Latest news with #ValeOfGlamorgan
BBC News
3 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
'Filthy' Aberthaw quarry dust covers village homes and cars
Dust blown in from a quarry has covered homes and possessions and caused sore eyes and difficulties with breathing, residents of a south Wales community fuel ash (PFA) blew in to the villages of Fonmon and Font-y-Gary, Vale of Glamorgan, from nearby Aberthaw Quarry after a period of dry and windy told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that bedroom window sills were covered in thick black dust and reported feeling like they had sand paper in their company RWE, which is carrying out works to clean the site and remove the PFA, apologised and said it was "quickly and diligently" trying to address the issue. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) said it was investigating the works to make sure proper controls were put in place."I noticed that the soles of our feet… were absolutely black," said local resident Charlotte Troth, as she recalled one of the worst incidents of ash being blown into Fonmon recently."[They were] filthy black and I'd only walked inside my house without my shoes on."Then I started looking all over the house and my two-year old daughter's bedroom window sills were covered in thick black dust," she said, adding it had been warm that day and the windows had been open. Ms Troth said the whole house was covered in thick black dust."We went into panic mode… [and] just started deep cleaning everything," she said."My eyes were feeling gritty and when I woke up in the morning it was like having sand paper in my eyes… and they felt really dry."The residents recalled three days in particular when the dust clouds were at their worst: 4 July, 8 July and 14 residents said dust had been on their property and possessions most days, with it returning to the surface of cars, patios and even kitchen floors hours after cleaning it resident Denise Cooper compared the dust to a mist "from one end from the castle right the way down to past Fonmon cross roads". "That's happened three times, this mist… but in terms of dust levels in our homes [it's] every day."Another resident of Fonmon, Denise Martlew, said: "I've had to keep the windows and doors closed obviously because I can't breathe it in."You open it for 10 minutes and the dust, it comes in," she said."We shouldn't have to live like this in this day and age."We are not living on a coal site, but we're experiencing the same effects."Denise Cooper said she first complained about the dust on 7July, and claimed it had caused her to develop a chest infection."I couldn't breathe. My garden furniture, my patio. Absolutely black," she said. RWE said the properties of PFA were "well known" and classified as non-hazardous, adding "decades of research and ash re-use confirm that PFA is stable and non-toxic".It said the activity at Aberthaw Quarry, which they have contracted Walters UK to undertake, involved essential works as part of the company's obligation to remediate and transform the site for future benefit and agricultural quarry was used as a site to transport and store PFA from Aberthaw Power Station, Wales' last coal-fired power station, which closed in of the former power station is expected to be completed by 2027, but there is also a 17 million tonne mound of compacted waste ash on site which will take years to be removed and processed. Anne Sloman, who lives in Font-y-Gary, is also concerned about the future of the ash added: "[We're] worried to the extent that possibly next year we'll put our house up and move."We've been there 27 years, love the spot, but this is a huge impact on our lives."RWE said the recent heat wave and strong winds, combined with the necessary removal of vegetation prior to reprofiling works, had contributed to unintended dust emissions from the site."RWE has been working with its contractor, Walters UK, to minimise local disruption through dust suppression measures, such as the use of water bowsers and halting works when necessary," a spokesperson said. Vale of Glamorgan Council was approached for a comment.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Vale of Glamorgan council defends Cosmeston aqua park emails
Council bosses have defended comments made in correspondence made public after plans for a controversial water park were given the to the attraction at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, near Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, obtained emails involving the council and Aqua Park Group using the Freedom of Information showed the firm proposed a potential 15-year deal and was told there was an "agreement to move forward with you behind the scenes".But council leader Lis Burnett said no agreement to begin the trial was made before a decision was made by cabinet members in March, and that a suggested 15-year term was at the company's suggestion alone. A council spokesperson also said the comment "moving forward" referred to moving forward with the preparation of a draft heads of terms document and discussions on requirements for water sampling and other operational added that if cabinet members had not given their approval in March, and if Natural Resources Wales had not issued its consent, "discussions would have stopped".The attraction had wanted to relocate after being based in Cardiff Bay since 2019 and includes an inflatable assault course with slides and climbing frames Councillors raised concerns about the emails obtained by the Save Cosmeston and the Vale campaign group during Monday's full council accused the authority of not involving locally-elected representatives and residents sooner as discussions about the scheme went back to it was only in March when the plans were discussed publicly at a council cabinet ward councillor Anthony Ernest said it had been "very badly handled".And Plaid Cymru group leader Ian Johnson said he had "strong concerns" about how quickly it went from being publicised to receiving email from a Vale Council officer to Aqua Park Group on 23 January said there was an agreement for the council to pursue a licence for the company to trial an attraction at Cosmeston Lakes this went on to add that a report on the proposal would need to go before council cabinet members and stated "it will be essential to avoid any sort of publicity about your move before the cabinet report is agreed". Ms Burnett told councillors: "It is entirely normal for staff to have discussions with potential partners to assess feasibility before bringing proposals to cabinet and the council's other committees."This is necessary to allow us to carry out due diligence and risk assessments in the public interest."The aqua park is being trialled until September after which the council will decide whether to consider allowing such an attraction to operate the following season at the country park which has been an official nature reserve since 2013.