22/05/2014 BBC Wales Today

Tonight, more than 250 jobs are under threat in south Wales.

120 jobs could go at an electrical components factory in Swansea.

And a further 150 face the axe here, at the Freeman Factory in Cwmcarn.

Tonight, we'll be asking, is it a blow to the recovery of the

Sudden heavy downpours cause flash flooding in parts of the country -

We just got the property reader and 12 months ago.

It will be the final combat tour of Afghanistan for Welsh troops.

We join them on their final training mission in Germany.

In tonight's sport, a man on a mission - former WRU Chief

Executive David Moffett has enough backing to force an Extraordinary

And time to call it a day - Craig Bellamy retires from football.

The 34-year-old says he wants to move into management.

More than 250 jobs are under threat at two factories in south Wales

Letters to staff at an events company in Cwmcarn

near Caerphilly shown to Wales Today show the majority of the 150 workers

And an electrical components firm in Swansea could halve its workforce,

We'll have more from there in a moment but, first, our reporter

The company has told staff it is possible more than half the

employees here will be made redundant. They have been told not

to speak to the press but they did tell us this is a very difficult

time and that the whole workforce is worried for the future. 220 people

currently work on the site manufacturing electrical components.

The company says it is considering restructuring this part of the

business and that could see at two 120 jobs go over a period of 18

months. In a statement, Morgan Advanced Materials said it will do

all it can to minimise the effect on employees who may be affected by

this proposal and it will aim to avoid compulsory redundancies

wherever possible. It is not just manufacturing, it does a lot of work

for the motor industry and the motor industry itself is doing very well.

Hugely disappointing and I hope they can find a way out of it. It follows

an announcement earlier this week that 90 people have been laid off at

Wales' most famous call centre. They are currently starring in a BBC

documentary. The company insists the redundancies are only short-term and

the workers will be given their jobs back. There is better news further

at the Swansea Valley. Around 30 jobs have been safeguarded at this

engineering firm. A new contract also means they have been able to

expand their workforce by a third. The advantage over the far East

solution is that the cost is increasing and the skill set, which

has always been in the UK, people recognise that the UK is the place

to be. But in Swansea, there is a black cloud over the east of the

city as a major employer continues to consult with the unions.

Why are jobs at risk? Because the American company that owns the site

behind me have decided to centralise some of the operations it owns in

the UK by building a new headquarters in the Midlands. They

make the kind of equipment and backdrops you see at big events and

big conference calls. We understand around 150 people work here. I spoke

to some of them today and they have been offered jobs at the new

headquarters near Coventry. But they have told me that some of the terms

and conditions are worse than they are on at the moment. Many feel they

would be worse off if they were to take the company is on the offer and

moved to Coventry. What will happen next? Many of them have received

redundancy notices. They suggest that some workers will leave at the

end of July. Others will leave in December at the end of the year.

That raises the prospect that this site could shut completely. Some

admin staff could move to Newport but this site may not be in

operation as of December. We have tried to contact the company today

to ask for this side of the story but they have not returned our

calls. Our economics correspondent joins me

now. Bad news for Swansea today but the latest figures do show that the

economy is growing, especially in manufacturing. It is terrible for

those individuals and people who will lose their jobs. They will have

less money and that will impact on the economy. But I don't think this

is an example of a weakness in our economy. Manufacturing is growing in

Wales and the UK at the moment. What we have are two very large companies

with international businesses and in both of those, they are changing the

way they do things. Internationally, that might work, but Wales is the

loser. That is what brings them together. These structural

decisions. Thunder storms and torrential rain

have caused flash flooding The worst affected areas

were Penarth and Cwmbran. An elderly couple had to be rescued

from their home The Fire Service has had more than

a hundred 999 calls as well An hour?s worth of heavy rain

destroying months of hard work. Tiger McLeod has only recently

finished refurbishing his home in Penarth but

the flash floods brought down part of his living room wall, destroying

furniture and family pictures. The damage means he'll have

to move out temporarily. It is structurally unsafe at the

moment. We have to wait for the council to come. We are looking at

staying with friends until it is sorted out.

On the seafront it was equally as bad.

This shows how bad things became. At lunchtime, this road was impossible.

