Author: Rhys Gregory

Researchers analysing wastewater say that routine monitoring at sewage treatment works could provide a powerful early warning system for the next flu or norovirus epidemic, alerting hospitals to prepare and providing public health agencies with vital health information. In the first large scale and comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) study in the UK, scientists at Bangor University, the University of Bath and the UK Heath Security Agency analysed wastewater from 10 cities for both chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and disease-causing viruses. They collected samples from each location at hourly intervals over 24 hours on nine days…

Residents in Morriston affected by the gas explosion last week will be able to access a range of support and services at a new community support point being set up at the local library. Swansea Council staff will be on hand to provide more support over the coming weeks for those affected by the blast. The community support point based at Morriston Library opens on March 22 and support and advice will be available six days a week. Staff from various Council departments and a range of specialist service providers will be on hand to offer support, advice and information…

A community fun day to celebrate the opening of the new Rhiwbina Wellbeing Hub will be held later this week. To mark its official opening, there’ll be lots going on at the new wellbeing hub on Friday, March 24, from 2-5pm including arts and crafts, a circus and entertainment workshop, wood fired pizza, community stalls and more. There will also be the chance to find out more about services available at the hub, which has undergone a major refurbishment and remodelling to enable the delivery of additional and enhanced services with a strong focus on health and wellbeing.  The hub…

A Pembrokeshire school’s commitment to being a safe and welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary has been recognised with an important accolade. Pembroke Dock Community School is the first school in the County to be awarded a national School of Sanctuary award. It joins a national network of more than 380 primary and secondary schools, nurseries and sixth forms all committed to creating a culture of welcome and inclusion for those seeking sanctuary. The school has welcomed families from war-torn countries, including Syria and Ukraine, and is committed to learning about the about the reasons for migration and displacement as…

A building company and its sole director were fined for taking money from a Newport resident but failing to carry out any work. Newport City Council successful prosecuted Ralsco Ltd and Julius Turko for three offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. The company and Turko admitted failing to provide cancellation rights to a customer; failing to provide the business name and address and taking a payment of £2,300 but failing to carry out any work. At Cwmbran magistrates court, Turko, aged 48, of Cormorant Way, Duffryn, was fined a total of £1,500 and ordered to pay compensation…

Come along to Ystrad Mynach Town Centre and put a SPRING in your step this Saturday, 25th March! With food and craft stalls, a selection of children’s funfair rides and some fantastic street theatre entertainment; the town will be brought to life as Springtime arrives. If you are looking for a couple of hours out with the family, then why not come along to Ystrad Mynach and join in the fun! The town centre has a lovely selection of independent stores and offers a variety of eating out venues throughout the town so #ChooseLocal and support your local town centre!…

A unique training and residential centre in Merthyr Tydfil was officially this week (22 March, 2023) by Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan MS. The Compass Community Hub and Pen y Dre Apartments at Gurnos, formerly the Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC), has undergone a £1.4m redevelopment with funding from the County Borough Council and a range of partners. Originally a block of residential flats, for the past 25 years the centre has been an educational base to help unemployed young people and adults get jobs in a range of vocations. It will continue to offer employability and…

More than £159 million investment is planned as part of a five-year programme that will see new council homes built and improvements made to existing council homes, Powys County Council has said. The council has unveiled its new “At Home in Powys – Housing Business Plan”, which will be considered by Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 March. The ambitious plan would see the council build more than 310 new council homes by 2027-28 as part of an investment package worth almost £79 million. The plan also includes investment worth more than £31 million over the next five years in the council’s…

Installed back in September 2021, the one-way system in Hereford Street, Presteigne was introduced to help ease congestion and make it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to access local amenities. Upon conclusion of the trial period, all comments from the community were considered as part of a full review and it was clear the one-way system had been an overwhelming success and agreed to be adopted permanently. Some minor amendments to the infrastructure will be made to improve road safety and discourage drivers unfamiliar with the road layout from inadvertently going the wrong way. These changes, suggested by the community…

The Celtic Freeport in Milford Haven and Port Talbot and Anglesey Freeport on Ynys Mon have been chosen as Wales’ first freeports, helping to create tens of thousands of new jobs in the green industries of the future, the Welsh and UK Governments announced today. In May 2022, the Welsh Government reached an agreement with the UK Government to establish a freeport programme in Wales. Following a bidding process, the Welsh and UK Governments have jointly agreed to create two freeports in Wales, which are expected to be operational later this year. The winning bids are: The Celtic Freeport in…