THE good news for Lewis Hamilton fans is that he topped the time sheets in second practice for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The bad news is that ominous engine problems cut short his session with half an hour remaining.

So, it will be mixed emotions for the British Mercedes driver this afternoon as he contemplates yet more reliability issues, and what it might mean for him in qualifying tomorrow.

He would, of course, rather have problems today than in qualifying or the race, and he can take comfort in his pace, which was set on the harder, slower, tyre.

Nico Rosberg, who later went onto the medium tyre was two tenths slower than his team-mate with Fernando Alonso third, around half a second slower, and the two Red Bulls of Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel in fourth and fifth.

Williams finally got a run, following their problems in P1 and Valtteri Bottas, taking back his car from Susie Wolff, who became the first female F1 driver in two decades, posting the sixth fastest time.

The two McLarens of Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen were seventh and eighth, with Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari and Jean-Eric Vergne in the Toro Rosso rounding off the top ten.

Qualifying tomorrow still looks like being a battle between the two Mercedes, however.

SWANSEA'S Park and Ride services are to get a facelift.

The existing service provides park and ride customers in Landore, Fabian Way and Fforestfach with parking and return bus travel for £2.50, for a group of up to six people per car.

But now under new plans, this is to be extended to include all-day, unlimited travel throughout much of Swansea for a total of £4 for the whole group.

Current park and ride services will also continue to operate as normal at the original price.

Currently, all-day Swansea Bay Rider tickets for an adult costs £4.70, with a child's ticket priced at £3.

A family ticket for up to five people comes in at £10.30 for the day.

A standard return from the city centre to Gorseinon can cost upwards of £5.

Councillor June Burtonshaw said: "Park and ride is already excellent value for money and easy to use.

"The additional offer by First Bus means that public transport users can get around the city easily and don't need to worry about extra fuel costs or finding somewhere to park their car."

The offer coincides with the increased tourism in and around Swansea throughout the summer months and aims to encourage more people to explore the city centre and surrounding area.

It is also thought likely it will provide easier access and boost attendances for those planning to watch the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) games being held in the city in August.

Justin Davies, managing director of First Cymru, said: "It's important that we support the Council in attracting as many people as we can to Swansea city centre.

"The new offer we have available means that for very little money a family can get the most out of what Swansea has to offer by using our local bus services."

The area covered by the service includes central Swansea, as well as Southgate, Three Crosses, Gorseinon, Ynysforgan and Llandarcy along with other locations within the Swansea Bay area.

A SWANSEA councillor and AM has renewed calls for a campaign to bring the Tour de France to Wales.

The world-famous cycling race starts in Leeds tomorrow, and there will be three days of racing in England before the event crosses the Channel back to its homeland.

The race attracts a global TV audience of millions, and now Lib-Dem Peter Black, the party's shadow minister for culture and sport, has called for a major push to bring the opening of the race — known as the grand depart — to Wales.

He said: "Cycling has grown from strength to strength over the past few years, boosted by double British success in the Tour de France and homegrown talent like Nicole Cooke and Geraint Thomas.

"From the Millennium Stadium playing host to Rugby World Cup games to golf's Ryder Cup visiting Newport, Wales has shown its ability to put on successful world-class sporting events.

"Hosting the Tour de France would once again put Wales on the world stage, bringing tourists to our nation and boosting revenues, particularly for independent businesses.

"According to estimates, the Welsh economy could benefit by up to £115 million if this were to happen."

He added: "Our mountains and hills and our beautiful scenery make Wales a challenging and spectacular backdrop for the world's top cyclists to visit."

Last month Monmouthshire hosted the UK National Road Race Championships.

WHEN the runners pull on their daps for the Swansea Half Marathon later this month, one runner will have overcome more than most to take up his place at the start line.

In November 2012 Jeremy Haynes from Sketty was hit by a stroke, meaning even going for a short walk was a struggle.

But the 46-year-old was determined to get back to the sport he loved — running.

And through hours in the gym, sheer determination and the help and support of family and friends he got back on the road.

In March this year he completed the Llanelli half marathon — coming home in a time of two hours and 18 minutes — and is now setting his sights on the inaugural race in his hometown.

Mr Haynes said: "I was determined to get back to running, and gradually built myself back up.

"I have had a lot of support from my family and from running friends, and everyone at the LC leisure centre running club.

"The first time I got back to running after the stroke I ran a mile — and that one mile was more difficult than doing a half marathon.

"It has been a long, hard slog — not just building up my muscles again but dealing with the emotional side of the stoke — but being a runner has helped me to focus on my goals."

He added: "I am really looking forward to the Swansea Half Marathon, and I hope I can do Swansea proud.

"My message to other people is, never give up."

Some 2,000 people are due to take part in the JCP Solicitors Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday, July 20.