But the damage is still being felt as many of the buildings here were

affected by the floods. The yacht club have been clearing up

since waters rushed through We have almost finished tidying this

now. Huw Pickford from

the club told me how the floors were This is what the rest of the flawed

look like. Another badly affected

areas was Cwmbran. Here, in two locks,

this road was under water and the An elderly couple also had to be

rescued from their home Over a hundred calls were received

by the South Wales control centre Reports of houses flooding,

businesses affected, roads in a dangerous condition and we had three

life risks in that we had to send fire engines to rescue people from

their homes. This is how flooded my back garden is. Most of the

rainwater has now gone but the clearer is continuing for many.

A man from Ogmore Vale who waited four and a half hours outside

a hospital in an ambulance because there was no room in the

A department did not die because of the delay, a coroner has ruled.

Michael Bowen, who was 58 and suffered from alcohol

misuse, was taken by ambulance to the Princess of Wales Hospital

Mr Bowen died after a seizure hours after being admitted.

The coroner recorded a narrative verdict.

Plans to shake-up heart services at four district hospitals in mid

and west Wales have been discussed following a critical review

The Royal College of Physicians has called for a specialist cardiac hub

Hywel Dda University Health Board asked for the review

Their findings will be presented in September.

The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed tonight that it?s preparing

for an Extraordinary General Meeting of the governing body.

The meeting has been triggered by more than 40 clubs

and the four regions in a campaign orchestrated by former

They are unhappy with the way the game is currently being run.

David Moffett and his red box, in it he says letters calling for an

extraordinary general meeting of the WRU. He is a former chief executive

of the regions, the union and now a would-be champion of the smaller

clubs. He was taking no chances that the letters would get lost in the

post. This would be the first EGM for seven years. He would like to

become the W, replacing David Pickering, which could happen if the

clubs force a vote of no-confidence in the current board. The rebel 51

are accusing the governing body of not acting in the best interests of

the sport. This is about 51 clubs deciding they have had enough of the

way the WRU treats them and I have been the conduit. They have signed

possibly the most ever calling for a new EGM. They are deeply unhappy

with a lot of issues. Getting more than 50 clubs is quite something but

getting a majority is going to be difficult so how has he got his

message across? He has done interviews, he has written to all

members and he has relied heavily on social media. Some of his

campaigning has verged on the surreal. But there has been disquiet

that some of the content, particularly regarding David

Pickering, has been too personal. It is all-time in cheek. Looking back,

I might have done a few things differently, but when you have got

people who won't talk to you no matter what you try and do, then in

a political stance, I think they are fair game. The WRU have confirmed

receipt of the red box and will set an EGM date within the next 21

days. A meeting with then take place during the following month. And the

talking. There. David Moffett intends to lead the debate.

The new technology that uses seawater to warm this 18th century

And he was the Duke of Wellington's right hand man.

Today marks an historic milestone in Britain's role in Afghanistan

as the final tranche of Welsh troops leave for their last-ever

Charlotte Dubenskij joined 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards,

better known as the Welsh Cavalry, at their base in Germany

It is early morning as soldiers from the Welsh cavalry march out for

their daily drill. Lines are formed, names are checked, before they head

out for training sessions to prepare them for the difficult task ahead.

Many have already experienced a tour in Afghanistan. It is 55 degrees

Sundays at 1pm in the Avenue. That coupled with your body armour, and

being around with a lot of younger guys and trying to maintain a

balanced force and striving towards a goal is very hard. For some, this

will be a first. I am nervous. I can't wait to get out there. The

skills honed year could mean the difference between life and death.

Final preparations are being made for their third tour of Afghanistan.

When 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards return home, it will come to a close

a 12 year campaign. The loss of life has been high. More than 450 British

military personnel have died, including two men from this

regiment. While their early role involves quashing the rule of the

Taliban, the focus has shifted over the last few years to training

Afghan security forces, allowing our troops to withdraw. This is a role

these soldiers will continue to facilitate over the next humans. It

has not been an easy road, so what will the legacy be after three

tours? We will be leaving behind a much better place. What will be the

Afghan legacy? In military terms, we have set the conditions for them to

take it forward and get even more than we have. I am confident, having

seen everything they have achieved in the last few years, they will

make a great success of it. These soldiers will play a significant

role in shaping the future of Afghanistan. When they leave, they

hope the country will be a safer place, partly because of them.

