Ratlos

Häufig fühle ich mich ratlos. Ich höre die Nachrichten und stelle fest, dass ich vollkommen ratlos bin. Dann stelle ich mir vor, ich habe mein Rad verloren. Ein riesengroßes Rad auf dem ich, wenn ich nicht gerade ratlos bin, durch die Welt rolle. Es glänzt und bewegt sich geschmeidig durch die Landschaft. Ich halte mich an den Speichen fest und bin vollkommen entspannt. Ich muss nicht lenken oder entscheiden, wohin es geht. Ich kann dem Rad vertrauen. Bis eine Schlagzeile oder ein Spiegel unseren Weg kreuzt und behauptet: das ist unmöglich. Sofort verschwindet das Rad und lässt mich ratlos zurück.

Welsh Government offering £5,000 to tempt Welsh‑speaking teachers into secondary schools

Applications have opened for the latest round of Cynllun Pontio, a scheme that retrains Welsh‑speaking primary teachers — and those who’ve left the profession — to switch into secondary education. The programme pays participants a salary while they retrain, with ministers saying it is vital to meet demand for Welsh‑medium teaching.

Nearly 100 people have already gone through the scheme since 2020, but buried in the small print is a further sweetener: a £5,000 retention bursary for eligible secondary teachers who teach Welsh or teach through the medium of Welsh.

The incentive is part of an £8m package aimed at boosting the Welsh‑medium workforce, including funding to keep A‑level Welsh courses running in schools with low numbers and extra support for English‑medium teachers learning Welsh.

Ysgol Bro Teifi headteacher Gareth Evans said the scheme had already helped his school retrain primary teachers and bring them into the secondary sector.

“Cynllun Pontio has enabled us to retrain primary teachers to develop their experience and confidence,” he said. “Some have stayed with us, others have secured jobs elsewhere. It’s a unique and effective programme.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said the scheme was about supporting people who want to switch sectors while strengthening the Welsh‑medium workforce.

“We want to support those who want to make the switch to secondary education or rejoin teaching,” she said. “This programme provides training and financial support to help people in their education career.”

Applications are open until 22 February 2026, with candidates asked to submit forms by email.

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis || Friday Pick: "How to Organize a Real General Strike in the US" by Eric Blanc

https://benburgis.substack.com/p/friday-pick-how-to-organize-a-real

Hoje tem feira de vinil aqui perto de casa.

Vou sacar um dinheiro, deixar cartão e celular em casa, pra não correr o risco de comprar demais.

#vinyl #disco #lp #vinil #music

Llanelli backs ‘Skip Day’ plan to tackle fly‑tipping scourge — with councillors insisting: ‘Charge the offenders, not the community’

The plan, which will now be developed into a fully costed pilot, could see skips placed at key locations on set days to give people a simple, legal way to dispose of bulky waste. Councillors say the move could help cut down on the sofas, mattresses and household junk that regularly appear in hotspots across the town.

Town Council leader Cllr David Darkin, who brought the original motion forward ahead of this week’s meeting, said the scale of fly‑tipping had become impossible to ignore.

“Fly‑tipping and rubbish are blighting communities across Llanelli, and residents are rightly frustrated,” he said. “Waste services are a county council responsibility, but… we continue to see problems go unresolved locally.”

Cllr Darkin said the Town Council “cannot simply stand by”, adding that a Skip Day scheme “will not solve everything, but it provides a much‑needed outlet for residents and begins to tackle an issue that is being ignored at County level.”

His motion was co‑signed by Cllr Shaun Greaney, who said residents were being pushed into difficult situations.

“Residents want to do the right thing, but when services do not work properly, it leads to frustration and illegal dumping,” he said.

He added that councillors were “stepping up to try and bridge that gap and give communities some immediate relief.”

Cross‑party amendment tightens the plan

When the proposal reached the council meeting on Wednesday (4 February), Independent councillors backed the idea but pushed for a more tightly controlled pilot — one that is fully costed, time‑limited and evidence‑led before any long‑term commitment is made.

Their amendment, which secured support from across the chamber, also calls for safeguards to prevent commercial or illegal dumping and for officers to explore partnership working with enforcement teams.

Independent members said the principle was clear: “Charge the offenders — not the community.”

What happens next

Town Council officers will now draw up a detailed pilot scheme, including potential locations, costs, environmental considerations and enforcement measures. A report will return to councillors once the work is complete.

Shared frustration over fly‑tipping

Despite political differences over how the scheme should be developed, councillors from all groups agreed that fly‑tipping has become a serious and growing problem across Llanelli.

Members said residents deserve clean streets and fair treatment — and that those responsible for dumping rubbish should be the ones paying for it.

More stories on fly‑tipping

Bridgend man sentenced for two fly‑tipping offences
A repeat offender is punished after dumping waste in two separate incidents.

Neath man fined after ignoring £400 penalty
A resident pays the price after failing to comply with a fixed penalty notice.

Vehicles crushed in fly‑tipping crackdown
Enforcement teams seize and destroy vehicles linked to illegal dumping.

