A DRUG dealer has been spared jail by a judge who praised his parents for alerting police about his activities.

Judge Peter Heywood told Johnathon Frovine that he was taking an exceptional course by not sending him to prison immediately, in part because of the love and support of his parents.

But he warned the 24-year-old to be ready for prison should he appear in the dock again.

Police had been tipped off about Frovine's activities by his parents, who were at the sentencing at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that officers had gone to the family's home in Penywern Road in Clydach in November 2013, where they came across Frovine heading downstairs with his left hand in his pocket.

In that pocket were 18 small bags of cannabis, 15 diazepam tablets, scales and an iPhone. Frovine told police that he used cannabis and sold it to his friends.

An analysis of his phone found one text to a friend saying that he could "lay on some charlie next Tuesday".

But the court also heard that the defendant had been working with drugs charity Sands Cymru to rid himself of his drug habit, was rebuilding his relationship with his family, and had a job.

Judge Heywood said it was a combination of these factors that persuaded him to impose an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, for the three drug offences to which Frovine had pleaded guilty,

He also placed the defendant under supervision for two years, and ordered him to pay £500 costs and complete a building skills recovery programme.

He said: "You are very, very fortunate to have the love and support of your parents."

Richard Youle /Richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk/ @YoulePost

Clydach

AN ART exhibition will start at a Neath beauty spot today.

Starting at 10am, Exhibition of Landmarks will be presented by local artist Martin Davies until January 19 at Victoria Gardens.

Rachel Moses-Lloyd/ rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

A NEW YEAR jumble and nearly new sale will be held at the end of the month in a Neath church.

Neath Methodist Church — known as the Pennybrick — on Stockham's Corner, will hold the event on January 31, from 10am, to fundraise. The church is in its centenary year. 

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

A COMMUTER attacked a teenager for burping at a train station.

Surveyor Peter Briggs, 35, lost his temper after the school boy belched loudly while waiting for a train.

He told the 14-year-old boy "that's disgusting" after the incident on the platform at Llandudno Junction railway station.

But magistrates in Llandudno, North Wales, heard Briggs saw red after the burping youngster laughed at him.

He grabbed him and banged his head against a metal post, causing a one centimetre cut which had to be glued shut.

Briggs, of Altrincham, Cheshire, admitted assault. He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay £200 compensation and £145 costs.

Alex Fitzgerald, defending, said Briggs lost his temper and he meant simply to shake the belching boy in July last year.

Court

Flash Info #Bony#Wilfried attaquant de l'équipe de #CIV vient de Signer avec @MCFC City ce Mercredi 14 Janvier 2015

— FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) January 14, 2015

Wilfried Bony has NOT yet completed his move to @MCFC. Once completed, we will confirm via official channels - not the Ivory Coast FA! #busy

— Swansea City FC (@SwansOfficial) January 14, 2015

Football-Bony avec le numéro 14 de @MCFC aux côtés du président de la FIF, Sidy Diallo, à Abu Dhabi pic.twitter.com/tYORT2Wkxq

— sport-ivoire.ci (@sport_ivoire1) January 14, 2015

The National Assembly for Wales is the fourth best place to work in the UK for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

The Workplace Equality Index, produced by equal rights organisation Stonewall, looks at a range of markers to measure how organisations support lesbian, gay and bisexual staff.

The Assembly has been ranked as No 4 in the top 100 UK employers and, for the second year running, the Assembly is also the top Welsh Public Sector Employer.

"I was shocked to read media reports last week about whether being lesbian, gay or bisexual was a barrier to entering the Assembly as a politician," said Presiding Officer, Dame Rosemary Butler AM.

"The Assembly has an excellent record on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights.

"The fact that we have been named the fourth best place to work in the UK for LGB staff confirms that is the case.

"We have the National Assembly for Wales staff network which offers support to our LGBT staff and which is also available to Assembly Members and their support staff.  The Assembly also campaigns internally and externally against any forms of homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying.

"I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all those involved in our LGBT staff network, and the Equalities team in particular, for their work in ensuring that we continue to build on our commitment in this area."

