20/12/2011 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's top story: Thought to be one of the

biggest illegal landfills in the country - the man who dumped 27,000

Our other headlines tonight. We're begging you to come home. All the

family are in bits. A mother's desperate plea to find her missing

teenage son. Also tonight: A pedigree stretching

back a thousand years but you might not be getting the Welsh black beef

you're paying for. Brecon Jazz needs a new backer, if

the music is to play on. And Welsh regions announce a cap on

salaries. Will we lose more players Good evening. It's believed to be

the biggest illegal landfill site in North Wales. Now the cowboy

operator who ran it has been given a one year suspended jail sentence

and ordered to do 300 hours unpaid work. William O'Grady appeared to

have been running a well known legitimate waste business based in

Caernarfon. In fact he was dumping waste illegally.

Leaving Chester Crown Court, William O'Grady didn't want to talk

about the case. His friends were unhappy about the presence of

television cameras there. Do you have anything today? -- to say? The

Environment Agency for and what they discovered on land he owns

near Caernarfon. From the air, you can see the scale of the illegal

operation. 27,000 tonnes of waste, including bricks, plastic, glass

and insulation fibre. This is believed to have been the biggest

illegal dump ever found in North Wales. The agency took still images

as well of land next to a nature reserve, a Site of Special

Scientific Interest. 1500 tonnes of waste O'Grady put here was said to

have posed a risk to one's life. There were other sites. O'Grady

persuaded the farmer to spread wood and paper to improve his clan. What

turned up was rubber and plastic. In another incident, he stored more

asbestos than he would allow it to. William O'Grady and the company's

he ran had the outward appearance of legitimate waste operators. They

were far from it. Really pleased to see that the court has acknowledged

that this is a crime in the same way as any other crime. It is

important to us also to... For waste operators to be able to

operate on a level playing field and Baftas were the main reasons we

pursue these cases. It is not fair for operators to do things like

this for financial gain. It is important that the court takes

these cases seriously. A such as the scale of this side, the

Environment Agency are still to decide how best to deal with it.

Elsewhere, illegally dumped waste has been ploughed into the ground.

The agency says it could take years for the land to recover. Sentencing

O'Grady, the judge said he had betrayed his community and the

environment. His attitude to the environment was dismissive. O'Grady

was also barred from being a company director for five years.

The mother of a missing teenager from Mold has made an emotional

appeal for help to find him. 18- year-old Haydn Evans failed to

return home after a Christmas party. He was last seen at the Carden Park

Hotel near Chester, in the early hours of Saturday.

His disappearance is said to be completely out of character and so,

as the hours go past, concern is growing for 18 year-old Hayden

Evans. Today, has devastated mother joined police to appeal for

information. If anyone knows where my son is, we are just frantic. We

just want him back. I am just so worried about him. We feel totally

helpless. A he had been out with friends at a Christmas party. He

was last seen at this hotel, south of Chester. He was wearing a long-

sleeved shirts and trousers. No jacket or coat. In temperatures

which dipped below zero, police believe he may have become

disorientated. They particularly want to hear again from one

anonymous caller. They saw a man matching his description walking on

the A 41 towards Chester which is actually less than a mile from his

hotel. It was around 1am and we urge whoever saw a person to

contact us again, please. Vanishing without trace, it is every parent's

worst nightmare. We are begging you to come home. All the family are in

bits. We are having nightmares, we are not sleeping, we just want to

back. A police say they are leaving no stone unturned, using

helicopters and search dogs. They are also appealing for people to

check their sheds and outbuildings. Engineers have been clearing the

line between Whitland and Milford Haven, after yesterday's crash

between a passenger train and a hay lorry. Workmen had to dismantle

parts of the lorry before using a crane to lift it from the track.

Investigations are under way into the crash which left seven people

injured. The 48-year-old driver of the lorry has been released on

police bail. Network Rail hope to have normal

services restored by tomorrow morning.

The Welsh Government is planning to open its first full time office in

London, to deal directly with foreign embassies. Ministers from

Cardiff Bay already share facilities at Gwydyr House, home of

the UK Government's Wales Office. But say they're now looking for

more flexible space. A source in Whitehall has told BBC Wales the

move suggests a deliberate separation between Wales and

Westminster. New assessment tests for children

starting primary school will be reviewed after the Education

Minister Leighton Andrews admitted they needed more work. The Child

Development Assessment Plans introduced this year are intended

to help measure children's progress during the first stage of school.

