01/07/2016 BBC Wales Today

100 years after the start of the Battle of the Somme,

commemorations across the country to remember.

Very proud and very humbled I what they did. I would not be here if not

for what they did, or their sacrifice.

An RAF fly past over Caernarfon in honour

of a daring airman from the town, awarded the Victoria Cross

for an attack he led on the first day of battle.

Also tonight, former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins

was jailed for child sex offences in 2013.

Three police officers now face misconduct proceedings

an hour away from the biggest game in a generation.

Can Wales eclipse the team of 1958 and reach a semifinals

I would have given my right hand to play tonight.

the quarterfinal of the European Championships.

But tonight, many fans are stuck at Folkestone -

problems at Eurotunnel mean they could miss the match -

Services of remembrance have been held across Wales to mark 100 years

Commemorations were held at the National War Memorial

in Cardiff, and at cenotaphs and war memorials

in towns and villages across the country.

On July 1st 1916, the battlefields of Northern France witnessed

the biggest, single loss of life in the history of the British Army,

and eventually more than a million men would die on all sides.

There was a distinctive Welsh flavour at Thiepval Memorial

in Northern France to commemorate the centenary of the Somme.

This choir sang before princes, presidents and prime ministers,

in memory of the bloodiest chapter in British military history.

Back home in Wales, a special service at Llandaff Cathedral

A trench lantern from 1916 formed the centrepiece of this service.

At first light, it was transported to Cardiff's Cathays Park.

At the National War Memorial, a poignant service for the 19,240

British soldiers who died on that first day of battles,

Just before 7:30am, two minutes of silence to honour them.

Whistles were then blown to signify the start of battle,

by these former soldiers of the 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh.

Very proud and very humble for what they did.

I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for them or their sacrifice.

My grandfather served, as did his brother,

We timed it to the 7:30am mark, and there is a poignancy to that.

I think we felt a oneness with them that was hugely significant.

Just something that we have all got to remember, and look to the future,

because this is about how we can develop peace and reconciliation.

As part of the commemoration here, 100 volunteers, organised

by National Theatre Wales, paraded through several

Welsh locations dressed as First World War Tommies.

We're Here Because We're Here was an arts performance

mirrored across Britain, designed to humanise

the dead soldiers and interact with the public.

This morning, people will have found soldiers of varying ages in places

in train stations, in markets, in streets.

If you met one of those soldiers, they would give you a card,

and on that card is some information about a real soldier.

Their name, their title, and when they died.

Lance Corporal Alfred John Clark, 2nd Battalion South Wales Borders.

I was watching on television last night,

Smaller services were held all over the country,

ensuring that a century on, those who laid down their lives

One of the heroes of the Somme has been commemorated

Major Lionel Rees won the Victoria Cross for a daring attack

on German aircraft on the first day of the battle.

A plaque has been unveiled in his hometown

and the RAF performed a flypast in his honour.

one of the true pioneers of military aviation.

Major Lionel Rees was born in Caernarfon in 1884

and joined the Royal Flying Corp in 1914,

initially piloting the so-called Gunbus.

By the time he was sent to France in 1916,

he had graduated to the DeHavilland Pusher Scout.

The experience of flying this particular type of aircraft

It's very noisy, there's lots of wind,

there's a smell of oil and so, in some respects,

But, particularly above the Somme at that time,

it would also have been absolutely terrifying.

It was in that plane that Major Rees earned his Victoria Cross

as allied troops on the ground began their gruelling battle.

He attacked five enemy aircraft on the 1st of July 1916.

He damaged two and was wounded in the leg

before regaining his strength and chasing off the rest.

When his ammunition was used up, he drew his pistol.

But this was just one chapter in his extraordinary life.

If I could pick anybody I would loved to have met,

He was a man who was fascinated by everything,

and nothing daunted him - he became an expert pilot.

I claim, the first ever official fighter pilot in the world.

He then became an archaeologist, he became a sailor.

At a ceremony in Caernarfon today Lionel Rees was honoured again.

His post-war life saw him sail singlehanded

He returned to the RAF as a wing commander in the Second World War

before getting married at the age of 62.

He died of leukaemia aged 71 in 1955.

