The incident happened sometime between 5.30pm and 6pm on Friday (August 21).

Three sheep suffered injuries to their hind legs and another sheep remains missing.

North Wales Police Rural Crime Team is appealing to anyone who was walking their dog in the area at the time and may have information about what happened.

PCSO Rhys Evans said: “Anyone who was walking their dog through the fields at the time and has any information is asked to get in touch.

“We are once again urging dog owners to keep dogs on leads whilst walking in fields where livestock are present as not to cause distress or harm to the animals.

“If your dog has escaped in a rural area, you should contact the police as early as possible so local farmers and landowners can be alerted.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 101 or through the force's website, quoting reference 26000686983.

Clwyd MS Darren Millar has called for the needs of residents and their families to be placed at the centre of the process after the Codi Group announced plans to close Abbeyfield House facilities in Abergele, Mold and Ruthin.

The Codi Group, which owns and manages the three homes, announced the proposed closures in June.

The news has caused concern among residents, families and staff, with questions raised about where residents will live and what will happen to employees working at the facilities.

Following the announcement, Mr Millar wrote to the Codi Group seeking an explanation for the closures and assurances that residents' needs would be prioritised.

In its response, the organisation said it was “highly unlikely” that the proposed closures would be reversed.

However, it said it would work with local authorities and registered social landlords to identify suitable alternative accommodation and ensure residents' needs are met. The group also said it would manage the process “as sensitively as possible.”

Mr Millar said the announcement had come as a shock to those living and working at the homes.

“News of the closure of these facilities came as a shock to staff, residents and their families.

“It is absolutely vital that vulnerable residents get the support they need from the Codi Group to find alternative housing, and that staff get the help they need to find new jobs.

“Residents have built their lives, friendships and support networks at Abbeyfield over years, so news that these closures will almost certainly go ahead will be extremely difficult news to hear.”

He said finding alternative accommodation should not simply be a case of offering residents the first available property.

“Residents must not simply be moved into the first accommodation that becomes available. Their individual needs, preferences, friendships, support networks and connections to their local community must all be properly considered.”

Abbeyfield homes are designed to provide older people with accommodation alongside varying levels of support and opportunities for social interaction, allowing residents to retain a degree of independence while having help available when needed.

For residents who have lived in the homes for many years, a move could therefore involve more than simply changing their address, potentially affecting established friendships, routines and links with their local communities.

Mr Millar said he would continue to monitor the situation.

“I will continue to monitor this situation closely and will press Codi, the local authorities and other partners to ensure residents and their families are properly supported and kept informed at every stage.”

The force’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT) recorded a 60% positive outcome rate for investigations involving the sexual exploitation of children during 2025/26.

That compares with a national average of around 30%.

A positive outcome means action has been taken following an arrest. This can include securing a charge, a summons to court, a postal requisition, a caution or a community or restorative resolution.

The team also refers individuals to support and education programmes aimed at preventing further offending.

Detective Inspector Sofiah Valentine said officers remained committed to tackling online child abuse.

“We continue our unwavering commitment to make North Wales the safest place in the UK by stopping perpetrators of online child abuse.

“The recent figures demonstrate the great work being done to bring perpetrators of online child abuse to justice and protect children from harm.”

However, police are warning parents and carers about the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence.

The Internet Watch Foundation has reported a 26,000% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material during 2025.

Detective Inspector Valentine said police were increasingly seeing AI-generated indecent images created using innocent photographs posted online.

Her warning comes as children return to school.

“My plea to parents and carers as children go back to school is to think carefully about who can see what you are posting on social media, and what those photos tell the world about your children.

“A photo could tell a perpetrator lots of personal information about a child, such as where they go to school, how old they are and even where they live.

“They could take a family photo and use AI tools to create child abuse imagery.”

Police say there are simple steps parents and carers can take to reduce the risk of children's images being misused.

They recommend keeping social media accounts private and using restricted sharing lists when posting pictures of children.

Parents are also being urged to review existing posts showing a child's face, body or school uniform and consider whether they are still comfortable with the images being publicly available.

