Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff Council has confirmed a case of avian flu in a swan found dead in Cardiff Bay, prompting fresh warnings for the public to avoid contact with wild birds. Several dead birds have also been reported at Roath Park Lake and Hendre Lake. These are now being tested to determine whether the avian flu strain H5N1 is present. The council says that while transmission of H5N1 to humans is very rare, people should take sensible precautions. This includes avoiding contact with dead or sick birds and not feeding wild birds in public places, which can cause them to gather and…

A brand new free bus service for shoppers looking to get around Swansea city centre is launching next week. It’s called the ‘Shopper Hopper’ and it’s a shuttle bus connecting the railway station in the north to the bus station in the south, stopping off at Swansea Market in between. It’s a Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm service and it’s designed to make it easier than ever for shoppers to get around the busy city centre. The fully-accessible Shopper Hopper is a 15-seat minibus linking the three locations with the market drop-off point at the Whitewalls entrance. It means…

Exciting proposals to redevelop the Rock Grounds in Aberdare have been granted planning consent. This is an important landmark in the multi-million pound project, which is subject to a full funding package being secured. In October 2024, Cabinet progressed the project by agreeing to the Council approving Final Frontier Space Holdings as the chosen developer to design, develop and operate the facility – which will include a quality hotel, restaurant, bar and spa. Importantly, it was agreed that the facilities complementing the new hotel will be available for the community’s use – while the development will preserve the historic Rock…

Plans to address long-standing problems caused by ground movement on the A469 between Pontlottyn and New Tredegar look set to be agreed next week. On Wednesday 10 December, Caerphilly county borough council’s Cabinet will consider a report seeking funding to enable much-needed improvement works to proceed at the site. The Cabinet will be asked to commit £20million, using a mixture of repurposed budgets and borrowing, to fund the major engineering project. Leader of Council, Cllr Jamie Pritchard said, “I’m pleased that, in the few short weeks since becoming Leader of the Council, I have delivered on my promise to seek…

Progress is building at Oakdale Place, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s flagship mixed-tenure eco-development on the former Oakdale Comprehensive School site, as the ambitious scheme continues to take shape. One year on from the official ground-breaking, Cabinet Members visited the site to see first-hand how the vision is becoming a reality. Cllr Shayne Cook, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, said “It’s exciting to be here and see the development coming to life. “With the housing crisis continuing to put pressure on communities across the country, we knew we had to think differently as a Council; building high-quality, affordable homes…

Ebbw Vale town centre was filled with festive spirit as the Christmas lights were officially switched on last Friday, marking the start of the season’s celebrations. The event, supported by the BGCBC Town Centre Team, brought together families, friends, and visitors for an evening of festive cheer. Support for the switch on was overwhelming. Funding came from town centre businesses, the former Ebbw Vale Town Events Forum, the newly formed Ebbw Vale Town Partnership, and Deacon Fairgrounds, alongside local organisations and businesses including Ebbw Vale Rugby Club, Ace Kitchens, A1 Bounce, Masquerade, and JJ Desserts. Elected members Sue Edmunds and…

Proposals for a new health and wellbeing hub in Newtown are entering a key stage, with the current plans (“Outline Business Case”) due to be considered by Powys County Council’s Health and Care Scrutiny Committee before going to the Powys County Council Cabinet and Powys Teaching Health Board for consideration on 16 December 2025. The proposed new hub, due to be built on the site of Y Parc offices, would see a wide range of services provided under one roof in a modern, purpose-built environment. Alongside “one stop shop” health and wellbeing services, the plans include new training facilities to…

Funding announced today by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, will ensure security for businesses, communities and wildlife that depend on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The funding will support a vital water supply agreement between Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. The Welsh Government will provide cover for up to £400,000 every year, for the next five years. The Canal & River Trust will also contribute up to £100,000 annually, while discussions will continue with other partners to secure further contributions over the long-term. The move follows a short-term…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Significant public and private sector collaboration leads to single-use endoscopy innovation that can meet global healthcare needs. A six-figure investment by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has acted as the catalyst for a multi-million-pound healthcare breakthrough by Chepstow-based IQ Endoscopes, developing a single-use device set to transform patient care and cut NHS waiting times. Through its Challenge Fund, CCR awarded £750,000 to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) to explore how innovation could speed up endoscopy procedures in Wales, with £374,000 of that sum provided to IQ Endoscopes. That…

The new ‘Believe Memorial Garden’, created to honour those who donated organs, officially opened at Cardiff Crematorium in Thornhill, on December 1st. The garden, which is the passion project of Anna-Louise Bates, founder of the charity Believe Organ Donation Support (Believe ODS), will provide a space to pay tribute to organ donors and offer their loved ones a place to remember them. Throughout the garden, handprints of inspirational people and celebrities who have worked with Believe ODS are on display, including British adventurer Bear Grylls, Welsh footballer Sophie Ingle, and actress Ruth Jones. The garden will also be a place…