Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) back issues from January 2008:
Revealed: the great train postcode lottery 2008 Fare increases 'take advantage of sitting duck customers'.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Rhodri Clark Western Mail ONE of Wales biggest train companies was accused last night of taking advantage of sitting duck customers in a wave of new year fare hikes. The warning came ahead of tomorrows rises in the cost of rail tickets across Britain ....
Rottweilers unwanted after baby tragedy.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steffan Rhys Western Mail A rescue centre said yesterday it had been contacted by the owners of several rottweilers whose owners no longer want them after a baby was mauled to death. One-year-old Archie-Lee Hirst was killed at his grandparents' home in Wakefield, West ...
Enjoying the Christmas celebrations? Then you might wonder why Easter eggs are in the shops.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Sarah Miloudi Western Mail It may only be the eighth day of Christmas, but Easter eggs are already being stocked in shops across Wales. Nutritionists yesterday warned that selling eggs and other Easter-related confectionery throughout the year risked turning one-off ...
Motorist jailed after head-on crash.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Tim Lewis Western Mail A MOTORIST who drove at speeds up to 90mph in atrocious conditions and seriously injured another motorist after a head-on crash has been jailed. Adrian Williams, 36, a marketing manager from Pontardawe in Swansea was jailed for nine months after ...
Shell-shocked ex-soldier finds his council home is on the edge of a massive firing range.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steffan Rhys Western Mail A former soldier who suffered post-traumatic stress after serving in war-torn Bosnia has been given a council house on the edge of one of Britain's busiest tank firing ranges. Lee Fry, 34, who served as part of a UN peacekeeping force during ...
Snow and ice ahead in 'Russian' cold snap.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Sally Williams Western Mail A cold snap sweeping into Wales from Russia is likely to bring snow and travel disruption for people returning to work, weather forecasters warned yesterday. Derek Brockway, BBC meteorologist, said the weather was set to turn "bitterly ...
Now Welsh bestsellers dominate the charts.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Karen Price Western Mail Half of the top 10 biggest- selling classical albums of the 21st century have been released by Welsh singers. And mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins is behind three of the recordings to have made the chart. The others are from the Fron Male Voice ...
How Wales will face up to the challenges a new year brings.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Martin Shipton Western Mail UNEXPECTED events apart and who can predict those? the main political focus in 2008 will be the economy. After eight years of above-inflation public spending increases, tough times are on the way both from Westminster and from Cardiff ...
ECONOMY.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By David Williamson Western Mail ENTREPRENEURS who devise ways to help people save money stand to do well in 2008. Anxiety about the housing market, greater fears of unemployment and scarcity of credit will spur consumers to cut spending which will present businesses ...
MUSIC.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Karen Price Western Mail WHILE our classical stars like Katherine Jenkins and Paul Potts are set to continue taking the charts by storm this year, theres only one name in the pop world on everyones lips Duffy. The 22-year-old, pictured, from the tiny village of Nefyn ...
SPORT.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steffan Rhys Western Mail There is much to be optimistic about as Welsh sport moves into 2008, with our boxers firmly on the world map, a glut of prodigious footballing talent emerging, the Beijing Olympics almost upon us and a new dawn about to break in Welsh rugby. ...
Million revellers welcome the new year in Sydney.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A million New Year revellers cheered as fireworks sprayed from Sydney's Harbour Bridge in a massive display at the stroke of midnight. Sydney was one of the first major cities in the world to usher in 2008. Thousands staked out vantage points with beach umbrellas and cool boxes from dawn ...
Armed robber flees after policewoman shot at pub.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By John Fahey A gunman was on the loose last night after a policewoman was shot by a robber fleeing from a pub raid. Dog handler Katie Johnson, 29, was blasted in the leg by a shotgun as she responded to a 999 call from the Hospital Inn, in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, ...
Man dies in traction engine trailer fall.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A MAN died after falling from a trailer drawn by a steam traction engine during a charity event, police said yesterday. The 68-year-old from Hertfordshire was one of 11 people travelling on the trailer in Arlesey, Bedfordshire, when he fell, suffering serious injuries. He was ...
18 killed in Egypt coach crash.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Eighteen people - 17 passengers and the driver - died when their coach plunged into a branch of the Nile River in Egypt yesterday, the state Mena news agency reported. A pick-up driver, who had apparently caused the accident near the village of Beni Mzar in Minya province, also died. The ...
Drivers die trapped on burning road.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Three people died after being trapped in a huge bushfire in Western Australia's outback hours after police reopened the road running through the danger area. Police found the bodies of three men overnight yesterday in the wrecks of two trucks 280 miles east of Perth on the Great Eastern ...
