18/08/2016 BBC Wales Today

Our main story: The Brownlee brothers have won gold and silver in

the triathlon, with Alistair beating his brother

There's no change in the overall pass rate but the Education Minister

says she's concerned that the numbers getting

We want to see continued improvement year-on-year and this shop is

something we will need to look at. As an opencast mine in Powys

is moth-balled with the loss of 75 jobs, we'll look at

the future for the industry. In tonight's sport:

Hannah Mills finally Now all eyes turn to

Jade Jones this evening. Jade Jones is preparing for her

quarterfinal bout. Can she defend her title and win gold once again?

And remembering the spitfire pilot who penned a world-famous

Thousands of students in Wales are considering their future

The overall pass rate is the same as last year -

97.3% of Welsh students got A-star to E grades.

But the number getting the highest A star and A grades

A small drop, but the lowest it's been since A-stars

Our education correspondent Bethan Lewis reports.

After weeks of apprehension the results are in. It was a similar

scene in schools and colleges across Wales this morning. The some of the

letters made happier reading than others. Students in Bridgend, Colwyn

Bay and Aberystwyth were amongst those getting the results. I'm going

to Exeter. I needed three A 's. I am really happy. Relieved more than

anything. B, C, D and any. It's what I expected. I got three season which

I am quite happy with and I'm going to study in Staffordshire. I am over

the moon. Not everyone will get the grades and the message for those who

are disappointed is not to panic and consider the other options

available. Those getting results at this school near Bridgend were

joined by Education Secretary Kirsty Williams. Her job will be to look at

the results and work out what the government can do to boost

performance for everyone. Over the weeks to come we will be looking

carefully across all subjects and all centres that have had students

sitting exams to look to see what the Welsh Government can do and what

schools can do to make sure we are on it to victory of improving the

highest pass rate in years to come. The positives for the Welsh

Government will be the good performance in maths where Wales

gets a higher percentage of top grades than England. Winning this

language it is less positive. They may take a look at the drop in

numbers taking foreign-language is an Welsh. These are long-standing

trends for the languages. One of the concerns is whether we are seeing

reduced opportunities to study languages. If there are fewer

schools offering land which is it becomes more of a spiral downwards.

As well as A-level results, a S results and baccalaureate results

were out and up on last year. With only a few envelopes left both

students know what grades they have got under looking ahead. But for

those concerned with the all Wales picture the drop in top grades will

be of concern. As well as that stubborn gap between performance in

Wales and the rest of the UK. As in Wales the overall pass rate state

the same across the UK. The percentage of top grades was

slightly down. While many would argue that comparing with some

similar English regions is fairer only the north-east had a lower

percentage of top grades. His shoes for the politicians and policymakers

but for students the focus now is on the next step.

Bethan is at the University of South Wales in Treforest this evening.

Bethan, how concerned should we be by the fall in the number

We are not talking here about huge percentage drops and you could see

it as part of the ups and downs you get over the years but it is of

concern and the Welsh Government will see it as a concern because

they have talked about in improving system and it is nothing to address

the gap that exists in performance between Wales and other parts of the

UK. It has been a busy morning in loss of schools across Wales and its

still busy here at the clearing centre at the University of South

Wales. Helen like Dennis the Deputy Vice Chancellor. How important is

clearing for you? Clearing is important for all universities.

Every university in Wales is in clearing and every university in the

UK is in clearing. It is big business at hundreds of courses and

lots of opportunities. We have been really busy and the phones have been

ringing. You can ring until 7am tonight. You can go on Twitter and

Facebook. It has been really busy time. And lots of competition

between universities. There is some competition but it's about the right

students choosing the right course at the right university for them.

Joanne Harris from careers Wales. What are the other options? We

advertise apprenticeships, there is Jobs Growth Wales vacancies. If

somebody wants to give us a ring we can talk about gap years,

internships, volunteering, alternative qualifications, distance

learning or professional qualifications. Things like

apprenticeships are a valuable now? Definitely. The important thing is

is not to drag your feet and get out there and do your research. Thank

you both. Some people still have big decisions to make but at least the

nervous wait for those results is over.

