03/04/2014 BBC Wales Today

effort to put people off smoking. That is all from the

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight, 400 jobs are at risk as a deal to sell

the Milford Haven oil refinery falls through. Now concern the plant

itself could shut. Our thoughts today over the staff, because of

this news which is very unsettling. The mother of a teenage boy who died

after a suspected overdose describes her son's failure to cope with

bullying at school. A scallop-fishing family are fined for

dredging in a banned area of Cardigan Bay. Anywhere over there is

illegal fishing, anywhere over that side of the vote is illegal. They

are using GBS tracking. -- GPS tracking. High air pollution across

parts of the country. People with asthma or lung complaints are warned

to take extra care. And after seven decades at the bottom of the ocean -

sunken silver finally makes it's way to the Royal Mint.

Good evening. 400 jobs are under threat at one of Wales' biggest oil

refineries. Bosses at the Murco plant in Milford Haven have told

Wales Today it could face closure - after talks with a potential buyer

broke down. But the company says it will continue to negotiate with

other interested parties. Here's our business correspondent, Brian

Meechan. It employs around 400 days in --

people in well-paid jobs. It brings money into the local economy. Last

week, Gillett over done for the refinery and the petrol stations to

Monaco owns. A firm was excited by the whole UK business for ?300

million, securing all jobs at Milford Haven. Murco was Mac

undergone a consultation. That could mean the loss of some of all or --

some or all of those jobs. We need to look for other deals. One of the

potential outcomes is that we may see job losses as a consequence, but

that is not our primary goal. We want to achieve a positive outcome

which keeps refining here in Milford Haven.

There was a major upgrade here in 1981. Four years ago, it was put up

a sale. It has now emerged that the most likely buyer has fallen

through. There is a lot of disappointment in this news last

week that a deal was imminent. It is disappointing to see that the deal

has collapsed. It is that the future of the plant in jeopardy. It could

have a devastating effect for Pembrokeshire. Some members of this

local golf club worked for Murco, and have relatives employed at the

refinery. It will be sad, because businesses will lose out. They do

not know where they are. They do not know whether they will be there next

year. Monaco will continue to talk to other businesses. -- Murco. It is

very disappointing news, particularly for those working

there, they will go through a period of uncertainty. I spoke to the

company this morning, and there will be some possibilities that will need

to be explored, but we do not want to raise also is. What we will do as

a government is work closely with Murco in order to pull out all the

stops on behalf of the people of Pembrokeshire. It is a hammer blow

to Pembrokeshire because it is a provider of high skill jobs, and my

thoughts and prayers are with the people working there. We need to

find whether there is a future for the job down there in West Wales.

Pembroke has -- Milford Haven has one of the world perspective his

targets. That offers an advantage to any investor. But a buyer has proved

hard to find in recent years. Time is running out. Our reporter Matt

Murray has spent the day in Milford Haven. Matt, what have people there

had to say about the news? This is a massive site. If you look

behind me, you can see the enormity of this refinery. We really is huge.

I have spent the day here, and it is one of those places. When you drive

around Milford Haven, it is hard not to spot a Murco company car or

tanker. It is part of the fabric of the area, and I have been speaking

to people, and they will tell you one of three things. That is either

they were here, they know someone who works here, or thirdly, they

know people who used to work here. I expect to members of the golf club

here, former refinery workers, and one man said he worked for Murco for

over 30 years, and his son was now working here, and had gone to the

last decade. But he says that his son tells him that morale has been

pretty low at this refinery for the last two years, because they just

don't know what the future holds, and that is right morale is low.

Obviously, with today plus venues as well, there are as taken more of a

planet. But when you speak to these people, people have left and are

getting jobs on oil rigs. And that is not practical for everyone. That

means time away for months on end. When you speak to people here, there

really is a concern, because it does not just affect workers, it affects

shops, pubs and restaurants. It would affect the whole area here.

So, to get more uncertainty about this refinery is a worry, because as

I said, the news -- the news affects the whole area. 15-year-old Simon

Brooks was discovered at his family home last week. A payment note

mother should endure. When Simon Brooks took a high overdose, he left

a heart-rending note saying he could not cope any more. He was people

would come up, take your shoes, call him names, website -- all sorts of

things. I try to get into the day. I would count every hour, and then, I

hope he has got to one o'clock. The 15-year-old was taken to hospital,

but died on Tuesday. His mother said that he was physically and verbally

abuse. He was also believed at his former school. He holds no one

directly to blame, and he says it is the system that should change.

