Author: Rhys Gregory

Following on from a week of contrasts, with increasingly warmer conditions spreading north eastwards across the UK following below-average temperatures earlier in the week. Met Office Chief Meteorologist Steve Willington said: “The cold conditions from earlier in the week will linger longest in the far north of Scotland but the rest of the UK will see the transition to warmer, but more unsettled conditions. However, frost is still a possibility in central areas of the UK where cloud gives way to clearer spells. https://twitter.com/metoffice/status/1651209371836207104 “Following on from Wednesday’s largely cloudy conditions, two areas of rain will move in overnight. Western…

Forty-seven new, air-quality monitoring stations are to be placed across the city to help measure pollution in the air that we breathe. The monitors – which will identify levels of Nitrogen Dioxide and very small particles of dust known as Particulate Matter (PM10and PM2.5) – will further improve how Cardiff Council measures air pollution and better identify problems quickly and take steps to reduce pollution. They will be placed in the city’s four Air Quality Monitoring Areas (AQMAs) and more widely across the whole of the city, near areas of concern like schools and health centres following an assessment procedure…

A colourful parade with a carnival atmosphere will make its way through the city centre on Saturday as the annual Swansea Pride festival returns. This year the free festival which starts at 12 noon and runs until 7pm is taking place in the car park and grounds at the front of the Guildhall and the nearby Brangwyn Hall. It has been moved as the traditional venue at Museum Park has not recovered from weeks of heavy rain. Prior to the festival a parade will take place, starting out from Wind Street at 11am and then making its way through the…

One of Swansea’s most successful ever art shows is being extended. The free-entry His Dark Materials exhibition at Swansea Council’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery has attracted more than 24,000 visitors since its launch just before Christmas. Last month saw the city centre gallery enjoy its highest monthly visitor figure – more than 8,700 – since an exhibition of works by iconic painter LS Lowry 21 years ago. Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “This is an exceptional exhibition in a beautiful gallery. It’s fantastic that so many people have enjoyed it. “I’m delighted that it’s been extended so that yet…

The last few years have been a difficult time for businesses, especially those who want to start a new venture. The impact of the Covid pandemic, the changing shopping habits along with the shift to online shopping have all challenged Town Centres. Encouraging new businesses into the Town Centre has proven difficult resulting in vacancies. One Government-led initiative to encourage the temporary occupation of vacant shops in Town Centre’s is a scheme called Meanwhile Use. The Meanwhile Use Scheme provides new businesses with financial assistance allowing them the opportunity to take on a tenancy and test trade the market without…

Two pupils from Osbaston CiW School in Monmouth have presented a ‘Save the Polar Bears’ petition to Monmouthshire County Council’s Place Scrutiny Meeting. The petition was signed by pupils from the primary school who want to see the end of single-use plastics to help address the climate emergency. The pupils, Charlotte and Ffion, stood in the Council Chamber and read their petition to the Cabinet, to Councillors representing wards across the county and to officers from across the Council. Council Leader, Cllr. Mary Ann Brocklesby, spent time with the pupils prior to the meeting discussing their petition and praising their…

A new school building for a Welsh-medium primary school in north Powys will open its doors to pupils and staff for the first time next week, the county council has said. The finishing touches are being applied to the new 150-place school for Welshpool’s Ysgol Gymraeg Y Trallwng. Pupils and staff will move to their new school building on Tuesday, May 2. The new building, which will include early years and community facilities, has been built by Powys County Council and its contractor Wynne Construction. The innovative scheme for the new school combines the old and the new which will…

First Minister Mark Drakeford and Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price will today [Thursday April 27] see how the Co-operation Agreement is supporting thriving communities in a series of visits in Pembrokeshire. They will meet students at Ysgol Caer Elen, in Haverfordwest, to hear about their hopes and ambitions for the future. They will then tour the site of former MOD housing at the Cashfield Estate in the town, which has been brought back into use as affordable homes for local people. The visit will end at the Bro Preseli extra care – a housing scheme for older people, developed by…

Following 3 years of work, the enhancement project at the main gateway into the Castle is complete Cadw has today (27 April) announced the completion of a 3-year conservation and development project at Caernarfon Castle’s principal gatehouse – providing access to areas of the castle not seen close-up for centuries. This major £5 million investment has seen a rooftop deck installation and new flooring in the gatehouse towers. It also includes the installation of a lift that allows access for all to the upper levels, which we believe is a first for any similar UK World Heritage site. The project…

The first made-in-Wales strategy to tackle wildlife and rural crime is to be launched at the Royal Welsh Showground on Thursday. Wildlife and rural crime can come in many forms such as the theft of agricultural equipment, devastating livestock offences and the destruction of wildlife and their habitats. Rural theft alone was valued to cost £1.3m in 2021. The joint strategy, between the Welsh Government and Wales’ four police forces, will be key in the fight against such offences. A co-ordinated and strategic approach will be central to the success of the strategy which is being launched. In 2021, Rob…