Author: Rhys Gregory

An Ogmore Valley community group is further equipped to continue its great work in cleaning up the valley after receiving funding from local energy company, Pennant Walters. Ogmore Valley Priide received £7,000 which has been put to good use in purchasing a large storage unit and further equipment, to aid the group of local volunteers as they work tirelessly to carry out clean up operations including litter picking, river cleaning, grass cutting and planting flowers and bulbs in green areas. The funding from Pennant Walters is from a fund linked to the construction of the new, but standalone, Pant y…

The Wales Coast Path is well known for its 870 miles of rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and epic views over the waves — but did you know that it’s also teeming with spooky stories? As the autumnal winds whisper through Wales’ coastal cliffs, adventure seekers; history enthusiasts; and those with a penchant for the paranormal are invited to see the Path in a new light. And what better time to do so than Halloween? Read on to discover 7 terrifying tales of those who walked the Path before us… If you dare! 1. The Reverend of Rhossili’s Old Rectory Perched…

Businesses in Wales are being advised to prepare for the new requirements under the Welsh Government’s new Workplace Recycling Wales laws, which come into force in April 2024. Recycling experts discussed the upcoming changes in one of a series of roundtable discussions being held online in the run-up to the Green Economy Conference and Exhibition, which will take place at Swansea Arena on November 22. Explaining the laws, Andy Rees from the Welsh Government said they will impact all non-domestic premises in Wales, requiring them to separate out their waste recyclables. Unsold items such as electrical equipment and textiles also…

Over 60,000 meters of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) has now been energised across the whole South Wales Metro rail network. The South Wales Metro will provide more rail services and make it easier for people to travel in the region.  Brand-new Citylink Class 398 tram-trains are already in test on Metro routes and the £100 million Metro Depot at Taff’s Well is near completion. Karl Gilmore Rail Infrastructure Director at TfW said: “This is yet another key milestone in the transformation work of our core valley lines as we continue to progress in delivering the South Wales Metro It’s really…

On Friday, officers conducted a warrant at a unit in Treforest Industrial Estate, following thermal images from a police drone which led to the warrant. Four men were found inside the unit, and they attempted to hide in the attic but were found and detained by the officers with the help of a police dog. The warehouse had been converted into two large rooms which contained 956 cannabis plants, and further rooms had been converted in preparation of having more cannabis plants. The estimated value of the plants was over £1 million. All four men have been charged and remanded…

Watch the moment an armed robber entered a bookmakers and threatened the cashier with an 8-inch blade. Anton Jones has since been jailed for eleven and a half years after the incident at the Betfred shop in Merthyr Tydfil town centre. In April, Jones, 46, entered the shop, concealing his face with a balaclava and an eight-inch bread knife hidden in his jacket sleeve. He deliberately didn’t speak whilst demanding money from the staff as he was a regular customer in the shop, and the staff on duty would have readily recognised his voice. He stole around £600. Following extensive…

A much loved old Swansea city centre building is beginning to change as it prepares for an exciting future. Contractors Kier, working on behalf of Swansea Council, have started to transform Oxford Street’s former BHS. It’s set to become Y Storfa, a public services hub that’ll attract thousands of visitors every week. A short distance from bus stops, cycle routes and car parks, it’ll be home to services such as the city’s main public library and West Glamorgan Archive Service, Swansea’s Careers Wales service and Citizens Advice Swansea Neath Port Talbot. Other services the public will be able to access…

Council house tenants in Pembrokeshire are being urged to take part in a survey which will be sent out shortly by Pembrokeshire County Council. The customer satisfaction survey will ask questions about how residents feel about the services they receive from the Council’s Housing Management and Building Maintenance sections. Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, encouraged all those who receive a survey to respond. “Tenants’ views and opinions on our services really matter to us and will help shape our services for the future,” she said. Following the survey, we will be holding focus groups to discuss feedback. So keep…

The spookiest night of the year is nearly here, and a frightening amount of waste is created, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Get creative with Halloween costumes: by making your own ghost gown from old bed sheets. Revamp old outfits from previous years and reuse costumes from charity shops instead of buying new ones. Welcoming trick or treaters at your door? Offer them treats such as apples, tangerines, biscuits or cake without the wrapping, so less litter gets dropped in the street. Pumpkin carving? Use the pulp leftovers to make a tasty soup. Then, when the fun’s…

A number of singles use plastics have been banned from being supplied in Wales as of this week. The move follows a Welsh Government commitment to ‘embed our response to the climate and nature emergency in everything we do’ The purpose of the new law is to reduce the flow of plastic pollution into our environment by prohibiting the supply of certain single-use plastic products. Climate Change Minister Julie James explained the Act forms part of the Welsh Government’s response to the climate and nature emergencies and ‘builds on momentum created by communities across Wales who have chosen to go…