You can find more stories and archive on our website -

And next week we'll be reporting from the Welsh commemorations

at Mametz Wood, where thousands from all over Wales were killed

For football fans, it's what dreams are made of -

Wales, playing for a place in the semifinals

and Tomos Dafydd is in Lille for us tonight,

The agonising wait for Wales fans is nearly over.

Kick-off here in Lille is in just over an hour.

The fan zone here is full, with 20,000 fans.

It's the biggest game in a generation, but some fans say

they could miss the game tonight because of problems at Eurotunnel.

Some fans say they've been waiting up to three hours.

Eurotunnel say the delays were caused by cancellations

Well, we've spoken before about the Wales team making history -

Now the players could go further than any other Welsh team,

and into a semifinals at a major tournament,

Our first report tonight is from Iwan Griffiths.

From day one, they pleaded to stay for four-week 's. They have had

their wish granted. I will have to remortgage the house when I get

home, because we have spent a fortune. But we have had a fab US

time. -- a fabulous time. We have if you contact and they have come good

for the tickets. With over 100,000 pounds crossing the border from

Belgium, the Welsh are in the minority, but they have mixed well,

the flag flown with pride. Through the qualifiers and the tournament,

just the whole of Wales has come together to support one nation.

Absolutely fantastic. In Folkestone this afternoon, many fans feared

they would not make the game at all. Problems at Eurotunnel and there

were delays to trains of around three hours. Some fans reported five

hour-long waits. Eurotunnel say the problems were caused by

cancellations due to technical problems. To night, you waive it

says the bus majority of fans with tickets will arrive on time. There

is a 3.5 or four hour delay on everyone's journey here. It is a

real maelstrom of emotions. We are in a situation where we tried to get

a very ugly cannot get out. We are trapped and clock watching, and

there are many lifelong fans, it is heartbreaking. It was a goal that

got the ball rolling in Bordeaux. And who can forget this? There is

plenty to pick from the game against Russia, Wales top of the group. An

own goal pushed Wales through in the next round. Tonight, the

quarterfinals. Wales will be watching.

It is about 11 men fronting up against another 11 men for 90

minutes on the day. Respect everyone. Fear no one. Let's do

this. And the captain who impressed, Belgian start -- Belgium start as

favourites. We will treat it as normal but we do understand it is

the quarterfinals, so we will be up for it. Fully focused, as we have

been. Everything is on track. Wales have exceeded expectations and, if

the bow out of Euro 2016 tonight, they will do so as heroes. Football

has united the country, people who did not even follow the game brought

together to back Chris Coleman's man. They might be underdogs, but

keeping the competition in the quarterfinals is something Chris

Coleman says he hasn't contemplated. You write this Welsh team off at

your peril. Wales are underdogs,

but will be quietly confident, having beaten Belgium

in Cardiff last year. The former Wales striker,

John Hartson, says Belgium being favourites

will suit Chris Coleman's team - I bet you would love to play in a

tournament like this, on a night like this. Of course. I won over 50

caps for my country as a number nine for Wales. Every time I did it, was

immensely proud. I would have given my right hand to play tonight, you

know, in this game such magnitude, the quarterfinal of the European

championships. Against Belgium, 18 that we know very well, we have the

knowledge of beating Belgium. -- a team that we know very well. We have

been to Brussels in the last two years and picked up good results. We

have not lost in the last three games against Belgium. This time

last year, in Cardiff, we beat them. The wonderful, great victory which

helped us qualify, of course. It is a great occasion. Who would have

thought it? Wales in the quarterfinal of the European

championships. I sense you are edging towards the underdog pushing

through tonight. I'm under no illusions that this is a difficult

tie. It is the quarterfinal. There are 100,000 Belgian supporters here

tonight, and 105 Welsh borders. I doubt there are that many! I think

there are about 20 but they have been singing just as loudly. There

is a massive expectation on Belgium. This is the golden generation,

really. The likes of Eden Hazzard and the others. You know, they have

got to deliver. For Wales, we have done magnificently well. We don't

want our journey to end. Anything can happen.

John Hartson, one of several former players over the decades

who never got the chance to play at a major tournament.

And past failures makes this summer so special -

we'll be seeing how the nation's preparing for tonight's game.

Three police officers are to face misconduct proceedings

over their handling of allegations of child abuse

against the former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins.

One of the officers could face dismissal.

