Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Police are at the scene of a collision on the A4063 in Bridgend this morning. The road has been closed in both directions between Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd and The Papermills while emergency services deal with the incident. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. Delays are expected while the closure remains in place. Police have thanked members of the public for their patience and cooperation. There are no further details at this stage. Updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.

Hay Festival has announced the free Schools Programme to open its flagship spring edition in Hay-on-Wye, which takes place 21–31 May 2026. The Schools Programme brings young people up close to award-winning writers, inspiring creatives and influential thinkers for a series of free, interactive events in person and online with support from the Moondance Foundation, Rothschild Foundation and Old Possum’s Practical Trust. KS1 events on Thursday 21 May – a new pilot initiative for 2026 – feature Children’s Laureate Wales Nicola Davies with poet and writer Joseph Coelho. KS2 events on Thursday 21 May feature Bardd Plant Cymru Siôn Tomos…

An international opera star who beat bowel cancer after taking a simple NHS screening test is set to headline a major charity concert in North Wales. Tenor Rhys Meirion, who underwent surgery last year after a tumour was detected early, will lead a fund-raising evening at St Asaph Cathedral in aid of Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. The celebrated singer will be joined by Côr Meibion Dinbych (Denbigh Male Voice Choir) for the concert at 7pm on Saturday,  April 18 – less than a year after his cancer operation. Owen Barton Davies, of the Johns’ Boys choir, will…

Communities are set to see the benefits of record spending of more than £677.5m on critical council services in the coming year. A report going to Swansea Council’s Cabinet next week highlights how services for school pupils, vulnerable children and older people will all see real improvements as funding increases are set to be well ahead of inflation. On top of this the council is set to introduce a new £10m Economic Growth Fund that would see a £3m boost for road resurfacing projects and tackling potholes. If the budget and EGF plans are approved, it would see more than…

Newport City Council’s cabinet has backed putting forward Caerleon for the first ever UK Town of Culture competition. At its meeting yesterday, cabinet approved development and submission of an expression of interest to the competition. The winning town will receive £3m from the UK government to deliver a year-long programme of cultural events that help tell their unique story and bring the community together. Caerleon’s rich history, strong sense of civic identity, and range of independent businesses, community venues and community-led cultural activity make it the perfect candidate for the Town of Culture competition. Caerleon is internationally recognised as an…

Blaenau Gwent Council is better prepared for weather warnings and has carried out significant infrastructure upgrades in areas previously affected by flooding, the Environmental Management Scrutiny Committee has heard. In addition to this, the Council has been working more closely with communities on resilience and planning, empowering and equipping them to help themselves in times of crisis, inspired by the new Blaenau Gwent Deal. A report to the committee outlined how an independent review carried out after the events of Storm Bert in 2024 made 19 recommendations, highlighting several key areas for improvement. The Council has been committed in its…

Exciting plans for a new school building for learners in south Powys have moved a significant step closer after planning permission was granted, the county council has said. Powys County Council’s planning application for a new 120-place primary school to replace Sennybridge C.P. School’s current building was approved this week (Tuesday, February 10) by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Once built, the new building will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that will enable the curriculum to be delivered in a continuous and coherent way from the Foundation Stage through to the end of Key Stage 2. Early years childcare provision…

Children and young people are receiving faster access to mental health support, as waiting times fall across Wales. The vast majority (96.2%) of young people referred to local primary mental health services were assessed within 28 days – a significant and sustained improvement in waiting times. The 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy sets out the ambition for mental health support in Wales, including delivering open-access support to mental health services and transforming how young people access support. Health boards across Wales have introduced alternatives to hospital admission for young people. These pilots are testing different models of care to…

Following the National Behaviour Summit in 2025, the Welsh Government has today announced a new package of projects to support schools across Wales with behaviour, wellbeing and engagement. Building on successful work already underway, the package will explore innovative ways to support learners who sometimes find the school environment difficult. A key partner is Swansea City AFC Foundation. Through a targeted approach, currently funded by the Premier League and delivered through classroom and physical activity sessions, the Foundation helps learners manage conflict, strengthen their attitudes to learning and positively re-engage with school. The Swansea approach will be one of a…

Capel Rhondda, the birthplace of one of Wales’ most recognisable hymns, Bread of Heaven / Cwm Rhondda, is now safe in the hands of the community. After its future hung in the balance, the former Baptist chapel is beginning a new chapter, thanks to a community fundraising campaign that secured the purchase of the building, alongside support through the Welsh Government’s Perthyn scheme. The community group, Capel Rhondda Cyf. has taken ownership of the chapel in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd, after raising £72,600 through a fundraising campaign that gained local and international support. The Welsh Government has recently awarded £10,000 through its Perthyn grant scheme to support the next phase of the project and help bring the community’s vision to life. Cabinet…