Author: Rhys Gregory

Port Eynon has become Swansea’s third beach to join the Smoke-free Beaches campaign, an initiative which seeks to limit the harms of cigarette waste on local wildlife and the environment. As from April this year, visitors to the beach will be encouraged to not smoke via a voluntary no-smoking initiative, which will be signposted at the beach’s main entry points. The voluntary change will seek to reduce cigarette litter, in a bid to protect the coastline for future generations to come. On a global scale 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are discarded each year, making cigarette butts one of the most…

STAEDTLER UK, south Wales-based stationery giant and manufacturer of the world’s most recognisable pencil — the black and yellow stripy Noris — has today (25 April) announced an exclusive partnership with WHSmith.co.uk. Designed to benefit primary school classrooms across the nation, the partnership will provide members of STAEDTLER Teachers’ Club with 30% off STAEDTLER products purchased at WHSmith.co.uk — in celebration of the Club’s 10th anniversary year. Joining forces to support primary school teachers, NQTs, and teaching assistants — who can join the digital Club for free — this new offer marks the first exclusive discount to be provided for…

Principality Building Society has committed £100,000 to support charities and community organisations to help young people across Wales. The largest building society in Wales has partnered with Community Foundation Wales (CFW) to supply grants of up to £5,000 each for projects for a Future Generations Fund that will encourage young people to prepare skills for their future world of work, personal finances, finding employment, and living more sustainable lives. Established in 1999, Community Foundation Wales awards grants of over £2.6 million each year to charities and community groups to strengthen communities across Wales. Vicky Wales, Chief Customer Officer at Principality,…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has described plans to delay border checks on goods imported from the European Union for a fourth time as a ‘global disgrace’ saying that the move will extend concessions for foreign businesses that ‘may as well be deliberately aimed at undermining UK farmers and producers’. Checks on imports from the EU should originally have been introduced in January 2021 when the Brexit transition period came to an end, but the failure of UK governments to prepare border inspection posts meant they were not implemented at that time and have been delayed three times in…

Swansea University has been shortlisted in the Outreach and Widening Participation Submission Award category of this year’s Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Now in its tenth year, the Whatuni Student Choice Awards are based on the reviews of real students studying in the UK and provide prospective students with a unique and unbiased alternative to traditional university ranking systems. This student-led approach to review collection and written submissions mean that shortlisted universities are recognised by students for delivering an exceptional experience. Swansea University has been recognised for its Step Up to Swansea University programme, delivered online during the height of the…

Stargazing is a sure-fire way to feel closer to nature, as well as the people you choose to share the experience with. The hope that a shooting star might pass, or capturing a glimpse at the breathtaking northern lights, or seeing who can spot the biggest constellation is a great way to help inner-city dwellers relieve the stress of city life and find your inner peace. To celebrate International Dark Sky Week, which runs from 22nd April to the 30th, Essential Living have scoured the country in search of the best dark sky spots for that perfect stargazing trip. For each…

Aldi have confirmed that preparatory work on the new supermarket at Salt Lake in Porthcawl began on 25 April 2022. To ensure that the store can be constructed safely and with a minimum of inconvenience, temporary boundary fencing will be erected around the site. Throughout the works, public car parking will remain available at Salt Lake and at Hillsboro Place, which is directly opposite the construction site. Bridgend County Borough Council have also expressed an interest in constructing an all-new multi-storey car park nearby during future stages of Porthcawl’s regeneration plans. The design for the new store will feature a…

Maltings Park in Splott will temporarily close to the public from 3rd May 2022 to allow upgrade works to take place. Once completed the park will feature a circular entrance plaza off East Tyndall Street, a new natural play area, multi-use games area (MUGA), and skateboard/scooter facilities. 31 semi-mature trees will also be planted as part of the Council’s One Planet Cardiff strategy, along with new meadow planting, shrubs and open lawn areas. New paths, site signage, seating & bins will also be installed. The works are part of an ongoing programme of park refurbishments taking place across the city…

The election for the Port Talbot electoral ward of Neath Port Talbot Council on Thursday 5 May, 2022 will be rearranged following the sad death of the independent candidate Andrew Tutton. All other polls on Thursday, 5 May, 2022 will go ahead as planned. Karen Jones, Returning Officer for Neath Port Talbot Council said: “We send our deepest condolences to Andrew’s family at this sad time. Legally, we must now postpone the election in the Port Talbot electoral ward. I have already contacted the other candidates, and will be writing to all affected electors.” A new date for the election…

Monmouthshire Council has praised the incredible response from residents who have opened their homes to families fleeing the war in Ukraine. More than sixty families in the county have offered accommodation under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The council has been in touch with all of these people to ensure that safeguarding and property checks are carried out. It is also working with partners including Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, The Welsh Government and the British Red Cross to provide a service where hosts Ukrainian families will be able to access financial support, health checks, education advice and counselling as…