Author: Rhys Gregory

Emma Landek , a fourth-year student at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art has an exciting summer ahead as this month (July) she starts a paid internship at Rolls Royce. Emma is the second Surface Pattern and Textiles student to have been offered a 13-month internship with the Bespoke Interiors Colour and Trim team at their Goodwood Design and manufacturing HQ. Emma, who will graduate next year with her Master of Design in Surface Pattern and Textiles said: “I don’t think I can put into words how overwhelmed I feel to have such an incredible opportunity to work with such a…

Boulders, the Cardiff-based indoor climbing centre, and Cardiff Mind have recently announced their new partnership aimed at improving mental health and wellness in Welsh communities through climbing.   In today’s world where we have fewer face-to-face interactions; with work often being hybrid or remote, counselling and therapy sessions held over a laptop or phone, and where we find ourselves scrolling social media for hours on end, finding ways to switch off and prioritise our mental health has never been more important.  As the UK grapples with a growing mental health crisis, more and more people are looking for alternative ways to alleviate stress and anxiety. One such activity is indoor climbing, and while many people might see climbing as a physically demanding sport, it’s also the perfect activity for beginners.…

Communities across the county borough will receive funding from the Town and Community Capital Grant Scheme, allowing the development of community projects to go ahead. With funding of up to around £100,000, the Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has approved a number of grant applications for projects that directly align with Council’s Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme, as well as the council’s Decarbonisation, Net-Zero 2030 agenda. Areas in Porthcawl, Pyle and Coychurch have been granted funds to support initiatives ranging from upgrades for children’s play parks to an edible forest garden.  Any funding that is left will be rolled…

Plans to accelerate the completion of the International Sports Village will take a step forward when the Council’s Cabinet meet on the 13thJuly. Following the acquisition of all undeveloped land at the ISV peninsula, the Cabinet agreed in principle to enter into an option agreement with Cardiff Peninsula Consortium Ltd last December. Work to develop the legal agreements has now been completed and the Cabinet will be asked to sign them off. A report published ahead of the meeting also revealed further details about the energy strategy for the site, which subject to successful funding applications, could see a low…

A sustainable future for St David’s Hall has come a step closer with the publication of a report recommending that Cardiff Council protect the iconic venue by entering into a 45-year lease with Academy Music Group (AMG). If the recommendation is accepted by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet at a meeting due to be held on Thursday, July 13th, AMG would take on full responsibility for the building, operating it as an independent commercial enterprise and removing the need for any financial contribution from the Council towards its maintenance, upkeep and operation. The agreement would also commit AMG to providing a long-term…

Almost 2,000 athletes are set to descend on South Wales for the second sold-out edition of IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea. Sunday, July 16, will see them line up at the Prince of Wales Dock ready to race. They’ll start with a 1.2-mile swim before heading into a single-loop 56-mile bike ride through Mumbles, parts of Gower and back along Swansea Bay into the city. They’ll then take on a 13.1-mile two-loop run course from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles before heading back towards the Museum Park finish line. Among the global field a large number of Welsh athletes…

Llanychllwydog School in the Gwaun Valley is thrilled to announce that it has become the first Welsh-medium school in Pembrokeshire to be honoured with the prestigious Language Charter Gold Award for its exceptional commitment to the promotion and utilisation of the Welsh language. This recognition highlights the school’s dedication to preserving the cultural heritage of Wales while fostering an inclusive and rich Welsh learning environment for its learners. The Language Charter Gold Award is given to schools that demonstrate outstanding efforts in promoting the Welsh language across all aspects of school life and in the community. The award also recognises…

Cabinet Members have agreed to consult residents on a draft Aberdare Town Centre Strategy which sets out a future vision for the town, introduces clear objectives, and identifies several areas of investment. At its meeting on Wednesday, June 28, Cabinet considered the draft strategy which was informed by early engagement with the public and stakeholders between October 2022 and February 2023. Members agreed with the officer recommendations to carry out a formal consultation on the draft strategy – which will take place over a six-week period, starting in summer 2023. The Council will provide an online survey via the RCT…

Rhymney Valley foodbank is now hitting the road thanks to a donation from Caerphilly County Borough Council. The Council provided a grant through its Community Empowerment Fund to enable the foodbank to purchase a new van and cover running costs for 12 months. This donation has made a vast difference in helping the foodbank, which operates in Aberbargoed, Rhymney and New Tredegar, make deliveries and pick up much needed stock. Cllr Carol Andrews, the Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, said “Local foodbanks provide invaluable support to some of our most vulnerable residents during times of crisis. “Sadly foodbanks…

Jane Hutt CBE, MS Minister for Social Justice and Chief Whip, along with other representatives from Welsh Government visited Caldicot’s TogetherWORKS. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the ambition of Monmouthshire County Council’s Community and Corporate Plan and how Monmouthshire’s partnership working is feeding into Welsh Government policy and reducing the effects of inequality and poverty. Monmouthshire County Council Leader, Cllr. Mary Ann Brocklesby, Cabinet Member for Equalities and Engagement, Cllr Angela Sandles, TogetherWORKS’ Centre Manager Isla Arendell, Edward Watts MBE, Chair of Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations (GAVO) and Rachael King of Cyfannol were amongst those who welcomed…