28/05/2014 BBC Wales Today

Nick Clegg tells his supporters to stand firm, dismissing talk

of a More than a third of people here

admit to being racially prejudiced. It's one of the biggest increases

in the UK. It is misinformation and people have

not been educated on some of these topics.

The Lib Dem Leader in Wales gives her wholehearted

support to Nick Clegg as the fallout from European elections continues.

The home of one of Wales best known war poets, Hedd Wyn,

protected for generations to come, with a multi million pound grant.

The Urdd Eisteddfod, one of Europe's biggest youth festival, comes home.

The man in charge of policing the NATO summit in Newport says

the security, in places, will be more rigorous than the

London Olympic Games and will "break new ground" for a British event.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Armitt says thousands of police

from every force in the UK will take part.

It comes as protestors in Newport tell BBC Wales there are already

plans for a large demonstration in the city before the summit.

Scenes from the last NATO Summit two years ago. Thousands of

demonstrators clashing with police in protests that cost the city

around ?20 million. In 100 days the next summit will begin in Newport

and the man in charge of the thousands of officers policing it

says this operation will break new ground. The number of countries

coming and their heads of state and diplomats will push the number of

protective people up past what we have dealt with previously. That

includes the London Olympic Games in 2012 which was protected by

soldiers, warships and even missiles. But it is a balancing act.

I would not expect to see any dignitary completely surrounded by

police officers. It might mean we are responding to someone.

Protesters and anti-NATO groups have arrived in Newport. Their banners

and flags outside of this restaurant in the city centre. A group called

the anarchist action network have taken over this restaurant and a

hosting discussions on antinuclear campaigning, workers rights and

lessons in basic first aid. Any I have spoken to have come from all

over the UK to be here and say they will be back for the NATO Summit in

September. On Saturday 30th of August there will be a trade union

led demonstration through Newport which will be pretty massive with

people attending from all over Wales and all over the country. That is a

great opportunity for people to jump on board at that stage to see what

it's all about. The scenes give an idea of what may be about to descend

on Newport and Wales. Those charged with its security and safety say

they are ready. We will know in 100 days.

More than a third of people in Wales admit to being racially prejudiced,

one of the biggest increases in the UK since the turn of the century.

That's according to new research from the

It found that 34% of us have some level of prejudice,

The Welsh Government has described the findings as concerning.

Prejudice. It's an opinion that isn't based on reason or actual

experience but more people in Wales say they are prejudiced when it

comes to race. This man from the Swansea area has been arrested four

times for racially aggravated assault. He spoke to me anonymously

about how he used to abuse its asylum seekers in the neighbourhood.

I would shout at them. I used to shout that and tell them this is the

UK. You don't talk that language here. It was because of the jobs. My

father used to say these to take the jobs. You've got the British

National party saying stuff, you've got the National front saying stuff.

You don't know who to believe. He has met people from different

backgrounds with the help of a youth centre and feels very differently

now. It's not the right thing to do. Before I would have thought, yes,

this is a laugh. But it hurts people. They are not there to bomb

us or threaten us. They just want to live peacefully. I can go out now

with no worries. I know my child is going to be happier in the future

because he's not going to learn the racial remarks Ireland. That was an

extreme example of prejudice but this ethnic youth support team has

spoken to 200 young people over the past two years about similar

issues. They have introduced them to people from different backgrounds

and have changed misconceptions. The majority of young people we speak to

are not racist but have strong views towards issues they see in the

news. It is misconceptions and misinformation and they have not in

educated on some of these topics. Once they are educated they know the

truth. The research found that more people admit to being racially

prejudice in Wales now than around a decade ago, up from 20% in 2000 to

34% last year. That is more than in the UK as a whole which runs from

25% to 30%. Many politicians say those findings are concerning. I

think right across the UK economic austerity is a powerful factor in

people developing prejudice and scapegoats. It is not surprising at

a time of economic difficulty that you will find these views. But the

same surgery suggested 70% do not hold these views so let's not create

a dark picture. Someone of us are prepared to admit we have a degree

of prejudice. What today's figures don't fully explain is why more of

us are discriminating on the grounds of race.

