02/08/2011 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today our top story: Weeks after a fatal

explosion - a new beginning for Pembroke's oil refinery. Tonight

the new American owners tell us why they want a slice of the welsh oil

Our other headlines tonight: the Legionnaires' disease that killed

two - the official report fails to pinpoint the source of outbreak.

The hard work begins - parishioners who fought against the closure of

their church buy it for a thousand pounds.

Captain Matthew Rees will miss the two tests against England - but

Wales are in bullish mood training for the World Cup.

Keeping watch over the sea - excavating the secrets of Henry's

VIII's defences. And at the National Eisteddfod in

Wrexham a warning too many new homes here is putting a strain on

schools, hospitals and the Welsh Good evening. It's worth tens of

millions of pounds to the economy every year and employs well over a

thousand people. Tonight the new American owners of the oil refinery

in Pembroke have told Wales Today they see a long and successful

future for the plant. It's just 2 months since it was the scene of an

explosion which killed four people. Texas based Valero have now

completed the �450 million deal and they've been speaking to our

Valero is not a recognised name on our roads but in America they are a

common sight on the highways. The company sells the all-American

dream. But they stopped making a fuel on the east coast last year

when they sold their refineries in the New Jersey and Delaware. Since

then, they have been looking to move into Europe. With the flag

flying high over Pembroke, it marks a new chapter for the company with

their first move into Western Europe. It is part of our growth

plan to find an appropriate acquisition in the UK. They looked

at the facilities around the UK, they chose Pembroke in

Pembrokeshire as the site they wanted to acquire. The employees

are happy, it is turning a new chapter for the refinery which has

been here almost 50 years. plant had been on the market for a

year, Valero paid �450 million but after an explosion which saw

workers killed in June, there were concerns over the purchase and the

sale price. Now, the deal has gone through and the agreed amount of

close to half a billion. Workers are looking to the future. It's

been an emotional few months for staff at the refinery but this deal

brings stability and also marks a new era, not just for the company

which bought it but also for this massive site which has been here

for over four decades. This is the first refinery, they see a massive

future for themselves in Europe, it has bucked the trend of the last 20

years about American companies pulling out of the UK and Europe.

So, it's good news for Pembrokeshire and good news for the

UK. Valero own 15 refineries across the world, the Pembroke plant is

said to be one of Europe's largest and complex. A total producing

capacity of 270,000 barrels a day. It's the largest private employer

in the county with 1,400 staff and is said to be worth about �1.5

million a week to the local economy. The deal also includes a network of

more than 1000 service stations so we will not see the company name on

our roads but Valero has now laid its European rates in the far west

of Wales. An oil industry analyst joins me, what does it mean for the

workforce? It is hugely positive for the people. When it Chevron

announced they would sell the refinery, it caused worry and

distress with workers and families. So, for a big major player like

Valero to invest and indicate they will retain jobs is positive.

is it attractive to Valero but not Chevron? It is a rare situation

where it is good for both sides, Chevron were looking to get out of

the UK and Europe for some time. Concentrating on oil exploration,

getting it out of the ground. On the other hand, Valero have been

seeking to expand operations in Europe. Kane macro are involved in

all aspects of all production, they have massive distribution networks

of 6,000 service stations so they get the Texaco service stations and

ties up with the future. We were talking about the tragic explosion

and fire, are you surprised about the speed with which the deal has

gone through? At the time, there was concern the deal would not go

through because of the tragedy, the impact of the tragedy in Wales was

acute. It was enormous but Chevron and Valero, they expect these

things to happen from time to time. It is a dangerous business. That

said, the Pembroke oil refinery has a superb safety record and there

was no doubt in my mind the deal would gain 3. It is a new name to

many, what we know about Valero? They are a massive global concern,

50 refineries in the US, this is the first in Europe, they have

6,000 service stations and they have been increasingly looking at

new areas where they can expand their refinery business. It's a

good deal for them, should form would have hoped to receive more so

for Valero and Chevron it is a good deal. We heard the refinery has

been going for 50 years, we also here oil is running out, what about

the future for the oil business and the oil refinery business in Wales?

