24/10/2011 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's headlines:

Firefighter numbers in Llanelli could be more than halved.

Protesters say the proposals put lives at risk. We could be out all

day fighting fires and then be out again at night.

Our other headlines: Waste you cannot recycle. Now the

controversial American company that wanted to build an incinerator in

Merthyr withdraws. A month's rain in a day. The

Environment Agency says Pembrokeshire has been hardest hit.

Bring back the ferry. How Anglesey hopes to capitalise on its coast to

draw tourists. In tonight's sport:

As the players are reunited with their loved ones, attention turns

to Warren Gatland's back room staff. Rob Howley says he wants to stay

with Wales. Swansea squander all three points,

3,000 dresses, 400 hats and 400 pairs of shoes. How's that for one

Good evening. Lives could be put at risk if the number of firefighters

in Llanelli are more than halved. Campaigners say the decision by Mid

and West Wales Fire Authority to change the crewing system won't

work. One option is to cut the number of staff from 28 to 13, but

bosses insist no decisions have yet A call-out for Llanelli Fire

Station this morning. One of 900 they average each year. It turned

out to be a kitchen fire, swiftly dealt with. Across town, protesters

set off on their own rescue mission to plead Against cuts. It is the

biggest town in Carmarthenshire. Once again, we seem to be hitting a

brick wall. Everything is taken away from us. There are currently

28 full-time firefighters in Llanelli with only five on duty at

the time. The fire a authority says this is not delivering value for

money. One option be considered is cutting the number of firefighters

to 13 and relying on those left to work flexible hours. That has been

met with anger from most protesters. This man is a full-time fire

fighter, he is worried flexible hours will mean longer hours for

him. It is ridiculous and his day and age to expect that from any man.

We could be out all day on fires and then they would expected to

attend fires at night. We are not superhuman. Inside the meeting, the

fire chiefs said they had not decided how the new system would

work only they would want it to be more efficient and services would

not be affected. We have eight members of staff to ensure five are

available for the fire engine. There is a responsibility on the

fire authority to explore areas where it can reduce costs and not

affect service delivery. It is incidents like this that test our

fire service. A blaze at the disused car tyre factory in Swansea

burned over a week. Llanelli firefighters helped to put it out.

Campaigners argue that if overall staff numbers are reduced, Llanelli

would-be be poor relation. They have a responsibility to the public

they are not -- but they were not put lives at danger. Cuts in

funding means the fire a authorities in North and South

Wales face the same dilemma. Do they make redundancies or save

money by having less people work more flexible hours.

Rubbish you can't recycle ends up here in a landfill site. Plans for

a waste incinerator on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil which

would have burned rubbish to produce electricity, have been

scrapped. People living nearby didn't want it and now Covanta, the

American company behind the plan, says the project has become

With ever increasing targets for reducing rubbish that goes to

landfill, the consortium of five local authorities looking for a

cost-effective method had been considering a plan for an

incinerator. The American company claimed it was a cost-effective

solution. But they say they and now pulling out because it is not

viable. The company say they would now concentrate on other UK

projects and say this is purely a strategic decision and has nothing

to do with local opposition to the incinerator. But that local

opposition disagree. They were furious at plans to site an

incinerator less than one mile from their homes. Today's decision is a

victory for commonsense, they say. It is unexpected. We were gearing

up for another big battle in the hearings that were coming up over

the next few weeks. It was the wrong development for this area. We

are already blighted with open cast. Environmental groups also would

come the announcement. It would have been on common ground above

the town. It would have put off other cream businesses from

flourishing in the area. A couple of companies remain in the project.

Torrential rain has hit Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and

Swansea which are now all at risk of flash flooding tonight. That's

the warning from the Environment Agency. Pembrokeshire's been the

worst affected. Treffgarne, Wolfscastle and Neyland have all

seen heavy downpours with the Met Office predicting almost half a

month's rain in 24 hours. Kate Morgan is at the Environment Agency

Good evening. This is the Environment Agency headquarters in

Cardiff. They have been busy today. The big band of rain has covered

Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea. It is just continuing this

