Author: Rhys Gregory

If it barely seems five minutes since the long summer school holidays ended, some parents might not want reminding that the Autumn half-term is almost upon us. When the schools break up again on October 27 for a week, young minds will need to be kept occupied with stimulating and adventurous activities. And if you’re looking for ideas, help is at hand courtesy of Cardiff Council’s Play Services team. They’ve organised a Playday for all ages at Central Library Hub on The Hayes, Cardiff, on Thursday, November 2 between 1pm and 4pm. Activities include junk modelling – making toys out…

City veterans helped launch this year’s Poppy Appeal at the Brangwyn Hall on Thursday, October 19. And the venue has also been chosen to host the return of the Royal British Legion-organised Swansea Festival of Remembrance, taking place this year on Saturday, November 11. It is not a ticketed occasion so people can come along to the free event on the day. Present at the appeal’s launch event were Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr Graham Thomas, along with Leader of the Council, Rob Stewart, Deputy Leaders Cllr David Hopkins and Andrea Lewis, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion Wendy Lewis and…

Swansea Council’s Cabinet has been a told that planned savings and prudent management of resources will see the council maintain its course and live within its means by the end of the financial year. This is despite the pressures of rising inflation, energy costs and pressure on services. Swansea Council invests an average £1.9m a day providing services like education, social care and community services that are supporting residents through the cost of living crisis. And Leader Rob Stewart said that despite financial pressures not of the council’s making, it is making progress delivering on its commitments to residents. He…

A school, a chapel, a community trust and a community library are among the successful applicants in the latest round of funding from Neath Port Talbot Council’s new Community Heritage Fund. The fund is part of the Heritage NPT project – made possible by a generous donation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund – to which charities and not-for-profit organisations, schools, heritage groups, community groups, Town Councils and Ministry Areas (church groups) can apply. It helps them engage with local residents and deliver local heritage based projects. Heritage NPT has also provided training and events to assist heritage groups become…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet has unanimously approved final plans for two flagship housing developments in Oakdale and Risca. The developments will see disused sites at the former Oakdale Comprehensive School and Ty Darran care home, Risca transformed as part of the Council’s ambitious house building programme. Cabinet members endorsed proposals for the Council’s Caerphilly Homes team to enter into a Delivery Agreement, for the development of both sites, with construction expert Willmott Dixon.  Cabinet also gave its support to the formulation of a social value plan; aimed at delivering wider social, economic and environmental benefits for the Caerphilly borough.…

Ysbyty Ystrad FM launched in February 2021 to help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation whilst staying in hospital. The hospital radio aims to ease anxiety and give a sense of belonging to patients. YYFM is free to use and accessible to patients, tablets are available to use on wards or you can use your own personal device. The radio station is also available outside of the hospital. The project has created working partnerships with University of South Wales, Caerphilly County Borough Council, communities for work and local schools. Key stakeholders provide content for the station and continue to support…

The Advancing Healthcare Awards Cymru (AHAs) shines a spotlight on and celebrates the work of allied health professionals, healthcare scientists and other skilled colleagues who have implemented innovative healthcare practices in Wales – with awards sponsored by the Welsh Government. The finalists for the Welsh Government award for ‘New Ways of Working’ are: Advanced Clinical Practitioner Dietitian Led service for Gastroenterology, at Betsi Cadwaladr UHB The QuicDNA Project at the All Wales Medical Genomics Service (AWMGS) Alison Jones, Clinical Lead Medicines Management Dietitian and Hywel Dda Medicines Management Team from Hywel Dda UHB Minor Injuries Radiographer-Led Discharge Service, at Cardiff…

The First Minister Mark Drakeford has today announced a £40m funding package from the Welsh Government to allow the refurbishment of the Holyhead Breakwater and help safeguard Holyhead Port’s long-term future. The 2.4km long Victorian breakwater provides essential protection to Holyhead Port. Without it, the wave conditions would be too severe for the operation of ferries and could result in the loss of service and ultimately the closure of the Port. The breakwater also protects several businesses and premises from flooding. The masonry breakwater, built approximately 150 years ago, is founded on a rubble mound built on the seabed. Since its…

As the attention of football fans is shifting towards the upcoming season, the Welsh domestic and international scenes offer several captivating stories. Despite missing out on Euro 2024 qualification, there is still an impressive array of talent spread all over Wales – from the Cymru Premier League Cup to the English Premier League. Live sports betting provides an exciting way to follow Welsh football and support your favorite players. With so much young talent on display, there is no shortage of opportunities to place a bet and potentially win big. With Gareth Bale nearing his international retirement and Aaron Ramsey’s…

The biggest news story to hit Wales in recent years has been the drop in the speed limit down to 20 mph in many urban areas. It’s proving to be a highly contentious issue with pros and cons being debated on both sides, but what else can we learn from it? To take a different angle on this issue we’re going to look at what happens when we each make a conscious effort to quite literally live our lives at a slower pace. Let’s start with the need to drive slower in Wales and build out from there. The changes…