Sam Parry has linked up with Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership after agreeing a one-month loan deal to provide injury cover.

The 27-year old hooker is on his way back from an injury hit period, missing the end of last season with a chest problem and then undergoing surgery to repair a damaged bicep sustained during pre-season.

Having returned to action in October he has been restricted to just five appearances so far this campaign, the last of which coming in the Challenge Cup last month, against Pau.

Given the depth that the Ospreys have at hooker, with Scott Baldwin, Scott Otten and Ifan Phillips all available for selection, it was felt that it was in the player’s interests to head to Ashton Gate as a short term injury replacement with Shaun Malton and Will Capon currently sidelined, to allow him to get game time under his belt before returning to Llandarcy to play a part in the end of season push at the Ospreys.

Speaking about his loan move, Parry said:

“It’s been a frustrating time for me personally with injury and then not getting the game time I would like so this is the right option for me, and for the Ospreys and Bristol.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of the next few weeks, going into a new environment and testing myself in a competition I’ve not experienced before. It’ll give me the opportunity to get the minutes under my belt that I need.”

Bristol have four games while Parry is with them, against Wasps next Friday (H), Harlequins (A), Gloucester (H) and Northampton (A).

Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy will be one of the stars of a special charity concert being organised at Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire next month.

He’ll be appearing alongside Eurovision Song contest legends Brotherhood of Man.

The Rotary Club of Narberth and Whitland have nominated Cancer Research Wales to be the headline charity for their concert on Saturday, March 30 (7 pm) at the Follies Theatre, Folly Farm.

Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club President Tony Ensom selected Cancer Research Wales as his chosen charity for the concert.

He said: “Sadly, everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer and it is very important to support the tireless efforts of Cancer Research Wales.”

Cancer Research Wales was founded in 1966 and is based at Velindre Hospital in Cardiff.

They receive no government funding and all funds raised are used in Wales, funding research at Velindre and Welsh Universities such as Cardiff and Swansea.

Someone in Wales is diagnosed with cancer every 30 minutes, and research is vital in aiming to provide early diagnosis, prevention and better treatment options.

The proceeds of the evening will also go to support the many endeavours of the Rotary Club during the year ahead, locally, nationally and internationally.

Lost Voice Guy was the 2018 Britain’s Got Talent winner. He has just returned to the UK after a well-received performance on the America’s Got Talent ‘All Winners Show’.

Brotherhood of Man won the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest. Their winning song, ‘Save Your Kisses For Me’, went on to sell five million copies worldwide and was followed by a string of hits by the group, who still boast the original ‘Save Your Kisses’ line-up.

Band member Nicky Stevens, (originally from Carmarthen) remains the only Welsh winner of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The band’s winning margin in Eurovision was a record – an achievement which still stands today.

Also appearing on the show will be Pembrokeshire Boogie Woogie and Rockabilly group ‘The Curveballs’.

Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club President Tony Ensom said: “It is all set to be a great night in aid of great charities and we very much hope for a great turnout to support us.”

Tickets for the show are now on sale and can be purchased at www.nwrotary.co.uk

They can also be bought at Dales Music, Tenby; Rock ‘n Rolla Boutique, Narberth and The Creative Café, Haverfordwest. Enquiries can be made to Rotarian John Hughes on 01834 842552.

Photo: Kneeling on left Gareth Morris (Folly Farm) and on the right Elaine Bradbury (Rotary). Standing on left Ann-Marie Jones (Cancer Research Wales), centre Tony Ensom (Rotary President) and right Rotarian Impresario John Hughes.

The Ospreys have added Samoan international loose head Jordan Lay to the squad ahead of Friday’s Guinness PRO14 clash with Ulster at the Morganstone Brewery Field.

The 26-year old has signed on a one-month emergency loan following an injury crisis that means the Ospreys are without all their front line loose heads.

Following Paul James’ retirement in December, Rhodri Jones (shoulder) and Gareth Thomas (ankle) have both been ruled out of action while Nicky Smith, who hasn’t played for the Ospreys since early December because of an ankle injury, is now with the Wales squad for their Six Nations campaign.

The situation led to Rowan Jenkins being drafted into the squad on permit from Aberavon, featuring off the bench in the last three Ospreys games, and prior to Lay’s arrival earlier this week he was the only senior loose head in the camp.

Lay has played 11 times for Samoa, making his debut against Tonga in July 2017, and has previous experience of the PRO14 with Edinburgh prior to his move to Ashton Gate.

Rugby General Manager, Dan Griffiths, described the situation as “exceptional”, saying:

“To lose four senior loose heads, as well as having two young players in the academy either with Wales U20 or returning from injury are exceptional circumstances.

“We’ve worked with the WRU to try and identify a suitable replacement but have had to look further afield to find a player of the quality needed to do an important job for the team over the next three matches.”

Head Coach, Allen Clarke, welcomed Jordan to the Ospreys, saying:

“It’s excellent news that we have been able to identify and recruit a player of his quality and experience to come in as short term injury cover at such an important time.

“Injuries and international calls have really put us under the pump in a key position. Rowan Jenkins has been excellent since coming in last month, in terms of his attitude around the environment and his performances on the pitch, but we need additional cover and Jordan will provide that over the coming weeks.”

The Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club is organising a meeting with local businesses to see if they will help to make Narberth a Dementia-Friendly Town.