evening. There has been an update on the warnings tonight. We have

received a warning for the Pembrokeshire area. It has taken a

pasting today. Lots of flooding of the roads and gardens and

properties. Keep an eye out. It is up to 100 mm of rain, that is about

a month's rainfall. What can people do? People in those areas need to

be careful. It is not a good idea to travel through floodwater. You

cannot tell what is underneath. Manholes may have disappeared and

people can become stuck. The advice from us is to keep an eye out on

the weather. Phone hour flood line number for more advice. You'll get

up-to-date information and advice. Is it going to clear? The forecast

looks like it will Clear later on tonight. There is a second band of

rain coming in later. But the good news is the forecast tomorrow looks

clearer. IQ ever so much. That is the good news. Be careful that it

should clear later on tonight. Derek will have the latest

information at the end of the programme.

The BBC has announced it will give S4C more than �70 million a year to

make programmes from now until 2017. In two years time, the BBC will

take over the bulk of funding for S4C from the UK Government. Let's

talk to our reporter Rhodri Lewis. Rhodri, remind us of the deal that

was struck here? Well, the UK Government used to give S4C around

�100 million a year to make programmes. Then last year it said

the budget would be cut by a quarter, and that the BBC would

finance most of the channel from 2013. In 2013 and 2014, the BBC

plans to give just over �76 million. Today it's been announced that

those figures will go down slightly to around �75 million. Here's what

the BBC Trustee for Wales had to This is a good deal which will get

Welsh language content on television. It will secure a

creative flourishing future for S4C despite the terrible difficulties

that it has gone through. It sounds like a lot of money but that is not

all the income? The BBC asked to provide 10 hours a week for as the

sea including the news and soap opera. S4C said the announcement

marks an important new contribution to the ongoing discussions. The BBC

said it is a good settlement in a difficult climate.

Two men have appeared in court, charged with the murder of a

takeaway delivery driver in Denbighshire. Gabor Sarkozi died

after being found in Meliden near Prestatyn almost a week ago. Gary

Bland and James Siree, who are both from Rhyl, were remanded in custody

and will appear in court again tomorrow.

The number of people in Wales applying for university places fell

by 8% this year. That's one of the smallest drops across the UK.

Admissions service UCAS said there were just over 2,000 applicants

from Wales, that's down on last year. It comes as tuition fees

around the UK are set to rise from next year, although students from

Wales will have the increases paid Would you like a referendum on

Britain's membership of the European Union? It's something that

Welsh MPs will be debating tonight, with voting due to take place at

around 10 o'clock. It's not clear yet whether any of them will defy

the Government and back the motion. Our political reporter Aled ap

Dafydd has been speaking to one Welsh Conservative MP, Jonathan

Evans. Key issue of Europe has been a divisive one for the Conservative

Party. I am joined by Jonathan Evans, the Conservative Member of

Parliament for Cardiff North and also a former member of the

European Parliament. Au for opera against this motion could work I'll

be voting against his motion. not believe this is an issue of

importance to our electors at this moment in time. They are worried

about their jobs and government cuts and the situation of getting

our economy back on track. This would be undermined if we left the

European Union. What are the people in your constituency tell you about

this? I do not weigh things on the basis of who is writing to me most.

For those people, this may be the most important political issue. I

respect them but I disagree with their view. David Cameron and Ed

Miliband say the relationship between Britain and the European

Union must be looked at again. is important that we take the

opportunity to look at some of the areas where we have given away

powers. Once we get agreement from the European Union, that concept

may be put to the people in a referendum. This vote today is

premature. How many of your Welsh Conservatives colleagues will vote

in favour of this motion? Who can say. I hope it is not more than one.

The result of that vote is expected some time after 10 o'clock this

evening. Much more to come before 7 o'clock.

The view from the saddle. This is what the world looks like for our

newest mountain bike world champion. Not bad for one wardrobe: 3,000

dresses, 400 hats and 400 pairs of Ferries could carry passengers

across the Menai Strait for the first time in 35 years, if plans go

ahead to develop marine tourism on Anglesey. Residents are being asked

for their views on a �4 million scheme. It aims to create jobs and

boost the island's economy, by promoting its natural beauty. A new

diving site could also be created at Trearddur Bay.

