Author: Rhys Gregory

A new blood test clinic is set to open its doors as the service at the Bay Field Hospital comes to an end. The community hub at the Port Talbot Resource Centre in Baglan is due to open in early August, with appointments available via the health board’s online or telephone booking system. It will be in addition to the current outpatient blood test clinics at Morriston, Singleton and Neath Port Talbot hospitals, which will also increase the number of appointments they offer when the Bay blood test clinic closes. The last day blood testing will be done at the…

As part of a year of celebrations for its 25th anniversary, leading entertainment venue The Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay is asking the public to contribute to an exclusive new art installation being created by Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn. Nathan is an artist who specialises in creating pieces out of non-traditional mediums, mainly celebrity portraits out of food. He was a finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2011, creating a portrait of judge Michael McIntyre out of Marmite on toast. The well-known artist will be creating a mural for The Red Dragon Centre using photos of the centre over…

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…