23/07/2014 BBC Wales Today

they will be some sunshine in between a band of heavy and thundery

showers and it will be notably fresher

Good evening and welcome to Wales Today live from Glasgow.

The Commonwealth Games are almost upon us.

Despite the growing list of withdrawals and negative

headlines, the boss of Team Wales has defended preparations.

With the opening ceremony just hours away, the team captain says

I'm still focusing on Monday. When we are happy on our performance,

then we can let our hair down. Judges throw out an appeal

by paedophile rock singer Ian Watkins to reduce the length of his

jail term for child sex offences. Fresh calls for this council

boss to be suspended. Police investigate

for a second time after he received They're selling

their camping pods at the Royal Welsh Show, but poor broadband

makes it hard for businesses to And today has been the hottest

day of the year so far in Wales. Welcome to Wales Today live

from Glasgow on the banks The start of the Commonwealth Games

is only a few hours away. This city is planning

a big party here tonight, It's fair to say, it's not been

the best preparation to the games The build-up has been dominated with

news of leading medal hopes pulling out with injury or having

their accreditation removed. And just as it looked

a line had been drawn, today another Welsh medal hope has spoken for

the first time about her devastation Ashleigh Crowter on a turbulent

24 hours for Team Wales. The bosses of team Wales have had

not so good last 24 hours. The decision by the Commonwealth games

Federation to X lewd Fred Evans because of a recent conviction for

assaulting someone at a lap dancing club is another blow to a team which

has lost five high-profile athletes with medal contention. Team Wales

worked hard behind this seems in a bid to get him reinstated but

privately they are angry with the way the case has been dealt with by

the Commonwealth Games Federation as they feel the rules are being

applied differently here. Two English boxers have been allowed to

compete at previous games despite a criminal record. One won gold in

Delhi and Anthony Joshua became Olympic champion in London one year

after pleading guilty to drug dealing. I want to look at this

process and whether it has been fair and proper. We can only do that

after the games because we had to concentrate on those who are here.

Another boxer who has fallen foul of new ruse -- new rules was told

earlier this month she is not eligible. The organisation that runs

International amateur boxing decided she cannot take part because she

competed previously as a professional pick boxer. But she

denies that. She has told Greg a macro that the Wales amateur boxing

Association should have done more to help her -- she told Wales Today.

Why couldn't they have done their job full up she has done everything

she could. She was let down really by officials who should have

protected her. The board says they are disappointed but there is

nothing they can to about the decision. For world champions have

now pulled out in the last six weeks. The first was world triathlon

who was favourite to win a medal on the first day of competition until

she injured her foot. She will watch on the sidelines and feels sympathy

for the people running Mac team Wales. We are looked after by our

governing bodies and Mac team Wales is not to blame -- Team Wales. It is

just unfortunate. As thousands fled into Glasgow for tonight 's opening

ceremony, the bosses are hoping it will draw a line under their recent

problems and shift the focus from missing athletes to winning medals.

Well, Team Wales are currently preparing to take part

Let's get more reaction now - live to Tomos Dafydd,

After years of planning, we are just hours away from the opening ceremony

-- the 20th Commonwealth games. I want to pick up on some of the

points made there in that report with the man at the helm of Mac team

Wales. Good evening. It is fair to say it hasn't been an easy week for

you. Could you have done anything different league to avoid the

controversy surrounding Fred Evans? No, most of this has been outside of

our control. We feel so sorry for Fred and his coaches and family. We

wanted him here but we weren't allowed. With tried our hardest. It

has a track did some negative headlines. With hindsight, would it

have been better to have sorted this out weeks ago? I couldn't agree with

you more. Again, it is out of our control. It is not as timing the

release of information to the individual concerned so we have done

our best to try and get Fred here. We have 231 other athletes a stones

throw away trying to get ready to come here and represent Wales to the

best of their ability and they are so proud. We had to focus our energy

nine on those 231. Where will the first medal comfort for Wales? Do

you want to go down the bookies? We have chances early on. We have

clearly lost hot favourites in triathlon but we have power cyclists

going and the rhythmic gymnast team going on the first day as well.

