Author: Rhys Gregory

BRAND new rail services are set to be launched on one of South Wales’ key lines, almost doubling the number of travel options. Thanks to a £70 million investment through the Welsh Government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Transport for Wales and Network Rail will be delivering direct services between Ebbw Vale and Newport. From December, the line will have two trains per hour – one to Cardiff and one to Newport. That means the line will have more than 60 services running on it every single day. TfW Project Sponsor Kevin Lewis said the project was an example…

New guidance will help NHS Wales to build a culture in which ‘Speaking Up’, is supported safely and all concerns are listened to. This week, the Welsh Government and NHS Wales have published the Speaking up Safely Framework for NHS Wales. This framework will enhance existing procedures to ensure a consistent approach across Wales and provide assurances to staff that concerns will be taken seriously, heard fairly and will not result in personal repercussions. Developed in social partnership with trade unions and NHS Wales employers, it sets out the responsibilities of all NHS Wales organisations, their executive teams, and boards,…

Today, Public Health Wales has published new guidance for secondary schools to tackle vaping. The guidance sets out details of vaping use among young people in Wales and actions schools can take to address vaping. Figures from the School Health Research Network show that 20% of young people from year 7 to year 11 say they’ve tried vaping, with 5% of secondary school pupils in Wales vaping at least once a week. Health and Well-being is a mandatory part of the new Curriculum for Wales, and the guidance provides opportunities to introduce learning about vaping and vaping devices. This should…

Businesses are urged to review security systems and make it clear that there is no cash on the premises overnight. This month, 11 businesses in Penarth and Barry have been broken into or been subject to attempt burglary. Small independent businesses and larger premises have been hit. Common themes of the recent burglaries are: Committed overnight. Entry gained by smashing doors or windows. Cash stolen from tills. As part of the police response, detectives are reviewing forensic opportunities, speaking to witnesses and viewing CCTV, to identify and arrest those responsible. Local Policing Inspector for Penarth,  Abi Biddle, said: “Being a…

Jordan Scaffe has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, after being convicted of six counts of exposure and three counts of voyeurism. Scaffe, 28 from Llantrisant exposed himself on a number of occasions to victims including young girls. Scaffe filmed women while they were undressing in a changing room and of schoolgirls’ reactions as he showed them his genitals. However, when arrested and his phone was seized, officer in the case DC Harri Andrews found key evidence on Scaffe’s phone, where he had filmed some of his offending which meant…

Jamie Bartlett who believed he was arranging to have sex with seven-year-old girl was caught by undercover officer. Bartlett, 46 from Aberdare, believed he was talking to a man with access to a made-up seven-year-old girl but was actually speaking to an officer from the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT). During the communication he said, “”I really hope it’s not a fantasy mate, I’m really up for it” and he also told the undercover officer that he had previously had sexual activity with an eight-year-old girl. When told that fictitious girl was “seven-years-old”, he responded “Mate, that’s perfect to be…

Police were called to a report of serious assault in Hansen Street at around 4.30am on Thursday, September 14. Luke Higgins, 40, of Tyndall Street, was critically injured and taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he died on Saturday (September 16). His family has issued the following statement: “We are devastated by the loss of Luke who was a father of four and one of nine siblings. “Luke was a much-loved father, brother and uncle, and will be greatly missed.” Prior to Mr Higgins’ death, David Smith, 43, of Hansen Street, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to sell the self-catering holiday let, The Old Post Office, in the Welsh town of Montgomery in Powys. The Old Post Office occupies the Grade II listed building, Compton House, which is located in the heart of the historic town and is ideal for groups of friends or families looking to explore the area’s many tourist attractions, including Powis Castle and the Shropshire Hills AONB. The property features a stunning open-plan living area which spans the entire ground floor of the former Post Office. Sleeping up to eight guests, the…

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is excited to announce the commencement of a ground-breaking masterplanning and visioning study for the Royal Welsh Showground. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the Society and Showground, reinforcing its position as a foremost venue for agricultural, business, and entertainment events and playing a significant role in the region’s economy. The Royal Welsh Showground, located in Llanelwedd near Builth Wells, has played a leading role in the development of agriculture and the rural economy in Wales for over a century. The Showground is over 150 acres with over 40 buildings and…

A charity which helps parent carers across Wales navigate the world of disabilities, palliative care and bereavement, has received a funding boost to provide further support to its community. Advocates and Angels has partnered with Wales & West Utilities, which has provided £30,000 of funding to supplement the charity’s support services in helping parents caring for children. It is now hoped that through the two-year partnership more than 7,000 parents across Wales will receive help in a range of areas including awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, receiving of Warm Packs, signing up to the Priority Services…