THE name has caused a few eyebrows to be raised over the years, and a call to Evening Post readers to help find a new one for Salubrious Place has seen some memorable alternatives.

The restaurant and leisure site at the bottom end of Wind Street is on the way to getting a new name to mark its forthcoming facelift.

Dozens of suggestions have come in from readers who wanted the city centre district to reflect different aspects of Swansea's past and some of its well-known citizens.

Phil Morris of EJ Hales, advisers to owners Mansford, said: "We're really pleased with the range of names local people have put forward which capture different aspects of the city's heritage."

Dylan Thomas featured among the proposals, with names such as Dylan's Dell, Dylan's Yard and the Dylan District put forward.

One reader felt it should be named Paradise Passage after the fictitious name the Swansea-born writer gave the nearby Salubrious Passage in his story, The Followers.

There was also an interest in giving the precinct a link to the city's seafaring traditions through names like The Captain's Quarter or Cape Horner Court, or tying it to Swansea's metal-making heritage with titles like Coppergate, the Copper Works or Copperopolis. One respondent proposed the quarter should be named after popular Swansea singer and funnyman, Harry Secombe, while others felt the new title should commemorate the former Victoria Railway Station, which once stood nearby, or evoke the memory of Benjamin French, the businessman who came up with the idea for the world's first passenger railway service, on the Swansea and Mumbles line.

There was also a call for the new name to recognise the Victorian builder William Rayner, who was responsible for the old Swansea Museum and the old post office in Wind Street.

The City Gates and Regency Lane have been mooted too.

The site, built around seven years ago, includes a hotel, cinema complex, night club, car park and big name restaurants.

The owners, Mansford, who bought the property earlier this year, plan to invest in a makeover that will create a more continental style environment with new outside lighting, pavement restaurants and street furniture.

Mr Morris added: "We're keen to see a few more suggestions."

He urged Evening Post readers to keep sending in suggestions until the closing date of July 9. The first 100 will be entered into a prize draw and if one of the submitted names is chosen, the proposer will win a weekend away.

Email suggestions to salubriousplace@ workingword.co.uk

YOBBISH youths have been caught urinating on children's play equipment in a Gorseinon park.

Community leaders have told of their shock when they spotted the youngsters abusing the facilities in Parc y Werin.

Now action is being promised to prevent any repeat.

Councillor Andrew Thomas told a meeting of Gorseinon Town Council, he had never seen such problems.

Mr Thomas said: "I went to have some air when I could see a few youngsters. A lot of them were urinating on a slide.

"I have never seen anything like it before in my time living on the street. It was disgusting.''

Clerk John Millard told the meeting held at The Institute in Lime Street the issue issue was now being flagged up with the authorities in an attempt to prevent it from happening again.

"The issues have been raised with the PCSOs," he added. Mr Thomas said he would continue to raise any concerns with the police.

He added: "I am going to phone every time anything happens.

''The police did respond and sent two vehicles out.

"They phoned me at 11.40am and they took a lot of alcohol off the youngsters. They should be banned from going into the parks."

Mr Millard said officers in the area were keeping a close eye on the parks.

"It's been reported to the police and they have dealt with it promptly and the PCSOs are monitoring the park," he said. Councillor Malcolm Curtice, also at the meeting, raised concerns that there were further problems at other town parks.

He added: "I went to Parc Melin Mynach and there was a big party there, there was a bonfire, cans everywhere and Asda trolleys there. I am looking for volunteers to clear some cans with me."

He added: "Argyll Gardens is disgusting, there is a tree there, I wouldn't call it a sapling, snapped in half.''

He also said the flowers on display in the park were not up to scratch.

PLANS to rebuild a Welsh language primary school have taken a step forward after the Welsh Government gave the scheme the green light.

Cardiff Bay has formally approved the business case for demolishing Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Lon Las.

Swansea Council has said it hopes to submit a planning application for the Walters Road project in the Autumn.

Lon Las takes pupils from a wide area of Swansea stretching from St Thomas to Trallwn, Llansamlet, Morriston and Ynystawe.

Will Evans, the council's cabinet member for learning and skills, said creating a new school at Lon Las was a high priority for the local authority.

He said: "The current buildings are old, in poor condition and are unsuitable for the age range of pupils being educated there. Consequently they are also increasingly expensive to maintain.

"By contrast significant investment into the proposed new school would provide high quality teaching and learning facilities necessary to meet the expectations of pupils and staff in a 21st Century school.

"As well as giving the community a new school we will also seek to ensure that the building contractors use local suppliers, employ local workers and offer work experience to unemployed young people."

The project will be co-funded by the Welsh Government and Swansea Council — though no price tag has yet been put on the scheme — and, subject to planning permission, demolition work on the site could start in the autumn of 2015.

Lon Las is the most recent school to be included in the council's Quality in Education (QEd) programme.

