Author: Rhys Gregory

A VEGETABLE farmer has reaped the rewards following a successful trial of a revolutionary Ukrainian irrigation system. Supported by Menter Mon’s Tech Tyfu vertical farming project – based on Anglesey – Snowdon Valley Farm has tested the Adam’s Water technology over past months and seen a significant increase in the size, quality and yield of its fruit and vegetables. Warren Priestley, who together with Len and Gareth Griffith-Swain launched the farm business (Fferm Cwm yr Wyddfa) in Waunfawr two years ago, says the process destroys complex compounds of mineral fertilisers for better availability of nutrition, accelerating plant growth and fruit…

Families and residents of Hafan y Waun Care Home can rest assured that high quality services will continue following the official transfer of the home’s ownership to Ceredigion County Council. Hafan y Waun Care Home was previously managed by Methodist Homes (MHA), before their decision to withdraw from running the home in early 2023. As a much-loved care home in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion Cabinet Members approved a decision to transfer Hafan y Waun Care Home to Council ownership to ensure continuity of home operations for residents and staff alike and we can confirm that the transfer has now taken place. Councillor…

A Cardiff dad-of-two who thanks research for saving for his life has been chosen to launch Stand Up To Cancer in Wales. David Edwards, 57, from Old St Mellons, was diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer a - type of head and neck cancer – on November 21, 2022.   The chartered quantity surveyor found a small lump in his neck during a work meeting in October last year.   He said: “I was absentmindedly stroking my chin and neck and felt this tiny bump. It was like a spot under the skin.”    David didn’t give the lump much thought, and he and his…

Customers who have been shopping with Wally’s for 50 years or more will be given a loyalty badge that entitles them to a discount on purchases in the Delicatessen and Kaffeehaus. The owner of the iconic Wally’s Delicatessen in Cardiff has launched a badge scheme for loyal older customers. If you’ve been shopping at Wally’s for 50 years or more, pop into the shop and share your memories – and you will be rewarded with a badge that gets you a discount and a Christmas gift. Wally’s owner Steven Salamon, who is the son of the shop’s founder Wally Salamon,…

Domestic abuser Kevin Courtney has been jailed after pleaded guilty to an assault on his partner. A woman died from accidentally taking too many painkillers after being assaulted by Coutney who punched her in the face and dragged her by her hair. The attacks left her with painful facial injuries for which she was given painkillers, which she subsequently overdosed on. Kevin Courtney, 36, from Bridgend first assaulted his partner who he had been with for a number of years at her home in Bridgend on February 8. The aggressive assaults were aggravated due to the Courtney having taken cocaine…

A former children’s holiday camp manager who groomed more than 70 teenage boys online by pretending to be a 16-year-old girl has been jailed. A National Crime Agency investigation identified Cameron Osman, 45, from Southampton, as the person behind online alias ‘Lizzielemon’, which contacted victims on Instagram, MyLol and Love Crush, before moving them on to Google Hangouts, Discord and Skype. Osman engaged them in sexualised chat revolving around a fantasy online world with Osman pretending to be a teenage girl. He never identified himself, instead telling victims his camera was broken. Osman would say that ‘Lizzielemon’ was from Bristol or…

A new indoor sports barn that will include a 3G pitch is taking shape. The steel frame of the building that will help transform sports facilities at Cefn Hengoed Community School and Leisure Centre on the city’s eastside has been erected. It is part of £7.5m investment that also includes upgrades to the school, leisure centre and a new family engagement centre. Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart said: “The sports barn will be a first for Swansea and I’m excited to see the development take shape as it was one of our policy commitments. “It will transform sports and leisure…

NEATH Port Talbot Council is inviting project proposals to its Valleys and Villages Prosperity Fund (VVPF). The £1.7m VVPF is part funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) and is part of Neath Port Talbot’s £27.3m SPF funding allocation over the next three years. The VVPF aims to address the decline in rural communities throughout Neath Port Talbot, particularly the reduced demand for high street retail and increased demand for housing, recreational and active travel projects. Targeted areas include the Neath Valley, Afan Valley, Swansea Valley, Upper Amman Valley and Dulais Valley. The VVPF aims to have a…

Cabinet Members have agreed to further progress the proposals to create a new special school for Rhondda Cynon Taf by 2026, having considered the feedback received in a recent public consultation. At their meeting on Monday, October 23, Cabinet considered a thorough consultation report following the consultation period, which ran from July 4 to September 15 this year. The relevant Statutory Notices will now be published following Members’ decision on Monday – to open a new 3-19 special school and to introduce catchment areas for all special schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The Council has brought forward the plans in…

A report about the future of Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre will be considered by the council’s Cabinet next month, recommending that a consultation takes place on the permanent closure of the facility. Pontllanfraith Leisure Centre closed its doors in March 2020 and the building was used as a vaccination centre throughout the pandemic. It has not re-opened for leisure use since this time and most former users of the centre have relocated to other facilities in the surrounding area. The Leader of Council met community representatives this week to explain the reasons for the proposal and to highlight the significant investment…