Author: Rhys Gregory

Valleys college Coleg y Cymoedd is celebrating a string of Oxbridge offers. The college, which serves learners from across Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, has seen three learners secure offers from the University of Oxford.  Eighteen-year-old Seth Olner from Pontyclun, who is currently studying A levels in History, English Literature, and Government and Politics at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, is one of the learners to have been offered a place. After achieving 5As in his History, English Lit, Law, French and Politics AS levels, and being predicted top grades in his current studies, Seth is on track to study…

Wales senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face Scotland at a sold out Principality Stadium in the opening round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations on Saturday 3 February (KO 4.45pm live on BBC and S4C). Cameron Winnett will win his first senior international cap for Wales having been named at full-back. Rio Dyer and Josh Adams are selected on the wings. At 21 years and 60 days old on Saturday, Dafydd Jenkins will become the second youngest man to captain Wales after Sir Gareth Edwards. Adam Beard partners Jenkins in the second row. Owen…

A man caught with thousands of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and cash in his car in Swansea, has been jailed. Swansea Council’s Trading Standards brought charges against Swansea resident – Adnan Mohamed Abdulla, following a routine stop by police in the city. During the traffic stop on Gors Avenue on December 10 2023, police discovered more than 45,000 cigarettes, 70 packs of tobacco and nearly £16,000 in cash. Once Trading Standards were contacted, a number of charges were brought against 36 year-old Mr Abdulla of 12 Harrington Place, Swansea, for fraud and trading standards offences. The offences were also a follow-up…

Transport for Wales has this week launched a new partnership with refugee and asylum seeker charity Oasis to donate equipment and provide employment support. Oasis is a charity that welcomes people who are seeking sanctuary and provides support to roughly 100-150 visitors each day from around the globe. A range of activities, support and classes are offered to help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate within their local community. The partnership with Oasis is part of Transport for Wales’ commitment to anti-racism, providing greater career opportunities to under-represented groups, with the aim of diversifying the workforce operating and delivering Wales’…

Leisure Lifestyle proudly announces that Ellie Welsh, a member of the Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre team, has been honoured with the prestigious title of Swim Wales Swim Teacher of the Year 2024. Ellie received this esteemed recognition at the awards ceremony held on Saturday, 20th January, in Cardiff. The award is a testament to Ellie’s unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled swim lessons week after week. Her motivation to elevate standards and dedication to delivering a superior learning experience has set her apart. The recognition highlights Ellie’s exceptional ability to go the extra mile, ensuring her pupils receive the best possible…

The well-known and much-loved Porters in Cardiff has recently had a new lease of life following a move to a new premises in the city centre. The Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden has announced during Independent Venues Week that £718,000 has been offered to 17 Grass Roots Music Venues across Wales, from the Creative Wales Music Capital Fund Porters is one of 17 venues to benefit from the fund which has helped with the recent development and move. Dan Porter, said: “I cannot overstate how difficult it is for Grassroots venues at the moment- everything is…

A new bridge built near Machynlleth has been described as a visual symbol of how Wales will ‘raise the bar’ when it comes to road building. The new Dyfi bridge is one of the first projects to be completed after the Welsh Government’s response to the independent roads review that took place in February last year. In its response to the review, the Welsh Government committed to only investing in future road building projects that: reduce carbon emissions and support a shift to public transport, walking and cycling improve safety through small scale changes help adapt to the impacts of…

Global property consultancy Knight Frank has appointed Rachel Hughes as a senior surveyor in its Property Asset Management (PAM) team based in Cardiff. She joins after nine years at JLL, where she carried out a range of asset management tasks and services. She said: “I am delighted to be joining Knight Frank which has a very strong reputation for providing a good personal local service looking after industrial, office and retail properties for commercial landlords across South Wales.” Knight Frank’s Property Asset Management (PAM) department in Cardiff provides management services for a wide range of funds and private investors on…

The career aspirations of a Ferndale apprentice have soared thanks to his involvement on a multi-million-pound scheme with a leading Welsh construction firm. Callum Jones has come into his own whilst working on Wynne Construction’s £13million school site for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. For National Apprenticeship Week, he has shared how the experience has developed his future ambitions. The Bodelwyddan-based firm is building the new Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn-Y-Forwyn, where Callum has been with the team since the start of the works and is scheduled to stay until summer 2024, when both the project and his studies complete.…

A SECONDARY school has experienced a surge in pupils taking part in extra-curricular sport. Learners at Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay have engaged with football, rugby, basketball, dodgeball, badminton, hockey, volleyball, netball, and gymnastics sessions more than 5,000 times since September. Cooking and Health and Wellbeing activities have also proven popular, ensuring learners pick up independent living skills such as how to plan, prepare and cook a meal. It is hoped that providing these opportunities will have a knock-on effect for overall school attendances, a nationwide issue following the Covid-19 pandemic. According to Welsh Government statistics, prior to the pandemic…