Author: Rhys Gregory

Every primary school in Cardiff is to receive an illustrated storybook which focuses on supporting children to overcome trauma. Written and painted by Welsh art psychotherapist, Lilith Gough, ‘Helping the Hare who hurts’ is a small volume that will be a useful resource for schools in the city to read with children who have experienced any kind of trauma. The Council has paid for the books with donations received as part of its White Ribbon campaign to raise awareness of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The book, which will also be available in every library across the…

A Skewen trader has received a six-month jail sentence for selling an unsafe vehicle after a complaint was made to Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards team via Citizens Advice. Alan Peter LEWIS, of APL Cars, Skewen, had previously been found guilty of the charge, under the General Product Safety Regulations, in December 2023. At a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on January 25th, 2024, Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Mr Lewis to six months in prison. Judge Walters also ordered the defendant to pay £2,000 compensation in relation to the sale of the vehicle. The court heard the female complainant…

ONE of the main roads between Risca and Crosskeys is due to be closed to traffic for a period next week. Part of the A467 dual carriageway between the two communities will be closed for four consecutive nights from Monday, February 12, to Thursday, February 15, to allow for planned maintenance work to be carried out. The closure is to allow renewing the cats’ eyes on the dual carriageway and some line refreshing on both the north and south bound carriageways. The closures will only be in place overnight from 9pm to 6am on each of these days, with the…

A man from Swansea has been jailed for 12 years for rape. Kalvin Davies, 33,  of New Road, Treboeth, pleaded guilty to assault before a jury found him guilty of rape during his subsequent trial. Davies assaulted the victim by hitting her repeatedly and attempting to strangle her during an incident at his home address. He then proceeded to rape the victim. Later, he locked the victim in his house, with the victim only managing to escape whilst he was asleep. Detective Constable Sian Evans, the investigator on the case, said: “Due to the bravery of the victim, Kalvin Davies,…

On the evening of Friday 26th January, pupils across Merthyr Tydfil attended the Cardiff Eisteddfod for an evening full of competitions, Welsh Language and culture. A total of 44 medals were awarded to pupils from Ysgol y Graig, Ysgol Pen y Dre and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhyd y Grug for literacy, individual recitation, instrumental competitions and group recitation competitions. Competing in Welsh learner and first language competitions, pupils represented their schools and local community superbly, receiving standing ovations at the end of the evening for their contributions to the Eisteddfod. The Results: Year 4 and younger Individual Recitation 3rd: Freya…

The Economy Minister has welcomed a unanimous Senedd vote arguing that there is a viable future for blast furnace steelmaking in Wales as part of a just transition. All four political parties represented in the Senedd have now supported a Welsh Government motion calling for further talks that allow for a longer transition to protect jobs across Tata facilities in Wales. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Tonight’s vote sends a strong message from the entire Senedd.  There is a viable future for blast furnace steel making in Wales and a better deal could and should be struck for an industry…

Commissioners are being appointed by the Welsh Government to run South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Their appointment follows the publication of a ‘damning’ independent report which exposed a culture of sexism and misogyny and wider failings in management and leadership at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn said she had no confidence the Service has the internal capacity or capability needed to oversee its own recovery and that management at all levels has been implicated in the failings highlighted by the KC-led review. She said the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority…

Cyberbullying, misinformation and inadequate regulation of apps are just some of the issues youngsters say they are most worried about when it comes to online safety, according to a group of young people from Wales. To mark Safer Internet Day, the Welsh Government, in collaboration with the WRU, will host school groups from across Wales at an event in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. Activities and sessions will provide a platform for young people to share their views and raise concerns about the ever-changing online world. As part of the event, and with the Six Nations in full flow, pupils will meet…

At 4am on Saturday 28 October a CCTV operator in Bridgend has seen a Silver Skoda driven by Joshua Allegretto, 31, pull up on Highland Place, Bridgend, open the bonnet and remove a Lynx deodorant can from underneath the air filter. He is seen to remove items from the Lynx can and then sit back in the driver’s seat. At this point two unknown people approach the car and are seen to pay Allegretto with a bank card in return for a bag containing white powder. Officers traced the car that evening and detained Allegretto for a search. 28 bags…

Pupils from Saundersfoot CP School will appear on the world’s longest running children’s TV show, Blue Peter this week. The youngsters filmed with new presenter Shini Muthukrishnan at Folly Farm for a series of segments on Blue Peter’s Book Club which will air on CBBC and iPlayer on Friday, February 9th at 5pm. The pupils will be showcasing their knowledge and talents when discussing their views on the book Poems Aloud by Joseph Coelho. They will also discuss the importance of young people speaking up and voicing their opinions. Saundersfoot CP Headteacher Nick Allen, said: “We are overjoyed to see…