WRU is steering Welsh rugby on to the rocks
MANY years ago, while on sea I had several close encounters with Bergesen tankers. These ships were striking for several reasons. They had distinctive light green hulls but were also noted for charging across the ocean under automatic pilot without anyone seeming to be in control. The general opinion was that if anyone was on the bridge, then they were asleep in the pilot chair. The inevitable question was: “Is anyone on the bridge?”
This came back to mind when contemplating the shambles, on and off the field, that was the Autumn International campaign. The programme of matches in the current circumstances was absurd. The staging of the All Blacks match out of window against a battle-hardened team ranked No 1 in the world was beyond absurd, it should be a resigning issue.
The WRU left the coaches and available players swinging in the wind but cared little for their muchtrumpeted duty of care. They cared only about the gate receipts and openly admitted it. This marked the first time in nearly two years that a full crowd could attend the stadium. Fans would probably have filled it to see Wales play the Long John Silver Impersonators. Why couldn’t they have played someone like Japan, currently one of the most entertaining teams on the planet? Murrayfield seemed to be full for the final Scotland game against the Japanese.
Instead of this, the WRU preferred to humiliate the team while undoing much of Pivac’s previous good work. As I understand it, the All Blacks require a large financial guarantee anyway, so how much did this cut into the Union’s profits? Even the Blacks looked tired by the end of the series, so would it not have made more sense to play them at the end? I’ve no idea how these autumn games are arranged but does the WRU have any influence at all or do they just nod everything through as long as the money rolls in? They also disenfranchised a number of loyal fans who can’t afford the ticket prices and do not have access to the egregious Jeff Bezos’ TV channels. On top of all this, we’ve become aware of numerous complaints about the increasing drunken behaviour at the ground which is putting genuine supporters off going to internationals. The Union has done a complete Pontius Pilate over this issue.
Perhaps, as suggested by Kevin Brennan MP in his eloquent rant, board members of the WRU should actually get down amongst the ordinary punters and see what the oncefamous atmosphere is becoming like. Or maybe they should attend a Wales football international where the atmosphere on match days is now more like the old Arms Park that I remember as a lad and is a credit to the nation.
After retiring as a player, I remained involved in local rugby for over 30 years and, like thousands of other volunteers, put in a lot of time I probably didn’t really have to help keep the grassroots game going. However, I have never been as pessimistic about the state of the Welsh game as I am now. The WRU have lost the plot and I ask that question again: “Is anyone on the bridge?”
Ian Seaton
Mumbles
Closure of surgery is an ethical issue
THOUSANDS will suffer from closure of the only surgery in north Penarth, while the two other Penarth GP practices are overloaded. The letter to patients from the Community Health Council and C&V Health Board announces our practice will close from March 18, 2022, saying the landlord has given notice. The letter also admits this may cause distress and anxiety to patients.
We patients should be given respect – honesty, openness and transparency.
Respect begins with some honesty about the history of the practice. The surgery was opened 25 years ago by three GPs. It was praised as a socially worthy project. The doctors were valued for their social care in opening a surgery in the poorer, disadvantaged north of the town.
Respect also needs transparency on the following questions: What are the terms and finance of the first contract/lease 25 years ago? Who is now the landlord? Why not extend the lease? Why propose instead a GP surgery in Cogan?
Thirdly, respect needs openness. Vaughan Gething MS, elected Senedd Member for the surgery area, says he was not informed of the closure. He has since held a special meeting – what was said?
When an attempt was made to shut down the Welsh-language TV channel, an elected politician declared a fast unto death, as he cared about the quality of life of his fellow citizens. The need for patients of the Albert Road surgery is of similar intensity.
Now is the time for honesty, openness and transparency in relation to the key question: “For whose benefit is this happening?” The threat to the life and wellbeing of patients may be a moral issue which has to be faced at the highest level in the Welsh Government.
That government claims Wales is the best country in the world to grow old. Is that claim just monumental hypocrisy?
Max Scott-Cook
Penarth
I have never been as pessimistic about the state of the Welsh game as I am now
Ian Seaton Mumbles
Green scheme could backfire on farmers
ON WEDNESDAY, December 1, 2021, 1,000 farms will participate in a UK pilot scheme that replaces the system of subsidies paid by the EU’s Common Agricultural policy (CAP). The new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) will pay less than CAP subsidies at a time when three-fifths of average farm profits are derived from subsidies.
In addition, and more worryingly, there are concerns that this new UK initiative prioritises cutting carbon emissions and protecting the environment, whilst neglecting to boost the level of food production. As a consequence, agricultural prices may rise, with the decline in domestic production leading to higher food imports and their associated carbon footprint – a classic case of the unintended consequences of government policy.
ELMS will pay more to farmers if they can tick boxes to demonstrate that they can contribute positively to the criteria of clean air and water, thriving wildlife, reduction of environmental hazards, climate change mitigation and enhanced beauty of the natural environment.
The excessive bureaucracy and red-tape of this initiative, allied with the decreased agricultural output, could act as a disincentive to farmers and many may leave this industry.
Yet again, a trade-off between attaining environmental targets
and ensuring that the nation is fed has reared its ugly head. The shortterm prospects for farmers look grim and further industrial decline may witness the advent of largescale production, with its associated economies of scale, of corporate super-farms.
There will be then be concerns about animal welfare, the risk of another pandemic and the safety of the food we eat daily. We need incentives to increase domestic food production and to decrease food-miles, whilst simultaneously nurturing Mother Earth. Another precarious balancing act is imminent in agriclture, as widely discussed in the energy sector.
Ian Roblin
Llanishen, Cardiff
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