Author: Rhys Gregory

Planning permission has now been granted to develop the Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary school site by 2024 – an important landmark to deliver new first-class, multi-million pound education facilities for staff and pupils. At the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Thursday, July 7, Members approved the application in line with officers’ recommendations. The officer report to the meeting noted that the development’s principle is compliant with planning policy and considerations, and is consistent with the Council’s aim to improve education provision in Rhondda Cynon Taf and to provide facilities that are fit for the 21st Century. The application…

A new playground on Pendre Field next to Priory Church in Wales school in Brecon is now open and being enjoyed by local children and families. Welsh Government Flying Start and Brecon Town Council funding was secured to support the project. The playground has an enclosed area for 0-4 year olds, with inclusive equipment to enable children to develop their physical skills and creativity. This area will also act as an extended outdoor space for the new Flying Start setting that is due to open later this year. The new Flying Start setting will border Pendre Field on the Priory…

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales is urging people to take extra precautions and to plan ahead to keep themselves and others safe as the Met Office warns of extreme heat. The Amber warning, issued for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, suggests some parts of east Wales could see temperatures reach early to mid-thirties. The Welsh Government is working with emergency services, local authorities, schools and businesses to keep the public safe during the Met Office warning period. Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales (DCMO) Chris Jones said: “Extreme heat warnings are not issued lightly…

A £450,000 project will explore whether water from disused mines has the potential to play a vital role in supplying Wales’ energy needs for years to come. Wales’ mines were crucial in firing up the industrial revolution, but once abandoned, the pumps that kept them dry were often switched off and the mines filled with water. Climate Change Minister Julie James has confirmed the funding would allow the Coal Authority to investigate whether this water, which is heated by geological processes, could be used to heat homes, businesses and industry across Wales. Sites will be mapped to give a high-level…

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you may see it as just a place to set up your washing line and store your rubbish bins, but it’s so much more than that. Your outdoor space isn’t just for getting some exercise and fresh air – your rental agreement may require you to maintain it. In fact, confusion over who is responsible for garden maintenance is a common headache for landlords and tenants alike. Who is Responsible for Garden Maintenance? Clarifying who is responsible for garden maintenance at the beginning of a tenancy reduces the chances of a dispute…

Disney’s award-winning The Lion King is everything that you’d expect from perhaps one of the most well known and popular musicals of our time. It has been experienced by 110 million people globally and is still drawing sell-out crowds, including the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, so if you are tempted, I’d throughly recommend you get on and book tickets to secure seats now. What hits you first is the captivating rhythms of Africa and the magnificent costumes with their array of colours. In fact, as you are transported to the Serengeti Plains, there is no missing the jungle animals as…

WALES will be flying the flag with more representatives than any other home nation at this year’s WorldSkills UK competition. And 11 of those participating in the event – to be held across six venues in November – are from Coleg Cambria, which has sites in Northop, Deeside, Llysfasi and Wrexham. They are in the following categories: Aircraft Maintenance: Rosie Boddy (Airbus/Cambria), Jamie Harding (Airbus/Cambria) and Tymoteusz Rozanski Beauty Therapist: Lucia Contento and Abbie Smith Beauty Therapy Practitioner: Isabelle Bailey Construction Metalwork: Rhys Stanhope Manufacturing Team Challenge: James Coyle, Benjamin Wynn and Kumnan Lipdo Network Infrastructure Technician: Cameron Thompson Congratulating…

State-of-the-art technology is being utilised in Newport City Centre to keep local businesses and the public safe. M.R.S. Communications Ltd is a market leader in radio networks for retail and night-time economy businesses throughout the UK which specialises in high quality two-way radio systems. The business has won a contract to work with Newport Business against Crime. Part of the Newport Now Safe and Secure Theme Group, Newport Business against Crime is a not-for-profit partnership between businesses, the police, the local authority and other agencies, which is proactively committed to reducing crime, violence and anti-social behaviour. Since the organisations began…

Welsh homebuilder Persimmon Homes is celebrating after the company was named the winner of Bridgend College’s Employer Partnership Award for 2022.  The College’s Annual Awards Ceremony acknowledges support from valued employer partners while recognising learners with outstanding academic achievement and commitment to study. Persimmon has been recognised for its work with Bridgend establishing a ground breaking education and training academy, which is producing the next generation of construction workers in South Wales.                                                                                                                                                                                 The ‘Persimmon Academy’ sees apprentices develop their skills at a bespoke construction and learning facility at the homebuilder’s development in Llanilid, Ponytclun. This year, the College has also…

Swansea has been named one of the UK’s top five green cities to invest in. According to expert-led independent research, Swansea scored excellently in areas including the number of environmentally friendly office buildings. Factors including CO2 emissions and roadside air pollutants were also considered by international banking group BNP Paribas as part of a real estate study called Next X that focussed on environmental data. Swansea is the only Welsh city to feature in the study’s top ten environmental scores. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “We are facing a climate crisis so the council and our partners are…