Author: Rhys Gregory

New play equipment consisting of a wooden train and climbing frame have found a new home on Machen Primary School’s playground thanks to the Community Empowerment Grant. The Community Empowerment Fund was created to enable communities to develop and deliver projects aimed at meeting the needs of their residents. Claire Kulisa, a Governor at Machen Primary commented, “I applied for the Community Empowerment Grant, with Cllr Amanda McConnell as my sponsor. I applied on the basis that we have many children with additional learning needs in our school, with around ten children with social communication difficulties or autism spectrum disorders. “I…

Blaenau Gwent Council and the LTA are working in partnership to invest in and refurbish public park tennis courts in the borough. A park tennis venue has been renovated in Six Bells, Abertillery, with investment of £37,516.70 helping to ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community. The project is part of a nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people. This investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable…

An ecological forum is to be set up to review and give advice on plans for the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. It will support the development of a long-term monitoring plan to maximise ecological gains in advance of full restoration, building on previous work completed on doing this in a sustainable way. The forum will also be used by Glandŵr Cymru (Canal and River Trust in Wales) and Powys County Council to share progress and seek advice during the spending of the nearly £14 million in Levelling Up funding, secured by both organisations, for the Montgomery Canal Restoration Project,…

Ten primary schools from across Wales will take part in a new pilot programme to help support reading and literacy, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles has announced. The schools will be partnered with university students who have volunteered to be reading mentors. Small groups of up to eight learners will have six one hour sessions in person with their mentors. The pilot with focus on learners in years five and six, to further support them getting ready for secondary school. Welsh reading will be incorporated into any future phases and upscaling. The project will be overseen…

School children chatting with politicians and workshops for deaf people about how democracy can work better for them are just a few ways the Welsh Government is looking to get more people involved with politics. The Welsh Government is funding 11 projects through its Democratic Engagement Grant, targeting those less likely to be active in the democratic process. These range from helping people to register to vote, to encouraging them to participate with democratically elected bodies such as Town and Community Councils. British Deaf Association Cymru will be supported to deliver bespoke workshops across deaf centres, clubs and groups in…

Gambling in Wales is a popular form of entertainment, involving uncertain outcomes such as lotteries, bingo, horse racing, and slot machines. While it can be fun, it also carries risks, including addiction, debt, and mental health issues. To ensure fairness and safety, gambling is regulated by the Gambling Act 2005, which establishes objectives and principles for gambling regulation in the UK. The Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing licenses and enforcing compliance. Notably, gambling regulation is not within the purview of the Welsh government, but it addresses certain aspects through public health initiatives. To combat harm, the Welsh government has…

Every time you visit the doctor, you might be asked to undergo various tests that can assist in diagnosing what’s ailing you. One of these is the Full Blood Count (FBC) test, a common examination that can reveal a treasure trove of information about your health. But what exactly is an FBC test, and how can it help? Unravelling the Full Blood Count Test The full blood count test is a routine blood test that measures various factors in your blood, including the number of different types of blood cells. There are three main types of blood cells: red blood…

Epilipsy is a neurological condition of the brain that  results in frequent seizures. Over 3 million individuals in the United States are thought to be affected by epilepsy,  affecting aan estimated 50 million people globally.  Although epilepsy triggers might differ from person to person, they all share some possible triggers. You can better detect and control your seizures by knowing their ten most frequent triggers. Here are the top seven causes of epilepsy and how to prevent them: Environment Your environment significantly influences your seizure control. Be mindful of your surroundings while you are out and about. A seizure may…

A LEADING hospitality consultant and mentor who served up success for businesses in the pandemic has set the table for expansion. Following more than 15 years in the sector, Laura Anne Harvey launched her company – Laura Anne Hospitality Consultant Ltd – full time in the autumn. She got off to a flying start, garnering clients across the UK and was even nominated in the Micro Business of the Year category at the 2023 FSB Wales Awards. A coach and mentor with the Greater Manchester Leadership Hive, supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups with free guidance and advice, Laura is focused on…

Wales’ leading new home developer Redrow has submitted a hybrid planning application to Cardiff Council for the development of 32 acres of land at Church Farm, Lisvane. Adjoining Redrow’s sought-after Churchlands development, the first phase of the Church Farm development proposes 61 new two, three and four-bedroom homes, an equipped play area, open space, and landscaping. New vehicle access from Churchlands is also outlined along with associated internal roads, footpaths, and cycleways. Plans for phase two of Church Farm consist of up to 144 new homes, public open space, landscaping, and vehicle access routes that will ensure connectivity with future…