08/08/2014 BBC Wales Today

Police are currently dealing with an incident in Swansea's Marina.

Feelings are running high in Pembrokeshire, as people protest

outside the council's offices over controversial payments made to

There has been an overwhelming vote of no-confidence in the Chief

Executive and I am here to support that. It is disgusting and it is

time he left. People flocked in their thousands to

the seaside resort in it's hey day. Wales sporting heroes are honoured

by the Gorsedd of the Bards at the And rubble is looming over the

Atlantic. The remains of Hurricane Bertha are looming. -- and trouble.

In the last hour, police have confirmed they're dealing with

Roads have been closed around the Meridian Tower

I am outside the Marillion tower at the moment. It is a 29 story

building, the tallest in Wales. -- Meridian Tower. We have an

unconfirmed report that a man with a gun is in the restaurant on the top

floor of that building. Some people living in the flats in that building

have been told to stay inside and not come out and we have been told

the lists have been switched off, so the only way out is through the fire

escape. There is a sea of police and ambulance vehicles and a response

team here. Police dogs with armed police as well. Within the last few

minutes, a police helicopter has flown over. The alarm was raised at

4:30pm with reports that diners from the restaurant were evacuated. As I

say, unconfirmed ports that a man with a gun is in the restaurant on

the top floor of Meridian Tower in Swansea Marina. Police say they will

update with the latest news but at the moment they are not giving out

any more information. Thank you very much indeed. One eyewitness has sent

these pictures of the incident. Jason lives on the eighth floor of

the tower and has been told by police not to leave his flat. We can

speak to him now. Jason, good evening. What can you see at the

moment? The Marina has been cordoned off and we have seen armed police

going in upstairs with paramedics and stuff. Just pretty slow at the

moment. I haven't seen much happening for the last 45 minutes.

Tell us what happened when he first realised there was something wrong.

There was a police helicopter outside. When I looked outside,

there were police taping off various areas of the Marina and pushing

people back. And a lot of police cars blocking off a road. I thought

there was something strange. Thank you very much, Jason, for talking to

us. I can tell you the police are telling us the incident is now

over, but of course we will bring you the very latest on this as we

hear it. There've been fresh calls tonight

for the chief executive of Around 200 people, including council

workers and members of the public, have been protesting over what they

describe as a loss of confidence It comes after police confirmed last

month a new investigation was being launched into payments he received

in lieu of pension contributions. Our political correspondent

Daniel Davies has more. These protesters say the name of

this council has been tarnished and the name on their lips is Bryn Parry

Jones. Everything that has come out in the press recently about the

pension and everything else... It is disgusting. And it is time he left.

I would like to see him step aside, at least until the investigation by

Gloucestershire police is complete. In January, the Welsh audit office

ruled that payments made to Bryn Parry Jones and another senior

minister instead of pensions were unlawful. A police investigation

concluded there was no evidence to suggest any criminal offence had

taken place, however. In July, the council decided not to take any

further action to reclaim the money, worth more than ?45,000. But a week

later, a new police investigation was launched after fresh information

emerged. It is not the first time we have seen scenes like this. In 2012,

staff staged protests against unlawful payments to their Chief

Executive in higher filly. Unions say more workers would have come out

today but staff were reluctant to protest in public. Morale is low and

we have conducted a ballot, a request of our members, and within a

week, we turned it around and had a 98%... Sorry, over 50% turnout and

98% voted that they had no confidence in the chief officer. The

leadership of this council says it is doing a good job in improving

services and keeping taxes down but the people protesting here this

lunch time do not agree. The unions representing staff also say they

have lost confidence in the van at the top. One of those unhappy with

the situation is Steve Joseph. He did not want to speak on camera but

told me staff morale in County Hall was low. The council declined to

comment today. Like all authorities, it has frozen staff pay and faces

cutbacks. It is also not alone in attracting controversy over the size

of the salaries of senior officials. But should the most

senior official in the building step aside from his job while people in

that -- police investigate? Some clearly think so.