Water. Anglesey is surrounded by it but may not be using it to its full

potential according to those behind the redevelopment plans. The Menai

and Britannia bridges gradually killed off the ferry services

taking passengers to and from the mainland with the last sailing in

1976, but those who still offer pleasure cruises think its time to

bring back a regular shuttle. been operating here for six years

now. I do not get bored of going up-and-down biscuit of water. It is

stunning. Because of the way it is geographically place, we can

operate nine days out of 10 as well. It is fit -- it's very location

means it's good for the tourists and potentially with the right

infrastructure on the shoreline, it could be good for the community.

But it's not just what's above the water that will appeal to visitors.

With North Wales already offering a variety of dive sites, the creation

of an artificial reef in Trearddur Bay is also under discussion.

happening at a couple of locations around Britain. It has been noted

as a major economic post. It is very much a concept at this stage.

Over the next few days local businesses and residents will get

the chance to hear the plans and offer their views. If there's an

appetite for the changes it's hoped private firms would invest further.

The trick will be persuading newcomers on foot or on ferry or in

flippers that they should be making the most of the coast.

The day's sport now. Claire's here, and warm welcome back for Wales.

Yes, after months away, the Welsh team were greeted by hundreds of

fans as they arrived home from New Zealand. As the players were

reunited with their families, attention is now turning to Warren

Gatland's backroom staff and what personnel changes may be made.

They had supported them all through the World Cup and had been proud of

their efforts. Waiting for the Welsh team to arrive home, hundreds

of Welsh fans. A few hours earlier, the team had landed at Heathrow.

They had been autographs to sign but after 24 hours of travelling,

they were keen to get back home. And as the bus pulled into teenage

duo, the music started and the cheering began. Best team

headquarters. As the players stepped off the bus, it was time

for a hag with Dad! It is amazing to see the people turning up. And

the Three tenors singing as well, it is a pretty special. We have

laid foundations in New Zealand which can propellers off to a

successful couple of years, hopefully. But there is plenty of

hard work. Attention is now turning tool what changes they made the to

the backroom staff. Warren Gatland is signed up to the next World Cup

but defence coach Shaun Edwards is weighing things up. His contract

ended as Wales returned and at that coaches Robert Howley says he wants

to stay in the national set-up -- attack coach. I want to stay with

Wales. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last four years. I had been

coaching for eight years. You learn coaching with these players. You

while involved in every tournament and campaign, they are getting

better and better. I think was rugby is in a good place. Finishing

4th in the World Cup was be any many fans' dreams at the start of

the tournament. -- beyond. The players will have a chance to repay

the fans with a rematch against Australia in December. But for now,

it's time to just enjoy being home. Frustration for Swansea City

manager Brendan Rodgers over the weekend. He saw his side give away

two late goals at Wolves. Meanwhile, Cardiff City head into tomorrow's

Carling Cup game with Burnley on a high after scoring five goals.

Without a point away from C -- away from the Liberty Stadium all season,

Swansea got off to the best possible start. Their first win on

the road within grasp. But the players hit back. Two goals in the

dying minutes denying Swansea all three points. I thought our

performance was fantastic. We deserved the three points. I

thought we controlled large parts of the game. But credit to Wolves.

They got back into the game. We will learn from this and manage the

game towards the end bed and look forward to next week now. It was

goals galore at the Cardiff City Stadium. Kenny Miller opened the

Five goals for Cardiff City. Barnsley managed to claw back a

couple of goals but Cardiff City finished on top. We were playing

against a good team today, a team that have not lost many goals in

this division. They had been on a good run. We knew that if we did

not start well, Barnsley would do what they have done to a lot of

teams so far. We were delighted that we started like that and got

on the front foot. Andy Merrell says he wants the Wrexham job on a

permanent basis. His side remains top of the Blue Square Premier.

She's our newest world champion and at the age of 18, Manon Carpenter

has a tough decision to make. Go to university now or stay in the

saddle and concentrate on next year's World Cup mountain biking

series. She's just been crowned UCI Junior World Champion in

Switzerland. Rebecca John reports. This is what it looks like mountain

biking downhill at speeds of more than 37mph, negotiating rocks,

roots and mud. Manon Carpenter is the new junior world champion in

the downhill event. She won the title at an event in Switzerland

last month and is ranked ninth in the international elite. Last year,

the week before the World Championships, I broke my arm.

