Funding formula and visa rules among key issues discussed ahead of Senedd election period

THE WELSH Government has voiced concerns over fishing funding allocations, farm policy, and potential labour shortages during a recent UK-wide ministerial meeting on rural affairs.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, attended the latest Inter-Ministerial Group for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs meeting on Wednesday (Feb 5), alongside ministers from the UK, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments.

One of the main topics was the UK Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund. Ministers from devolved administrations expressed disappointment that the Barnett formula had been used to determine allocations, arguing it failed to reflect the size and importance of the fishing sector in each nation or previous funding levels.

Talks also covered progress on negotiations for a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which could affect cross-border trade in food, plants and animals. Devolved governments welcomed engagement from the UK Government so far but stressed the need for continued cooperation, particularly around biosecurity and the legislative process required to implement any agreement across the UK.

Ministers also discussed the UK Government’s Farm Profitability Review — known as the Batters Review — and the emerging UK Food Strategy. Although these policies apply mainly to England, ministers noted they could still have implications for Wales and other devolved nations, highlighting the need for collaborative working.

A joint approach to banning peat use in horticulture was also agreed in principle, with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) expected to set out possible timelines.

Concerns were also raised about proposed changes to UK work visa rules, which ministers warned could worsen shortages of seasonal agricultural workers, particularly sheep shearers. UK Government ministers acknowledged the risks and said discussions were ongoing.

The next meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group is scheduled for March 2026, ahead of the upcoming elections in both Wales and Scotland.

Hands-on coppicing sessions reconnect people with sustainable forestry heritage

PENGELLI WOODS in Pembrokeshire was filled with the sound of axes and saws last week as volunteers gathered to learn the traditional craft of coppicing during a hands-on woodland skills day organised by Cwm Arian.

Participants joined staff and students from Cwm Arian and Coppicewood College for a practical session exploring sustainable woodland management techniques that have been used in West Wales for thousands of years.

Coppicing — a method that involves cutting trees near ground level to stimulate new growth — was once central to how communities managed local woodlands. The cyclical process provided a reliable supply of timber for fuel, tools, fencing and craftwork while allowing forests to regenerate naturally.

During the session, volunteers watched experienced woodland workers fell trees using traditional tools including axes, billhooks and two-person saws, before taking part themselves in processing the timber. They learned how different sizes of wood can be used for a range of purposes, from small sticks for bread ovens and riverbank stabilisation to larger lengths suitable for furniture or construction.

Organisers said the day was not only about practical skills but also about reconnecting people with nature and heritage.

One volunteer said: “The session was a real reminder of how our ancestors cared for the land. It’s incredible to see how these low-tech methods were not only practical but also sustainable — lessons that feel increasingly relevant today.”

Between activities, participants took time to observe the woodland environment, listen to birdsong and reflect on seasonal changes, helping to build a deeper connection with the landscape.

The event forms part of the CoedUNO project, a Cwm Arian initiative that promotes sustainable land management, biodiversity and heritage skills across North Pembrokeshire. Further volunteering opportunities are planned in the coming weeks:

• February 25 (9:30am – 12:30pm), Felindre Farchog: Tree planting of fruit, nut and native species
• March 4 (1:30pm – 4:30pm), CoedUNO Tegryn: Agroforestry site session
• March 12 (10:00am – 4:00pm), Pengelli Woods: Processing a felled tree using billhook and saw

Organisers say the sessions demonstrate how low-tech, human-led forestry can be both productive and regenerative — offering valuable insights as communities respond to climate change and the transition to sustainable energy.

Cwm Arian is a Community Benefit Society based in West Wales, originally established through a community wind turbine project in Llanfyrnach. The organisation now supports homes, community buildings and local groups to develop renewable energy systems and reduce carbon emissions.

CoedUNO, based in Tegryn, is the first agroforestry demonstration site within the National Forest for Wales. Designed using permaculture principles, the site combines conservation, education and community engagement while supporting wildlife habitats across the Taf and Teifi catchments.

For more information or to book a session, contact Kevin, Volunteer Organiser at Cwm Arian: [email protected].

Photos supplied by Anna Mounteney.

Founder turns lived experience of addiction and crisis into community support project

A WELSH father who battled severe mental health struggles, addiction, and a suicide attempt has launched a new grassroots foundation aimed at helping others facing similar challenges.

Gareth Clement is the founder of The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation, a small Wales-based initiative created from his own lived experience of recovery and rebuilding life after crisis.

The project focuses on mental health awareness, addiction recovery support, suicide prevention, and signposting people towards trusted services.

Gareth told The Herald that the foundation began as a way of speaking honestly about struggles that many people feel unable to share.

He said: “Grumpy Dumpty started as a way of talking openly about the parts people usually hide — relapse, shame, early sobriety, suicidal thoughts, and what recovery actually looks like when you’re still raising kids and showing up every day.”

Health scare turning point

In 2022, Gareth says his life reached a critical moment when he was told by a doctor that his liver was failing as a result of alcohol use.

He stopped drinking completely.

He said recovery did not instantly solve every problem but gave him the opportunity to start again.

“Recovery didn’t magically fix life — but it did give me a chance to rebuild it honestly,” he said.

Since then, he has used social media and direct conversations to support people who are struggling, often late at night when services are harder to access.

Real-life impact

Gareth shared examples of people who have already been helped through the foundation’s work.

In one case, a father contacted him while on the verge of relapsing after months of sobriety. After messaging for over an hour, the man chose not to drink and later joined a local recovery group.

In another situation, a young man who had never previously spoken about his mental health reached out after reading posts online. Gareth helped direct him towards counselling services and a men’s support group, reducing his sense of isolation.

“There’s no corporate backing, no PR agency, and no glossy campaign — just lived experience, community, and the belief that if even one person reaches out instead of giving up, it’s worth it,” Gareth said.

Building hope through honesty

The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation is currently set up as an unincorporated association and aims to expand its reach over time, particularly for people in early recovery who may feel unsupported.

Gareth hopes the project will encourage more open conversations about mental health and addiction, particularly among men who often struggle to seek help.

He added: “If people can see someone being honest about their struggles, it can make it easier for them to speak too.”

The foundation shares information, personal reflections, and support resources through its online community.

More information about The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation can be found via its Facebook page.

Photo caption: Gareth Clement, founder of The Grumpy Dumpty Foundation, which aims to support people facing mental health challenges and addiction recovery (Pic: Supplied).