Author: Rhys Gregory

A dedicated team of devoted Caerphilly residents have secured funding to bring a creative and cultural hub to life. Cynefin Caerffili CIC, working with the Trustees of Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall, have received £273,879 from a Welsh Government Transforming Towns Strategic Grant to develop a business case and development options for saving the Caerphilly Workmen’s Hall. Plans for the historic building include hosting a diverse selection of creative programmes and activities in English and Welsh; as well as serving as a free access space for the community. The funding will also enable Cynefin to continue its creative programming and activities for all at Y Banc on Cardiff Road, testing new ideas and fostering community support. Y…

The work of South Wales Police investigators to secure justice for a 21 year old woman murdered on a South Wales mountain road has been featured in a new BBC One Wales programme. Jenna Watkins was killed in 2007 by her boyfriend, who initially attempted to claim that her death had been an accident. The programme, The Truth About My Murder: Death on a Mountain Road, provides viewers with an insight into the detailed and complex investigation that followed. It explores the commitment and care shown by officers and staff as they worked to uncover the truth and bring those…

A new football initiative designed specifically for people living with Parkinson’s disease is making a massive impact in Bridgend County Borough, with participants and organisers calling the initiative a “game-changer” for the local community. The sessions are the result of a strong partnership between the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Parkinson’s UK, and Penybont Football Club. Recognising the high number of individuals and carers living with Parkinson’s in the area, the groups teamed up to create a space where exercise meets community support. The weekly sessions are open to both men and women, focusing on more than just scoring goals.…

CoinCover, the leading digital asset disaster recovery firm, has officially announced the appointment of Jeremy Verba as its new Chief Executive Officer, who joins the Cardiff-based business to turbocharge growth. Verba, a veteran of Silicon Valley, joins at a pivotal time for CoinCover and the industry more broadly, as digital asset adoption grows exponentially at both an institutional and consumer level. Globally, figures suggest that 86% of institutional investors have exposure to digital assets and 820 million crypto wallets were active worldwide in 2025. Traditional financial institutions are also exploring the digital asset potential, with a heavy focus on stablecoins.…

The scheme offering Vale of Glamorgan residents the chance to access green home energy upgrades has reopened for applications. The Vale of Glamorgan Council, working in partnership with Cardiff Capital Region and councils across the south-east, has selected iChoosr, who are independent experts in group-buying, to bring the Switch Together scheme to the Vale’s homeowners. Switch Together, which was formerly known as Solar Together has already helped 109 households in the Vale of Glamorgan cut their energy bills and their carbon emissions by installing rooftop solar panels on their homes. Alongside six other Welsh Local Authorities, The Vale of Glamorgan…

Further site investigations have begun at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site in Swansea, marking a major milestone in plans for a new city centre office development that will bring hundreds of workers – and a significant boost in footfall and spending – back into the heart of the city. The preparatory works, being carried out by Andrew Scott Ltd on behalf of Swansea Council, mark a significant step forward in the transformation of the prominent city centre site – which will be known as Porth Copr. Main construction of the new office scheme is anticipated to begin in…

Parents/guardians of children in Pembrokeshire born between 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2024 are invited to apply for a Nursery school place for January, April and September 2027 by the closing date of 30th April 2026. Applications received after 30th April 2026 will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether the child gets a place at your preferred school. It is important to note that no school place will be allocated unless a formal application is received. The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’. For information on…

Following a public consultation held in June 2025 with parents and residents within the Goetre catchment area, it has now been confirmed that the school will officially change its name to Goetre Community Primary School from September. The consultation invited views on whether the move to the new building presented an opportunity for a rebrand. Options included retaining the existing name, introducing a subtle change to reflect the expanded community use of the site, or adopting a completely new name. Feedback supported a subtle rebrand, recognising the importance of the school’s identity while also reflecting the significant new community facilities…

Celyn Lloyd-Taylor, aged 13 from Cwmbran, took a well-earned break from his daily caring responsibilities this week to gorge walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. He is one of thousands of unpaid carers in Wales to take advantage of the Welsh Government’s Short Break Scheme, which has recently been extended to run for another 3 years. Celyn helps his mum to care for his 5-year-old sister, Mali, who has Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital condition affecting the development of the face, ears and spine. Mali needs constant supervision because of her struggles with hearing, swallowing and mobility and so…

Electric vehicle (EV) registrations across the UK soared to record levels in 2025, and the trend is now reverberating right across Wales. Nearly a quarter of all new cars registered nationally were fully electric last year, and industry forecasts suggest even higher adoption through 2026 as charging infrastructure expands and businesses adapt to changing transport demands. For drivers, homes and companies in Wales, the implications are already beginning to shape travel patterns, workplace planning, and local investment. 2025 Set the Pace, 2026 Looks to Accelerate Across the UK, around 473,000 battery electric cars were registered in 2025, representing the highest…