Author: Rhys Gregory

Applications are now open for the first ever Welsh Dental Awards, a new celebration recognising the exceptional contribution dental professionals make to the health and wellbeing of people across Wales. Launched to shine a spotlight on excellence, innovation and compassion within the sector, the Welsh Dental Awards aim to honour the individuals and teams whose work often goes unseen, but plays a vital role in supporting communities every day. The 2026 awards are being held Friday 8th May at the iconic Hilton Hotel Cardiff. The glittering black tie ceremony will be hosted by BBC Wales broadcaster Behnaz Akhgar. The categories…

The Football Association of Wales has confirmed that Chief Executive Officer, Noel Mooney, has extended his commitment to lead the Association through to 2030. Mooney joined the FAW from UEFA in 2021 and made an immediate impact, launching the Association’s new strategic vision Our Wales/Ein Cymru within his first three months, alongside ensuring significant governance reforms through the A Sustainable Association for the Future programme. Since then, the FAW has undergone a far-reaching period of modernisation, delivering sustained progress on and off the pitch. Under Mooney’s leadership, the FAW has been recognised as one of the most progressive and admired governing bodies in the…

A man has been jailed after a police community support officer spotted a stolen car during a foot patrol in Cardiff. South Wales Police were responding to reports of a Renault Clio that had been stolen from an NCP car park and was later seen being driven along Greenway Road on Friday, January 2. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but after a short pursuit it managed to get away. Later the same day, PCSO Michael Davies was on foot patrol in St Mellons when he located the stolen car on Matthysens Way. He also noticed three men leaving the…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he admitted to carrying out a burglary on a city business. 42-year-old Raymond John, from Waun Wen, targeted Skin and Glamour Beauty Salon in Llangyfelach Street on December 4. As a shop worker was closing up at the end of the day, John entered the premises and aggressively demanded water before threatening to “smash the place up”. The worker, a lone female, was forced to go to a nearby shop for safety. John was later identified by a police officer who recognised him from a previous investigation. After pleading guilty to burglary…

There is welcome news for parents, pupils and schools in Bridgend County Borough Council’s proposed budget for the year ahead. Despite facing a challenging financial climate and the need to find £2.4 million in savings, the council has confirmed that school budgets will be protected. As it launches its annual Time to Talk budget consultation for 2026 to 27, the authority says it is no longer planning any cuts to education funding, following a better than expected draft budget settlement from the Welsh Government. This reassurance comes as the council works to balance its budget while continuing to fund essential…

One hundred businesses and organisations have joined a new initiative committing to work alongside schools in Swansea to provide real-world experiences that inspire young people and help them to develop skills for work and for life. The Swansea Pledge was launched during an event at Y Storfa last week bringing together businesses, schools, and other key stakeholders to create opportunities for learners. It was also used to showcase how education and enterprise are already giving young people real and meaningful skills. Whether through work placements and internships, industry talks and guest speakers or workshops and masterclasses, businesses provide young people…

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet has recommended the Upper Afan Valley to receive up to £20 million in UK Government funding over a ten-year period as part of the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP). The targeted investment aims to benefit disadvantaged neighbourhoods by focusing on areas with the highest deprivation and weakest social infrastructure. In Neath Port Talbot, the Upper Afan Valley has the highest average rank of deprivation. The criteria to be considered for the Pride in Place Programme is set by the UK Government and takes a range of factors into consideration, including population, employment prospects, health, economic…

he Council will complete the essential replacement of the pictured traffic signals at A4059 Hirwaun Road, near Trenant, requiring some traffic management over the next week. The scheme is required as the signals are reaching the end of their intended design life. Improved LED signals will be installed, which are also more environmentally-friendly. The Council has appointed Centregreat Ltd to deliver the works, which will last around a week from Monday, January 12. Please note it is possible that the works could be pushed back if required, if the cold weather that is forecast impacts upon progress. The contractor will maintain…

Thousands of people across Wales are missing out on financial support they’re entitled to, and a single phone call could change that. Around £1 billion in benefits goes unclaimed in Wales every year, and the Welsh Government’s Claim What’s Yours campaign is urging people to check what they can claim, with free, confidential support from Advicelink Cymru. Since 2020, more than £10.5 million has been returned to people across Wales thanks to previous winter campaigns, including Welsh and UK benefits, pensions, help with care costs, and council tax reductions. Even people already receiving some benefits could be eligible for more.…

Welsh Government funding of £2.1m will see dedicated support made available to help SMEs across Wales adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and maximise the benefits of its potential. The funding will empower Welsh SMEs, entrepreneurs and microbusinesses to integrate AI into their business practices ethically and effectively, enhancing productivity, innovation, and competitiveness. The Business Wales service will receive £600k to develop and deliver an AI awareness and adoption support programme – implementing recommendations from recent short-term reviews on SME productivity and AI adoption. A further £500k will be provided to significantly enhance both the tourism and the events sectors in Wales…