Someone is going to either arrest me or report me, and if I told the

school and tell them that they are governed by their restrictions. The

system is failing assault. In a statement, the head teacher at the

school said that they are shocked and stand by the death of Simon, and

the school and wider community are struggling to come to terms with his

sudden death both schools and the local council have been asked to

comment about Simon's treatment, but has not yet responded. On their

website, the school said... This video has been made in Simon's

memory by friends, and a Facebook page has been set up in his name,

and has had 11,000 tributes paid in two days. It is understood an

anti-bullying protest was taking place at his school today including

100 children. Right now, the mother needs to grieve.

Character references from colleagues of MP Nigel Evans have described him

as "courteous", "scrupulously fair" and "invaluable". The Former shadow

Welsh secretary, seen here in the centre, denies rape and sex

offences. Testimonials from the three deputy speakers of the Commons

- along with several MP's and Lords - were read at his trial at Preston

Crown Court. A ?6 million project led by

scientists at Cardiff University will explore the influence of

genetics and lifestyle in the development of Alzheimer's disease

in a million people. Researchers say they're hoping to produce the most

comprehensive understanding of the risks of developing the disease to

date. Public Health Wales says five new

cases of salmonella poisoning have emerged - possibly linked to the

consumption of laver bread from Penclawdd Shellfish Processing.

Seventeen cases have now been reported, nine confirmed since the

outbreak began last week in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire,

Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan. Tests have shown no signs

of salmonella in samples taken from the firm.

Parts of Wales have been experiencing high levels of air

pollution. People with asthma or heart and lung complaints have been

warned to take extra care - as Matthew Richards reports.

A misty haze has been hanging over large parts of Wales for much of the

day. From Deeside in the North to Cardiff Bay in the South. But rather

than fog this was a combination of industrial and vehicle pollution,

sand from Africa and still weather conditions. We get the weather

conditions which capped this air close to the ground, and on top

that, we have pollutants brought over from Europe and the by the

recent wins. Meteorologists say it's a perfect storm. The worst hit areas

are marked on this map in red and pink.

a perfect storm. The worst hit areas are marked The Dee Estuary area

scoring eight out of ten on a met office air pollution scale. The

conditions have been blamed for aggravating health problems like

asthma or other chest complaints. I was mobilising a little child at

midnight last night, and his flair had come out of the blue, and I did

wonder whether it was due to the air pollution we have been having. Apart

from the hazy skies, the only sign this pollution is around is the

layer of dust on our cars. This has been scooped up from the sands of

the Sahara desert and been transported to the UK. Some schools

were advised to keep an eye on vulnerable pupils and here on

Deeside people had noticed some effects of the pollution. A few

local lads say they feel a little bit breathless. I only clean my car

the other day, and the next thing, it was all covered in sand! The

weather is expected to carry the particles away by tomorrow meaning

we can all breathe a little easier. A Cornish fisherman who earned

almost half a million pounds illegally dredging scallops off

Cardigan Bay has only been fined a tenth of that. 44-year-old Mark

Powell from Penryn was ordered to pay ?50,000 at Swansea Crown Court

today - much less than had been expected. Abigail Neal reports.

Record levels of fish in Cardigan Bay led to a ban on scholar dredging

in 2010. -- Len Walters is one of the few

scallop fishermen left now. He says many have been driven out of

business. It has had a big impact on most of the Welsh ports. You have

some in Whitby, some in the Isle of Man. The Welsh ports are small. --

boats. I used to work a mile or two miles of the island. In 2012, this

Cornish vessel, owned by Mark Powell, was leading the highest

catch of scallops in Welsh waters. Around ?500,000 worth. Most of it

bought illegally. Nowadays, boats are fitted with a GPS system,

similar to a satnav in a car. It tracks our position. It was by

checking the GPS records that Welsh government officers caught him. Four

years ago, the ban on scallop dredging came in. The only areas

where fishermen could go where small box which method about eight or six

miles of Cardigan Bay. -- eight x six miles. We are at it now, and

anywhere on this side of the boat is illegal fishing, anywhere over there

is illegal. That is where the Powell family were found. Today, Mr Powell,

appearing with his family, was ordered to pay a ?50,000 fine. His

parents were given lesser fines. Scientists studying the sea bed say

that scallops are now in happy numbers. That inaccuracy in numbers.

