Author: Rhys Gregory

Taff Ely Foodbank has scooped a massive £20,000 award from insurance provider Aviva, thanks to the help of Caerphilly-headquartered Thomas Carroll Group. Thomas Carroll has supported various Foodbanks for many years, helping raise funds as well as collecting donated goods and food for those in need. This year, as part of that ongoing support, Thomas Carroll Group applied for the Aviva Broker Community Fund Award on behalf of Taff Ely Food Bank. Aviva’s Community Fund invites insurance brokers from around the UK to apply for a financial grant to help a cause that will benefit the local community, with climate action…

Inspiring Skills Wales, a leading organisation dedicated to raising the standards of skills in Wales for now and for future generations, is pleased to announce the appointment of a dedicated officer to spearhead a ‘Net Zero Skills project’—an initiative focused on showcasing net zero skills within Further Education across Wales. The initiative, funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Coleg Sir Gar, forms part of the Inspiring Skills Wales project, secured by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations. This appointment falls during Wales Climate Week 2023, a pivotal event dedicated to the exploration of…

A bakery pioneer said that being presented with his MBE at Buckingham Palace was the “biggest honour” of his life. Alan Jones, 80, a founder of the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery, was being recognised for his contribution to the food industry and the economy of Wales. The medal was presented in the ornate Throne Room by Princess Anne and Mr Jones was accompanied by his wife, Wendy, sister Susan and son Robin, who is the company’s managing director. He also has two other sons, Christien, the bakery’s projects director, and Tim, who has a successful career in the property industry.…

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming UK tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, which will visit Wales Millennium Centre from 22-27 January 2024. The touring production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong reunites returning Mischief cast members with some courageous new recruits. Jake Burgum (Venus in Furs, Hound of the Baskervilles) will be playing Trevor. Jack Michael Stacey will be playing Chris. His previous tv and theatre credits include Poldark (BBC), Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, (Netflix) and The Play That Goes Wrong (West End). Robert will be played by Matthew Howell (The Play that Goes Wrong, As You…

Llanishen High School in Cardiff has received praise from Estyn for its commitment to providing a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for the school’s 1694 pupils. During a visit from the Inspectorate for Education in Wales, the school was commended for its dedication in ensuring every pupil’s success and taking decisive actions to mitigate the impact of poverty. Inspectors found the school provides an exceptionally broad range of extracurricular activities, fostering an inclusive community and raising students’ aspirations. It was also noted that positive working relationships between staff and students contribute to a respectful and engaging learning environment, with most…

Work has started on the construction of a new Welsh Medium Primary School in Tredegar. The school build is set for completion in the spring of 2025, however temporary accommodation has been sourced for pupils attending the new school (Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar) at Bedwellty House, where they will be taught until the new building opens. The 210-place ‘seedling’ school, inclusive of childcare provision, is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to increasing Welsh education opportunities in the county borough. The school and onsite childcare facility is fully funded by the Welsh Government. Whilst initial cost estimates have increased due to…

Transport for Wales will now increase train service frequency on its Liverpool – Chester route (via Liverpool Airport), and on the Ebbw Vale branch, in January 2024. This represents a slight delay on the original plan to make the changes from next week (10 December 2023). Following the storms in November, several trains have suffered wheel damage, and a repair programme will take place throughout December. This will ensure that TfW have enough serviceable trains to increase the timetables on the Liverpool Chester route, and on the Newport to Ebbw Vales route in the new year. A spokesperson for Transport for…

Daniel Mihai Popescu, aged 28, from Merthyr has been charged with attempt murder following an incident on Moy Road, Aberfan, Merthyr, Tuesday morning. He will appear at Merthyr Magistrates Court this morning, Thursday 7th December at 10am. South Wales Police were called just before 9.10am Tuesday morning with a report that a 29-year-old woman had been stabbed. The suspect left the scene immediately after the incident and enquiries were made to find him. Armed officers were called to the scene to carry out searches.. Local schools activated their lockdown protocols to keep pupils safe whilst the incident is ongoing.

The company running a local convenience store has been convicted of selling out of date food products following an inspection carried out by Environmental Health Officers from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Kaila & Son Ltd, running a grocery shop trading as Nisa Local, 3-4 Vulcan Buildings, Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, was convicted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 23 November 2023 after the company’s Director, Udam Singh, pleaded guilty to the sale of unsafe food, contrary to Regulation 4 of The General Food Regulations 2004. The company was fined £15,000, reduced to £10,000 for early guilty plea, and ordered…

More than 44,000 homes and businesses across Wales are benefiting from improved connectivity thanks to the Welsh Government’s rollout of fast full fibre broadband In partnership with Openreach, the four-year project – which has now completed – has given access to full fibre connectivity to thousands more properties than the original target of 39,000. The rollout, which has come in under its original budget of £57m, was thanks to Welsh Government and EU funding, investment from Openreach and support from the UK Government. As people and businesses across Wales move towards increasingly digital lives and workplaces, the improved connectivity builds…