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Barry man died of stab wound to chest, inquest hears
A father-of-one died from a single stab wound to his chest, an inquest opening into his death has heard. Kamran Rasool Aman, 38, was discovered with a wound to the torso on Barry Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, where he Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service received reports of a disturbance just prior to midnight on 30 Pontypridd Coroner's Court hearing was told that the "public, police and paramedics carried out lifesaving medical steps", but Mr Aman was declared dead in the early hours of the morning of 1 July. A post-mortem exam was carried out and the cause of death confirmed as "1a, stab wound to the left chest, involving left ventricle".South Wales Central Area Coroner, Kerrie Burge, said it was necessary to open an inquest into the death of Mr Aman because there was reason to suspect his death was "unnatural", adding that, "further evidence has to be gathered as part of the criminal investigation".The inquest has been suspended to allow the criminal investigation to offered condolences to the family for their loss in such difficult circumstances. Two boys, aged 16 and 17 from Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, who cannot be named because of their age, have been charged with defendants are remanded in youth custody and will next appear at a hearing in Cardiff Crown Court in August where they will enter a a previously issued tribute, Mr Aman's family said he was a "devoted husband, a loving father, a cherished son, brother, uncle, and loyal friend"."Kamran was the heart of his family and loved within his community," they added."Known for his, generous spirit, and kind heart, Kamran brought warmth and strength to everyone he met. His absence leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of all who knew him."
Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Telegraph
The genteel Welsh seaside town with Michelin stars, award-winning pubs and proud locals
Just before sunrise, Penarth was strangely astir. Cloaked figures emerged from the darkness, coalescing at the water's edge. Born during lockdown, the Dawnstalkers Sea Swim Club – less a club, more a community open to all – meets here every morning, year-round. As the sun broke the horizon and I disrobed to take my own plunge, I spoke to Sarah-Jane from Lancashire. On the basis of seeing the Dawnstalkers on Instagram, she'd moved here; she's since become engaged to a fellow swimmer. Not every visitor will find love in Penarth, but it's easy to understand the more general appeal. This small farming and fishing village in the Vale of Glamorgan boomed in the 19th century thanks to the building of the docks, the arrival of the railway and the tourism marketeers, who branded it 'the Garden by the Sea'. Penarth is still a box-ticker, offering both coast and countryside plus a community feel with big-city benefits: Cardiff is just 12 minutes away by train. This makes it prime commuter territory, with some of the most expensive addresses in Wales. But while gentrification has priced some people out, it has helped make Penarth more resilient. 'Many towns are struggling,' one local told me, 'but Penarth has bucked the trend.' What's it really like? Penarth is by the sea – well, the silty surgings of the Bristol Channel. But it's not really a traditional seaside town. Yes, it has a Victorian pier. You can buy ice creams (try Fablas), promenade under bulb-strung lampposts and look across to the Somerset coast. But there are no arcades, no sandy beach. 'Penarth has never been about the bucket-and-spade brigade,' explained John Davies, editor of Penarth View. 'If you want candy floss and rock, go to Barry Island [eight miles west]. Penarth is more genteel.' I mooched around, starting by the sea, walking past the tiny but exotic Italian gardens and up through the Edwardian landscaping of Alexandra Park. It all looked extremely well-kept. 'There's real pride in Penarth,' explained Nia Hollins of the Vale of Glamorgan Council. 'The people who live here are making the choice to be involved.' Many are retired professionals, with time on their hands and skills to impart. But there's fresh blood too. Davies also runs the Milkshed, Penarth's first co-working space: 'Our studios are fully let for the next two years,' he said. 