Sandy Mewies AM, Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues, added: "This pours cold water over some of the claims made in media reports last week.

"Those reports demonstrate that we all have to continue to work towards eradicating any form of discrimination in the workplace and wider community, and the Assembly continues in its commitment to that.

"But the fact that Stonewalll has given the Assembly such a high ranking in its Workplace Equality Index demonstrates that Wales's parliament is a leader in this field."

In the past year, the National Assembly has undertaken the following work to make the Assembly a more gay-friendly place to work:

• We have taken our Outreach bus to Pride Cymru and Swansea Pride to engage with the LGBT community and to encourage democratic engagement;
• We have used social media to promote LGBT equality and to show our commitment to LGBT History Month and International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia;
• We have an LGBT Allies scheme where non-LGBT staff can show their commitment and support to LGBT equality;
• We promote LGBT equality internally, through our inclusive staff policies, LGBT-specific training and awareness-raising;
• We have a senior LGBT champion and a number of senior Allies who promote LGBT equality internally and externally.

Andrew White, Director of Stonewall Cymru, said: "The Workplace Equality Index is designed to challenge and stretch employers and this year we made it tougher than ever by asking for evidence of the impact employers were having on staff.  We received more submissions from Wales than ever and, once more, Wales has a great showing in the top 100.

"Our vision is of a Wales where lesbian, gay and bisexual people can realise every ounce of their potential.  We are very proud of the employers, including the National Assembly for Wales, featured in this list.  They are helping make that vision a reality."

IT was sometime back in the 1990s that Chris Wells was introduced to roller hockey.

"I started playing in the street, with my brothers and my cousin," says the 32-year-old.

"At the time there were a few teams in the area. There was the Treboeth All-stars, there was a team in Pontlliw, in Neath. They were everywhere.

"But as people started getting older, some of them started to disappear."

If the player numbers aren't what they were, the passion is no less diminished.

Chris' club, the Swansea Cobras, are

now Swansea's only roller hockey team in a region where there used to be a league dedicated to the sport, and made up of more than ten teams.

"Swansea Cobras is now made up from players from all the teams from that league, as players have drifted off," he says.

"We now have players not only from Swansea, but also Port Talbot and Bridgend."

Last year, the club staged a roller disco at Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre where they train, to raise money for Sport Relief.

And the success of that event, with the crowds of young people who turned out to attend, made them realise there was still an appetite for the sport — and the realisation that getting youngsters involved was the way forward to preserve the club's future.

Chris, who works for Swansea Council's recycling department, said: "And as well as raising as much for Sport Relief, we were hoping to encourage more people to get their skates on.

"We have wanted to get kids involved in the sport for some time, because if we don't act on this now, the sport in South Wales will die out.

"Kids are the future of our sport. Once they have their first session they will fall in love with the sport the same as I did, twenty-one years ago.

"I'm now 32 and I love the sport as much as I did when I first started.

"Having 21 year of experience in the sport, between roller hockey and ice hockey, you learn so much from the sport such as teamwork, hard work and dedication and, you are always learning new things and looking to improve your game."

Swansea Cobras are members of the British Inline Puck Hockey Association, and train at Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre on Monday night, between 8pm and 9.30pm, and play their games at both Eddw Vale and Penyrheol Leisure Centres.

Chris said: "We to get as many kids involved in the sport as possible.

"This is not a simple task as roller hockey is not as mainstream as football or rugby. But it is excellent for keeping fit, and it is exciting.

"We are looking for kids of all ages as we want to reach out to children of all ages to get them involved in the sport.

"We want them to come along, and give it a go, and hopefully enjoy themselves.

The team currently has a handful of young players itching to take part in the sport, including Chris' step-son Callum Nedin. The youngster plays football for St Joseph's, and Swansea School Boys, but is waiting for enough youngsters to join him in a regular team.

"There are a few others too, but we need more. There is another team in Llanelli, the Llanelli Phoenix, and one of our boys is training with them, but we want to get enough young people playing so that we can run our own team," said Chris.