They should also check what photographs have been posted by relatives and friends, while being mindful of images published by schools, clubs and other organisations.

Anyone with concerns about online child sexual exploitation can report information to police or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Parents can also find online safety advice from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation.

Young people can confidentially report sexual images of themselves online through Childline's Report Remove service.

Guidance on AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery is also available from the Internet Watch Foundation.

Specsavers Colwyn Bay donated £1 for every pair of glasses sold throughout August, with customers choosing whether their donation went to North Wales Superkids or The Little Princess Trust.

The campaign raised £217 for North Wales Superkids, which supports disadvantaged children across North Wales, while £229 went to The Little Princess Trust, which provides real-hair wigs for children and young people experiencing hair loss.

The fundraising was given an additional boost when Specsavers colleague Tara Owen donated 14 inches of her hair to The Little Princess Trust, raising a further £250 for the charity.

Andy Deeley, clinical director at Specsavers Colwyn Bay, said supporting local organisations was an important part of the business.

“As a locally owned and run business, supporting our community and the organisations that help local families is really important to us.

“We’re delighted with the amount raised and really grateful to everyone who supported our chosen causes. We’re already looking ahead to our next fundraiser and hoping we can do just as well!”

Tara Owen said donating her hair was something she had wanted to do for some time.

“Cutting my hair was something I’d wanted to do for a while and knowing it would help young people who need the support made it even more meaningful.

“I’d like to thank everyone who donated. It’s fantastic to see how much we’ve been able to raise together.”

Wendy Tarplee-Morris, founder of The Little Princess Trust, thanked the team and customers for their support.

“We are so grateful to all the team and customers at Specsavers Colwyn Bay.

“It’s also wonderful to hear of Tara’s fantastic hair donation and fundraising. This combined support will be a huge help to us as we continue to provide the very best wigs for children with hair loss.”

The combined fundraising from the glasses campaign and Tara’s hair donation comes to £696.

Nature’s Dance, by North Wales composer Cameron Biles-Liddell, will be performed at St Asaph Cathedral on Friday, September 18, as part of the North Wales International Music Festival.

The gritty and atmospheric work was inspired by the composer’s view of the Connah’s Quay gas-fired power station while travelling along the A55.

Cameron, who lives in Hawarden and grew up in Corwen, also drew inspiration from Mathias, the former professor of music at Bangor University who founded the festival in 1972.

The new concerto has been co-commissioned by the North Wales International Music Festival and BBC Radio 3 for the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and former Royal Harpist Alis Huws.

The orchestra and Huws will perform the work under the baton of conductor Tianyi Lu.

Cameron said seeing the power station from the A55 was the starting point for the composition.

“The whole theme was inspired when I was driving back from Manchester along the A55 Expressway and I saw the Connah’s Quay power station.

“That was the trigger and what I am seeking to do is champion the county of Flintshire where I live.”

He said listening to Mathias’ harp concerto, alongside music by Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera, helped shape his approach.

“When you think of the harp you naturally think of an angelic, mystical type sound when there's actually a whole lot more to offer from the instrument and it's so richly varied.

“From listening to the Mathias concerto I realised I had to do something different and try to create something that is distinctive and unique.”

Cameron worked closely with Alis Huws during the composition of the piece, with her feedback helping to shape several revisions.

“It began in January when I sent her a sketch of some of my ideas and she played through some of them and offered some practical advice about the harp and since then it's gone through several revisions as a result of her feedback.

“In reality it's a concerto which has been composed for her and I like to think it's got a bit of her style and personality in there.”

Huws became Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales in 2019 and became Royal Harpist following the accession of King Charles III. She was also chosen to perform at the King's coronation in 2023.

Mathias founded the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph in 1972 to promote classical music and make it more accessible across the region. He remained involved with the festival until his death in 1992.

Cameron’s compositions regularly draw on North Wales landscapes, folklore and landmarks. His work Afon yn yr Awyr, inspired by the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, was performed by BBC NOW at the festival in recent years.

