agreement' which outlined everyone was there of their "own free will". A Ministry of Defence spokesman told the Telegraph and Times: 'The UK's defence estate is vital to our national security and this government will not tolerate those who put that security at risk. 'This Government is taking the strong step of proscribing Palestine Action due to its activities, which are a threat to our national security.' A spokesman for North Wales Police added: 'Our officers continue to liaise with MoD staff in relation to security matters at RAF Valley, Anglesey. 'The emergence of potential threats to the site is recognised, with the need for additional policing and security patrols kept under regular review.' 8 8
