Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath Port Talbot Council will present the findings of a feasibility study into a proposed new swimming pool in Pontardawe at its Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 3rd September. The feasibility study identifies a preferred location and places the council in a strong position to respond to future funding opportunities as they arise. Recognising the importance of swimming provision for Pontardawe and the surrounding communities, the Council agreed to undertake a feasibility study to explore options for a replacement pool. The study assessed a wide range of factors including potential facility mix, site options, design and operational models, financial implications, environmental…

Newport Council is hosting a fun, free, family-friendly eco-event at the Riverfront Theatre this October. Newport EcoFest, sponsored by Wizard Eco, will celebrate sustainability, with tips and ideas for residents and businesses on how to help the environment, reduce energy and living costs, and improve health and well-being. The event, which will be on Saturday 4 October from 10am-3pm, follows on from our two big eco-events last year: Newport: Saving Energy Event, and Net Zero Newport: The Electric Experience. There’ll be lots of family-friendly activities to enjoy, such as a library corner, toy play area, painting and crafting sessions, and…

Ponthir’s local Sports and Community club has been transformed into a vibrant multi-use facility supporting sport, education, and community life. Ponthir Sports and Community Club, a not-for-profit organisation at the heart of the Torfaen village, has used the funding to build a brand-new clubhouse with flexible rooms for community use, and to convert the original building into four modern changing rooms. Additional funding has helped resurface the car park, making the site more accessible and welcoming for all. In total, the club has received more than £309,000 through the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme. Additional funding came through local fundraising…

Wales’s premier food and drink festival returns to Margam Country Park in Port Talbot this September 6th-7th. The culinary event will see a whole roster of chefs and food experts ready to demonstrate tricks of the trade alongside street food vendors preparing the most mouth-watering global cuisine. The Artisan Market is a great way to discover new producers including vegan and gluten-free treats amongst the many stalls. Explore food trends and tantalise your taste buds with street food. Chef demonstrations will include Tony Alberti, a chef, cookbook author, and television personality known for his bold, flavour‑driven approach to Italian cuisine and…

The Safer Communities Awards are back to celebrate the work of projects, partnerships and people actively making communities safer across Wales. The Wales Safer Communities Network will be hosting the awards on Thursday 27 November at Aberystwyth University, and entries are now open for nominations. The Awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate and showcase the great work being undertaken across Wales to prevent and reduce harm and make communities safer. Categories include Anti-Social Behaviour, Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) and Modern Slavery and Exploitation. Last year’s overall winner, Swansea City Chill, was a prevention focussed…

A couple from Penarth has been selected as finalists in the Stronger Together category at this year’s JustGiving Awards after cycling 1,400km to San Sebastian, Spain, in memory of their son. Alex and Selena Matti, who are both 37 and now live in London, raised over £55,000 in memory of their son Otis, who passed away at six months old in May 2025. The touching journey took 23 days to complete, with the money raised going to Evelina London Children’s Hospital and Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice. They created #LiveforOtis to honour their son’s life and help raise funds for…

Swansea Council and Mumbles Community Council have worked together to re-open the sports hub and café there. The reopening is due on September 1. The Underhill all-weather pitch and changing rooms re-opened on August 11 and bookings can be made by emailing [email protected]. Pay-and-play sessions resumed on August 18. The two councils thank the community for their patience and understanding during their work to reopen facilities. The hub is a community facility in a modern building. It features a cafe open to the public, a meeting room and changing rooms for sports activities. The hub and cafe are being operated,…

A £20,000 upgrade to a Carmarthenshire nature reserve is helping the ponies help the cows to help one of the UK’s rarest butterflies. National charity Butterfly Conservation has carried out improvements works at its Caeau Ffos Fach reserve north of Swansea. A local contractor put up 900 metres of fencing, installed three water troughs, and removed 2,000 square metres of brambles and gorse, all to help the delicate and rare Marsh Fritillary which has almost disappeared across the UK. Butterfly Conservation’s Head of Conservation for Wales, Alan Sumnall, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into transforming the site…

As the popularity of annuity products continue to grow, experts at Quantum Advisory, the leading pensions and employee benefits consultancy for small and medium sized schemes and employers, have called for further development of annuities that better reflect retirement needs. Annuities are seen as an attractive option for those approaching retirement as they provide a regular guaranteed income, either for a fixed period or for life. Research from Hargreaves Lansdown has revealed that the average annuity purchase size has increased by over 160% since 2021, with 2024 marking the best year for annuities since the introduction of freedom and choice.…

A secluded holiday retreat, which opened its doors in the rolling hills of Mid Wales earlier this year, has earned a Quality Assured Glamping Site gold award from Visit Wales. Quabbs Cabin, situated on a sheep farm at Rhos y Meirch, Knighton, offers guests a chance to unwind in nature while embracing sustainability and wildlife spotting. The gold star glamping accommodation is the passion project of owners Paul and Steph MacDonald, a skilled builder and a geography teacher, respectively, with a shared love for nature, conservation and farm diversification. The cabin was carefully designed with eco-conscious travellers in mind, using…