Author: Rhys Gregory

Pupils at Penybont Primary School were recently treated to a visit by a therapy dog for their reading group. Border collie Rylie, who is specifically trained to have a calming influence, joined Year Two pupils in the lesson as part of an initiative to introduce workshops and education around animal care and welfare. It is thought that the therapy dogs’ non-judgemental and comforting presence helps children with their confidence to read aloud and evokes more enthusiasm for the lessons, which in turn has a positive effect on their progress and literacy development. Pupils at Penybont Primary School were delighted to…

Motorcyclists are invited to sign up to a free enhanced riders training course to help improve their riding skills and the safety of Powys roads. Powys County Council’s Road Safety team are providing these courses free of charge to any motorcyclists who live in Powys or use Powys’ roads, with funding from the Welsh Government. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Rider Scheme is suitable for full motorbike licence holders who want to improve their riding skills, for those returning to riding after a break, riders who have just passed their test, people upgrading to a more powerful…

Volunteers are wanted to help support patients in five Powys hospitals at Bronllys, Welshpool, Llandrindod Wells, Machynlleth and Llanidloes. They are being recruited by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO) on behalf of Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) to act as befrienders, motivators and general assistants who can help improve a patient’s stay or visit. The hospital support volunteers will not be asked to act as advocates or counsellors and nor will they be asked to carry out clinical procedures, provide personal care or administer medication. But the hope is that they will be able to help ease the workload…

Newport City Council is working with Newport Now, the Business Improvement District (BID), to tackle graffiti in the city centre. Member businesses can have graffiti removed free of charge by the council thanks to funding from Newport Now. The initiative is aimed at making the city centre a more desirable place to shop, live and work and promote the local economy. Councillor Roger Jeavons, Newport City Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for city services, said: “Removing graffiti comes at a cost for hard-working businesses so we are delighted to be working with Newport Now which has stepped up to…

In partnership with Vfairs, RCT Council will be hosting its third FREE Virtual Careers Fair on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 (10am to 5pm) following its success in its two previous Virtual Careers Fairs in 2021. The event will coincide with National Apprenticeship Week and attending organisations will have a range of apprenticeship and graduate posts available alongside live employment vacancies. Anyone wishing to take part in the online RCT Virtual Careers Fair on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, will need to register their details prior to the event at www.rctcareers.vfairs.com Over the last few years, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Virtual Careers…

RCT Council has worked closely with Network Rail to rearrange the removal of the Llanharan Railway Footbridge – and advanced notice is now being given for the work, taking place across two night shifts later this month. The footbridge adjacent to A473 Bridgend Road is in very poor condition, and as part of the replacement process the existing structure was scheduled to be removed on Boxing Day – taking advantage of Network Rail’s line closure over the festive period. However, a mechanical failure of a contractor’s crane on the day of the work prevented the removal from going ahead as…

Cardiff Council’s assisted home ownership scheme, helping first time buyers in the city get onto the property ladder, has been relaunched as First Homes Cardiff. First Homes Cardiff aims to help first time buyers living or working in the city who find themselves unable to afford their first home, by offering new build properties for sale on a shared equity basis on developments across the city. As well as a new name for the scheme, eligibility criteria for the First Homes Cardiff has also been expanded to allow more people to potentially benefit. Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr…

The Welsh Government is making £15.4m available to support the arts and cultural sector in Wales during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden has announced today The additional support, as part of the third round of the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, is being made available for the cultural sector in Wales as it continues to be severely impacted by the Covid pandemic. The fund will specifically support organisations impacted by the recent alert level 2 measures Ministers have put in place to keep Wales safe, and help control the rapid spread of the…

Machynys Golf Club Ladies Section have aced their fundraising yet again this year by raising over £4,000 for the Urology Department and Breast Care Unit at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. The fundraising took place during the Club’s open week in August 2021 which included a daily raffle and an auction. Cheques for £2,000 were presented to both Consultant Urologist Mr Ng from the Urology Department and to Mr Holt, Trustee of the Prince Philip Hospital Breast Care Unit Fund. Rhiannon Roberts, Ladies’ Captain at Machynys Golf Club, said: “It was lovely to meet Mr Ng and Mr Holt and present…

It is almost impossible to live in the modern age and not know your horoscope and the basic personality features that that horoscope attributes to each sign. Each of the signs has its positive qualities but also negative traits. A horoscope can help you understand some aspects of yourself or the character of the people around you. Astrologers start from the premise that the horoscope is determined by the position of the planets at the moment of each person’s birth. They note that this relationship and every movement of the planets during life determine the course. Based on their positions,…