Author: Rhys Gregory

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband, former US President Bill Clinton, shared their views about the challenges facing our future leaders with a packed audience at Swansea University’s Great Hall. Back in Swansea for the first time since 2019, Secretary Clinton was joined by President Clinton for a public event hosted by the University and supported by the Welsh Government. The couple were guests of honour at a special discussion which focused on current global challenges. They were joined on stage by the First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford MS, and the Vice-Chancellor of Swansea…

TWO Barry residents have been prosecuted for mistreating dogs, following an investigation by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. It related to concerns that puppies and dogs were being kept in very poor conditions at a house and that this property was potentially being used for illegal dog breeding.Shared Regulatory Services (SRS), which carries out trading standards work in the Vale, Cardiff and Bridgend Local Authority areas, brought a case against Dominic Fouracre and Rachel Lewis. They both plead guilty to a number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act at Cardiff Crown Court after keeping dogs in horrendous conditions, leading…

This Christmas, National Trust Cymru invites visitors to discover the Victorian pastimes that continue to bring us together over the Christmas period at Penrhyn Castle and Gardens.  On weekends from 25 November, twinkling lights and decked out halls bring a warmth to Penrhyn Castle. The lavish interiors provide a rich backdrop for a mix of traditional and modern Christmas decorations and the Grand Staircase sets the scene for the giant 15ft colourful Christmas tree. National Trust Cymru encourage visitors to spend time in these impressive rooms over the Christmas period, whether that’s by settling down with a book in the…

RSPCA Cymru has launched a second appeal for information to try and find the owner of a mare and her foal removed from Gelligaer and Merthyr Common. The mare and foal were removed due to concerns for their welfare on Wednesday 8 November. RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black said: “We are issuing an appeal for information to try and track down the owner of a mare and foal. “The mare has a lump on her face/nose area that requires veterinary treatment and the foal was lame so they were both removed on welfare grounds. “They are now receiving the…

Neath Polyphonic Choir has announced its Christmas concert will take place on December 8 at St David’s Church, Neath. The funds raised from the evening will be donated to kidney charity, Popham Kidney Support, to help better the lives of kidney patients and their families across Wales. The evening of live music, which begins at 7 pm, will feature special guest soloist, Osian Wyn Bowen, as well as Briton Ferry Silver Band under its leader, Jeff Pearce. The musical team will be led by the Choir’s Music Director, Mark Ritzmann, with Lara Omidvar as Accompanist, and Mary Evans as Assistant…

A TABLE tennis academy has served up success and returned strong numbers since launching earlier this year. The strategic partnership between Coleg Cambria and Table Tennis Wales is focused on providing an inclusive community club programme and dedicated grassroots coaching. Focused on all five of the college’s sites – Deeside, Northop, Llysfasi, and Yale and Bersham Road in Wrexham – the academy welcomed more than 800 people for training and fun sessions in just four months. Regional Development Officer for North Wales Aaron Beech liaised with schools, clubs, and community organisations in a bid to find the country’s next Olympic,…

A new short scifi film turns South Wales into a post-apocalyptic world. And viewers will soon be able to see it online for free. Annalium 8: Sssss is set in a world where all animal life has been wiped out. But a scientist in full bio-hazard kit and with a life-support machine in tow, discovers a young girl in a forest, apparently fit and well. Created by Robert Lancey, a writer born and raised in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, the short film was shot in and around the Welsh capital in summer 2022. After editing and post-production sound design, the film was…

Charities, community groups and other social enterprises are among those who still have a chance of benefiting from UK Shared Prosperity Funding. Pembrokeshire County Council is calling for those that may benefit from the Pembrokeshire Sustainable Communities Fund to apply. The UK Shared Prosperity Funding is financed by the UK Government under the Levelling Up Programme. The invitation for applications has reopened with grants of £10,000 to £100,000 for new projects available. There is up to £1million committed to the fund and13 projects in Pembrokeshire have already benefited. The Pembrokeshire Sustainable Communities Fund supports the development and creation activities linked…

RCT Council has completed a significant repair scheme to a river wall that supports the embankment off the A4058 at Tonypandy, near the Tylacelyn Road Roundabout. An area of traffic management on the southern approach to the roundabout, that was required to access the wall beneath the road, has recently been removed. The completed scheme has included tree and vegetation removal from the wall, clearing a 150-metre length of the collapsed section of the wall, and installing a blockstone revetment in its place. Work has also included rebuilding localised sections of the wall, repointing works, installation of wooden posts and…

Several streets in Pontypridd Town Centre will be closed to traffic on two consecutive Sundays due to work at the former bingo hall site – starting this weekend. The first closure will be in place from 8am to 6pm on Sunday, November 19, and will then be repeated on Sunday, November 26. Contractor Prichard’s will install a drainage connection across the carriageway, as part of the ongoing preparatory works at the former bingo hall site, ahead of its redevelopment. The closure will include Taff Street (from its junction with Church Street, heading south), the entire length of High Street (from…