Author: Rhys Gregory

A Torfaen woman has been sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, for causing unnecessary suffering to her dog Bobbie who was found in an emaciated condition. Laura Marie Webb of Herberts Road, Garndiffaith, Torfaen, pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence when she appeared at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 3 February) following a prosecution by RSPCA Cymru. The court heard how RSPCA inspector Simon Evans had met Bobbie on 21 April last year and saw that – although bright, active and alert – the dog had a very thin body condition. The inspector could see…

Cardiff-based English language school, Celtic English Academy, is getting ready to achieve significant business recovery and growth through exports, after winning a number of international contracts and diversifying its overseas offerings, with the help of the Welsh Government. Over the past three years, the British Council accredited school, which delivers online, in person and hybrid English courses to international students, has landed four major new contracts across Europe, Africa and Asia, which it sees as key to helping propel it back to pre-pandemic levels. Following a challenging year, the Academy has now set its sights on growing the business by…

After the disruption of the last two years plans are being made for the return of the Montgomery Canal Triathlon, the canal’s biggest event of the year. The Triathlon is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and is supported by the Canal & River Trust in aid of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. It is one of the most popular cross border events, starting in Newtown in Wales and ending in Shropshire. This annual event supports the restoration of the canal and ran for eight years before the coronavirus in 2020 caused a postponement to 2021. The…

A desire to protect and enhance the bee and pollinator population in Wales has led to an innovative project between two seemingly disparate businesses. Although drawn from different parts of the food industry, Ellis Eggs Ltd and Bee Welsh Honey have a common desire to boost the fortunes of bees and pollinators and highlight their vital impact on the environment. Jason Ellis, owner of the Hirwaun-based egg company, and Builth Wells bee farmer Shane Llewelyn-Jones have forged a collaboration that is already benefitting the environment and potentially creating commercial opportunities. Jason’s interest in the vital role of bees and pollinators…

A Creative Writing graduate from Aberystwyth University has topped The Sunday Times Bestseller List with her debut novel. Just days after its release, Susan Stokes-Chapman’s Pandora became the number one bestselling hardback fiction book in the UK, toppling Richard Osman’s The Man Who Died Twice. Born and brought up in Lichfield, Staffordshire, Susan spent four years studying at Aberystwyth University, graduating with a BA in Education & English Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Responding to the news, Susan said:  “I am absolutely blown away by the response to Pandora, and never imagined the novel would be so well received. To…

The Duke of Sussex says he has “experienced burnout” and previously felt he was “getting to the very end of everything I had” in a recent live stream with tennis star Serena Williams hosted by BetterUp, a mental health company Harry has been part of since last year. How do we know when we’re experiencing burnout and what we can do to prevent it?  Professor Sir Cary Cooper, Advisory Board Member at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere, sheds light on the issue of burnout and how you can prevent it within the workplace. The full content is available below or in…

RCT Council will begin necessary work to stabilise the embankment next to a section of Llwyncelyn Road in Porth – a significant scheme which requires traffic to be reduced to one direction only, to ensure safety. The works area is a 170-metre length of embankment adjacent to B4278 Llwyncelyn Road, located between the Pontypridd Road and Leslie Terrace junctions. The embankment is slowly slipping and causing damage to the short wall next to the pavement – while during periods of rainfall, groundwater not captured by the drainage channel begins to collect on the footway below. The upcoming scheme will construct…

The first scheme within RCT Council’s pilot project to improve and adopt seven private roads across Rhondda Cynon Taf is now complete – after resurfacing and drainage improvements were delivered at Trafalgar Terrace in Ystrad. Cabinet Members agreed to the pilot in September 2021, to carry out much-needed improvements at six privately-owned residential roads using £250,000 Council funding – plus an additional £50,000 as a contingency for the work. The six locations agreed by Cabinet are Miner’s Row in Llwydcoed, Brecon Place in Aberaman, Heol Penrhiw in Mountain Ash, Hillside Terrace in Llwynypia, Trafalgar Terrace in Ystrad and Poet’s Close…

Neath Port Talbot Council has inaugurated Bethan Nicholas-Thomas as the new Youth Mayor at a ceremony held online. The annual ceremony took place on Thursday 3rd February and was attended by senior council officers and key community leaders which included Councillor Ted Latham (Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council), Karen Jones (Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council) Sally Holland (The Children’s Commissioner for Wales), Louise Fleet (Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan), Joanna Jenkins (High Sheriff of West Glamorgan), and David Rees MS (Member of the Senedd for Aberavon). Bethan is a member of the British Youth Council and the…

There has been a significant increase in the number of Glastir payments made early in the payment window to Welsh farm businesses, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. More than 2,200 claims under Glastir Entry, Advance, Commons and Organic were paid in January which represents 78% of all claims received and is worth £26.2m to Welsh farms. Businesses receiving the funding play a key role in contributing to the aims of conserving and enhancing wildlife and biodiversity, improving soil and water resources as well as restoring peatland habitats and responding to the climate emergency by taking action towards the…