Author: Rhys Gregory

Images show the progress being made in the early stages of the Muni Arts Centre (Y Muni) project in Pontypridd. The exciting redevelopment in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust got underway in September – to reopen the Muni next year as a multi-purpose and fully-accessible events venue. Early activity has seen the works site being set up by contractor Knox & Wells, while scaffolding has been installed to the building exterior and strip-out/demolition works have started inside. The image on the top-right is looking towards the old stage area, and shows how the auditorium linings have been stripped. The bottom-left…

A drug dealer found with crack cocaine and weighing scales in a fast-food restaurant has been jailed. Officers became suspicious of Jac Verallo who was riding around Leckwith on a pushbike while talking on a mobile phone. Believing he was involved in drug dealing, a police officer followed Verallo into McDonald’s near the Cardiff City Stadium. Verallo, 24, tried to run away but was arrested. He was found with crack cocaine, cocaine, three mobile phones, around £1k in cash and digital weighing scales. A search of his address resulted in finding a large amount of grip seal bags and a…

60 of the country’s most innovative farmers made the cut when they became 2023 finalists for the British Farming Awards in August. Showcasing their exemplary practice, these UK farmers are battling it out across the 18 categories up for grabs at this year’s British Farming Awards, which highlight the exciting and pioneering work being carried out across UK agriculture. Sponsored by Morrisons, alongside farming’s core sectors including dairy, beef, sheep and arable there is also a celebration of new entrants coming into the industry, a wealth of diversification businesses, families across multiple generations and social media influencers. The awards also…

Homeless people, refugees and cancer patients across Wales are set to benefit from over £12,000 in funding thanks to dedicated housing association teams who walked over 2,000 miles. Eight housing associations helped raise a total of £12,380 between July and September by taking part in the Hiking for Housing sponsored walk challenge. The challenge, coordinated by Community Housing Cymru – the body that represents 34 not-for-profit Welsh housing associations – saw teams walk a combined total of 2,300 miles across Wales, with each association supporting a different charitable cause. Housing associations which took on the challenge included Valleys to Coast,…

Newport Tennis Centre is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its freshly resurfaced indoor tennis courts. To commemorate this exciting milestone, the centre will host an open day on the 28th of October, 10am – 1pm. The refurbishment project funded by Newport City Council and Sport Wales, which commenced in September, had a primary goal of enhancing the overall playing experience at the facility. This initiative holds significant importance for both local residents and visitors from other regions, as Newport Tennis Centre is one of only six Community Indoor Tennis Centres in Wales. To mark this momentous occasion, Newport…

Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice has launched a fresh drive to recruit more nurses to provide vital care and support for children with life-shortening conditions and their families in Wales.  A recent report highlighted that 1 in every 172 children born in Wales will have a life-shortening condition and the demand for the services provided by the iconic Welsh charity has never been higher.  Now, in Hospice Care Week, the charity is looking to recruit additional registered paediatric nurses to meet this need, based at the hospice itself in Sully, just outside Cardiff.  Sian Middleton, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services at Tŷ Hafan, said: “Our message to dedicated…

A Bangor-based funeral directors has received micro loan backing from the Development Bank of Wales, allowing it to provide a new service for families. Angladdau Enfys Funerals, based on Bangor High Street, was set up by friends Manon Williams and Louise White in 2020. As well as providing a space for customers to arrange funerals, they also offer an on-site chapel of rest and a multifunctional space for small services and gatherings. Since setting up, Angladdau Enfys Funerals have provided funeral services for families throughout the north west Wales and as far as London, and they provide the wide range…

Graduate from University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Swansea College of Art has had her academic work and determination recognised at the Senedd. Summer Davies, who graduated from BA Graphic Design in July, won the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award at the National Black History Wales Youth Awards 2023, which were held in the Senedd last week. The category won by Summer was for a student who had achieved outstanding results within their educational programme, or overcome significant obstacles to achieve the highest grades possible in examinations, assessments or tests. The event was hosted by Race Council Cymru and sponsored…

The new Richard Taylor Memorial Skatepark was officially opened on Saturday morning by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and supporters of the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund. Over £300,000 was raised to invest in the new concrete freeform skatepark with funding from the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Sport Wales, the Richard Taylor Memorial Fund, the Waterloo Foundation, South Wales Police Youth Trust, and the National Lottery Community Fund. Over the past five months Bendcrete Ltd have been working hard to build the new facility, using a spray-concrete method, which lends itself to the unique shapes and contours of skatepark ramps. Users…

September 29 marked the formal opening of the Ty Pen y Bont community project, an initiative offering plentiful opportunities for all those involved.  The launch included Senedd members Huw Irranca-Davies and Sarah Murphy, as well as Deputy Leader, Councillor Jane Gebbie, who officially opened the garden. The community garden is a joint project between Ty Pen y Bont Community Hub and Baobab Bach, an organisation that links with other local organisations and volunteers to create community pantries.  Their aim is to promote mental wellbeing, whilst supporting the environment and eradicating food poverty. Alison Westwood, Director at Baobab Bach, said: “The…