Author: Rhys Gregory

All two-year-old children in Merthyr Tydfil can now access free childcare, after the local authority became the first in Wales to roll out the expansion of the Flying Start childcare programme across its area. The Welsh Government is investing an additional £25m this year to expand Flying Start childcare, bringing Wales closer to universal childcare for all two-year-olds. Flying Start provides fully funded, high quality childcare for two-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week. High quality childcare supports children’s learning, growth and development during their crucial early years. All 24 childcare providers across Merthyr Tydfil have been approved to…

Green energy projects across Wales will share over £12.9m to support their efforts towards generating local renewable energy. From installing solar panels and heat pumps to battery storage and electric vehicle charging points, the 48 successful projects will help ensure the transition to clean energy directly benefits Welsh communities. The Ynni Cymru Capital Grant Scheme aims to accelerate the deployment of Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) and is a key part of Wales’ ambitious goal to generate 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. SLES have wide-ranging benefits including the potential to reduce energy costs, create local jobs…

Santa might put us on his naughty list, but with only 100 days to go until the big day, we can’t resist unwrapping some of the magical events and experiences that will make Christmas in Cardiff 2025 one to remember. An Ice Rink in a Castle Cardiff Castle provides a magical backdrop for this year’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink and Ice Walk, open from 13 November 2025 until 4 January 2026. From romantic sunset skates to family sessions complete with penguin skate-aids, it’s a must-do festive activity whatever the weather. Winter Wonderland at City Hall Lawn The festive fun continues…

Media Cymru’s new campaign, Fuelling the Future, highlights the impact that research, development and innovation (RD&I) investment has had in Wales, playing a significant role in driving productivity, growth and innovation in local and regional economies. Media Cymru’s latest economic analysis (2023 data) shows an economically valuable, yet fragile, creative industries that support more than 100,000 Welsh jobs – almost 7% of Welsh employment – across 11,740 enterprises. The sector’s turnover of £5bn grew 20% in the period between 2022 and 2023. The sector has grown by an average of 750 businesses per year since 2019, with more than half (54%)…

Swansea is opening its doors wider than ever to investors with the launch of Invest in Swansea – a new initiative designed to drive economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen the city’s position as a hub for innovation, regeneration and opportunity. Backed by Swansea Council and the Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), the initiative features a dedicated, user-friendly website – investswansea.com – aimed at streamlining the investment process for businesses and entrepreneurs across the UK and overseas. The platform serves as a one-stop-shop for potential investors, offering insights into the city’s £1 billion regeneration programme, funding opportunities, business support services, and…

BAFTA Cymru has revealed the Special Awards recipients for this year’s BAFTA Cymru Awards. The BAFTA Cymru Outstanding Contribution Award will be presented to Russell T Davies, who, for the last two decades, has been a trailblazer within LGBTQIA+ drama, while also leading BBC hit Dr Who, as showrunner. One of BAFTA Cymru’s highest honours, this year’s Award is presented to a Welsh individual who has made an outstanding contribution to Television and will be presented at the BAFTA Cymru Awards, taking place at ICC Wales, Newport, on Sunday 5 October. Russell began his illustrious career 40 years ago as…

Martin Burnell, 38, from Llanrumney, was arrested following an extensive investigation into a series of burglaries and attempt burglaries across Cardiff between March and May this year. Burnell burgled homes while occupants were home and would commonly steal cash and high value items such as jewellery meaning the loss of sentimental and irreplaceable items for some families. Once charged, he pleaded guilty to seven burglaries and two attempt burglaries of properties in Cyncoed, Roath, Old St Mellons, Rumney and Castleton, Newport. During one burglary in Cyncoed, a 73-year-old woman was woken up and instructed to fill a bag with valuables…

The Swansea Bay City Deal’s Digital Infrastructure Programme has finished building a full fibre broadband network at Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot. This major upgrade represents an investment of about £150,000 in the local attraction. Thanks to this fast and reliable broadband, the park can now host large events without internet problems. Services like payment systems, cloud software, and online visitor tools will work smoothly. Local people living near the park will also benefit. They will have the opportunity to access full fibre broadband, helping to close the digital divide. This project is part of the Digital Infrastructure Programme’s “Connected…

Council Leader Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE has revised his Cabinet. These changes will be cost-neutral, with no additional costs, and will for the first time utilise the job sharing arrangements provided by Welsh Government, through the Local Government & Elections Act (Wales) 2021. The new Cabinet is as follows: Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure & Investment – Cllr Andrew Morgan OBE Deputy Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Council Business – Cllr Maureen Webber BEM Cabinet Member for Education & the Welsh Language – Cllr Rhys Lewis Cabinet Member for Social Care – Cllr Gareth Caple & Cllr Sharon Rees (job…

Cardiff Council has issued an urgent warning after fraudulent QR code stickers were discovered on parking machines across the city. The council is urging drivers not to scan any QR codes they may come across, as these could lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal or financial information. A spokesperson for Cardiff Council stressed that QR codes are never used as a method of payment for parking in the city. Instead, drivers should continue to use the official MiPermit app or the MiPermit website when paying digitally. “Cardiff Council does not use QR codes on its parking machines,” the…