Earlier, I spoke to Aled Edwards, chair of the Wales Migration

Partnership, and began by asking him why he thought there'd been a rise

in the number of people admitting to being racially prejudiced.

It has been fairly consistent for a number of years. Low-income is a

factor and people feeling a sense of economic pressure. Benefit cuts as

well. That may shape the sense of a person being insecure and looking to

blame either immigrants are people of a different race. It is part of

the pattern. You have worked in this field for a number of years. Does

this survey reflect the attitudes you come across? It does. We are

picking up stories particularly from young Muslims that they are

experiencing disadvantage socially. Sometimes people complain about

being bullied because of the colour of their skin. Those stories are

becoming more common and if these levels stay at that percentage in

Wales, I think we have big questions to ask about what sort of society we

wish to be and how we actually articulate our national narrative.

Do we drive ourselves by such fears or do we turn shape our future is by

a more hopeful approach? Are we likely to see these levels rise? We

don't know yet. It depends very much on what we as a society demand. It

depends very much on the political narrative and the press in

particular because for a number of years we have had anti-immigration

lines and anti-racist lines coming through very powerfully on a daily

basis. It's very difficult to see a change in those approaches unless we

as a society demand it. So how do we make society more tolerant? The

interesting thing is whenever the economy picks up attitudes are much

better. Sport and culture can help. It's interesting that attitudes are

very low when the line of plastic bricks were being peddled before the

Olympic Games. Once Mo Farah started winning medals attitudes changed

quickly. We need a shared narrative of who we are, to be welcoming and

above all not to scapegoat minorities for what our economic

woes which have not been caused by them.

Just under 57% of ambulances which the targets last month. That is

slightly better than the previous months figures but still short of

the Welsh Government target of 65%. Police are investigating claims that

a child at a Carmarthenshire nursery Dyfed-Powys Police said they were

called over an allegation at the Welsh-medium Clych Meithrin

that serves the villages Officers are working with the

Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Care and Social Services

Inspectorate for Wales. A mental health nurse who had phone

conversations of a sexual nature with a former

patient and a murder suspect has David Abbey Kwei admitted

inappropriate ongoing contact with the woman who was later jailed

for killing her seven-year-old son. The woman told Mr Kwei she loved him

during the phone calls. The panel ruled his fitness to

practice had been impaired. A leading charity is warning

that targets to eradicate child Save the Children says

Welsh Government initiatives aimed at tackling poverty are working,

but only help children living It says there needs to be a focus

on families where parents work, 33% of children here live

in poverty, We are talking about the triple

whammy effect in the report. Cuts in social security expenditure and cost

of living rising faster than anyone anticipated. All three factors

combine and make the Twenty20 target very challenging.

It's been another difficult day for the Liberal Democrats with the

But the party's leader in Wales has given party leader

Kirsty williams says despite the party's poor showing

in the European elections, he is the right person to lead the party

Our Political Reporter Bethan Lewis is here.

So Kirsty Williams is backing Nick Clegg then despite

Yes. A very difficult few days for Nick Clegg. A prominent party figure

has resigned from the party today and he said the party is heading for

disaster and Nick Clegg. When you have the election results of

course. Pretty poor across the UK and in Wales are very poor European

election result. The party came sixth with only 4% of the vote. So

weird to the Lib Dems and the Nick Clegg go from here? This to Williams

says she has exchanged texts with Nick Clegg and she says he is tired

and disappointed with the result but is adamant to carry on with his

work. She says there is work to be done and the results were bad and

the party needs more -- to do more to explain what the party is all

about. She says Nick Clegg is the person to make that change and lead

the party. I can not be any clear. Nick Clegg is the right person to

lead this party into a general election and what we need to do now

is to redouble our efforts and explain to the people of this

country wide we took the decision to go into coalition government, what

Lib Dems are achieving as part of that government. Fairly strong

backing from Kirsty Williams. Another Assembly Member Peter Black

has been far more critical of Nick Clegg and the party strategy in the

election. He did not call the Nick Clegg to stand down. So a lot of

soul-searching within the party ahead of those general elections

next year. And you can see more on that story

on The Wales Report at 10.35pm On day five of the Queen's Baton

relay, a bishop's blessing Its been confirmed in the last few

minutes that the Heritage Lottery Fund is to give nearly ?3 million

to safeguard the family home of the poet Hedd Wyn

near Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd. The farmhouse, Yr Ysgwrn,

