Author: Rhys Gregory

If you’ve just completed the ABP Newport Marathon – congratulations, you’re part of the 0.01% of the world’s population to have ever completed the distance! But now that it’s over you may be left wondering how long you should leave it before you start running again, particularly if you’ve got another race to work towards. While everyone is different, one of the biggest mistakes runners can make is not taking enough time to rest – it can lead to overtraining, injuries and burnout. Run 4 Wales Race Director and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, shares his advice: Allow your body…

Monmouthshire County Council is looking to create new sports provisions in the Magor with Undy area. Currently, there is a significant shortfall of outdoor sport and recreation provision to serve the size of the Magor with Undy population, which was identified in an Open Spaces Study undertaken to inform the current Local Development Plan (LDP) for Monmouthshire. Monmouthshire County Council proposes developing a piece of council-owned land in Knollbury to address this shortfall, creating an additional 4.42ha of outdoor sports provision. We are now looking for feedback on the plans from residents before a planning application is submitted. The consultation…

Young entrepreneurs Ryan and Shannon Morgan are on a mission to scale their Pembroke Dock-based business MM Electronics following a fast track micro loan of £40,000 from the Development Bank of Wales. Operating in the industrial and manufacturing sectors, MM Electronics supplies obsolete and long-lead time parts from all manufacturers including Allen Bradley, ABB, Siemens, Schneider and Omron. The business was set-up by Ryan Morgan in 2020 when he was just 21 years old. The couple, now aged 24 and 26 years old, join more than 60 young entrepreneurs under the age of 30 from over 50 different businesses getting…

A bland, grey corridor, nestled between the business and art departments at Pencoed Comprehensive School, has been transformed into an inspiring space through an artistic collaboration between pupils and local graffiti artist, Tee2 Sugars. Along the corridor, now aptly named ‘Aspiration Alley’, the iconic faces of Anita Roddick, Aneurin Bevan, groundbreaking Mexican artist, Friday Kahlo, and others, are on display as shining examples of what can be achieved in the wider world outside of school, if learners aim high. The artwork also challenges stereotypes and glass ceilings through the vibrant imagery of Wonder Woman, the Black Panther, and female director,…

Dog walkers are reminded that two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) will be enforced at Aberavon Beach from Wednesday 1st May 2024. These orders exclude dogs from certain areas of the beach and require dogs to be kept on a lead when on the Promenade. The enforcement period extends until September 30th, 2024. Under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a breach of these PSPOs is an offence, which can be dealt with through: The issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) of £75 (payment of this FPN discharges the liability to prosecution). Prosecution (which may lead to…

A pioneering centre that provides a fast diagnosis for people with symptoms that could be cancer is expanding after a successful pilot. The Rapid Diagnosis Centre at Neath Port Talbot Hospital now offers one-stop neck lump investigations, along with an extended biopsy service and an additional vague symptoms clinic, all on a permanent basis. It has been made possible through an additional £390,000 a year investment by Swansea Bay University Health Board. This followed a two-year pilot funded by Welsh not-for-profit organisation Moondance Cancer Initiative. The Moondance funding of £700,000 allowed the RDC’s single-visit approach to be extended to investigating…

Commercial law firm Darwin Gray has welcomed new recruits to its Bangor office, as part of a firm-wide growth strategy. The expansion also underpins the firm’s commitment to its Welsh language capabilities, with increased bilingual capabilities across all of its services. Since opening its doors in 2022, Darwin Gray’s Bangor office, based in Parc Menai, has welcomed new team members across the firm. The start of 2024 welcomed the arrival of Associates Rhodri Morgan, who joins the firm’s quickly expanding Corporate and Commercial team, and Elliw Jones, whose expertise spans both Commercial Property and Wills and Probate. Starting his career…

Springtime has sprung, and with this time of year comes seasonal dangers. Pet owners have been told to keep an eye on their pets, with PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing sharing spring safety messages and advice. Nina says: “Many of us will be pleased the winter gloom is on the way out, and both flowers blooming and more daylight hours are back. “Whilst enjoying the somewhat sunnier season, it’s important for animal lovers to watch out for certain dangers that spring brings. Tick season “Most active in warmer months, ticks will begin to make an appearance in spring. They are…

Cameron Jones, 29, has been charged in relation to fatal road traffic collision on Swansea Road, Merthyr Tydfil, on April 5. Jones, from Merthyr, will appear at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court this morning (Tuesday, April 30) charged with causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving a vehicle whilst unlicenced/uninsured, failing to stop following a road traffic collision, failing to report a road traffic collision and cause death whilst disqualified from driving. Demi Mabbitt, 25, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. Her family continues to be supported by specialist police officers.

Welsh Government has suggested that it wants the country to reach a 100% recycling rate by 2050. At present, the latest recycling target for Councils to meet in Wales is 70% by 2025. A new waste strategy is now being developed in Swansea, to replace the existing plan which runs from 2022 – 2025. Initiatives within the existing plan have helped Swansea Council meet ongoing recycling targets and now wants a new way forward that will help residents recycle even more of their household waste. In the coming months, the Council will be looking to trial kerbside collections of additional…