Author: Rhys Gregory

The Llangollen and Corwen Railway will officially launch its 2025 Santa Specials on Saturday, 29 November with a festive celebration featuring live music, special guests and a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Platform 1 at Llangollen Station. Festivities begin at 9.30am, when the Llangollen Silver Band will perform before marching down the platform to the steam engine, which will already be positioned at the bottom of the platform ready for the ceremony. Their arrival will set the festive tone as the first Santa Special prepares for departure. At 9.45am, the band will be met at the locomotive by members of the…

Live facial recognition technology will be in use in Bridgend town centre on Friday November 28 as South Wales Police carry out a proactive operation to help locate suspects, wanted people and high risk missing individuals. The force confirmed that the deployment will be clearly signposted. The van and the zones where recognition is active will be marked so that members of the public know exactly where it is operating. Officers at the scene will also be available to explain how the technology works and why it is being used, and can offer demonstrations where possible. South Wales Police said…

A man from Neath Port Talbot has been jailed after sharing indecent images and videos of children online. 44-year-old Ian Anthony, from Penrhiwtyn, held online communications on multiple chat platforms, during which he demonstrated a sexual interest in children. Anthony pleaded guilty to three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child, three counts of distributing an indecent photo of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images involving an animal. He has been sentenced to 32 months in prison. Detective Constable Martin Charles said: “The material which Ian Anthony was sharing online was depraved and was…

A man who assaulted a taxi driver before stealing his phone has been jailed. Jordan Roberts, of Bryn Goleu, Southsea, Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on 25 November where he admitted to robbery. In March earlier this year Roberts was a passenger in a taxi near to Rose Hill in Wrexham when he suddenly attacked the taxi driver, punching him to the head and stealing his phone before running away. The 27-year-old was located and arrested later that same day. He was jailed for four years and two months. Detective Constable Harriet Simmons said: “This was a random attack…

All families in Swansea are now eligible for Flying Start funded childcare. This allows parents and carers to access high quality childcare for two and three-year-olds for up to 12.5 hours per week during term time only. Funded by Welsh Government and administered by Swansea Council, families can choose from a range of providers including school-based settings, private nurseries, cylchs and childminders. Progress has already been made through a phased approach and now all eligible aged children regardless of where they live in Swansea can benefit from the initiative. Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said: “Flying Start…

Gnoll Country Park was transformed into a hub of imagination and celebration earlier this month when pupils from Neath’s Alderman Davies Primary School joined storyteller Michael Harvey for a day of outdoor adventure, creative writing and cultural storytelling. Hosted by Neath Port Talbot Libraries and Gnoll Country Park, the event embraced the crisp autumn weather and the joy of learning in nature. The pupils explored storytelling in the open-air bringing tales to life in the park’s newest feature Cadair Y Gnoll, the Gnoll Throne. The Gnoll Throne was crafted by local sculptor Garry Turler using wood from the beloved Tree…

More than 400 young musicians took part in this year’s Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival. Musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day. Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “The atmosphere at this year’s Valero Secondary Music Festival was wonderfully supportive, allowing every pupil to shine. “It was a great example of the Music plan for Wales in action, with community, schools and Pembrokeshire Music Service working together to give young people outstanding musical opportunities. Our thanks go to Valero…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has shared a proposed new operating model for New Tredegar Leisure Centre, following the cabinet decision earlier this year and a detailed review of feedback from previous engagement with users, clubs and the local community. The preferred model aims to balance community access with the financial pressures facing the service and reflects usage patterns across the year. Under the proposal, the leisure centre would open: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 8pm throughout the year Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm to 8pm during the winter months when demand for club and community activity is highest…

A Swiss company is set to expand its manufacturing operations in Newport as part of a deal with a leading technology company in the aerospace and defence sector. Cicor Group has entered into a strategic supply agreement with a leading technology company active in the global aerospace and defence industry and has chosen to transfer a significant part of production to its site in Rogerstone, Newport. The initial five-year contract further strengthens Cicor’s market leadership in the European aerospace and defence industry and is expected to increase Cicor’s turnover by a mid-range double-digit million-pound amount. It will increase the proportion…

Further changes to the way 999 calls to the Welsh Ambulance Service are managed will come into force from Tuesday 2 December. These changes will enable the ambulance service to quickly identify and respond to people with a range of serious, time-sensitive conditions like suspected stroke and heart attacks, which need to be prioritised. New “Orange Now”, “Yellow Soon” and “Green Planned” categories will replace the existing Amber and Green categories. This builds on the “Purple Arrest” and “Red Emergency” categories, which were introduced in July for the most life-threatening calls. From Tuesday, when someone calls 999 in an emergency…