This is clearly causing a lot of controversy in temperature. Yes. It

was on the front of a local paper this morning and some say it needs

to be seen against the backdrop of other damaging headlines about this

council. There have been criticisms over the way Pembrokeshire has

handled education and child protection services in particular.

The council's leadership says it has turned a corner and things are

improving. The unions do not agree and they described the controversy

over Bryn Parry Jones's pension as the last straw. And high pay for

senior staff is something being talked about right across Wales,

isn't it? Yes, there has been concern in many places, not just

impound Yorkshire, where, for example, Bryn Parry Jones earns more

than any other minister. -- in Pembrokeshire. Council say they have

to pay higher wages to attract the best talent. But we hear Cardiff has

spent ?50,000 on a recruitment process alone to find a new chief

executive. He was appointed recently. All of this is happening

at a time when a big reorganisation of local government is coming down

the tracks and Pembrokeshire County Council may well cease to exist in a

few years time. Supporters of the reorganisation process hope that at

least one of the outcomes will be a slimmed down and more efficient,

cheaper bureaucracy for local government. Thank you.

A separated couple who sexually and physically abused their children

and ones in their care over a prolonged period have been jailed

At Cardiff Crown Court, the man was jailed for 19 years and his ex-wife

Neither can be named for legal reasons.

The abuse, in the Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly areas, began in

A man described as a "master conman" has been sentenced to seven years

in prison for defrauding the London Welsh Rugby Club.

Neil Hollinshead bought the club after tricking officials

into believing he had over ?1 million in his bank account.

He also claimed to have ties to the Saudi Royal family.

Today he was convicted of three counts of fraud

New research from Cardiff University suggests that Metformin,

a drug which is widely prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes,

could extend the life expectancy in those without the disease.

The study showed it to have an impact on slowing the spread of some

It could potentially reduce the risk by 40%. That is not just people who

have cancer stopping them get cancer, it is also preventing the

initiation of cancer. So we don't fully understand how the drug works

yet all the benefits, but I am optimistic with time we will

understand those things, and, potentially, we will elicit those

benefits in the general population. In its hey day it was one of North

Wales' most popular seaside resorts. Now a number of private companies

have expressed interest in helping Denbighshire Council has asked

developers to come up with plans for its leisure facilities

along the coast. It comes as many of our seaside

towns are enjoying a resurgence Thank you. This is a new approach to

attract funding, and you can see why. Coastal tourism is worth ?280

million a year here in Wales and the sector employs 21,000 people. So it

seems we really do like to be beside the seaside!

Rhyl's golden age may seem a long time ago but there are signs that

Denbighshire Council is appealing to the private sector to use its money

and imagination to breath new life into any of its leisure facilities

from the now-closed Sun Centre pool to the boating lake which was a key

location in the recent Queen's Commonwealth Baton Relay.

With the baton being handed to developers,

the council hopes to build on other recent improvements here.

Our real ambition is to create Rhyl is a place that the private sector

feels it is right to invest. We are starting to see that already. We

have a new 70-hotel -- 70-bed hotel in developing. It would be good if

they opened the tower and leisure centre again. That would be quite

good, I think. Quite a good idea. It has altered a lot in the last 20, 30

years. It is a lot better than we thought it was before. Completely

better. Following two good summers

visitor numbers are North Wales Tourism says

our coastal towns are enjoying a resurgance with the so-called

staycation proving a popular The constituency of Aberconwy

employs the largest number of people within the tourism industry in the

UK. They employ over 's 5700 people within the industry.

Which will be a relief to people employed in the industry in Wales.

From Barry island in South Wales to Colwyn Bay

in the North, millions of pounds of investment over

Penarth Pier was recently voted Wales' most treasured landmark.

And Pwllheli is getting a new Sailing Academy thanks to local,

national and European funding which will see an armada of visitors

There are three international events and it will generate around 50,000

bed nights with just those championships.

Denbighshire council has had plenty of interest from developers

keen to transform Rhyl - it hopes a new golden age is on the way.

There is a real appetite from people to see these iconic buildings put

back into use, so we will have to see what ideas the successful

developer, when they are chosen, comes up with. Still to come, a full

weekend weather forecast and the new football season starts tonight, with

Cardiff city hoping to bounce back to the top flight.

