Author: Rhys Gregory

Aberaeron Swimming Pool will close from 09 January 2023 for 6-8 weeks in order to carry out renovations. Ceredigion County Council have secured a Sport Wales Capital Grant of £200,000 from the Welsh Government to fund the renovation at Aberaeron Swimming Pool. The Swimming Pool will be upgraded with Pool Plant Equipment and new lighting which will reduce energy costs and support its future sustainability. John Gwynne-Hughes, Chairman of Aberaeron Swimming Pool Committee, said: “The swimming pool committee are delighted to announce that we have received a grant from Sports Wales to carry out much needed works to the pool…

A pioneering student project to encourage people to reduce food waste has received funding for further development from the British Academy. Led by Aberystwyth University English and Creative Writing graduate Ellena Jenks, ‘A Taste for Change’ will explore how local consumers could be educated, encouraged and enabled to make sustainable food choices. The work will see the development of a social media and poster campaign, as well as local events and activism, to raise awareness of the environmental impact of food waste, and promote ways that individuals can reduce waste. The project will liaise with local stakeholders in Aberystwyth, such…

An offer from the Academy Music Group Limited (AMG) to take over the running of St David’s Hall as the National Concert Hall of Wales, via a long-term lease has been approved in principle by Cardiff Council Cabinet. The plan to safeguard the future of St David’s Hall could see much-needed repairs and refurbishment works worth millions carried out on the building, and a revitalised events programme designed to safeguard the classical music repertoire, while also bringing some of the most celebrated rock and pop artists to perform in Cardiff. A report to Cardiff Council’s Cabinet reveals that the Hall…

Small grants are now available to community groups and charities that develop safe spaces and events for diverse communities in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. The Western Bay Community Cohesion Team has received Welsh Government funding to establish a small grant fund. The team is particularly keen to hear from groups that have faced barriers to funding in the past and may need more support in their development. Grants can be up to £1,500 with the closing date for submissions December 28. To apply visit: www.swansea.gov.uk/communitycohesionfund Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Well-being, Alyson Pugh, said: “These grants are aimed at…

Neath Port Talbot Council has launched a new online directory of public spaces and buildings which people can use to keep warm during the winter. The NPT Warm Spaces Directory enables people to find their nearest library, community centre, church hall or any other registered place that is offering a welcoming space for people to stay warm and safe. It includes information on opening times and what sort of services are available such as Wi-Fi access, toilet facilities, activities, and refreshments. Councillor Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “We know that…

A Pembrokeshire Secondary School has been named best in Wales in a prestigious annual national list. Welsh medium Ysgol Bro Preseli, in Crymych, has been named the top performing school in Wales in the ‘Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2022’. It is now ranked as the 105th best performing school in the UK league table with this year’s guide using the first post-Covid set of exam results for state and independent secondary schools. Ysgol Bro Preseli Headteacher Rhonwen Morris said: “This is fantastic news for everyone associated with Ysgol Bro Preseli. To be ranked the top Welsh State…

Four local schools have been awarded for their efforts with battery recycling in Caerphilly County Borough. The annual battery recycling initiative, in partnership with European Recycling Platform, involves pupils bringing used household batteries into school for recycling, helping to keep them out of the waste stream. All participating schools compete with other schools in the borough to win exciting prizes at a special award ceremony at the end of the school year. This year’s competition proved to be fiercely competitive with over one tonne of batteries recycled, however Cwmaber Juniors, Ysgol Penalltau, Libanus Primary and Ty Isaf Infants Schools came…

Pontypridd-based house builder Davies Homes has recently handed over the first of 56 new homes on the prestigious Northgate development, which forms part of a £300m regeneration project at The Works site in Ebbw Vale. Davies Homes are delighted to be supporting the regeneration with its most sustainable and centrally located development to date, continuing its investment in sustainable brownfield housing developments in South Wales. The 56 new homes, which include affordable housing ensure a positive collaboration with a local registered social landlord to bring the homes to Ebbw Vale.  These are the first major housing phase in a public…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan and WLGA leader Andrew Morgan have announced more than 500 extra step-down beds and community care packages for Wales this winter, to help people get care closer to home and free up hospital beds. The ‘Step Down’ service will support people to return to their communities when they no longer need treatment in hospital but may require more time, support, and specialist care.  Care at home services are also being boosted to enable more people to return to their own home. An extra 508 beds and community care packages have been confirmed by local health boards…

 A total budget of £238m will be available for direct payments to farmers in 2023, the same level provided over the past three years, the Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths confirmed this week. The Minister also confirmed, subject to budget availability, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will continue to be provided at current levels in 2024 with a provisional allocation of £238m. The Minister said: “The agriculture sector is facing many challenges.  With the immense challenges of record inflation and the detrimental impacts from trade deals, with the former UK Environment Secretary describing one of these as “not very…