Author: Rhys Gregory

UWTSD is known for celebrating creative talent and last Thursday evening they showcased the next generation of creatives. The University welcomed pupils from Gowerton and Bishop Gore Comprehensives, Coleg Gwent, St Clare’s Porthcawl, Ysgol Gyfun Bryntawe, Dylan Thomas and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman schools to take part in a series of events for Swansea’s Got Textiles Talent – giving them a unique opportunity to look ahead if they choose to continue studying Textiles and Surface Pattern at HE. There were opportunities to tour the department, engage with current and past students, view a curated Exhibition of other Secondary students’ fantastic work…

The golden voice of singing care worker Karl Bohana has been hailed as “tonic for the soul”. According to Karl, 38, who works at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd in Caernarfon, he always wakes up every morning with a song in his heart. As well as providing day to day care, he delights the residents by singing their favourite songs. Karl said: “I’ll sing in the morning and on my way to work and then sing all day with the residents here. I love working at Bryn Seiont Newydd because I know I can make a difference to the people…

The Welsh Secretary says that driving a lorry for the family firm helped put him on the road to success as he called for more on-the-job training for school leavers. David TC Davies MP told business leaders in North Wales that past governments got it “completely wrong” when they turned their backs on industrial and business apprenticeships to focus on encouraging the majority of young people to enrol on university degree courses. Speaking at a meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals group, he said apprenticeships offered an unparalleled opportunity for them to learn from those who are already running businesses.…

Bridgend County Borough Council will shortly be going out to tender to source a provider to run the new Welsh-medium childcare facility, based in Bettws. The new Welsh-medium hub, built on the former Boys and Girls Club site in Bettws, is part of a £2.8m investment into Welsh-medium childcare, which also involves establishing facilities at Blackmill, Bridgend and Porthcawl. The provision will offer 16 Welsh-medium childcare places, plus six places for younger children aged up to two years. As the provision develops, out-of-school childcare may also become available, and the facility will operate for up to 51 weeks of the…

Volunteers who promote the heritage of a former centre of Swansea industry plan a big weekend for the public. The Friends of Hafod Morfa Copperworks will be taking part in the Cadw Open Doors scheme on September 23 and 24 – with free public tours. Swansea Council is supporting the event by opening up the doors of two engine houses it helped save in recent years. Friends chairman Tom Henderson said: “This weekend is a unique opportunity to get up and close to two rare survivors of Swansea’s once vast copper industry.” Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Our intention is…

An initial phase of work is now underway to provide additional support to a bridge in Stanleytown, which carries Llanwonno Road over the community route. Temporary traffic lights had already been placed on the bridge to mitigate vehicle loading. They were installed following an inspection earlier this year, which found the bridge has significant defects. Work that started on Monday, September 18, has begun preparations to install a propping system to the under-side of the bridge. Contractor Hammonds (ECS) Ltd will be on site for around two weeks to firstly construct a new footpath beneath the bridge, and then to…

Newport City Council is offering more financial assistance to local businesses thanks to funding from the UK government’s shared prosperity fund, part of its levelling up agenda. For several years, the council has given grants to small and medium-sized businesses in the city to help with start-up and other costs and this is continuing. However, the new accelerated growth grants programme will build on what has been a very successful scheme by offering grants of between £25,000 and £75,000 towards capital investment. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: “Our ambitious vision for the city’s growth and development…

As part of the Welsh Government Active Travel funding awarded in 2023/24, phase 1 construction on the Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel bridge (artist’s impression above) commenced on Monday 18th September, 2023. The works comprise of earthworks for the south ramp only initially, on the Llanfoist side of the River Usk and will take approximately four weeks to complete. These establishment works will be carried out by the Monmouthshire County Council’s operations team. Access to the bank will be maintained. Construction will be paused over winter, after which the remaining elements of this ramp, the northside ramp and the main…

Applications are now open for children starting secondary school in September 2024, Powys County Council has said. Parents or carers of children who are now in Year Six have until Friday 10 November 2023 to complete their application. Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “All parents/carers are encouraged to complete this application as soon as possible for a place in a secondary school in September 2024. “If it is not completed in time, then this has the potential to jeopardise their child’s place at their preferred school.” Parents/Carers need to complete an online application at Applying…

A popular South Wales restaurant has introduced a tantalisingly tasty deal that means anyone who fancies enjoying a steak and chips meal can do so without breaking the bank. Available at Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill in Cardiff, diners looking to enjoy a steak and chips dinner can do so for a budget-saving £14.95*. Conscious that the current cost of living crisis is making guests think twice about dining out means anyone looking to enjoy a celebration or just want to go out for a nice meal can now do so without worrying too much about the cost.…