For a physical game, protective hockey kit is essential, but even that needn't put off potential youngsters.

"They won't necessarily need hockey kit as we're looking at all avenues to get funding, although it would be an advantage for those who do have some form of kit.

"We're grateful to the likes of Dom Browne fitness, Richard Bowen Carpentry and AA Abbey Roofing for sponsoring the senior teams kit this year, as kit can be expensive. But we're also looking for funding and sponsors to enable us to purchase kit so kids from all backgrounds of life can give the sport a go."

The team is hoping to put on a trial session at Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre if enough youngsters are interested, and are also offering to visit schools across Swansea to provide taster sessions, and inviting them to get in touch.

Swansea Cobras is open to both men and women. And anyone wanting to get in touch can contact them via Facebook, at Swansea Cobras Roller Hockey, or by emailing swanseacobrasinlinehockey@gmail.com

Nino Williams /nino.williams@swwmedia.co.uk/ @ninominoli

A MUM who was helped to take her children on a final trip together to Disneyland in Paris at Christmas has sadly died.

Brave Jade Harris, who was 23 and lived in Pontardawe, was surrounded by her loving family when she died on Monday.

Generous donations helped Jade take her two children Amelia, four, and Iestyn, three, to Disneyland - what has proved to be their final holiday as a family.

After being diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2013 she had been given the all clear.

But the cancer returned in her lungs and bones last May and this time she could not defeat the disease.

Kath Lewis, her mother-in-law, who runs K Teas in Swiss Valley, had organised several fundraisers for the Disneyland trip.

She said she would "never forget Jade".

Jade was described as an 'amazing person' by her aunt Angharad Davies, who lives in Hendy.

She said: "Heaven gained another angel taken from our family.

"Jade Alison Harris, we all love you and are so proud of you.

"You didn't give up the fight.

"You gave us two wonderful children, that every one of us will always make sure they know how much you loved them and what a fantastic mother they had. We all have many stories to tell them and we will keep telling them,

"Rest in peace darling you are forever in our hearts."

A GRITTER lorry overturned on the B4299 between Trelech and Bryn Iwan as it was out gritting last night.

The incident happened just before 8pm last night and was said by Carmarthenshire Council to be due to difficult driving conditions.

Both men onboard were unhurt and no other vehicles were involved.

The road remains closed whilst recovery work is underway, and it is expected to be re-opened by lunchtime today.

Carmarthenshire Council's executive board member responsible for technical services, Councillor Colin Evans, said: "Thankfully no-one was hurt in this incident. I would like to thank our crews for their work. They are out in difficult weather conditions at all hours and are doing a great job in keeping the county moving.

"This incident will not have an effect on any future gritting as we have reserve vehicles.

"Gritters will remain on primary routes until conditions are judged to be safe. They will then divert to secondary routes on higher ground, although conditions are expected to improve rapidly as the morning progresses."

There are currently no other road closures in the county and all roads are said to be passable with care.

Strong winds and rain are forecast for tomorrow morning.

Ten council crews will be on stand-by overnight to attend any incidents such as flooding.

Weather

A RUGBY club is set to hold a public meeting tonight, to get the community involved in plans to build new "fit for purpose" changing rooms and showers — and secure the future of sport in the village.

The current facilities for Cwmgwrach RFC include changing rooms and showers, which have been described as unfit for purpose and inconvenient by organisers of the meeting.

But now the public will get their chance to have a say on plans to build new facilities, with a public consultation launching at Cwmgwrach Welfare Memorial Hall from 6pm tonight.

Chairman, Cliff Davies, said the current facilities are under the ownership of the community council - and were built in 1937.

"They are way past their fit for use date," he said.

"We have received planning consent for new showers on a plot of land behind our clubhouse, which will be up to WRU standards and fit for purpose.

"The major concern is that within a couple of years, we won't have any sporting activity within the community, if we don't have a fit for purpose facility, that's the most important thing."

The funding is set to come from a section 106 agreement as part of the Selar Opencast site extension, and though the club members — of which there are 150 — have agreed the plans, Mr Davies said it was important for the wider community to also be involved.

