2 Wednesday, January 29, 2020 News The Brecon and Radnor Express Almost a year on from court fight smallholder can stay A LONG-RUNNING saga, which has cost Local Democracy Reporting Service said: it up and restore it. This was to show that conditional consent on Monday, January 20. notices served on him by the county council Dog reunited Powys County Council more than £60,000, “Planning has been approved and I feel restoring these old abandoned buildings is “This application is subject to the use which brought the prosecution. has been brought to and with a smallholder numb. viable in the 21st century. of a new vehicular access and a condition He was fined £750 to be paid within 12 with owner given permission to live on his land. “A friend told me that the status of the “To make it viable you need to look ensuring the closing up of the existing months or face 28 days in prison. A LOST dog which Eddie McIntosh has been told that his application had been updated to approve on at alternatives to farm such as Shitake vehicle access which was one of the previous He was also given a 12-month conditional was found by police application to convert and change the use of a their website. mushroooms and collecting Silver Birch sap. reasons for enforcement action.” discharge on three of the charges, relating officers near Brecon welfare cabin into a rural enterprise dwelling “I feel vindicated but upset at what the “If the farmer had known this could be At a planning committee meeting to a motor home, a shed and the tree house has been reunited at Mellowcroft, near Llandegley, has been ordeal has done to me and and my family. done in the 1930s it would not have been in July 2019, Mr McIntosh received which had been moved or mostly demolished, with its owner. approved. “It should never have come to this.” abandoned. retrospective planning permission for five but hadn’t at the end of an enforcement The small pooch The council has confirmed the decision Mr McIntosh bought Mellowcroft in 2006 “I’m really grateful for the support of my structures for agricultural purposes including period in October 2016. was found in a remote which comes less than a year after the and this followed on from a documentary community – this is a win for the underdog the welfare cabin. The buildings were supposed to be area of the Brecon authority won a court case against him for programme that he had been part of which in what has been a battle between David and In February 2019, at Merthyr Tydfil Crown knocked down. Beacons on Friday breaking planning laws, including by living, restored derelict properties. Goliath.” Court, Eddie McIntosh, was found guilty It has cost the council more than £60,000 afternoon, January at the site. Mr McIntosh added: “This was a derelict A council spokesman said: “I can confirm of 18 charges of breaking planning laws by taking legal and enforcement action against 24 by officers who An emotional Mr McIntosh told the former smallholding and I was going to do thet planning application was granted failing to comply with planning enforcement Mr McIntosh. launched a social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter to help find its owners. The black and tan terrier was found on the A4215 at Forest Lodge and Heol Senni Slave captain’s junction, which is between Libanus and Defynnog. A Dyfed-Powys Police spokeswoman confirmed that the dog was reunited with its owner on Saturday, plaque will stay January 25. Couple lost in mountains MOUNTAIN rescue teams were called but wording to after a couple became lost in the Brecon Beacons. Brecon Beacons Mountain Rescue Team was called to the couple on Friday, January 24 after they be reviewed became disorientated Twm Owen someone who in later in the Cwm Llwch News editor area – near Pen y Fan. [email protected] life expressed regret. He still took a 10% A mountain rescue stake. I think it was a team spokesman said: WORDING on a slate plaque that mistake erecting it.” “They became stuck commemorates a slave ship captain will But Cllr Marie on difficult ground in be reviewed after councillors rejected the Matthews said the Cwm Llwch area. idea of removing it. Phillips was still an “The couple were The plaque (pictured right) was important figure in located and assisted commissioned by Brecon Town Council the town’s history. from the hill by team in 2009 but makes no direct reference “Removing the members and then to slavery and was erected in October plaque would be returned to their 2010. The date caused further offence as taking out the history vehicle.” October is celebrated as Black History of Brecon. Gwenllian Month in Wales and across the UK. Morgan (the first Stolen quad It was placed on the wall of the former female mayor in St David’s School, with a restored bench, Wales) traces her bike appeal and marked that 17th Century slaver history back to him POLICE in a Powys Captain Thomas Phillips had lived at and he is an ancestor town are appealing for intention of the council to do that, and information about a Havard House, in Glamorgan Street, and I’m sure it still isn’t, but in as