It has been another busy day at the national Eisteddfod. Earlier,

sporting stars were accepted into the Gorsedd of the Bards and this

afternoon, the prestigious Eisteddfod chair was chosen for Best

Poem. Our reporter is there for us. On this, the penultimate day of the

2014 Eisteddfod, over the last 14 days tens of thousands of people

have visited, though the figures are down slightly on last year. Here at

the Gorsedd of the Bards circle, it was a peaceful scene, though it was

a very different story earlier. It was packed with people, eager to see

those famous faces of the Gorsedd of the Bards. Rhodri Lewis has been a

member for more than 20 years today. He wore his robes to give us a

glimpse behind-the-scenes. Steeped in tradition, for many, this

is something of an unknown, even a mysterious organisation. But it

isn't like that at all. I have been a barred for quite a few years. I am

easy to spot. I am wearing green! And while I wear these robes, I am

known by my bardic name after my home village near Swansea. Baths

where three colours in broad order of seniority. White, then blue, then

green. You can also joined by having a degree in Welsh or Welsh music at

university, or take an exam, like I did. But you don't have to be a

barred to get in. This morning, we were swearing in new members. Many

will not have a literary or artistic background but many, like Steve

Jones, are being honoured for their contribution to Welsh life. This

shot put Thrower chose Aled the There is his name. Very honoured. As

simple as that. The occasion is wonderful. The fact that it was in

Carmarthenshire added some extra spice as well, so really enjoyed the

whole occasion. It is time to go to the back of the pavilion for the

chairing of the Bard, but standards are very high and there won't be a

champion if the standards are not met. As well as Welsh bards, others

from Patagonia attends ceremonies. Some have told me that the Welsh

Gorsedd of the Bards is bigger than theirs. We have 100 members. It is a

bit different. How do you feel on stage when you see the thousands of

people? Very impressed, and is very emotional, but it is the first time

for me that I come to Wales, so I am Berry honoured to be in this

company. This is the final duty of the festival. Soon, the roads and

everything will be put away, ready to do it next year in

Montgomeryshire. As he mentioned, the main ceremony

today saw the chair a ward for the West poem written in strict metre.

-- award. The winner was from Cardigan. It is the second time he

has won. Many congratulations to him. That is it from us at the

Eisteddfod for this year. The festivities and competitions will

carry on tomorrow before everything is packed away ready for next

year's Eisteddfod, which will be head in -- will be held in

Montgomeryshire. We are barely into August but

tonight sees the opening of the new football season. In action this

weekend, Newport County and Wrexham. A year ago, Cardiff city embarked on

their first ever Premier League season with a degree of optimism,

having won the championship and invested millions in the staff. The

reality was a season of ups, downs and everything in between. The fans

protested against the owner and in the end, reggae and came with aid

for more than a whimper. That has not stopped the bluebirds being the

favourites to bounce back to the top flight. The summer was hard in the

fact that you evaluate, you have been relegated, and that is a lot

harder than having won something and then you move on. We have had to

look at every single thing we did and what went wrong, why it went

wrong, what we should do, and I think we have come out the other

side really positive. Newport County enjoyed a solid first season back in

the football league. They finished 14th in League Two, a platform to

build on, as they continue their campaign against Wycombe tomorrow.

What we want to do as a team is have a better next year. We had some good

cup run is along the way so to emulate that an better that, that

has got to be a tough achievement but something we will be setting out

to do. -- and better. The manager has had a full pre-season to put his

stamp on the squad and will be looking to improve on last season,

which saw the Dragons a long way behind promotion and play-off

places. He has come in and changed a few things around but he has kept a

lot of the more promising players from last year. More consistency,

really, from the off. Get a good start and then we can go on from

that. Wrexham's new season starts tomorrow against Dartford.

Utrecht claim they are open for the transfer fee. Swansea says the

transfer was conducted correctly under Premier League rules.

Cricket, and Glamorgan are playing Durham in the one-day cup. The

visitors won the toss and elected to bat.

