The up and coming Welsh golfers competing in this year's SWALEC Wales Challenge have Rhys Davies's success in 2009 to illustrate the huge importance of the Ryder Cup Wales 'Summer of Golf' event.

Bridgend's Davies is now on the full European Tour, competing regularly with the likes of Ian Poulter, Rory McIlroy, and eventual winner in Abu Dhabi, Martin Kaymer, and all thanks to his first ever Challenge Tour victory at the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort, last summer.

The 150,000 Euro event will be returning to the challenging Wales National course, at the Vale Resort, from August 25th-28th just five weeks before the eyes of the world are on Wales when the biggest team event in world golf is being played just a few miles down the M4 at The Celtic Manor Resort, Newport.

As part of the Welsh Assembly Government's Bovine TB Eradication programme, the Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has launched a consultation on a draft legislative order to control TB in camelids, goats and deer.

For the purposes of the draft legislation, camelids are defined as alpacas, guanacos, llamas and vicunas.

Elin Jones said: "Camelids, goats and deer as well as cattle and badgers are susceptible to catching and spreading TB. Our aim is to eradicate Bovine TB from Wales and we are committed to tackling all sources of infection, in both domesticated animals and wildlife, to do that. This is why we have developed a strategy for dealing with camelids, goats and deer.

"We have taken decisive action to tackle the disease in cattle, through increased testing, stricter controls on cattle movements, tightening up of policies, a zero tolerance approach to enforcement, and promoting better biosecurity.

"This draft order aims to put the prevention and management of incidents of Bovine TB in camelids, goats and deer on a similar footing to the arrangements already in place for cattle. It would introduce controls to prevent the spread of disease and for compensation when these animals are slaughtered due to Bovine TB.

"However, following a consultation in 2008 we concluded that there was no need to introduce a regular Bovine TB testing regime or a requirement for TB Pre-Movement Testing for camelids, goats or deer."

The Welsh Assembly Government introduced legislation in 2008 that created specific powers for inspectors to enter land and to obtain a warrant for the purposes of testing non-bovine animals for disease.

In 2009 a Welsh Assembly Government consultation on camelids resulted in a much greater understanding of the issues TB raises for camelid keepers. Since then Welsh Assembly Government officials have also engaged with stakeholders in the goat and deer industry in Wales in order to come up with proposals that it is hoped will be welcomed as a positive step forward in tackling the disease in these animals.

The Minister added: "Bovine TB advances quickly in infected camelids. They show very little in the way of physical signs before it reaches an advanced stage and it causes a painful death. This is distressing for owners and for the animal. Bovine TB is a horrible disease, which is why we are committed to eradicating it from Wales."

The consultation on the draft order runs for 12 weeks. The consultation document and information on how to respond is available on the Welsh Assembly Government website at www.wales.gov.uk/bovinetb

For further information about the Bovine TB eradication programme, including the Bovine TB Eradication Programme Annual Report 2009 – 2010, visit the Welsh Assembly Government website.

Carmarthenshire's high tech Telecare response service, which helps people to live independently, is due to feature on an S4C home programme. Telecare will be featured on Sioe'r Tŷ, a show which visits homes across Wales to show what people have done to their houses, along with design and DIY advice, cleaning and money tips.

Telecare assessor Tracy Rees will be seen in a forthcoming episode discussing the various options open to people to help them live at home safely and securely.

Carmarthenshire County Council launched the service, which links into Careline, in 2007.

Telecare assessors visit people's homes and design a Telecare package to meet their individual needs. There are various types of discreet alarm sensors: from carbon monoxide detectors, flood detectors and door exit sensors, to sensors that can detect a fall.

Should any of the alarms be triggered, the council's Careline operators can immediately respond by speaking to the client through a two-way monitor. They then assess the situation and respond appropriately by contacting a relative, the Telecare response team or, if necessary, the emergency services.

The service has gone from strength to strength, and currently there are over 1,350 Telecare packages installed in Carmarthenshire homes.

Jeanette Munn, Telecare manager, said: "We were really pleased to be asked to contribute to this programme to illustrate the positive way in which Telecare can make a difference by enabling people to live safely in their own homes."

Councillor Pat Jones, executive board member for health and social care, added: "Telecare is giving thousands of Carmarthenshire families security and piece of mind, and is enabling people to live at home amongst neighbours, family and friends."

Sioe'r Tŷ is shown on Friday evenings on S4C. The episode featuring Telecare is due to air at 8.25pm on Friday, September 3rd.

For further information on Telecare, visit the council's website www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk, or call 01267 234567.

If you're under 30 and run a successful business in Flintshire then there's no better time than the present to promote yourself!

