Author: Rhys Gregory

With temperatures expected to reach as high as the mid-thirties and an amber weather warning in place for much of Wales between Sunday 17 – Tuesday 19 July, residents of Bridgend County Borough are being urged to take extra care over the next few days. Sustained periods of very hot weather can cause dehydration, overheating, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially among children and vulnerable people, and experts from Public Health Wales have issued advice on how local people can look after themselves, their families, neighbours and friends: Stay in the shade, especially between 11am-3pm. Cover up with a hat…

SOLDIERS from the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), ‘The Welsh Cavalry’ exercised their right to march through the city centre on Friday. It’s the first time in eight years the Welsh Cavalry, which enjoys the Freedom of the City, have exercised its right to march in Swansea and follows a tour of duty on United Nations peacekeeping operations in Mali, west Africa. After a formal inspection on the Guildhall Rotunda, the squadron paraded through the city along St Helen’s Road, West Way, Oxford Street, Princess Way and Kingsway before returning to the Guildhall via St Helen’s Road, Guildhall Road…

FOLLOWING extensive work during the past winter months, the National Lottery funded Lost Peatlands of South Wales Project is happy to announce that 23 hectares of bog habitat has now been restored within the project area. The upland landscape between Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf has a wealth of natural assets which, if managed carefully, can have a big impact on human-induced climate change while also reversing biodiversity decline by protecting these globally rare habitats. Peatland management is one of the crucial tools in the world’s approach to achieving its carbon goals – and for good reason. They…

Stay safe this summer and stay away from all reservoir sites across Rhondda Cynon Taf – swimming in these waters is dangerous and must be avoided at all times. The Council is warning its residents that swimming in reservoirs include a host of significant dangers, such as hidden equipment and very cold water. Anyone who decides to swim in reservoirs could be putting their lives at risk. The dangers of swimming in reservoirs include: Automatic equipment located under the surface of the water, which can sometimes operate without obvious warning. Very cold and deep water that can cause even strong…

Caerphilly County Borough Council and Blackwood Town Council are pleased to announce that Blackwood Beach Party is coming to town! On Saturday 10th September Blackwood High Street will be transformed into an urban beach party with plentiful sand, deckchairs and buckets and spades to keep the whole family entertained. A large number of funfair rides will bring life to the one end of the high street with stalls, attractions and a giant beach taking over the other end! Blackwood Town Council will also be arranging their feature stage with a full entertainment programme all day incorporating local singers, bands, and…

A turf-cutting ceremony, marking the start of work on the building of a brand-new school for pupils with additional learning needs, has taken place. Powys County Council and its contractor Wynne Construction has started to build the new replacement building for Ysgol Cedewain in Newtown. The project is being funded by the Welsh Government, who will provide 75% of the project costs under its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The remaining 25% will be funded by the council. The turf-cutting ceremony, which marked the official start of the works, took place on Wednesday, 13 July. Attending the ceremony were representatives…

Continued abuse of the counties community recycling sites not only contaminates tonnes of recycling but has also resulted in one careless Talgarth resident receiving a Fixed Penalty Notice. The £300 fine was issued after black bin bags full of general rubbish and clothing were found in and around the local card recycling bank. During interview, the owner of the waste claimed to have paid someone to take their waste away. As a result, the fine was issued under the Household Waste Duty of Care Regulations 2019, for failing to take reasonable measures to secure the safe transport and disposal of…

The First Minister will host a summit today at the Royal Welsh Show to identify ways of reducing pollution in Welsh rivers. Representatives from local government, farming unions, the building industry, water companies, regulators and environmental agencies, together with food producers will attend the meeting on the Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground in Builth Wells. Excessive phosphorus levels in Special Area of Conservation rivers are harming delicate ecosystems and wider catchment areas and could lead to problems with food production and affect housebuilding in the longer term. The Welsh Government is investing £40m over the next three years to tackle river…

The Football Association of Wales and the Welsh Government have launched a new video today, featuring several Cymru players, that aims to help tackle the issue of online sexual harassment. The thought-provoking video, ‘Calling Out: Online Sexual Harassment’, reveals conversations between Cymru international footballers Joe Allen, Lily Woodham, Esther Morgan and Joe Morrell, encouraging young people to speak up about sexual harassment online and the importance of both boys and men calling out the behaviour. The film promotes a culture of equality and respect, with further advice for families, children and educators available on Hwb, the digital teaching and learning…

The Royal Welsh Show is particularly special this year, as it takes place in person for the first time in three years, at an important time when we look at securing the long-term future of the farming industry and rural communities across Wales Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said ahead of the event. Virtual events were held in 2020 and 2021 but this year farmers from across Wales will come together once more for one of the largest agricultural shows in Europe. The Minister said: “I know I’m not alone to be very much looking forward to this year’s…