Author: Rhys Gregory

A high-tech Swansea business that specialises in immersive technology and virtual reality has been given a funding boost to help take it to the next level. Swansea Council has awarded Uplands-based Imersifi with a business growth grant, which has helped cover the costs of new equipment and software. ​Imersifi was set up by Swansea University graduates Jack Bengeyfield and Joe Charman, who both have masters degrees in virtual reality. ​The business uses virtual reality headsets and software for use in staff training, simulation, entertainment and education. ​Some of the work Imersifi has done includes the development of a virtual reality training…

Portmead and Penllergaer have become the first two primary schools in Swansea to earn gold awards for encouraging pupils, staff and the wider community to speak Welsh more often both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to a lot of hard work and support from partners including Swansea Council both schools have been presented with the gold Siarter Iaith award. It is a Welsh Government initiative to inspire children and young people to use Welsh in all aspects of their lives. Alison Evans, headteacher at Portmead Primary School said: “In Portmead Welsh is a priority and children use Welsh throughout…

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council is delighted to announce that Craig Gwladus Country Park in Cilfrew, Neath, will soon feature in an episode of the popular ITV Coast and Country series, hosted by weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth. This exciting episode will not only highlight the natural beauty of the park but also showcase the dedication of the volunteers, currently helping to preserve and promote the area’s unique heritage. The episode, set to air this Friday 21st July at 7pm, will showcase this lesser known local attraction which is a haven for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. With its…

RCT Council has provided an update on the major £1.4m works to upgrade the pumping station at Glenboi. The scheme will alleviate flooding at a known low point in the road – to increase the capacity of the system to cope with heavy rainfall in storm events, and to reduce flows to a downstream culvert. Work started in March 2023, and work is progressing well towards completion in August. Construction of the large new storm water storage chamber is now complete, along with connections to existing drainage systems and the installation of a new control kiosk. In the next few…

Pentrepoeth Primary School has been heaped with praise by official school inspectors as well as national quality mark assessors. In an outstanding Estyn report, inspectors found a school “where pupils thrive and enjoy a wide range of engaging and exciting learning experiences”. It follows an overwhelmingly positive appraisal by Healthy School assessors who visited the school before awarding it the National Quality Mark. The many highlights of the Estyn report included: Strong working relationships and deep mutual respect between pupils and staff create a particularly supportive ethos that nurtures exceptionally good behaviour, consideration for others and a culture of high…

Caerphilly’s Youth Service has achieved a Silver Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government and Education Workforce Council. The achievement recognises that the work of the service is underpinned by a sound range of policies and enables young people to learn and develop personal and social skills. Caerphilly’s Youth Service had already obtained the Bronze Quality Mark but has now officially been awarded the Silver Quality Mark that demonstrates the continued commitment of the service to continue to improve the standards of the service. The Education Workforce Council paid tribute to the dedication of…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet has recently approved plans to further progress the Caerphilly Interchange Project. The cabinet report outlined that £520,000 from the Regeneration Project Board Development Reserve, can be used for the delivery of RIBA Stage 4 for the Caerphilly Interchange proposal. The cabinet also approved a further allocation of up to £580,000 from the Council’s Placeshaping Earmarked Reserve to cover the shortfall in funding in the event that further external funding cannot be identified. The approved proposals will now allow the council to maximise their chances of securing the necessary funding for the delivery of the interchange.…

A £25,000 grant from Keep Britain Tidy’s Chewing Gum Task Force will help Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council clean up gum around Merthyr Tydfil. The Council is one of 56 across the UK that have successfully applied for the grant, established by Defra and funded by major gum manufacturers including Mars Wrigley and Perfetti Van Melle, which is now in its second year. The fund allows councils to bid for a share of more than more than £1.2 million to clean up local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.…

Glynmil Gypsy Travellers’ Site was alive with the sound of residents, local schoolchildren, partners, and volunteers all celebrating Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month in June. The lawns and community centre were filled with members of 20 partner organisations providing craft and other activities in an annual event coordinated by the County Borough Council, which was represented by Mayor Cllr Malcolm Colbran. “The event coincided with Youth Work Week, and we were delighted that both Georgetown Boys and Girls’ Club and Tywn Community Hub were there to offer a range of sports on the greens,” said Glynmil Site Manager Lillie Bramley. “Cardiff…

A Gwent couple were so amazed by the free service given by a local hospice to a dying relative that they have not only made a large £10,000 donation, but also are paying a nurse’s salary for two years as a thank you. Wayne and Tracy Phillips were caring for Wayne’s terminally ill mother, Jean, at home in Bassaleg, Newport. But acting on advice from their GP they were referred to Newport-based St David’s Hospice Care for help. Jean Phillips, of St Brides, Newport, was given comprehensive palliative care by the hospice at her son’s home during her final three…