Man pays heavy price for dumping waste in woodland
A fly‑tipper is hit with a hefty bill after rubbish is traced back to him.

Council crushes Llanelli man’s truck after debris dumped in Briton Ferry
A vehicle is destroyed after being used to dump household waste in two lanes.

Fancy being paid to work on Swansea’s beaches and parks this summer? Council launches hunt for seasonal staff

The authority is recruiting a new wave of seasonal staff to help keep the city looking picture‑perfect through the busy summer months, when thousands of residents and visitors flock to Swansea’s beaches, parks and beauty spots.

Four Seasonal Floral Decorations Operatives and thirteen Seasonal Cleansing Operatives are up for grabs, offering the chance to spend the warmer months working across Swansea Bay’s coast and countryside as part of the teams that keep the city blooming and spotless.

‘Our seasonal staff make an enormous difference’

Cllr Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhood Services, said the roles are vital to the way the city looks and feels during its busiest season.

“Every summer, our seasonal staff make an enormous contribution to the way Swansea looks and feels,” he said. “Their work helps keep our streets clean, our parks vibrant and our floral displays thriving. These roles are ideal for people who enjoy practical outdoor work and want to take pride in helping their community look its very best.”

Flower power and frontline cleaning

Floral operatives will help install, water and maintain the city’s much‑loved summer displays — from hanging baskets to park borders — ensuring Swansea bursts with colour right through the season.

Cleansing operatives will take on frontline duties including litter picking, sweeping, emptying bins and supporting the wider clean‑up effort during peak visitor periods.

Both roles offer competitive pay, the chance to work as part of friendly, hardworking teams, and the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in one of the council’s busiest services.

Applications now open

The deadline for applications is 24 February 2026, with full details available on the Swansea Council website.

Seasonal Floral Decorations Operative (x4): https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/42915/Seasonal-Floral-Decorations-Operative-X-4-closing-date-240226

Seasonal Cleansing Operative (x13): https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/42919/Seasonal-Cleansing-Operative-X-13-closing-date-240226

Wissenswert: Zur Verbreitung der gesicherten Daten verwenden wir u.a. Bittorrent – und das ganze Projekt wird von der DFG gefördert. Mehr über dieses und weitere Projekt-Details in den TIB-News.

Aktuelle Stellenausschreibungen des Projekts: Research Software Engineer sowie Research Data Manager.

Meine digitale Tür ist offen für Fragen und Vorschläge!

#getfedihired

£2m upgrade begins at Glangwili Hospital to ease pressure on A&E

Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed that contractors are now overhauling the hospital’s Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit after receiving £2.096m from Welsh Government.

The health board said the upgrade will create more consultation rooms, a better reception area and an improved environment for patients and staff. According to the board, the expanded SDEC service is expected to ease demand on A&E and support wider efforts to improve patient flow across its acute hospitals and the Minor Injury Unit at Prince Philip Hospital.

Project director Keith Jones, Hywel Dda’s Director of Operational Planning and Performance, said the investment would make a significant difference.

“We are very grateful to Welsh Government for the £2.096 million funding that will enable us to increase the capacity of the SDEC at Glangwili,” he said. “This, in turn, will help to reduce capacity pressures on the Emergency Department and enable our staff to provide a much smoother and swifter experience for patients in our care.”

Services on the move during building work

The health board said the refurbishment means several services have been temporarily relocated within the hospital site.

The SDEC unit, along with the Discharge Lounge and Medical Day Unit at the Priory Day Hospital, has moved to Y Lolfa (formerly Padarn Ward). The Cancer Information and Support Service (CISS) and Cancer Psychological Support Service (CaPS) have also moved, though contact details remain unchanged.

Some services — including podiatry, neuro‑rehabilitation and occupational therapy — will stay at the Priory Day Hospital, but access routes have changed while work continues.

Mr Jones said patients have been informed of any changes in their appointment letters.

“We ask patients attending any of the clinics affected to double‑check their appointment letters for information about the location of their treatment,” he said. “Thank you in advance to everyone visiting our site for their patience and understanding while the improvement works are underway.”

Welsh Government: investment will improve urgent care

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles said the funding would help improve the experience of patients needing urgent and emergency care.

“I’m pleased this £2m‑plus investment will help to reduce pressures on the emergency department and improve people’s experience when they need emergency and urgent care at Glangwili Hospital,” he said.

“Addressing overcrowding will reduce waits and handover delays, streamline flow through the hospital and improve the experience of patients and staff.”

Related stories

Pontyates surgery gets temporary lifeline
Health board delays its final decision as local patients await clarity.

Norovirus forces ward closures at Prince Philip Hospital
Outbreak leads to restrictions as cases rise across the region.

Hywel Dda radiology nurse honoured with special award
Recognition for outstanding care within the health board.

Llanelli’s Minor Injuries Unit to become 12‑hour urgent care centre
Health board confirms no return to a 24‑hour service.