The premiere of Nature’s Dance forms part of this year's festival theme, Macrocosm: Music and Conservation.

Artistic Director Professor Paul Mealor said the concert would explore the natural world through three very different pieces.

“The programme examines the natural world and its many wonders, from the beautiful warmth of Vaughan Williams’ ever-popular, The Lark Ascending, via Cameron’s dramatic harp concerto, to the joyous Sixth Symphony of Beethoven – a pioneering piece of programmatic music, depicting rural life with scenes like a brook, peasant dances, and a thunderstorm.”

The North Wales International Music Festival runs from September 10 to 19 at venues in and around St Asaph.

Among the other highlights are the opening concert featuring international opera star Sir Bryn Terfel, the Pendine Young Musician of Wales Grand Final, a performance of Peter and the Wolf narrated by Classic FM presenter Zeb Soanes, and a closing choral concert bringing together Anglesey's Encôr and Cardiff choir Hen Nodiant.

The festival is supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Colwinston Charitable Trust, with headline sponsorship from Pendine Park through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust.

Tickets and details of the full programme and free fringe events are available from North Wales International Music Festival.

The college's seven-week Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) summer school welcomed up to 100 school leavers across Deeside and Wrexham, building on the programme's continued growth.

At Deeside, 60 learners took part across five groups, combining classroom and online learning with guest speakers and educational visits to a series of locations including Alton Towers, Llandudno, Betws-y-Coed, Bodnant Gardens and Speke Hall.

The programme was designed as a bridge between school and the next stage of education, training or employment, particularly for young people unsure of their future direction or keen to build confidence ahead of September.

Josh Robinson, 16, from Hawarden, will study Carpentry and Joinery at Deeside and has already made new friends at the college.

“I've done some construction with my uncle and love it, and long-term I'd like to use the trade in Australia,” said Josh, a former pupil of St Richard Gwyn High School.

“If I hadn't known about this course, I think I would have got to results day and been more concerned.

“I feel more comfortable and know I have options. That's a big thing for any young person in that position, it makes the future less daunting.”

Lillian Smith, 16, from Shotton, will begin a Health and Social Care course after leaving Elfed High School in Buckley.

“I was nervous about going to college, being more independent and getting here every day, but I feel comfortable doing so now,” she said.

“The facilities are great and I enjoyed the programme. I already know the college and did it with some friends from school - we all enjoyed it and I feel more confident.”

Employability Mentor Georgia Smith said engagement with the programme had continued to rise following the pandemic.

“For many it's like a 'get-ready course' for September,” she said.

“They already know the buildings and facilities, have made friends and immersed themselves in the environment, so they feel welcome and part of the Cambria community.

“For others, the visits were a real eye-opener. We had learners who had never left Flintshire before or been to the beach, so being able to give them those experiences was incredibly rewarding.”

Georgia added the programme also supports families, with trips, travel to and from college, food and drink, and financial support for participants all covered.

Claire Howells, Curriculum Director for Jobs Growth Wales+ at Coleg Cambria Deeside, said: “The record numbers this summer demonstrate how valuable the programme has become.

“Seeing learners grow in confidence, make friends and arrive in September already feeling part of the college community is exactly what we want to achieve.”

Many of the learners will now progress to full-time courses or the wider JGW+ programme, with opportunities across a range of subjects including healthcare, hospitality, retail and childcare.

JGW+ also offers Maths and English GCSE qualifications and pathways towards further education, apprenticeships and employment.

To find out more or join Jobs Growth Wales+ at Coleg Cambria, visit www.cambria.ac.uk/college-16-18/subject-areas/jobs-growth-wales-plus/ or email jgwplus@cambria.ac.uk.

The special release marks the landmark 60th anniversary of the franchise, which began its journey in September 1966. This brand-new series builds on the monumental success of the Llantrisant Mint's previous sci-fi collectable coin launch, which saw close to 800,000 coins snapped up by enthusiastic collectors across 60 countries worldwide.

