Former international rugby union player and coach, John Dawes OBE, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

An Aberystwyth alumnus (Chemistry, 1962), John Dawes won his first Wales cap in 1964 aged 23.

He went on to win a further 21 caps for Wales over the subsequent decade – six as captain, including the Grand Slam winning side of 1971.

John Dawes captained the 1971 British Lions tour of New Zealand, where they became the first and only team to date to win a series in New Zealand. He also coached the British Lions tour to New Zealand in 1977.

After retiring as a player, he was the coach of the Wales national side from 1974-1979, winning the Five Nations Triple Crown four times in five seasons as well as two Grand Slams.

He was made an OBE in the 1972 New Year’s Honours List for services to sport.

John Dawes OBE was presented by Dr Rhys Thatcher from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences on Wednesday 18 July 2018.  The full conferral presentation is available below, in the language in which it was delivered.

Presentation of John Dawes OBE by Dr Rhys Thatcher:

Is-Ganghellor, darpar raddedigion, gyfeillion.  Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno John Dawes yn Gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Vice-Chancellor, prospective graduates and supporters.  It is an honour and a privilege to present Sydney John Dawes as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

John Dawes enrolled at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth (as Aberystwyth University was known then) in 1959, graduating three years later with a degree in Chemistry. Following graduation he moved to Loughborough to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. During his university years John managed to balance his studies and playing rugby, achieving success in both.

Following his year at Loughborough College, and at the age of 23, John won his first cap for Wales; the match was against Ireland and the result was a 15-5 win for Wales. This was the start of an illustrious career resulting in 22 caps for his country including six as captain.

In 1971, John was appointed captain of the British and Irish Lions side for the tour to New Zealand. This side, coached by Carwyn James(a name which is familiar with the sport and exercise science graduands in the audience), became the first and so far the only Lions team to win a series in New Zealand. He also captained the Barbarians side that beat New Zealand in Cardiff, 23-11, in 1973.

Today John holds a proud record for any Welshman; as both a player and a coach he has never lost to an England side.

After retiring as a player, he became coach of the Welsh national side in 1974, a post he held until 1979. During his time as coach, Wales won the Five Nations Triple Crown on four occasions, including two grand slams. In 1977 he returned to New Zealand as coach of the British Lions, unfortunately on this occasion the Lions were unable to repeat their 1971 success.

The list of awards and honours John has received in recognition of his contribution to Rugby is as impressive as his playing and coaching record.

• He received an OBE for services to sport in the 1972 New Year’s Honours List
• In 2006 he was named the greatest ever Welsh Coach and inducted to the Welsh rugby international players Hall of Fame
• In 2010 John’s tribute dinner in Llandovery was attended by his HRH The Prince of Wales
• In 2013 Lewis School, where John studied from 1951 – 1959 and started his rugby career, named their sporting facilities ‘The John Dawes Centre for Sporting Excellence’
• In the same year he was inducted into the Loughborough Sporting Club Hall of Fame, followed in 2016 by his induction into the World Rugby Hall of Fame

He can now add Fellow of Aberystwyth University to this list.

Is-Ganghellor, mae’n bleser gennyf gyflwyno Sydney John Dawes i chi yn Gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Vice-Chancellor, it is my absolute pleasure to present Sydney John Dawes to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Aberystwyth University Honours 2018

Nine individuals are being honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2018 graduation ceremonies, which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 17 July until Friday 20 July.

Six Honorary Fellowships will be presented to individuals who have, or have had a connection with Aberystwyth or Wales, and who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field.

One Honorary Doctorate will also be presented; recognising an individual who has been outstandingly successful in their field, or who has a long record of renowned research and publication.

Two Honorary Bachelor degrees will be presented. These are presented to individuals who are members of Aberystwyth University staff without an entry-level degree in recognition of long-service, contribution and dedication to the Institution; and members of the local community who have made a significant contribution to Aberystwyth and the area.

His Honour Judge Milwyn Jarman QC has been presented with an Honorary Fellowship of Aberystwyth University.

Born into a farming family at Llanllwchaearn near Newtown, Powys, His Honour Judge Jarman QC attended Newtown High School and Montgomery College of Further Education.

He studied law at Aberystwyth, took a Masters at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, before reading for the Bar exams at Gray’s Inn.

He then became a pupil barrister in Chambers at 34 Park Place (later 9 Park Place), Cardiff, from where he would practise for the next 27 years, developing a speciality for business and property, planning and public law cases, and eventually becoming Head of the Chambers.

He became a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2000 assigned to the Wales and Chester Circuit, and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2001.

He was appointed as the Specialist Chancery Judge for Wales in 2007, and sits as a judge of the High Court in the Queen’s Bench Division, Administrative Court and as an Upper Tribunal Judge.