"It's only fair that the villagers are able to air their views about it," he said.

"Hopefully it will have a positive reaction."

He said a number of sites for the new building were looked at, before the club settled on using the land nearest to the clubhouse as the location for new facilities.

The club is getting help from Neath Port Talbot Council's education, leisure and lifelong learning department project development and funding officers to get the project moving.

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac has revealed the reasons behind the change in his back-room team with Stephen Jones set to replace former team-mate Mark Jones as the New Zealander's assistant for next season.

The West Wales region this week announced that their leading points scorer is to return to Llanelli from Aviva Premiership side Wasps to take up the position of backs coach that is being vacated by his former captain.

And Pivac has said that discussions have been ongoing between the parties for a while.

"It is a timing thing," said Pivac. "It is about looking at what we are doing and what is best for everyone. It was a discussion that we had around Mark's involvement over the last four or five years and where we were heading and how many years does one person stay in one place.

"For Mark it is about a new challenge going forward and my understanding is it is not a matter of where does he go rather than which opportunity does he take. There are a few things that he is currently looking at and I am sure an announcement will be made in the next few weeks about where he is going.

"We have been discussing the pros and cons of the coaching mix for some time and Mark and I had a chat about that some time ago.

"The decision was made that we would make a change."

Pivac revealed there had been no temptation to bring in an overseas coach to assist him and believes that former British Lions fly-half Jones will be the perfect fit for the region.

"I have obviously met with Stephen and had a few conversations around what he wants to achieve in the game and what we are trying to achieve here," he added.

"If you look at what Stephen is doing with Wasps he is doing a very good job and I am in no doubt talking to him and going through the way he coaches and what we are trying to achieve with the team. I think it is going to be a very good fit.

"In terms of who comes in, we go through a process looking at who is within the current system at the Scarlets and the three Premiership clubs and then we look at Scarlets people who are about coaching.

"Stephen is one of those and a very prominent person. I have seen Stephen play many times for Wales and he was a good general, a guy who runs the game and anybody who plays a hundred Tests is a fine player in any country.

"He has also been a great kicker and we will utilise those skills as a kicking coach as well as a backline coach. He was also a very good professional and a guy who took his training very seriously and I think that is going to be of use to us as well.

"There had been discussions about whether I bring in a New Zealander, but no; in a place like Fiji, when I went there, four new people came in and yes you take people with you.

"But in a place like Wales, which is a top-level nation with a lot of good players and coaches it is a matter of looking from within first.

"Certainly, I didn't come in with an idea of changing a full management team or bringing in two or three people.

"It was a case of coming in, assessing what we have got here and looking at what is available when positions needed to be filled."

Meanwhile, the Scarlets travel to the East Midlands ahead of tomorrow's European Champions Cup tie against Leicester having been rocked by a series of injury setbacks.

Wales international Liam Williams (shoulder), lock Joe Snyman (shoulder), wing Michael Tagicakibau (hamstring) and scrum-half Gareth Davies (knee) have been added to the casualty list, while young backs Steffan Evans and Steffan Hughes are facing lengthy lay-offs.

Full-back Evans is out for 12 weeks with a hamstring tear, while former Wales Under-20s skipper Hughes could be sidelined for up to a year after sustaining a serious knee injury playing for Llanelli RFC in the Swalec Cup last weekend.

Jordan Williams is set to step in at full-back, while Harry Robinson, James Davies and Rory Pitman return to bolster the squad.

ASHLEY Williams has challenged Swansea City to keep on pushing until the last day of the season after setting the top-10 as the target for Garry Monk's team.

Swansea sit ninth in the Premier League with 30 points on the board already after just 21 games of their top-flight campaign.

But club skipper Williams is determined to ensure Swansea keep their foot on the pedal right through until May.

"It has to be a realistic aim to finish in the top 10 with the squad we have got and how the season has gone," Williams said.

"We want to go as high as we can go and we do not want to slip into the middle pack — that would a real disappointment.