The oil refinery business is getting more and more complex, one

reason it should run want to leave his they want to concentrate on

exploration which they see as more profitable. Kane macro have a

robust business and it fits into their future plans -- Valero. The

price of oil is getting more expensive.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous

driving, after a man was found dead on the side of a road. The body of

Ian Hamilton, from Bristol, was found near Pontllanfraith, near

Blackwood, last month. Gwent Police say a 22 year old woman and an 18-

year-old man - both from Risca - are in custody.

A man has died after his car left the road and caught fire on the

A470 in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It happened just past the Pontypridd

turn-off towards Rhydyfelin. The southbound carriageway at Abercynon

was closed for more than seven hours, causing major delays. No one

else was hurt. Campaigners fighting to save their

church in the Rhondda from closure, are celebrating tonight after

accepting an offer to buy it. After a month-long protest - by

parishioners of All Saints in Maerdy - the Church in Wales has

agreed to sell it for a thousand pounds. Church authorities believe

it'll costs hundreds of thousands to restore. The bells rang out in

celebration across the village of Maerdy today. After to close to a

month of campaigning - the parishioners of All Saints are a

step closer to saving their church for the community. The wicket when

church with lots of debt. -- we get. With a dwindling congregation and a

mounting repair bill - The Church In Wales had earmarked All Saints

for closure. But a handful of the faithful were so incensed they

staged a sleep-in protest. Now the Church says they can buy the

building for just a thousand pounds. However that sum is a fraction of

the amount they need to raise to restore it. We have identified

renovation works. We will ask the local community to keep supporting

us and we have a lot of work on. It is achievable and we can do it.

Campaigners say they'll get professional advice before signing

anything - but are delighted - that it now seems likely the building

will remain open. Despite their success so far - they want even

more from the church authorities. The main priority is to get the

Bishop and the PCC to agree to Sunday worship here. Services are

being held in the community centre while we have a songs of Praise on

Sunday morning. We need Sunday worship back here. It is strong

enough to take 24 a communion service. All Saints has been a

place of worship since the late nineteenth century. These

campaigners are determined that's a tradition that won't end in the era

under their stewardship. The family of a twelve year old boy who died

after being hit by falling goalposts say he was a 'lively,

energetic lad full of fun'. 12- year-old Casey Breese was playing

football with a group of boys at the recreation ground at Caersws,

in Powys. He died in hospital last Friday. Hundreds of mourners have

paid tribute to him. Mountain rescue teams can apply for �25,000

extra funding from the UK government, the first time they

have received direct funding with similar romance being made

available over the next four years. It's part of a 200,000 pound amount

set aside for a spending review until 2014. The exact source of an

outbreak of Legionnaires' Disease in the South Wales Valleys last

year might never be known. A report into the outbreak in which two

people died has concluded that no single source accounted for cases

in Merthyr Tydfil and the Cynon and Rhymney Valleys. But the chair of

the investigation team says it may have been caused by "very unusual

climatic conditions". Caroline Evans reports.

Joan Evans counts herself lucky she survived. Two out of 22 affected

did not. But she is disappointed the report she has waited months

for brings her no closer to knowing how she caught Legionnaire's

disease. Very disappointed because I would have liked to have known

where I contacted it. There is nothing saying I cannot contacted

again. I am saying no more than that. I am disappointed they have

not come to see me to speak about it. Which, I think, in respect... I

cannot understand it. It is 58 pages long. Legionnaire's disease

is caused by bacteria in water. When people breed in droplets,

bacteria makes its way to the lungs and more the prize. The disease

kills between 10 and 15% of people who contract it. The outbreak

lasted just over a month, for much of that time the main focus was

here, on the communities on the heads of the Valley's road. More

than 100 staff were involved in finding the source. But after an

exhaustive investigation experts say it is impossible to pin down a

single source. One theory now is the number of cases could have been

pushed up by the climate in that part of South Wales. This kind

micro-climate is speculation at the moment but there is some research

coming out from Europe suggesting it may be more than speculation. We

do get across Europe clusters of Legionnaire's disease, exactly like

what happened here which has not been explained thus far. It is not

unique, it can occur anywhere. Experts say the findings and the

fact they have been unable to pinpoint the source should not be

cause for alarm. For Joan Evans, it is a worry and today's report

brings her a little reassurance. You are watching BBC Wales, much

more to come, including Matthew Rees misses the Test against

England, the latest from Wales' World Cup training camp. And,

keeping a watch for the French and Spanish, the secrets of Henry

Good evening from the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. This part of