His Honour Judge Milwyn Jarman QC was presented by Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Pro Chancellor of Aberystwyth University on Thursday 19 July 2018.  The full conferral presentation is available below, in the language in which it was delivered.

Presentation of His Honour Judge Milwyn Jarman QC by Gwerfyl Pierce Jones:

Ganghellor, Is-Ganghellor, a chyfeillion y mae’n bleser o’r mwyaf gennyf gyflwyno’r Anrhydeddus Farnwr, Milwyn Jarman CF, i’w urddo’n Gymrawd ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth.

Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and friends it is a great pleasure for me to introduce His Honour, Judge Milwyn Jarman QC, as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Brodor o Lanllwchaearn ger y Drenewydd yw Milwyn Jarman. Fe’i magwyd ar fferm, yr ieuengaf  o bump o frodyr. Nid oedd modd i’r pump ymarfer crefft hynaf dynol ryw, ac yn achos Milwyn roedd hynny’n fendith gan iddo roi’i fryd erioed ar fod yn fargyfreithiwr. Roedd Aberystwyth yn ddewis amlwg iddo ac yma y daeth ym 1975 i astudio dan rai o fawrion y cyfnod: John Andrews, Hywel Moseley a Dafydd Jenkins (y Gyfraith) ymhlith eraill. Aeth ymlaen i Gaer-grawnt i astudio ar gyfer gradd Meistr ac yna i wneud arholiadau ar gyfer y Bar cyn symud i Gaerdydd fel disgybl fargyfreithiwr o dan adain Winston Roddick CF, Cymrawd o’r Brifysgol hon a chyn Is-Lywydd.

Milwyn Jarman is a native of Llanllwchaearn, near Newtown, the youngest of five sons of farmers. His two eldest brothers farmed with their parents but the remaining three had to find alternative paths. And in Milwyn’s case this enabled him to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a barrister. The Aberystwyth Law Department was for him the obvious choice and he graduated in 1978. He pays tribute to many of his teachers at that time: John Andrews, Hywel Moseley, Dafydd Jenkins, John Trice, as well as some of the younger lecturers at the time: including John Williams, Chris Harding and Richard Ireland who has just retired.

After graduating he read for a Master of Law at Sidney Sussex, Cambridge and then for the bar exams, becoming a member of Gray’s Inn where he has since become a Bencher. He proceeded to Cardiff as a pupil barrister in Chambers in Park Place. His pupil master was Winston Roddick QC, also a Fellow of Aberystwyth University and a former Vice-President.

Milwyn practised from his Chambers in Park Place for the next 27 years, eventually becoming Head of Chambers.  He specialised in business and property, planning and public law cases. He became a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2000 and a QC in 2001. He was appointed to the panel of counsel for the Welsh Assembly Government.  He became a full-time judge as the Specialist Chancery Judge for Wales in 2007; he is also authorised to sit in the Technology and Construction Court, and the Commercial Court, now part of the Business and Property Courts in Wales. He also sits as a judge of the High Court in the Queen’s Bench Division, Administrative Court, also as an Upper Tribunal Judge. He is a Diversity and Community Relations Judge, and a tutor judge for the Judicial College; he is the Welsh Judge Member of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee and an advisory editor of Sweet and Maxwell’s Civil Procedure. He serves on the editorial board of the University of Wales Press Public Law of Wales series. He also chairs the Legal Wales Foundation Board, which organises the annual Legal Wales Conference.

Ar nodyn mwy personol rwyf am ychwanegu i Milwyn Jarman gael ei benodi’n Gwnsler Mygedol Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru pan oeddwn i’n Bennaeth a bu’n hael ei gyngor a’i arweiniad i’r sefydliad hwnnw am nifer o flynyddoedd. Pan ddois i i’w adnabod gyntaf nid oedd yn rhugl yn y Gymraeg er ei fod yn ymddiddori’n fawr yn yr iaith a’i diwylliant. Erbyn heddiw mae ganddo’r hyder i wrando ar achosion trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg. Ac roedd yn arbennig o falch o’r gwahoddiad i draddodi Darlith Flynyddol Cymdeithas y Cyfreithwyr yn Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Maldwyn a’r Gororau 2015, ei sir enedigol.

He served as Honorary Counsel to the Welsh Books Council for several years during my time at the helm and it was during this period that he began to learn Welsh in earnest. His commitment was never in doubt and it was really just a matter of confidence. The Books Council is just one of a number of organisations which have benefited from his sound advice and support. He is also a governor of Christ College Brecon.

He once quipped that he opted for law rather than farming as ‘it seemed like less work’ (his words). I suppose that’s a matter of opinion! However, he does find the time to enjoy sport, and is a keen follower of Wales rugby and football teams, and especially Cardiff City FC which hasn’t done too badly in recent months! He enjoys walking and cycling and has a passion for skiing. In April he and a number of his fellow judges cycled from Brecon to Cardiff to raise money for a charity known as PSU which gives help to litigants who cannot afford legal representation.

