Author: Rhys Gregory

A national scheme to roll out free school meals to the youngest learners in primary schools in Wales has been launched today (Wednesday, 7 September) by First Minister Mark Drakeford and Sian Gwenllian MS at Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych. In Pembrokeshire, the rollout will include learners in: ·       full time nursery ·       reception ·       and years 1 and 2 pupils in primary schools Known as the Universal Primary Free School Meals, the policy is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. The agreement will see free school meals extended to ALL primary school learners…

Wales & West Utilities are making progress with work to upgrade the gas network in Blackwood. The £150,000 work, which will be complete in October, is essential to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to local homes and businesses, keeping people warm for generations to come. As part of the latest phase of work Wales & West Utilities has liaised with Caerphilly County Borough Council and, in order to avoid locally planned events, Wales & West Utilities has revised its traffic management plans. Cefn Road will be now be closed in phases as work progresses from its junction of…

Members of Blaenau Gwent Council’s People Scrutiny Committee has heard of the ongoing commitment to monitor and review Education provision in the County Borough to secure further improvements in educational outcomes for children and young people. The Council’s Education Directorate has an ongoing programme of self-evaluation, which is driven by the improvement priorities in the Education Improvement Plan 2022 – 2025. The Committee heard how steady progress has been made in many areas, especially in relation to school performance where the inspection and categorisation profile has improved. There has also been a reduction in schools causing concern and requiring intervention,…

The Big Arch in Ebbw Vale, one of the largest early horse-drawn railway bridges in Britain symbolising the town’s place in the history of iron and steel making in Wales, has been restored to its former glory. Constructed in 1813, Big Arch was once the northern gateway to the Ebbw Vale Ironworks and then in later years to the sprawling Ebbw Vale Steelworks. Itis now one of the few surviving tangible reminders of the area’s rich industrial past. The 200-year-old structure is in reasonable condition for its age, however the masonry arch barrel had areas of structural concern (such as…

Lidl has opened its new supermarket in Brynmawr Retail Park on Blaina Road today, Thursday 8th September. The new, modern store will create around 40 new jobs for the local community and feature the supermarket’s famous in-store bakery, customer toilets with baby changing facilities and ample parking for cars and bicycles. During the opening weekend, customers will be able to find exclusive deals and offers on selected products including an Angle Grinder (£9.99) on Friday 9th September as well as a Sharp 12V/240V 24″ HD Ready Smart TV (£99.00) on Saturday 10th September. The store opening times will be between…

Community groups, clubs and projects across Merthyr Tydfil are to receive awards of between £10,000 and £200,000 from a grants programme funded by the company running the Ffos-y-fran land reclamation scheme. Three town centre churches will get more than £280,000 between them for extensive refurbishment work, while a range of sports clubs will also benefit from facility improvements, and a community wellbeing centre will get support towards a new minibus. The Ffos-y-fran Large Grant Scheme makes funding available for projects that help create a ‘strong, sustainable and diverse economy’, support people in developing new skills, and contribute to making Merthyr…

We all need a relaxing sanctuary where we can escape the stresses of everyday life. For many, inside the home can feel hectic at the best of times, especially if you have an energetic family. Sometimes, if you are seeking some peace, the garden is one of the best places you can retreat. However, some of us often struggle to see our garden’s potential. This useful guide will share some tips that can help turn any garden into a relaxing sanctuary. We cover it all, from awnings to calming colour palettes. Create Your Own Water Feature Is there anything more…

For a youngster, doing their homework may be a challenging and time-consuming procedure. Some students could have little trouble learning new material while in the classroom, but they can struggle to remember what they’ve learned when they go home later in the day. Most times, students who need assignment help go online in search of a website that can be an assistant. Students and parents alike may benefit greatly from the plethora of tools that are now available thanks to advancements in technology. There exists a wide range of trustworthy websites and software designed specifically with the aim of making it simpler for…

Data-driven recruitment is the process of using data and analytics to evaluate potential job candidates or sports players. Using data, recruiters can better assess candidates based on their skills, experience, and qualifications. This approach also allows for more accurate predictions of how successful a newcomer will be in a certain role. In addition to improving the recruitment process, data-driven approaches can help improve scouting methods for identifying talent in the “regular” job market and sports. For example, by tracking player data over time, coaches and scouts can better identify players who may be overlooked or undervalued by traditional scouting techniques.…

Season three of the popular Netflix series, The Witcher, is currently in development, and Welsh viewers will be pleased to know that some of the filming is currently taking place right here. The star of the show, Henry Cavill, was recently spotted chatting to holidaymakers as he took a break from acting in some intense battle scenes. The Witcher could end up being Netflix’s biggest series of all time one day, and this could lead more filmmakers to see Wales as a prime spot to shoot. Huge Crew Descend on Welsh Beach The Witcher is one of Netflix’s most ambitious…