the country can't cope with the number of new houses being built

here. That is the warning from one of the organisers. The Assembly

member for North Wales, Aled Roberts, says people moving into

the area are putting a strain on our public services and could even

undermine the Welsh language. This year's's Eisteddfod sits only

a few miles from England. Goods and people have come and gone to places

like Chester, Liverpool and the Wirral. But now there is a fear

that the balance is not right, that too many homes are being built in

north-east Wales to be bought by people from the north-west of

England. The warning comes from the man who was until recently it

leader of Wrexham council. He says it is the fault of the boss

Government for developing a housing developing area consisting of

north-east Wales and West Cheshire. We have not had a statement from

the Government. Aled Roberts fears that new housing estates like this

one on the outskirts of Wrexham could be used by those looking for

homes from the other side of the border.

We have to question whether our infrastructure can cope, schools

and so on, which are not put fully into the planning process. Also

with a lot of these new development there are questions around services

within the areas. Groups have been campaigning for

years against the proposals and, as a former leader of Wrexham council,

they say that Aled Roberts could have done much more to stop the

development. We believe he has made a big

mistake and he has not realised how much of a mistake he has made.

has been the effect on north-east Wales? We see the effect is already.

If he had listened to us back in 2009 this might not have been the

case. In a border town has or it --

always played a big part of Wrexham's identity but the fear is

that not meeting the housing demand from both sides of the Borderers

putting a strain on public services. In the last half an hour boss

Government has responded, saying that there are benefits of working

together with neighbouring authorities in Wales or England to

meet the housing needs in this area. Here at the National Eisteddfod

there were 17,000 people, nearly 4,000 up on the same day last year.

This is the first time that Wrexham has hosted the Eisteddfod since

1977 and this year a special birthday - the National Eisteddfod

is 150 years old. Tonight, a special concert to mark this

anniversary. In a few moments Opal be backstage meeting some of the

stars taking to the stage tonight. -- I will be backstage.

Rugby, and we are days from the start of the summer Test. The final

chance for the Wales squad to stake their claim for a place in the

World Cup. The first of a double- header against England takes place

at Twickenham on Saturday and Wales will be out Matthew Rees, who has a

neck in this book -- injury. Even though Matthew Rees will miss

out on the opportunity to captain Wales for a 9th time, the

management are still hoping that he will get some game time in the

August matches. His injury gives another chance to Sam Walderton,

whose only experience of captaincy came in Wales's last game against

the Barbarians two months ago. Last-gasp defeat still hurts.

We just did not play the ball in the last minute. We did not keep it

tight. It is a mistake I have learnt from. I was really

disappointed in myself and I still feel bad about it. I want a better

performance at the weekend. After two weeks of incredibly

intense training in Poland, it is lit -- back to the usual pre-match

routine. After the humbling experience four years ago, taking a

weakened team and conceding 19 tries, Wales have learnt from it.

The side four years ago was not good enough. I think the reality is

we will have a pretty strong side on Saturday. I do not know if we

will be at full strength but it will be pretty strong.

It may have been a chance to relax in front of some home fans today,

but come Saturday it will be very different, with the result

paramount and confirmation today that it will be in front of a sell-

out Twickenham crowd. Cricket, and Glamorgan have piled

on the runs in the opening day of their match against Essex. By the

close of play Glamorgan were 313-3. Officials from Glamorgan have been

at Lord's today as part of their bid to stage an Ashes Test in 2013.

The opening match of the 2009 series took place at the Swalec

Stadium but Glamorgan were recently stripped of hosting England's Test

against the West Indies next year after asking for more time to pay a

fee for this year's Test against Sri Lanka.

Archaeologists in Pembrokeshire have been excavating this building

from the time of Henry VIII. Built 500 years ago, it is thought to

have been part of an extensive network of sea defences when our

relations with Spain and France were not so cordial as they are

today. Today it is no more than a

crumbling ruin on the edge of a windswept Cliffe but cast your mind

back nearly 500 years and this was one of a number of small forts

built by an increasingly paranoid Henry VIII, who was keen to shore

up his coastal defences. It is the only one of its kind that

has survived. They were built to look out for the French and even

the Spanish, at a time when Henry VIII had just divorced Catherine of

Aragon and was in a bit of a state of paranoia. He built these

monuments as lookout posts more than anything, to be able to raise

the alarm. It is alarm of a difference differ

-- different kind facing the National Park Authority. They are

worried about it Rousham, not invasion. In as little as two years

they think the whole structure could tumble into the sea. But it

seems anything of significance has already gone, consumed by the ocean.

