Author: Rhys Gregory

A man from Rhondda Cynon Taff has been given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and banned from keeping dogs for ten years after leaving two Patterdale terriers with serious untreated injuries that a vet said were likely to have been caused by fighting with badgers. Wayne Mortimer (date of birth 18/12/74) of Nant y Fedw, Abercynon, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences when he appeared at Merthyr Magistrates Court last Wednesday (13 April) following a prosecution by the RSPCA. The dogs were found with multiple scarring to their heads and necks and were said by a…

A Valleys-based startup has become an instant success with its innovative device designed to help cyclists change their tyre quickly and simply. Tyre Glider is the brainchild of Kevin Baker from Ystrad Mynach, whose newfound interest in triathlons introduced him to the chore of changing a bike tyre – something he initially struggled with. In the midst of Covid-19 lockdown, with plenty of time to mull over the issue, it was when he opened a tin of tuna that the seed of an idea was planted for a mechanism that would form the basis of his unique product, which is…

The National Library of Wales is to host the Wales and the Battle of Britain Touring Exhibition to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A special event will take place today (April 20) when Pedr ap Llwyd, chief executive and librarian and Air Commodore Adrian Williams, Air Officer Wales, will open the exhibition in the company of Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards and Second World War veterans. The exhibition, which will be open free of charge until May 11, has been created by Dr Lynsey Shaw, from the RAF’s Air Historical Branch, together with Air Commodore Williams and his team. Due to the…

Two brave primary school children, a community podcast and a retired Olympic athlete are among the winners of this year’s Mayor’s Citizenship Awards 2022. The awards, organised by Bridgend County Borough Council, recognise the outstanding achievements by local residents who have put their community on the map, or regularly go the extra mile to make a difference. The past couple of years have been an incredible time for acts of kindness, bravery and phenomenal achievements. We were inundated with nominations this year and deciding on our winners was no easy task. Bridgend County Borough truly has a wealth of amazing…

Pupils of Ty’n y Wern Primary School have been busy creating a walking trail around their local area as part of their entry to the Welsh heritage Competition. Each year the Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative Committee invites all schools in Wales to enter heritage projects in a nationwide competition. The school’s spring term humanities topic ‘Taith Trwy Trethomas’ saw each class researching the history of certain buildings in and around the locality. Their findings were used to produce the new and exciting walking trail – The TTT – Which will contribute to the school’s 12th entry into the competition. Each…

Local council elections are taking place across Wales on 5 May 2022. Historically voting has always taken place on a Thursday. However, Blaenau Gwent is one of four local authorities piloting ‘advance’ voting which will allow people to vote early on different days. In Blaenau Gwent, you will be able to vote on Tuesday 3 May and on Wednesday 4 May before the election at the Coleg Gwent in Ebbw Vale between 8am and 4pm.  Anyone resident in Blaenau Gwent can go vote here, regardless of where they live and the location of their usual traditional polling station. Andrea Jones,…

Creating opportunities for young people within our community is a key ambition across Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. Working in partnership with EE we have together developed a unique employability pilot scheme called ‘Seren Dyfodol’ working with schools in the County Borough. The scheme sits within the County Borough’s Pathway to Work Programme for young people who have experienced care. This innovative scheme will support and mentor young people with homework, work experience and sport activities of their choice across 2 years. The scheme’s ambition is to support our young people in developing confidence in their abilities and ensuring that…

M-SParc has been chosen as the accountable body for the Offshore Energy Alliance – a supply chain cluster established to take advantage of the opportunities offered by offshore energy in North Wales. The Offshore Energy Alliance pulls together the activities of off-shore wind and other low carbon energy projects along the North Wales coast, all for the benefit of the local supply chain. The Welsh Government is supporting the formalisation of the alliance and has assisted by providing financial support to M-SParc as the accountable body. The North Wales coast is a prime location to take advantage of growing demand…

Actions the Welsh Government will take to champion older people and challenge the way we think about ageing have been published by Julie Morgan, the Deputy Minister for Social Services. Written in partnership with older people and their representatives, the delivery plan sets out the steps Welsh Government will take to achieve the vision set out in Age Friendly Wales: Our Strategy for an Ageing Society. £1.1 million is being made available to local authorities to support their work to become age friendly and ensure older people are involved in the design and planning of local services. Actions in the…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has confirmed Wales will extend the NHS Wales Bursary scheme to eligible healthcare students studying in the 2023-24 academic year. Student nurses, midwives and allied healthcare professionals who commit to working in Wales for up to two years after qualifying are eligible for the bursary, which provides non-repayable support covering tuition fees and living costs. Today’s announcement provides certainty about the bursary arrangements until 2024 to help students and course providers plan for the future. The Welsh Government intends to consult on the best way of continuing to support people studying healthcare programmes in Wales to…