Author: Rhys Gregory

Runners are being encouraged to get ready to secure their spot for the 2024 Ogi Porthcawl 10K. Next year’s event will be back in the seaside town on Sunday 7 July with entries going on sale on Wednesday 29 November. Eager participants can pre-register for the event now and be first to know when entries are live. They will also be able to take advantage of the Multi-Buy Offer incorporating Run 4 Wales’ other 10K races for a limited time only. Ogi, Wales’ leading alternative broadband provider, will be the headline sponsor of the event once again. It follows the…

Over 1500 people attended the inaugural Green Economy Conference and Exhibition at Swansea Arena on Wednesday, which set out to strengthen communication and collaboration to build a green economy in South West Wales. Themes addressed included green jobs, greener transport, and how to decarbonise existing businesses. Several key announcements were made at the conference, including news in the opening session from Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart about progress on plans for a £4bn renewable energy project in the area of Swansea Port. A key aspect of this is the expansion of the Fabian Way park and ride site to create…

While stately homes, cathedrals, and works of art receive significant attention and protection as part of our heritage, ancient trees, equally valuable in their historical significance, often go overlooked. But in a collective effort this year, volunteers from across Cardiff have dedicated their time to measuring, recording, and mapping ancient trees around the city, with the shared goal of safeguarding these living relics for future generations. Throughout 2023, three Ancient Tree Inventory Training Days have been undertaken by Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales) in partnership with Coed Caerdydd, part of Cardiff Council’s ‘One Planet Cardiff’ strategy to fight…

Councillors in Neath Port Talbot have been given a positive update on the authority’s Welsh In Education Strategic Plan (WESP) 2022 – 2032 which sets out its vision to support and further develop Welsh language education in schools and wider communities. Welcoming progress on the plan, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, Cllr Nia Jenkins, said: “The council’s WESP 2022-32 will be the cornerstone for the council’s vision for increasing and improving the planning of the provision of Welsh medium education across Neath Port Talbot. “It will enable all learners to develop their Welsh language…

After a rollercoaster year of early morning swims in all weathers, family fun in the sun, and the return of our cold water swim sessions, Lido Ponty is wrapping up 2023 the traditional way – with a Boxing Day Swim. Tickets go on sale 9am on Monday, December 4, for the much-loved event, which offers a festive swim in the heated pools. Don’t forget your Santa hat! Following the cold water swims, where the water temperature dropped to 15 degrees, you’ll be pleased to know pool temperatures will rise back to 28 degrees for Boxing Day. Or, why not start…

A brand new skatepark has been unveiled at Hill View, Maesycwmmer. The skatepark is the final feature to be delivered as part of a package of environmental improvements totalling over £154,000 in Maesycwmmer, by Caerphilly County Borough Council. Additional funding of £30,000 from Maesycwmmer Community Council also helped make the skatepark installation possible. These improvements, delivered as part of the Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme, have included additional equipment at the play park and a new outdoor gym.  The improvements were identified by the local community as part of an extensive consultation process. Cllr Shayne Cook, the Council’s…

Local businesses are supporting a new operation, promoting domestic abuse awareness across the hair and beauty industry. Created by our Domestic Abuse unit, #OperationPrunella is a domestic abuse initiative which aims to target local hairdressers, barbers, nail salons and beauty salons with the aim of being able to visit these businesses to inform and educate about Claires Law and safeguarding. PC Emma Byrne said: “Often when visiting a salon or hairdressers, customers have one-on-one time with their hairdressers and/or beauticians and it encourages clients to ‘chat’.” Operation Prunella launched on November 3 and began with officers from the Domestic Abuse…

The third Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards celebrating children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference was held recently. The Awards – a collaboration between Education, Social Services and The Children and Young People’s Rights Office – took place on 17th November at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people. A huge well done to the young people from Milford Haven Youth Council who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards. This was truly an event ‘For Young People,…

Eleven food banks across Powys have benefitted from the latest round of Welsh Government Direct Food Support grants. They have each received a share of a total of £30,199, which has been distributed by Powys County Council. The grant funding is aimed at supporting foodbanks to buy additional supplies and to help them cover their running costs as winter approaches. The food banks, supporting Powys residents, which have received funding are: Brecon Cwm Tawe (CATCH) Helping Our Homeless (Builth Wells) Knighton Llandrindod Llani Pantri Newtown (Salvation Army) Oswestry & Borders Rhayader Welshpool Ystradgynlais Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Powys County Council’s Deputy…

A new cemetery has been established in north Powys thanks to a collaboration between the county council and town council. The Y Plas Cemetery has been developed on land near Machynlleth’s Y Plas after the town’s original cemetery at Tregarth reached its capacity after 120 years. With no additional land available to expand the original cemetery, Powys County Council conducted a study on the feasibility of developing a potential site for a replacement cemetery on land situated at the back of Y Plas. In collaboration with Machynlleth Town Council, the county council has developed half-an-acre of land for the new…