Polling stations are open for voting in the

They'll close at ten o'clock tonight but counting doesn't take

11 parties are putting up candidates for four seats representing Wales.

Prestatyn's Nova Centre could be up for a ?3.5 million revamp.

Denbighshire Council closed it earlier this year

Now the authority is being asked to give the go ahead to a study which

If approved, work may be completed as early as July next year.

It?s the first of its kind in Britain and driven

by economic reasons as much as environmental ones.

The National Trust has invested in a new heating system

Of all the Trust's 29,000 properties in Britain, Plas Newydd on Anglesey

The conversion is expected to save ?40,000 a year.

Our environment correspondent Iolo ap Dafydd has the story.

This stretch of water is the Menai Strait and from now on will help

heat another iconic landmark, Plas Newydd, the 18th-century stately

home. They happen -- this house happens to consume a lot of oil

every year. On simple economic, we knew something had to happen, and we

have got in ever recharging each source White in front of the house.

It is a European special area of conservation with a variety of

habitats and home to almost 1400 different plants and animals. It is

a sentiment valley between Anglesey and the mainland. This is now part

of Plas Newydd's new energy store. The seat he said and using that

reservoir of energy is what is behind the science. The temperatures

get to a maximum around the end of the summer when people are thinking

of them central heating systems back on. Seatech bridges are at a minimum

around February and March when people are thinking about putting a

heating system of. The technology costs around ?140,000. 15 litres per

second sea water coming in. We have got to filters to take any bits out

of it. It goes through another bike to a heat exchanger. From up the

hill, two pipes with a thin fluid comes down, takes this three degrees

of heat, goes back up the hill. The rest of the ?600,000 investment is

housed indoors. In one of the less grand outbuildings of this stately

home, this is where the four heat pumps are. These three tanks are

full of 1000 litres. Two smaller pumps to pump the heat into the

house. And behind me, the boiler. Very much part of the new engine

room. Britain's first Marine heat source plan is to save a

considerable amount of money for the National Trust. Using oil costs the

charity ?80,000 a year. The projected costs by 2020 are of

energy bills topping ?200,000 a year, which led to a two-year plan

to install the technology to reduce the bills. We have been storing

about 15,000 litres just above the Menai Strait which is a big risk. It

means we are going to be safer and saving a lot of money which is going

to be put straight back into our core conservation work. Two years

ago, LED lights which use less energy were installed. Solar power

is also partly powering the mansion. But there will be fewer oil tankers

arriving and leaving Plas Newydd. Claire's here now with details

of the days sport Cardiff City and Wales striker

Craig Bellamy has announced His career saw him play for some

of Britain's biggest clubs and gain Celebrating in his final match as a

professional. This strike against Chelsea was ultimately credited as

an own goal. But there are plenty of other moments for him to look back

on with pride. After making his name as a youngster with Norwich, he went

on to blame for clubs like Liverpool and Newcastle. His often fiery and

confrontational manner meant there were public fallings out with

team-mates but managers continue to pay big money to bring him to their

clubs. By the time of his international retirement last year,

only four men had scored more goals for Wales. The highlight undoubtedly

the winner against Italy at the Millennium Stadium. His first spell

at home-town club Cardiff city failed to produce the Premier League

promotion he craved but on his return his dream was achieved,

albeit followed by relegation. In announcing his retirement at the age

of 34, he has said he will now move into management with an ambition of

one-day being in charge of the Wales team.

After his heroics in the FA Cup final, Aaron Ramsey is being rested

The Arsenal midfielder's been left out of the squad to face

James Collins, Ashley Williams and Ben Davies are injured, while

goalkeeper Boaz Myhill has retired from international football.

That's given an opportunity to uncapped keeper Connor Roberts

But the world's most expensive player, Gareth Bale, is in the squad

He's currently preparing for the biggest match

of his career - Saturday's Champions League final between Real Madrid

and Atletico Madrid, where he's hoping to join Ryan Giggs

in an elite club - Welshmen who've won club football's biggest match.