Militants kill 16 Afghan police.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Taleban militants attacked a police checkpoint in southern Afghanistan and killed 16 officers, the Interior Ministry said yesterday. The policemen were manning a checkpoint in the Maywand district of Kandahar province when a large group of militants attacked them, said Zemerai Bashary, the ...
Tourists told to stay out of Kenya as election death toll rises to 124.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Peter Woodman British tourists were last night advised against all but essential travel to areas of Kenya's two biggest towns as post-election violence erupted in the East African country. With the death toll since last week's disputed poll climbing past the 120 mark, ...
Billie the bride celebrates her new companion with a starry wedding, watched by the Doctor, and her ex.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Stars turned out yesterday for the wedding of Billie Piper to fellow actor Laurence Fox. The 25-year-old was five minutes early for the ceremony at the Parish Church of St Mary's in Easebourne, West Sussex. She has previously been praised for her decision not to sell her wedding to a ...
Relief as BAA airport strikes called off.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The first of a series of new year strikes by workers at seven airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, was called off last night following a breakthrough in peace talks over a row about pensions. Thousands of firefighters, security and clerical workers were due to walk out for 24 hours ...
Brown urges calm in Pakistan.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday appealed for calm in Pakistan - as officials recommended a delay in the country's crucial elections. Mr Brown used an article for the country's Daily Jang newspaper to say a transition to democracy would be the best memorial to assassinated party ...
Early cross-dress rioters unveiled.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A new book has revealed how the "Rebecca riots" may have come to Ceredigion a full 20 years before they arrived in rural South Wales. Using tactics similar to those deployed 20 years later in the Rebecca riots - when disgruntled Welshmen famously disguised themselves in women's clothing - ...
Motorbike crash numbers higher than 10 years ago.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Britain's roads have become more lethal to motorcyclists than they were 10 years ago, according to Government casualty figures. While road deaths and overall road accident figures have fallen sharply since the mid 1990s, the number of motorcyclist casualties are even higher than they were ...
Tributes to 'fantastic' Penarth PC who died after collapsing making an arrest.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Tim Lewis Western Mail TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to a Welsh policeman who died after collapsing as he made an arrest. Metropolitan Police Constable Chris Roberts, 47, died after suffering a heart attack while attending a domestic incident at a home in Edgware, ...
'It seems to me it's only a matter of time before a new pony-powered mine opens'.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Rhodri Clark Western Mail Animal welfare campaigners are lobbying for a ban on pit ponies because they fear the high price of coal could see horses working underground again. Their campaign appeared to have met with some success last night as Assembly Government ...
Delight at last-minute shopping surge.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... After a sluggish build-up, Christmas 2007 proved a more successful one than the previous year, according to figures released yesterday. Three core days - Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and December 27 - attracted a frenzy of shopping activity which boosted footfall levels above those seen in ...
Archbishop in call over 'the benchmark for devolution in Wales'.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By David Williamson Western Mail The Archbishop of Wales has demanded the findings of the 2004 Richard Commission be used as a "benchmark for what devolution for Wales should look like". Dr Barry Morgan has pledged that Tomorrow's Wales - the organisation he founded to ...
'Given Plaid's long opposition to the Lords it's unsurprising people aren't that keen to go there'.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Martin Shipton Western Mail An unprecedented election for seats in Parliament where candidates seem embarrassed to put their names forward will get under way tomorrow. As yet, no members of Plaid Cymru have announced that they will stand in an internal election for ...
Male voice choir changes the rules to allow two 'dedicated and inspirational' women to join and open way for others.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Two women have been allowed to join a world-famous male voice choir for the first time in 61 years, opening the way for others to do the same. Treorchy Male Choir yesterday recognised musical director Jan Ball and accompanist Helen Roberts as official members. The group formed ...
Junk food advertising ban 'not enough' to help kids.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A ban on junk food advertising during programmes aimed at children is a "pathetic compromise between the economic health of broadcasters and the physical health of children", campaigners have warned. The measures, which come into force today, introduce a total ban on junk food advertising ...
Why January 2 is 'busiest day' for breakdowns.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Thousands of drivers will face a motoring hangover this week, with the AA forecasting that tomorrow will be its busiest day of the year for breakdowns. About 45,000 drivers in Wales and England are likely to find their cars not starting tomorrow, the AA said. It reckoned that it will ...
Keira's dress is best film costume.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... THE emerald green dress worn by Keira Knightley in Atonement has been voted the best film costume of all time. The bias-cut, backless silk gown had fashion editors raving when it first appeared on screen last year. Knightley's character, Cecilia Tallis, wore it during a pivotal scene in ...