-- healthy numbers. They are looking at the impact some restricted

fishing. I think the government taking a cautionary approach, and we

hope to produce evidence that will give them good management in the

future. Parts of this bay may be opened again to the scallop

fishermen once again. Much more to come before seven o'clock. Bring

back the sand - the call going out at one of our well known beach

resorts. And they made it to a Lords final last year - but can Glamorgan

go one better this season? The Health Minister Mark Drakeford

says robust planning helped the NHS perform better this winter compared

with the previous one. He told the Assembly's Health Committee that

despite some difficult days, managers did a better job of getting

the balance right between planned operations and responding to winter

pressures. Our political editor Nick Servini joins me from the senedd.

Nick, how strong was the health minister's

we went into this better prepared and better lead. There is a lot of

ground to be gained, and a lot more we need to do, but the NHS in this

winter outperformed the position they were in. Nick, how strong was

the health minister's defence this morning? It had a feel of the end of

winter school report. Mark Crayford gave himself a high grade. There was

a 48% reduction compared to the previous winter. The backdrop that

was the winter before last, it brought a strain on the NHS. After

that, health boards and councils were asked to bringing coordinated

plans. Today, he said that worked. He wasn't crowing about it. He

talked about difficult days, particularly in relation to longer

than expected and billiards weights. -- ambulance wait.

There have been not the same winter pressures as in previous year. It

will Netscape no one's attention that it has been an exceptionally

mild winter. Politicians are quick to blame the weather when it it is

cold. We will not know how robust the plans are unless we have a cold

winter in future years. There has been a relief after criticism of the

NHS in Wales. The NHS has been barely out of the news all winter.

In the light of the constant criticism that it has been getting,

if you throw into the mix some bad headlines about winter pressures, it

would've been overwhelming in terms of how the Welsh NHS could have

coped with that. Give us back our sand. It's the call

going out in Llandudno today. Twenty years ago large sections of the

resort's famous north beach were covered with pebbles as a sea

defence. Now work is underway to put them back, after some were washed

away in the winter storms. But a campaign has been launched claiming

the lack of sand is harming the town's image. Roger Pinney reports.

Half a dozen miles away lies Llandudno, eight family resort, this

come up with glorious beaches for the children. 60 years on, Llandudno

stores that I still boats to be a family resort. As pillows glorious

beaches. Mark Conwy council was hard at work.

Should Pebbles washed away in the winter be put back? Not those who

want a return to the golden age. I remember the North Shore beach being

called the sands. In turn is one of the growing band of campaigners who

want the beach resort to what it was. I am born and bred here, and it

is sad to see the abomination of what the council has done to our

beach and what it can do to our town. It makes me sad. There is

still some sand in Llandudno, a short stretch at the western end of

the beat. But you get is then of what it used to be like around this

beautiful bay. Our fans are mixed views. I like the Pebbles. It is a

bit different. I like Pebbles, but this is a quarry! What rubs salt

into the campaign is wounds is with this work.

Why can't you put sand in Llandudno as you have done in Colwyn Bay? That

is a good question, but that simply, we do not know if it will stay

there, and to find out whether it is going to stay there, we would need

to model, and we could possibly need big structures here to keep it in

place. And people in the past, in Tim on macro, they say they do not

want big groins to keep it in place. -- in Llandudno. In the meantime,

locals will have to make the most of what little sand they have. But

campaigners say they will not give up.

Can Glamorgan return to the top flight of English cricket? That's

the challenge laid down by new head coach Toby Radford for the 2014

season, which starts on Sunday. He wants to see Glamorgan back in the

first division of the Championship where Welsh players will have the

best chance to further their international ambitions. Our sports

reporter Ashlegh Crowter's been looking ahead to the new season.

