Author: Rhys Gregory

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has welcomed its first wellbeing and trauma therapy dog. Border collie Dill and Katie McPheat-Collins, Service Manager for the Emergency Medical Services across Central Wales, have become affiliated with the Oscar Kilo 9 (OK9) wellbeing and trauma therapy scheme, a UK ambulance first. OK9 was launched in 2019 by The National Police Wellbeing Service, which aims to build on local police wellbeing dog services to make them available to all forces who wish to introduce a dog as part of their wellbeing provision. Dill has passed the assessments set by OK9 and achieved all of the…

The Green Digital Academy, a project that supports North Wales businesses to reduce their environmental impact, has supported over 50 companies to date. Led by Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, the academy was funded by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund in 2022 to work with businesses in the hospitality, tourism, social care, creative industries and manufacturing sectors across Gwynedd and Anglesey. Following substantial business and stakeholder support, the academy  is now working with the next round of companies in anticipation of growing the innovative project through the £126m UK Shared Prosperity Fund held by local authorities in the region. The academy provides expert…

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after a young mum cat and her four kittens were found abandoned in Blaenavon. The black cats were found in a cat carrier on Wednesday 1 March in woods near the Greenfields Cycle track which is also near a train track. The kittens are believed to be around just three to four weeks old. RSPCA Cymru is now calling on anyone with any information about these cats to contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black said: “There is never an excuse to abandon an animal -…

Linking with Porthcawl’s regeneration plans, two informal consultation events are set to take place in March.  These events are inviting local residents to voice their opinions about how Porthcawl’s planned public open space should be used. Set to take place at the Grand Pavilion between 9am to 7pm onWednesday 15 March and 9am to 5pm on Thursday 23 March, the sessions will showcase a number of potential options, as well as designs for how the public open space could be developed to benefit residents and visitors alike. Organised by Bridgend County Borough Council in line with the Placemaking Wales Charter,…

Work to strengthen Caerphilly Road Railway Bridge is set to begin at the end of March, with a diversion route put in place for motorists to use while the works take place. The bridge, which is owned by Transport for Wales, requires remedial work to ensure that the structure is safe. During the works, night-time road closures will be put in place on Caerphilly Road (A469) between Ty-Wern and Waun-Y-Groes Avenue on the following times and dates: From 8pm on March 25th until 5am on March 26th From 8pm on April 1st until 5am on April 2nd From 8pm on April 15th until…

A balanced budget protecting essential services and safeguarding hundreds of local jobs while increasing spending in important areas like education and social services was approved at a special meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council on Thursday (March 2nd, 2023). Among the key points of the budget, which was recommended for approval to council by members of its Rainbow Coalition Cabinet at their meeting on Wednesday (March 1st) are: An increase in the Social Services budget of £13.8m (15%) – much greater than the increased financial settlement provided by the Welsh Government of 7.1%. A like-for-like rise in the delegated schools…

The incredible contribution one family has made to foster caring in Pembrokeshire over more than three decades was celebrated at County Hall recently. A special thank you event was held for Alex Allison, and his late wife Dorothy, who have helped countless children and young people find their way in life by welcoming them into their home. Mr and Mrs Allison were foster carers in Fishguard for more than 30 years, providing a safe, secure and nurturing home to more than 100 children of all ages, from all walks of life and many remain in touch today. Mr Allison and…

Last year it was confirmed that Chepstow would be the next town to benefit from the Community Nature Spaces Project following the completion of schemes in Monmouth. Residents and stakeholders were asked for their views on possible enhancements for green spaces in the Autumn of 2022. The four Chepstow sites that will be taken forward at this time are: The Danes, Severn Crescent, Woolpitch Road and Strongbow Road. These sites have been selected based on responses received during the first stages of the consultation and where it’s possible to meet the needs of the environment and the community. Residents, businesses…

Preparation work, in readiness for the planting of 27 new trees in the autumn, on the streets of Machynlleth town centre will begin this week. Following last year’s engagement exercise and the subsequent removal of some of the existing trees, works to begin improving the conditions of the remaining and the planned new street trees along Heol Maengwyn (A489), Penrallt St and Pentrehedyn St (A487) will begin this week (week commencing 6 March). Work will include improving the street surfaces and the planting conditions of the remaining trees as well as creating underground planting pits for the 27 new trees…

It’s National Careers Week and the perfect opportunity for parents, guardians and carers to discuss the topic with young people in their care. With different options and route to choose from, from college and university through to apprenticeships and work experience, young people have big decisions to make. Parents and carers are huge influencers in the lives of young people and can make positive contributions to these choices. But what is the best way to do this? Whilst speaking to young people about their futures and the world of work can be a daunting task, it doesn’t need to be.…