Author: Rhys Gregory

The Cambrian Railway Partnership has awarded almost £7,000 to community organisations along the Cambrian Line as part of its Railway 200 Community Grant Fund, supporting projects that celebrate heritage, creativity and sustainable travel. Grants have been awarded to a range of imaginative community-led initiatives, including: A sustainable train-themed garden in Caersws designed to honour the work and gardens that Station Masters used to create. The production and screening of a film on Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, the pioneering entrepreneur, to form part of a legacy exhibition. A series of Welsh language guided walks along the Cambrian Coast, using the railway as…

The pioneering Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) and Visit Wales have spoken about their shared commitment to developing Mid Wales as a destination that champions responsible tourism, low-carbon innovation and environmental leadership. CAT welcomed the tourism development team from Visit Wales – the Welsh Government’s tourism arm – for an all-staff meeting last week, marking a significant moment in the long-standing partnership between the two organisations. Hosted at CAT’s Visitor Centre near Machynlleth, the visit included a keynote address from CAT co-chief executive Eileen Kinsman. She shared insights into CAT’s pioneering history, its role in environmental education and innovation and…

An organised crime gang who carried out a high-value theft spree across rural Gwynedd and Shropshire have been jailed for a combined total of almost 16 years. At Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, 15 September, four men from West Mercia were sentenced for their roles in the three-month conspiracy in North Wales. At a separate hearing at Mold Crown Court on September 20th, 2024, four men from West Mercia were also sentenced for handling stolen goods. Members of the organised crime group (OCG) travelled in and out of Tywyn, Dolgellau and Bala, staying at local caravan and camping sites to…

Applications for secondary school places to start in September 2026 are now open, and families are reminded that applying on time and providing five school preferences can increase their chances of getting a place at one of their preferred schools. Cardiff Council’s Admissions Team have provided simple step-by-step advice and guidance in the form of 7 tips, to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff. The information is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all five preferences available.…

From now on, Neath Port Talbot residents can recycle cardboard and paper together in their white recycling bags, eliminating the need for a separate black box for paper. Everything must fit inside the white recycling bag to be collected so residents are being respectfully reminded not to forget to seal the bags to stop anything blowing away. Should Neath Port Talbot residents need more bags, they can order more here: www.npt.gov.uk/recycle Residents can now use their old black coloured paper boxes for glass recycling instead. Make sure only to include glass in these boxes – please don’t mix materials. Residents…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has now confirmed the arrangements for its statutory public consultation relating to the 26 identified roads that could possibly be returned to a 30mph speed limit, from the national 20mph Default Speed Limit – in addition to 84 roads that were exempted in the first round. The 26 roads have been brought forward for consideration after a review that has used the revised guidance on exemptions to the Default Speed Limit, implemented by Welsh Government. The locations were also informed by a ‘listening period’ in summer 2024, where residents could have their say on local roads…

A community development grant scheme for local initiatives has opened a second window for applications this week. Charities, social enterprises, voluntary sector organisations, community groups are eligible to apply for the scheme, which will fund activities that contribute to one of the following areas: community building crime prevention breaking down barriers to opportunity environmental education Welsh culture preservation Grants are available for sports clubs through the scheme. More information on this is available on the Whatimpact website. The scheme is being administered by Whatimpact on behalf of the council. What you need to know The second application window will open on…

A new dental contract for Wales will improve access to NHS dentistry for everyone as health needs and prevention are put at the heart of the new system. The new dental contract will transform how services are delivered across Wales – improving access, fairness, and quality of care. This is the first major reform of the contract in 20 years and will replace the units of dental activity contract, which pays dentists to recall patients every six months, regardless of whether they have any problems. The new contract, which will come into effect in April 2026, will mean people will…

Cardiff’s buzzing independent food scene is set to welcome Ogof, a new neighbourhood restaurant and wine shop that will open later this year on Kings Road (formerly the site of Poca restaurant), on the border between Canton and Pontcanna. Behind this exciting new venture are co-owners and local residents Alex Vines, Zanna Clarke and Siôn Iorwerth; Alex has spent more than a decade cooking in acclaimed London kitchens including 40 Maltby Street and Rochelle Canteen, followed by running his much-loved ‘Vines’ pop-up in venues across Cardiff. He is joined by Siôn, a Carmarthenshire-born wine specialist whose experience includes opening one…

Portthcawl Co-op welcomes members and customers back into the new-look store as it re-launches following an eight-week programme of works and improvement. Located in Lias Road, Porthcawl, the store – which supports upto 30 local jobs – has been transformed with a fresh new look and enhanced shopping experience. New refrigeration enhances the fresh, chilled and frozen range, and also supports Co-op’s work to further cut its carbon footprint. This sits alongside Costa Coffee Express, an in-store bakery and focus on food-to-go and meal deals; Fairtrade products, pizzas, flowers; ready meals, award winning beers and wines and, everyday essentials. Parcel…