28/10/2011 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales today. The headlines.

Cardiff Airport has lost more passengers than any further in the

UK. Its former boss questions its future.

It sends out a bleak single pitch next signal for the airport and

Wales, because it is not just important as a transport hub, it is

important economically and Also, the moment a passenger train

hits a tractor trailer left on the line. A judge says the farmer was

stupid as he is sentenced. Attacks on fatty foods, a health

expert says it will slim down the numbers of obese people.

Wales' coastal path could be seeing many more visitors after it is

named the greatest region on earth to visit next year.

And, while some may be getting shirty over Wales' footballer

Gareth Bale in a British Olympic team top.

Good evening. It is a gateway to the world.

Important for business and tourism. But the former boss of Cardiff

Airport has called into question its future viability. The airport

has lost more passengers in the last three years than any other

major UK airport. But details have been released about a new service

It has been a tough time for airports across the UK. Since 2007,

most of lost passengers. Cardiff more than most. The result is what

you see behind me, and edited looking terminal building. For

Cardiff, the heart of the difficulties has been the decision

by the bmibaby to pull out of the airport, the last be on my baby

flight leaves from here on Sunday. -- BMI baby flight. They have been

here 10 years, and it marks the end of an era.

This flight from Zurich touches down at Cardiff. It is one of the

relatively new routes. The aim is to replace the business lost after

the budget airline BMI baby decided to pull out. After dominating

services here in Cardiff, it has cut back, and on Sunday, the last

flight will leave. That reduction in recent years has been reflected

on the ground. In 2007, there were 2.1 million passengers flying in

and out of Cardiff. In 2010, there were 1.4 million, a reduction of a

third. The biggest fall of any major airport in the UK. Keith

Brooks used to be the chief executive of the company which

owned the airport, alongside many others around the world, before

selling to the Spanish firm in 2005. He says the fall in passenger

numbers is a cause for serious concern. The fear is, where does it

stop? Once you get below a million passengers, is there any viability

as a major airport? What kind of message does that send to airlines

who might think about operating from Cardiff? What message does it

send about or Wales pin back capital city to the rest of the

world? An airport is a barometer of economic activity and what the

world thinks of you. Cardiff now has 40 destinations. What do

passengers think of what is on offer? Everything here is fine. The

staff are good, the food, everything. It serves the local

community, and it should be developed and supported by as many

as possible. It was announced that the Spanish budget airline would

begin flying directly to Barcelona from next spring. Managers believe

there is potential for the airline to expand its roots. The airline

have said that if this route is a success, it will develop a positive

relationship, and from that we should see increased success. We

have got to start small, C Howard goes. We believe the people of the

Welsh region will embrace the route, and from that, we had to increase

the benefits. If Cardiff is going to attract more airlines, the role

of the Welsh government will be critical. It is governed by strict

EU rules, which prevent state subsidies, but the main marketing

does it -- Organisation for Cardiff says there are ways around it.

Scottish government had a brute Development Fund. There are a

number of different organisations that are working with carriers and

airports, and it is about being creative and making sure that it is

about the marketing and raising demand for travel to Cardiff.

Managers say the loss of bmibaby provides them with an opportunity.

They will be proved right if more new airlines can be attracted here.

Mixed fortunes at Cardiff Airport. How big a bloke is be bmibaby

leaving going to be? It is symbolic. The nine years ago, there was a lot

of excitement when they came here. The current difficulties of the

airport could be traced back to the view that, at the time, Cardiff

backed the wrong budget airline. Compare the fortunes of Bristol

Airport. They have easyJet. EasyJet alone from Bristol flies to 42

destinations, with more than 250 flights a week. Compare that with

bmibaby, which has deteriorated over the years, and will come to an

end this weekend. It is nothing like the presence it was a number

of years ago, and it has been a gradual decline. It is only one

book, but positive news about these flights to Barcelona. Yes, we

should take it seriously, it is the biggest budget airline in Spain.

There is also the opportunity to bring Spanish tourists into Wales.

We talk about the fortunes of the airport in terms of Welsh

passengers, giving them the option to fly around the world, but for

the Welsh economy, it is more important you can bring in tourists

to spend money locally. People get very passionate about the fortunes

of Cardiff Airport. It is an extension of national pride. Lots

of people are desperate for this place to be more successful.