has been welcoming visitors ever since Hedd Wyn's death in the

First World War, shortly before he was posthumously awarded the chair

at the 1917 National Eisteddfod. Two years ago the house was bought

from the poet's nephew by the Tucked under a hell I'll from

Trawsfynydd, this house remains as Hedd Wyn left it when he marched off

to fight in the First World War. I have tried to keep it exactly as it

was in 1917. The poets nephew still keeps an open door to visitors.

Gerald Williams learnt the story at his grandmother 's knee and he

passes it on to the 2000 people who come here every year. I try to tell

them all the stories and everything I know, everything my grandmother

used to tell me. I try to bring that back and ask them questions to find

out which way they are thinking and try to tell them how the family

lived. Today is the third -- visitors included the Davis family

from Swansea. It is kept as it was back then and it is an interest for

the family to see how things were such a long time ago. I have studied

a few of the poems for GCSEs so it's nice to learn about the history and

seen the area he was from. This house tells us money stories and not

just of Hedd Wyn and his poetry, it tells the story of all the men went

to fight in the First World War and who never came home. It also tells a

story of what life was like in rural Wales 100 years ago. Hedd Wyn died

in the mud of Flanders in the battle of Passchendaele. That same summer

he was announced as the winner of the chair at the Birkenhead

Eisteddfod. The chair can still be seen at the house. Today's project

will safeguard the house and its contents and also converted

outbuildings so they can be used to tell the story of this historic

site. We hope it will create an attraction which will be fantastic

for tourists and students. We hope it will draw a lot of economic

benefits to the area. It holds an important place in the history of

Wales that is recognised by this funding. Secure its backers say for

future generations. The Urdd Eisteddfod is half way

through its week long visit to Bala but the organisation has been

a permanent part of the town Generations of children have visited

the Urdd Glanllyn residential centre which is celebrating

its most successful year yet. The bunting is out in the high

Street which must symbolise the Urdd Eisteddfod has returned to its

spiritual home. Bala has a lot to celebrate.

These children are experiencing Welsh culture with a week at the

Glanllyn residential centre. They will experience at the activities

but these children are not even Welsh. They are some of the 30,000

people love -- stayed here in the last year. It has been a thriving

centre for decades. I came here when I was 16. I met my wife here. I feel

I have more ownership over the Welsh language and culture and I think the

Urdd Eisteddfod has helped me with my career. I am deputy head here at

the centre. I used a volunteer here on weekends. Tens of thousands of

people will come through Bala this week but the surrounding area

benefits all year round. I have done to jobs there in the last few

years, building work. It has been very good for my company. It's been

a good opportunity to do big jobs. This is of the every step of 50

years ago. It has grown up in many ways but its main goal remains to

develop children's appreciation of culture and language through

activity and performance. It is really portent in terms of the local

economy here but in many ways the economy across Wales. For me as well

in terms of activities, we are working with sport Wales and we are

getting 25,000 sport opportunities through that wonderful volunteer

workforce there Eisteddfod possesses. This weekend the pavilion

will be packed away ready to be moved to a new site next year but

Bala will continue to benefit even when the crowds are gone.

Glanllyn has been celebrating a successful first year of its

outreach programme so people don't just have to come to Bala to have

training in outdoor pursuits, staff can go across Wales to teach

children through the medium of Welsh. The message is spreading.

Rugby, and emerging fly-half Owen Williams

has been ruled out of Wales' tour to South Africa after being banned

The Leicester Tigers stand-off appeared before a disciplinary

hearing and admitted making contact with the eyes of Northampton centre

Luther Burrell during their Aviva Premiership semi-final.

He had been in line for a first call-up

after impressive performances for the Tigers this season.