The Narberth and Whitland Rotary Club successfully set up a friendship club more than 12 months ago to help people with life-limiting illness or suffering from loneliness.

The Living Memory Group (LMG) is now well established, meeting on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of each month from 1.30 to 3.30pm.

It is rewarding to see how much the attendees enjoy each session which can involve music and singing or handicrafts and painting.

The eldest member recently celebrated his 100^th birthday and he still enjoys sketching and drawing portraits.

The Narberth Primary School led by Head Teacher Nia Edwards was instrumental in involving pupils from her Junior School, becoming active in this community venture.

The elderly and the young participants enjoy a synergy just like Grand parents with their Grand children and yet they are complete strangers.

Both generations benefit from this communal activity.

Now the Rotary Club is seeking to involve businesses in the town, making Narberth a Dementia-Friendly Town.

To understand how sufferers can enjoy the experience of shopping without confusion which often affects those with Dementia, the traders will learn how the service they provide can be tweaked without costing anything.

Residents and Business representatives are invited to come along for an hour at the end of the day and see what is involved.

The Ospreys team to play Ulster at the Morganstone Brewery Field on Friday 15th February 2019, KO 7.35pm, is as follows:

15 Dan Evans 14 Hanno Dirksen 13 Cory Allen 12 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler 11 Luke Morgan 10 Sam Davies (Capt) 9 Tom Habberfield 1 Jordan Lay 2 Scott Baldwin 3 Tom Botha 4 Lloyd Ashley 5 Bradley Davies 6 Olly Cracknell 7 Sam Cross 8 James King  

REPLACEMENTS – 16 Scott Otten 17 Rowan Jenkins 18 Ma’afu Fia 19 Will Griffiths 20 Rob McCusker 21 Matthew Aubrey 22 Luke Price 23 Keelan Giles

Jordan Lay makes his Ospreys debut.

Will Griffiths will make his Guinness PRO14 debut if he comes off the bench.

Dan Evans makes his 100^th PRO12/14 appearance for the Ospreys.

The following players were unavailable for selection due to international duty:

Adam Beard, Aled Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, George North, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric and Owen Watkin (All Wales); Giorgi Nemsadze (Georgia)

The following players were unavailable for selection due to injury:

Dan Baker – Knee; Rhodri Jones – Shoulder; Lesley Klim – Hamstring; Dan Lydiate – Elbow; Gareth Thomas – Ankle; Scott Williams – Back

Ospreys Head Coach, Allen Clarke, said:

“Our last game in Bridgend, against Connacht in October, was an excellent occasion on and off the field. The crowd were fantastic, getting behind the team right up to the final play which earned us a bonus point win. We’re looking forward to going back there and appreciate the support we get, hopefully we can make it another memorable occasion on Friday.

“Points are precious for all teams with this period of the season going a long way to define league positions and subsequent play-off spots. It’s great to have Bradley Davies back to bolster the team who collectively and individually have a clear understanding of what is required during this mini Six Nations block.” 

Forthcoming Fixtures

Fri 22 Feb – 7.35pm – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium

Sat 2 Mar – 2.45pm – Connacht v Ospreys, Sportsground

Sat 23 Mar – 3.00pm – Ospreys v Dragons – Liberty Stadium

Sat 6 Apr – 5.30pm (Local) – Toyota Cheetahs v Ospreys –Toyota Stadium

Press release from the Hywel Dda University Health Board:

We would like to wish our Chair, Mrs Bernardine Rees OBE, well following her decision to retire from Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Announcing her decision Mrs Rees said:“It is with the deepest of regret that due to health issues, I have decided to retire from my role as Chairman of Hywel Dda University Health Board. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as Chairman for the organisation during the past five years.

“I feel confident that the organisation, under Steve Moore’s leadership, is in a position to move ahead with an exciting health and care strategy, approved by Board in November last year, which will see lasting improvements to the health and well-being of our local population. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our staff for their dedication, hard work and continued commitment to providing the best possible care for our population. I have been fortunate in my position to have met so many of you and to have heard first hand the difference you make for our patients, whether that is through providing front-line care or in supportive roles, which are critical to the NHS. I have always been so proud of your achievements and your tenacity to overcome challenges and put the patient at the centre of your work and this is what motivated me to start the Employee of the Month scheme. It has been my privilege entirely.

“I would like also like to thank those whom I worked closely with for their support to me personally as the Chairman of Hywel Dda and I wish you all the very best for the future.”

Bernardine will step down from her role as Chairman on 28th February 2019 and in the interim Vice Chair Judith Hardisty will take up the role of Acting Chair. Board Secretary, Joanne Wilson, will work with Welsh Government to commence the recruitment process for the substantive post.

Chief Executive Steve Moore said: “I would like to pay tribute to Bernardine, a colleague and a friend whom I admire greatly and will sorely miss. Bernardine has spent her entire career dedicated to the NHS first through her nursing, then in managerial and Executive roles and more recently, we have been fortunate enough to have benefited from her leadership and tenacity in the role as Chairman for Hywel Dda University Health Board.

“She has led this organisation to a position in which we have a clear health and care strategy, which gives us the foundation to transform and improve. She has also been a champion for our staff and I am sure she will be missed by many of you. We thank you Bernardine and we wish you all the best in the future.”