But the Law is all around him! His partner Nicola is also a judge, and he has three children: Rebecca, Thomas, and David. David graduated in Aberystwyth in Criminology and Psychology.

Nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth nad yw Milwyn Jarman wedi gwireddu ei freuddwyd i gyrraedd yr uchelfannau ym myd y gyfraith.

Ganghellor: Y mae’n bleser ac yn fraint i gyflwyno’r anrhydeddus Farnwr Milwyn Jarman i chi i’w urddo’n Gymrawd ym Mhrifysgol Aberystwyth.

Chancellor: It is indeed an honour and a pleasure to present to you His Honour, Judge Milwyn Jarman as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Aberystwyth University Honours 2018

Nine individuals are being honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2018 graduation ceremonies, which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 17 July until Friday 20 July.

Six Honorary Fellowships are being presented to individuals who have, or have had a connection with Aberystwyth or Wales, and who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field.

One Honorary Doctorate is being presented; recognising an individual who has been outstandingly successful in their field, or who has a long record of renowned research and publication.

Two Honorary Bachelor degrees are being presented. These are presented to individuals who are members of Aberystwyth University staff without an entry-level degree in recognition of long-service, contribution and dedication to the Institution; and members of the local community who have made a significant contribution to Aberystwyth and the area.

Scientists at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) are leading a new international consortium launched to develop a new test for bovine tuberculosis.

The consortium will develop a rapid, high-accuracy point of care diagnostic test with an integrated, secure, cloud-based data system for the detection, management and control of bovine tuberculosis.

The other consortium partners are University College Dublin and four UK-based life sciences companies – Dynamic Extractions, Sona nanotech, ProTEM and Bond Digital Health Solutions.

Professor Mike Gooding, Director of IBERS said “The economic and emotional cost of bovine TB to rural communities can be devastating, which is why a more accurate and reliable testing system is urgently needed. Our approach could be a game changer in detecting TB more efficiently.

“Each member of this consortium represents a different piece of the puzzle, offering its own unique expertise and cutting-edge science or technology and by putting all these puzzle pieces together we will come up with an effective and scalable solution to this problem.”

Bovine TB is an infectious disease that affects cattle and other mammals around the world.

In the UK, tens of thousands of cattle are destroyed every year because of the disease, which has a huge economic cost to the farming community and the tax payer.

Some governments have tried to halt the spread of the disease by culling wild animals, mainly badgers, which has proved highly controversial.

Policymakers are also working to eradicate bovine TB using a rigorous testing programme, but the results of the most commonly used tests are unable to detect all TB infected cattle within a herd.

As a result, when a test result appears positive, cattle herds must be quarantined and then re-tested after 60 days. This represents a massive economic and emotional cost to a farmer and affects long-term planning.

Dr Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales said “We are taking a keen interest in all developments in respect of new TB tests and we welcome innovative approaches. The potential uses of a validated test to be developed by this  consortium is exciting, not only for the Wales TB Eradication Programme with the prospect of achieving OTF (Officially TB Free)  status earlier; but on a world wide scale, both in terms of Bovine TB and Human TB. The success of this project could put Wales firmly on the global map”.

The consortium will work together to develop a new, cost-effective, rapid and accurate point of use test for bovine TB that will allow the monitoring of farm animals, native wildlife populations, farm produce and the environment.

Data gathered from the tests will be integrated into databases, which will lead to more accurate epidemiology monitoring and the development of informed disease strategy.

Photo: Professor Luis Mur on the right is leading the consortium at IBERS Aberystwyth University; pictured with his PhD student Richard Pizzey, who is a qualified vet.

Notes:

The consortium members are:

• Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) is an internationally-recognised research and teaching centre focusing on global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability.
• University College Dublin are world experts in the bovine pathogen, Mycobacterium bovis and are heavily involved in vaccine and diagnostic development. They also are involved in developing diagnostics for Johne’s disease in cattle, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.
• Dynamic Extractions Ltd, which provides high-performance chromatographic, separation and process applications based on its own unique systems.
• Sona Nanotech Ltd., based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, makes high-quality gold nanoparticles for the diagnostic and life science industries. Sona’s unique gold nanorods will power the next generation of lateral flow tests.
• Bond Digital Health Ltd., which provides digital healthcare solutions and Software as a Service (SaaS) to the life sciences industry and diagnostic development market
• ProTEM Services Ltd., which works in the field of life science product discovery, development, technology, process development, engineering and commercialisation

Links:

Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/

University College Dublin
https://www.ucd.ie/

Dynamic Extractions Ltd
http://www.dynamicextractions.com/

Sona Nanotech Ltd
https://www.sonanano.com/

Bond Digital Health Ltd
https://bondhealth.co.uk/

Ahead of the Royal Welsh Show, a £7.3m EU-backed package to help address skills gaps and assist businesses in the food and agriculture sector develop new products and services has been announced by Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths.

