Author: Rhys Gregory

Pyle Swimming Pool is undergoing major refurbishment works, following a £200,000 investment by Bridgend County Borough Council and Halo Leisure. The works include creating modern, and accessible family changing rooms in both the male and female changing areas, along with new vanity units, energy efficient showers and around 30 new cubicles. New ceilings and energy efficient lighting is also scheduled as part of the upgraded installations and will complete the works in the changing areas. Accessible changing spaces are also being built on poolside, incorporating the latest equipment and creating a much-improved space for people who need additional support when…

There is just two weeks left for fitness fans and charity fundraisers to get their entries in for this year’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. Entries for the annual race, which takes place on Sunday September 18, close on August 31. Swansea Council is behind the event, which is being sponsored by Admiral. As well as the 10k, there are also 1k and 3k junior fun runs, along with a 10k wheelchair race. About 5,000 people are expected to take part in this popular race once again this year. Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said:…

Residents of Neath Port Talbot who are looking to start a business or are running a small business and need support can join a new free virtual business school. Neath Port Talbot Council’s Economic Development team in partnership with UK Steel Enterprise have teamed up with The Rebel School to bring small business support to the community, completely for FREE. Using an alternative approach to getting started, Rebel will show you how to avoid loans & debt, needing cash to start and business plans all together. This programme will help you to launch a mini-experiment and make money doing something…

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA in St David’s is celebrating after being awarded an internationally acclaimed eco-award. The 3-16 Church in Wales school has been awarded their first Green Flag Award thanks to the environmental education programme, Eco-Schools. Eco-Schools is an international programme run in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh Government. Over 90% of schools in Wales are registered on the programme. The Eco-Schools programme inspires and empowers pupils to be leaders of change in their community, helping them learn about sustainable living and global citizenship while giving them the information and support they…

The Council is asking residents to take part in a consultation aimed at making our trails completely accessible by removing a series of physical barriers. Active Travel trails across Merthyr Tydfil – including the Taff, Trevithick and Celtic Trails – have obstacles such as motorcycle ‘inhibitor’ A frames, vehicle gates and tubular steel chicanes. The Council is considering removing some of these, along with resurfacing and widening footways, and taking other measures to ensure easy access for wheelchairs and larger bikes. We’d like to hear your views on the proposals and would ask you to click on the link below…

Consultations to look at ways to improve the public spaces within Brecon and Crickhowell town centres will begin this week. Working together with Amey Consulting and LDA Design, Powys County Council are looking at ways to improve the public spaces within Brecon and Crickhowell town centres and are keen to hear the thoughts, experiences and concerns of local people, businesses and visitors on how they use the town centres and how they could be improved. In Brecon the focus is on improving pedestrian priority and experience, improving connections and biodiversity and creating a safe, accessible public areas that enhances the…

The Leaders of Powys County Council have expressed concern over proposals that could see Wales Air Ambulance close its Welshpool base. Under the proposals being considered by the charity, the Welshpool crews could be moved to north Wales. “The Wales Air Ambulance Service is a vital service, especially for a rural county such as Powys. It also receives a huge amount of public support from our residents,” said Leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt and Deputy Leader Matthew Dorrance. “It is therefore disappointing and extremely concerning that their proposal could see their Welshpool base close. “We will be seeking assurances from senior…

Minister for Climate Change Julie James has announced nearly £15million for landowners and managers who want to improve biodiversity to help Wales fight the climate and nature emergencies. The Nature Networks Programme, which opens to applicants today, will help all types of Wales’ most precious habitats flourish under better management – from saltmarshes and estuaries to forests and grasslands – whilst helping to connect people to nature to improve wellbeing These sites are home to the iconic – such as otter, bottlenose dolphin and grey seal, alongside the obscure – such as the petalwort plant and whorl snails. They are…

The past few years have prompted a significant rise in the number of people looking to write their wills and plan the future course of their estates. The number one reason for having a will is, of course, to ensure that your loved one’s interests are safeguarded – particularly their financial interests – and make certain that the promises you make in life are upheld after your death. Another reason, however, that is becoming increasingly common among will writers, is making charitable gifts – passing portions of your estate onto non-profits that mean something to you. These donations are often…

Sun-kissed Llanfyllin and District Agricultural and Horticultural Show returned in style on Saturday with a record attendance and fantastic feedback from the thousands of people that attended the popular event. The spectacular Atkinson Action Horses stunt and display team from East Yorkshire was a huge hit, attracting many new visitors to the showground for two performances in the main ring. A new Montgomery Young Farmers Clubs speed shearing competition, which attracted 60 shearers in four categories, was another big success, providing entertainment well into the evening. One of the shearers was world champion Richard Jones from Llangollen. Show chairman Dyfrig…