Ian Watkins was given a 35-year sentence in 2013

for a series of child sex offences.

He was the front man of what was once labelled the UK's 80/ band. But

high in this celebrity image was a paedophile. When his offences were

uncovered, they were deemed to be among the worst ever dealt with by

our courts. Watkins was back home in Pontypridd when he was arrested.

Police went on a tip-off that he had child abuse images. The discovered a

staggering 27 terabytes of images, more than could be stored by the

whole North Wales police force. That was in December 2012, and concerns

had been raised long before that. The IPCC has looked at allegations

made over a four-year period, to establish who knew what and when and

how police officers responded. Today, it has announced that three

officers, a detective sergeant based here in Pontypridd, and to detective

constables will face misconduct proceedings. In response, John Drake

from South Wales Police said... An ex-girlfriend of Watkins, who

repeatedly warned the police about him, has said she feels vindicated

by the IPCC enquiry. Joanne told the BBC that she still feels traumatised

and frustrated that the most that can happen would be for an officer

to be sacked. The NSPCC has also said that the case raises serious

questions, and once the misconduct proceedings concluded swiftly to

provide the public with answers. It is of grave concern that the

independents can please -- that the IPCC as combine that they were not

properly investigated. We believe that he could have been brought to

justice earlier. It is an incredibly difficult step for any member of the

public to report child sexual abuse, and what they need to know is that

any reports that they take to the police will be properly investigated

and acted upon immediately. The IPCC says it will issue for the findings

into the investigation, including the examination of the wider

organisational response of South Wales Police, following the

conclusion of the misconduct proceedings.

More than ?800,000 of "resettlement payments" have been given

to 18 Assembly Members who left the Senedd in May.

The largest sum, of almost ?65,000,

was given to former Economy Minister Edwina Hart.

The amounts paid to AMs elected before 2011

depended on their age, length of service

A meeting will be held by Ceredigion council next week to address how

the local authority and police can handle illegal gatherings better.

A multi-agency meeting, conducted after 2,000 people attended

an illegal rave near Llanddewi Brefi last month, said the way

it was handled by the authorities was not fit for purpose.

Natural Resources Wales has re-opened

It's the ninth year in succession they've opened

since a licensing system was introduced,

who can gather them to preserve numbers.

have been gathering in Cardiff this evening.

comes following a vote of no confidence in the Labour leader,

and 60,000 new sign-ups to the party over the past week,

since the UK voted to leave the European Union.

Our reporter is at the event for us to night.

Plenty of Jeremy Corbyn supporters here. Plenty of placards and

banners. I am joined by two supporters, Siobhan and Becky.

If I could come to you first. Jeremy Corbyn has clearly lost the

conference of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Why is he the right

choice for the Labour Party? He is the real choice for the Labour Party

because of all these people standing here, the members believe that

Jeremy Corbyn is the voice of the masses. We have chosen our leader

already. If other MPs feel he is not fit enough to lead, I suggest they

throw their hats in the ring and let's have it out. If there is an

alternative person, that you want to elect, that you want to put forward,

but them forward and let's see what happens. These people here will make

sure that Jeremy Corbyn remains as our leader. It seems to be there is

a disconnect between the Parliamentary Labour Party and

grassroots. How much of a disconnect is that? There is a massive

disconnect. Look at the numbers of people who have taken a decision,

and we are disappointed that people have taken the decision to not back

Jeremy Corbyn and to ignore their own constituents, party members.

People are going to their own MPs and saying, what is going on? We

know who our leader is. This person stands on an anti-austerity

platform. Back your leader or step aside. I will come to you. You're

one of the sick the thousands who members. Why did you join the Labour

Party? I have always been interested in politics, but not party politics,

because I did not think they had anything to offer me. When Jeremy

Corbyn came along, he offered a different type of politics, the type

Apollo takes I could get behind. It is for the people on the street,

that is what I want to be involved in. Thank you very much. Lots of

Jeremy Corbyn supporters here. Clearly, that is not a sentiment

echoed in the Parliamentary party. Thank you.

Let's return to France, where kick-off is drawing ever closer.

For decades, fans have been starved of success -

cast your mind back to 2011, and Wales were ranked below

the likes of United Arab Emirates and the Faroe Isles.

Kate Morgan now on the fans who've endured so much,

but can finally enjoy supporting a team on the biggest stage.

