Author: Rhys Gregory

A college in the South Wales valleys has become the first in the country to create a dedicated sustainability role as part of a wider strategy to improve its green credentials. Coleg y Cymoedd, which serves learners across the boroughs of Rhondda and Caerphilly, has appointed Rachel Edmonds-Naish as its new Assistant Principal for Sustainable Futures – the first senior leadership position of this type in a Welsh further education college. The unique job will see her implement a range of initiatives and policies designed to reduce the college’s carbon footprint and support learners to make more responsible and sustainable…

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed that the council will continue to host the Valleys Regional Park (VRP) project until 2024. With European Social funding coming to an end in June 2023, the Cabinet has also agreed to accept Welsh Government funding of £265,000 to support the project until the end of the 2023/ 2024 financial year. VRP is an environmental vision for the valleys – developed and delivered through a growing partnership of local authorities, government agencies, local health boards, charitable trusts and voluntary organisations that are working closely with private enterprise and local communities. The…

A piece of 17thCentury treasure found by a local metal detectorist has gone on display at the Museum of Cardiff. The rare silver thimble, which is believed to have been intended as a romantic gift due to the inscription around its base which reads ‘I AM YOVRS’ (I am yours) was found buried in Pentyrch, 18cm below the ground. Museum Manager, Alison Tallontire, said: “This is the first piece of treasure to ever go on display at the Museum, so it’s really exciting for us. “These thimbles were once commonly-owned by members of the upper-class nobility, but they’re now a…

Outdoor theatre is set to return to Swansea this summer – with stories from two popular British literary icons. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night – presented by Immersion Theatre – is due to play in the grounds of Oystermouth Castle on Wednesday, August 9. The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, adapted from stories by Beatrix Potter and presented by Quantum Theatre, will be performed at the same venue the following day. Both performances are being organised by Swansea Council. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Both productions should be thoroughly entertaining and memorable for both visitors and residents…

Pembrokeshire County Council is preparing for the annual Tenby Pedestrianisation scheme. The scheme will start on Monday 3rd July and finish on Friday 8th September and run between 11am – 5.30pm each day. The scheme will again see the Walled Town divided into three ‘zones,’ each of which will have varying degrees of vehicle access. Full details of the scheme and the on-line application form will be available from Monday 2nd May and can be found on the Council’s website. Residents and business within the Walled Town are encouraged to complete the process as soon as possible after the documents…

The main demolition phase for the Castle Inn Bridge in Treforest will start on site from Monday, April 24. The activity over the coming weeks will enable the permanent replacement bridge to be installed during the summer. Castle Inn Bridge is a Listed structure that spans the Afon Taff between River Street in Treforest and Cardiff Road in Glyntaff. It previously provided a local link between the B4595 and A4054 – however, the bridge was severely damaged in Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, and is closed to ensure safety. The Council has received Listed Building Consent to demolish the structure…

Funding to progress exciting plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been approved by Caerphilly council’s cabinet this week. The ambitious scheme will see the construction of a colourful new two storey extension within the footprint of the existing Trinity Fields school site to accommodate an additional 80 places, plus extra facilities. Cllr Carol Andrews, CCBC’s Cabinet Member for Education said, “The Cabinet is delighted to give this much-anticipated scheme the green light. The impressive plans for the site signal a new era for this flagship school and I’m sure the whole community will welcome this…

Blaenau Gwent Council’s Cabinet has adopted a scheme which will see eligible retail, leisure and hospitality businesses receive a 75% discount on their business rates for this financial year. All councils are provided with funding from Welsh Government to decide if they wish to offer the scheme in their areas. Blaenau Gwent has been allocated £1.8million to be able to offer the scheme this year. Leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, Cllr Steve Thomas says: “This scheme has had a positive impact in Blaenau Gwent over the past few years, and this year sees a generous offering with a reduction of…

On Friday 14th April, Monmouthshire County Council opened its doors to its first ever Ramadan Iftar event at County Hall in Usk. The event was attended by the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association, the Muslim community, the Leader, Councillors, members of cabinet and other officials. The community came together to listen, open their Ramadan fasts with foods from three countries and pray together. An eloquent presentation by a respected Imam Ustad Faisal Khajjou and the Muslim community led to an informative Q&A session. Iftar is an important event for the Muslim community. After evening prayer and sunset, Muslims break their fast with…

Siarter Iaith is a Welsh Government initiative that encourages schools to promote the use of Welsh language, improving skills and inspiring children to use Welsh in all aspects of their lives. The Charter provides a framework for schools to follow in order to achieve the award at three possible levels; Bronze, Silver or Gold. Everyone at Coed-y-Dderwen Primary School worked together as a team; teachers, support staff, governors, and pupils, to smash the targets set for the Silver Award. The Central South Consortium conducted an assessment and presented the school with Silver, making history by becoming the first English Medium Primary…