Author: Rhys Gregory

Further pandemic changes will come into effect across Wales on 26 December as Welsh Government continues to announce new measures intended to fight the spread of Covid-19. In Bridgend County Borough, this means that two-metre social distancing will be necessary in all premises that are open to the public, including workplaces, and that a maximum of six people can gather together in regulated premises such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants, cafes and other hospitality venues. Table service and the collection of contact details will be necessary at all licensed premises, and face coverings will be required in hospitality settings at all…

Monmouthshire County Council this week received confirmation from Welsh Government that it will receive an 11.2% increase in its core funding next year compared to the 9.4% average for Wales and where councils across Wales have received settlements ranging from increases of 8.4% to 11.2%.  This welcomed news will allow the Council to accommodate a range of significant and immediate pressures affecting services next year and to lessen the need for the Council to draw on its comparatively limited one-off reserves to support the budget. Councillor Richard John, Leader of Monmouthshire County Council said: “This is a significant local government…

Merthyr Council has congratulated Canolfan and Theatr Soar on receiving a Trusted Charity Mark Award recognising its tremendous work as a third sector organisation. It was assessed against 11 different standards, including best practice as a charity. Its governance and management were evaluated, including how it uses its money effectively to carry out its work. Canolfan a Theatr Soar is a Welsh Language, arts, and heritage community hub.  The centre offers rooms for community activities, meetings, courses, and performances.  The organisation works in collaboration with others to integrate the language into the community, offering a warm croeso to all. The Centre…

While there will be no changes to recycling and waste collection days over Christmas, Cardiff Council is arranging one-off collections of Christmas trees across the first two weeks of January. Residents are asked to place their trees on street and not to cut them up or put them in the green wheelie bins or white reusable sacks. These one-off collections are for Christmas trees only, and no other garden waste will be collected as part of this service. A Christmas tree drop-off zone will also be provided at Heath Park on January 8th and 9th between 10am and 4pm. The Christmas tree…

As part of an apprenticeship programme,   24 year old Chloe Koffler from Prestatyn had the experience of working on the 21st series of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here – which has inspired her to follow a career path in Film and TV. Criw Production Apprenticeship Programme is run by Wales based training provider Sgil Cymru on behalf of Grwp Llandrillo Menai.  An initial cohort of six apprentices started their apprenticeship in October this year.  Creative Wales and the Welsh Government have supported this new style of apprenticeship which is open to those who are keen to…

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has thanked the thousands of extra NHS staff and volunteers who are making a success of the Covid-19 booster programme in Wales. Alongside dedicated NHS staff working in the mass vaccination centres, pharmacies, GPs and army personnel are supporting the rapid rollout of the booster vaccine. The accelerated booster programme continues to gather pace, with 1.4m booster doses already delivered – almost half of all those aged 12 and over. This week, a record 53,000 vaccines were delivered in one day – the highest number since the programme was launched just over a year ago. Wales…

A resident of Ty Iscoed Residential Home, Caerphilly has celebrated their 100th birthday. Myrys Joan Dew, who become a resident at Ty Iscoed in October 2011, has celebrated her 100th birthday with local schools, Councillors and the Mayor all wishing her a Happy Birthday. Family also came along to visit Myrys for her birthday, which was marked with a harp performance in the afternoon. When asked about Myrys, social workers from Ty Iscoed said: “Myrys is a very sociable and friendly lady who spends her day talking to the other residents. She often speaks of her family who she is…

A bereaved daughter, training to be a nurse in memory of her late mum, joined Marie’s Light up the Night campaign to turn the shortest day into the brightest night to remember loved ones lost. Sharon Marks was just 51 when she sadly died at home in Barry on December 7 2020, following a terminal diagnosis of cancer of the lymph nodes just 2 weeks earlier.  Her daughter, Jessie, supported her step-dad Kevin Tucker to care for her mother in the final weeks – but praised Marie Curie for their support in allowing her mum to be at home. On…

Swansea man Paul Taylor is retiring at Christmas – after spending more than half of his life working for the local bus company. Paul joined what was then South Wales Transport in 1987 in what he believed was a temporary role as a driver but now – 34 years later – he is still with its successor business as a network planner, co-ordinating bus services across the First Cymru network. Paul, aged 65, will work his last day at the company’s Penlan headquarters on Christmas Eve. “I joined the company during the early expansion of the Mini-Bus concept of fast,…

Lifesaving charity Blood Bikes Wales has received a £13,000 boost towards its “vital work” thanks to the generosity of DVLA staff. The charity, which transports emergency blood supplies to the NHS across Wales, received the donation from DVLA staff after being nominated as their Charity of Choice for the past two years. Staff raised the funds in their own time by undertaking virtual quizzes, walking challenges, choir events, virtual sweepstakes and raffles. Nigel Ward, Blood Bikes Wales Chairman, said: “We have been so grateful to be DVLA’s Charity of Choice for two consecutive years. “It has been wonderful to hear…