"We have to keep it going and try to catch the teams immediately above us.

"We are not looking at points just yet, we are worrying about our form and performances.

"It has been pretty good and we have picked up points from performances that have not been typical of what people expect of Swansea.

"We have not passed very well, but we have got the results and we will take that all day. On the whole it has been a very good first part of the season."

Swansea, whose previous highest Premier League finish is ninth, have not been out of the top half all season.

Thy have lost only once in their last six matches, but face title favourites Chelsea next.

Monk's men gave the Blues a scare at Stamford Bridge in September when they took the lead during an encouraging first-half display, but were eventually beaten 4-2.

"We know it is going to be a difficult game as it always is against the top teams," Williams added.

"But I thought we played really well against them up there, especially in the first half, and we can take hope from that.

"We will go into the game with confidence and try to attack it."

Diego Costa inspired Chelsea when Swansea went to West London, netting three goals in 22 minutes as Monk's team were blown away despite their promising start.

And Williams concedes Swansea must look to deal with the Premier League's 15-goal top scorer better this time around if they are to get a result.

"He's a good player, obviously a different threat to Andy Carroll last week, but just as dangerous," the centre-back said.

"He is a player we will need to keep an eye on and hopefully this time we can shut him out."

THERE was a battle of the big two this week in the Premier division of the Swansea & District Table Tennis League.

And it resulted in a win for the leaders, with Penlan A beating Betws Rugby Club A 25-17, their first defeat of the season.

Cath Jones battled hard to win 9-4 for Betws.

Penlan D moved to within a point of second place by beating Penlan B 26-11 with Dean Cundy winning 9-0 and Josh Morgan 9-2.

Carmarthen A kept up the pressure on the top three with an easy 28-6 victory over Tata Port Talbot A with Jason Peckham winning 9-0 and David Lloyd 9-1.

Penyrheol A enjoyed a 22-14 victory over Carmarthen B thanks to Dennis Bromage winning 9-1.

Cam Gears A defeated Penlan E 20-16 with Ceri Higgon winning 9-1. Penlan C moved out of the relegation places with a 25-11 victory over bottom side Cam Gears B. Kevin Gertsen won 9-1.

Division one saw Penlan J narrowly beat Betws Rugby Club B 21-20, Jamie Hill winning 9-4 before teaming up with Andrew Coughlan to win the doubles 3-1 to cement victory.

Penlan F beat Penlan G 24-18 with Bradley Abraham winning 9-4.

Cam Gears C secured a 23-16 victory over Tata Port Talbot B, Graham Butler winning 8-4.

In division two, Penlan M beat a weakened Penlan P 19-16 thanks to Scott Holmes winning 9-1.

Penlan K secured an exciting 25-18 victory over Penlan L with John Davies winning 9-2.

The draw for the third round of the Tudor Jones Cup sees Betws Rugby Club B take on Llanelli, with Manselton Community Centre playing Penlan G, Cam Gears C facing Carmarthen E and Penlan N meeting Penlan F.

Meanwhile, the dates for the Swansea Closed Championships have been set for March 27-28.

MORRISTON A remain top of division one of the West Wales Chess League with a 3.5-1.5 win over their B side.

Peter Bevan, Richard Cleveland and Fei Gao won their games. Bevan sacrificed his queen to net a piece against Ian Eustis, while Richard wore down Paul Scott on board three.

Fei Gao beat Albert Easton in a rook ending. On board two, the game swung both ways, with Ian Jones clearly better early on before a draw was agreed.

Chris Howells was winning his game until blundering badly to lose.

White Knights A remained in touch with a 5-0 whitewash over their C team, Gerry Heap, Alan Young, Adam May, Keith Downey and David Guy all winning.

White Knights B stayed third with a 4-1 win over bottom side Port Talbot.

David Guy and James Evans defeated Andrew DiVetta and Wayne James, while David Buttell and Keith Downey drew with Keith Thompson and Roger Jenkins.

CN Emperors moved to fourth after a 3-2 win over BF Brunel.