To the Olympics now and Kate Morgan is here with the very latest on how

Welsh athletes are faring and Kate, has Hannah Mills got her hands

Yes, finally, Wales' Hannah Mills has officially claimed a gold medal

in the sailing after the 4-70 event was postponed yesterday

She and her partner, Saskia Clarke, held a 20 point lead

in the run up to the final, which they just needed

A few moments ago, Hannah spoke to the BBC's Shirley Robertson.

Finally we can say they are the 2016 Olympics champions. I cant believe

its! It actually happened. It's the best feeling ever. Four years ago it

was agonising watching you lose gold and walk away with silver. This

moment now, does it make you forget about London? Right now, absolutely.

We are so proud to have come back and we have worked so hard. It is

all we have ever dreamt of. We are so proud. Thank you to everyone at

home for all the support. I am sure they are cheering in Wales and Essex

but a word about the partnership. You are so close in so anyways but

to finally get the chance to stand on that top step. It's going to be

so great. All eyes turn now to Jade Jones

who won Taekwondo Gold at 2012. She's hoping to defend her title

at the Olympic Park this evening. In a moment, we'll speak

to Matthew Richards who's with her friends and family

watching at home in Flint, Jade Jones has already been

competing this morning. She is safely through to the last eight.

She is now three boats away from gold. Earlier today I spoke to her

grandfather who told me she seemed quite nervous this morning. For

everybody else watching it was just a very convincing performance. The

top seed seemed in top form today. A dominant display by Jade Jones and

she is now safely through to the quarterfinals. It was just about how

good that lady was. The aim is simply for this girl is to repeat

the success of 2012 when the unknown 19-year-old became a shock win at

the London games. I gave it everything I had and every time I

was waking up it was for London and when I won it was unbelievable. I

was a bit lost after it but now I am back on my feet again and hungry to

win this next title. Thrown into the limelight she struggled with form in

the aftermath of her Olympic win. There was disappointment that the

World Championships the following year, a back injury frustrated her,

but she admitted herself she had fallen out of love with the sport.

But now she is firmly back at the top of her game and is favourite to

top the podium tonight. And for grandad, the man who inspired her to

take up the sport, once again it is a proud moment. There is a lot more

pressure on her this time. In 2012 she was virtually unknown. Now

everybody knows her. She is ranked world number one. Four years ago

Jade Jones flung her helmet into the air in delight as she was crowned

Olympic champion. Expect similar scenes if she retains the Crown in

Rio. In just under an hour's time she will fight again and she is up

against quite a tough competitor. A bronze medallist at the European

Championships last year. But the feisty Flintshire Cup assures us she

is hungry for more success and if she does get to that final tomorrow

morning, so you better keep watching.

Now you might remember the celebrations in Flint

Crowds turned out in their thousands to cheer her home as she took

an open top bus tour through the town.

Well Flint is right behind her again this evening.

Matthew Richards is with Jade's friends and family.

There is no mistaking that Flint is her town. The leisure centre has

been renamed after her and the gold postbox still stands proudly in the

town centre. How are you feeling after seeing her today? It was the

best I have seen her for years. She has got through. Onto the next one

and I hope she goes through again. Is it nerve wracking? I cant explain

it. You have made her promise to make sure you watch every game? Yes

and we will see her if she gets to the final. It must be amazing to see

so many people out there supporting. It's great to see everybody

screaming for her. I wish you a good night tonight. You were one of her

first teachers and you introduced a lot of youngsters here to taekwondo.

What is so special about her? From the word go she showed promise and

she started competing and there was no stopping her. She had a lot of

support from the family. Some of this lot will hopefully be doing the

same. Are these the people who have been inspired by you? Very much so.