Catrin to spread word on joys of reading.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Harpist Catrin Finch has become the first Welsh celebrity to support World Book Day Wales 2008. Despite her hectic lifestyle - which included concerts in Thailand and South America during the festive season - she says she loves spending time with her head buried in a good book. ...
Making the leap from Morse Code to a new modem, and another age...(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steve Dube Western Mail Another year, another leap in the onward rush of human kind. I'm talking of our new computer. Being of a certain vintage, I can recall my first sight of such a thing. It filled a room and had lots of wheels. Our new machine has a flat screen ...
Ministers must act over train fares inequality.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: -Comment WHen Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) increases its fares by 4.8% on average tomorrow, passengers will notice that once again the cost of train travel has moved faster than inflation. ATW is, in fact, more restrained than many other train companies in Britain. Arriva's ...
RETRO REPORT-JANUARY, 1972:Chevalier to be buried beside his mother.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Tony Woolway Western Mail Maurice chevalier will be buried on Wednesday beside his mother in a simple ceremony attended by only a handful of friends and relatives, his nephew said yesterday. M. Rene Chevalier said his uncle, who died in a Paris hospital on Saturday ...
McCanns are 2007's story.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Denise Robertson Western Mail It's quite probable that 2007 will come to be known as the Year of McCann. Prime Ministers have changed, the Diana inquest has rumbled on, we've had floods, the first run on a bank in aeons and every other kind of mayhem, but I can think ...
Difficult to work out who gets best deal.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Denise Robertson Western Mail A friend recently travelled to Poland to look at industry there. He tells me that factory owners in Poland are desperate for workers, presumably because they're all in Britain. He was shown one huge new factory which has yet to open ...
Justice is worth more.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Denise Robertson Western Mail I am appalled at the way our liberties are being whittled away bit by bit. Forget identity cards. I think they're a waste of money but carrying one wouldn't upset me. What does upset me is the denial of justice and measures proposed by ...
MORNING SERIAL.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Peter Shaw I learned early on that the average Georgian could proudly recite volumes of ancient and modern poetry and recount the exploits of King Tamuna and her descendants at the drop of a hat. Almost every home contained a piano which at least one occupant knew how ...
Ffion's brave journey of discovery.(Features)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Karen Price Western Mail Actress and TV presenter Ffion Dafis embarks on a personal and emotional journey during a new series of S4C's documentary strand O'r Galon. Ten years ago, her mother died of breast cancer and four years later she discovered a lump in her own ...
Franchise pathway attracts more in Wales to reap profits.(Business)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Sion Barry Western Mail The franchising sector in Wales is continuing to grow and boasts an annual turnover of pounds 510m, according to the latest survey. And according to the research, of NatWest and the British Franchise Association (BFA), UK-wide the industry is ...
Accountants have SMEs in mind.(Business)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A new accountancy firm aimed at the small and medium-sized business sector has been launched in Cardiff. Client Accountancy Service. (CAS) is forecasting it will achieve a client base of 160 in its first year and double its workforce. Headed by Naomi Stringer, CAS is currently ...
Waitrose to make debut outside UK.(Business)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Waitrose yesterday said it will launch its first overseas store in April after signing a deal for more than 20 supermarkets across the United Arab Emirates. The UK's sixth biggest grocer has struck a deal with Dubai-based store operator Spinneys to open a 23-strong chain of shops in the ...
Welsh hotels braced for tough 2008 after slowdown.(Business)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Aled Blake Western Mail A tough end to 2007 will be reflected by tougher conditions for hotels in Wales in the next 12 months. That is the verdict of hoteliers in Wales, after statistics showed a slowdown in the sector in November compared to the same time last year. ...
Blue chips limp home in downbeat UK market.(Business)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Holly Williams The London market finished its final session of 2007 in negative territory yesterday as blue chips limped towards the end of what has been a difficult year for UK stocks. The FTSE 100 Index closed down 20 points at 6456.9, marking a gain of 3.8% over ...
Global concerns about to add to turbulence.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The New Year message from Pembrokeshire-based Sarah Andrews, assistant director of the Country Land and Business Association, the CLA, in South Wales, gives a stark warning to politicians and opinion formers on the options facing the countryside ANOTHER year beckons and what is ...
Good riddance to a bad 2007as we look ahead.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... At what is the traditional time of year for looking back over the past 12 months, the one phrase that will come to mind for most Welsh farmers is good riddance. And as we look forward to a new and better year, it is difficult to remember a time when the Welsh industry as a whole wasn't so ...