But teaching unions criticised them for increasing teachers' workloads.

It's one of our best known brands but farmers of Welsh Black beef say

they're concerned it's being exploited by mis-selling. They

believe cheaper meat is being passed off as Welsh black on some

menus. Wales Today has learnt that trading standards in

Carmarthenshire are investigating the source of beef sold as Welsh

black. The history of Welsh Black cattle

can be traced back 1000 years. The Thomas family have been farming

here on Anglesey for almost a century and for the past 80, has

specialised in Welsh Black. Today, three generations of the family

worked for 900 acre farm. We have been concerned about people

claiming to sell black beef for a long time and they are not. If

people get a lousy state, they are going to associated with Welsh

Black and it needs to be stamped out. By hold the -- I hope the

people responsible are caught and severely punished. What would you

like to see happening now across Wales? How would like to see

trading standards officers being much more proactive, now they have

a good reason for getting the evidence that things can be sent

away and analysed to see if it is what black. A and that a new weapon

is a DNA test, that Wales today and stands has already been used in

Camarthenshire, as part of an investigation by trading standards.

-- and that's new weapon. This so they cannot comment further at this

stage. There has also been a recent case in Swansea. Trading standards

used this as very serious. Interestingly, you are stealing

some and intellectual property and when we are talking about Welsh

Black beef, it is specifically controlled and protected in

European law. It is protected geographical. In Swansea, this year,

we've had one of the only UK successful prosecutions so far.

Royal Welsh Show, there was black stand is a staple at the event and

a sign of the prestige that comes with the bland. -- brand. The Welsh

cattle Society are charged with protecting that image. Robert Jones

from the society runs a farm near a town in North Wales. He welcomes

the new testing. The members are very grateful. It is a fine thing

that we can verify that this beef is genuine. I suppose we've got the

word Welsh in the name Welsh Black cattle and that is halfway there is

selling anything locally. Back on Anglesey, the Thomas family is no

court -- latest venture. This was black beef has come from their farm,

just a few miles away. The connection couldn't be closer but

that is not always the case. And while most was black beef on our

menus will be genuine, the challenge for trading standards is

to ensure it all is. Let's talk to Keith Rothwell, owner

and former head chef of the Bull's Head in Beaumaris. Mr Rothwell,

you've had Welsh black beef on the menu in the past. How important a

brand is it in terms of the Welsh food industry? It's very important.

It is a rare breed. Only 2% of the cattle brought up in Wales are

Welsh Black so it is a premium product. Any doubt over whether

meat has come from could be very damaging to the brand, presumably.

Of course it could. It is not fair to the customers. The only way you

can help the customers is that they trust you. In turn, the restaurant

he has to trust his butcher. are in the business. How difficult

is it for people like you to keep a trace on where your stuff comes

from and be absolutely sure that it is what you are buying and the

customers are then buying? We check on a regular basis with our butcher.

He is reputable and we trust him. He has got all the paperwork and we

can find out where it was bred, what it was fed on, who its mother

was, who its father was, where it was killed. It is all available to

us. What more can be done to ensure that the meat being passed off as

well as black beef is what it says on the tin? Unfortunately, at the

moment, all we can do is trust our budgets. DNA testing sounds fine

but it is not something that you can give an immediate answer to a

doubting customers. Much more to come before seven

o'clock. One of the country's biggest music festivals, Brecon

Jazz, is in need of a new backer if the show is to go on.

And a cap on player's wages here. Will more top talent leave for

It is one of our best known music festivals but there are concerns

tonight over Brecon Jazz. The festival is in need of a new backer.

It had been run on a temporary basis by the organisers of the Hay

Festival but that agreement has It has become a firm fixture in the

summer calendar. The Brecon Jazz Festival has been running for

nearly 30 years. Despite success in attracting the best acts from

around the world, they have been difficult times as well. The

company running it went bust in 2080 and the bosses of the

neighbouring Hay Festival stepped in to help. -- 2008. The mind

charge has now confirmed the three- year agreement he signed has come

to an end. He says the festival's future is now in Bracken's hands.

This man runs the Fringe Festival. He is worried no one will be found

in time to stage next year's event. I'm concerned because it would be a

great loss for Brecon and for Wales as home. -- as a whole. I hope is

there will be sufficient time although it is quite short notice

to get some sort of consortium together, who are motivated to take

it on board. The Arts Council of Wales contributes about �125,000 a

year to the festival and says there would be funding for the right grid.