A new season brings optimism, like others gone before. This year,

Glamorgan definitely think everything is in place to take a big

step forward. The core of the team that got the Lord's last season is

still there, soon to be joined by its former South African batsmen

Jacques Rudolph. A new coach too, who left the West Indies to join the

club, and he has had the squad working hard on individual skills

since November. Many people, the biggest signing of the season isn't

a player. The return of Hugh Morris as chief executive has brought a new

sense of direction, purpose and Welshness to the club. A new coach,

new CEO, new director of cricket really livens the place up, and the

energy around the place is unbelievable. Everyone is buzzing,

can't wait to get started. We have a lot to prove to ourselves and

others, and to have fresh eyes here to train in front of, and play in

front of, livens a lot of guys. Last season, there were signs of

encouragement. Glamorgan got to a Lord's final for the first time in

13 years. They finished as runners-up. They also finished in

the third in the group in the T20 cup. The biggest balloon was the

County Championship, where they were well off the pace, eighth in the

second division. -- the biggest disappointment. And when I first got

here was that they were one-day side in the final of the 40 over

competition. The priority is to get promotion to the first division in

the County championship. Glamorgan, in a sense, represents the whole of

Wales. I see it as the national side. It has a great stadium. They

have great support, and would be great if they were a first division

Championship team. Only a couple of hours play were possible today

because of rain, but it is still useful practice for Glamorgan's

young Welsh openers. Will Bragg, whom it made an unbeaten century, is

one of those set the task of following senior pros like Murray

Goodwin. The Rams then coming close but like a steady stream. We have

players scoring 1000 seasons, and I have 60 wickets. In between those,

if we can narrow the gap between the good and bad games, get our

consistency, that will go a long way to achieving our goal. The season

will begin away from home at the Oval on Thursday. A good result

against Sunday, and Optimism could quickly turn to confidence. --

sorry. The Grand National takes place on

Saturday and tomorrow night we'll be looking at the favourite for the big

race. Teaforthree is trained by Rebecca Curtis in the idyllic

surroundings of Newport in Pembrokeshire. We've been to meet

them both to see out how preparations are going - it's more

than a 100 years since a horse trained in Wales won the most famous

steeplechase in the world - more on that tomorrow night.

73 years ago, a large shipment of silver left India bound for the

Royal Mint - but before reaching there, it was attacked by German

forces and sunk. Today some of that silver finally completed its

journey. Sachin Krishnan has the story.

Seven decades after it set off, this silver bullion bar has finally made

its way to the Royal Mint. Its journey began in February 1941.

Running low on silver for coin production during the war - the

government sent for a large supply from India. The merchant ship the SS

Gairsoppa, with 85 British and Indian crew set sail. Payments

needed this quantity of silver for its nation to make sure the supplies

of Greenwich were sustained during the war. It was such a fundamental

thing as not having money. But after being forced to break free of a

convoy, the Gairsoppa was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Ireland

leaving only one survivor and its precious cargo at the bottom of the

ocean. There it lay until three years ago, when exploration company

Odyssey Marne delved three miles under the sea - deeper than where

the Titanic lay - and brought up more than 12 hundr00ed of the silver

bars. In 1941 - Everything was done was down there

on the site. In 1941, the Royal Mint was based in London. Staff told me

it was an emotional time to see some of the silver finally make its way

to its at its modern day home in Llantrisant ready to be made into

commemorative coins. The standard I have chosen is the Britannia, which

is an elegant design. The coins will soon be available for the public to

buy. A little piece of wartime and monetary history. 71 years in the

making. -- 73 years.

Well we've heard about how air quality in Wales is being affected

with pollution and dust from the Sahara but Derek - you have some

good news. I do have some good news. Sahara but Derek - you have some

good news. I do Pollution levels have been low to moderate today but

higher near the border but there is an improvement on the way. The wind

direction is going to change tomorrow. Turning into the SW and

that will bring cleaner air in from the Atlantic, lower pollution and

better air quality as well. Today, some dry weather but rain and became

more widespread during the afternoon with more of the country turning

wet. So this evening rain for most. Heavy bursts of rain moving

northwards and clearing overnight. Some low cloud and mist. Some sea

fog as well. The lowest temperature six to nine Celsius so mild with a

light breeze. Here's the picture for eight in the morning. Grey in the

west and northwest. Misty with some sea fog. The odd spot of drizzle in

Snowdonia, otherwise dry. Parts of Powys and the Marches brighter with

sunshine. During the day more of the country will brighten-up. You may

catch a shower but a lot of places dry. The cloud breaking with some

sunshine. Feeling warm in the sunshine. Top temperatures 11 to 14

Celsius with a light to moderate breeze. On the north coast tomorrow.

Dry. Sunshine in Abergele. A high of 14 Celsius in Prestatyn. On Gower,

drier than today. Brighter later in the afternoon. 10C in Oxwich.

Tomorrow evening fine and clear tomorrow evening but after midnight

clouding over with patches of rain and drizzle. Plenty of cloud on

Saturday. Damp at times. Spots of rain, mist and hill fog. Some dry

weather as well. Sunday's chart shows low pressure over the Atlantic

with fronts affecting the UK. Sunday windier. A spell of heavy rain on

the cards but hopefully the rain will clear and it will cheer-up on

Sunday afternoon with some sunshine. Next week, rain on Monday will

clear. The middle of the week dry thanks to high pressure but the

signs are it won't last! 400 jobs are under threat at one of

Wales's biggest oil refineries. Talks with a potential buyer broke

down. The mother of a teenage boy, who died after a suspected

overdose, has described her son's failure to cope with bullying at

school. We will have an update at 8pm, and more at 10:25pm. For

another, from all of us on the programme, have a good evening.

Goodbye.