The historic Welsh institution, which manufactures all official UK coinage from its massive, state-of-the-art facility in Rhondda Cynon Taf, will roll out the collection in two separate phases.

The first coin, which launched today, features the legendary Vulcan salute alongside Spock’s iconic phrase, "Live Long & Prosper," and an official "Star Trek 60" hallmark. The second coin, arriving in November, shifts the focus to the franchise's engineering marvels by showcasing four iconic spacecraft spanning multiple generations: the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701, Enterprise-NCC-1701-D, U.S.S. Voyager NCC-74656, and the formidable Klingon Bird of Prey.

In a nod to television history, select editions of the coins will feature vivid, printed colour. When the original series debuted in 1966, the cast's bright uniforms were deliberately chosen to pop on the newly emerging colour TV sets of the era.

Local craftsmanship at the South Wales site mirrors that striking visual effect by embedding swirling blue and purple space nebulas onto the coins' surfaces, ensuring they stand out just as strikingly today.

From humble television beginnings, Star Trek has grown into one of the most influential media empires in modern history, boasting 12 television series, over 950 episodes, and 14 feature films. Its real-world impact is equally profound; eight real-world asteroids have been named in its honour, while over 413,000 people are currently learning the fictional Klingon language on Duolingo.

Tim Mulhall, Head of Fandom at The Royal Mint, expressed great pride in the collaboration, stating that it is a privilege for the Welsh team to boldly go and celebrate six decades of a franchise that continues to inspire fans across the galaxy.

Ruth Henriquez, Vice President of Products & Experiences at Paramount EMEA, echoed the sentiment, noting that the deep affection British fans share for the universe makes it a natural fit for a lasting, treasured keepsake.

The legal tender collectable coins went on sale this morning via The Royal Mint's website.

Local fans can also expect to see the coins spotlighted at The Royal Mint Experience, the site's popular visitor centre in Llantrisant, which attracts tourists from all across the UK. Prices for the pieces start from £19.95, and high demand is expected from coin collectors and Trekkies alike.

The businesses – based in Mold, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Ruthin and Anglesey – were among almost 660 employers across the UK included in the latest Government enforcement action.

Together, the six North Wales employers were found to have underpaid 50 workers by £13,617.81.

The figures are arrears identified by the Government and are money workers were legally entitled to receive.

The latest national crackdown has resulted in around £4 million being repaid to more than 27,000 workers, while employers responsible have been issued with penalties totalling £7 million.

The Government says the latest list is the first naming round since the Fair Work Agency was established in April, bringing enforcement of workers’ rights under one roof.

The agency is initially focusing on minimum wage enforcement, but is also expected to tackle breaches involving holiday and sick pay.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Short-changing your staff isn’t a shortcut to success” and said the Government was determined to stamp out the practice.

He added that most employers understood their responsibilities and that the Government wanted to ensure businesses had access to guidance and support to comply with the law.

The latest figures also underline how the minimum wage has risen. Since April 2026, workers aged 21 and over are entitled to at least £12.71 an hour, while the rate is £10.85 for 18 to 20-year-olds and £8 for workers under 18 and eligible apprentices.

Employers who discover that they have underpaid staff are required to pay the arrears, while financial penalties can also be imposed.

Workers who believe they have been underpaid can check their pay and seek advice through the Government and Acas.

The Government stresses that paying the minimum wage is not optional – it is a legal requirement.

The event has become a popular fixture on the town's late-summer calendar, attracting riders from across the UK and thousands of spectators to see the motorcycles transformed with elaborate lights, colours and decorations.

The bikes will be lined up along the promenade from 10am until 4pm, giving visitors the chance to see them up close before the main event gets underway later in the evening.

Costume judging takes place on the promenade at 7.30pm, followed at around 8pm by the rolling light parade, as the illuminated Goldwings make their way around Llandudno before returning to the promenade for a static light show.

The event is free to attend, with collections raising money for the Wales Air Ambulance and Lions Charities. First aid cover will be provided by St John Ambulance.

