Author: Rhys Gregory

A new Community Café and Community Pantry has been opened at Pen-y-Cwm Special School & Ebbw Fawr Learning Community’s Primary Phase in Ebbw Vale. The café and pantry was officially launched by the MP for Blaenau Gwent, Nick Smith. This is a joint venture between the two schools who share a site. The Community Café will be run by post-16 pupils from Pen-y-Cwm, who will be serving teas, coffees and refreshments. This will provide valuable work experience to pupils and also a welcoming space for parents and the wider community to pop in. The aim of the Community Pantry is,…

At the meeting of full Council on 9th March, Councillors decided the level of Council Tax Premium on second homes and long-term empty homes in Monmouthshire, which would come into effect from April 1st 2024. The impact on Monmouthshire communities caused by long term empty homes and second homes that are rarely occupied were key reasons behind this move. For homes that remain empty for three years or more, the owners will be charged a 300% premium on their Council Tax – it is hoped this will reduce the number of empty properties in the county. A public consultation earlier…

Pupils and teaching staff at Raglan CiW Primary School are celebrating after being recognised as a ‘Healthy School’. The national quality award acknowledges the work the whole school has undertaken to promote and protect the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of pupils. Raglan’s Head Teacher Sue Marles, with teachers Laura Griffiths (also the school’s health and wellbeing lead), Sarah Jenkins (Eco-lead) and Katie Brocklehurst have worked hard with Sally Amos, Healthy Schools Practitioner at Monmouthshire County Council, to achieve this well-deserved recognition, becoming part of the Welsh Network of Healthy Schools. The award was celebrated at a special…

The first phase of work on the Grade I listed Old Market Hall building in Llanidloes is nearing completion, Powys County Council has confirmed. The scaffolding will be removed and the roads re-opened as usual on Friday 17th March 2023. Cllr Jake Berriman, Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys, said: “I recently took the opportunity to visit the Old Market Hall with local Councillor Glyn Preston to review progress and am delighted to announce the completion of the first stage of works and thank all residents and businesses for their co-operation. “Due to the additional works we have identified, we…

That’s the message from Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan ahead of Young Carers Action Day, and as the Welsh Government’s publishes its first annual report for the Carers Delivery Plan. Making Time for Young Carers is the theme of this year’s Young Carers Action Day, with the aim of encouraging more adults and professionals to listen to the challenges young carers face. Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan, who will meet with a group of young carers to hear about their experiences later this week, said: “Young carers can face a wide range of pressures caring for…

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget [Wednesday 15 March], Wales’ Finance Minister has said the UK Government must maintain the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and take targeted, decisive action to ease the worsening financial challenges many people and businesses are experiencing as the cost-of-living crisis continues. Rebecca Evans said: “The UK Government’s Spring Budget is being delivered in the face of the continuing cost-of living crisis, with energy and food prices remaining high. “The Chancellor has the powers to make better use of his welfare and tax levers, as well as room in the public purse, to ease the challenges…

Cardiff City and Swansea City were both left frustrated after suffering defeats at the weekend. Taken in isolation, losing to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough shouldn’t ring too many alarm bells, but Swansea have now collected just one point from their last five games, as fans start to get restless at the ongoing struggles. For Cardiff, the gradual climb away from the drop zone is temporarily put on hold, although some solace can be found in all three of the teams below also failing to pick up any points.  Huddersfield, Wigan and Blackpool therefore remain odds-on for relegation, according to UK betting sites,…

A CAMPAIGN to support the health and wellbeing of young carers is growing in momentum following a “significant increase” in the number supporting a family member for more than 50 hours a week and the devastating impact of the cost-of living-crisis. Ahead of Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday (March 15), Credu is calling on schools, colleges, health bodies and communities to show more awareness and create opportunities for the thousands of carers across the country looking after a loved one. Organised by Carers Trust, the Action Day wants people to ‘Make Time for Young Carers’, including the 1,400+ identified…

A group of mates from Merthyr Tydfil, who created their National Lottery syndicate while at college doing their apprenticeships, are celebrating a National Lottery windfall of £1,000,000 from the special EuroMillions European Millionaire Maker draw on 3 February. The Apprentices syndicate, which includes Alex Gwynne (28), Dan Phillips (25) and Kyle Bowen (25), started playing six years ago when a group in the year above them at Coleg y Cymoedd won £5,000 on The National Lottery. Their lecturer at the time joked that the lads should start their own syndicate which they promptly did, and they have been playing ever since. Syndicate…

PureGym, the UK’s largest gym operator, is delighted to be bringing flexible, affordable fitness to Caerphilly and opening a new gym at 12pm on the 31st of March! The brand new gym will offer PureGym’s low-cost, zero-contract memberships to the people of Caerphilly and surrounding areas, allowing more people in Wales to use the UK’s favourite gym. Located in Gallagher Retail Park, nearby to Tesco and Aldi, the 24/7 gym will be spread across c. 12,000 sq. ft. and equipped for every workout need with: 220+ pieces of state-of-the-art equipment A functional zone, free weights area, fixed resistance, cardio equipment,…