Mark Bridger arrested on suspicion of April Jones murder

05/10/2012

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April Jones, the 5-year-old girl missing from her home in Wales since Monday has not been found. Today however, Mark Bridger, the man suspected of abducting April, who had been helping police with their inquiries, has been arrested on suspicion of her murder.

From day one this has been a strange case. It was unusual for the police to name Bridger three days ago when he was being investigated for allegedly abducting April. You have to assume that the police leading the investigation had more than "gut instinct" to go on. Naming a suspect early in an investigation can jeopardise a fair trial and a just outcome. Whoever is responsible for the disappearance of April must pay.

You have to feel for April's family, especially her parents. They appear to be a family with a wide range of challenges on a daily basis. Now that the police have arrested Bridger on suspicion of murder her parents must be distraught.

They are being supported by specialist teams but that will not bring their little girl home safe. They do however need to know where April is and what has happened to her. Living in a state of limbo, with no firm evidence where April went, is no way to live.

The latest news is that Bridger attended the same school parent's evening as April's parents just hours before the little girl vanished. Police have now issued a statement stating that they do not want any more volunteers swelling the number of people searching. They have asked that members of the public now leave it to the professionals. It is no longer a "rescue" mission but a recovery one.

Searches have centered on a local river. At least two witnesses have reported seeing a man carrying a full looking black bin liner down the river bank and disposing of it in the river.

Thoughts remain with the family and people of Machynlleth
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Wales, Cargo ship runs aground in stormy seas

04/04/2012

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As the UK is battered by heavy weather a cargo ship has run aground of the coast of Wales. Seven crew have been safely rescued but there are fears that the vessel's damage could lead to an environmental disaster.

SkyNews reported that, "The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the cargo ship was in one piece following Tuesday's incident. But there are growing concerns that it could begin to leak some of its 40,000 litres of fuel.The 82-metre ship, registered in Antigua and Barbuda, is laden with limestone."

The vessel had tried to set sail amidst stormy seas and terrible weather last night April 3, 2012. It was not to be and the vessel was pushed back.  Residents living close to the jetty watched in horror as the vessel was pushed back and grounded on rocks. The fact that the vessel was carrying such a heavy weight, its cargo was limestone, simply added to the dangerous situation.

Today  salvage and counter-pollution experts are hoping to be able to asses the situation more fully. With 40,000 litres of fuel on board any damage to the vessel could easily result in a disaster for the environment and for Wales. The Welsh Government is monitoring the situation closely.
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On this day October 21, 1966, 144 people died in the Aberfan tragedy

21/10/2011

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On October 21 1966 a terrible disaster unfolded in the UK. This writer was aged 14 at the time and, although it did not personally affect her, it gave her nightmares for quite a while.

A huge slag heap in the Welsh village of Aberfan slid onto the village enveloping the local school and those in it at the time.
Although it was black and white TV viewing back then in the UK, it still made for terrible TV. The heap slid so very fast it was hard for anyone to escape. 144 people died in the Aberfan disaster: 116 of those killed were school children. About half of the children at Pantglas Junior School, and five of their teachers, were also killed.

The Junior school children were in the process of singing All Things Bright and Beautiful. Now tell me there is a God. If there is what sort can he be? Certainly not kind.

So today remember those that died all those years ago. Aberfan was a small village. This meant each persons loss was great. Whole families and generations wiped out as quick as a flash. To think the chilsdren were one minute singing sweetly and the next unable to breath fresh air was dreadul. It still is dreadful to remember.
The Aberfan disaster. RIP
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England bow out of Rugby World Cup 2011

08/10/2011

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With England playing France and Wales up against Ireland in the World Cup quarter finals it was a cert either Wales or Ireland would be through.

England was a different kettle of fish.

In the end England bowed out of the competition losing 12 - 19 to France.
France took an early lead and England found the game of catch up beyond them today. A 16-0 lead with first-half tries from Vincent Clerc and Maxime Medard left England with a mountain to climb. They gave it a shot but just could not catch up.
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France will now face Wales in the semi-final.

The other semi-finalists will be from games yet to be played. These are South Africa and Australia plus New Zealand and Argentina. It would be great for the host nation New Zealand to make it through to the final. Both of these matches are scheduled for October 9, 2011.

The semi-finals will be on the 15 and 16 of October with the final on October 23.
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