Author: Rhys Gregory

Pond-dipping, bug-hunting and bird-spotting are just some of the nature-based activities on offer at Forest Farm this weekend as its annual Summer Open Day returns to introduce families to some of the wildlife at the 150-acre local nature reserve. Home to Cardiff’s team of Community Rangers, the free event on Saturday 18th June (10am-3pm) is centred around the Forest Farm Conservation Centre, and will also include a free to enter dog show, and the chance to try your hand at fly casting for fish or pick up some wildlife photography tips. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer…

PAVS, together with their partners, Hywel Dda Health Board, Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, PLANED, Volunteering Matters and West Wales Action for Mental Health are pleased to announce the re-launch of Pembrokeshire Community Hub following a successful a Community Activity and Wellbeing Day, hosted recently at Scolton Manor Country Park. Over 35 organisations attended and shared their information with over 120 visitors throughout the day. Pembrokeshire Community Hub started life as a Covid response for the County, based in County Hall and co-ordinating help for those shielding or isolating; the Hub ensured that citizens could access the food, prescriptions…

Work has been completed on the first new homes being developed by Caerphilly County Borough Council, as part of an innovative housing pilot programme. The six new one-bedroom apartments, developed on the site of the former 49 Club in Trecenydd, are the first homes to be built by the Council in almost 20 years. All homes on the development have been constructed to Passivhaus standard, consisting of very high levels of insulation, extremely high-performance windows with insulated frames, airtight building fabric and a mechanical heat ventilation system.  As well as helping to lower carbon emissions, these buildings will result in…

On Tuesday 14th June, Monmouthshire County Council and Arup Group launched a public consultation on the future of transport in Chepstow, with the aim of getting constructive feedback from the residents and businesses. Focused on a Transport Hub and Active Travel measures, the consultation seeking residents’ views on the provision of increased sustainable transport modes in and around the Chepstow area. This includes methods such as improvements to the existing bus network, demand responsive transport, electric vehicle infrastructure and park and ride facilities. The consultation follows on from a previous study in 2020, when Monmouthshire County Council and strategic partners…

In a keynote speech to the Bevan Foundation later today (16th June), the Education Minister will outline measures to tackle the impact of poverty on educational attainment and set high standards for all. Some of the actions outlined will include: Exploring ways to incentivise teachers to the most disadvantaged areas, to tackle issues many schools face in recruiting and retraining teachers in challenging areas. The aim will be to pilot different approaches initially. Introducing a programme to provide peer-to-peer support for senior leaders working in the most disadvantaged areas. As part of this programme, they would receive mentoring from colleagues…

More support will be available for Welsh film thanks to a new and simplified Welsh Government funding package which will help create quality jobs in the sector and generate at least £12m for the Welsh economy over the next two years, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, announced today. The Deputy Minister made the announcement during an address to Wales’ first Screen Summit, being held in Cardiff today. The new fund, a collaboration between the Welsh Government’s creative agency Creative Wales and Ffilm Cymru Wales, is available for films intended for theatrical release – with talent development and…

With temperatures set to rise across Wales in the coming days, people are being reminded to protect their pets and not leave them in hot vehicles. Every year animals are harmed or die by being left alone in cars and vans during warmer weather, even for a very short while. Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths is reminding people to protect their pets as temperatures hit higher figures. The Minister said: “Although many of us enjoy the hotter weather, it cannot always be said for our pets who we cherish. “Some people believe leaving their pet in a vehicle in the…

Finance Ministers across the UK met in Cardiff this week, with how to support people and businesses with soaring bills dominating discussion. The price of food, fuel, energy, clothes, travel costs and rent continue to go up as inflation rises. And OFGEM has warned energy bills are set to rise again by around £800 per year in October. This is against the backdrop of increasing concerns about the impact of the crisis on individuals’ health and wellbeing. The UK’s Finance Ministers discussed what more can be done to help people cope with this crisis at a joint Committee which considers…

Here’s how the former Oceana nightclub site in Swansea now looks as early construction works continue on a new office development there that will provide space for 600 jobs. The first of two tower cranes is now on site at The Kingsway, with foundations being laid ahead of work starting to construct the building’s concrete frame. Developed by Swansea Council with Bouygues UK as main contractor, the five-storey scheme is due for completion in the summer of 2023.  The new development will be carbon zero in operation and worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy. It will include 114,000 square…

Cardiff Bay will be buzzing with excitement this weekend (18 – 19 June) with several World class Urban Games champions taking part in Wales’ first Urban Games event, organised by Welsh youth organisation, Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Roald Dahl Plass will be completely transformed, offering a feast of BMX, Skateboarding, Wheelchair Basketball, Scootering and Breakin’ competitions. Children, young people and pros will be competing and taking part in different categories. Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis said: “Without a doubt, our Sports Department provides children and young people with invaluable opportunities, with 11,000 participating in 300 of our weekly sports clubs. Urban…