The parade has a strong charitable history. Organisers say previous Llandudno Goldwing light parades have raised thousands of pounds for good causes including Llandudno RNLI, Blood Bikes and Lions charities. The Wales Air Ambulance says the event has raised £14,600 for the charity over the years.

Organiser Zenon ‘Sid’ Wozniak said the event has grown considerably since he first became involved. What was once watched by a few hundred people has developed into an event attracting thousands, with more than 150 bikes expected to take part this year.

The Goldwing itself is an unusual motorcycle for a parade of this kind. Honda's flagship touring machine is large, designed for long-distance riding and traditionally associated with comfort, touring equipment and, on many examples, extensive customisation. At the Llandudno event, that customisation becomes part of the entertainment, with riders spending months fitting lights and decorations to create individual displays.

The organisers describe the motorcycles as the ‘Rolls Royce of motorbikes’, while the charity says the spectacle has become particularly popular with families, with children drawn to the brightly illuminated bikes and music systems.

The event has also become increasingly unusual within the UK. According to the organisers, there were once around a dozen similar Goldwing light events around Britain, but that number has fallen to only a handful, making Llandudno one of the remaining destinations for enthusiasts wanting to combine a Goldwing gathering with a large public light parade.

Its success has also created a direct link between the motorcycling community and the Wales Air Ambulance. Riders have visited the charity's air base and met members of the emergency medical crews, helping to strengthen the fundraising relationship behind the annual event.

The Wales Air Ambulance is a particularly relevant cause for a motorcycle event. Its crews provide advanced emergency medical care at the scene of serious incidents across Wales, including treatment such as anaesthesia and blood transfusions, before patients are taken to the most appropriate hospital when necessary. The charity says it needs to raise around £13 million each year to keep its helicopters and rapid response vehicles operating.

For Llandudno, the parade also provides a boost to the town outside the traditional peak summer period, bringing riders, families and spectators into the resort and encouraging visitors to spend time in the town's shops, cafés, pubs and accommodation.

The organisers are expecting more than 3,000 people to line the streets over the weekend, with volunteers and Lions members helping to marshal the event and keep spectators and riders safe.

The Goldwings will be on the promenade from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, September 5. The evening parade begins at approximately 8pm.

There is no charge to watch the event, although visitors are encouraged to support the charity collections.

The event's organisers say the parade has become a combination of motorcycle gathering, family spectacle and charity fundraiser – with the lights providing the excuse for Llandudno to put on a particularly colourful show as summer comes to an end.

Doreen Morris, 64, was found dead in the remains of her bungalow at Penrhyn Uchaf on Mill Lane, on the outskirts of Holyhead, in the early hours of March 25, 1994.

Her home had been broken into and set on fire. A subsequent post-mortem established that Mrs Morris had died before the fire began. A later inquest concluded that she had been unlawfully killed, with evidence indicating that she had suffered traumatic injuries after being stabbed with a fork.

The original investigation led to Joseph Carl Westbury being charged with murder. He denied breaking into Mrs Morris's home and was found not guilty following a trial in 1995. He died by suicide in May 2016.

The case remained unsolved for decades. It was formally listed by North Wales Police as an open unsolved murder as recently as October 2025.

There have, however, been several attempts to find new answers.

Mrs Morris's daughter, Audrey Fraser, spent years campaigning for a fuller investigation into her mother's death. Her efforts eventually led to a new inquest being opened, 28 years after the killing.

The inquest, which concluded in 2023, found that Mrs Morris had been unlawfully killed. That finding helped revive the criminal investigation, while in 2024 Crimestoppers offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the prosecution of those responsible.

North Wales Police's Major Crime Review Team began a fresh review of the case in 2024.

The force has now confirmed that a man and three women, all from North Wales, were arrested this morning, September 2.

Importantly, police say they have been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, rather than murder.

Officers say forensic results, combined with a detailed examination of witness evidence, have provided grounds to interview the four as part of the continuing review.

