Author: Rhys Gregory

Construction of the new £60 million Willows High School in Splott is progressing well, with the state of the art facility on course to open in October 2026. The new school, located off Lewis Road, will replace the existing Willows High School and continue a long educational tradition in the area that dates back to the historic Splott Road School, which first opened in 1882. A link to that history will be preserved through the relocation of the original school bell. The bell, which once served the former Splott Road Secondary Modern before pupils moved to the current Willows High…

Families can once again enjoy one of Swansea’s most popular free attractions after Blackpill Lido officially reopened following essential repair work. The much-loved seafront splash park is now open daily from 9am to 5pm until the end of September, giving families plenty of opportunities to cool off during the current heatwave and throughout the school summer holidays. The reopening follows the installation of new sprinklers and repairs to the lido’s flooring after earlier issues delayed its return. Visitors do not need to book in advance and can simply turn up to enjoy the facility. The neighbouring Junction Café is also…

A significant milestone has been reached as Pembrokeshire County Council announces the completion of the first three two-bedroom homes at the Ger y Môr development in Saundersfoot, delivered in partnership with Persimmon Homes. This development will include a total of 21 high quality social homes, ranging from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses.  Further properties are due to be completed in the coming weeks. The scheme meets a broad spectrum of local housing needs and has been brought    forward in partnership with Persimmon Homes, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental in its delivery. The development has been carefully planned to…

Families across Caerphilly County Borough are invited to enjoy a summer of free outdoor fun as Family Play in the Park returns for its fifth consecutive year. Delivered in partnership between Caerphilly Play and the Early Years & Childcare Service, the project provides free opportunities for children and families to play, explore and connect in local communities throughout the summer holidays. Inspired by this year’s National Play Day theme, “Play – here, there, everywhere!”, the project celebrates the importance of play in parks, communities and everyday spaces, encouraging children and families to get outdoors, be active and have fun throughout…

The name of the new Welsh-medium all-age school being established in Builth Wells has been announced as Ysgol Bro Epynt following a community-wide engagement process led by the school’s Temporary Governing Body. Powys County Council agreed in February 2026 to establish a new Welsh-medium all-age school in Builth Wells from September 2027 as part of transformation proposals affecting Ysgol Calon Cymru and Builth Wells C. P. School. The process of identifying a proposed name invited suggestions from local residents, parents, staff and pupils. A total of 118 suggestions were received, representing 80 different names. Following consideration of all submissions, a…

A £6 million capital investment programme for leisure facilities across Powys, alongside a further £500,000 – £650,000 of energy efficiency measures, has been agreed by Powys County Council’s Cabinet yesterday (14 July). Members approved Option C for the interim leisure capital programme, enabling essential maintenance, compliance, improvement and replacement works to be carried out across leisure centres throughout Powys. The agreed programme will see £6 million invested over the next four years across the leisure estate. Cabinet also approved the completion of remaining short-term energy efficiency measures, with an estimated additional investment of £500,000 – £650,000, subject to grant funding…

One year after the reopening of Caerphilly Castle’s Great Hall, Wales’ largest castle is celebrating a major increase in visitor numbers, conservation milestones and cut-price tickets to ensure access for all. The Great Hall reopened last July following an £8million programme of preservation and refurbishment by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. In the twelve months since, Caerphilly Castle has become one of Wales’ most popular heritage destinations and is now in the top 5 most visited Cadw sites this year. Visitor numbers surged following these first phase of works, which also included improved accessibility, enhancements to the inner…

The Welsh Government is taking decisive action on cancer by developing a 10-year National Cancer Strategy to transform the way the health service prevents, diagnoses, and treats the disease. Cancer is Wales’ biggest killer and one in two people will be affected by it in their lifetime. However, despite its prevalence in Wales, the performance of cancer services in terms of treatment and outcomes continues to lag behind where it should be. The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor, says that a lack of national direction and strategic ambition has compromised the fight against cancer for too…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after admitting a range of offences including intending to supply Class A drugs. 27-year-old Zubair Mehdi, from Mayhill, was spotted by an unmarked police car on mobile patrol entering the driver’s seat of a vehicle when the officer knew him to not have a substantive licence or insurance. While Mehdi initially complied during his arrest, he then attempted to barge past officers to escape, damaging an officer’s radio in the process. He was nonetheless apprehended and a quantity of white powder was found under the driver’s seat of his vehicle when searched. Mehdi…

A woman has been jailed after being found to be concerned in the supply of cocaine. Nicole Locke, 33 from Tonypandy was sentenced to five years and six months in prison following her conviction. The sentencing took place on Tuesday July 7, 2026, at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court where Locke pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and acquiring/ using criminal property. This follows a police investigation into a drugs line working across the Rhondda. Officers identified a number known to be linked…