'People don't want to commute into Cardiff. They want to come and grow their businesses here.' One new business taking a punt is Silures restaurant, which recently opened at Holm House hotel. This 1920s sea-view mansion was formerly a boutique hotel visited by an array of celebs, from David Hasselhoff to Gary Lineker. That closed in 2024 and it's now a collection of self-catering suites, to which Silures will add 'high-quality food at accessible prices', not least 25 per cent off lobster on Thermidor Thursdays. What's not to like? Parking is a constant source of grumbling, largely because there's no town centre car park. However, there's plenty of free parking on-street and on the edge of town. I made use of the large free site at Cliff Parade, near the much-loved Wilmore's 1938 Cafe. It was well-placed for walking to Comeston Lakes Country Park and along the Coast Path to Lavernock Point, following the fossil-flecked Jurassic cliffs. The car park was also a pleasant mile's walk into the town centre, past the mansions of Victorian shipping tycoons. On that walk, I passed a film crew doing things with cables and hanging around trailers. A sign warned of flashing lights and imitation weapons: 'Please do not be alarmed'. This sort of thing happens frequently here. This set-up was for Casualty, but Penarth has appeared in all sorts. For instance, the Pier Pavilion was transformed into a 1950s Miami cinema for Dr Who and, most recently, the town appeared in BBC comedy-sleuth series Death Valley. While the glamour of being on telly appeals to some locals, it riles others who argue the disruption affects trade – not to mention what it does to the parking… Do this… Support the high street. Start at Grade II-listed Windsor Arcade, where a family-run greengrocer Windsor Fruit Stores of Penarth sells every type of fruit and veg, and Umpa Lumpa sells every type of retro sweet. At the front of the arcade is Griffin Books, UK Independent Bookshop of the Year 2023 and heart of the community: it's just expanded into the shop next door and runs free story time sessions, six book clubs and author events. I had a good browse, then sampled cheese with Jean-Marc at Fauvette and popped into Brød to eat fresh-baked knude and sit where Timothy Spall does in Death Valley. Eat this… Eat everything more like. Over the past decade, Penarth has developed something of a foodie reputation, both in terms of variety and accolades. Chef James Sommerin launched his intimate, 24-seat restaurant, Home, here in 2021; it was awarded a Michelin star six months later. The trendy Touring Club, co-owned by celebrity chef Bryn Williams won a Bib Gourmand in 2024 for its unfussy small plates. Then there's Keyif for top Turkish, Mint & Mustard for Keralan curry and The Pilot for good food and real ale – it's CAMRA's 2025 Pub of the Year for Wales. But don't do this… Don't expect a day of seaside frolics. Penarth regularly ranks high on 'best place to live in Wales' polls but is a little lacking for holidaymakers. There's limited accommodation and few 'attractions'. For instance, Turner House – opened in 1888 so businessman James Pyke Thompson could share his art collection – is a fine building, and remains a community art-space, but won't take long to visit. The restored Art Deco Pier Pavilion is handsome, but its offering is fairly limited: cinema (mostly classics), music sessions for kids. That said, a new cultural manager was appointed in 2024, and has big plans to ensure the space is well used and enjoyed. From a local Mel Griffin, bookseller: 'We're only three miles from Cardiff, but Penarth is very much a separate town with its own identity. In the years I've lived here [since 2001] there has been a lot of development, and the seafront has been reinvigorated with the renovation of the Pier Pavilion. 'In the town centre, shops and restaurants have come and gone but there's still a great mix of independent businesses – you can get pretty much everything you need without leaving Penarth.' From a tourist Nancy Evison from Kent was drawn to Penarth by seeing the Dawnstalkers swim club on Instagram. 'I first visited them in 2022 – the community welcomed me with such openness,' she said. 'I always head straight for the pier when I arrive. I've stayed at the Beachcliff Hotel many times and just love waking up with a view of the pier at dawn.' 'It's just a really friendly kind of place, with the loveliest people,' agreed Ruth McMorrow from Belfast. 'And such a pretty wee seafront – driving down the hill, it took my breath away. I'd also really recommend the coffee and cookies from Stol Coffee.'
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gavin and Stacey: Barry house home to Doris goes up for sale
Gavin and Stacey enthusiasts have long flocked to Barry Island to have a nose at the show's filming locations. But now, fans of the much-loved comedy series have the chance to take it one step further, as the property which acted as the home of the show's iconic character Doris has gone up for sale. The two-bed mid-terrace on Trinity Street in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, neighbours the houses that also played host to Bryn and Gwen and before you ask - no, it doesn't come with a salad. Beloved Doris, played by the actress Margaret John, was a friend and next door neighbour of the Shipman John's death in 2011, the show featured a storyline that Doris had left the house to Gavin and Stacey in her was known for her frankness, as well as for refusing to make the salad for Neil the Baby's may recognise the rooms inside the property from the 2019 Christmas special, when Gavin and Stacey hosted both families from Essex and Barry and extended the dining table into the living room. The kitchen in particular saw some chaos, too, as Uncle Bryn had a meltdown over cooking Christmas dinner, and took to using walkie talkies to organise his timings and communicate with Gwen. 'Where's the salad?' A video tour of the property, posted online by Chris Davies Estate Agents, has so far racked up nearly 40k likes, with one fan commenting: "That's not Doris' house, there is no talc in the bathroom."While several others asked the all important question: "Where's the salad?"Andrew Walton, managing director of the agency, said the interest had been "excellent as a result of the history in the property". But he added: "When you whittle it down to genuine enquiries and those that are financially qualified there is a much smaller number." Uncle Bryn's house also went "viral" online when it went up for sale in 2023, with many fans getting excited at the thought of owning the ultimate memorabilia. Yet some fans expressed their sadness at the latest sale, as they said it "really is the end" of the comedy show after its iconic Christmas finale in 2024. But we all know, by rights, Doris' house belongs to Nessa.