The arrests therefore represent a significant new development in a case which has remained unresolved despite the original investigation, a murder trial, a renewed inquest and repeated appeals for information.

Mark Pierce, Senior Review Officer, said the investigation demonstrated that the passage of time would not prevent police from pursuing new opportunities to seek justice.

Mrs Morris's family has been informed of the latest developments.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact North Wales Police on 101, quoting Operation Epose, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

The investigation remains ongoing and the four people arrested have not been charged.

The issue comes before the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on September 9, with the findings of Conwy’s statutory consultation and supporting assessments due to be considered. The recommendation will then go before Full Council on September 24, when councillors will have the opportunity to decide whether to accept it.

The proposed delay does not mean the council is abandoning the idea. Instead, officers are recommending that Conwy waits until there is more evidence about how the new Welsh system works elsewhere and what its effects are before making a final decision.

That is particularly significant because Cardiff has already decided to introduce the levy from April 2027, making it the first Welsh council to do so. Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey have been among the authorities considering whether to follow suit.

Under the legislation, councils have the choice of introducing a charge on overnight stays in eligible visitor accommodation. The Welsh Government says the levy is intended to provide additional money to manage the impact of tourism and improve facilities and infrastructure for visitors and local communities.

In Conwy, the consultation ran for just over eight weeks, from May 20 to July 17 this year. The council says the responses, together with economic, environmental and equality assessments, will inform councillors' decision.

The council's own economic assessment estimates that a levy could raise between £1.9 million and £2.1 million a year in Conwy. However, the assessment also warns that the availability and reliability of tourism data, both nationally and locally, is limited, meaning its modelling uses deliberately conservative, worst-case assumptions.

If introduced, the statutory charge would be £1.30 per person per night for most accommodation, including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, self-catering accommodation and caravan or motorhome pitches. A lower rate of 75p applies to campsites and shared accommodation such as hostels, with under-18s exempt from that lower-rate charge.

The money could not simply be absorbed into the council's general budget. Welsh legislation requires revenue to be used for purposes including managing the effects of visitor activity, supporting sustainable tourism, maintaining and promoting the Welsh language, and providing or improving infrastructure, facilities and services used by visitors and local people.

There is also an important practical reason for taking time over the decision. The levy would create responsibilities for accommodation providers, who would have to calculate and collect it and pass the money to the Welsh Revenue Authority. Although the provider is legally liable for the levy, it can choose whether to pass the cost on to guests.

The wider Welsh system is also only just getting underway. A national register of visitor accommodation is due to begin from October 2026, providing new information about accommodation across Wales. That could eventually give councils a better evidence base for assessing the size and impact of the visitor economy.

Conwy says the earliest date it could introduce a levy, given the required notice periods, would be October 2027. This means deferring the decision would not prevent the council from introducing the charge later if councillors ultimately decide it is appropriate.

Cllr Sharon Doleman, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy and Communications, said tourism was hugely important to Conwy's economy and communities and that councillors would now be able to consider the consultation report, supporting evidence and recommendation before reaching a decision.

The debate is likely to be significant for Conwy, where tourism brings major economic benefits but also creates pressures on infrastructure, services and communities. The central question for councillors will therefore be whether the potential additional income justifies introducing a new charge now, or whether Conwy should wait until there is more real-world evidence from elsewhere in Wales.

The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets on September 9, followed by Full Council on September 24.

Dawn Docx will step down on 31 December, having led North Wales Fire and Rescue Service since 2021. She previously served as the service's Assistant Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer before spending four years with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

Her career has included some significant incidents and periods of change for the fire and rescue sector. During her time in Greater Manchester, she was involved in the response to the aftermath of the Manchester Arena attack and was in overall charge during the major Saddleworth Moor wildfire in 2018.

Her return to North Wales came during the Covid pandemic, when she took over from Simon Smith, who had spent two decades as Chief Fire Officer. Since then, she has overseen work on areas including organisational culture, on-call firefighter availability and training.

