Author: Rhys Gregory

The historic turbine house located in Margam Country Park has been restored to once again provide electricity for the Margam Estate. The Turbine house was built in 1891 for Emily Charlotte Talbot, who commissioned the development of a hydro-electric scheme powered by a nearby fishpond. The original turbine generated enough electricity to power 400 lamps. It is thought Margam Castle was the second domestic dwelling to have electricity in Britain at that time. During the 1950s, the original turbine was removed and taken to South Africa. The replacement turbine has now been fully restored after being neglected for many years.…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that support will once again be available for anyone who finds themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness this winter. Following Welsh Government’s ‘no one left out’ approach which has been in place since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of people in Bridgend County Borough have already received help and temporary accommodation. Over the winter months, the council will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure full support is provided to anyone who is homeless or who finds themselves at risk of becoming homeless. We would urge anyone who thinks…

Over 7,500 rapid lateral flow test (LFT) kits were handed out from the asymptomatic testing centre that was set up to test visitors attending this year’s Winter Fair without a Covid pass, the county council has said. The centre, which was at the Royal Welsh Showground while the Winter Fair took place, was organised by Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, who have been leading the county’s approach to Test Trace Protect, in partnership with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. 77 people were tested at the centre over the two days and only one person testing positive. The…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has revealed regeneration proposals for the Newbridge to Risca area. The draft Newbridge to Risca Corridor Masterplan was considered by members of the council’s Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee during a recent remote meeting.  The proposals will now be presented to Cabinet and, if approved, a 6 week public consultation process will be carried out. Proposals included within the draft Masterplan are to build upon the existing employment and tourist strengths in this locality and further promote the area as a major base for employment, tourism, and recreation. Cllr Eluned Stenner, the council’s Cabinet Member for…

Following a recent monitoring inspection visit, St Julian’s School has been removed from special measures. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales, Estyn has confirmed that the school has made sufficient progress and no longer requires this level of intervention. Councillor Jane Mudd, leader of the council, said: “This is excellent news for the school and its students. A considerable amount of work has been done in partnership with the school – well done to staff, governors, pupils and the wider school community for their continued support and for making such positive progress.” Estyn’s inspectors had previously placed…

RCT Council has provided grant funding to a local enterprise which has exciting plans to restart manufacturing at the former Polikoff and Burberry factory in Ynyswen, with highly-skilled former workers set to return to the site. The former Burberry factory closed in 2007, ending all manufacturing at the site which had first started in the 1940s and brought huge employment to the area for generations. However, the newly-formed Treorchy Sewing Enterprise is progressing its ambition of restarting garment manufacturing operations, using invaluable experience of local factory workers who once worked there. The group approached the Council and Welsh Government for…

A new £1 bus fare to incentivise off-peak bus travel is coming to Cardiff in the run up to Christmas. Running from Friday, December 3rd, up to and including Thursday, December 16th, the offer – which will run from Monday to Friday each week – will be available through all bus companies that operate services in the citythat are participating in the Bus Promotion Scheme.It will see all single fares after 9.30am – that leave and arrive within the Cardiff boundary – reduced to £1. Cardiff Bus, Stagecoach, Adventure Travel, Edwards Coaches and First Cymru have all signed up to…

A fund to tackle loneliness and social isolation will help grass root organisations bring communities together across Wales. The three year Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund will support front-line, local, grass-roots organisations, which bring people of all ages together, helping them to build social connections in and across communities. £1.5 million has been split across Welsh local authorities, working in partnership with County Voluntary Councils, over the next three years and will help organisations run face-to-face activities safely and securely or continue online activities if access to venues is difficult or to reach people who are not ready to attend…

Chelsea are finding out first-hand just how tough it is at the top considering they’re still priced out as underdogs to win the Premier League title despite leading after 14 games. Bet365 offers 3/1 odds on Thomas Tuchel’s pace-setters steering their way to a seventh top-flight crown come May, a signal there’s a lack of faith in the Blues’ staying power. Second-place Manchester City reside as 4/6 favourites to finish first despite sitting a point off the peak, with Pep Guardiola well-fancied to secure a fourth Premier League gong in five seasons. Liverpool complete a front three at 7/2 another…

The Christmas lights have been switched on. The temperature is definitely starting to drop. Now it’s time to start thinking about starting, or finishing, your Christmas shopping. Luckily, you’ll find everything you need at our new pop-up shop on St Catherine’s Walk. Now open, Pop-Up Caerfyrddin will be showcasing 21 local businesses over a five-week period. You’ll find a wide range of gift options and you can even book a visit to Santa’s Grotto. Based in the Shared Spaces building, the pop-up shop will give start-ups and established businesses the chance to test their products and offers a real commission-based…