Author: Rhys Gregory

Do you love history? Would you love to learn more about your local area, study artefacts, get your hands dirty and learn real archaeologist’s skills? A new club for young people aged 8 -16 interested in archaeology is being launched for Neath Port Talbot on Saturday 19th February. Based at Neath Library, the club will provide an exciting opportunity to involve young people in archaeology, local history and heritage by creating fun ways to investigate the past. Sessions will encourage a greater understanding of archaeology and the chance to get a hands-on experience of real excavations, handle artefacts and discover…

omelessness charity Emmaus South Wales is working in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council and Kier to take over the ‘The Siding’ re-use shop at Maesteg’s community recycling centre. The Siding, in the Heol Ty Gwyn Industrial Estate, first opened in February 2020 and was operated by Wastesavers Charitable Trust before the pandemic forced it closed. Emmaus South Wales has taken over the operation and reopened The Siding on Monday 31 January 2022, offering a haven for bargain hunters and the opportunity for locals to ensure their unwanted items go to a good home rather than a skip. Visitors to…

Work will start on the new modular building to be constructed at Priory Church in Wales School site in Brecon. The building funded by a Welsh Government Flying Start capital grant of £820,000.00 will provide Flying Start childcare and Foundation Phase provision as well as a multi-agency office space for professionals to support families. Following a tender process R G Stones Modular buildings have been awarded the contract to carry out the building work on the site starting next month. The new building and outdoor space will provide high quality, free Flying Start childcare for two-year-olds and will also be…

Tonnes of MIGHTY recycling has been collected from across Rhondda Cynon Taf as residents once again prove they have got MIGHTY recycling powers! The Council is congratulating its residents on its fantastic recycling figures for December 2021! Residents across Rhondda Cynon Taf are some of the ‘mightiest’ in Wales and have had a very green Christmas, with more and more residents joining in the fight against waste! The amazing news is that overall black bag/wheelie bin waste has dropped by over 50 tonnes compared to last year – which means that our residents are thinking before they buy and reducing…

The third round of the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund has opened for applications as of Monday 31 January, with businesses and organisations who have not previously received support under the fund now eligible to apply, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, has confirmed. Earlier this month, the Deputy Minister announced a further £15.4 million would be made available to cultural organisations in Wales who continue to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Impacted sectors including music venues, heritage sites, event venues, suppliers and organisers, independent local museums, community and independent libraries, galleries and independent cinemas who…

New findings of a fungal-like pathogen known to affect a variety of tree species have been reported in Wales. Phytophthora pluvialis can affect a variety of tree species, including western hemlock, Douglas fir and several pine species. Following findings in the Dyfi Forest and in Crychan, Llandovery, new cases have been confirmed in Talybont-on-Usk, Mynydd Du and Radnor. A total of seven sites are now affected in Wales. A symptom guide has been prepared that provided more information on Phytophthora pluvialis . People are urged to report sightings via the TreeAlert online portal. Further cases in Wales will now be logged online and…

A trial that guarantees extra school sessions for learners in Wales is now underway, Education Minister and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles has announced. Over 1,800 learners will take part in the trial, benefitting from five hours of extra activity per week over a ten week period. The trial, which follows a government commitment to explore reform of the school day, is focused on supporting disadvantaged pupils and schools particularly affected during the pandemic. The plans draw on international models and proposals made by the Education Policy Institute. Teachers have decided how and what is delivered in each of the…

The Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment will be doubled to £200 as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt announced today. The £100 one-off payment, which was launched in December, is now being extended to support eligible households with rising energy bills and costs. It is part of the Welsh Government’s bespoke Household Support Fund, which is providing £51m of targeted support for families and the most vulnerable in society. Announcing the increased support for households, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Right across Wales, people are seeing their bills rise and wages are being stretched…

Booking a journey on a night train is a unique way to experience the beauty of the night sky, reconnect with a sense of peace, sleep, or just relax and read a magazine. Taking an overnight or “sleeper” train can be an exciting way to travel, and if you time your journey just right, you might be able to see the moon and some starry skies on your journey. Tip 1: Save money taking a night train There are quite a few benefits when it comes to travelling overnight. When weighed against flying the same route, night trains are a…

Choosing reliable tradespeople to work on your car can feel like a bit of a minefield. Choosing poorly can cost you both money and the health and safety of your vehicle. It is crucial that you do your research before selecting any tradesperson for any kind of work on your car. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can boost your chances of finding a reliable tradesperson. Thanks to the internet, we have a wide range of resources at our fingertips to help us find the right people and the best value. Here are some of our top tips to…