Author: Rhys Gregory

Caerphilly County Borough Council has unveiled plans to carry out improvements to the square in Trinant, as part of its Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) environmental improvements programme. The plans include renovation of the areas around the trees at the front of the square, removing cobbles, and the installation of new benches, railings, bins, cycle rack and lighting columns.  A reduction of the curved steps and replacement with stone, with the installation of brushed steel handrails are also planned. Work is scheduled to start around 15th May, depending on weather, and is expected to be completed in late summer.  There…

A group of Ukrainian families organised an event at the Palmer Centre in Chepstow as a show of thanks for the welcome they’re received from the local community.  Residents have opened up their homes to those seeking refuge following Vladimir Putin’s horrifying invasion of their country.  Monmouthshire has welcomed more refugees from Ukraine that almost any other part of Wales with more than 50 families hosted in and around Chepstow and the Forest of Dean alone. The event was attended by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Chepstow Town Council, Cllrs Margaret Griffiths and Tudor Griffiths; the Leader and Deputy…

A school street in Merthyr Tydfil will be temporarily closed to traffic next week as part of a trial for plans to improve road safety in the areas. The road outside Goetre Primary School will shut during peak drop-off and pick-up times to help children access school safely, promote active travel and reduce air pollution. The County Borough Council has received a Welsh Government Safe Routes in Communities Grant for a feasibility study as part of the ‘School Streets’ scheme. “Roads around school gates are often dominated by cars during school drop-off and pick-up times and it’s important that the…

A pioneering primary school, built by Powys County Council, has been shortlisted in two categories in Wales’ prestigious construction awards ceremony. Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School, which opened it doors in January 2021, is competing for two awards at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards 2023. The Constructing Excellence in Wales awards are recognised across the Welsh built environment as the biggest and brightest celebration of best practice in Wales. The school building, which was built as part of the council’s Transforming Education Programme, has been shortlisted in the Sustainability Award and Value Award categories. The awards ceremony will…

An army regiment will be marching through a Powys town later this month as part of a freedom parade. The Royal Welsh, Wales’ oldest and most decorated regiment, will be marching through Hay-on-Wye on Saturday, May 20 to celebrate the reaffirmation for their Freedom of the County. The parade, which will also involve the Royal Welsh Military band, veterans and cadets, will see the Royal Welsh march from Oxford Road car park to the grounds of Hay Castle, where a short ceremony and service will take place, including permission by the regiment to exercise freedom of the county. The Royal…

Death is a difficult thing to cope with. Losing a loved one can be even harder. There are many ways to remember a loved one after they die. Some people choose to keep photos and mementoes as a way of keeping the person close by. Others may choose to write down their thoughts and memories about the person in order to keep them in their thoughts. Creating a lasting memorial for your loved one is an important part of the grieving process for many. It’s an opportunity to let go of some of the emotional weight and allow yourself to…

Coming to the realisation that your relationship is not going to work long-term has no doubt taken some time, but it is the first of many important decisions you will need to make when splitting up. We look at the steps you can take to help you make informed and wise decisions that will improve the separation process.  Take your time and make a plan  In the recent aftermath of a separation, your emotions are often intensified. Making decisions based purely on your emotions is never a good idea. Take some time to feel your ‘feelings’ before you dive into…

As a business owner, it’s essential to manage your finances effectively, and that includes collecting unpaid debts. Unpaid invoices can significantly impact a company’s cash flow, and that’s where debt collection comes in. Commercial Debt Collection Services Debt collection agencies act as intermediaries between businesses and their customers, ensuring cash flow and maintaining positive customer relationships. These agencies are experts in debt recovery and have a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory framework surrounding debt collection. One such agency is Intrum debt collection in the UK, which specialises in debt recovery and credit management. They work with businesses of…

Gambling and casinos are amazing worlds where players can experience the most unforgettable moments of their lives. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of walking into your favourite lacky barry casino to spend your free time playing your favourite game and walking out with millions in cash in your pocket. That goes for land-based casinos as well as the best online casinos in the UK. There’s always the opportunity to combine the fun of the game with big winnings. And sometimes those winnings aren’t just big, they’re huge! And some of them are even historical because they break records. In this…

When the UK government was finalizing the legislation that helped create the contemporary gambling industry seventeen years ago, moral outrage over the proposed supercasinos led to the idea’s eventual demise. Plans for up to 40 were reduced to 8, then to just one in Manchester, until Gordon Brown gave in to media criticism, which the Tories deftly used to their advantage, and completely abandoned the concept. Flutter and Entain in The Blooming Online Gaming Market The 2005 Gambling Act and the introduction of smartphones to the market happened at the same time. In the culture we live in today, everyone…