It took 58 years for Wales to arrive here, and 40 years to make a second

quarterfinal. Never mind is on Wales, and come the hour, come the

12th man. It is a day of school so good! I have supported Wales all of

my life. The atmosphere is unreal, it makes me shiver. I can feel it

now. It is immense. So many moments when we thought we were about to do

it and then we didn't quite do it, and then we did do it, and now we

are here. It is just brilliant. Everything and start to finish has

been amazing. That gradual realisation that it was the

possibility, a distinct possibility, then it has happened. Yet, it is

great. Never thought I would see it. I have supported Wales for 30 years.

You cannot even put into words how important my kids. When the draw was

made, we thought oh! Would we get out of the group? Then we topped it.

It was incredible. The Russia game was something I had not experienced

in 30 years. To top the group above everyone else. Collectively, the

wall of red has given Gareth Bale the response. Their passion is

incredible. They are also not ready for the party to be over. Desperate

for one more winning Welsh performance and perhaps one more

song. SINGING The nation will come

to a standstill tonight, with plenty of support

here and back home. In a moment, we'll hear

from Iwan Griffiths, who's made his way to

Stade Pierre Morroy. But first to the fan zone

in Cardiff, and Nicola Smith. welcome to an incredibly busy fan

zone here on Coopers Field. Thousands of people have already

flooded the gate said, and as you can hear, the pre-match

entertainment has kicked off will stop spirits are pretty high. There

are expected to be about 6000 people here. There are fans are is all over

Wales. Let's speak to a view fans who have come along to Hannah and

Burnley. Thank you for talking to us. Hannah, why come here this

evening? Just to be a part of it, to support our nation and our boys, and

just enjoy watching the games. How long have you been a Wales fan? It

is new to me. I was born in Wales, I have always supported our nation,

but I just wanted to get involved. Spirits are high, and it is a good

atmosphere, isn't it? Yes, it is, a good family atmosphere. Lots of

people supporting the nation. I understand you are an honorary

Welshman tonight. You are from England? I'm originally from

England, but who are they? I may Wales supporter. Predictions for the

game this evening? I am careful about predictions because they come

back to bite me. I will not make any predictions, but we will win. That

is the right prediction! Thank you. Enjoy the game. Lots of fans here he

would probably like to be in France. The fans are starting to arrive here

at the stadium. Among those I had been speaking to today in the city

centre, you sense a feeling of quiet optimism. Yes, they are playing

against the second-ranked team in the world, Belgium, but 18 hit by

injuries. -- but 18 hit by injuries. They may have beaten Hungary, 4-0,

but Wales have this good recent record as well. They took four

points of Belgium in qualifying. More than that, it is the mantra,

together stronger. They have Gareth Bale but they also have each other.

They are a group of friends, and Chris Coleman. They have not lost

while wearing red in 2016. They are wearing red tonight.

Thank you very much. It has been raining so that in the last few

weeks that they have had to be laid the pitch. I hope the weather will

be kind four kick-off. We have the forecast now.

The good news is that it should stay dry and relatively mild.

Temperatures in the high teens. Not so warm back home. Not feeling much

like summer, looking bright but blustery tomorrow with the few

showers around. This front bring some showers in from the north and

west overnight. Then it clears, allowing a brief spell of settled

weather later tomorrow. Showers will continue of -- on and off tonight.

Using overnight. With light winds inland, a cooler night at between

nine and 11 Celsius. The few lingering showers tomorrow morning,

but scattered. A lot of dry weather as well. Richard Wright during the

day, with some decent sunny spells with bright, blustery strong winds.

15 to 17 are the clearer it Saturday night and Sunday morning, but the

next system edges in from the south and west later on Sunday. Tomorrow,

still a few showers around but generally drier and clearer for

most, maybe patchy drizzle in the South. Lows between nine and 13

Celsius. The dry start on Sunday. Sunny spells, lighter winds and the

odd shower. Cloutier from the south-west later without bricks of

rain starting to push on by the evening. Back to France.

Well, the game is live here on BBC One Wales, S4C,

and commentary too on BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru.

It's been an unforgettable summer of football -

Wales fans will hope more memories will be made tonight.

what you boys are doing out there in France.

Hope you get the job done against Belgium