Author: Rhys Gregory

Staff and volunteers at a Swansea charity have received a £1,000 donation from the Amazon fulfilment centre in the city. The donation was made to Talking Hands, a club for young children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. Based in the Swansea Centre for Deaf People, the charity operates across Wales and runs a programme of activities which promote the learning and development of new skills as well as fun. For some of the young adults it supports, the club provides a place for social events and meet-ups. Weekly sessions for parents and toddlers who are deaf…

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales and recently crowned ‘National Restaurant of the Year 2022’ Ynyshir Restaurant with Rooms in Machynlleth, are launching an exclusive competition to celebrate Love Lamb Week, 1-7 September. Now is in its eighth year, Love Lamb Week celebrates all things lamb and this year focuses on the sustainability of UK sheep production. Wales has a particularly good story to tell, as sheep are overwhelmingly reared on natural resources, such as grass and rainwater, and 80% of its farmland is unsuitable for growing crops, thereby making raising livestock the most efficient way to turn marginal…

UK cyber security services firm, Bridewell, has announced the opening of its new 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC) in Wales. The company’s largest investment in property to date, the state-of-the-art SOC will provide rapid identification and response to threats whilst laying the foundations for sustained cyber security excellence for generations to come. Run by a team of over 50 experienced, industry-certified consultants, the new SOC provides Bridewell with a fivefold increase in capacity, allowing the company to scale in line with rapidly expanding client needs. Both CREST and SOC 2 accredited, the SOC is available as either a fully outsourced…

From September, eligible learners in Cardiff will receive additional financial support from the Welsh Government School Essentials scheme (Pupil Development Grant Access) which helps with the cost of uniform, sports equipment, stationery, and devices. This is in addition to Free School Meals. Last week, research from the Bevan Foundationrevealed that the majority of Welsh people are cutting back on essential items due to rising costs of living.[1]As the new term approaches, Cardiff Council is urgingparents to apply for the support they’re entitled to. In some areas of Wales, up to 40% of learners eligible for free school meals are missing…

SWANSEA’S Commonwealth Games heroes are to be honoured in a civic reception next week. The city’s athletes helped form the backbone of the Welsh team that collected 28 medals, including eight golds, six silver and 14 bronze, at the Games in Birmingham last month. More than 50 representatives from Swansea donned the red of Wales in Birmingham, to compete in many sports including Hockey, Wrestling, Athletics, Swimming, Netball, Rugby Sevens, Table Tennis, Lawn Bowls, Triathlon, Track Cycling and Gymnastics. There were bronze medals for Anna Hursey in Table Tennis, Eluned King and Will Roberts in Track Cycling, Medi Harris in…

Views are now wanted on a proposal to create a new pontoon at Knab Rock in Mumbles. Swansea Council is behind the proposal, which is aimed at making it easier for boat users to access the water there. These include fishermen, pleasure boaters and yacht users. If the pontoon gets the go-ahead, it would be attached to the slipway at Knab Rock. The pontoon would also give people with some disabilities better access to boats on the water there. Other benefits of the new pontoon would include the chance for local fishermen to offer a greater range of services, including…

Neath Port Talbot Council is facing an estimated rise in energy costs of more than £8m. The council currently pays just over £5m for its electricity and gas contracts but that figure could rise in 2023/24 by 162% to more than £13m. Cllr Simon Knoyle, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, said: “There is an urgent need for government support otherwise we face the prospect of deep cuts to services which will have a damaging impact on local people at a time when we are working hard to respond to much higher levels of…

Work has started at Tudor Place, Tiers Cross to create 11 quality, sustainable and affordable Council homes. The Tudor Place development is the second Pembrokeshire County Council housing site in the Authority’s ambitious housing development programme Work at the site is due for completion in July 2023. The 11 homes will be constructed to replace ten pre-fabricated houses. The development will provide modern sustainable homes for future generations, designed to the highest standards to be highly energy efficient and built to have a positive impact on the environment. To celebrate work starting at the site, a Meet and Greet event…

RCT Council has provided an update on work to repair a retaining wall at High Street, Llantrisant. Full day-time road closures (9am-3.30pm) are required on weekdays starting from September 7, as the scheme nears completion. Work continues to undertake necessary and essential emergency repairs to the large wall following its deterioration. Specialist contractors are working to partially rebuild and repair the structure, which is a time-consuming process that is complicated by narrow road widths and the presence of other structures in close proximity. A one-way traffic system has been in place to ensure safety, and this was changed to operate…

Ystrad Rhondda Railway Station users are advised that the removal of the main footbridge between Nant Gwyddon Close and Brook Street starts from September 8, requiring temporary pedestrian arrangements locally. The work is part of a major scheme to replace Brook Street footbridge, which has reached the end of its design life. The replacement scheme is funded by the Council and Welsh Government, with Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd progressing work on site. The complex project must contend with the day-to-day operation of the railway station, and the presence of the river nearby. Progress throughout the summer has seen several of…