Author: Rhys Gregory

A KIND-HEARTED foster parent and Army veteran lit up the lives of struggling families, pensioners and vulnerable adults throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Passionate Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) resident Dawn Parkin set up The Lighthouse Project two years ago, initially as a service supporting bereaved families in the area. Operating from home to begin with, Dawn seized an opportunity to take over the Tonyrefail Community Centre in January 2020 – which in her own words needed some “TLC”. In less than two years, the Project has joined forces with leading charitable, housing and health and wellbeing organisations across the Cwm Taf…

An ambitious North Wales food wholesaler is planning a major expansion into England’s North West and West Midlands in the NewYear. Gwynedd-based Harlech Foodservice Ltd are taking aim at targets across the border from their new Chester offices and depot and have appointed a globe-trotting executive to spearhead their drive for growth. Matt Flynn, who has managed olive oil shipments across the Mediterranean, tuna canning in the Indian Ocean and food purchasing in the Netherlands for food giant Prince’s, is Harlech’s new Head of Purchasing and Marketing. The 41-year-old leads a ten-strong team with an office at Chester Business Park…

Pupils at Penybont Primary School had a class they won’t ‘fur-get’ as Rylie the border collie joined their reading group for the day. As part of an initiative to introduce workshops and education around animal care and welfare, Cariad Pet Therapy joined forces with like-minded social enterprise Because Animals Are Worthwhile to bring their popular sessions to the Bridgend school. Year Two pupils had the chance to have their usual reading lesson in the company of Rylie, a therapy dog specially trained to have a calming influence, and found they were more relaxed during the class with the pressure taken…

Proposals for new sea defences that will help protect Mumbles for decades to come have taken a big step forward. A planning application for the scheme, driven by Swansea Council, has just been submitted to local planners. Its aims to protect the community against flooding and rising tides – and to remodel the prom as a safe, modern, inclusive visitor attraction. The proposals – shaped with the help of extensive public consultation – show more space for pedestrians and cyclists to share the prom with care, the protection of trees and more opportunities for play and relaxation. A key planning…

Merthyr Tydfil’s indoor shopping centre has been purchased by the County Borough Council with the intention of it playing a major role in the authority’s 15-year town centre ‘Masterplan’. Built in 1970, the semi-covered pedestrian St Tydfil Shopping Centre was refurbished in 1993 and contains more than 50 shops, including national retailers and independent businesses. It also has an upstairs indoor market with more than 30 stalls. St Tydfil was owned by German property investment company Patrizia, and the three centre management staff will be employed by the Council going forward. “We’re very excited to have purchased St Tydfil Shopping…

An annual appeal co-ordinated by Caerphilly County Borough Council has raised over £10,500 to support local food banks. The Christmas appeal saw online donations donated from residents, council staff, councillors, contractors and suppliers; in line with their community benefit contractual offerings.  Donations will be shared out between food banks in Blackwood, Bargoed, Rhymney, Caerphilly and Risca. Companies who supported the appeal include Willmott Dixon, Busy Feet, Acorn Travel, KB Taxis, DNA Heating Ltd, Decoglass Glazin, Styles Electrical Ltd, WEEKES, Willis Construction Ltd, Workforce Wellbeing, A L Landscapes, Alpha biolaboratories Legal Ltd, Gary Carpenter Building Contractor, Laver Group, Mel Evans, Starlight…

A new children’s playground is set to open in Pontllanfraith in January providing safe, modern play facilities for the community to enjoy in 2022. The investment forms part of plans to develop a major new housing development adjacent to the new playground site. The new facility will replace an existing playground, which is located within the site of the former council offices in Pontllanfraith. The old playground will be decommissioned this week and some of the equipment will be used for spares and repairs at other sites across the area. The new £100k playground is located a short distance from…

Shoppers in town centres across the Caerphilly county borough are continuing to enjoy free parking at council-owned pay and display sites in the countdown to Christmas. CCBC is keen to encourage residents to support their local town centres during these challenging times. A decision was made back in May 2020 to temporarily suspend parking charges and the policy was recently extended for a further 12 month period up to the end of Sept 2022. The move has been widely welcomed by shoppers and businesses alike, but some car parks such as Crescent Road in Caerphilly, were being under-utilised. The council…

The Planning and Development Committee has granted Linc Cymru (Linc) full planning permission to build a brand new Extra Care facility in Porth – which will be located on the former Dan y Mynydd Care Home site. In a report to the Committee meeting on Thursday, December 16, Officers had recommended Linc’s application for approval. The application covers the four-storey facility which includes 60 apartments, as well as associated works relating to landscaping, sustainable drainage, access and parking provision. The building will contain a lower ground floor with a dining area, lounge, hair salon, activity room, kitchen, laundry room, Day…

Visitors to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park will notice works activity from early January – towards the refurbishment of the bandstand and sunken garden areas, and delivery of a new activity centre, throughout 2022. The significant £1.9m works will begin at the much-loved park in Pontypridd from Tuesday, January 4 (2022) – using funding secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and contributions from the Council and Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns funding. The project will rejuvenate the heritage features of the Grade II Listed park, to help develop audiences and provide much-needed opportunities for learning, engagement and participation in the community. GKR…