Author: Rhys Gregory

Grazing animals in warm and dry parts of the world can damage ecosystems but boost them in cooler drylands, especially when different species feed together, according to new research. Published in the journal Science, and involving an international team including Professor Andrew Thomas from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University, the findings are the first-ever global field assessment of the ecological impacts of grazing in drylands. High levels of livestock farming in drylands, has been long considered a threat to biodiversity. However, grazing sustains the livelihood of billions of people and is tightly linked to many…

South Wales Police has commenced an investigation after the bodies of two babies were discovered at address in Wildmill, Bridgend, on the evening of Saturday, November 26. Officers were called to the house just before 8pm. Two men aged 37 and 47, and a 29-year-old woman, have been arrested on suspicion of concealing the birth of a child and they remain in police custody. An investigation is ongoing and detectives are keen to hear from anyone with information. Superintendent Marc Attwell , from South Wales Police, said: “This is very distressing incident, and we are appealing for anyone with information,…

David Crapper, 38, has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, with an extended four years on licence. His wife Kim Crapper, 39, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment, with an extended licence of three years. The offences came to light when the victim, who is not named for legal reasons, told a friend about their behaviour and they were arrested. The defendants pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child under 13, sexual assault, cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity, and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. David Crapper also pleaded guilty to…

A £16m project to transform the Newport Transporter Bridge into a major tourist attraction is progressing. The project will also see extensive restoration work carried out on the bridge, which will ensure its preservation for future generations. The new centre, which will be linked to the bridge via a walkway, will allow us to bring the history of the bridge to life through showcasing the personal stories of those who designed, built and used the bridge. One such important milestone in the bridge’s history was the original sod-cutting ceremony held by the bridge’s constructors back in 1902, which this morning’s…

Cardiff’s awe-inspiring statue which honours Wales’ first black headteacher, Betty Campbell MBE, has won the public vote at a prestigious awards ceremony. The celebrated statue secured the win at last night’s, (Thursday November 24),Public Statues and Sculpture Association (PSSA) Marsh Awards 2022 for Excellence in Public Sculpture.  The Betty Campbell monument was designed and created by renowned figurative sculptor Eve Shepherd and was unveiled in Cardiff city centre in September 2021.The sculpture was commissioned following the Hidden Heroines campaign organised by Monumental Welsh Women, broadcast on BBC Wales. Betty Campbell topped a public vote to decide who would be the…

An international consortium of big-hitting companies is on board to help deliver a major renewable energy project in Swansea. Engineering and construction giants HDR and infrastructure solution specialists Enable are among the firms to have signed up, along with Siemens, a global technology company focused on electrification and digitisation for industry, infrastructure and transportation. The consortium is also working with a major energy company, and further announcements are planned for release in the coming weeks. Facilitated by Swansea Council and led by Bridgend-based Batri Ltd and DST Innovations, the substantial Swansea project in the SA1 area of the city encompasses the…

Neath Port Talbot councillors have agreed to put forward for Welsh Government funding five school building projects with indicative costs totalling around £106.2m. The approval came from members of the Education, Skills and Wellbeing Cabinet Board on November 24th. The projects represent the council’s next phase (Band C) of investment under the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. They are: Llangatwg Comprehensive A replacement 11-16 Secondary school for 850 places and new 16 place Learning Support Centre (LSC). It is proposed to construct the new school on the playing fields of the existing site. On completion, the existing buildings…

Neath Port Talbot councillors are being asked to approve free Christmas parking for Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe town centres from Saturday 10th December 2022 to Sunday 1st January 2023. Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Environment, Regeneration and Streetscene Services Cabinet Board will be asked to agree the offer at their meeting on December 2nd, 2022. An officers’ report to the Cabinet Board says: ”Our town centres and the traders who operate in them have been significantly affected during the pandemic with many experiencing a decline in trade. “To support our town centre economy it’s acknowledged that providing free…

A Newport shop owner had disposable vapes with higher amounts of nicotine-containing liquid than allowed on sale, a court was told. Vapes were found in Lifestyle Express on Corporation Road with between 2,500 and 3,500 “puffs” in each tank. The legal limit is around 600 puffs or two millilitres. Patel, aged 53, pleaded guilty to one offence of having disposable vapes available for supply that breached the regulations. He admitted a further three offences of failing to include an information leaflet with the products. Cwmbran magistrates fined him a total of £1332 and ordered him to pay costs of £1046…

Woodfieldside Senior Citizens Group has been able to continue staying connected thanks to funding from Caerphilly County Borough Council. The group, who have been running for over 30 years, recently found themselves struggling to cover the costs of travelling to meetings and activities, due to the rising costs of transport. Community Connectors, based within the Council’s Caerphilly Cares Team, helped the group overcome this issue by working with Paramount Travel to arrange transport for members of the group to their weekly sessions and one off activities, including their annual Christmas meal. One of the group members, Mrs Baker, said “I…