Led by Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) the investment will support two initiatives, Future Foods and BioInnovation Wales.

BioInnovation Wales will receive over £3m EU funds to help employers address high level skills shortages in the agri-food and biotech sector.

BioInnovation Wales, in partnership with Swansea University, will target people already working in the sector, offering bespoke qualifications and industry accredited skills tailored to industry needs. This includes technicians, consultants, researchers and managers working in the food and biotechnology supply chain.

Future Foods will receive £1.9m EU funds to drive forward growth among Welsh food businesses, improving their competitiveness through research, science and technology.

Future Foods, working with BIC Innovation, will deliver world class expertise in food science, technology, and nutrition research and development to ambitious Welsh based businesses seeking to develop healthy, market creating products targeted at UK and international markets.

Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, said: “The agri-food and biotech sectors are vital to Wales. Investing in high level skills and research to drive forward these sectors is essential for economic growth and jobs, ensuring businesses are on the cutting edge of innovation and competiveness.  I am really pleased that focus areas will include consumer wellbeing and healthier products, assuring product quality and food safety and protection from food fraud”

Professor Mike Gooding, IBERS Director, said: “We welcome this comprehensive EU funding package at a crucial time for the food and agriculture sector. This is a vote of confidence in the expertise of IBERS and its partners, enabling us to make science accessible to more companies in Wales to further develop their employee skills, and to create innovative, healthy products that are fit for the future”.

Further funding will come from the University and partners involved in the projects, including BIC Innovation.

Link:
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Actif Holiday Clubs are returning for the school summer holidays and parents are being encouraged to book their children in early.

The yearly clubs at Carmarthenshire’s leisure centres will be running from July 25 through until August 31, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

Clubs run between 8.30am and 5pm, with half days available at St Clears Leisure Centre for children aged 4-7 years.

Children aged between 8 and 12 years are welcome.

With popular demand and busy parents, Actif Clubs are a great way to keep children engaged in new activities and sports, making new friends and keeping active come rain or shine during the school holidays.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “The Actif Holiday Clubs are a great option for many parents looking to keep their children active over the summer. The clubs have a brilliant range of activities and sports at our leisure centres so there is something for everyone.”

To book, visit www.actifsirgar.co.uk

Hot on the heels of Hollywood stars including Judi Dench shooting scenes for a major new movie in Llandeilo and other nearby beauty spots, Carmarthenshire Council is making it easier than ever before to film in the county.

The council has launched an improved filming opportunities section of its website to make the process of scouting and booking filming locations as hassle-free as possible for movie-makers and TV production companies.

As well as dealing with initial enquiries, the council is also on hand to help with filming permits, logistics, community engagement, traffic management, parking, accommodation and hospitality.

Dame Judi was in Carmarthenshire earlier this summer to film scenes for Six Minutes to Midnight, a conspiracy movie set in the build-up to World War Two that also stars Eddie Izzard. Other movies and TV programmes part-filmed in the county include King Arthur, Da Vinci’s Demons, Top Gear, Keeping Faith, Carrie’s War and Hinterland.

Stradey Castle in Llanelli also recently played host to a crew filming scenes for Jerusalem, a forthcoming Channel 4 period thriller starring Keeley Hawes, Michael Stuhlbarg and Matt Lauria.

Cllr Emlyn Dole, Carmarthenshire Council Leader and Executive Board Member for Economic Development, said: “Carmarthenshire offers a huge variety of scenery for the TV and movie industry, including sweeping beaches, historic buildings and mile after mile of picture postcard countryside.

“So many stars have visited Carmarthenshire to film scenes for movies and TV programmes, which raises the profile of the county, boosts an already thriving tourism industry and benefits businesses because of large production crews who visit our local shops, hotels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and pubs.

“But as a council, we can’t rest on our laurels in our drive to further put Carmarthenshire on the map. That’s why we’ve done all we can through the one-stop portal on our website to make the process of scouting and booking potential filming locations as seamless as possible for TV production companies and movie-makers.”

Also due to open at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus this autumn is a creative digital cluster called ‘Yr Egin’ that’s set to be part-funded, subject to the approval of a business case, by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal.

Welsh language broadcaster S4C is already on board as the development’s anchor tenant.

Cllr Dole said: “Yr Egin, complete with state-of-the-art post-production facilities, is a further boost to Carmarthenshire’s thriving creative industry sector.

“As well as the county’s rich, stunning scenery and communities that embrace film crews, developments of this kind also mean expert support and facilities are available close at hand for the TV and film industry.”