We have funding in place for a jazz festival in Brecon in 2012,

provided we and our other partners are content with the organisation,

who will apply into the new year. In Brecon today, there were mixed

It has outlived itself. It is not what it used to be. Too many rules

and regulations. 10 years ago, we had music in the street and it was

so much better. Maybe somebody will bring it back as it was.

I think it should carry on and go ahead. Definitely.

Why is that? It keeps the area drive -- vibrant.

I think it should carry on. Do you want to run it?

No, but I would help. If any groups are interested in

running Brecon Jazz, they will have to move fast. Fans have to be

booked in the first months of the new year for the festival here in

August. Welsh language musicians have ended

a strike in protest at the amount they're paid in royalties. Members

of the Welsh Music Publishers and Composers Alliance withdrew their

music from BBC Radio Cymru yesterday but after talks with the

radio station, has decided to end its action. The BBC says it

welcomes the move and further discussions will take place in the

New Year. The accident and emergency unit at

Withybush hospital could be in jeopardy unless two minor injury

units are closed, that's according to the health board, who met with

around 100 angry residents in Pembrokeshire this afternoon. A

trip at school, a slip on the ice - all things that would normally be

dealt with by the minor injury units in Tenby and Pembroke Dock.

But that all changes from January 3rd, when both will temporarily

close and the nurses will be moved to Withybush Hospital in

Haverfordwest. At today's public meeting in New Hedges, the fear for

these residents was that the closure would mean relying on

ambulances and long waits at A&E when they finally got there.

This area is a retirement area. There are lots of retired people

and retirement home, there are lots of care homes that make use of that

facility. You have a lot of holidaymakers on

the beach and children on the rocks and all this sort of thing. You

need a minor injury service. Absolutely vital. You do slightly

worry what effect that might have on the tourist trade.

The warning from the health board - - But the warning from the health

board was that simply put, the Accident and Emergency Unit at

Withybush Hospital must come first. The hospital has faced long term

problems in recruiting consultants and middle grade doctors for the

accident and emergency unit. The risk, if we don't take measures

to reorganise our staff and consolidate the service, the

viability of the accident and emergency services in Withybush is

in jeopardy. Residents in Pembrokeshire are still concerned

that the temporary loss of the minor injuries unit may turn into a

long term problem, but until more staff are recruited, the problem

won't go away. One of the defining events of 2011

was the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan in March. Many

people from Wales live and work in Japan and there are strong business

links between the two countries. In the first of three special reports,

Maxine Hughes meets up with some of those expats to see how the

It was one of the highest ever recorded earthquakes. And the

Tsunami that followed devastated north-east Japan. For the Welsh

expats living here, it was terrifying.

I was here, in this house. I've never been so shaken in my life.

It came up that there was a big sea Lambie coming and then, you know,

rather than panicking, your mind just goes blank and you kind of

think, it's not going to happen to I saw a lot of the damage that had

been done to the buildings. Mainly roadster had been ripped apart. --

roads had been ripped apart. After much 11th, a large number of

foreign nationals left Japan after being advised by their governments.

There are still a lot of Welsh people living and working here and

some that consider Japan home. Regardless of the last year's

events, for them, leaving isn't an option. They are still living with

the consequences of the disaster. It caused an explosion at the

Fukushima nuclear plant which released radioactive materials,

contaminating some areas of the country.

This is showing where we are. One of the areas affected was where

Freddie Morton, an English teacher from Conway, lives.

This is a region which is well known for its produce. Many farmers

work here. This is local spinach. I know that shortly following the

earthquake, many farmers had a difficult time selling their bodies

because of fear associated with radiation. Oh I think now it is OK.

There is always a kettle boiling. Katherine lives in Japan. She grew

up in Anglesey and moved to Japan after getting married. She isn't as

reassured by the reports she hears about radiation.

The Government don't want the people to panic. Think, how could

they possibly evacuate the 30 million people in it the greater

Tokyo and metropolitan area. This woman is also from Anglesey.

She came to Japan over 20 years ago, get married here and has two

children. I know there are a lot of people in

Britain interested in Japan and would love to come out here. As

long as you don't go into the restricted areas around the nuclear

power plant, I reckon that you are safe.

For all three, Wales is always in their thoughts but their future

remains in Japan. I have never regarded myself as an

expat. When I made a commitment to living in Japan, I didn't see the

earthquake as a region -- a reason for changing that.

