Author: Rhys Gregory

As the Tata Steel Llanelli Half Marathon edges closer, runners are starting to feel the excitement in the build-up to race day. The event, which takes place next Sunday will be the first time it returns to its February date since the COVID epidemic. Steph Hole, Event Manager, said. “We can’t wait to stage our first event of the year at the Llanelli Half Marathon and 10K next Sunday. It is always a great event and we’re excited to introduce new the 10K distance, making it a more accessible race for all!” To help runners and spectators find out everything they need…

People living in the Maesteg valley are set to benefit from brand new trains after their introduction this week (19 Feb). Assembled in Wales, the Class 197 fleet have been cleared to operate on the Maesteg line down into Bridgend and across to Cheltenham Spa via Cardiff, Newport and Chepstow. The trains are part of an £800 million investment by Transport for Wales to upgrade rolling stock. Chief Customer and Culture Officer Marie Daly said the trains would offer a “vastly improved customer experience”. She said: “These brand-new trains offer greater capacity and reliability and will be a marked improvement…

South Wales Police is investigating the death of a 64-year-old man in Butetown. Police were called to a property in Belmont Walk shortly after 9am this morning (Sunday, February 18). A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. DCI Matt Davies, senior investigating officer, said: “Clearly, this incident will cause shock to the close-knit community of Butetown. “I want to assure the public that an early arrest has been made and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. “The support and understanding of the local community are very much appreciated. “We are appealing…

our men from Cardiff have been convicted of drugs offences and sent to prison for a combined total of more than 23 years. The men formed an Organised Crime Group who were using encrypted telephones to facilitate the importation and distribution of substantial amounts of class A drugs into the South Wales area. The investigation – known as Operation Falco – was launched in April 2020 after Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales, received intelligence from the National Crime Agency which included messages being sent between the OCG members and associates. One of the OCG’s regular customers…

Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre has hosted a free sports event, specifically aimed at promoting disability sport and inclusive opportunities across Merthyr Tydfil. The event was organised by Active Merthyr Tydfil, MTCBC’s Sport Development Department, supported by Disability Sport Wales as part of their ‘Insport series’, an event programme that aims to support disabled people across Wales to access inclusive opportunities. The event is also being supported by the Jonathan Williams Disability Sport Fund. This fund was set up in memory of Jon, who was a volunteer with Active Merthyr Tydfil and Disability Sport Merthyr for over 12 years. The fund was…

A worn-out walkers’ bridge in picturesque Pwll Du Bay on Gower is set for a major makeover next week. The old concrete bridge is being replaced with a wider, more user-friendly steel and wooden bridge that’ll be in use for years to come. It means the stream crossing will be closed for around a week from February 19 while the old bridge is removed and the new one eased into place. The new purpose-built £15,000 bridge will make for an easier and much more attractive crossing for users of the busy Gower coast footpath network that’s part of the Wales…

An additional 300 children in Neath Port Talbot have benefitted from an expansion of Welsh Government’s Flying Start scheme, aimed at providing support to children and families. Flying Start helps families with young children in the most disadvantaged areas, offering high quality, funded, part-time childcare for children aged two to three living in those areas. If needed, this includes parenting support; enhanced health visitor support; and support for speech, language and communication. The extension of the Flying Start programme is part of a phased expansion of the childcare element of the early years provision to all two-year-olds in Wales. Neath…

A major refurbishment of Theatr Brycheiniog, in Brecon, is to begin on Monday (19 February) thanks to £1.8 million in UK Government Levelling Up funding. The work is being carried out for Powys County Council by SWG Group and is expected to be completed by the autumn. The theatre will remain open throughout this period, with public access restricted in some areas where demolition or construction is taking place. Among the areas that will be unaffected are the main reception and café which were improved in 2022. The refurbishment includes: New front of house public toilets and back of house…

fflecsi services in Dolgellau and Dyffryn Dulas will begin operating on Monday 19 February, as part of the latest improvements to transport connections in Gwynedd, Transport for Wales (TfW) and Cyngor Gwynedd have confirmed. fflecsi Dolgellau will replace the 33, 33A and 533 fixed-route bus services and provide connections to Llanfachreth, Brithdir and Dinas Mawddwy. In Dyffryn Dulas, fflecsi will replace the 34 and part of the 30 fixed-route bus service. The new service will connect villages along the A487 corridor with Machynlleth – including Aberllefenni, Corris Uchaf, Corris, Minffordd and Pantperthog. Working in partnership with Cyngor Gwynedd and operated…

The Youth Work Excellence Awards are a chance to recognise and celebrate the outstanding youth work taking place across Wales. This year’s event is no exception with 27 youth workers and youth organisations in the finals. The awards reflect the diverse nature of youth work in Wales and demonstrate the impact youth work and youth workers have on young people and their surrounding communities. School based youth worker Mary has been nominated for her work with young people at Ysgol Grango in Wrexham, helping them overcome barriers such as non-attendance at school. Kelly Powell runs GoodVibes, an LGBTQ+ youth group…