Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath Port Talbot Council is asking residents and visitors for their views on proposals to invest in the heritage features and visitor facilities at Gnoll Estate Country Park over the next two years. The proposal was recently submitted to UK Government for funding as part of its Levelling Up opportunities. The proposals at the park include investment in the visitor centre to enhance the overall catering offer and install indoor soft play provision, the opening up of the Gnoll House Cellars as an interpretive experience, a new woodland play area, self-catering visitor accommodation and various improvements to pathways and heritage…

Visitors to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd will notice the significant ongoing improvement works have now progressed to the sunken garden area. The overall £1.9m investment will refurbish the bandstand and its surrounding areas, install new signage, deliver a new training and activity centre, and new events to promote local heritage. As part of the works activity within the park, the sunken garden area has now been brought out of use to the public and cordoned off. This will ensure the area remains safe due to the condition of a wall within the garden. Repairs to this structure will be…

Llancaiach Fawr are celebrating two prestigious awards from Visit Wales. The historic visitor attraction in Caerphilly recently won both the Visit Wales ‘Best Told Story 2023 / 24’ and the new category ‘Quality Food and Drink 2023 / 24  accolades, awarded by VAQAS,(the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service), following a mystery shopper visit by representatives of the tourism industry regulatory body. The site was praised for its well organised gift shop, excellent café / restaurant menu, using locally sourced ingredients and the outstanding knowledge of the Historical Interpreters who guide visitors around the manor dressed and in character as the…

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg in Blaina, Blaenau Gwent, has been recognised for its hard work in supporting Young Carers at the school, by achieving the Care Collective’s Young Carer ‘Best Practice’ Award. The Young Carer Lead Practitioner at the school, Miss Carys Jones said: “We are delighted that our work has been recognised, but more importantly, it’s good to know that our Young Carer Group all feel well supported by the school community.” A large evidence file was presented to the panel, demonstrating the whole school’s commitment to supporting pupils as well as raising awareness of the issue. Headteacher Ms…

Two new legal duties to improve services, openness and transparency in the NHS have come into force, Health Minister Eluned Morgan announced today. The duty of candour is a legal requirement for all NHS organisations in Wales to be open and transparent with people if something goes wrong and they experience harm while receiving healthcare. Under the duty, health boards and NHS trusts must apologise and support people while an investigation into the incident happens and, importantly, ensure incidents are investigated through the Putting Things Right process and learning is shared to help prevent similar incidents from occurring again. The…

Welsh communities will be better supported to address high levels of second home ownership and empty properties as new local tax rules come into force this month. It marks another milestone in the implementation of a series of measures being introduced as part of the Welsh Government’s Co-operation Agreement commitment with Plaid Cymru to address the impact of second homes and empty homes on communities across the nation. The rules have become operational following national and local consultations, meaning that local authorities are now able to put their strengthened levers into practical effect. Measures are part of efforts to ensure…

Free school meal holiday provision will continue to be available to children from lower income families for the Easter and Whitsun school holidays. The funding is an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. During the easter holidays individual local authorities will decide how to administer the free meal provision, either by creating lunches or by providing vouchers or direct payments to eligible families. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing to have an impact on families across Wales, funding is being provided to offer eligible pupils a free school meal up until the end of May half term holiday, including…

Leading independent insurance brokers Towergate Insurance Brokers is supporting employee Dafydd Jonathan as he competes in the European Touch Rugby Championships this summer. Dafydd joined Towergate’s Cardiff office as head of legal indemnities in February 2022 having studied law at undergraduate and masters level and completing the Legal Practice Course at Cardiff University. He worked in the legal profession for a number of years before moving into the insurance world, where he now holds the title of director of transactional risks. Having played rugby union in his spare time throughout most of his life, Dafydd moved to touch rugby in…

Guarantee yourself a double dose of Christmas spirit this year with a trip to the North Pole to meet Santa himself! All aboard! Christmas might still be more than just a few months away, but the Churnet Valley Railway’s Polar Express Christmas Train experience already seems to be the gift this year as more and more people secure their tickets to the North Pole. Introduce your young ones to the magic of Christmas aboard our beautifully restored vintage steam train as we slowly meander through the Staffordshire Moorlands, taking in the magical sights while listening to the Polar Express story…

The Abergwaun is an independently and locally owned hotel in Fishguard with its very own award winning chef at its helm.  The JT Abergwaun Hotel can be found in the centre of town and is considered a local landmark, with the building itself originally a coaching inn with history dating back over 200 years. However, in recent years, it has been the talk of the town and not all for the right reasons. It was previously a Brains Brewery pub, it has been auctioned and even stood derelict for 10 years. Luckily, that’s all changed following the acquisition of the…