much as this of the kings of Wales. given his name to the Captains Walk path. “Maybe review the wording but his stolen quad bike. plaque construed in that way we should The white and During the debate at the council remove it, amend it or leave it as it is.” journal is a fascinating read and the fact he meeting on Monday, January 27 survived is a testament to him.” black quad bike was Cllr Manny Trailor, who in 2018 taken by thieves in Councillor Tom Davies noted councillors became the first black person to be mayor Cllr Gren Ham said the journal has had observed a minute’s silence when they been included on school curriculums and Ystradgynlais at the of Brecon, said he didn’t think leaving start of January. met at the Guildhall. the plaque as it is would be welcomed by he had read it. He said: “It is Holocaust Remembrance “We need to put our past actions in a Dyfed-Powys Police anyone. are appealing for Day today and this would be like having a He said: “The Hannibal was a proper context and I don’t think this sign plaque at Auschwitz saying Rudolf Hoss does that.” information about the slave ship, he was a slaver it has to be quad which was taken worked here.” remembered and noted in some way if we Cllr Mark Perry said the sign should be Hoss was the longest serving removed: “If it is reviewed what would it from Brecon Road. are to keep the plaque. Anyone with commandant of the Nazi death camp. “I wouldn’t want Brecon to be say? He killed 300 people?” The St Mary ward councillor proposed Cllr David Meredith, who chaired the any information remembered as a place that didn’t should reported it to that instead of reviewing the plaque the denounce slavery, I know that’s not what committee which approved the plaque, Theatr Brycheiniog’s director David Wilson pictured outside the theatre council should agree to remove it. said it was intended to mark that the Dyfed-Powys Police was intended, but it’s very unhelpful to by calling 101. Cllr Martin Weale asked the council have that plaque up.” historical figure had lived in the house to review the plaque due to Phillips’ role The council were also reminded of the and the path is named after him. He Bus to Brecon in the slave trade. He had documented “horrific” conditions men, women and questioned if the name Captains Walk his journey carrying stolen Africans to children were transported in and that 328 should also be reviewed Theatre director is ‘delighted’ broke down plantations in the Caribbean on his ship, “Anybody who researches what is on of the 700 captives, who had been branded BUS passengers going the Hannibal, in which he owned a 10% with the ship’s name, had died during the that plaque would find out what he did and share, in his journal which is considered a the terrible person he was, but we can’t to Brecon struggled voyage. on Monday when the detailed account of the grim trade. Cllr Davies said: “He (Phillips) even take that away as he was a part of Brecon.” with revamped backstage area T14 bus broke down. Cllr Weale said hadn’t suggested what makes the point, in his journal, when they Cllr Weale said he thought the the council should do about the plaque as plaque should be amended: “We have A DIRECTOR of a Brecon Fund. cast members and new The bus could not tried to escape they were eaten by sharks.” leave the Merthyr he wanted an open debate and didn’t wish He also addressed the point made to remember the past and we can be as theatre has said he is “delighted” Ceri Bevan and Helen Roderick programmes of meetings and to influence the outcome. brutal as we like and say Captain’s Walk is with updates which have been from the national park authority events in these spaces. Tydfil bus depot at when it was agreed to erect the plaque 7.44am. It resumed He said: “He was a slaver and there was that Phillips had written he didn’t believe named after a man who killed 300 people. made to its backstage area. visited the building to view the “As an example of this the some conversation about that (in 2009) but But I’m concerned removing it could clean Theatr Brycheiniog has been changes on Monday, January 24. theatre has recently welcomed nearly two hours later that white people were better than black at 9.27am in Brecon the decision, after some public debate, was people. A comment historians say was our conscience but remove any reference refurbishing the backstage area Theatre director David Wilson Welsh classes and is facilitating a Captains Walk was named after this man to him.” including its dressing rooms, said: “We are delighted that the range of external activities.” meaning commuters misunderstood by the town council in in Merthyr had to find and that is historic fact. 2009. Councillors agreed to review the which now have a new layout, as Sustainable Development Fund To hire any of the facilities at “I have recently been approached by plaque, with 10 voting in favour of doing well as other fixtures and fittings was able to support us in the Theatr Brycheiniog, including alternative routes. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to have Stagecoach Wales, local residents concerned this council has a plaque as some sort of memorial to so, while four voted for it to be removed which have been updated. refurbishment of our dressing meetings rooms, contact the endorsed slavery. I’m sure it wasn’t the altogether. The features were updated rooms areas; increasing our theatre on 01874 622838 or email who operate the from Brecon Beacons National ability to host professional the theatr email address at hires@ TrawsCymru service, Park’s Sustainable Development touring companies, community brycheiniog.co.uk. has apologised. CROSSWORD CRYPTIC CLUES Inspectors set Across Down 1234567 1. Animal arrived with learner on back (5) 1. Landlord from London, for example - the first to return soon 4. Did seem to be a bad thing to do (7) in London (7,6) ESTYN inspectors will return to Powys in a 8. Left charge for allotment (7) 2. The girl is about right to take to the altar (5) year to 18 months time to see if improvements to 9. Signifies agency (5) education have happened. 89 Councillors were told at last week’s full council 10. Using them properly is child's play, 3. Put down 50 to get help (4) meeting the education inspectorate had been satisfied with Powys County Council’s Post of course (4) 4. When the dynamo broke down? (6) Inspection Action Plan (PIAP). 11. Arm cab in Welsh riot (8) Interim chief education officer, Lynette Lovell, 5. Thus I object to corpse of person of said: “What Estyn wanted to be assured about is 10 11 13. Luggage container one foot long? (4) importance (8) that we had coherent plans to address the issue and 14. I had the French doing nothing (4) sufficient resources to implement the action plan. 6. Being shifty, I have to save up beforehand (7) “Following the conference our officers worked 12 16. Strenuous, having formerly been on the PIAP and put some more details into plans. 7. Agents I'd tried went to pieces (13) “We are already moving at pace; we didn’t wait on stage (8) for it to be approved before starting our work, that 13 14 17. Finished in a higher position, perhaps (4) 12. Situation vacant - no stamp required (4,4) started immediately after the inspection.” 20. Terrier isn't one to give up easily without Ms Lovell went on to say that there had been 15 13. Fortifying by putting in twos? (7) “intense engagement” with governors, teachers hesitation (5) and headteachers and had hoped to do more but 15. Dishonour results if many go out (6) purdah rules due to the December general election 16 17 18 21. Establish post office in curiously inapt had stopped that. 18. There's nothing in wrong-doing to give Ms Lovell added: “You will be aware cabinet surroundings (7) approved (on January 21) further engagement 19 22. Rue gory villainy (7) utterance to (5) which will be done in February.” This will be for the Strategic School Review, 23. Put one's foot down in it most readily (5) 19. Catch sight of rising summits (4) this and the response to Estyn are intertwined. 20 21 Cllr Pete Roberts, chair of the learning and care QUICK CLUES committee added: “Officers spent 15 hours with scrutiny in five separate meetings looking at each Across Down of the streams (recommendations). They gave 1. Perfect (5) us significant confidence in their desire to move 1. Untiring (13) forward and turn this around. 22 23 4. Quiver (7) 2. Evade (5) In September 2019 Estyn published a damning 8. Sceptic (7) report saying many areas of the authority’s work 3. Tardy (4) were of “significant concern.” SOLUTIONS FOR LAST WEEK 9. Buoyant (5) Education – like Children’s and Adult Social 10. Escape (4) 4. Flourish (6) Services has also been added to the remit of the CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS QUICK SOLUTIONS 5. Expanded (8) Improvement and Assurance Board. Across: 3 Statutory; 8 Nave; 9 Star Across: 3 Obsession; 8 Type; 9 11. Dislike (8) Estyn assistant director, Clive Phillips pupil; 10 Herons; 11 Using; 14 Fictional; 10 Turret; 11 Rapid; 14 13. Creek (4) 6. Delude (7) wrote: “The conference enabled participants to 14. Gala (4) explore areas of the improvement plan which Slump; 15 Tide; 16 Sousa; 18 Dyes; Motto; 15 Dive; 16 Novel; 18 Noon; 7. Breadth (13) would benefit from being strengthened. We will 20 Cheap; 21 Steep; 24 Mother; 25 20 Infer; 21 Nerve; 24 Sandal; 25 16. Produce (8) 12. Domineer (8) formally review the authority’s progress in around Reservoir; 26 Unit; 27 Newsprint. Nostalgic; 26 Onus; 27 Objection. 17. Loyal (4) 13. Lag (7) 12 to 18 months time. This will be in the form of a Down: 1 On the side; 2 Overtures; 4 Down: 1 Statement; 2 Operation; 4 20. Suborn (5) progress conference.” Tots; 5 Turns; 6 Truant; 7 Rain; 9 Bait; 5 Extra; 6 Stolid; 7 Oral; 9 Inspectors can then judge if enough 21. Outstanding (7) 15. Saunter (6) improvements have been made to be remov the Snaps; 11 Usurp; 12 Give a hand; 13 Felon; 11 Revue; 12 Diffident; 13 18. Crest (5) council from follow up work, or will need more Temperate; 17 Actor; 19 Stress; 22 Heartless; 17 Lilac; 19 Nettle; 22 22. Fascinate (7) visits. Elver; 23 Here; 24 Mien. Valet; 23 Tomb; 24 Silo. 23. Lock of hair (5) 19. Girdle (4)