Author: Rhys Gregory

Pembrokeshire County Council is delighted to have received confirmation that a major regeneration project for Pembroke is to receive multi-million pound funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The UK Government has provisionally confirmed funding of up to £10.54m for the Westgate to Eastgate: Levelling Up Pembroke Town project which aims to support economic and social activity across the town, famous for its imposing medieval castle, birthplace of Henry Tudor. The project includes enhancement to the public realm and green infrastructure to improve the experience of people who visit and encourage longer visits. Upgraded pedestrian connections will link Main…

The ‘Carew Castle Express’ has been unveiled to mark the introduction of brand-new Transport for Wales (TfW) trains between Swansea and Carmarthen. Named as part of TfW’s Magnificent Train Journey competition, the name ‘Carew Castle Express’ was chosen by year 5 pupil Rhys Protheroe from Johnstown Primary School in Carmarthen. Rhys and other children from the school were invited to Carmarthen Railway Station today (Thursday 16 November) to see the winning name on the side of one of TfW’s brand new Class 197 trains. The Class 197s have recently been introduced between Swansea and Carmarthen, offering greater capacity and enhanced…

Newport has joined a global network of over 300 cities committed to eradicating HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. The Fast Track Cities network is an international initiative which works to end new cases of HIV by 2030, have zero preventable deaths from HIV/AIDS, zero stigma and discrimination and a better quality of life for people living with HIV. Newport has become the second city in Wales to join the network, after Cardiff and the Vale. The network was set up in 2014 with the signing of the Paris Declaration on World AIDS Day. Cities in the network pledge to work…

One mistake newbie online gamblers make is getting carried away. Most online gambling games are games of chance that don’t require skills. Therefore, to keep winning as a gambler, you need to be smart and come up with strategies that will work. Talking of gambling strategies, you need to avoid anything that encourages chasing losses. Read and learn smart gambling moves that will help you to keep winning. Have a budget Set out an amount for gambling and stick to it. A gambling budget helps you gamble responsibly. The amount set out for gambling should not affect your regular lifestyle.…

Political and social mobility activist, the RT Hon Justine Greening, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Cardiff Metropolitan University. Following her Parliamentary career, Justine has campaigned for social mobility and equal opportunities, establishing the Social Mobility Pledge in 2018. The scheme is aimed at broadening social mobility and opportunity in Britain, which brings businesses and universities together to improve social mobility. The former Secretary of State for Education and MP for Putney, Justine is the Chair of the Purpose Coalition, a cross-party initiative which brings together the UK’s most innovative leaders, Parliamentarians, over 700 businesses and 50 universities –…

A woman from Carmarthen is calling for more workplace support for menstrual health after quitting her dream job due to lack of understanding and support from her employer around her endometriosis condition. This call comes as the CIPD releases its Menstruation and support at work report, which surveyed more than 2,000 women and found that more than two thirds (69%) of women in the UK have a negative experience at work because of their menstruation symptoms. Sophie Richards, 26, was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 21 following a five-year struggle with chronic paid, bloating and irregular cycles before…

This week, the North Wales Ambition Board has given its approval to the full business case for Wrexham University’s Enterprise Engineering and Optics Centre (EEOC). The Growth Deal will fund £11.55m of the total project value. A significant milestone, the project will deliver a specialist centre for research and development, business collaboration and skills development in optics, photonics and composites as lightweight alternatives for manufacturing. It will also integrate hydrogen as a substitute fuel source contributing to sustainable practices in industry. A key part of the project is to attract investment to North Wales and create local employment, with between…

Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice is getting ready to launch its second ‘When Your World Stops’ fundraising appeal with its target to raise £350,000 in just 60 hours. The appeal, with Ammanford-born Alfi’s Morris’s story at its heart, will go live at 10am Sunday 26 Nov and will run through to 10pm Tuesday 28 November. All donations made to Tŷ Hafan during that time will be match-funded meaning that one donation will have double the impact. Lynne Phelps, Head of Family Wellbeing and Outreach Services for Tŷ Hafan, says: “We know how much a family’s world changes when a child is diagnosed with a life-shortening condition. “It changes again when they realise they must consider end-of-life care and again when their child dies. “Tŷ Hafan is here to provide endless support to families from the first moment their world changes. “We can’t…

The Tywi Centre, a built heritage conservation skills provider based in the heart of Carmarthenshire, is spearheading a transformative effort to safeguard and enhance Wales’s traditional built heritage with a resolute focus on sustainability. Wales boasts a rich cultural heritage, with approximately one-third of its housing stock comprising traditionally constructed, solid-walled buildings. Recognising the critical need to reduce emissions associated with these historical structures, the Tywi Centre has unveiled its latest visionary programmes seeking to empower craftspeople and communities with the skills and knowledge required to safeguard these treasures while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns. These latest initiatives have been made…

Recognised for their sterling service, the catering team at Bryntirion Comprehensive School stole the award for ‘Catering Team of the Year’ at the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA WALES) awards, held at the Vale Resort last month. Leanne Rees-Sheppard, cook at kitchen two of Bryntirion Comprehensive School, said: “As a team we are very proud to have been nominated for and delighted to have won the ‘Catering Team of the Year’ award. “Having attended school council meetings and listened to the pupils, it was clear that they wanted to see healthier and more sustainable alternatives, such as plant-based…