I am a proud Welshman and I am looking forward to playing in the

final and hopefully I can win when just like he did. Both teams are in

great moments and Atletico Madrid, winning the league last week, they

are going to be on a high and I think it is going to be a difficult

game. You can't really say who is favourite but it is about taking big

opportunities when they come and hopefully we can do that.

Team Wales have named a 16-strong women's hockey squad

Abi Welsford is captain and Xenna Hughes, the daughter

of former Wales football manager Mark Hughes, is included.

Cricket, and Glamorgan will be without

all-rounder Graham Wagg for their next two games with a groin injury.

He oversaw the Charge of the Light Brigade and was

Now the First Lord Raglan's war memorabilia is up for auction

at Christie's in London after spending generations at

Jordan Davies has been to London ahead of the sale.

He looks back at his remarkable life.

Into the valley of death rode the 600. Can into the right of them, can

enter the left. The poet Tennyson's description of the charge of the

light Brigade, overseen by this man, Field Marshal Lord Raglan. This is

the fragments of the bridle reportedly warned by the was

belonging to Captain Nolan who led the charge of the light Brigade.

Just one of the remarkable items collected during his lifetime,

including medals, decorations and gifts acquired during 40 years as

the Duke of Wellington's right-hand man. This Indian gold ring, a

highlight of the collection. The historical importance of the items

always adds excitement and value to items in the collection and we have

got a wonderful group of medals belonging to him. The collection is

so significant at Christie's, the two cannons are on display in the

main reception. Yours for a snip at ?40,000 each. The contents of the

museum is not as grand. But it was passionately supported by the late

fifth Lord Raglan, the last owner of the collection, which is now being

sold by his nephew. His ancestors had built up that collection and he

had added to it. The clear indication is that he wanted it to

stay in the family. If it could not stay in the family, one suspects he

would have wanted it to be kept together. Christie's says there has

been interest from around the world so after today, some of these rare

artefacts may spend the next 150 years in a new home.

We heard about those storms earlier which caused flash flooding in south

Wales. Should we be braced for any more? We

are not out of the woods yet. After yesterday's glorious sunshine, today

has been very lively. There is still a yellow warning in place. The risk

of localised flooding tonight. Here is a radar showing the extent of the

showers which came in from the south-east earlier. The heaviest

work across parts of the south and east and we have more showers in the

forecast. There was some brightness in between those showers. Another

line of showers coming in during the overnight period, some of which

could be heavy. The reason for the unsettled conditions is this area of

low pressure sitting across the UK, bringing a series of weather

friends. We do have more showers in the forecast. Tomorrow morning, a

cloudy start for most of us with more showers making their way in

from the south-east. There will be some hints of brightness behind the

showers by the time we get into the afternoon. No warnings as yet for

the showers tomorrow but keep an eye on the forecast. Tomorrow night, we

will see yet again more showers. Making their way in from the

south-east. It is another fairly mild night with temperatures no

lower than nine Celsius. That is set the scene for Saturday. More showers

in the forecast, some hints of brightness, probably the worst day

of the bank holiday. By the time we get into Sunday, a ridge of high

pressure starts to build. By Sunday afternoon we can look forward to

fewer showers. On Monday, it is looking drier and brighter. For the

bank holiday weekend, I would take something for the showers and also

some sunscreen. More than 250 jobs are under threat

at two factories in south Wales Letters to staff

at an events company in Cwmcarn near Caerphilly shown to Wales Today

show the majority of the 150 workers And an electrical components firm in

Swansea could halve its workforce, Thunder storms

and torrential rain have caused The worst affected areas

were Penarth and Cwmbran. An elderly couple had to be rescued

from their home The fire service has had more than

a hundred 999 calls as well You can get more

on all our stories on our website The new Welsh-language service

which launched today offers a live stream of the latest updates,

links to the best Welsh content online and a magazine section with

features and opinion pieces. I'll be back at 8.00pm and again

after the news at 10.25pm. For now though, from all of us on

the programme, have a good evening. When the first travellers crossed

America, they were faced with this - from snow-capped mountains

to arid plains and thick forests.