Author: Rhys Gregory

Keyhole surgery for people with a debilitating spinal condition has been carried out for the first time in Swansea Bay. For some patients the minimally invasive procedure, known as an endoscopic discectomy, avoids the need for an overnight hospital bed. The first case was successfully carried out at Neath Port Talbot Hospital by consultant spinal surgeon Ben Boreham, who described it as an elegant solution to a common problem. Mr Boreham removed a herniated disc from the spine of 44-year-old telephone engineer David Williams, from Carmarthenshire, who has suffered with sciatica-like nerve pain in his legs for years. “After the…

The first 2023 Football Association of Wales (FAW) PAWB Fund panel has awarded over £11,000 to support young people and families across Wales in accessing football opportunities and equipment. The FAW PAWB Fund is predominately raised by generous donations at Hospitality of Cymru’s Senior International Home fixtures and helps provide vital equipment like boots, shin pads, goalkeeper gloves, sports goggles, contact lenses, hijabs, in addition to travel costs and membership fees. The PAWB Fund aligns to the FAW’s key strategic objectives to provide a flexible and inclusive playing offer and make football accessible and affordable for people from different socioeconomic…

For decades it went unvisited and became overgrown to the point of being inaccessible. Now the Victorian Garden at Fonmon Castle is open to visitors, offering beautiful nature walks in a hidden valley. The garden was created in Victorian times as a place for Fonmon’s residents and visitors to take tea and get close to nature. As it became overgrown, people stopped visiting it – to the point that the castle’s previous owners reported that nobody had ventured there for decades. When new owner Nigel Ford took on the castle in 2019, he initiated projects to restore the castle and…

Below are some tips to help you make the most of the largest free-entry event in Wales, organised by Swansea Council. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We look forward to welcoming tens of thousands of people to this exceptional annual show. “There’ll be a huge amount to enjoy with air and ground displays for all the family, and we’d encourage everybody to plan ahead in order to maximise their enjoyment of the event. “We thank those whose daily routines may have to change due to the road changes which are in place for the safety of all. “We also…

The First Minister of Wales has visited the Tylorstown Landslip site to see the excellent progress made since Phase Four of the remediation plan started in April. The Council has also provided a full update on the ongoing works. The Rt Hon Mark Drakeford MS visited the works site on the Llanwonno hillside on Thursday, June 22. He was welcomed by the Council’s Leader, Chief Executive and Director of Frontline Services, as well as representatives from the contractor, Llantrisant-based company Prichard’s Contracting. The landslip followed three storms in early 2020 – and was triggered by Storm Dennis on February 16,…

Newport has been unveiled as one of six flagship locations across the UK that will work with the Royal Foundation’s Homewards programme to end homelessness. The five-year locally led programme aims to demonstrate that through partnership working, it is possible to end homelessness making it rare, brief, and unrepeated. As part of the launch, His Royal Highness Prince William visited Maindee Primary School and Hill Street. Prince William said: “In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need. “Through Homewards, I want to make this…

A group of 8 pupils from Trinity Fields School recently took part in a hike to the summit of Pen y Fan in order to raise money for a charity called Bigmoose, as part of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering work. Bigmoose is a Cardiff-based charity with a clear goal, to leave the world better than we found it. Their focus is to help those struggling with their mental health, help with the prevention of suicide and to help the prevention of homelessness. On the day of the walk, the group were supported by Richard Batten, a mountain leader from…

Ambitious plans to provide more homes for rent in Powys are to be supported by a scheme which could see the council purchase former right-to-buy properties. The buy-back scheme will help Powys County Council deliver its ‘At Home in Powys – Housing Business Plan’, a five-year programme which would see the council provide more homes for social rent. The scheme is an effective way to add to the council’s existing stock of homes for rent and will help ease the growing pressure on the availability of affordable homes to rent in Powys. Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member…

New legislation to restrict the placement and price promotion of products high in fat, sugar and salt is to be introduced in Wales. The new law, which will be introduced in 2024 and will be rolled out across Wales by 2025, builds on the commitment to improve diets and help prevent obesity by restricting the ways foods high in fat, sugar or salt can be promoted. This will include volume-based promotions, such as multi-buys and restrictions on where products high in fat, sugar or salt can be displayed, such as at the end of aisles. Also intended to be included,…

The first-ever made-in-Wales Agriculture Bill moves to its final stage of Senedd scrutiny today (Tuesday, 27 June) Should the vote on the historic Bill be passed by Senedd Members later this evening, it will then seek Royal Assent, and if received, it will become law in Wales. The Wales Agriculture Bill paves the way for ambitious and transformational legislation to support farmers to produce food and other goods in a sustainable manner, to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, and to conserve and enhance the Welsh countryside, culture and language. The latest report from the Climate Change Committee highlighted the…