Author: Rhys Gregory

Planning approval has just been given for a new modular building to be constructed at Priory Church in Wales School site in Brecon. The building funded by a Welsh Government Flying Start capital grant of £820,000.00 will provide Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision as well as a multi-agency office space for professionals to support families. The plans include two large rooms, a dedicated outdoor play space, a small office and a family contact area. The new site will provide high quality, free Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds and will also be used to run parenting groups and training.…

In his Christmas message Mark Drakeford says: Happy Christmas to you all – Nadolig Llawen I hope you all have a safe Christmas and that it is a time of rest and of peace. As we gather with friends and families, we do so still in the shadow of the pandemic, But here in Wales, we will once again draw on our deep tradition of working together to get through tough times. To lend a hand to family, friends and neighbours. And to look ahead to better times with hope and with optimism. This Christmas, many people will be working…

A Torfaen Community housing enterprise is helping to make sure local people can enjoy a Christmas treat this year. Bron Afon Community housing has donated a total of £7000 and given 14 food banks and food share hubs across Torfaen £500 each in December. The money has come from the Bron Afon’s Community Development team budget. Lydia Parry, Interventions Manager for Bron Afon, said: “We know that many people have been through a lot this year, and not everyone will have the Christmas they hoped for. “During these difficult times, a lot of families will be struggling to put food…

Christmas cheer has been spread across the village of Cwmdare this year, with a host of activities taking place to help put a smile on the face of youngsters and their families. Determined Cwmdare4Cwmdare (C4C) members spent the past year working tirelessly to bring festivities to the village after local energy company, Pennant Walters donated £3,500 to help kick off the festive season in style. The events, which commenced earlier in the month, included a party for young children at Cwmdare Miners Welfare Club and a carol concert around the Christmas tree.  This weekend they culminated in Santa on his…

It’s that time of year again – the nights are drawing in; winter is in the air and Caerphilly County Borough Council’s gritters continue to help to keep residents on the move. The Council has 13 gritters available to use, all of which can be fitted with a snow plough if needed and around 9,000 tonnes of rock salt in stock ready to treat roads during the frosty nights. All main salt vehicles are fitted with the latest technology in salt distribution, including trackers and salt monitoring systems, which allow the Council to programme the vehicles accurately, depending on the…

After launching their Feed Families campaign for 2021, Bridgend-based Soft Services provider A&R Services set a target of feeding over 100 families this Christmas Aimed at helping households in need across the whole of Wales, the ‘Feed Families’ campaign provided a festive food hamper to those who need it most during the holiday season. With the help of local businesses and charities, this year’s appeal pledged to hit more than double the 35 families who received a hamper in 2020. Job-losses, furlough, and the constant unknown surrounding COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for so many over the last 18 months.…

Pub chain Hungry Horse has today announced a new Boxing Day toy donation scheme, designed to help parents declutter their homes and spread festive cheer, while supporting families who can put their preloved toys to good use during the festive season. According to the latest research, almost a third (27%) of UK kids get bored of their new presents in under ten minutes on Christmas day, putting pressure on parents to buy more and more toys to keep them entertained. Getting rid of the unwanted or unused toys can be a massive challenge for Brits, with a whopping 40% of…

Cardiff’s light trail event being held in Cardiff is the latest victim of covid restrictions announced this week. On Wednesday, the First Minister announced plans to move to a revised Alert Level 2 as of Boxing Day. Despite the Bute Park being an outdoor event, they have said that the latest guidance does not create an exception for this type of event. In a statement released today, event organisers said: “It is with great sadness that Christmas at Bute Park will be forced to shut its gates as of Boxing Day, bringing our trail to an early end. “As an…

Wales’ largest business organisation FSB Wales (Federation of Small Businesses) has welcomed the details of the new funding package announced by Minister for Economy Vaughan Gething for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses affected by the impact of the new Omicron Coronavirus variant and measures announced lately by Welsh Government. Within the package, businesses which pay Non-Domestic Rates will be entitled to a payment of £2,000, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on their rateable value. In addition, affected businesses and crucially, their supply chains, will also be able to apply for top-up funding from new grants of between £2,500k – £25,000 with…

Care home staff are heroes and not just at Christmas but every single day of the year because without them there would be no care. “At the end of the day we are in care because we care,” said Senior Care Practitioner Vicky Williams who has volunteered to work on Christmas Day at the Highfield Care Home, part of the Pendine Park organisation, in Wrexham. It will be the first time the 37-year-old has worked on Christmas Day and is really looking forward to the experience. “I’ll be wearing a Christmas jumper, we’ll be singing carols, there are always Christmas…