They have all seen Jade Jones. Just described her style. Why is the --

is she so good? Fantastic focus. Amazing head kicks as you saw in the

head -- in the fight earlier. Dedication and termination. Everyone

is behind his ear. So Lucy, a long night ahead before

we know if Jade can make history Her next bout is at 7.30pm, so stay

tuned to the BBC's Olympic coverage. Hospital emergency departments

are still failing to meet Welsh Government

waiting time targets. Figures for July show just over 82%

of patients waited less than four hours before being admitted,

transferred or discharged. But fewer patients waited longer

than the maximum 12 hours. The Welsh Government says it knows

there's more work to be done. 75 jobs are to be lost at Nant Helen

opencast mine in Powys. Its owners, Celtic Energy,

say they're mothballing the mine for two years

because Aberthaw Power Station in the Vale of Glamorgan

is downgrading its operation It was work as usual for those at

the Nant Helen site today. But shortly many will look for work

elsewhere as the majority face redundancies with around 30 taking

involuntary. We are working with Celtic energy and other employers

specifically at Hinkley point, because they were require some

construction workers. Aberthaw Power Station is powered by coal. 500,000

tonnes of which comes from the Nant Helen site each year. Following the

decision by the power stations on burn coal until April next year it

has a big pact on its supplier. But the Chief Executive of Celtic energy

believes Nant Helen can the operational again in the future.

There is continuing domestic demand for coal. Obviously we are looking

at markets overseas where it is economically viable. Nant Helen is

not the first site in this area to be mothballed. In October last year

Celtic energy took the same decision over its other site near Glyn Neath

and other coal mines in the area have also suffered a similar fate.

As coal mining in south Wales continues its long decline. Some may

be struggling but other opencast sites in Wales continue their

operations despite opposition from some corners. This was the scene at

force of rant in May as protesters tried to halt operations. It

reflects the continuous change in attitudes towards the use of coal.

We are seeing the final days of the coal industry in Wales and we need

to prepare for new jobs in these communities and for a cleaner

future. However others believe they can be a future for coal. Back in

the 1970s we were talking about clean coal technology then. We never

invested in it but it's never too late. We should be looking at it

seriously. I am a big supporter of renewable energy. I am not so keen

on nuclear. I think that is a role for coal. For now uncertainty

remains as to whether coal extraction in Wales will be soon

stopped for good. Still to come in the programme:

After a worldwide search to run a million pound farm for just

a pound in rent, And the aviation poem still quoted

by pilots 75 years after it was More than 400,000 people

travelled to see live music performances in Wales last year,

double the number Big concerts like One Direction

in Cardiff helped, as did the rise of festivals like Greenman

in the Brecon Beacons. Paul Heaney reports

on an industry now worth Part of an industry

that's on the rise. Organisers of the Greenman Festival

sold tickets to allow people to camp here for the days before the main

stage opened this morning. The hope is they spend many

with local businesses. We spend money in Crickhowell

and buy goods and bits and pieces. We also have a butcher that comes

in and we have bought bits and pieces from him and today

we have just been up onto the canal Have you been out

and about in the area? We have done things like that

previous years but this year we have Fans like this who travel more

than 37 miles to a performance The group which lobbies

for the industry, UK Music, says there were 400,000

of them in Wales last year, A small part though of a ?2 billion

tourist industry in Wales. Cardiff accounts for most

of that music related cash. Sell-out concerts by Beyonce,

One Direction and others. I definitely think it

is a growing industry. We encourage people to come and try

new things and taste new things. Highlighting the integration

of the tourism industry with the food and agricultural

producers of an area. All that is where there

are real elements to play. Back in the Brecon Beacons local

pubs tell me they are We have a bit of noise and a bit

of extra traffic but everybody grins If it's a bit wet we do a bit

of business as well. But the activity-based businesses

further afield have a Perhaps people are not quite aware

of it all yet maybe, but I haven't noticed any increase

in business at all yet. Many of the suppliers

to the festival are local. This one providing the beer

for 25,000 people. We will expand our

business based on this. Still a small part of the tourist

industry, the value of changing people's perception of Wales

and its industries, harder to count. Now when we brought you news

of the offer back in May it probably A million pound farm up for grabs

for rent of just one pound a year. It was for Parc Farm

on the Great Orme near Llandudno Not surprisingly hundreds applied,

and now the new tenant Dan, Kerry and Evan Jones and a view

of what will soon be their new home. They will pick up the keys

at the end of next month. Tucked in behind the Great Orme

summit, Park Farm is a special place and of course there is a catch

in the ?1 a year rent. It will have to be managed in a way

that puts nature first. There are some typical areas

here that have not been grazed oenough and some areas that have

been grazed too much so that is something we will look

at and try to improve. There is a 10-year plan to reverse

a decline in flora and fauna. If I'm honest, if it wasn't

?1 a year, I probably The ?1 rent a year enables us to use

the livestock as conservation grazing tools rather than primarily

for profitable farming production. The ?1 rent allows us

to do that so we can From breeding pairs of chough

to razorbills, the Joneses will share the Great Orme

with a range of wildlife. And then there are the

two legged visitors. This shepherd's life

will be far from lonely. With the farm there are grazing

rights for outside the walls of the farm so that is one

of the main roles I will have. We want to get more people to come

out and enjoy the Orme and explore more of the Great Orme and the park

itself and we are aiming to educate people in what we're doing and why

we're doing it and showing them that conservation and modern-day farming

can hopefully work together. Wildlife, tourists and a measure

of hard work. A new home for the family

but for Evan, a new school as well. It's been quoted by presidents,

actors, even astronauts. High Flight is an aviation poem,

written by an American spitfire pilot 75 years ago today, at RAF

Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan. The poem, by John Gillespie Magee

Junior, is a favourite with aviators all over the world and today

a service was held at RAF St Athan I have slept the bonds of earth and

dance the skies on laughter Silver wings. I have climbed and joined the

clouds and at an you have not trained. The words of John Gillespie

Magee Junior, unknown -- and is known by aviators around the world.

His poem is often read at military funerals and was quoted by President

Reagan after the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986 in which

all seven crew members died. We will never forget them nor the last time

we saw them this morning as they prepared for their journey and waved

goodbye and slipped to the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of

God. Those final words of the sonnet to touch the face of God came to the

19-year-old pilot when he was in spit fire training high above RAF

landau on this day in 1941. He finished the poem on landing and

sent it to his parents in Washington. Just a few months later

he died in a flying accident over Lincolnshire. Today his younger

brother, now in its early 90s, read the poem at the commemoration

service. All I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the

skies on laughter Silver wings. One reason the poem as had such an

appeal is it could only have been written by a pilot because he talks

about things people would not be able to talk about if they had not

flown. It has meant so much to so many people have been pilots or

astronauts. It was also recited in several countries around the world

today, including China, Australia, Canada and the US. In America his

biographer has recited it for us in front of his parents house. It was

where they received the poem for the first time. John Gillespie Magee

Junior's family will hope the poem comforts all those who takes to the

sky. Talking of the skies,

Derek's here with the weather. It's relatively calm at the moment

but we're in for a big change with some bumpy flying conditions

on the way. This mass of cloud over the Atlantic

is going to bring a taste Rain, heavy showers and strong

to gale force winds. At the moment most

places dry this evening. But rain will arrive

during the early hours. The breeze picking-up

in the south west. The rain heavy in places with

a south to south easterly breeze. Brisk and gusty winds

in Pembrokeshire. During the afternoon it will dry

and brighten-up from the south. The sun will come out

but with heavy showers by teatime Strong and gusty winds

in the south west. In Flintshire tomorrow,

rain and breezy. It should dry and brighten-up

later in the afternoon. In Bridgend tomorrow,

rain will clear. Tomorrow evening and overnight

showers will spread across Wales. A breezy and windy night,

especially on the coast. The chart for Saturday shows a deep

low pressure over Northern Ireland. Not what you'd expect

to see in August. There is a yellow warning of strong

to gale force winds in the south and west

with large waves on the coast. A few bright or sunny intervals

but lots of heavy showers. Thunder possible and

unseasonably windy. Gusts of 50mph to 60mph on exposed

coasts in the south and west On Sunday the wind and showers

will gradually ease. Dry and brighter for

a while but more rain on the way. So some poor, disappointing weather

this weekend but bigger waves We're back after the

BBC News at 10:00pm. For now though, from all

of us on the programme,