Daily Post

Taliban Battle Hero Loses Leg ; N.Wales Soldier Maimed in Firefight

A BRAVE North Wales soldier had his leg amputated following a bloody firefight in Afghanistan. Colour Sergeant Richie Jones, 35, of Ruthin,was badly injured while fighting off hundreds of Taliban with colleagues from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh.

Wales: Bourne: We'll Protect Wales in Opposition ; Tories to 'Offer an Alternative Vision'

THE Tories have a "historic opportunity" to become Wales's official opposition party, their leader Nick Bourne has told the party faithful. In a speech to party members in Brecon, mid Wales, Mr Bourne said the Conservatives need to offer an "alternative vision" to Rhodri Morgan's Assembly Government.

Wales: Brown Revamps Welsh Team

NICK Ainger lost his job as Welsh minister when Gordon Brown appointed his new ministerial team yesterday. After serving continuously in Tony Blair's Government he returns to the backbenches and will be replaced by Huw Irranca-Davies, MP for Ogmore in the South Wales Valleys.

Wales: He Fought Everything Life Threw at Him ; Mother's Moving Tribute to Tragic Baby Taylor

A DEVASTATED young mother spoke of her heartache yesterday following the death of the baby son who spent his three-month life fighting illness. Taylor England was effectively born with half a heart but will live on in the memory of mum Toni Hughes as her "bouncing smiling baby".

Wales: Police Chief: We Wanted Tragedy Driver Charged

NORTH Wales Police wanted the driver whose car killed four members of Rhyl Cycling Club to be charged with careless driving, chief constable Richard Brunstrom said yesterday. North Wales Central Coroner John Hughes said this week he was amazed that Robert Harris had not been prosecuted over the manner of his driving.

Wales: Dog Owner Escapes Jail After Girl's Attack

A DOG owner escaped jail yesterday after a young girl was subjected to a "savage" attack by a Rottweiler as she walked through a Welsh town. Cardiff Crown Court was told that 12-year-old Bethan Cutajar was walking through Barry, south Wales, with a friend in January when a Rottweiler called Blade bit her leg.

Wales: Force Gets Go-Ahead for Mounted Police ; Controversy Over Cost of Special Unit

CONTROVERSIAL plans by North Wales Police to set up a mounted unit of four horses were given the go-ahead yesterday-despite warnings of a backlash from council taxpayers. The move was passed by nine votes to seven at a meeting of the North Wales Police Authority, and one of the opponents was the chairman, Wrexham councillor Ian Roberts.

Wales: Children's Charity Is Facing Closure

A WREXHAM children's charity is facing closure after a funding contract was cut "without notice". Wrexham Play Association is a charity which provides low cost play equipment and creative materials for play groups and parents and trains childcare staff.

Wales: Hero Richie Loses Leg After Fighting Off Taliban Ambush

A NORTH Wales soldier has lost a leg after a major ambush in Afghanistan. Colour Sergeant Richie Jones, 35, of Ruthin, was badly injured along with three colleagues only months into a tour of Afghanistan.

Wales: Several Firms Talk On Buying Printers

TALKS are taking place with potential buyers for the Deeside printing company, Graphoprint, after it called in administrators. The Deeside Industrial Park company, which prints glossy magazines and catalogues, laid off 170 workers last week and administrators took over.

Wales: Food Festival Brings in Income of Pounds 1m

THE Gwledd Conwy Feast - North Wales' biggest food festival - generates more than pounds 1m of revenue for the area, according to an Events Commission survey which also found it is directly responsible for the creation and support of 22 jobs. The findings are based on figures for the 2005 event, visited by 20,000 people.

Wales: Cash for Bats but Not for Public Essentials ; Saturday Thought

THERE are times when I wished my Daily Post editor had named this column "The lunatic world of Aelwyn Roberts ". If he had I would be telling you today about the saga of the public lavatories at Cemaes Bay Anglesey. These public lavatories that front a lovely beach and a picturesque harbour are in need of very moderate modernisation. Bits of new plumbing, better access for the disabled, and a bit of tightening up of the nuts and bolts that hold the seats on the pans. This kind of work in bure...

Wales: Watch for Flak, Mumph's Back ; Top Cartoonist Returns to Daily Post

WALES' sharpest cartoonist returns to the Daily Post today with his take on the latest political scandals. The new strip from Blaenau Ffestiniog-born satirist Mumph is named Baywatch - but its focus will be on Cardiff Bay rather than Californian lifeguards, red swimming costumes or Pamela Anderson.

Wales: Mps Blast Kwiksave Over Jobs Axe Cash

A PARLIAMENTARY campaign calling on troubled supermarket chain KwikSave to pay its workers redundancy compensation has been backed by North Wales MPs. The cut-price chain has closed 79 stores, including a branch in Bangor, leaving more than 700 people without jobs.

Wales: Leading Harpist in Concert

THE most innovative and influential exponent of the traditional Welsh triple harp will perform in one of Wales' most historic churches next week. Anglesey's Llio Rhydderch will play in Capel Beuno in St Beuno's Church, Clynnog Fawr near Caernarfon - a church that stands on the site of one of the most important stopovers for early Christian pilgrims en route to Bardsey Island.

Wales: Lucky Escape From Gas Bottle Blast in Kitchen ; Couple in Home As Cylinder Blows Up

A COUPLE had a lucky escape yesterday when a gas cylinder exploded in their home. David Galvin, 61, who was blown off his feet, told how he and wife Barbara were left shaken after the blast blew out windows at their home in Top Road, Trefriw, and destroyed appliances in the kitchen.

Wales: Man Faces Prison for Attack in Street

A Mid Wales businessman was warned he faces years in prison yesterday after a violent street attack left his victim's life devastated. Fruit and veg wholesaler Martin Rutter attacked Glyn Jones, 57, in Newtown, Powys.

Wales: Political Blend of Whisky Is Up for Grabs

A BOTTLE of whisky signed by Gordon Brown and Tony Blair is up for grabs in a charity auction in Mold today. The bottle, signed by both the outgoing and incoming Prime Ministers, goes under the hammer at Ysgol Bryn Coch, Mold, at 7.30pm.

Wales: It's No-Snowdonia ; Bare Winter Mountains 'Expose Climate Change'

STUNNING new photographs of Snow-donia which show worrying signs of climate change are to go on public display. The images, taken in the Carneddau Mountains last winter, show that the permanent winter snowline above 610m (2,000ft) is already a thing of the past.

Wales: New Plan for Old Railway Route

A STUDY to use the defunct Mold-Chester rail route as a transporter corridor was welcomed yesterday. Saltney Councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun said: "I'm extremely pleased. I have been battling for years to try and keep this old railway line route."