About Betsan Powys
I've finally migrated!
It's been a long time coming but then come on guys, it's taken us rather a long time to get over the election in Wales. And the result of the result on May 3rd, if you ask me or anyone else who calls by the Senedd these days, is still not in the bag for Rhodri Morgan and his gang.
A good time to be political editor then and that's what I've been since autumn 2006.
Before that I spent four years in London as a reporter for Panorama, working on everything from stories about child abuse to dodgy chicken. Why did I head for home? Because one day it hit me that my 2 year old daughter didn't know the Welsh word for squirrel and at that moment, standing in Battersea Park, it really, really mattered. I knew it was time to make a move.
I started my career with the 麻豆社 in London as a news trainee and realised that this was it for me while watching live reports of the Berlin Wall coming down. A year later I was sent to the Cardiff newsroom to sink or swim. As long as I did it in both Welsh and English for radio and television, they didn't really mind which.
In 1992 I spent election night in Scotland where the SNP promised an interview with Alex Salmond 鈥 鈥渢he First Prime Minister of Scotland鈥. He did turn up 鈥 but the job he鈥檇 hoped for didn鈥檛 ...
And on the night of the yes to devolution vote I was working with Radio Five presenter Eddie Mair. At the count we were given a desk in a quiet, unglamorous corner. Fortunately the fax machine was there too, the one that spat out the crucial, tide-turning result from Carmarthen. Scoop.
I started blogging for the 麻豆社 during the 2007 election campaign. You can read the archives of that blog by clicking here.
And by the way, just in case you were wondering, it's wiwer.
I'm Betsan Powys, 麻豆社 Wales' political editor. I'll be blogging the inside track on .
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I'm still wondering. What's wiwer?
At least you might see a red squirrel in Wales...
Gwiwer, shwrli?! ;o)
It's good to finally see you in a permanent spot Betsan. Not so sure that the Welsh Government is quite so permanent!
Congratulations ! So you have worked with Mr Mair ? You must have some gossip - go on, you know you want to...
Hi Betsan
I seem to have missed the deadline on your new laws to the Assembly so I thought I would send it direct to you
Thanks
John Richards
New law: all local Authorities in Wales shall provide on-road cycle training for 9-11year olds.
This would consist of a 5 month period from February - July 2 hours per week during school terms or on weekends.
All trainers suitably qualified.Cycle leaders,First aid, police checked.
Training would consist initially of classroom and playground instruction on bike maintenance ,nutrition & fitness, correct clothing, correct use of cycle helmets, bike control (hand signalling ,games on bikes)
Road safety and conduct on the road (awareness of traffic, correct position on the carriageway,negotiating junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights, parked vehicles etc.)
This normally takes up until Easter .
At start of new term on road training starts.
All riders trainees and trainers to wear fluorescent jackets with 'cycle training' printed on them.
Trainers ratio 1 to 3 trainees.
On -road training to starts off with minor quiet roads eventually taking in all the above mentioned junctions etc. Mixed in would be rides on cycleways or canal towpaths to make it more enjoyable.
This is a proven scheme which has been conducted by Abergavenny Cycle Group over about 6 years in and around Abergavenny where approximately 1000 youngsters have benefitted.
Benefits:
1. highly increased traffic awareness
2. increased skills of riding which can be a life saver
3. much increased fitness levels and more attention to correct foods which combats obesity
4. an introduction to a highly disciplined sport or just a fit pastime which one can do all life long.
5. riders become much better car drivers when they get older from an understanding of speed situations and slippery roads as well as a better tolerance to vulnerable road users.
6. One unexpected benefit was the change of attitude of drivers in the area starting with some instances of almost pushing riders off the road to a situation where drivers were sometimes giving way to the riders too much so that it was creating an unreal scenario.
John Richards.
Prince of Wales Inn.Tredegar. 01685 844441
I am new to your blogg Betsan. I live in Warwickshire, England but am Welsh and love politics.
I have been following with interest the party frolics at Cardiff Bay between Plaid-Labour and the Rainbow Coalition.
Your blogg has helped to keep me updated with what has been happening and which way the wind is blowing towards for the formation of the Government in Wales.
Keep it up and thanks as we don't get much coverage of Welsh matters here except when Wales beat England, those are the days we all relish.
Gareth Bailey