Author: Rhys Gregory

Rhondda Sports Centre’s swimming pool is closed until further notice. The pool has been emptied due to a significant fault in the balance tank. The balance tank is a key part of the pool, providing a constant water supply and keeping the depth the same regardless of how many people use it. Contractors are now working to fix the issue, with the closure set to last at least four weeks. Staff at the centre are working with clubs and groups that use the pool, including children’s swimming lessons, to move the classes and activities to alternative Leisure for Life swimming pools.…

Newport residents will be able to find out about a range of support and advice at a cost-of-living event being held by the council next month. Members of the public can pop along to The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre between 10am and 6pm on Thursday 3 November. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of Newport City Council, said: “We know many people are being adversely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and that could get worse over the winter months. “There is a lot of support available to help people cope with the pressures and challenges they are facing but some might…

The Nikwax Caerphilly Challenge Series is set to return on Saturday May 6th, 2023 – with its 11th Caerphilly Challenge Series, The Forge. This year Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Countryside and Landscape Service, in conjunction with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Caerphilly Adventure Group, Caerphilly Ramblers, Islwyn Ramblers and other partners, are once again throwing down a SERIOUS challenge for walkers and runners of all abilities. As always… The Caerphilly Challenge Series will have routes suitable for all fitness levels and abilities. The routes are in the process of being planned/finalised, exact distances will be confirmed as soon as we…

Plans are being finalised for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Merthyr Tydfil featuring Santa, fireworks – and some snow…no matter what the weather! Pyrotechnic fireworks will follow the switch-on at Redhouse Cymru, which will also be attended by Santa and feature a snow machine to give the event an even more festive feel. The Christmas Family Fun Day on Saturday 19 November will also have a funfair, inflatable snow globe, reindeer, festive walkabout characters, face painting and balloon modelling. St Tydfil Shopping Centre will be hosting Santa’s Grotto. Festivities begin the day before, on Friday 18 November, with amusement…

Difficulties in recruiting HGV drivers and a rise in covid cases are still causing significant disruptions to the waste and recycling collections across the county. With a number of crew members testing positive for covid, it has resulted in more missed and delayed collections, especially in the north of the county. Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys says: “Staff shortages and covid outbreaks are still causing major disruption to the waste and recycling collections across the county. We understand that missed or delayed collections can be very frustrating to. “We would like to thank our crews for…

The First Minister has announced the appointment of Efa Gruffudd Jones as Welsh Language Commissioner. She will take up the position in January 2023, taking over the role from the late Aled Roberts. The Commissioner has an important role to play in increasing the provision of services in Welsh and the use of the language and upholding the rights of Welsh speakers. Efa Gruffudd Jones is currently the chief executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh. The centre is responsible for all aspects of learning Welsh from the curriculum and course development to resources for tutors, research, marketing and…

This autumn the Snowdonia National Park Authority’s Woodlands team will work with Y Dref Werdd to provide felled trees for their fuel poverty scheme. Ash dieback disease is spreading rapidly through Snowdonia and beyond, its effects evident from their bare branches in spring and summer. Ash trees at National Park Authority owned sites, Plas Tan y Bwlch and Yr Ysgwrn, have now succumbed to the disease. As some of those trees have passed the threshold of 50% of the tree affected, they require felling for safety reasons. Felled trees will be donated to the local Y Dref Werdd social enterprise,…

Moving into a new home is an exciting time of your life. However, it can also be stressful, expensive and extremely overwhelming. Shops are full of various kinds of furniture and home décor pieces. With the infinite amount of options that you have, choosing the best pieces for your new home might be challenging. To make the process easier, try to create a list of your priorities. Consider which areas will experience high traffic and if you have any children or pets. Considering the functionality can save you from many problems in the future. Here are our tips on how…

Bitcoin, the digital currency that has been making headlines lately, might not be something you have heard of before. It’s time to change that and discover why some giant companies accept bitcoin as payment. Bitcoin is a system of decentralised currency which started in 2008 and runs on a peer-to-peer network. It is not managed by any authority or central bank, and transactions are solely verified by computers in the network, which work out complex mathematical problems. If the solver to these problems is not available, the transaction will be automatically delayed. Bitcoins use encryption, based on a public-key and…

Thousands of residents, families and students are expected to watch the spectacular display over Swansea Bay on Saturday, November 5, at 7pm. For the first time, the display will be offshore on a barge in the sea, illuminating the waters of the bay as the fireworks burst in the sky. The evening kicks off at 6pm with pre-show entertainment including a fire show, glow entertainers and walkabout acts. Food vendors will also be open from 6pm. Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We deliver great events for the people of Swansea to enjoy – and this is a key…