Author: Rhys Gregory

The first ever Bridgend Forces Festival has been held at Newbridge Fields to bring together and offer support to Service children from all over the county borough. The festival was organised by the council in partnership with Forces Fitness, YourNorth and SSCE Cymru. The primary school event was held on Wednesday 24 May while secondary school pupils attended on Thursday 25 May. A total of 94 pupils from 17 schools attended across the two days. There were lots of engaging activities on offer which allowed pupils to work on key skills such as team-work, communication and problem solving. The activities…

Enforcement action taken by Newport City Council has led to two restaurant owners and their business pleading guilty to 53 serious food hygiene offences. Afzal Miah, Aktar Miah and Desi Kitchen (NPT) Ltd pled guilty to the offences, which all relate to Jewel Balti, 368 Chepstow Road, Newport at Cwmbran Magistrates Court on 18 May. Officers from the council’s environmental health team visited Jewel Balti in January 2022. The business was open and trading when the officers arrived. The visit was made following complaints of unhygienic conditions at the premises to the council. Upon inspection, officers found evidence of: A…

A Cardiff family whose loved ones were cared for by City Hospice is supporting the charity’s Forever Flowers campaign this summer. Forever Flowers is an award-winning, annual campaign which invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones with a unique and lasting tribute. The limited edition flowers will feature in a special display in the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 5 to Sunday 13 August. This year’s flower is a daisy, which for many symbolises love, hope and new dawns, and the charity is inviting the public to dedicate a daisy to a loved one.…

Business confidence in Wales fell 14 points during May to 18%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 14 points at 28%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down 15 points to 7%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 18%. Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as investing in sustainability (27%), evolving their offer (26%), and introducing new technology (25%). The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about…

Matty Jones has named his Cymru Under 21 squad for their first 2025 UEFA U21 European Championship qualifier against Denmark in June. Jones has selected a 24-player squad for the trip to Vejle as Cymru look to build on their 3-0 friendly victory over Scotland in March and begin the long journey to reach the finals. Fin Stevens, Oli Hammond, Eli King and Owen Beck have plenty of experience at this level and are named in the squad. Rubin Colwill, who has already made eight senior appearances, is also called up. Jones has selected six uncapped players, with Charlie Crew,…

The Summer season is stepping up, as the latest round of tickets for The National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty are now on sale. Lido-lovers can now purchase tickets for all sessions happening from June 4 – June 30, including the new additional daytime swims. During half term, Lido Ponty is open seven days a week for two early morning swims, followed by six family fun/casual sessions where the inflatables and activities are out and the splash pool with fountain is on. From Monday, June 5, the summer timetable is in place, which will see on weekdays: Two early morning…

Two members of the Empty Homes Team at Caerphilly County Borough Council have been recognised at this year’s national Empty Homes Network Awards. Jamie Wagenaar received the Rising Star Award in recognition of his dedicated approach, positive attitude, and awareness of the positive difference his work makes to local communities. Oliver Denton was highly commended in the Empty Homes Practitioner of the Year category for his dedication and tenaciousness to progress the most difficult cases in the Caerphilly borough to resolution. Jamie and Oliver work as part of the team responsible for tackling the issue of empty privately owned homes…

A spectacular Woodland Play Tower has been completed in Neath’s Gnoll Estate Country Park – the early 18th Century landscaped attraction which covers around 100 acres. The children’s tower will add to existing features including lakeside and woodland walks, restored formal cascades, a grotto, a coarse fishery, ponds, play areas including an adventure playground and a visitor centre. The development of the Play Tower is part of a £4.2m programme of ‘clean-up and green up’ improvements to towns, valleys and villages approved by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Rainbow Coalition. The programme includes £200,000 for improvements at public toilets, £445,000 on…

The first Child Friendly Cardiff Awards will take place this July to celebrate and recognise children, young people and organisations that have championed children’s rights in their community, every-day life and workplace. Organised by Child Friendly Cardiff, members of the public can nominate people and organisations before Monday 12thJune, with the winners being notified by Monday 3rdJuly and the winners being presented with their award at a ‘Rights Fest’ event on Tuesday 11thJuly at Cardiff City Stadium. Child Friendly Cardiff has been supporting the Council in embedding children’s rights into its policies and strategies,and delivering projects aimed at upholding rights…

Clayton Hotel Cardiff is partnering with Food Cardiff, the city’s rapidly growing food partnership, to help fund its Community Food Retail Network – supporting people who are struggling to access food or under pressure from the cost of living. The hotel has secured more than £3,000 via the M&G plc Community Fund which Food Cardiff will now use to support the 2,000+ beneficiaries of its Community Food Retail Network.  Community Food Retail projects are not-for-profit, charity or social enterprise initiatives rooted within a local community, with a strong social mission to tackle food related issues. The Cardiff Community Food Retail Network is a…