On song ... Trebor to lead RWAS in 2008.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steve Dube Western Mail One of the best cattlemen of his generation in Wales and a leading fund raiser for charitable causes has been elected president of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society for 2008. Trebor Edwards of Pen y Bryniau, Bettws Gwerfyl Goch, near Corwen ...
Early cash plea made to Minister.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Nfu Cymru wants Rural Affairs Minster Elin Jones to reassure Welsh hill and upland farmers that Tir Mynydd scheme payments will be funded in 2008 to make the payments early to ease cash-flow problems caused by a catastrophic year. Union president Dai Davies said economic ...
Course to help with school visits.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Farmers looking to welcome visits to their holdings will benefit from a countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme course organised by Farming & Countryside Education in association with the YMCA Wales Community College. The course, on two days, January 8 and 18, ...
Club draw winners.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... The winners of the United Counties Agricultural & Hunters Society 500 Club draw for December are:. 1. (142) JA Lenny, Banc Forge, Peniel Road, Carmarthen (pounds 50). 2. (150) D Davies, Bro Merlin, Peniel, Carmarthen (pounds 40). 3. (163) Mrs M ...
Partial ban on Brazilian beef is welcomed.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... A partial ban on Brazilian beef has been welcomed by the farming industry in Wales. But the Brazilian Beef Information Service declared it "a victory for common sense" in the face of fierce lobbying for a total ban by Irish and UK farmers. The decision by the European ...
Less drama, more action is farmers' 2008 wish.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... This year has been incredibly difficult for the farming industry in Wales. I would not have believed someone if they'd told me at the beginning of 2007 that as farmers we would have to face foot-and-mouth, bluetongue and avian flu within the space of three months. The extra cost that ...
Pear tree empty? Partridge faces extinction in Europe.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Dozens of common bird species have declined across Europe over the past quarter of a century, with some pushed to the brink of extinction in the continent. The RSPB says 56 of the 124 widespread land-based European birds have become fewer since 1980. The conservation charity says Christmas ...
Chance to move stranded livestock back to Wales.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steve Dube Western Mail Farmers may be able to move their animals from England to Wales until the spring under the vector-free period for bluetongue disease declared by Defra just before Christmas. Wales Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones said the facility would be ...
Farmers urged to upgrade cattle herds.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Steve Dube Western Mail Tough competition in a global marketplace means that today's farmers must offer buyers something extra if they want to make ends meet. Uncertain prices at livestock markets across Britain over the past year, and an increasingly discerning ...
Cause for optimism but work still to do.(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... There have been two pieces of positive news for Welsh red meat that affords recognition of the high quality of our production and provides some cause for optimism as we welcome in 2008. Firstly, before Christmas, the European Union announced that only beef from a much reduced ...
It's a winter wonderland for country sports fans...(News)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Christmas and New Year are the prime times for country sports - a time when the hunting and shooting brigade are out in full force. During this holiday period most of the pheasant shoots scattered around the country reserve a few "special days" for guests and youngsters. I ...
Football: Sparky reluctant to make the Savage cut at Ewood.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Mark Burton Blackburn manager Mark Hughes has confirmed there has been interest in Robbie Savage but insists he wants to keep the Rovers midfielder. Savage has struggled to hold down a regular first-team place this season and despite being available after suspension, ...
Football: Berbatov's spurred to leave the Lane.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Mike McGrath Tottenham could face a fight to keep star striker Dimitar Berbatov during the January transfer window. Chairman Daniel Levy insists the club will not listen to offers for key players during the transfer window, but Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev is quoted ...
Football: Sir Alex is hoping his boys will get better for Brum.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Sir alex ferguson will hope Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick have recovered from illness when Manchester United look to bounce back from defeat at West Ham by beating Birmingham at Old Trafford. The pair both missed the shock Upton Park loss after picking up a virus but would expect to be ...
Rugby League: 'Tarw' Jones.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Rob Cole Welsh rugby union fans still recall the day in 1905 when Wales became the first team to defeat the touring All Blacks in what many have described as "the greatest rugby international ever played." But few people will recall that, 100 years ago today, the ...
Beat the Boys perfectly placed to win at Warwick.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Nigel Twiston-Davies ended the year on a winning but dramatic note as Beat The Boys was gifted success in the 2008 Annual Membership Novices' Chase at Warwick. There were three in with a chance jumping the second-last but Dinnie Flanagan went on and held a winning advantage - only to crash ...
Football: We'll be keeping our feet firmly on the ground, vows Swansea skipper.(Sport)
Jan 01, 2008 ... Byline: By Phil Blanche Western Mail Skipper Garry Monk has revealed the secret of Swansea City's march to the top of League One. The Swans start the new year at Swindon five points clear at the top of League One, and with a game in hand over second-placed Nottingham Forest. ...