A judge has told the farmer he was incredibly stupid after he left a

trail on a rail line which was hit by a passenger train. John James

left it on a main crossing while he went to open a gate.

When the driver of this passenger train spotted the trailer, there

was little he could do. Fearing the worst, he hit the brakes and dive

to the floor for cover. Miraculously, nobody was hurt. John

James told the court how he had driven the tractor over the

crossing and left it for a few moments to open a gate. He admitted

he had not called the signalmen to get clearance. The court heard how

the farmer was carrying hay on the trailer to go and feed horses at

his farm in Kidwelly. One passenger described how he saw James feeding

animals straight after the accident. �82,000 worth of damage was caused

to the train, and it brought delays to for services. The judge said, or

what you did was stupid. He took a risk to save yourself a few minutes.

You put yourself, passengers and staff at risk. It was incredibly

frightening. John James was given a nine-month suspended sentence and

ordered to carry out community service. John James said he was

It will happen again. You're sorry? Absolutely, yes. I am lucky ever

been turned out well. Even though the passengers on board on this

service were not injured, the debris from the accident was spread

far and wide. It landed in the surrounding fields. Investigating

officers said it was amazing the train did not the rail. It is only

by good luck that the driver of the train and the passengers were not

more seriously injured. The judge had commented that, had more

injuries occurred, the farmer would have received a custodial sentence,

and he described him as extremely stupid. James agrees that his

actions were stupid, and he realises that he and the passengers

are lucky to be alive. A man from Wrexham has been

arrested at Heathrow airport on his return from Cambodia. Nicholas

Griffin ran an orphanage there and he has been taken to a police

station to be questioned on suspicion of a serious sexual

assault. A man who was three times over the

drink-drive limit as he drove with his partner and her baby in his car

has been banned from driving for two years. Stephen Gallacher from

Wrexham denies the offence but was found guilty by magistrates. He was

ordered to carry out unpaid work and pay �900 in court costs.

Another case of E-coli has been diagnosed as part of the outbreak

associated with this nursery on Anglesey. It brings the total

number of cases diagnosed 28. -- up to eight.

Would you pay extra for chocolate, crisps or cheese? That is what an

obesity expert is calling for. Dr Nadim Haboubi also wants healthy

foods to be subsidised. If you want to fill the trolley

with fatty foods and sugary snacks, it should in future cost you more.

That is the view of Dr Nadim Haboubi. An adviser to the Welsh

government and an expert on obesity. Although they do not have the

powers to do it, he wants to see Cardiff Bay introduce a tax on

high-fat food. Why don't we have subsidy on the healthy foods or

organic foods, vegetables, low-fat food? Why don't we put tax on on

healthy food, like we do on cigarettes and alcohol? We are

getting fatter. In Wales, 60% of adults are overweight. 20% are

obese. Earlier this month, Denmark became the first country to reduce

the idea. In the shop, any food with more than 2.3% of saturated

fat, butter, milk and meat, is now taxed. The theory, make it more

expensive, put people off buying it and improve health. Some people are

hoarding food to beat the rise. When asked at the Conservative

Party conference, the Prime Minister said it was something his

government should look. These shoppers had mixed views. It is a

good idea. They will eat better food. You are not getting much

money now, so why pay more? There is one big question. Is it our

responsibility to eat a healthier diet or should the government be

actively encouraging us to become healthier? One-man who knows all

about changing his lifestyle is the Stuart Howells. In the past two

years, it has lost more than 12 stone, half his body weight. He

does not think higher prices would Parts of society it is -- it is

punishing all parts of society. will hit had most families who are

already struggling. We have seen data this week that many families

are �15 a week worse of this year than last year. The Welsh

Government says it will not commit to this at the moment.

Still to come in the programme. It's the railway that inspired the

author of Thomas the Tank Engine. Now it's on track for a special

award. What does this railway have in common with Bletchley Park bomb

code-breaking machine? I will have the answer later.

Why a leading travel guide has named Wales Coastal Path as one of

the greatest places on earth to visit next year.

From this weekend, pub goers in North Wales will be able to get a

taste of the past as Wrexham Lager makes a return to the town.

Production of the drink stopped in 2003 after it had brewed locally

for 120 years. Now a group of local businessmen and former employees

are kick-starting a revival. It's been brewing for a long time. The

first pint of a new generation of Wrexham Lager is about to be pulled.