Hywel Griffiths and Steve Smith won their games against Damon Davies and Andrew Trickey.

Griffiths sacrificed to bust open up his opponent's defences, while Smith won his game in a rook and pawn v rook ending.

Robert Wood defeated Michael Beck, with Wayne Prescott drawing with Peter George on bottom board.

In division two, Morriston D beat White Knights E 4-1.

Albert Easton, Tony Goodchild, Dave Conway and John Ward all won, but Mike Richards stopped the whitewash with an excellent win on top board against Les Philpin.

UK Harriers beat UK Hawks 3-2. Bill Flew, Nick Hale and Janet Evans beat Greg Goold, June Evans and Norman Speak. Alan Bean and Sam Walters replied with wins over Paul Meara and Ian Dyer.

Woodman A moved second thanks to a 3.5-1.5 win over their B side.

Peter Smith, Ken Huntley and Gary Harber defeated Paul Bevan, Derek Bellamy and John Porter. Vaughan Thomas drew with Alan Rosser, while Mike Osborn beat Clive Gosling on bottom board.

BF Giants beat CN Tribunes 3.5-1.5.

Peter George, Colin Chambers and Jonathan Davies all won on the bottom boards against Dennis Thomas, Allyson James and Gareth Daniels.

John Davies drew on top board with Robert Wood, with Aled Jenkins winning impressively against David Merryweather.

This year's New Year Congress took place in the Heronston Hotel in Bridgend.

In the Open section, Alan Young and Adam May both scored 3.5/5, and David Buttell 1.5/5.

In the Minor event, Guto Neave scored 2.5/5.

A FUNDRAISER, who spent a night sleeping on the streets of Neath, has raised more than £1,200 for charity.

But more importantly, councillor Steve Hunt, of Seven Sisters, said his unusual charity feat has also helped to raise awareness of charities across the area.

Mr Hunt was raising funds for Shelter Cymru by spending the night sleeping at Neath's Victoria Gardens, after the town had celebrated the switch on of its Christmas lights.

Speaking after announcing the final total, he said: "I didn't get to sleep until 4.10am.

"The alarm bells on the church go off every quarter of an hour, then the street alarms went off because it was cold, and then there was a little bird tweeting at me, which was quite funny."

He added that the community kindness not only came from people's donations —  but he was also brought a cup of tea by Tara Finnegan, Miss UK Dreams Wales, first thing in the morning.

"She had to kick me to check I was ok," said Mr Hunt.

"The money we raised it brilliant, but it's also raised awareness as well of other causes and charities.

"We have dropped off donations to Catch in Ystalyfera, to Women's Aid in Port Talbot and to the rough sleepers in Swansea.

"I donated some of my own coats, and Pauline from the Rock and Fountain (Aberdulais) did some fundraising, and bought food to take to Mission Hope for the homeless."

A NEW social enterprise designed to support charities and voluntary groups across Carmarthenshire has been launched.

Called Ynghyd — together in Welsh — the venture is aimed at proving marketing and business help for groups in the voluntary sector, as well as providing networking opportunities.

Speaking at the official launch in Llanelli's Llanelly House, MP Nia Griffith said: "Ynghyd is based upon the premise that every person has something to offer and every person can contribute."

Among the projects Ynghyd is already involved in is working with Llanelli Railway Goods Sheds Trust to find a community use for the historic buildings.

SWANSEA West AM Julie James is to host a grand comedy fundraiser in aid of the White Ribbon Campaign which works to combat domestic abuse against women and men.

The White Ribbon comedy night will be compered by Swansea's Kevin Johns and will be headlined by Spanish export Ignacio Lopez. They will be supported by Wales' Mr D and London's Katie Field.

The fundraiser event has been supported by figures such as the First Minister Carwyn Jones, Derek Vaughan MEP, local AMs, MPs, civic leaders and various local organisations.

The Evening Post is also an official supporter along with The Wave radio station, Sidoli's Ice Cream, Marks & Spencer and First Great Western.

The White Ribbon Campaign has long worked to combat domestic abuse against women and men through large scale awareness drives and direct support for victims.