Payne comes with the sport. But the most annoying thing is when you

cannot compete and when it makes you miss part of the season. Manon

is from Caerphilly and trains here in the Cwmcarn Forest. She's

frequently the only girl on the course. It is quite funny when you

beat some of them. But yes, it is good. Manon started riding BMX as a

girl and now rides for the British team Madison Saracen in downhill

mountain biking. Her big dilemma now is whether to turn professional

or go to university. She was due to start a degree in Manchester this

month. I want to concentrate 100 % on downhill racing for at least one

year, maybe go to university next year. May be delayed it further,

depending on how my season goes. Manon will compete in South Africa,

Canada, the United States and Norway next year. During that time,

she'll have to decide between university and the steep and rocky

path of the sport she loves. We're looking for nominations for

this year's BBC Wales Unsung Hero Award. Do you know someone who goes

out of their way, to help others in sport? The person has to be 16

years old or over, and not get any financial reward for their efforts.

Nominations close soon on the 30th 3,000 dresses, 400 hats and 400

pairs of shoes. Not my wardrobe unfortunately, but that's the vast

collection being divided up because its owners, Ceredigion Museum,

can't afford to look after it. The items, some dating back to

Victorian times, will now be put on show at different locations around

the country. A century of fashion recorded in a

single collection. From the Victorian 1880s to the hippy '70s

and beyond there's a dress for each decade and for each occasion. There

are 17,000 items in total. It is a massive range. I have never seen

such a collection that one person has collected by themselves. I am

very impressed. That person was Mrs Margaret Evans. She began

collecting old items of clothing when she was eight years old. In

1971 she opened her first exhibition named Aberystwyth

Yesterday. Not only did she love collecting, she wanted to share

everything with other people. So she had an exhibition in the old

station in Aberystwyth. She would even take over shops, empty shops.

She would go and ask the owner, can I placed it -- some of my exhibits

in the window? People would come to look at them from all over the

place. Margaret died 15 years ago and Ceredigion Museum has looked

after her collection ever since. But not for much longer. The

council says the collection is too large for it to manage and the

museum has received �10,000 to divide the collection. Several

hundred items will stay in Aberystwyth. The rest of the

collection is going to be used. In museums generally, they are not

allowed to be handled but we are allowing these to be handled. They

are going out to schools and colleges, all people's homes or

reminiscence projects. They are bound to students for research,

both creative and historical research. These students from

Aberystwyth University can see how that could benefit them. I study

history. This is from the 1920s. You get more of a contact with the

real-life history. I like the dress. I could wear this on a nice

summer's day. The hat is a bit on the old aside for me! I would not

be wearing this out any time soon! I could wear that. It is really

nice. I am not very keen on the Fox! I really liked the dresses.

They are really pretty. The entire hoard has been valued at a pound an

item. The collection may show its Now time for the weather forecast.

I think a rowing boot might come in handy in Pembrokeshire this evening.

It has been very wet. Most of the North has stayed dry. This is where

most of the rain has been. The rain becoming more widespread

in the last few hours. One of the wettest places, Bolton Hill in

Haverfordwest. 60 mm of rain. Some rivers and streams are swollen

with some flooding. At the moment, there are three flood alerts in

force. Lot more information online. Heavy rain this evening. Spreading

northwards. Eventually Clearing. The wind easing and a mild night.

Lowest temperatures nine Celsius. Tomorrow morning, it is looking

much drier in Pembrokeshire. Elsewhere, a mixture of cloud and a

few showers but some places starting off dry. Staying quite

mild. A few scattered showers tomorrow.

If you catch one, it could be heavy with thunder. In the afternoon, and

most places becoming brighter with some sunshine.

Infringer tomorrow, I would not rule out in a shower. Otherwise dry

with some sunshine. Wednesday, a mixture of sunshine and showers,

some heavy. On Thursday, there is a risk of more general rain. In the

far north and west, they may escape. Heavy rain Clearing tonight, dry

and bright tomorrow with a mixture of sunshine and scattered showers.

X Ray is coming up in half an hour. Here's Rachel and Rhodri with a

Here's Rachel and Rhodri with a preview. We meet the women who went

for a cheap photo-shoot and makeover but ended up spending over

�1,000. And we will be finding out how easy

it is to run up a massive phone bill when you go abroad.