Author: Rhys Gregory

People with visual impairments have been given more confidence to travel thanks to a new initiative by Transport for Wales. Teams of Travel Companions have been employed at key stations including Cardiff Central, Chester, Swansea, Newport and Shrewsbury to help those with additional needs feel more confident when traveling. In Swansea this month, members of Guide Dogs Cymru met with the Travel Companion team to understand how they the new roles would work. Ken Skates, The Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport said: “This fantastic initiative provides additional support to people with a visual impairment. Just knowing there is…

Members at Bridgend County Borough Council met earlier yesterday (Wednesday 15 May) for the Annual Meeting of Council where they elected Councillor John Spanswick as the authority’s new Leader. His appointment follows the recent decision by Councillor Huw David to step down from the role after more than eight years of leading the authority. The following Cabinet positions were also confirmed for the year ahead: Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member for Social Services, Health and Wellbeing – Councillor Jane Gebbie Cabinet Member for Finance and Performance – Councillor Hywel Williams Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services – Councillor Martyn…

Applications for grant funding to support voluntary-sector community organisations to improve their community buildings are now being invited. Local community and voluntary groups across the city can apply for funding up to £10,000 to carry out internal and external improvements to their buildings such as improving accessibility, enhancing security, kitchen refurbishments, and energy efficiency measures, that would help secure or increase  the use of their facilities by the local community. Supported by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the Community Building Grants Scheme requires eligible applicants to fund at least 15% of the overall project costs from other sources. Eligible…

A Swansea organisation that supports people with their mental health and emotional well-being has won a funding boost. Happy Headwork – a team of experts in psychology, therapy, training and sustainable development – has secured funding from Swansea Council as part of a rural anchor project being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The funding means Happy Headwork will be able to run more sessions of its ‘Head Outdoors!’ programme, which will see participants getting closer to nature by taking part in six-week courses at Penllergare Valley Woods. More than 30 local people who are…

After winning their way through regional competitions, around 400 school pupils from Neath Port Talbot are preparing to take part in the National Urdd Eisteddfod – Maldwyn 2024. One of Europe’s largest annual youth festivals, this year’s Urdd will be held between May 27th and June 1st on land near Welshpool. Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, Cllr Nia Jenkins, said: “I’d like to wish all of our representatives well as they compete on a national level in this iconic festival of literature, music and performing arts’. “I also congratulate them on winning their way…

The event offers a fantastic time for all the family, with the chance to see pristine classic cars and meet their enthusiastic and knowledgeable owners. It all takes place on Saturday, June 29th, 10am – 4pm. The event is, as always, held in association with Glamorgan Classic Car Club. Entry is £3 per person and free for those aged 5 and under. If you’re coming along to this year’s Classic Car Show, don’t forget you can also visit our brand new free, interactive exhibition, enjoy a meal, snack or afternoon tea at Caffe Bracchi, and pop into the gift shop…

Work has begun to develop a flagship later living scheme on the site of the former Ty Darran care home in Risca. Caerphilly County Borough Council is working with construction expert Willmott Dixon to deliver the innovative scheme.  It has been designed to the highest levels of energy efficiency, to reduce carbon emissions and keep residents’ fuel costs to a minimum.  It will also boast spacious apartments, with lift access to all floors. Incorporated in the scheme are a wide range of indoor and outdoor communal spaces, to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and facilitate interaction with the wider…

A free entry fun-packed festival will take over the Owain Glyndwr Playing Fields on Crescent Road, Caerphilly on Saturday June 8th. Ffiliffest is Menter Caerffili’s summer celebration of the Welsh language and of local Welsh culture and the event will include performances, entertainment, activities, workshops, food and drink stalls and a chance to buy produce from local businesses. The event returns again and it will be a fun-filled day for the whole community! Menter Caerffili has worked closely with Caerphilly Town Council, Caerphilly County Borough Council, community groups and performers to plan the event which is unique to the area.…

A road in Ebbw Vale has been officially named after a steelworks employee who overcame adversity and became a local celebrity after losing both his arms in an accident in the brickworks aged just 14. New road signs were unveiled this week to officially name ‘Billy Collins Way’ (Ffordd Billy Collins) at the rear of the General Offices in Ebbw Vale. Billy’s story was uncovered by Pen–y-Cwm School Post-16 student, Ciaran Mitchel-Neal, when he started work experience with Ebbw Vale Works Museum, based in the General Offices. Ciaran was inspired by Billy who, despite the life changing accident, made a…

Public libraries will share a new efficient digital library platform which will make the service more consistent and improve access to books, e-books and other library services. Backed by over £900,000 from the Welsh Government, the shared platform will increase the range of materials available at people’s local libraries by allowing them to share their resources with other libraries. Once implemented the platform will enable library services to work together on other developments such as a single Welsh library card. Procurement of the platform was led by Cyngor Gwynedd as lead authority for this project. It will be implemented over…