It has mostly focussed on domestic abuse against women which is by far the most common form of abuse. Research by Women's Aid has shown that ever minute a domestic abuse case is reported to the police and every week at least two women are killed by their own partners. Ms James said: "We have come a huge way in combatting and raising awareness of domestic abuse, and organisations like White Ribbon deserve all the support we can give them.

"I'm proud to host this comedy fundraiser dinner to help build White Ribbons war chest and push their clear message that just one case of domestic abuse is one too many."

It will take place on January 31 from 7.30pm at the Liberty Stadium and tickets cost £15 a head.

For tickets and information email Sandra.richards@wales.gov.uk

A GUST of 81mph was recorded at Mumbles head overnight as Swansea Bay and the rest of south west Wales were ravaged by strong winds.

The gust was recorded at around 11pm last night as houses shook with the ferocity of the storm.

It followed a gradual build in the strength of the wind through the afternoon and evening.

Further gusts of 71mph and 77mph were also recorded, and while the winds might have eased a little this morning, they will be battering us again by lunchtime, with gusts of 56mph predicted in the afternoon, and a wet day all day.

It has been a busy night for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters attended a three and a hour flooding incident at Ystradgynlais.

A crew from Abercrave was called to College Row at 9.27pm after floodwater caused problems in front of a house.

"Welsh Water attended and used a pressure washer cleaning system," said a Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman.

"We used a light portable pump."

The all-clear after the was given at 12.59am.

A fire crew were also called to Swansea's Wind's Street to remove a for sale sign which was threatening to blow off a building.

Officers were called there at 12.05am to make the building safe.

"A for sale sign was precariously attached to the building due to the weather conditions," said the spokeswoman.

Firefighters used a ladder to remove the sign by 12.17am.

Shortly before, crews from Llandeilo were dealing with flooding in the Llansawel area.

Other incidents through the night have included:

Fallen trees blocking and closing the A470 between Erwood and Builth Wells.

Flooding in Brecon.

Several unsafe structures in Brecon.

Flooding in Ystradgynlais.

Flooding on Pumpsaint.

A road traffic collision at Pont Abraham.

A chimney fire in Capel Dewi.

Once today is over, according to the Met Office forecast, we can expect calmer conditions with a mixture of some rain, cloud and sunshine up to an including Monday.

If you have any great pictures of the weather last night - please email them to paul.turner@swwmedia.co.uk

Paul Turner /paul.turner@swwmedia.co.uk/ @readmybook

Weather

SCARLETS head coach Wayne Pivac has urged his side to "dig deep" and defy a crippling injury list when they take on Leicester Tigers at Welford Road tomorrow evening.

A bruising festive and new year period has taken its toll on the West Wales region with influential Wales full-back Liam Williams, lock Joe Snyman, scrum-half Gareth Davies and wing Michael Tagicakibau added to a casualty roster than already includes Wales tight-head prop Samson Lee, skipper Ken Owens and four other front-row players.

Williams is expected to overcome his shoulder injury to face European champions Toulon at Parc y Scarlets a week on Saturday, while Lee's neck issue isn't thought serious enough to prevent him from turning out for Wales in the Six Nations opener against England next month.

Lee saw a specialist in London yesterday over a nerve problem that is causing concern, but Pivac insisted the 22-year-old will be fit for Test duty.

With scrum-half Davies — who is only just back from a 12-week lay-off with a knee injury — having taken a bang on his knee in last weekend's Pro12 defeat to Glasgow, the Scarlets will travel to the East Midlands missing some of their most potent weapons.

But Pivac has urged his side to use those setbacks as motivation to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive.

"It is a pretty extensive injury toll, but there is not a lot we can do about that," he said.

"We have spoken this week about the gutsy performance we put in against Leicester in October. We were in disarray in that match with four guys going off before the 27-minute mark.

"We rallied the troops then, dug deep and came away with a great result and it is going to be something similar required again.

"We have also talked about the performance out in Toulon and that is the sort of effort we are going to need for what is a big game.

"There is a lot riding on it."