You can see more of the interview with Cardiff city's player on Sport

Wales tonight at 7pm. We have been looking this week at

how Wales responded to the outbreak of the First World War. Towns and

villages across the country are delving through the art -- archives.

It has prompted a new exhibition of records and photos of soldiers based

in the area. Somewhere in France... Sunday. Dear

Sir, last Monday night I was under fire for the first time. The advance

was only a matter of 1000 yards but the slaughter was enormous.

Soldiers from a school writing from the front line in France to their

former schoolmaster. You have death staring at you in the face every

moment of the day and night so one must think of thoughts of my school.

The words are read out by pupils of the same school five years on. This

is a silk pinafore... Keith loaned the museum this silk penny his

grandfather brought back after serving on the front line France. --

pinafore. Treasured by 100 years, a sign of his love for his wife and of

the war. Knowing he had seen this in the shop and brought it back with

him... You know, it gets you a bit. Like many, Keith's grandfather did

not speak about his time in the trenches. This exhibition reveals

those on the whole personal stories through handmade cards, pocket

watches and emotive letters from the front. People can come along and

then connect with their members of their families. Left Cardiff

station, en route to London... Tomorrow is not to pass by without

my writing to Nan. And that is the last entry, because he was reported

missing by the next day. Allen left university to sign up but was killed

to sign up but was killed two days diary, one of many personal items on

view for the first time. It just shows how strong family history can

be. We mustn't just go on Facebook or Twitter. We must write down these

things and keep them. And keep objects that are important. Ed has

been quite overwhelming. With every exhibition we do, we ask for air

looms, and this has surpassed any we have done before and our hopes for

it. It shows first-hand accounts that many were too distraught to

talk about. There has been many -- much talk of

whether Hurricane Bertha is going to give us some trouble. What is the

verdict? It could cause some problems on

Sunday but the jury is still out on the path that the low pressure could

take. It started out over Barbados and then weakened over cooler seas.

The Jetstream is driving it across the Atlantic and this picture shows

you the remains of birth way out over the Atlantic. It is weaker than

it was but as it continues to track towards the UK, it could pack a

punch. It is moving across south-east England but the path it

takes could change and it could go further north. Dry for most of us

this evening and any isolated showers move away to leave us with a

dry night. The low, 11 to 15. This is the picture for ATM on Saturday.

Dry, bright and sunny spells. -- 8am. The odd heavy shower across

Powys and southern counties. A few scattered showers in the morning,

most of them in the South and West and mid Wales, with the North

staying largely fine. A few showers through the afternoon and evening,

but then longer spells of rain moving up from the South. Then the

risk of severe weather with a yellow warning in force. Heavy rain

possible with the wind picking up. Possibly stronger than shown here.

It should brighten up in the afternoon but still with the risk of

showers, so Saturday is the best day of the weekend. Sunday, wet for a

while with the risk of disruption with strong winds. Next week, cool

and breezy with showers. But Sunday is causing us some concern. The

advice is to keep a close eye on the forecast. Stay tuned for updates on

Wales Today and on the BBC radio station.

Thank you very much indeed. A reminder of our top story, and

police have been dealing with a major incident in Swansea. There are

unconfirmed reports of a man with a gun at the top of the Meridien tower

in the marina area of the city. Police have told us that incident is

now over. We can speak to our reporter. What is happening?

You can see the Meridian Tower behind me, the tallest building in

Wales, standing behind me. There were unconfirmed reports of a man

with a gun going into the rooftop restaurant earlier. Since then,

there has been a major police operation with a sea of ambulances

and police vehicles. We are told at has been resolved. The police will

not say what has happened but the Ambulance Service has said they were

not needed. When this happened, all the residents of these flats were

told to stay indoors, the police went in. A huge police presence in

with a helicopter in the air. A large crowd was drawn and the roads

were closed off, which caused traffic chaos in this part of

Swansea. It is all resolved and seems to have been resolved

peacefully. The cordons are being taken down so it looks like a

peaceful resolution to this moment of high drama in Swansea Marina.

Thank you for that update. We will bring you the latest on that story

in our updates at 8pm and later. Thank you for watching. Good night.

Crisis appeal on behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Over the last month the crisis