There may be some chance is there and there are another ten days of

fierce competition. Thank you. Much more run here. We are just more than

two hours away from the start of the Commonwealth Games.

As he was saying, the competition starts tomorrow. After the hours and

years of training, this is what it comes down to. Come back and join us

later. We will hear from the Wales team captain and we will catch up

with a veteran weightlifter competing in her third games.

Three Appeal Court judges have thrown out an attempt by the former

Lost Prophets singer, Ian Watkins, against his sentence for a string of

sex offences against children. Watkins was sentenced to 29 years in

prison last year. One of his co-defendants also appealed against

her jail term. Rhodri Lewis was in court.

Ian Watkins was jailed last November after admitting 13 child sex

offences including the attempted rape of a baby.

The former singer with the Lost Prophets was sentenced to

a total of 29 years in prison and a further six on licence for

a case which the trial judge said "plunged new depths of depravity".

Today, neither he nor one of his codefendants, who was jailed for

17 years, were in court as their lawyers asked three Appeal Court

Watkins was sentenced to 15 years for two offences and 14

for another two, which his counsel said was too much.

But the judges disagreed and decided the punishments were appropriate.

Today's decision confirms the earlier sentences.

That means Watkins will now have to serve at least 16 years

and 10 months in jail before he can be considered for release.

The sentence should have been less for both of them.

But the judges decided the punishments were appropriate. These

were, in our view, offences against infant children of such shocking

depravity that a very lengthy sentence of imprisonment was

demanded. Notwithstanding the absence of physical injury. Today's

decision confirms the earlier sentences. He will serve at least 16

years and ten months in jail before considered for release.

A football club in Powys has pleaded guilty to

breaching health and safety legislation after a 12-year-old boy

Casey Breese from Caersws had been playing with friends when

The club admitted responsibility for the posts,

A statement was read out on behalf of Casey Breese's family.

The change of plea represents an admittance of their involvement.

They are happy with the outcome of this case. Using KC has been a

terrible blow for the whole family. -- losing KC.

Plans for a giant solar park with 180,000 panels

are being recommended for approval by Flintshire councillors.

The 270-acre site has been earmarked for agricultural land next to

Deeside Industrial Estate - objectors say

The firm behind it, Swansea-based Compton Group, says the park could

generate enough power for 11,000 homes over its 25-year lifespan.

The Labour MPs said she may stand for the next election after all. She

says she is now weighing up our options after being contacted eyes

constituents asking her to stay on. Labours intention to use an all

woman short list to choose her successor has been strongly opposed

by the local party. There are fresh calls

for the chief executive of Pembrokeshire Council to be

suspended after police confirmed a new investigation has been

launched into payments he received Earlier this year, the Wales Audit

Office found the payments made to Bryn Parry Jones and another

senior officer were unlawful. The first police inquiry found no

evidence of criminal offences but This is the man at the centre of

this controversy. The chief executive of books are council --

Pembrokeshire Council. Back in January, the audit office found that

payments made instead of pension contributions were unlawful. Four

months later, a police investigation concluded there was no evidence to

suggest any criminal offence took place. Last week, the local

authority decided not to take any further action to try and reclaim

the salary supplements worth more than ?45,000. But in a new twist,

fresh information has come to light and a second police investigation is

underway. Because of the close working relationship between the

council and the police, this one will also be carried out by

Gloucestershire Constabulary. It is understood the new information

relates to questions over who wrote this confidential document which has

been shown to BBC Wales. Written in September 2011, it is a report that

recommends that senior staff should be allowed to substitute pension

contributions for direct payments will not Bryn Parry Jones, who earns

more than ?220,000 a year is facing calls to step aside until the police

have completed their work. If any other member of staff was under

police investigation they would be suspended. That is not saying it is

guilty -- he is guilty. There is an allegation and the police are

looking at its only needs to be suspended in the meantime. It would

apply to any other member of staff. Pembrokeshire council says it is

aware of the new investigation and will co-operate fully. In the

meantime, Bryn Parry Jones is still in his post.