In recent months work has started on the new Burlais Primary School in Cwmbwrla Park — replacing old sites in Manselton and Cwmbwrla — while work is about to start on the new Gowerton Primary.

Much of the council's contribution to QEd is coming from land sales.

ONE Swansea man and his dog have helped to raise more than £1.5million for a national charity — and it has led to a pooch with a very special name.

Dave Kent and golden retriever-cross-Labrador Quince are the stars of a prime-time Guide Dogs UK television advert urging viewers to sponsor a puppy.

And as a thank you to Mr Kent for the success of the campaign, the charity gave him the chance to pick the name of a new guide dog — and he went for Mumbles.

Mr Kent now lives and works in London, though his family still live in the Mayhill area of Swansea.

He said: "I thought it would be quite easy to pronounce, as the puppy could end up working anywhere in the UK.

"I was tempted to choose Liberty as I'm a big Swansea City fan and listen to every game."

As a youngster, Mr Kent went to Ysgol Penybont in Bridgend — known locally as the blind school — before going on to pursue a career in acting and music.

He has since played alongside stars such as Julie Walters and Richard Briers, and his screen credits include ITV's The Unknown Soldier.

Guide dogs have been part of Mr Kent's life since 1979 when he was paired with Elma, a chocolate Labrador.

He volunteered with Guide Dogs for more than 20 years before becoming the charity's engagement officer for London in 2010.

In that role he campaigns for the rights of blind and partially sighted people in the capital.

He said: "I speak up for clients who are facing the terror and apprehension of sight loss, and help to make theirs a better world."

Quince, who starred in the famous Sponsor a Puppy TV advert, is now enjoying a well-earned retirement as Mr Kent trains with his new pooch, Arthur.

And Mr Kent said he was keen to introduce his new four-legged companion to his family back home.

Mr Kent said: "Arthur a golden retriever and, like Quince, another gentle giant.

"I'm looking forward to bringing him down to Swansea."

A SEASIDE festival which aims to improve community spirit, will be held for the 15th year running tomorrow.

Aberavon Beach Festival has grown from year to year, and this year will also include a talent show for the first time.

Captain Beany will also don his superhero gear for a sponsored event.

Liz Haines-Williams, of NSA (New Sandfields Aberavon) said the event was one of its Communities First initiatives, adding: "The main aim is to improve community spirit.

"Thanks to our volunteers and sponsors the festival gets bigger every year.

"It started with one caravan and is now one of the largest free entry events in South West Wales.

"Our grateful thanks to all our sponsors for making the event such a wonderful opportunity available to all."

The festival has an exhibitions marquee where around 50 organisations will promote the services and activities they offer.

The craft marquee showcases a wide range of locally made items. The main event sponsors this year are Pizza Hut Port Talbot.

Nation Hits Radio will host a Port Talbot's Top Talent competition, which will be held throughout the day and see the winner given a prize of a professional recording session.

There will also be military displays, vintage car display, zorbing, fairground rides and food stands.

The event runs from 10am to 4pm.

FOR one day and one day only, Aled Davies will be taking a well-deserved break from sporting action early next month. But there will still be a familiar ring to the events on the occasion in question.

He will be at Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park for the National Eisteddfod when the Gorsedd will honour him for his contribution to the Welsh nation.

It will be another reminder of the determination and skill he has shown in bucketloads after fate refused to be kind to him. The 23-year-old was born with two disabling conditions in his right leg, which severely limited his movement. He had bones missing, no muscle growth or ligaments and a foot which was fixed at birth.

Many, perhaps, might have thought sport and themselves were not meant to be. Not Aled, though.

"I remember watching the 2004 Olympic and Paralympic games, turning to my parents and telling them that one day I would like to be on the podium receiving a gold medal," he says.

He must have known something for his bulging roll of honours includes the IPC world championship in the discus and the IWAS junior world championship in discus and shot putt. And then there was London 2012 and gold in the shot in the Paralympic Games. They all helped him to be made an MBE for services to sport, but there is no resting place and in Glasgow he will captain Wales in the Commonwealth Games from July 23 and will follow it up as an ambassador and participant for the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea from August 18.

That all seems a far cry from the childhood days when competing in sport was tough.

"Growing up, I have always been involved in sport from rugby to swimming, always competing alongside able bodied athletes," says Aled.

"I had always felt that I had some disadvantage. This all changed in 2005 when I was approached by the Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) who asked me to join a local disability swimming club.

"A whole new world of sport was opened to me where I wasn't always in last place but to be a constant contender for medals."

That autumn he was invited to Cardiff to try out athletics with a group of elite paralympians, and where he was introduced to his current training partner Nathan Stephens.

