Author: Rhys Gregory

An additional 1,908 primary school children in years 3 and 4 are set to receive free school meals in Neath Port Talbot. Starting from Monday 17th April (start of Summer Term 2023), all children in primary years 3 and 4 will be entitled to Universal Free School Meals. Children will automatically receive free school meals directly through their school at the start of term. Parents do not have to apply. However, parents that receive benefits that entitle their child to a free school meal are still being encouraged to register for a free school meal if they haven’t already done…

RCT Council has provided an update on the revised repair scheme for the Iron Tram Bridge near Robertstown. Progress has included the appointment of a contractor and completion of a planning submission for the scheme. The Iron Tram Bridge is an historic Scheduled Monument carrying a Public Right of Way over the River Cynon near the A4059 roundabout at Meirion Street. It was in a poor condition before receiving further damage in Storm Dennis. Its restoration is complex – considering the need to restore the bridge sympathetically to respect its cultural significance, working closely with Cadw. The bridge was removed…

Residents are invited to have their say on potential options to alter the section of the Taff Trail at Trallwn – to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, make the route easier to follow and promote access to nearby communities. The need to improve this section of the Taff Trail has been identified by the Council in the process of submitting its Active Travel Network Map to Welsh Government, a requirement of all Councils in Wales. The map shows existing walking and cycling routes, as well as proposed routes that the Council would like to eventually develop to create a…

Residents can now take part in a planning consultation for the new Pontypridd 3-16 school planned for the Pontypridd High School site – and the process includes a community drop-in session at the school next week. The new 3-16 school is part of the Council’s £75.6m investment in brand new education facilities across Greater Pontypridd – with major projects being developed in Hawthorn, Cilfynydd, Beddau and Rhydyfelin. The investment is being jointly delivered with Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, formerly the 21st Century Schools Programme. The new Pontypridd 3-16 school will welcome learners currently attending Cilfynydd Primary School…

Detailed plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been unveiled by Caerphilly council this week. Alternative proposals for the expansion of Trinity Fields School were announced last October, following concerns that the original plans would have led to the loss of an adjacent sports pitch. Eye-catching visuals show a colourful new two storey extension within the footprint of the existing school site to accommodate an additional 80 places, plus extra facilities. Cllr Carol Andrews, CCBC’s Cabinet Member for Education said, “These exciting plans signal a new era for this flagship school and also clearly demonstrate that…

Network Rail urges passengers to check before they travel as multi-million-pound Ebbw Vale upgrade continues. The Ebbw Vale line will be closed for 6 days from Saturday 25 to Thursday 30 March (inclusive) The main work sites include: Newbridge station – we will continue work to lay bricks which will form part of the front of the new platform walls. the Crosskeys area – we will be regrading an embankment which will allow more space for the second track to be installed. Llanhilleth station – the new footbridge and stairs will be lifted into place next week. the Abercarn area…

A new community orchard has been developed in Maes Mabon, Nelson. The orchard, which boasts pear, apple and cherry trees, was made possible thanks to investment through Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard Environmental Improvements programme. Planting of the trees was carried out by pupils and teachers from years 3 and 4 of the local Llancaeach Junior School, alongside the Council’s Leader and local ward member Cllr Sean Morgan, and staff from housing and parks teams. Cllr Sean Morgan, Leader of Caerphilly Council, said “It’s fantastic to see such enthusiasm from the young people who’ve taken part in…

Thanks to funding secured from the Arts Council England / V&A Purchase Grant Fund and National Lottery support, Museums Association Beecroft Bequest, The Usk Valley Trust and MonLife museums’ acquisitions fund, a ‘local treasure’ – a painting by JMW Turner – will be coming home to Chepstow soon. Turner’s watercolour of Chepstow Castle is one of only two works by the artist known to capture the iconic view of the castle by the River Wye. MonLife Heritage have acquired the beautiful landscape which will be on display in the summer at Chepstow Museum and it is hoped that as many…

On the one-year anniversary of the Welsh Government’s Homes for Ukraine super sponsor route opening, Jane Hutt and Mick Antoniw have restated the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting people fleeing the illegal war. It comes following the ‘Support for Ukraine’ conference yesterday [Friday 24th March] which focused on ensuring Ukrainians are well supported. In the last year more than 6,500 people with sponsors in Wales have escaped the Russian invasion, including more than 3,000 through the Welsh Government’s super sponsor route. Last week the Welsh Government confirmed how an additional £40m of investment to support people from Ukraine in 2023-24…

ome of Wales’ leading games development and software companies have been in San Francisco this week at the gaming industry’s largest annual gathering, thanks to Creative Wales and Welsh Government support. The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the largest annual gathering of professional video game developers in the world, and the pinnacle for showcasing industry excellence. In 2019, the event attracted more than 29,000 game industry professionals and is a must for industry professionals seeking to attract attention, support, promotion and credibility. In Wales, the growing field of games engine technology is underpinning new content production development. Thanks to strong industry networks and collaborative spirit,…