Poor broadband and the challenges of running a business in rural Wales

are being discussed today at the Royal Welsh Show. BT says delivering

broad band connections is a massive engineering project and the

infrastructure cannot be rolled out overnight.

The Royal Welsh Show is a chance for businesses to publish eyes that

products to the masses. This camping part company was attracting plenty

of interest but they rely on marketing their business online.

They often encounter unreliable and slow broad and service. They believe

it can cost them vital sales. Della mac broadband is the biggest barrier

to developing that brand on social media. We can't quickly upload

pictures of the product or whatever it might be. Customers may ask us to

e-mail them photos and if we can't, they will look elsewhere. But beat T

says more than half of Wales can access high-speed broadband --

Beattie. We have been busy since January of last year doing

deployment. Sometimes people don't appreciate how big it is. They think

somehow broadband can appear like magic overnight but there is a huge

amount of engineering in difficult to reach parts of Wales. There are

Wi-Fi hotspots like this where people take advantage of a good

broadband signal. It is -- it is hoped that Bass -- this will benefit

business. Many voiced their concerns at the stations though raised by

homes and businesses in rural Wales full. If a station shared by this

man who contacted as to tell is that his broadband becomes so slow it

stops and drop site and one day it happened over 40 times. Online

shopping, you get halfway through and the broadband drops out. You

either have to start again wait for it to come back on. You then assume

the order has gone through that far and then you carry on. It drives you

round the bend. The aim is for large parts of the country to access

superfast broad and by 2016 and for many, it can't come quick enough.

We are back at the Royal Welsh Show later on. First, back to Glasgow.

Thank you. Welcome back. Let's talk sport. They say a team captain

should lead from the front and be inspirational. Wales'steam captain

is Aled Sion Davies and he always has a smile on his face. Tonight 's

opening ceremony will no doubt be emotional, but let me tell you, he

is fully focused on winning gold. The 23-year-old who competes on

Monday as been talking to Ashleigh Crowter.

The day of the opening ceremony is a huge occasion for team Wales but

especially the captain. As it is about to begin, how I you feeling?

It is crazy how quick it has come around. There is an incredible vibe.

Morale is very high and everyone is excited to get underway. From the

outside, the preparations seemed to have been beset by if you problems

with big-name athletes is withdrawing. Does that have an

impact in the village? How do you make sure it doesn't, big bubble?

Everyone knows each other, especially the boxes so it will be

on their mind but it will not dominate. A lot of these guys have

things to prove now. It is great that the medal tally is high and it

is right that it is so. At what point does it stop becoming a party

and you start thinking about competing? Even tonight is not a

party. I will enjoy the opening ceremony with the team and

representing Wales but I am focusing on Monday. When I am happy with my

performance then maybe I can let my hair down.

Good luck to him, just one of our medal hopefuls. They have been

really busy on the River Clyde all day. Boats have been up and down

checking the fireworks are still in place for top the Commonwealth

button will be brought up river this evening on its way to the opening

ceremony. -- the Commonwealth button. Things are getting bit.ly.

Have you seen any Welsh flags? I have seen one so far. Things are

picking up here. You may be able to hear some of the performers

rehearsing for their big moment on stage here at the opening ceremony.

Let me introduce you to some Scottish terriers who will have an

important role in escorting each nation out into the stadium. Earlier

on I also saw Susan Boyle who will be performing. Soon, the real

business of winning medals will begin and I have been taking a look

at some of our medal hopefuls. She has already won in Glasgow

recording the fastest time in the world this year. Can Jazz Carlin

become the first woman to win gold in the pool for Wales since 1974?

