Author: Rhys Gregory

A new build locomotive for Corris Railway in Mid Wales could be steaming for an open day at Ross-on-Wye engineers Alan Keef Ltd’s on September 24. Footplating work is well advanced on number 10, the Falcon and the saddle tank will be assembled by Corris Railway volunteers in the East Midlands to save money, before delivery to Alan Keef Ltd’s workshops. Staff from Alan Keef have visited Talyllyn Railway at Tywyn to check details – particularly the blast pipe arrangement – of Corris number 3 engine, a forerunner of the new loco. Even if the new loco is steaming in…

A leading Welsh food wholesaler has clinched a deal to help one of the UK’s top universities go greener. Harlech Foodservice delivery lorries and vans will be regular callers at Keele University, in Staffordshire, which has 10,000 students on its campus and has been ranked the UK’s fifth best university by students. It’s a major coup for the fast-growing business which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and is benefiting from its decision to open a second major distribution hub in Chester. Harlech Commercial Director Mark Lawton said: “The opening of our depot and sales office in Chester means that…

A rare pine marten has been photographed on Anglesey. This is the first confirmed sighting on the island in over thirty years of intensive wildlife monitoring. A team of Bangor University researchers made the exciting discovery whilst undertaking research on the islands nationally important red squirrel population. Dr Simon Valle, Dr Graeme Shannon and Dr Craig Shuttleworth had established a network of cameras in different types of woodland across Anglesey to monitor local red squirrel abundance. The ground-breaking project was funded by Natural Resources Wales in an attempt to better understand which woodland habitats are optimal for red squirrels and…

Talented young apprentices from John Weaver and ASW Property Services were the overall winners at a construction awards event covering Swansea Bay held last week, which also raised more than £2,000 for local charity Hands Up for Downs. The Swansea Bay Construction Support Group’s 2022 awards ceremony took place on 7 July at the Village Hotel, Swansea, to support and recognise the achievements of new entrants, apprentices and future talent within the construction industry in the South Wales region. The ceremony, which was hosted by Swansea legend Kev Johns and included a three-course meal, was also part of an overall objective to promote…

A primary school in Swansea has received top marks from inspectors who praised its calm and supportive environment where pupils feel happy and safe. A team from Estyn, consisting of three inspectors, visited Llangyfelach Primary during May and the results of their inspection have just been published. They said staff work hard across the school to provide pupils with the support they need in their work and their emotional and social development. The report states: “Most pupils make good progress across the school, including those with additional learning needs. “There is a strong focus on developing literacy and numeracy in…

Neath Port Talbot Council is set to start its phased roll-out of free primary school meals to all reception children this September. The roll-out is a part of the Welsh Government’s commitment for every primary school pupil to receive a free school meal by 2024. Other primary school year groups will follow reception in a phased approach throughout the year. This is to ensure the school’s catering team are able to manage the additional demand placed upon it. The offer will then be extended to all Year 1 pupils after the October half term, with the ambition of including Year…

The Big Welsh Bite in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd is set to return this summer. The popular event makes its return on August 6 and 7, celebrating all that is good about life in Rhondda Cynon Taf, with free arena shows and displays, live cookery demonstrations with a TV Chef, an array of food, drink and treats to taste and buy and loads more – all set in stunning surroundings! Cllr Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Council Business, said: “It’s been a long wait, but we are thrilled to welcome our flagship…

Newport’s adult community learning programme provides opportunities for local people to gain skills and qualifications in a variety of subjects, and enrolment for classes starting in September is now open. Courses include essential skills in literacy, GCSEs in English and maths, modern languages, British Sign Language, digital literacy and independent living skills for adults with learning disabilities. Plus, new for 2022 there will be a course on carbon literacy where learners can understand their carbon footprint and take steps to reduce their impact on the planet. Councillor Debbie Harvey, cabinet member for community and wellbeing said: “Newport’s adult learning offers…

The RSPCA has praised Caerphilly Council for taking a positive stance against the mistreatment of animals. Caerphilly County Borough Council introduced a ban on pets as prizes back in 2019 and the first to make such a public stance on the issue. The support of full Council followed unanimous support from the Council’s Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee, at which RSPCA Cymru gave evidence alongside Cllr Jamie Pritchard. RSPCA Cymru called it “great news for animal welfare, particularly goldfish”. Giving animals as prizes can be detrimental to the animals’ welfare. Many will die before getting back to their new homes,…

Local authority, tourism and university partners in an international tourism and environmental initiative travelled to Merthyr Tydfil to progress plans for the project – as well as to visit some of the county borough’s most beautiful and historic attractions. The EU-funded Atlantic Area Project, ‘the Trail Gazers Bid’, was set up to encourage people in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France ‘off the paths and into the surrounding local and rural communities to immerse themselves in new cultural, culinary and life experiences’. Trail Gazers aims to investigate the impact of significant investment that has been made over the years…