Author: Rhys Gregory

Police officers of England and Wales who have exhibited exemplary acts of bravery were recognised today, Thursday 14 July 2022, at the 27th Police Bravery Awards. Hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales, and sponsored by Police Mutual, the annual awards honour the bravest of the brave officers for displaying outstanding commitment, while on or off duty, to saving lives and upholding the rule of law. The winners were selected from amongst 76 nominations received from 39 forces of eight regions in England and Wales. PC Nathan Davies from South Wales Police was named Wales regional winner at…

American students on a world-renowned summer course have started learning about UK agriculture at Aberystwyth University. The Fulbright UK Summer Institute participants are on a three-week cultural and academic programme focusing on contemporary agricultural issues. The global Fulbright Program was created in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, and a treaty between the UK and US governments created one of the first Fulbright programmes in the world. It supports education exchange between talented people of all ages and backgrounds between the UK and the USA, enabling study, teaching and research at some of the world’s most exciting universities…

Work has begun on a £500k investment programme aimed at refurbishing play areas across the county borough and replacing out-of-date equipment. The work is being undertaken in a series of contracts managed by the Green Spaces section. The following sites are currently undergoing a refurbishment, which is expected to be completed towards the end of the month: Caedu Park, Park Avenue, Ogmore Vale Cavendish Park, Cae Canol, Nottage, Porthcawl Evanstown Welfare Park, Heol-Y-Parc, Evanstown The Precinct, Wildmill, Bridgend Woodlands Terrace, Caerau, Maesteg Work to refurbish the following sites will start in September 2022: Adare Street, Ogmore Vale Heol y Goedwig,…

Cardiff Council is to expand the Welsh Government’s flagship ‘Flying Start’ programme into new parts of the city and reach an additional 400 children up to the age of three. Newly eligible families will receive an offer of funded childcare for their two-year-olds as well as advanced health and parenting support from birth. The scheme, first introduced in Wales in 2006, is intended to improve the health and life chances of children in deprived areas by offering a range of benefits through the council’s Early Help service and health boards. They include: Enhanced health visiting High quality childcare for two-and-a-half…

SOLDIERS from the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), ‘The Welsh Cavalry’ are to exercise their right to march through the city centre on Friday. It’s the first time in eight years the Welsh Cavalry, which enjoys the Freedom of the City, have exercised its right to march in Swansea and follows a tour of duty on United Nations peacekeeping operations in Mali, west Africa. After a formal inspection on the Guildhall Rotunda at 10.40am, the squadron will parade through the city from around 11am along St Helen’s Road, West Way, Oxford Street, Princess Way and Kingsway before returning to…

The Aberdare Park National Road Races return this weekend (July 16-17), once again attracting top riders from around the country as well as thousands of spectators over the two days. A two-day, two-wheel spectacular, the Aberdare Park National Road Races are a highlight of the summer events calendar for motorcycle fans who flock to Rhondda Cynon Taf for a weekend of speed and excitement in picturesque surroundings. Every year, the best riders from across the UK head to the County Borough to compete on the unique circuit around Aberdare Park. The event, organised by Aberaman Motorcycle Club and supported by…

Following a unanimous recommendation from the Appointments Committee, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has agreed the appointment of Paul Mee as the permanent Chief Executive of the Local Authority, with effect from December 1, 2022. During the Full Council meeting on Wednesday, June 6, the Director of Human Resources gave a verbal update to Elected Members on the process of appointing a new Chief Executive – following the previous announcement that Christopher Bradshaw will retire from the role on November 30, 2022. The update confirmed that following a comprehensive interview process, the Appointments Committee has recommended that Mr Mee is appointed…

Learners, staff and dignitaries have celebrated the official opening of a Welsh-medium primary school in north Powys – almost two years after opening its doors for the first time. The official opening of Ysgol Cwm Banwy was held earlier this month (Wednesday, 6 July), which saw learners perform their show ‘Deryn’ which they had written and prepared themselves.  Dr Caroline Turner, Powys County Council’s Chief Executive, also spoke at the official opening on behalf of the council. As part of the official opening, a new garden on the school site was also officially opened.  The garden was created in memory…

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething visited some of Wales’ leading space companies today as the first made-in-Wales satellite prepares to launch into space later this summer. Wales has a rapidly growing space ecosystem. To help create more well-paid, highly skilled jobs in the industries of the future, the Welsh Government launched a new Space Strategy earlier this year, as part of efforts to ensure Wales operates at the forefront of the global space sector – with the aim of boosting the Welsh economy and creating prosperity across Wales. Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: “The Welsh Government is determined to help foster…

Picking a used car in 2022 is difficult because of the dizzying array of great options from manufacturers. Worldwide silicon chip shortages are still wreaking havoc on the sector in general, but most motor groups are suffering equally and therefore this doesn’t impact the choices you have. A vehicle is typically one of the largest purchases you will make, therefore taking this decision lightly will be a mistake. You should consider not just your needs of today, but also tomorrow, as you may own the car for more than 5 years, and life can change considerably in that time. Let’s…