Western Mail

Let My Record Speak for Itself

Mike ruddock stood firm in the face of more mud-throwing and embarrassment for Welsh rugby last night as he insisted he would not become embroiled in a public slanging match. The News of the World reported allegations from a 'senior Wales squad insider' alleging Ruddock had lost the dressing room before the Grand Slam as training standards had slipped and that 'players were happier when Ruddock sat in his car at training sessions'. Last night Ruddock said he did not want to get drawn into mud...

I've Done Nothing but Worry for the Last Five Nights About What I'm Coming Back to and What I've Been Accused Of

Gareth thomas last night admitted Mike Ruddock's res- ponsibilities were raised during a meeting with WRU chief executive Steve Lewis, but urged the nation to put the matter to bed. In an appearance on BBC's Scrum V the Wales captain gave his version of the explosive events which culminated in Ruddock's shock departure.

Griffiths: One Day, the Truth Will Come Out

Wales defence coach Clive Griffiths believes people will discover the truth about Mike Ruddock's sudden departure. Griffiths revealed that his long-time coaching partner and close friend Ruddock had consulted him at length before announcing his resignation last Tuesday. Family reasons were given as the official reason for that shock exit at the time, but there is a growing belief among the Welsh public that Ruddock was forced out by player power, with the players wanting Scott Johnson as head...

Shirl's Diamonds Were Never Going to Last Forever

She may be best known for lavish hits celebrating diamonds, gold and big spenders. But, for Shirley Bassey, the clock is already ticking on an issue that could soon start making a dent in her riches. When the 50th anniversary of her first hit comes around next year, it could herald the start of a process that will see her stripped of the rights to her own hits.

All Shook Up As Elvis Pulls in for Breakfast in a Pink Cadillac

A welsh-born waitress has shared her memories of serving breakfast to the king of rock'n'roll to mark a special anniversary. It is 50 years ago this week that Elvis Aaron Presley wandered into the Waffle Shop and Edith Barr Dunn, who had emigrated to the US town of Sarasota, was behind the counter. Elvis and bandmates Scotty Moore and Bill Black pulled up in a pink convertible Cadillac.

Smoking Ban Will Help People to Beat Wrinkles, Say Skin Experts

Plans to outlaw smoking in public places in the UK may also lead to a younger looking population, say dermatologists. Last week MPs voted for a total ban on smoking in enclosed public places in England, following in the footsteps of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Bill going through Parliament also confers power on the National Assembly to impose a similar ban in Wales. Health campaigners have predicted the move will lead to reduced deaths from lung cancer and other diseases, both through ...

Henson Back in the Welsh Ranks

Gavin henson returned to the Wales fold yesterday - but will have to settle for a place on the bench in Ireland on Sunday. Though the 24-year-old trained with the national squad yesterday after returning from suspension for the Ospreys on Friday, Henson cannot expect to figure in Scott Johnson's first XV at Lansdowne Road. It is the same substitutes' role that Mike Ruddock had earmarked for Henson before his shock departure last week.

Murderer's 'I Killed Billie-Jo' Claim Dismissed by Police

Police are not planning to interview a convicted murderer who had allegedly confessed to the killing of schoolgirl Billie-Jo Jenkins. Reports yesterday said a Wakefield jail prisoner told a cellmate he was responsible for the murder of the 13-year-old. The man is currently serving life for murder, according to a Sunday paper, and has admitted killing the youngster, who was repeatedly bludgeoned over the head with an iron tent peg. The newspaper claimed officers from Sussex Police were prepari...

Natalie's Diamond From Chris Evans has Lost Its Sparkle

The father of a teenage golfer promised a pounds 10,000 diamond six months ago by media mogul Chris Evans, said yesterday she is still waiting to receive her gift. Shop worker Natalie Harrison of Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, was flabbergasted when, in a blaze of publicity, Evans insisted she accept the flawless Russian-cut gem he won at last year's All*Star Cup at the Celtic Manor. Evans credited the 17-year-old with winning him the jewel for being voted Player of the Tournament award by providing...