"This was also the first time I picked up a discus and shot-putt where I instantly showed a natural talent," he recalls. "As 2006 was approaching I felt like I had reached the highest standard that I could have achieved and that if I was serious on becoming a world class athlete it was time to start using my head and do what I was good at. And as 2006 came around I focused 100 per cent on athletics."

It was a wise decision, as the honours board confirms. But that almost obsession to be the best that he can be has been a massive reason for his success.

Some of his memorable quotes over the years give a clue as to what he is all about. One chance is all you need, train like an animal, play like a beast and the secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes. Then there is: You and your opponent want the same thing. The only thing that matters is who works the hardest for it.

Now the dates are piling up, Glasgow, Llanelli and Swansea, with the latter exercising a lot of his attention.

He supports the Ospreys and Swansea City, so the university sports village will give Aled an opportunity to show the kind of elite athlete he is.

"It means a lot," he saysd. "It's in my back garden. It's only down the road. All my family are scattered around. It is going to be an awesome event. I know Swansea is going to put on a good show."

Aled says he is encouraged by the interest shown by sponsors and the public and is looking forward to healthy crowds and plenty of atmosphere.But he still sees the wider picture.

"When I am not winning any more, we need to find the next one," he adds.

"We need to keep a high percentage of Welsh athletes in the Great Britain team."

He knows the pressure is on after past performances like London 2012, but that does not bother him.

"Since London we have had a lot of exposure.

"I don't feel the pressure because I know what I am capable of. I want to keep pushing my body to see what I am capable of. I want to prove that I am an elite athlete. These are exciting times ahead!"

A SHED fire spread to a garage and garden decking in Crynant in the early hours of this morning.

Fire crews from Seven Sisters, Abercrave and Neath attended the blaze on Alderwood Close.

The last appliance left the scene at 3.39am, more than two hours after the alarm was raised.

THIS weekend the British Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone.

You can follow all the latest updates and pictures from the track via the live blog hosted by South Wales Evening Post F1 writer Paul Turner, below...

NEITHER Mercedes driver completed a timed lap in a wet P3 in the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg finished bottom of the time sheets, unusually.

They will of course be hoping to reverse that position in qualifying which gets underway at 1pm.

The skies over Silverstone looked dark as P3 was about to get underway and the track was wet.

Some went out on intermediate tyres, but most were on full wets soon after when a light rain began falling on an already damp track.

Red Bull found themselves back at the top of the time sheets, with Sebastian Vettel fastest and Daniel Ricciardo second.

But the times mattered little as the teams and drivers aimed to get a feel for their cars in the wet, without risking a collision with the barriers which might affect their qualifying.

Heavy rain is forecast for around qualifying so we could end up with a mixed up grid for tomorrow if, as often happens, some of the teams get caught out by the conditions.

Meanwhile, drivers have been warned by the FIA, the governing body of F1, that if any of them leave the track on the exit of turns 9 and 18 in qualifying without good reason, their time for that lap will be deleted.

Drivers have also been told that repeatedly leaving the track at turns 8 or 18 during the race tomorrow will earn them being reported to the stewards.

SWANSEA Council has joined a campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health issues at a time when council leader David Phillips has spoken about suffering from depression.

The authority is signing up to the Time to Change Wales pledge to help tackle the problem and get people talking about mental health.

The move comes after the council agreed a notice of motion at its meeting last week, which was then backed by cabinet.

Time to Change Wales is supported by leading mental health charities and supported by the Welsh Government and the Big Lottery fund.

Mr Phillips began his weekly column for the Post on Thursday as follows: "Mental illness. I have suffered from it (and likely will again). I will not be made ashamed to admit it."

He described mental illness as one of Britain's last taboos, and recounted how his father had suffered from depression but never acknowledged it.

"As a small child I remember him hiding away upstairs and everyone talking in hushed voices," he said.

"I knew he was suffering, and you overhear things, but no-one ever said what was wrong with him."

Speaking separately about the council's new pledge, he said: "Now we have agreed to join the campaign to tackle one of the last great stigmas of society  — mental health and mental illness.

"Our commitment to supporting Time for Change will not be a tick-box exercise.

"By agreeing to support Time to Change Wales, Swansea Council will be aiming to raise the profile of the issue within the council as an employer as well as across the city among the many thousands of people whose lives we touch every day.

"One in four of us suffers from a mental health problem at one point or another in our lives.

"Put another way, it's the same as saying that one member of every average family of four in our country has had to deal with mental health issues. And yet it seems it's an issue which people would rather sweep under the carpet than try to address it."

Mr Phillips had told fellow councillors at a meeting about the devastating impact of his father's illness.

He said: "From personal experience it was incredibly difficult."

He added: "Although things are better now, I know from my own mental health issues that still many years on the stigma's still there and in this day and age we need to challenge what I think is the last great taboo in our society."

To find out more, visit www.timetochangewales.org.uk