Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales will be taking on Scotland on Saturday, February 12that Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 2.15pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.15am until 6.15pm to ensure all ticket holders are able to get into the stadium safely. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city. Road closures From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans. The following…

​​​​​​​A stunning new video shows how the former St David’s Shopping Centre site in Swansea will look once a temporary improvement scheme there is finished. The temporary scheme planned for the site includes local pop-up traders, a pop-up park and plenty of green spaces for public use and events. Work is expected to start on the temporary scheme in the coming months, which will better link the city centre with the emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district. Swansea Council is developing the scheme. The video, created for the council by Swansea firm iCreate, can be seen online here -…

Innovative projects are being sought to benefit the Swansea area’s rural residents. Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are being invited to apply for funding to support new and inventive projects with a community benefit. Members of the Swansea Rural Development Partnership’s Local Action Group welcome ideas from community groups and social enterprises. The schemes should increase productivity, diversity and efficiency in the agricultural sector, improve the Welsh environment and promote strong, resilient local communities. Two funds are available. Smaller projects can apply for grants of up to £10,000 using a fast-track process. Applications should be submitted by 5pm, February 24.…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced the completion of its Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme. This flagship programme has seen the largest single investment ever made into the council’s housing stock, with over £260 million spent on improvements to tenants’ homes and communities. Caerphilly council currently owns and manages 10,660 homes across the county borough.  Through its WHQS programme tenants’ homes have received internal and external refurbishments, adaptations to ensure homes meet the needs of individual households, and a wide range of environmental improvements to enhance communities. The council’s Leader, Cllr Philippa Marsden, recently visited one of the final…

A building project that will transform education for pupils with additional learning needs in Powys has reached two important milestones, the county council has said. Last week (Thursday, February 3) planning permission was granted for a new state-of-the-art campus for Ysgol Cedewain in Newtown. The new build replaces very poor accommodation at the current Ysgol Cedewain school, and will include facilities for very vulnerable learners, including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory and physiotherapy rooms and garden as well as a community café. The new build will enable staff to teach in a learning environment that is fit-for-purpose, and for parents to…

Merthyr Tydfil could soon become a hub of live music, comedy, food and arts — with plans to transform the town centre’s derelict Rugby Club into a vibrant new entertainment venue. Local entrepreneur, Jorge D’ascencao, has this week (07 February) revealed ambitious plans for the site — which will re-open as ‘Clwb Crown’ in August 2022. Set to welcome a top-secret line up of world-famous artists, the transformative project has been made possible by an investment from the Transforming Towns Placemaking scheme, in conjunction with Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The 700-person Clwb will become the highest capacity venue in…

This February, Flossy and Boo return to Chapter Arts Centre’s stage, and venues across South Wales, with their magical brand of storytelling in a beautiful show, The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend, about the power of imagination. Flossy and Boo said: “We’re so excited to be back on tour with The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend, with the previous tour being cut short (we all know why!) this is a long awaited return to this joyous story. “We can’t wait to be back in Chapter, sharing the magic of live theatre with all the wonderful audiences.” The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend is…

An apprenticeship is seen as an important route into a career in civil engineering. From gaining work experience whilst achieving academic qualifications to a requirement to solve different problems with each new project. As National Apprenticeship Week is celebrated throughout Wales, the Institution of Civil Engineers in Wales (ICE Wales Cymru) invites applications for the prestigious annual award – Apprentice of the Year 2022. The competition opens today, Tuesday 8 February with contestants asked to evidence why they should be awarded the title. Applications can be made by the individual, supported by their organisation or nominated by their employers. Over…

A hotel at one of the top visitor destinations and beauty spots in Mid Wales is promising guests ‘The Vyrnwy Cwtch’ when they book a midweek winter break in February and March. The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa has launched a Spring marketing campaign offering a midweek overnight break for couples from £199 with a second night at half price. Included in the one night stay are luxurious accommodation, a Welsh breakfast, £35 per person towards dinner in the award-winning Tower Restaurant, a bottle of fizz in the room on arrival as well as a cuddly sheep to cwtch on the way home…

Eight young people who are interested in all aspects of film making are being sought for a series of workshops in Mid Wales during February and March. Shakespeare Link, a charity which operates the Willow Globe, a scaled down, living version of the Globe in London, is working with Powys County Council’s Winter of Wellbeing to offer free film making workshops. The workshops, which will be held every Saturday from February 26 to March 19 from 11am till 4pm, are free of charge and open to young people aged 12-18 years with an interest in film making. As there are…