Elderly Drivers Are a Menace, Says Motorists' Poll

More than two-in-five drivers think elderly motorists are a menace, a poll out today showed. And a quarter of UK drivers want those over 75 off the roads altogether, according to a survey by www.motorinsurance.co.uk. The company asked drivers about plans being discussed at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to introduce compulsory written and eye tests for motorists over 75. While two-thirds of those surveyed would back the DVLA plans, 41% think they do not go far enough. They cal...

Depleted Dragons Lift the Spirits After Troubled Week

After such a traumatic week, Welsh rugby badly needed a boost from somewhere and it was perhaps fitting that it should come from a team Mike Ruddock nurtured into life. It was Ruddock's achievements as the first coach of the new Dragons region that made him all the more attractive to the WRU when they looked for someone to replace Steve Hansen as national coach two years ago.

Crisis Talks for Sarries

Furious Saracens boss Mike Ford summoned his players to a crisis meeting with the head coach admitting, 'We are in a lot of trouble.' Saracens' season is in freefall, having lost seven successive Premiership games that has left them just two places off the bottom.

Two Fires Raged at House Where Man, 48, Died

A 48-year-old man has died after a house fire in the Valleys. The man, who had last night not been named, was found upstairs by fire crews fighting the blaze at the terraced house in Penrhiwceiber, near Mountain Ash, in the Cynon Valley. He was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to save him.

Dunwoody Urged to Apologise for 'Slip of the Tongue'

An Assembly Deputy Minister has been urged to apologise for a 'slip of the tongue' which led to her saying she had withdrawn her children from school because of concerns about a nearby mobile phone mast. Tamsin Dunwoody, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Planning and Countryside, told AMs during an Assembly plenary session last June she had '...possibly written to every single person who has any influence over this matter, including the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, to whom ...

Deal On Single Welsh Police Force Due This Week

Agreement on a single all-Wales constabulary will be reached by Friday, Welsh Secre-tary Peter Hain predicted yesterday. Police authorities have until the end of the week to merge voluntarily. Home Secretary Charles Clarke will press ahead with the merger if the deadline is missed. The South Wales, Gwent, North Wales and Dyfed-Powys authorities have said they are unlikely to agree to the merger.

Long Hours, Two Jobs and No Savings: How Welsh Workers Are Getting the Balance Wrong

Nearly half the workforce in Wales wants to work fewer hours, but a third has to take a second job in order to make ends meet. Some 45% of people want to shorten their working day, with one in 10 willing to accept lower pay levels in return, according to an analysis of official figures published today by the Wales TUC. But research also released today by insurance firm Liverpool Victoria showed that 30% of Wales' working population has a second job, or has had one in the past.

Gregor's Super Show Leaves Munster Dizzy

Fly-half Colin Gregor inspired Glasgow Warriors to a famous double over Munster as the Irish province slumped to only their second defeat in 26 home games. Gregor, deputising for the Scotland-tied Dan Parks, scored 21 of Glasgow's points - including a crucial converted try and two penalties just after the break - to allow them to hang on for a 26- 20 win over the Celtic League leaders at Thomond Park.

Unexploded Device On Beach

Refuse collectors could carry out spot checks on Welsh household rubbish to stop people flouting a new system of brown bin bags for garden waste. Black rubbish bags could be rifled through to make sure they are not filled with grass or hedge clippings intended for brown bags, according to Powys Council, which aims to ease the burden on landfill sites. The council is to charge 90p for the brown bags and is also planning to open 30 more recycling centres. Powys recycled 33% of all of its waste ...

Disabled Hit at Dropping of Free Home Care Policy

A scottish academic who wrote a report that persuaded the Assembly Government to ditch its promise to offer free home care to the disabled last month wrote a different report saying the policy had proved affordable in Scotland. Last night an organisation representing the disabled claimed the decision to abandon Labour's key 2003 election pledge was taken before all the facts were known. It also emerged that pilot projects which would have evaluated the free home care policy across four local ...

Employers Warn Against Pensions Compulsion

Business leaders are today urging the Government not to force companies to pay into staff pension schemes, arguing such a move would threaten job creation. Firms should instead be 'cajoled' into voluntarily contributing to an employee scheme, the CBI argued. The business group put forward its own proposals to tackle the country's pensions crisis, including the suggestion that workers should be automatically enrolled into an occupational scheme. But workers and firms should have the right to o...