Author: Rhys Gregory

TODAY, organisers of Cardiff’s Sŵn Festival are excited to announce Sŵn Industry Sessions, a programme of panels and training opportunities to inspire future generations engaged in the music industry to take their career to the next stage. Sŵn Industry Sessions will take place at Tramshed Tech on Saturday 21 October, 9:30am – 7pm as a fringe event to the festival, which runs from Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October in Cardiff. With a month to go, organisers are calling for people to book their place for a day of insightful talks, panels and networking opportunities. Individuals can book a…

Two youths from South Wales have been sentenced following an investigation carried out by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales. The two came to the attention of CTPW officers in 2022, after both subjects carried our several offences of racially and homophobically aggravated criminal damage, over several months throughout South Wales. Amongst the damage, extreme right-wing graffiti was daubed on a Windrush Mural in port Talbot and a smoke bomb was rolled into The Queer Emporium which is an LGBTQ+ business in Cardiff City Centre. On Wednesday the 7th of June 2023, 17-year-old Aristedes Miles Haynes from Port-Talbot appeared before Westminster Magistrates…

Festival goers will be welcomed by a dapper Cor Meibion Porthcawl this weekend thanks to Ogi – Wales’s home-grown broadband provider – as the 19th Elvis themed event gets underway in the town. Formed in 1980, the choir now has over 50 members form the town, performing a varied repertoire from musicals, to opera, traditional hymns and even the odd pop song. Appearing at this year’s Elvis Festival – the worlds largest gathering of the King of Rocks fans – choir members will showcase their brand-new concert uniforms, kindly donated by Welsh broadband provider Ogi, through their award-winning community fund.…

​​​​​​​An opportunity is being offered to launch a food and drink business at one of Swansea city centre’s prime cultural locations. Swansea Council wants to lease the café space at its celebrated Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to a new or existing eager food and drink operator. The leaseholder will be able to play a key role in helping thousands of people to enjoy the city centre which already has a thriving café culture featuring independent and big name outlets. Council deputy leader David Hopkins said: “This is a great opportunity for a business-minded new leaseholder to make the gallery an…

Three dynamic new strategies have been unveiled with the aim of making Neath Port Talbot a nationally recognised destination with a high-quality, accessible offer of sport, heritage, arts and culture. The Neath Port Talbot Culture Strategy, Draft Heritage Strategy, and Destination Management Plan have all been developed following extensive engagement with communities, stakeholders, and partner organisations. The Destination Management Plan and Culture Strategy were adopted by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet at a meeting on Wednesday, September 20th, 2023 where it was also agreed the Draft Heritage Strategy, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will go out to public…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is inviting local organisations to join it in signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. The Covenant is a voluntary pledge. A signing event will be held on 2nd November; interested organisations are asked to email [email protected] to find out more and book their space. Cllr Theresa Heron, the Council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant Champion, said “We’re encouraging local businesses and organisations to pledge their support to our armed forces community.…

If you have ever thought of growing your own produce, either for you and your family, or for a community group, then there’s an event coming up that could be for you. Chepstow CAN  (Community Action Network) is holding a free Community Growing workshop on Tuesday 10th October. The event runs from 9.30am until 3pm and is being held at Bulwark Community Centre. Organised by Monmouthshire County Council’s Be Community team and GAVO (Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations), the event is supported by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The workshop is aimed at anyone, or any community groups, that…

The Hideout café is the first local business leading the way in Merthyr Tydfil by signing up to the very unique BillyChip project, supporting those most in need within the town centre. The project breaks down barriers and provides a safe and secure way to donate to those sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness, without the fear or worry of giving money which could be used on alcohol or drugs. It works by a member of the public purchasing a BillyChip token from a participating outlet, such as a coffee shop, at the cost of just £2. They keep the token safe…

From Monday 2nd of October, projects operating in the Local Authority areas of Ceredigion and Powys can apply for funding for the Multiply programme. Mid Wales has a budget of £5 million for Multiply projects up to December 2024. The programme, which is part of the wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund, seeks to attract projects that aim to improve functional numeracy skills through free personal tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses. Interested parties considering the fund can attend a webinar on 02nd of October, 2-3pm, to find out more and what steps are needed to apply for it. Examples of…

The Brecon Household Waste Recycling Centre in the Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate will be closing temporarily on Thursday 16 November to undergo important safety upgrades and improve the site user experience. The refurbishment to the recycling centre will include new, safer hardstanding across the site, upgraded drainage, an improved one-way system with easier access and safer parking area, and a dedicated area for leaving items for re-use. Due to begin on Thursday 16 November, the work will take approximately three-months to complete. Although many of the improvements to the site will not be noticeable to visitors, they are essential to make…