The team behind the Flintshire Business Awards are on the lookout for young businessmen and businesswomen who have set up a flourishing local company. The Young Entrepreneur Award, sponsored by AGS Security Systems, is one of 11 categories in this year's Business Awards, which are run as part of Flintshire Business Week 2010.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's planning service has shown significant improvements in the past year according to Welsh Assembly Government Minister Jane Davidson on a visit to the Authority in August.

Authority Members welcomed the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing as part of a visit to congratulate members and officers for their sustained efforts during the past year to improve the planning service.

Speaking at a meeting of the Authority, the Minister said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to come today and highlight the positive steps the Authority has taken in the past year in respect of its planning service.

"Good progress has been made in several areas, with over 70% of new planning cases now being determined within an eight-week period compared to 56% two years ago. The backlog of cases has also significantly reduced, now standing at 47 compared to 150 in early 2009.

"I would like to underline the Welsh Assembly Government's appreciation for the work carried out by staff to make the improvements possible and I'm confident in discussions with the Authority that you will continue to make progress. Thanks to efforts over the past year, the Authority is very much now seen as an exemplar of good planning practice on the planning application process.

"I remain a strong supporter of National Park Authorities and see them as essential to protecting our Welsh landscapes and demonstrating sustainable development in action on the ground."

Thanking the Minister for her commitment and time, the Authority's Chairman Richard Howells said: "Officers have worked extremely hard to attain the standards set last year and we are exceedingly grateful to the Minister and Assembly officials for their continued support and advice."

The 12-month planning improvement programme followed on from a 2009 Wales Audit Office report reviewing the planning functions across all three Welsh National Park Authorities.

Aberystwyth University is, for the sixth consecutive year, leading on student satisfaction. The 2010 results of the National Student Survey (NSS) awarded the University a score of 4.4 (on a scale of 1-5 for student satisfaction), the second highest score for any public residential University in the UK and just behind Oxford University. The survey also places Aberystwyth at 5th place of all Universities in the UK and top in Wales for the sixth year running for student satisfaction.

The results announced on 18th August, further support that of the recent University league tables which saw Aberystwyth University this year moving up 22 places in the Guardian University Guide, 6 places in the Times Higher Education Good University Guide and 7 places in the Independent's league table for student satisfaction. Earlier this year, Aberystwyth was also voted 'probably the best place in the world to be a student' in the International Student Barometer of 2009.

I'd like to offer limited places on a free course at Denmark Farm, near Lampeter, Ceredigion, on Wednesday the 25th August.

It's on "How to design and make a Wildlife-Friendly Garden, runs from 10am to 4pm and will teach you what you need to know to make your own space fantastic for bees, butterflies and moths.

If you'd like to get a place, please contact Angie Polkey on 01570 493 358 as soon as possible, before it fills up!

Milford Haven Port Authority is to be the main sponsor of Pembroke Dock's 'Forties Weekend' - running from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th September - which coincides with historic buildings in the town opening their doors to the public.

Centred on the Garrison Chapel, one of the town's earliest and most iconic buildings, the event is being co-ordinated by Port Authority hosted group, The Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust, who will be joined by many military and historic groups to put on displays of historic interest in and around the Chapel.

Military and vintage vehicles from the wartime period are amongst others ready to be showcased in support of Pembroke Dock's high flying plans for the 'Forties Weekend'.

Martyn and Ela Robinson, of Cosheston, brought their beautiful Standard 8 Tourer - appropriately in RAF blue - to the Garrison Chapel to discuss the plans, and their 1946 vintage car was much admired by Claire Palmer, Milford Haven Port Authority's Head of Community Development.

Claire said: "There is a huge amount planned for the weekend in September. As well as providing access for the public to see these beautiful buildings, we have been able to assist The Sunderland Trust and local groups to bring artefacts, displays and period vehicles together to create a weekend of historical celebrations that will appeal to the local community and visitors to the area."

The Forties events will promote plans led by the Sunderland Trust to establish a military heritage centre at the Chapel - the only Georgian chapel in Wales - which has played such an important role in local and Welsh military history.

www.pembroke-dock.co.uk

Stay for 2 or more nights any time between 25th October and 9th November 2010 for a special rate of £75.00 per room per night B&B or £110.00 per room per night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (based on 2 people sharing). Just quote "GLP Offer" when booking.

Elm Grove is a Georgian country house set in 20 acres of lawns and gardens just a few miles from some of Pembrokeshire's best beaches and attractions. Elm Grove has been owned by the Rees family for over 50 years and is personally run by Jane and Alan Rees-Baynes.

Elm Grove Country House offers 4-star guest accommodation. On the breakfast and evening meal menus you can expect a variety of fresh local produce; Elm Grove Country House was awarded the Pembrokeshire Produce Mark in 2010. The Pembrokeshire Produce Mark logo tells you as a customer that hospitality establishments displaying the logo use local food produce within their menus.

Tel: +44 (0) 1834 871255
Web: www.elmgrovecountryhouse.co.uk

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it