All that the team found were the remains of an old fireplace but

they say the exercise was still worthwhile.

At the idea of the excavation was just to work out the dimensions and

surveyed the building while it was still relatively intact, if you can

call it intact at -- intact! archaeology, if you find anything,

it is a bonus. More important now perhaps than

ever, with so many of Angle's monuments at threat from the ocean.

The National Park Authority had set up a product -- project to help

record many of the site before they disappear forever.

Back to the Eisteddfod, where we are backstage.

This is the place where all of the competitors gathered before they go

through those doors and onto the stage. This place is normally

another at this place, people rehearsing, going through some

arpeggios, learning their lines. Tonight they are preparing for a

special concert. This is the opera star Wynne Evans. What are your

first impressions of the Eisteddfod? It has been fantastic.

I am here for two reasons. I am doing a concert tonight but also

presenting a programme for BBC Two on Sunday. I am trying to find out

a lot about the Eisteddfod. I am an Eisteddfod Virgin. I sat through

the crowning yesterday. It is like the X Factor mack. People are

obsessed with talent shows. How important d'you think the

Eisteddfod is to nurture talent? many important artists have come

through the Eisteddfod. Careers will be born here. Hundreds will

compete. It is the biggest cultural festival in Europe. Tell me what

you will be doing tonight on stage. A bit of everything, to suit

everybody. It is very light hearted, a lot of fun. Hopefully they will

laugh and cry in the right places. It is songs for the ages really.

Many just present you with the rest of the day's news. Some of the

films and programmes probe -- broadcast on S4C are to be

preserved for the future. The film Hedd Wyn is one of the productions

which will be looked after by the National Screen and Sound Archive

Inn at -- in Aberystwyth. It is hoped it will make it easier for

people to access programmes through a search.

It is important for the celebration of the 30th year of establishing

S4C, for academics and journalists to have access, as well as the

public, to the kind of programmes people were doing in 1982. What

were the style of the programmes? Who were the actors? I think there

is a huge appetite for that. The main event in the pavilion

today was the Daniel Owen memorial prize. It was won by Daniel Davies

from Karin biggy on. The adjudicators said that his book,

Tair Rheol Anrhefn, or Three Rules Of Anarchy,, was intelligent,

modern and funny. He received the medal and a cheque for �5,000.

It has been Sunni and hot here today. Let's hope it will stay that

I don't think it will stay hot and Sunni all week but it is definitely

very hot here. Temperatures in Wrexham today rose to 73 Fahrenheit.

I am standing by these stones, when new members -- where new members

enter. It should be dry for the next ceremony on Friday. Certainly

beautiful here at the moment. More dry weather to come tomorrow, which

is good news if you are coming to the Eisteddfod. Once again it will

feel quite humid and warm tomorrow. Certainly dry across the country

this evening, a mixture of clouds and sunshine. Try overnight, some

clouds and a clear spells. Some mist and fog patches forming.

Lowest temperatures 12 to 15 Celsius. There is a front row over

England tonight, which will trigger some storms there. Low pressure to

the west of Ireland is heading our way. Tomorrow, not a bad day on the

whole. The morning should be dry, some bright spells and sunshine.

The odd shower breaking out and during the afternoon cloud will

spread from the south-west. It should stay dry for most of the day

in Wrexham tomorrow. Warm and humid again, temperatures inland rising

to 24 Celsius. Cooler on the coast with sea breezes. Tomorrow night,

fairly cloudy, some rain and showers spreading across the

country, after midnight some heavy rain possible in the south.

Thursday, more unsettled. Turning dry bone in the West. On Friday, a

better day in prospect. At the moment, Saturday looks the best day

of the weekend. Not so clever on Sunday. That is the latest forecast

from Wrexham, a beautiful evening. . Senators in the USA have passed a

bill mean that the bass -- most powerful nation in the world will

be able to pay its bills. The country was about to reach its debt

limit of 14 trillion dollars. It took an emotional appeal from the

Democratic House leader. Please think about what would have

happened if we had defaulted. Please come down in favour of

preventing the collateral damage from reach him -- to our seniors