Countryside news - WalesOnline

Have your say on apprenticeships

LANTRA is urging individuals working in agriculture, horticulture and animal care to take part in a short, online survey to comment on their industries’ apprenticeships. Read

Chance to see a national forest through all the trees

As politicians urge us to plant more trees, Rory Francis of Coed Cadw explains why recreating Wales’ native woodland is a good idea Read

Access agreements can greatly restrict canoeists

THE Welsh Canoeing Association has called for open access to inland waterways in Wales as fair to all users – not just anglers. Read

Hands-on day shows path to a career

LAND-BASED industries across the UK still offer a whole range of career opportunities for young people, despite dramatic changes which have taken place over the past 20 years. Read

Learn how to sell at food fairs

A MARKETING expert will be handing out advice on how to sell at food fairs and farmers’ markets in a Welsh workshop later this month. Read

Bid to protect oaks from lethal moths

EXTRA measures are being taken this spring to protect Britain against a moth that damages oak trees and can harm humans. Read

Reef worm builds again – after a gap of 60 years

IT MAY not look much and seldom grows more than an inch-and- a-half – about 4cm – but sabellaria alveolata, the honeycomb worm, leaves a big impression. Read

MP talks riding Bill to a costly death

A LABOUR MP has blocked a bid to clarify the law on the liability of animal owners in the event of an accident. Read

European Squirrel Initiative finds that almost 80% of us want to see greys eliminated

A SURVEY commissioned by the European Squirrel Initiative shows growing public support for control of the grey squirrel population in Britain. Read

£5,000 fine and imprisonment gives bite to new protection for the water vole

A GOVERNMENT Minister has taken action to protect the water vole. Read

The warden of Skomer Island for the past eight-and-a-half years Juan Brown is leaving to move back to another of his favourite islands – Shetland. His place is being taken by Jo Milborrow, formerly warden of neighbouring Skokholm. Juan and Jo met up on Skomer last month for the official hand-over. Here they talk of their island lives Read

Preparing horses for the show ring

THOROUGH shampooing with products more expensive than the ones you use yourself, furious brushing with the best brushes available, meticulous scrubbing, careful mane and tail pulling, rugging (several thick layers), bandaging and even turning your horse into a hoodie! These are just some ways to get your horse or pony looking groomed and immaculate for the show ring. Read

Goodbye Skokholm, hello Skomer

Jo Milborrow is taking over the reins on Skomer – just a short boat trip away from Skokholm, where she has been warden for the past four years Read

New visitor centre for wetlands wonderland

TELEVISION wildlife programme presenter Kate Humble has helped to open the doors of a striking new environmental education and visitor centre at the Newport Wetlands nature reserve. Read

Results

Under-18 years: 1, Trystan Davies, Bwlch & Crickhowell; 2, Gethin Jones, Llandefalle; 3, Stuart Davies, Llandefalle Read

Better parking at Royal Welsh Show

ORGANISERS of the Royal Welsh Show are to improve parking at this summer’s event in a bid to avert a repeat of last year’s traffic chaos. Read

Dog contest set to draw in the crowds

THOUSANDS of people from across the world are expected to descend upon Carmarthenshire when the Land Rover World Sheep Dog Trials, Food & Country Festival will be held at Dinefwr Park, Llandeilo, from September 11 to 14. Read

Coast Park choice

FIONA LANC has been reappointed to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority by Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing Jane Davidson. Read

TV show puts greener farming experts in the spotlight

THE S4C countryside series Ffermio will look at how farmers can go greener next Monday. Read

WAG grants YFC a £50k financial fillip

A GRANT of £50,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government will help the Young Farmers’ Clubs in Wales overcome an unexpected loss over the past 12 months. Read