Author: Rhys Gregory

A keen cyclist is taking on an overseas cycle ride and fundraising for Brain Tumour Research to support his friend who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Andy Griffiths, 55, from Leamington Spa, had originally planned to travel to Belgium in his campervan with his wife Sandra (‘Sandy’), 62, to ride the Tour of Flanders cycle, also known as De Ronde, on 31 March 2020, with best friend Rob Baldwin. The event didn’t go ahead, due to COVID-19, but Andy had already had to withdraw from taking part, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour the previous month. Whilst swimming…

Morrisons has become the first supermarket to offer its customers a way to recycle coffee pods through a partnership with the recycling scheme Podback. Over the coming weeks, Morrisons customers will be able to pick up free Podback Collect+ recycling bags from its customer service desks. The Podback bags can be filled with used coffee pods at home, then taken to one of 6,500 Collect+ delivered by Yodel drop off points around the UK. All postage back to Podback is free of charge. Through the Podback scheme, used aluminium pods are turned into aluminium ingots for new products – such…

Former international referee Nigel Owens has told William Hill football can learn a lot from rugby union when it comes to the value of respect and the way the sport deals with on-field issues, but says adding microphones to football referees like they do in rugby union may not be the answer due to the bad language that may arise. There has long been talk of how football can improve upon the issue of player respect towards referees, and ex-rugby union international official Owens has laid out how it can draw some inspiration from his sport. “Rugby can’t take the…

Young people in Springfield, Pontllanfraith are celebrating the opening of new play facilities this half term. Springfield has received upgrades to its existing play area, including new toddler and junior swings, a see saw, springers, fencing and an inclusive wheelchair friendly roundabout.  A brand new skate park has also been installed, following consultation with the local community. A total of £134,000 has been invested into the facilities thanks to Caerphilly County Borough Council’s flagship Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme. The council recently announced completion of its main WHQS programme which has seen over £260 million invested into refurbishments to…

Monmouthshire County Council and Chepstow Town Council have joined together to prepare the next step in the town’s journey, setting out a long-term vision for the town that lays out the steps that need to be taken to achieve a more attractive and vibrant town. Building upon the 18 months of Place Plan consultation undertaken by Planning Aid Wales and Place Studio on behalf of Chepstow Town Council, this next phase focuses on the whole of Chepstow and will consider appropriate physical changes to ensure future Chepstow is a town well-placed to serve its existing and future residents, businesses and visitors. Supported by Welsh Government Transforming Towns’ funding, this plan will…

Schools across Rhondda Cynon Taf are supporting the Council’s latest campaign that aims to make irresponsible dog owners ‘SIT’ up and take notice! Following the success that the ‘NO DOG FOULING’ and ‘NO DOGS ON PITCHES’ stencil campaign is having across the County Borough, schools in RCT have reached out to the Council’s Streetcare team and asked for the messages to be displayed in and around their school grounds. Glenboi and Darren Las Primary Schools, in Mountain Ash, Ynyshir Primary School, in Porth and Gwauncelyn Primary School, in Tonteg were all keen to highlight their support in the hope that…

RCT Council has started work to improve a series of pedestrian crossings and extend traffic calming measures in Ton Pentre – as part of a Safe Routes in Communities Scheme funded by Welsh Government. The scheme started on Wednesday, February 23,and will focus on several locations near Ton Pentre Junior School, with the appointed contractor Horan Construction Ltd delivering the scheme over the next two months. The scheme will include construction of a new zebra crossing and traffic calming measures, extending the existing 20mph speed limit along Maindy Road to also encompass both Maindy Crescent and Maindy Croft. In addition,…

A new initiative to reduce fly-tipping of waste tyres and its impact on the environment is being launched by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in partnership with Newport City Council. Adrian Evans, NRW’s Tackling Waste Crime Advisor, said: “The Newport Tyre Tagging scheme, which launched this week (Tuesday, February 22), will provide an opportunity for garages, tyre fitters and any other business that handle waste tyres to sign up to the scheme which will make it harder for tyres to be illegally dumped. “The aim of the scheme is to stop tyres ending up in the hands of unscrupulous operators which…

A new video shows how your 3,500-capacity Swansea Arena looks as the eye-catching venue builds up to key test events this week. The video shows features such as the elegant foyer, magnificent auditorium and smart VIP areas. Swansea Arena is one feature of the £135m Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council and development managed by RivingtonHark. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd is leading on its construction. Test events featuring local bands are due to take place at the arena this Friday and Saturday to enable the testing of all aspects of the venue ahead of its opening…

Swansea’s festival celebrating all things Welsh, Croeso, will be packing lots of excitement into the city centre when it returns on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February. The free event is organised by Swansea Council. Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’re excited to be bringing this event to Swansea. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase some of our fantastic food and drink and also attract new people into the city centre to see some of the chefs in action and experience something new in Swansea.” Visitors heading to Croeso, held each day between 11am…