Her departure comes after an exceptionally demanding summer for firefighters across North Wales. The service dealt with multiple wildfires, including major incidents on Conwy Mountain near Capelulo, Bangor Mountain and in the Rhinogydd near Harlech. At one stage, 36 properties near Conwy Mountain were evacuated as crews tackled the blaze.

CFO Docx said the response to this summer's wildfires and other "spate conditions" had made her immensely proud of what the service had achieved.

She said she had decided after "a great deal of reflection" that the time was right to retire, adding that she was looking forward to spending more time with her family while considering what the next chapter in public service might bring.

The timing also gives the service several months to manage the leadership change. Dawn Docx will remain in post until the end of December to provide continuity, with the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority now preparing to recruit her successor.

Her successor will inherit a service facing a range of pressures, including maintaining firefighter availability, recruitment and training, adapting to changing patterns of risk and continuing work on its organisational culture.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has previously commissioned independent work examining its culture and promotion processes, following concerns raised by staff and representative bodies. The service has introduced measures including clearer promotion criteria, anonymised recruitment and independent oversight as part of its continuing improvement programme.

Chair of the Fire and Rescue Authority, Councillor Dylan Rees, thanked Dawn Docx for her leadership and said she leaves "a strong foundation" for the service to build on.

The recruitment process for the next Chief Fire Officer is expected to begin shortly.

Gethin Evans, a 46-year-old NHS worker, comedian and drummer from Caernarfon, will take to the stage at the New Inn in St Asaph on Friday, September 18, as part of a free comedy night at the North Wales International Music Festival.

Gethin, who also plays drums with popular Welsh brass band Band Pres Llareggub, was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a condition in which the muscles in the throat relax during sleep and temporarily block the airway.

He said hospital tests showed he stopped breathing 17 times in an hour. He now uses a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which delivers air through a mask to help keep his airway open while he sleeps.

“I stop breathing when I sleep at night. I have an app that tells me how many times I've stopped breathing at night,” he said.

“What I do now is I have some mask that pumps air into my mouth and it stops me snoring and it stops me not breathing.

“So I have a mask on my face and that connects me to a machine. That took a while to get used to but I don’t think I could sleep without it now.”

Sleep apnoea can cause loud snoring, repeated interruptions to breathing and excessive daytime tiredness. If untreated, it can also increase the risk of health problems including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

For Gethin, however, the condition has also provided material for his comedy routines.

He began performing stand-up during the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued developing his material. He also works for the NHS on a project digitising patient information within mental health services.

He will be joined at the St Asaph comedy night by fellow stand-ups Caryl Burke and Arwel Phillips.

Caryl, originally from Porthmadog, is an assistant producer with Cwmni Da in Caernarfon and has been performing stand-up for around four years. She has recently returned to the stage after maternity leave following the birth of her daughter Anni last year.

Known for her observational comedy, she has performed across Wales, north-west England and London.

She said performing comedy in Welsh and English brought its own challenges.

“I write in Welsh and have to adapt it in English because it doesn't always translate properly,” she said.

“The routine at the New Inn will be new and in English and I'm looking forward to it.”

Arwel Phillips, originally from Mold and now living in Ruthin, began stand-up around two years ago. He has since attended comedy classes run by Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Katie Gill in Llangefni.

His routine focuses on the everyday and mundane things in life.

Arwel is also deputy director of the Urdd's outdoor centre at Glan-llyn near Bala.

The comedy night is part of the free fringe programme accompanying the North Wales International Music Festival, which runs from September 10 to 19.

Festival artistic director Paul Mealor said the fringe programme had become an important way of attracting people who might not normally attend the festival's concerts.

“It’s a crucial part of the festival because it attracts a different audience and it’s bringing people to the festival who might not otherwise come,” he said.

“Most fringe events are happening later than the concert programme, after 9pm which will suit a different audience.”

The fringe programme includes the new opera The Lost Boy at St Asaph Parish Church on September 11, exploring themes including mental health, grief, the AIDS crisis, environmental change and LGBT identity.

