Author: Rhys Gregory

Sixteen heritage fruit trees have been planted at a new Community Orchard site at Blackweir in Bute Park, including the ‘Apple Tree Man’ which is the traditional name given to the oldest apple tree in an Orchard. Bute Park’s ‘Apple Tree Man’ is a Gower apple tree with mistletoe, which was planted alongside four other heritage apple varieties, as Cardiff Council’s ‘Coed Caerdydd’ urban forest project hosted local residents and members of the New Friends of Bute Park at the new orchard site on Saturday (24 February). A range of different pear trees, cherries, plums, greengages, and damsons were also…

Over 1,000 people have already registered to attend the 2024 ‘It’s Your Swansea’ conference and exhibition. Now in its fifth year, the free event is taking place at Swansea Arena on Thursday March 7. The conference brings together people, businesses and organisations to network, hear from city leaders, and take part in conversations to help shape Swansea’s future. This year’s programme includes panel discussions, a major announcement from a local charity, networking in the exhibition hall, and a makers’ market. The conference, which is being delivered by 4 The Region in partnership with Swansea Council, has a theme this year…

Seel Park in Dinas Powys is transferring to the Community Council on a 99-year lease the Vale of Glamorgan council can confirm. Dinas Powys Community Council are keen to make improvements with the assistance of Friends of Seel Park Group. The Park will have a deed of dedication placed upon it from Fields in trust and will therefore be available to enjoy for future generations. The proposed transfer of Seel Park to Dinas Powys Community Council demonstrates the Council’s commitment to partnership working and provides a clear example of collaborative working where it is acknowledged that a piece of public…

A Caerphilly man pleaded guilty at Cwmbran Magistrates Court to animal welfare charges, which included seven charges of failing to meet welfare needs of dogs under his care to the extent required by good practice and three charges of causing unnecessary suffering contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Simon Hobbs (aged 46) was fined £360 for causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs including a pregnant Belgian Malinois.  Hobbs was ordered to pay costs of £7,884 and a victim surcharge of £144.  He was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years. The sentencing follows an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s…

A local luxury cheesecake company is spreading its wings and reaching new customers, thanks to grant funding and support from Pembrokeshire County Council’s business team. The Pembrokeshire Cheesecake Company was formed when Claire Garland started making cheesecakes for friends who encouraged her to turn her hobby into a business. Setting up her business at her Herbrandston home meant that Claire was able to combine her new venture with looking after two young children. She said: “It just grew and snowballed. It really took off. It’s something I really enjoy and people seem to love it. The business means I can…

Ross Fleming, 24, from Caerau, Cardiff, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, February 26, to 30 months in prison for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine. On October 10 last year, Ross Fleming was seen in Trelai Park in Caerau, meeting with customers and supplying them with suspected Class A drugs. He was detained and found in possession of several wraps of heroin and crack cocaine, plus £530 cash. It was suspected he was dealing for an established Caerau drug line. He provided an incredulous account when interviewed. He was inevitably charged and remanded and…

A resident of Cwm believed to be one of, if not the, oldest former Miner in the UK has celebrated his 102nd birthday! Local legend Ronald ‘Ginger’ Parsons said if he “closes his eyes tomorrow, he’s had the most wonderful life, has been truly happy and never made an enemy!” Ginger spoke while visiting the Blaenau Gwent Museum in the General Offices, Ebbw Vale, which currently has an exhibition telling the story of the mining disaster at Marine Colliery, Cwm. The explosion killed 52 men on St David’s Day, 1927. Too young to really remember the tragedy, Ginger does remember…

A project which aims to put Powys on the map, by celebrating its culture and heritage, is now underway. Welsh consultancy company Anian has been tasked with breathing new life into the county’s cultural tourism offer and instilling a new sense of pride in its residents, after Powys County Council’s Economic Development and Regeneration Team was successful in securing a £30,000 grant for the work from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (Levelling Up). It will research the county’s outstanding cultural assets and stories – from its medieval history to modern-day festivals – to prioritise ideas. A three-year action plan…

A new deal between the Welsh Government and award-winning Cardiff-based production company Bad Wolf will ensure a slate of high-end TV dramas will be made in Wales over the next four years. The £4m deal, which was brokered by Creative Wales, the Welsh Government agency charged with supporting and growing Wales’ creative industries, will enable Bad Wolf to consolidate its position and continue to grow in Wales. Bad Wolf will maintain its principal base at Wolf Studios Wales in Cardiff and build on the global success it has achieved with huge returning hit shows such as Doctor Who, Industry, I…

Wales’ Final Budget for 2024 to 2025 has been published this week [Tuesday 27th February], as persistently high inflation continues to erode public finances and difficult choices are made to protect core services. This Final Budget updates the Draft Budget proposals which were published in December. Those proposals had to take into consideration the most difficult financial situation faced since devolution, with the impact of persistently high inflation making the budget worth £1.3bn less in real terms than when it was set in 2021. Speaking at a press conference today, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans, said: “Our budget proposals for 2024…