Nasser is losing his voice. 💔
​Imagine your child trying to call your name, but no sound comes out. That is my reality. My 5yo son’s thyroid is crushing his vocal cords. Every day, his whispers fade. I’m a mother watching her son’s voice vanish, feeling utterly helpless. Please, help me save his future before he goes silent forever.
​Donate: https://chuffed.org/project/155233
#gaza #palestine

The default design is certainly a matter of taste 🤭, but after spending a few months with #Honk (as my access point to Lemmy and a fallback for when my Mastodon provider is down), #snac has been a total eye-opener for its ease of use and how well it plays with other Fediverse apps.

Thank you very much for your awesome work, @grunfink@comam.es 🙂

“A streamlined newspaper for a streamlined era”

Posted today for no particular reason:

“A streamlined newspaper for a streamlined era” is the slogan that replaces “A free press means a free people” in Frank Capra and Robert Riskin’s 1941 classic film, “Meet John Doe.”

The threat in the film is incipient fascism led by a wealthy and corrupt industrialist who starts John Doe clubs exploiting the goodness of naive character John Doe, played by Gary Cooper, to ease his way into the White House. When he learns how he has been used, John Doe prepares to sacrifice his life to highlight the truth and prevent the industrialist from using our democracy against itself as a road to totalitarian power.

Again, the film is from 1941 and explicitly connects the destruction of a free press to the rise of homegrown fascism.

WRU board digs in over Y11 deal as pressure mounts from clubs

The Welsh Rugby Union has written to every club in Wales defending its decision to back the Y11 takeover of Cardiff Rugby, as pressure builds over the future of the Ospreys and the growing threat of an Extraordinary General Meeting.

The letter, signed by all 12 board members, says the WRU inherited a “debilitating” financial and governance crisis when the new board took over in January 2024. It claims the Union was facing broken pathways, mistreated women’s players and breaches of banking covenants that restricted its ability to operate.

The WRU says it has since stabilised its finances, increasing earnings by 35% in the year to June 2025, repaying the Welsh Government’s Covid loan and refinancing debt with Goldman Sachs and HSBC.

Ospreys uncertainty deepens

The Union insists it “remains committed to representative rugby throughout Wales, including in Swansea and north Wales”, despite growing concern that the Ospreys may not survive the planned shift from four to three professional teams.

Swansea Council is expected to publish minutes of a meeting held with WRU chief executive Abi Tierney and Ospreys boss Lancy Bradley, in which the council says it was told there is “no viable future” for the region.

The decision to support a Y11 takeover of Cardiff — the same company that owns the Ospreys — has sparked protests from both sets of supporters. Fans chanted “shame on you” at last weekend’s Ospreys v Dragons derby, and WRU board member Jamie Roberts was booed while working as a pundit for S4C.

WRU says it had to act to save Cardiff

In the letter, the WRU says it stepped in to prevent Cardiff from collapsing mid‑season, warning that failure to fulfil fixtures would have triggered financial penalties from the URC and broadcasters.

The board says the Y11 bid was chosen “unanimously” and “on its merits”, with independent external advice taken before the decision was made.

It adds that Welsh rugby needs “a strong team in the capital”, but also stresses the need for strong teams in both east and west Wales.

Three‑team model confirmed

The WRU says the biggest consultation in Welsh sporting history delivered a clear message: the men’s professional game cannot survive in its current form. According to the board, the system had become stretched, uneven and financially unstable, and the only way to rebuild was to concentrate resources rather than spread them thinly.

The Union says the future shape of the game will centre on three properly funded professional teams, with the aim of making Welsh sides more competitive and more cohesive. A key part of that plan is bringing more Welsh players home, ensuring the best talent is playing in Wales rather than being lost to clubs elsewhere.

The WRU also says the pathway system — long criticised by coaches and former players — will be rebuilt from the ground up. That includes a new national academy, stronger regional development sides and player‑development centres across the country for both the men’s and women’s game. The Union says all of this must be backed by “much‑needed” investment in coaching.

The board insists it still wants to reach agreement with clubs rather than impose change through a tender process, but says the direction of travel is now unavoidable.

EGM threat grows

Enough clubs have now indicated support for an Extraordinary General Meeting to make it a strong possibility after the Six Nations. The WRU acknowledges that trust has been damaged and says communication with clubs must improve.

“We understand the uncertainty of recent months has been unsettling,” the letter says. “Your Board has been united in its decisions and in the belief that Welsh rugby is strongest when we pull together.”

The Union says it will introduce a new regular communication for member clubs to keep them updated.

The letter is signed by all 12 board members, including chair Richard Collier‑Keywood, president Terry Cobner, CEO Abi Tierney and former Wales international Jamie Roberts.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Ospreys at risk as Plaid Cymru demands Welsh Government step in over WRU cuts
Plaid Cymru says the Ospreys face an uncertain future and has urged ministers to intervene.

Public meeting called as fight to save the Ospreys intensifies
Supporters and local leaders gather as pressure mounts on the WRU to rethink its plans.

Supporters groups unite to launch petition against WRU restructure
Fans from three regions join forces to oppose the Union’s proposed shake‑up of the pro game.

Alun Wyn Jones warns WRU’s Ospreys plan would leave a “rugby black hole” across Swansea Bay
The former Wales captain says losing the Ospreys would devastate the region’s rugby pathway.