Author: Rhys Gregory

Newport City Council’s cabinet has backed putting forward Caerleon for the first ever UK Town of Culture competition. At its meeting yesterday, cabinet approved development and submission of an expression of interest to the competition. The winning town will receive £3m from the UK government to deliver a year-long programme of cultural events that help tell their unique story and bring the community together. Caerleon’s rich history, strong sense of civic identity, and range of independent businesses, community venues and community-led cultural activity make it the perfect candidate for the Town of Culture competition. Caerleon is internationally recognised as an…

Blaenau Gwent Council is better prepared for weather warnings and has carried out significant infrastructure upgrades in areas previously affected by flooding, the Environmental Management Scrutiny Committee has heard. In addition to this, the Council has been working more closely with communities on resilience and planning, empowering and equipping them to help themselves in times of crisis, inspired by the new Blaenau Gwent Deal. A report to the committee outlined how an independent review carried out after the events of Storm Bert in 2024 made 19 recommendations, highlighting several key areas for improvement. The Council has been committed in its…

Exciting plans for a new school building for learners in south Powys have moved a significant step closer after planning permission was granted, the county council has said. Powys County Council’s planning application for a new 120-place primary school to replace Sennybridge C.P. School’s current building was approved this week (Tuesday, February 10) by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Once built, the new building will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that will enable the curriculum to be delivered in a continuous and coherent way from the Foundation Stage through to the end of Key Stage 2. Early years childcare provision…

Children and young people are receiving faster access to mental health support, as waiting times fall across Wales. The vast majority (96.2%) of young people referred to local primary mental health services were assessed within 28 days – a significant and sustained improvement in waiting times. The 10-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy sets out the ambition for mental health support in Wales, including delivering open-access support to mental health services and transforming how young people access support. Health boards across Wales have introduced alternatives to hospital admission for young people. These pilots are testing different models of care to…

Following the National Behaviour Summit in 2025, the Welsh Government has today announced a new package of projects to support schools across Wales with behaviour, wellbeing and engagement. Building on successful work already underway, the package will explore innovative ways to support learners who sometimes find the school environment difficult. A key partner is Swansea City AFC Foundation. Through a targeted approach, currently funded by the Premier League and delivered through classroom and physical activity sessions, the Foundation helps learners manage conflict, strengthen their attitudes to learning and positively re-engage with school. The Swansea approach will be one of a…

Capel Rhondda, the birthplace of one of Wales’ most recognisable hymns, Bread of Heaven / Cwm Rhondda, is now safe in the hands of the community. After its future hung in the balance, the former Baptist chapel is beginning a new chapter, thanks to a community fundraising campaign that secured the purchase of the building, alongside support through the Welsh Government’s Perthyn scheme. The community group, Capel Rhondda Cyf. has taken ownership of the chapel in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd, after raising £72,600 through a fundraising campaign that gained local and international support. The Welsh Government has recently awarded £10,000 through its Perthyn grant scheme to support the next phase of the project and help bring the community’s vision to life. Cabinet…

South Wales Police have issued an urgent appeal to help trace a missing teenage girl last seen in Cardiff. Olivia, 13, who is from Shropshire, was last seen at Cardiff Central railway station on Saturday evening, February 7. She was wearing black leggings, black trainers and a bright pink and blue jacket. She usually wears her hair in a high bun. Officers believe Olivia may have links to the Llanrumney, Splott and Tremorfa areas of Cardiff. Police are asking anyone who may have seen Olivia, or who has information about her whereabouts, to come forward. Anyone with information is urged…

A man from Swansea has been found guilty of the murder of his own brother. The body of 48-year-old Martin Steel was found at an address on Hill View Crescent, Clase, shortly after 10:30am on Saturday May 20 2023. 41-year-old Darren Steel, from Morriston, pleaded not guilty to Martin’s murder and manslaughter in February 2024, but a jury has today found him guilty of murder. Steel will be sentenced on Friday, February 13. Detective Inspector Stuart Prendiville said: “This has been a long and complex investigation into an incident which has shocked the communities of Clase, Morriston and the wider…

A former support worker who preyed on vulnerable people to defraud them of money has been jailed. Ian Jones, 61, of Bedford Street, Rhyl defrauded seven victims of a total of almost £46,000 over a seven-year period. He admitted seven counts of fraud by false representation at a hearing at Mold Magistrates Court last month and was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Thursday, 12 February. He was jailed for two years. Jones, who was working as a Learning Disability Support Worker at the time of the offences, took advantage of his access to the victims and their personal details…

Entries are now open for children and young people to take part in 100 Club Junior at the ABP Newport Marathon Festival on Sunday 19 April. The initiative is being launched at the event for the first time this year and aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of those taking part. Run 4 Wales are donating 100 free spaces into the Family Fun run and applications are now open for schools, community groups and individuals to apply to take part. The organisation particularly wants to hear from people who may usually face barriers to participation, to help enable…