I think it is safe, a safe place to visit and to live. I will be living

here for a long time to come. It has changed me as a person but I

think that is true for anybody, the then Welsh or Japanese or any

nationality, it makes you realise just how fragile your life is,

wherever you are. And we'll be back in Japan with the

Welsh ex pats tomorrow. The four Welsh rugby regions have

announced plans to introduce a salary cap. They've agreed to spend

no more than �3.5 million in wages on their playing squads next season.

The plan has been welcomed by the Welsh Rugby Union, even though it

makes an exodus of top players to foreign clubs more likely. Here's

our sports reporter Ashleigh Players' wages is a hot topic in

Welsh rugby. There are maps bigger pay packets available abroad,

especially in France. James Hook and Mike Phillips just two of the

stars who have moved there. Wales's regions have been unable to offer

the same salaries and that won't change now that a salary cap has

been imposed. The Welsh regions have agreed to spend no more than

�3.5 million each on their wages of their squad from next season. That

compares to more than �7 million for top French clubs and just over

4 million in England. Unlike Wales, that includes the cost of

development and academy players. The regions say the plan isn't a

growing reaction to the exodus of players.

The regions are losing money. We have been reliant on benefactors to

plug that gap and that isn't sustainable, to be honest. Looking

at our own organisations, we've got to be sustainable or cash neutral.

The regions came to an agreement before informing the Welsh Rugby

Union of the plans. The governing body, who pay �1.5 million to each

region every year have welcomed the plan.

We've each got to cut back accordingly. We operate to some

pretty tough conditions. Wales is pretty challenging and one cannot

compete with the vast sums of money that are being pumped into the game

in France at present. Some, as I say, are totally unsustainable.

With the cabin place, the regions seemed resigned to losing more of

their players. Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones have already been

targeted. If they want to keep them here, it may fall to the bosses of

the WRU to come up with the solution.

OK, lets get the weather forecast. It's still felt a bit chilly today

but if you don't like the cold weather, the weather is on the

change and tomorrow will feel noticeably milder. A warm front is

heading our way bringing warmer air from the Azores. The mild air is

shown by the yellow and orange colours. Flowing across the whole

of Britain and pushing the cold air out of the way. Temperatures in

Flintshire today reached eight Celsius but tomorrow 13 Celsius is

on the cards. 55 Fahrenheit and 5 degrees above the average. This

evening, cloudy. Rain spreading across the country. Some heavy rain,

mist and hill fog as well. The rain easing off later in the night with

temperatures rising instead of falling. So tomorrow morning a

different feel to the weather compared to today. Much milder with

temperatures in double figures. 11 Celsius in Welshpool. Mind you it

will be cloudy with low cloud and hill fog. Some drizzle in the air

as well. So plenty of cloud tomorrow. A few spots of light rain

or drizzle otherwise dry and if you're lucky you may see a glimpse

or two of sunshine. Top temperatures 11 to 13 Celsius, the

highest since December the 8th with a moderate to fresh westerly breeze.

Thursday will continue mild. Plenty of cloud. A little rain or drizzle.

Maybe a little sunshine in for marches. On Friday a cold front

will bring a spell of rain followed by brighter, colder weather and

showers. Christmas Eve not a bad day for any last minute shopping.

Much drier with a chilly breeze picking-up. Now last December was

the coldest in Wales for 100 years. On Christmas Day last year the

temperature at Llysdinam in Powys didn't rise above minus eight

Celsius but it's going to be a different story this year.

Temperatures well above freezing on Christmas Day. Fairly cloudy and

breezy but apart from the odd spot of rain it should be dry. So a

white Christmas is very unlikely but at least people will be able to

get out and about without fear of slipping on ice. Time for another

three festive pictures. The first a three festive pictures. The first a

snowman and reindeer by Jayden Benn from Deiniolen. The next by Rhys

Davies from Swansea. And last but not least Manon Haf Evans Jones

from Ton Pentre. Just look at the three wise people in the corner!

Benny, Sue and me. That's the first time anyone has called us wise

The main news again from the BBC: A review of the summer riots in

England suggest police could in the future use live bullets in certain

circumstances. A skip hire operator who run what

is believed to be the biggest illegal landfill site in north

Wales has been given a one-year suspended jail sentence. William

Macready was also disqualified from being a company director for five

years. If you've got a story you think we

should cover, get in touch. We would love to hear from you. E-mail