Author: Rhys Gregory

Secondary schools in Denbighshire are to take extra precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases associated with schools, learners and staff will be undertaking further measures to help control the spread of the virus. This includes continuing to encourage pupils and staff to take twice weekly LFD tests to help identify and isolate asymptomatic cases and the wearing of face coverings by secondary school pupils, staff and visitors in indoor communal areas outside of the classroom. Other arrangements include reducing close interactions between staff and learners such as physical distancing…

NFTS Cymru Wales in partnership with Creative Wales and BBC Cymru Wales, has marked the launch of its first slate of film and television courses with a Q&A event featuring special guest, acclaimed Welsh director Euros Lyn whose credits include Doctor Who, Sherlock and recent feature, Dream Horse. Based within Central Square, BBC Cymru Wales new broadcast centre in Cardiff, the Welsh hub of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) provides the gold standard of training it is renowned for globally to support emerging Welsh talent as well as strengthen skills development. For half a century, the NFTS has developed…

A new study by online savings platform BravoVoucher reveals the top countries with the savviest consumers as part of the Smart Shopper Index, a global ranking of the top countries where consumers are the savviest with their spending habits and their savings. Brits amongst least savvy consumers in the Smart Shopper Index The study analysed several consumer habits including household savings and debt, purchase consideration, overall spending relative to cost of living, and food spending relative to cost in all OECD countries for which data was available, and aggregated these in a points-based index to find out which countries have…

From September through to November, National Trust Cymru is excited to be welcoming some very special guests to the Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire. Recent years have seen increasing numbers of the Grey seal population breeding in and around the lagoon and spotting them is an exciting wildlife encounter that many visitors won’t forget. However, the combination of the Blue Lagoons high visitor numbers, and its sheltered nature which makes it so attractive to seals, creates a situation where there is a high potential for disturbance to seals. The time seals spend resting on land is vital to their health and that…

Pembrokeshire County Council’s ambitions to develop a new flagship heritage attraction project at Haverfordwest Castle have moved a step closer following the approval of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the site. Formally adopted by Cabinet, the CMP has undergone consultation with tourism and heritage professionals and the broader public. This plan is a key document that will guide the protection and enhancement of the site’s significance. Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said he was delighted the CMP had been approved. “Haverfordwest Castle is one of the County’s most under-utilised heritage assets despite…

New trees are now being planted at Swansea city centre’s first new park since Victorian times. When complete, the 1.1-acre coastal park at the city’s emerging new £135m Copr Bay phase one district will feature a selection of new trees, including cherries and pines. They’re among over 70 new trees being introduced as part of the district. New trees will also feature on the ramp leading to the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, along with six new elm trees on the central reserve close to Oystermouth Road’s junction with West Way. Water features and bug hotels will also be included…

Proposals worth £750m to further transform Swansea city centre and develop new homes and attractions along the coast and riverfront have taken a major step forward. Swansea Council has now appointed award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash as its preferred development partner for a number of key sites, including the Civic Centre, Swansea Central North and a plot of land running alongside the River Tawe in the St Thomas area of the city. Early ideas for each site have been proposed, which will now be worked up in more detail before plenty of opportunities for local people to give their feedback…

Two Cardiff men who illegally dumped waste in Newport were successfully prosecuted and ordered to pay £1,540 each at the city’s magistrates’ court. Bradley Robert Lynn, aged 23, of Splott, and Connor Anthony Leighton Williams, aged 28, of Trowbridge, both pleaded guilty to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. CCTV captured Lynn and Williams depositing controlled waste from an unregistered, untaxed commercial vehicle at the access to the former LG site in Coedkernew on two separate occasions. Newport City Council worked with Gwent Police Rural Crime Team and Fly Tipping Action Wales to bring the defendants to court.…

RCT has formally agreed £9m plans to provide Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn-y-Forwyn in Ferndale with a new school building – utilising a new site to deliver improved facilities and expand the local Welsh Medium primary offer. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, September 21, provided the latest progress update on the proposal. Throughout this year, several important landmarks have been achieved to deliver the new school by 2024 – including a public consultation (March to April) which showed local support for the project, and the publication of a Statutory Notice following Cabinet’s approval in June. The Statutory Notice allowed for…

A new app to support jobseekers and those looking to change careers in Cardiff to access real-time information and advice about the Council’s employability services is now available to download. The Into Work Cardiff mobile app provides information on the wide range of employment support services delivered by the Council’s Into Work Advice Services including job clubs, one to one mentoring projects, Adult Learning courses, training, employment event, help accessing funding and more, all at the user’s fingertips on their smartphone or tablet. Developed for Into Work Advice Services by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the app is built on TCS’ DigiGOV™…