Author: Rhys Gregory

Award-winning Gower author Tracy Rees plans to take library visitors back to Victorian times this week. She’s hosting a free-entry event in Gowerton Library on Thursday, February 9, from 5.30-6.30pm to introduce visitors to her new Pan Macmillan-published historical novel. Tracy, who splits her time between Swansea and London, won a Richard & Judy “search for a bestseller” competition for earlier work Amy Snow. Gowerton Library is run by Swansea Council which arranges a series of events in its libraries. Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “Tracy’s a big supporter of our libraries and it’ll be good to welcome her…

A FOOD storage and distribution business in Clydach was so badly infested with rat and mouse droppings, food hygiene officers were forced to close it down on the spot, a court heard. The Swansea Council officers were visiting AT Catering in Lone Road, Clydach, to discuss with owner Abu Taleb whether the business needed regulatory approval. But they were so taken aback by the state of the building and the amount of rodent droppings they found all around the unit, they issued an emergency notice instead and closed down the business. However, Swansea Magistrates Court, was told that despite being…

A main road through a Swansea community is set to be transformed with a new road surface. Swansea Council is planning to resurface almost a kilometre (900m) of road, identified as in poor condition. The improvements along Cecil Road, in Gowerton, will be completed as part of the Council’s ongoing planned maintenance for highways in the city. Highways maintenance teams are currently working to improve Townhill Road with 600m of new road surface being laid. Both schemes form part of the Council’s multi million pound investment into improving roads which also includes the city-wide PATCH repair programme, as well as…

In 2022, Caerphilly County Borough Council appointed more than 20 apprentices in a range of roles throughout various council service areas. Some of these roles included administrative apprentices, countryside ranger apprentices, a communications apprentice, aquatic tutor apprentices, along with many others. Caerphilly is committed to providing opportunities in various roles within the organisation in order for apprentices and employees to achieve progression in their careers. Caerphilly has a rich history of nurturing apprentices who climb through the ranks of the organisation. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2023, the council will be sharing stories of some of their apprentices journeys so…

A new plan for Monnow Street in Monmouth has been unveiled as a consultation launches for residents to share their views on the proposed ideas. The Monnow Street project builds on earlier design and consultation carried out in 2020 and 2022. The scheme aims to create a pleasant and safe environment for people on foot or cycle, encouraging people to visit and spend more time in Monnow Street, while maintaining two-way vehicle traffic and on-street parking. Key measures proposed in the design include creating more space for pedestrians and for businesses to spill out onto the street, making it easier…

A Newtown resident has been fined £400 for illegally dumping rubbish in the ‘devil’s elbow’ hair-pin bend layby (near Dolfor) of the A483 trunk road. Reported by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (NMWTRA), the fly-tipped material consisted of waste DIY building material. On inspection, the council’s Powys County Council Waste Awareness and Enforcement Officers found a receipt within the rubbish, which linked back to a local builder’s merchant. The vendor was able to supply information which linked the purchase back to a north Powys resident. Following an interview under caution, the culprit admitted the waste was left…

The UK is a nation of animal lovers, but with under half of the nation’s landlords advertising their properties as pet friendly, it can be difficult for renters to share in the joy pets bring. Further to this, animal charities across the UK are experiencing an increase in the number of animals needing their support, with many owners citing housing issues as a reason for rehoming their pets. Around one in ten of those owners calling Dogs Trust cite issues with housing as the reasons for needing to rehome their dog. This includes people being forced to move or downsize…

Nowadays, many people look for different ways to settle their financial matters. Every now and then, life throws something unexpected our way that usually costs us a lot of money. If you don’t have money on hand in such situations, you must rely on taking out a loan. Fortunately, there are fast and easy online loans these days that enable a seamless way to get the funds your need when you need them the most. People usually go to the bank for a loan but that can be a lengthy processes depending on your urgency. For some odd reason, when…

Swansea Building Society has donated £40,000 to Mumbles Community Association’s Go Underhill development in the same week the building society celebrates exactly 100 years trading. The building society, with branch offices in Mumbles, Swansea, Carmarthen and Cowbridge, made the donation on February 6th – the day after its 100th birthday – to further help Mumbles Community Association (MCA) redevelop the facilities in Underhill Park. The Go Underhill development is a major multi-phase project to redevelop and refurbish the much-loved Underhill Park in Mumbles. It aims to protect and enhance the asset with up-to-date facilities fit for the 21st Century, which…

Cardiff Metropolitan University has signed agreements with four prestigious Pakistani institutions which will lead to an increase in collaboration in a number of important areas. The high-profile signing is between Cardiff Met and the following institutions: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) The number one institution in Pakistan and 74th in Asia, as ranked by the QS World University Rankings. Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Placed in the 251 – 300 band in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings and the 601 – 650 band in the QS World University Rankings. COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) Placed…