Author: Rhys Gregory

Newport City Council will provide more targeted support to local charities after changes to its discretionary rate relief scheme were agreed. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, announced the changes at Tuesday’s council meeting, alongside a package of discretionary rate relief for city centre businesses. The changes allow the council to consider giving a rate relief ‘top-up’ to small, locally based charities and organisations that fall into the following categories: the charity occupies a property that is entitled to small business rate relief the charity is providing facilities for children or young people in the city the charity provides…

This week (March 1st) a brand new Public Space Protection Order will see dogs banned from marked sports pitches in Caerphilly County in the interest of player safety. Following public consultation, in November 2021 Caerphilly County Borough Council approved a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which contains new restrictions in relation to dog control. Since the introduction of the PSPO in October 2017 over 2,136 complaints of dog fouling have been investigated. 64 Fixed Penalty Notices have been served for either dog fouling or for failing to carry bags to clean up dog waste. There have also been 28 prosecutions…

St David’s Day celebrations in Abergavenny took on an extra special significance this year. Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent the 1st of March in Monmouthshire on a visit aimed at highlighting the importance of supporting local producers and the role of agriculture within the Welsh economy. Following a visit to Pant Farm near Abergavenny, the royal couple received a warm Welsh welcome as they arrived in Abergavenny’s town centre. Children from Cantref Primary School and Monmouthshire County Council’s Flying Start group were lined up outside the historic market hall to greet the royal couple with…

Welsh language and culture projects in Merthyr Tydfil are celebrating St David’s Day with a share of almost £100,000 worth of grants paid out by a local community fund. The Ffos-y-fran Community Benefit Fund Intermediate Grants programme is supporting organisations ranging from Welsh medium playgroups to community groups and schools. Welsh arts project Artis Community Cymuned has received £5,000 for choir tuition and other costs of its weekly Merthyr Crafty Cuppa group at Theatre Soar; and Pontsticill Community Group has been awarded £4,500 for its Welsh language projects, including courses on Welsh place names and celebrations. Welsh medium preschool group…

The Childcare Offer will be extended to parents in education and training and parents on adoption leave, the Welsh Government has announced. From September, parents in education and training and parents who are on adoption leave, if it is in line with the child’s Adoption Support Plan, will be eligible for up to30 hours of government funded early education and childcare for children aged three and four. Currently workless households are not eligible for government-funded childcare in addition to their early education entitlement. The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said: “Our Programme for Government outlined our pledge to…

Wales is a country that excels in many areas. Perhaps the biggest of these is the sport of rugby. With many players going down in the history books, the most successful Welsh player of all time has to be the legendary Shane Williams. With a test career spanning from 2000 to 2011, with 87 international caps, 300 points, and 60 tries, Williams certainly earned his place in the history books. Was Williams a true star or did he just happen to be surrounded by greatness? How would the Wales team of the early 2000s have fared without him? Let’s have…

As we get older, aspects of living independently become more complex, and our needs change. Deciding whether a loved one should go into a care home can be a tough decision, and we need to consider all options. Some wonderful luxury care homes are available, have well-trained staff, and meet all of your needs. We want to make the decision easier for you and tell you all you need to know about care services so that you’ll be confident that you’ve made the right choice! Nursing Home or Residential Home There are two main types of care homes, and care…

The return of star defenseman Thomas Chabot fueled the Ottawa Senators to a victory over the surging Minnesota Wild. Chabot returned to action on Tuesday after missing the previous four games with an upper-body injury. Playing in his 300th NHL game, Chabot recorded two goals — including the game-winner late in the third period — and an assist in Ottawa’s 4-3 victory. The win ended a mini two-game losing streak for the Sens. They fell to the Boston Bruins 3-2 in overtime on Saturday and 2-1 to the New York Rangers one day later The victory moved Ottawa to 19-26-5…

The parents of a toddler from South Wales were left ‘gobsmacked’ after their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour, following symptoms initially thought to be separation anxiety.  Two-year-old Megan Evans, from Cardiff, is being treated for a low-grade glioma, which was discovered in December 2020. Her shock diagnosis came after she suffered two seizures, the first of which was on her first day at nursery. Her mum Laura Kilby-Philips, 36, and dad Rhys Evans, 38, are working with the charity Brain Tumour Research to help raise awareness of the disease this Brain Tumour Awareness Month.  Laura, a 36-year-old production…

STEM volunteers in Wales are being encouraged to step forward to celebrate the work they do to promote civil engineering and STEM subjects to schools and young people across the country. Entries are being sought for the ICE Wales Cymru STEM Ambassador of the Year 2022. The award honours an ICE member who has shown outstanding commitment to the industry by giving their time to inspire the next generation of civil engineers. This year, due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, members can apply to become the ICE Wales Cymru STEM Ambassador of the Year if they have…