Author: Rhys Gregory

A PERFORMING arts group staged a remarkable comeback with the support of a community funding organisation. Conwy Valley and North West Wales Coast Community Rail Partnership and Transport for Wales (TfW) stepped in to help Maes-G ShowZone in Maesgeirchen, Bangor, when they needed a grant to help pay for new equipment during the pandemic. Led by Steffie and Eirian Williams Roberts and Naomi Crane, the group was launched in September 2020 and immediately attracted more than 25 children from the local area. Fast forward two years and they now have up to 50 young people attending their twice-weekly sessions at…

Our fascinating and occasionally bizarre beliefs about sleep disorders are chronicled in a spine-tingling new book by an Aberystwyth academic. ‘Night Terrors: Troubled Sleep and the Stories We Tell About It’ is the work of Dr Alice Vernon, Lecturer in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. While published today, the book has already been subject to glowing reviews. The Sunday Times called it “curious, lively, humble, utterly genuine” and “a remarkable debut”. The non-fiction narrative draws on Dr Vernon’s own extraordinary and often terrifying nocturnal experiences, personal accounts from others, and representations of sleep disorders in literature and culture. Her research…

There are now even more opportunities for pupils and the wider community in Morriston to stay fit and active thanks to a major upgrade of a school gymnasium. The hall is jointly used by Morriston Comprehensive and the adjoining leisure centre but had seen better days and was ready for a much needed facelift. With more than £120k investment the floor has been completely replaced and the whole area modernised making it more suitable for a range of sports, fitness classes and children’s activities. Freedom Leisure, which manages the centre on behalf of Swansea Council, and the school both contributed…

Two new ‘Changing Places’ toilets are being introduced at Knab Rock and Rhossili as part of a £300,000 investment in improving Swansea’s public toilet facilities. The Changing Places are specialist facilities for people who live with complex disabilities and are part of a commitment to improve the accessibility of popular destinations, across Swansea. Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said work on the changing places facilities was due to start in the coming months and would be subject to planning permission. He said: “We’ve agreed to seek planning permission for Changing Places at Knab Rock and Rhossili because feedback…

Following significant concerns with their financial position, two care homes in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire will have their contracts terminated next month. Residents at Plas Y Bryn Care home in Cwmgwili and Ridgeway Care home in Llawhaden are being supported to find new homes. Work is continuing between Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC), Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDUHB), Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), and Care Inspectorate Wales with the companies following concerns about the management of their finances. Collaboratively, CCC, HDUHB and PCC have been providing financial support to ensure that the care companies can meet their financial obligations and that care…

Plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been given the green light by Caerphilly council’s Cabinet. Alternative proposals for Trinity Fields School have now been agreed following concerns that the original plans would have led to the loss of an adjacent sports pitch to accommodate the extension works. Leader of Council, Cllr Sean Morgan welcomed the decision, “Back in July I assured the community that we were looking at new options to reconfigure and deliver the scheme with less impact on the surrounding area.” “The solution we have agreed today provides a win-win for all concerned…

In June 2021, Cabinet agreed to set aside a sum of £483,000 to explore the potential development of a 20MW (mega-watt) Solar Farm on some privately owned land at Cwm Ifor, near Penyrheol, Caerphilly. The outline business case provides further clarity on the scale, design and outputs of the solar farm so that decisions can be made on the future of the project. Now that the Outline Business Case has been approved, officers will move to the next stage of the project, the submission of a planning application and on to the development of a full business case, through a…

An exhibition telling the story of Wales’s contribution in the largest air battle ever recorded is coming to Merthyr Tydfil this autumn. The Wales and the Battle of Britain touring exhibition was created in 2020 by the RAF’s Air Historical Branch to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Due to COVID-19, the planned tour could not take place at the time, but is now going ahead – albeit two years after the 80th anniversary. The exhibition is touring Wales and will be at Merthyr Tydfil Central Library from Monday 17 to Friday 21 October. Admission is free.…

Knighton & District Community Centre and Library are pleased to offer the perfect space for co-working for anyone looking for a quiet, calm space to work locally with like-minded others. The four desk co-working room is part of a digital community hubs pilot project, funded by the UK Community Renewal Fund and managed by the Library Service, working in partnership with the Community Centre Management Committee. Co-working at the Comm is enhanced by a range of bookable interview, meeting, conference, and training facilities in the centre, including a digital pod for 1-1 or solo virtual meetings, coffee making facilities and…

It’s safe to say we’re a nation of feline fanatics. Millions of households up and down the UK are home to pussycats. Whether you’ve got a ragdoll, maine coon, sphynx or British shorthair, cat owners need to pay close attention to their furry friend’s health to support them in living a happy and fulfilled life. Taking good care of your feline friend is essential. However, even the toughest of cats cannot avoid some of these cat health concerns. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of which can help identify and address issues early on. Here are some of the…