A group of local businessmen has recreated the classic recipe at a

microbrewery in the town. We are using the original ingredients. It

was hard work trying to find everything to go back to the

original. We have managed to do that and hopefully, we think we

have it spot on. After brewing ended in Wrexham in 2000, Carlsberg

Tetley moved production to England before closing it down three years

later. Here at Wrexham Lager Club, punters agree with the purists who

said the strength and flavour had been weakened and that's why it

ended up going down the drain. went to Blackburn for a while but

it was not the same drink. It went to Leeds before they faced it out.

There were comments saying it did not taste the same. That is what

people's opinions were. Former MP and Wrexham Lager employee Martyn

Jones owns the name and logo and having seen previous relaunch

attempts fail is thrilled that the lager's about to be back on tap.

Wrexham is a great town. We have the football team and we had a

Wrexham Lager. It is a boost for the town and for people who want

good lager. I am delighted. There's mouth watering anticipation as

brewers prepare to roll out the barrels once more. If Wrexham Lager

hits the spot like it used to then the team hope to expand and create

more jobs. That surely would go down well with everyone.

Wales' coastal path has been chosen as the greatest region on Earth to

visit next year. The 870-mile trail, which is due to be completed next

year, features on the list of the best things to see in 2012 by a

leading travel guide. Jenny Rees has been finding out why. Uganda's

safaris and the sights of London all feature in the Lonely Planet's

Best in Travel Guide for 2012, as well as this: The Wales coast path.

Weaving around the edge of the country, it takes in blue flag

beaches, castles and the odd nature reserve. It will even link up with

Offa's Dyke for the full circuit of Wales. It was the Welsh Government

initiative and the Countryside Council for Wales project managed

on its behalf. It works with all the authorities around the country.

The path is already a big draw for those living on its doorstep.

the beauty of it all. It is just so serene. It is never ending. The

coastal path is a Magan -- it is magnificent. From 5th May, you will

be able to go all around the country. It proves that investing

in this kind of project is worthwhile. The Lonely Planet will

go out to a worldwide audience and attract visitors. The path makes

Wales unique. When it is completed next year, Wales will be the only

country in the world where you can walk the entire length of its

coastline. Tonight's sport now with Claire.

Could Welsh bosses be a bit shirty with Gareth Bale?

Good evening. Yes, it's an on-going debate. Should Welsh football

players be allowed to be part an Olympic GB Team? Well, Wales

midfielder Gareth Bale has risked upsetting some by becoming the

first player to pose in a British Olympic team shirt. The Football

Association of Wales, along with those of Scotland and Northern

Ireland, has opposed its players Gareth Bale, not in the red of

Wales, but the blue of Team GB. By posing for the British Olympic team,

he's defied his bosses at the Football Association of Wales. They

want their players to have nothing to do with it. Bale says he's keen

to play at the London Games. The FAW says it's not going to stop

anyone playing, but it's concerned a British team could risk its

footballing independence. Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay, who's

preparing for his side's trip to Leeds this Sunday, says playing at

the Olympics would prove an extra burden. We have these international

breaks with players going. International managers are very

respectful but any more football is something I do not really want. I

want them here. Elsewhere, Swansea City, who drew 2-2 away at Wolves

last weekend, face Bolton at the Liberty Stadium where they've been

unbeaten this season. Perhaps their better performances have been away

from home. We know the test is going to be a tough test but we

have great confidence at home. The supporters have been incredible for

us. Both Newport and Wrexham will be playing for a place in the first

round proper of the FA CUP tomorrow. But events off the field are

overshadowing preparations at Wrexham. Caretaker boss Andy Morell

says continuing delays over the club's proposed takeover means a

new permanent manager still hasn't It's back to the Pro 12 for the

Welsh rugby regions this weekend. Tomorrow, the Blues are away to

Connacht, the Scarlets welcome Ulster and Treviso is the

destination for the Dragons. But the action kicks off tonight though,

the Ospreys are away to Glasgow. They've won six out of six in the

Pro 12 so far this season. You can see that game on Scrum V Live

tonight, BBC 2 Wales from 7 o'clock. It's a Wales England clash in Rugby

League tomorrow as the Four Nations tournament kicks off. It's the

first time Wales have qualified for the competition which will see them

take on the best sides in the World. Coach Iestyn Harris says his young

side face a huge challenge. The four nations and Wales will start

as the fourth ranked team. But that isn't worrying Iestyn Harris. He

knows his young side face a huge challenge over the few weeks. But

he's relishing exposing them to the highest level. We had some private

goals we wanted to achieve a couple of years ago. We are probably ahead

of schedule with that. The players have worked so hard over the last

couple of years. We are fully prepared for what is ahead of us.