You can't miss him. Six and size 17 shoes. The big man is competing at

his first Commonwealth games. She has had success in the pool and now

Rhiannon is swapping swimming for cycling. Tomorrow she will compete

here at the velodrome and could become wales'sfirst medallist at

these games. It is the biggest team Wales has ever sent, winning 27

males -- medals is the target. Now, officials have admitted it could be

a stretch. Ready to defend his 400 metres

hurdle, will he be able to win gold again? And then there is Geraint

Thomas. He knows how to win on the biggest stage and days after

finishing the Tour de France, he will aim for glory on the road.

Let us talk to the weightlifter now joins me now, Michaela Breeze. You

have experienced many ceremonies. For the athletes, what can they

expect? It will be a phenomenal experience. For athletes in their

first ever opening ceremony, the noise and spectacle will be

phenomenal and electric. Flashes of cameras and the pure noise and

volume of the people will stop this will mark the start of the games and

we are all very excited and I hope people back home will be. Jazz

Carlin is competing tomorrow and will not be here tonight. Can this

sort of thing be a distraction? Absolutely. For those competing

tomorrow or the day after, it is a big decision to make. It is tiring

but the village is just behind as though it is not far to walk. For

the first time I have ever experienced, you can come in, parade

around and go back out. The athletes who don't want to hang around have

that option for the first time. We wish you well. Thank you. Not long

to go now. The ceremony kicks off at nine o'clock this evening and I, for

one, cannot wait. Thank you. We are set and just a

reminder that we will be here every day bringing you an update of how

Wales are doing. Just a reminder, 27 was the ambitious league games

target but Team Wales, despite the withdrawal, are still confident on

doing well. Our first medals could be one tomorrow in the pool.

Tomorrow night, Jazz Carlin goes in her least favourite event, the 200

metres, but she is using it as a warm up for the 400 and 800 metres.

Rhiannon Henry goes in the tandems went and the rhythmic team

gymnastics get underway. What a start! The opening ceremony is live

on BBC One Wales from eight o'clock tonight. That is all from us here

for now. We will see you tomorrow. Let is get the weather forecast back

home now. Welcome to the Llanelwedd.

Another very warm day here. The hottest day of the show so far.

Thankfully with a breeze which has given some relief from the heat.

It is the biggest day of the Royal Welsh Show. The cops have been

entertaining the crowd in the main ring. The winner of the George

Prince of Wales cup was a senior mayor from... Congratulations! Today

has been the hottest day of the year so far, 30 Celsius just down the

road in Powys. There is plenty more hot weather to come if you are

coming to the show tomorrow. It will be dry and sunny.

This evening, fine for most of us. Maybe one or type -- one or two

showers possible. A warm night with lowest temperatures down to 14

Celsius. High pressure over Scandinavia tomorrow which will

bring us more fine and hot weather. A repeat performance tomorrow. Dry,

lots more strong sunshine with a view clouds as temperatures rise.

Many places will stage drive. The small chance of a shower in the

south later in the afternoon but you will be unlucky to catch one.

Temperatures soaring again. Tomorrow night will be dry and

mainly clear. Friday promises to be another dry, sunny and very warm day

with temperatures into the meat to high 20s Celsius. It is looking warm

up for the Tom Jones concert. More clout likely on Saturday but apart

from the odd shower it will remain dry. Temperatures will drop by a few

degrees at the weekend but staying warm. It looks like there is more

fine and warm weather to come next week. There we are! A lovely day

here at the Royal Welsh Show for carbs day and it will be just as hot

tomorrow. The headlines: Judges have thrown

out an appeal by the paedophile singer Ian Watkins to reduce the

length of his sentence for child offences -- child sexual offences.

The judges said they were searched gravity they demanded a lengthy

prison sentence. I will have an update for you at

eight o'clock and again at 11:25 p.m.. We will leave you with this

guideline of Glasgow as