Cardiff City have signed Italian striker Federico Mackeda

The 22-year-old has a three year deal and will join the Bluebirds on

July 1st when his current contract with Manchester United expires.

Mackeda scored 10 goals in 18 matches on loan at

The weather ruined Glamorgan 's push for victory in their championship

match against Leicestershire. Despite regular stoppages Glamorgan

got within two wickets victory as Leicestershire stumbled to 204th

eight in their second innings. When the rain intervened this evening the

match was called off at the draw. The Queen's baton relay has been

touring Pembrokeshire On its fifth day in Wales,

the baton started with a visit to St Davids Cathedral, where it was

given a special blessing, and then continued north, ending

today's journey in Machynlleth. Abigail Neal has been

following its progress. On a pilgrimage to Pembrokeshire.

The Queen's Baton arrived for a religious blessing. All may live in

peace and happiness, truth and prosperity through Jesus Christ, our

Lord. The idea of the Commonwealth in a world which is so fractured and

its advisers so long is remarkable. To be associated with something

weaves together nations is something great. The procession led through

the Cathedral, at the famous steps and into the town. Despite the cold

morning, there was a warm welcome. We went to see the Olympic torch in

Fishguard and we wanted to come and support Saint Davids for the

Commonwealth games. We have wonderful heritage in Saint Davids

and we just wanted to be part of the excitement. I think it's fantastic.

It gets the kids out to come and see it. After being blessed by Wales'

smallest city the Queen's Baton will now go up the coast before heading

to North Wales. Ceredigion was granted three stops along the way.

The crowded high Street in Cardigan followed by a tour around the

harbour in Aberaeron. Many of the bat and were children chosen for the

love of sport. You usually see boys playing on the football pitch but we

want girls to do it as well. I like doing running, mostly for all and

rugby. I am a member of Aberystwyth life-saving club, swim club, I do

gymnastics and kayaking and they do a number of sports and stuff like

that for my school. After a promenade along the beach-front at

Aberystwyth, it was onto Machynlleth for one last stop tonight as the

road to Glasgow grows ever closer. Well, it looks as

if the weather was fairly kind to How is the rest

of the week shaping up, Derek? Well, I wish I could promise clear

weather on the top of Snowdon As is often the case, it's likely to

be damp and foggy and chilly too. But during the day the weather

should improve as the baton travels down to Anglesey and it should be

dry when it reaches Caernarfon. Back to today and much of Britain

has been covered in cloud with some rain but

South West Wales faired better. Some mist and hill fog

and a mild night. Tomorrow's chart shows low pressure

over southern Britain So here's the picture for 8.00am

in the morning. Grey and damp in the north

and east and Powys. Murky too with low cloud,

mist and hill fog. The south

and west drier with the odd shower. During the afternoon it will slowly

brighten-up, especially in the south and west with a little

sunshine, but not dry everywhere. And if you catch one it could be

heavy with a risk of thunder. Generally,

a little warmer than today. Top temperatures around 14C to 17C

with a light to moderate breeze. If you're off to the Urdd Eisteddfod

in Bala, the morning will be dull, damp and misty but it should

improve during the afternoon. Tomorrow evening,

a few scattered showers. Overnight, most these will die

away with some mist and low cloud. Friday, it will gradually

brighten-up with some sunshine. Most places dry

but a few showers are likely. Most of these in the south

and southwest. Most places dry and settled

thanks to high pressure. I can't promise a clear, blue sky

but some sunshine and feeling So better weather on the way

by the end of this week. A reminder of our top stories. After

the week of a reminder of our top stories. After the week. Look old

shot has quit the party saying it's heading for disaster and a Nick

Clegg. The party leader said it was not sensible for members to take

potshots at the downside. The man in charge of policing the

NATO summit in Newport this summer says the security and places will be

more rigorous than the London Olympic Games and will break new

ground for a British event. The Assistant Chief Constable Chris and

it says thousands of police will take part. -- Chris Armitt.

You can find more on our website at bbc.co.uk/walesnews,

along with our Queens Commonwealth Baton blog.

We'll have more at 8.00pm and at 10.25pm.