Author: Rhys Gregory

Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) – the UK’s largest leisure charitable social enterprise dedicated to improving health, wellbeing and opportunity in the communities it works in, is supporting the next generation of athletes to the tune of £1.2 million, via The GLL Sport Foundation (GSF). Applications for the programme are open until February 20th 2022, and athletes from Wales are encouraged to apply. Last year, 112 talented young athletes from Cardiff, including Welsh Rugby star Elinor Snowsill, benefitted from a cumulative £44,800 worth of free gym and swim memberships – thanks to leisure charitable social enterprise GLL, which manages centres across…

Detective Constable Janette Williams led a successful investigation following reports that an SD card, appearing to contain footage of someone being filmed unknowingly within a private bathroom, had been found. DC Williams recently graduated from Police Now’s National Detective Programme with North Wales Police, deciding to make a late career change to train as a detective after 25 years working in other sectors, including at an accountancy firm and as an armed forces liaison officer. DC Williams was assigned the role of Officer in Charge (OIC) when the report was made in 2020, and swiftly organised for a Police Search…

Menter Môn’s ground-breaking project to recognise and maximise the huge potential of Welsh wool is going from strength to strength as the social enterprise works in partnership with Bangor University’s BioComposites Centre on the next phase of the project to develop five wool product prototypes. The pioneering project ‘Made with Wool’, led by Menter Môn, aims to improve people’s understanding of this versatile fibre. The scheme’s purpose is to offer innovative solutions to challenges facing the supply chain, facilitate new products, and add value to Welsh wool as a natural, sustainable and multipurpose material. Graham Ormondroyd from Bangor University’s BioComposites…

A Cardiff school whose sixth form is based on a business park has been named the top independent school in Wales by the Sunday Times newspaper. St John’s College Cardiff, a 3-18 day school based in Old St Mellons, won the award on the strength of its GCSE and A-level results between 2017 and 2019. But it was its A-level results that particularly stood out, with more than 98 per cent graded A*-B in 2017 – the best in the UK. Deputy head Joanne Gordon-Smith said: “This is a wonderful achievement for the College, as historically, we have always been…

SWANSEA Council is to urge the UK Government to act swiftly to protect householders from energy price rises. The coming months are expected to see energy bills rise as they have never done so before, meaning a tighter squeeze on family budgets. The price cap that energy firms must adhere to is set to rise substantially – so the council is asking the Government to take decisive positive action. A notice of motion agreed by full council yesterday aims to address the national energy crisis. It asks council leader Rob Stewart to call on the Prime Minister and Chancellor of…

Animals experienced ‘a large amount of suffering over a period of time’ according to District Judge Chris James at the prosecution of Richard Scarfe at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on 26 January by Pembrokeshire County Council. Scarfe, of Park Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by causing unnecessary suffering to animals at Highland View Fold, The Ridgeway, Lamphey, and failing them in his duty of care. There were additional guilty pleas in relation to Cattle, Sheep and Pig Identification and Animal By-Products offences and obstructing authorised officers whilst carrying out their duty under the…

Pupils at Pantysgallog Primary have been busy designing a new app called ‘MIHealth’ which aims to promote wellbeing and health in their day to day lives. The well-being app includes tips, challenges, and tools to improve well-being. The pupils have designed the app to ensure a wide range of activities specifically for students by students. There are mindfulness activities for calm and relaxation, but the app also includes impressive technology such as augmented reality to bring pupils fitness routines and artwork into both their classroom and home. The initial vision for the app came from the pupils discussing how being…

More than 50 Powys groups will share nearly £500,000 to help the county respond to the challenges and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Set up by Powys County Council, the Community Recovery Grant is to help community groups, charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups supporting people and communities respond to the pandemic. It aims to assist recovery and help organisations develop flexible and responsive plans and activities to become more resilient and financially sustainable in the future. Third sector groups have been able to apply for both Capital and Revenue funding, almost £500,000 has been allocated to 56 projects across…

Members of the public are being urged to get involved with local democracy by engaging with the five Cardiff Council scrutiny committees whose members, drawn from a range of political parties, act as a ‘critical friend’ to decision and policy makers. The call comes as the Scrutiny Committee pages of the council’s website are re-launched to make it easier for the public to get involved in the work of the committees. As well as raising issues with local ward councillors, residents can also contribute by: identifying issues for scrutiny to look at; providing evidence to inform scrutiny – either in writing or…

Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans has today announced the appointment of Beverley Smith as Chair to the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. The Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales keeps under review the electoral arrangements for the 22 principal councils, including the number of councillors and wards in each council area. Beverley Smith has a strong background in public services and is an experienced chair and board member. Her most recent role was as Chief Executive of North West Leicestershire council. Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans said: “I am pleased to appoint Beverley…