There will also be live music, an open mic night, Welsh and Arabic folk fusion, a historical documentary screening and a poetry event featuring award-winning Welsh poet and playwright Professor Menna Elfyn.

The festival's programme has been supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Colwinston Charitable Trust, with additional backing from Pendine Park through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, Scops Arts Trust, Tŷ Cerdd, St Asaph City Council and Salisburys Chartered Accountants.

All fringe events are free and no booking is required. The wider festival concert programme runs alongside them at venues across St Asaph and the surrounding area.

Further information and tickets for the main concert programme are available from the North Wales International Music Festival website.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is asking for views on introducing conditional cautions for fly-tipping offences. The scheme would give councils an alternative to taking some offenders straight to court, allowing them to require people to clear up their own waste and pay a contribution towards the cost of dealing with it.

The proposals are aimed at lower-level offences, such as household items dumped in a street or a sofa abandoned in a public park. More serious cases, including persistent offenders and commercially motivated fly-tipping, would still be expected to be dealt with through prosecution.

The issue is particularly relevant in North Wales, where councils, Natural Resources Wales, North Wales Police and Fly-tipping Action Wales already work together on enforcement. The Welsh Government says enforcement can be complex and challenging, but points to successful operations in North Wales, including action against unlicensed waste carriers.

There have also been successful prosecutions locally. Two people were fined after waste dumped at Coed Moel Famau near Ruthin was traced back to them, following an investigation involving Fly-tipping Action Wales and Natural Resources Wales.

Under the proposed system, offenders would have to admit the offence and agree to the caution. They could then be required to carry out clean-up work, with the consultation suggesting up to 20 hours, and potentially pay a reparative charge reflecting the cost of clearing the waste.

If they failed to comply, the local authority could consider prosecution for the original offence.

Defra is also asking who should supervise offenders carrying out clean-up work, how councils would enforce the conditions and what the additional costs would be. It wants views on whether the scheme could reduce prosecution costs and clean-up bills, as well as any unintended consequences.

The consultation is open to 16 October 2026. Responses can be submitted through the Defra consultation portal.

The First Minister will say the Welsh Government's budget for next year is expected to be lower in real terms than this year's, and will renew calls for a fairer funding settlement from Westminster.

He is due to raise the issue directly with the Prime Minister at a meeting in October, arguing that the current funding arrangements do not adequately reflect Wales's needs.

The comments come as the Welsh Government publishes its First 100 Days Progress Report, which says all planned initial activity linked to its 96 commitments has been completed. The government says the first phase has focused on laying the foundations for longer-term changes in health, education, the economy, childcare and tackling child poverty.

However, completing the actions promised for the first 100 days does not necessarily mean the problems themselves have been solved. The government is now under pressure to demonstrate that the measures lead to measurable improvements in people's lives.

That challenge is particularly clear in the NHS. The new administration has made cutting waiting times one of its main priorities and has committed £145 million of additional funding, including £100 million to reduce waiting times and £25 million for new elective care hubs.

But the latest figures continue to show significant pressures. In July, Welsh emergency departments recorded more than 104,000 attendances – the highest monthly figure on record – while the Welsh Government itself acknowledged that overall waiting-time performance remained well below where it should be.

The government's other ambitions also come with difficult financial choices, including improving schools, tackling child poverty, supporting the economy and providing more affordable childcare at a time when budgets are under pressure.

Rhun ap Iorwerth will argue that those constraints should strengthen, rather than weaken, the case for Wales to receive a different funding settlement.

He will also set out the government's next Programme for Government, plans for closer cooperation with the Scottish Government and an update on preparations for a Wildfire and Resilience Summit.

The First Minister is expected to say the first 100 days have been about "getting the foundations in place", but that the next stage will be about delivering tangible results – including reducing NHS waiting lists, supporting families with the cost of living, creating jobs, raising school standards and tackling child poverty.

The political test for the new administration will now be whether it can turn those commitments into improvements that people can see and feel, while finding the money to deliver them. The government's own progress report acknowledges that the first 100 days are "just the beginning" and that much more remains to be done.