Author: Rhys Gregory

A landmark change to family law was brought in two years ago when ‘no-fault’ divorce was implemented to support separating couples to divorce more amicably. Now the dust has settled, how is it working in practice and what additional obstacles are facing the justice system? The latest government data shows that between October to December 2023, there were 23,517 divorce applications. 75% from sole applicants and 25% from joint applicants, including for the dissolution of civil partnerships. Throughout 2023, there were 110,770 divorce applications and 103,501 final orders*. Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: “The family…

A green energy revolution is underway within community sport in Wales, with solar panels becoming more of a common sight on clubhouses across the country thanks to funding from Sport Wales. A total of 80 sports clubs across the country were awarded Energy Saving Grants during 2023/24 to help make their facilities more energy efficient. The majority of the clubs who received grants – which add up to nearly £1.4m – will be using their funding to install solar panels, while other uses include insulation improvements, upgrades to heating systems and sustainable water sourcing. From Anglesey to Barry, solar panels…

Walkies for Autism’ is a 2-mile walk at Cwmcarn Forest to celebrate and raise awareness and funds for Risca Comprehensive School ASC Centre. The walk will start at 10.45am on Sunday 14 April, from the Cwmcarn Forest car park and should take about 45 minutes. After the walk, participants can enjoy a cuppa and a snack at the Raven Café. The ASC Centre supports young people aged 11 to 16 in a mainstream setting, where they are supported by a key worker to attend mainstream lessons and also spend time in the centre to focus upon key skills. The ASC…

If you farm in Pembrokeshire and can demonstrate your farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture then the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourage you to enter the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award. Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire County Show President, said, “We are looking for local Pembrokeshire farmers, under the age of 45, who can demonstrate their farm’s use of the latest technological methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture. They also need to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm as well as present an aesthetically pleasing example of farming in the county. The…

Residents in Monmouthshire can now borrow laptops from their local library to help with everyday tasks. The laptops are available through Monmouthshire County Council’s Community Hubs and Library Service, and the scheme aims to help people connect to the digital world. The new scheme will help residents find jobs, manage their finances, find housing, or gain new skills through online learning. Monmouthshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, said: “In a world that is becoming more and more digital, we as a council are happy to be able to support residents get online. Being able…

An upgrade of Ystradgynlais Library has been completed and the service is to return to its usual home after a temporary move into the Welfare Hall. The library, which is run by Powys County Council, will close at the Welfare Hall at 1pm on Friday 12 April and reopen at its usual home on Temperance Lane, at 10am on Monday 22 April. The improvements that have been made to Ystradgynlais Library include: Remote working facilities in confidential areas. Bookable meeting pods for face-to-face or digital appointments. ‘Zoom rooms’ and digital connectivity learning spaces which will include access to gaming activities.…

On 02 April 2024, members of Aberystwyth Community Ambassadors Youth Group presented a wellbeing bench to Aberystwyth Charity, HAHAV. The bench will be placed in the garden at Plas Antaron for clients, visitors and staff to enjoy. HAHAV is a volunteer-led charity providing free support to people across Ceredigion who are living with an incurable or life-limiting illness. HAHAV’s centre at Plas Antaron, Aberystwyth, is HAHAV’s headquarters and Living Well Centre. A former hotel, Plas Antaron offers a range of facilities and spaces to develop new services and meeting opportunities for HAHAV clients. Aberystwyth Community Ambassadors is a small group…

Two Tenby charities have received donations from Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation after being nominated by colleagues from the branch on Church Street. The James Criddle Foundation and Pothmawr Surf Life Saving Club each received a £1,000 donation to help them support the community in the Tenby and Pembrokeshire area. The James Criddle Foundation was established in 2022 in memory of James who sadly died in a motorcycling accident in Bali where he was working on a project supporting vulnerable people. The foundation was set up to help those most vulnerable in society, especially the homeless and underprivileged and those…

Senior strategist Sarah Mason has joined the Cardiff-based, award-winning communications agency Orchard in the new role of Group Strategy Director to help take the £15 million turnover company onto the next level. Orchard has been providing a range of creative communications services to clients in Wales and across the world for 14 years, from Welsh Government to Principality Building Society, Aston Martin and Qatar Airways to Nando’s, the AA and Netflix. They create corporate and public events for NATO, UEFA, and Johnson & Johnson; produce film content for Visit Wales; TV programmes for BBC, S4C, Channel 4, and National Geographic;…

Seeking rehabilitation (rehab) for various health conditions or addictions is often perceived as a daunting step. However, its significance in fostering health improvement cannot be overstated. Whether one is combating substance abuse, recovering from a physical injury, or managing a chronic condition, rehab offers a structured and supportive environment conducive to healing and growth. In this article, we delve into the multifaceted reasons why attending rehab is crucial for enhancing overall well-being and quality of life. Holistic Approach to Recovery Rehabilitation programs adopt a holistic approach to health improvement, addressing not only the physical symptoms but also the underlying psychological…