Author: Rhys Gregory

The Rallynuts Stages Rally returns to the British rallying calendar for the first time since 2019 this weekend as the popular gravel event blasts back into life on Saturday. Forced to take a two-year sabbatical due to the pandemic, the Builth Wells based event has seen a one-off move from its traditional April slot in 2021 due to the restrictions imposed earlier this year. The swap has meant that the well-respected event is now the final round of the season for several championships, setting up a thrilling battle in the forests for the hard-fought accolades. More than 42 miles of…

More than £2.8m has been secured in Denbighshire for projects that range from supporting resident well-being to developing skills and employment locally. Established and new community organisations in Denbighshire submitted bids through Denbighshire County Council to the UK Community Renewal Fund and the successful projects have been contacted by the team at Denbighshire to support these organisations as they access the funding and deliver their projects. Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “I would like to congratulate all the community organisations who have been successful in their funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund. “Denbighshire staff…

A Law student from Cardiff University has secured a place on the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme. Arthur Ddamulira, 21, from Kampala in Uganda, is one of 13 students selected for the scheme, which is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London. Launched in 2013 by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, with support from Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, the 15-month development and mentoring programme will see Arthur benefit from a range of opportunities led by lawyers and business…

Dogs Trust is offering primary schools in South Wales free workshops and assemblies to help children learn how they can live happily and safely alongside dogs. The ‘Be Dog Smart’ workshops aimed at 7–11-year-olds focus on helping children understand what safe and appropriate behaviour around their own dogs is, as well as dogs they may come across when they are out and about. Claire Kendrick, Education and Community Officer says:   “I am absolutely delighted to be back in schools helping children learn about dogs. Millions of households in the UK share their home with a dog, so even if a child doesn’t have a pooch in their own family, it’s highly likely that they will come across dogs in their day-to-day life. “The workshops are key to helping children understand dogs as…

An entrepreneurial mother from South Wales has seized the opportunities of the last 18 months to pivot her lifestyle and reignited a former passion for cheerleading into a new profession. Kate Freeman, 37, is a former World Champion cheerleader who took a break from the sport to focus on her career and family. She’s now able to share her love of cheer with other women. Kate is the only person qualified and running CHEERFiT classes in the UK for everyone and says, “I offer face to face, online and on-demand classes for all the busy ladies out there to make it as…

Rugby and football clubs across Swansea are being asked to join the council in marking White Ribbon Day on Thursday November 25. It is a national campaign to tackle male violence against women by asking men and boys to take a stand against violence and to challenge sexist and inappropriate behaviour. Swansea RFC and Loughor RFC have signed-up with their players making short video pledges. Other clubs including grassroots and community clubs are being asked to also join by posting their support on social media ahead of November 25 by using the hashtags #AllMenCan and #SwanseaMenCan. Swansea Council Cabinet Member…

The upland landscape between Neath Port Talbot and Rhondda Cynon Taf has a wealth of natural assets, which if managed correctly, can have a big impact on our contributions to the climate and nature emergencies declared by nations around the world – including the Welsh Government. Within this vast area of wilderness lies the most southerly interconnected upland deep peat resource of any significant size in Wales – one of the largest areas of its type in the UK. Peatland management is crucial in the world’s approach to achieving its carbon goals – and for good reason. They are amongst…

A statutory notice proposing the closure of a small south Powys primary school will be published later this month (November), the county council has said. Powys County Council is looking to reconfigure and rationalise the primary school provision in the county as part of its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030 and is proposing to close Llanbedr Church in Wales School on 31 August 2022. During April and June 2021, the council carried out a seven-week consultation on the proposal. Yesterday (Tuesday, November 9), the Cabinet gave the go-ahead for a statutory notice to be published formally proposing the…

Merthyr Tydfil Council is about to commence work on a series of walking and cycling improvement projects as part of its Welsh Government-funded Active Travel programme. Monday 15 November will see the start of work on: Upgrading the existing crossing point on Victoria Street to a zebra crossing – this will take until Christmas to complete. A shared route for pedestrians and cyclists running alongside Bethesda Street – this will take until 31 March 2022. A shared route for pedestrians and cyclists running alongside Avenue de Clichy from Caedraw roundabout up to the gyratory system (31 March). Work will begin…

RCT Council has confirmed it is currently considering development options for several vacant buildings on Taff Street, as part of its regeneration strategy for Pontypridd – including the former Marks and Spencer building. Cabinet will consider a report on Monday, November 15, which provides a progress update on important regeneration schemes across Pontypridd town centre. These were included in a regeneration framework for the town (‘Pivotal Pontypridd – Delivering Growth’) in 2017, when it was identified as one of five Strategic Opportunity Areas due to its potential for economic development. The Cabinet report notes what has been achieved so far…