We're excited and optimistic about it. France usually take the fourth

spot in the competition alongside England, New Zealand and Australia,

but Wales beat them to qualify. It was a try from Gareth Thomas that

helped them win by a point. His retirement this week hasn't been

the best timing for the squad but Wales are boosted by the return of

captain Lee Briers. He missed last weekend's friendly win over Ireland

and says he's out to lead from the front. Part of our nature makes us

underdogs. Some of the kids have only been playing rugby league for

five years. It is going to be tough. It will be a good challenge. Last

year's final saw New Zealand beat Australia. The champions are Wales'

next opponents on November 5. Expect plenty of fireworks.

You can watch the game tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock here on BBC

One Wales and Sport Wales will be looking ahead tonight. That's BBC

Two Wales from 9 o'clock. How do you like trains? This was

the first volunteer-run railway in the world and inspired the author

of a favourite children's book series. This weekend, the Talyllyn

railway in Gwynedd will receive a prestigious award in recognition of

both its historic and engineering significance, placing it alongside

past winners such as Tower Bridge For almost 150 years, steam engines

like this one have ferried people from the Welsh coast into the

foothills of Snowdonia along the Talyllyn railway. Today, the

majority of passengers are tourists but the tracks were laid to carry

slate and workers to the Bryn Eglwys Quarry near Abergynolwyn.

The quarry closed in 1946 and when the line's owner, Sir Haydn Jones,

passed away a few years later, it seemed inevitable that the railway

would have to close too. That's when a bunch of willing volunteers

stepped in. One of those eager to lend a hand was this man, Sir

Wilbert Awdry, famous of course for The author had already created

Thomas the Tank when he arrived in Snowdonia but many of his other

characters and tales were based on his experiences working on the

Talyllyn railway. His study has since been moved to the museum in

Tywyn. His efforts and those of his co-volunteers are the reason the

Institute of Mechanical Engineers has decided to recognise the

Talyllyn railway with its Engineering Heritage Award.

years ago, volunteers decided to it saved this railway and since then

all Our Heritage railways have started from there. Think of how

many engines have been saved to now create the leisure business we have

in heritage railways. Other recipients of the award include the

Vulcan Bomber, the Bletchley Park code breaking machine and the

Ffestiniog railway. It is fantastic. It is nice recognition for the

railway. It is with an illustrious company. It is good news. It's 60

years since Reverend Wilbert Audry and his colleagues saved this

historic railway. What better way to celebrate that landmark than by

receiving this award in recognition of their efforts? A special

ceremony to mark the achievement will be held on Sunday afternoon.

Now don't forget the clocks go back one hour this weekend.

Time for the weekend weather There is a change on the way.

Turning milder over the weekend. Some rain and drizzle on the way.

The wind picking-up as well. Tonight, dry. A few mist and fog

patches. Some ground frost in Mid Wales. Milder and windier in the

west with a little rain by the end of the night. Tomorrow, not as nice

as today. The northeast, Powys, Monmouthshire, the South Wales

Valleys, Cardiff and Bridgend will start dry. Further west, damp in

Pembrokeshire. A little rain on the coast, Gwynedd and on Anglesey.

Strong winds on the Lleyn Peninsula. During the day, the rain will

become more widespread. Turning heavy in the west and the southwest

during the afternoon with thunder possible. Temperatures higher than

today and breezy. The wind strongest in the west and the

northwest. Forecast wind gusts 45mph to 50mph in exposed places.

In Carmarthenshire tomorrow, cloudy and damp. The rain turning heavy by

mid afternoon. Temperatures in Llandovery 13 Celsius. If you're

taking part in the Snowdonia marathon tomorrow in Llanberis, the

weather will not great. Damp and breezy. Tomorrow night, the rain

will ease with most of the country becoming dry. The wind easing as

well. Sunday, plenty of cloud. Spots of light rain and drizzle.

However, parts of Mid Wales, the north and east will be drier and

brighter and mild. The main headline again from the

BBC. Vincent Tabak is sentenced to life

for the killing of Joanna Yeates. The judge said he had committed a

dreadful, evil act and he thought there was a sexual element to the