Author: Rhys Gregory

Marking the day that the National Trail was first opened by Lord Hunt, back in 1971, on Saturday 10 July, partner organisations and walking enthusiasts commemorated the path’s past 50 years with shared memories, walks, exhibitions and celebrations. Attending the official ceremony at the Offa’s Dyke Centre in Knighton, along with representatives from key organisations from both sides of the Wales-England border, Councillor Heulwen Hulme, Cabinet Member for Environment and Countryside Services, said, “Here in Powys we are fortunate to have the longest stretch of the Offa’s Dyke Path within our county boundary. “We are always happy to welcome the…

Six hundred youngsters have been bowled over by the fun of cricket this summer thanks to a series of festivals. In total 65 teams batted, bowled and fielded their way through 12 festivals held across the County. The Primary School Kwik Cricket Festivals, run by Sport Pembrokeshire/ Cricket Wales, were kindly support by Valero Pembroke Refinery and Chance to Shine, a national cricket charity. Pembrokeshire became the only Local Authority in Wales to run the Cricket festivals this year and events were held with a smaller number of teams per festival and following strict Covid-19 protocols. The festivals ranged from…

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and National Waterfront Museum are among cultural venues supporting this year’s Swansea Pride. Swansea Pride is a highlight of the city’s events calendar and would usually have culminated in a day of celebrations in the city centre on July 17 but due to coronavirus restrictions that is not possible this year. So organisers have gone online with a range of activities, exhibitions and events throughout this week at the Waterfront Museum. On Saturday evening Pride will be taking over the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery with a special online DJ set. The Guildhall will also be…

Port Talbot’s Princess Royal Theatre will be the first theatre in Wales to re-open in 2021 with a live event later this month when it stages the World Premiere of a new play about the life of Welsh working class martyr, Aberavon born Dic Penderyn. The play, Iniquity Camwedd, which runs from Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st July, is a community led production which has been written, performed, designed and constructed by the people of Neath Port Talbot. The project has been driven by the play’s director, local actor and writer Stuart Broad, who is a passionate supporter of those…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg’s Test, Trace and Protect Service is contacting people who visited the Eden Bar and Lounge in Bridgend on Saturday July 10 following positive coronavirus tests for several people who were at the premises that day. If you have been identified as a contact, the Test Trace and Protect team will be in touch shortly to provide you with further advice and guidance. Any customers who visited Eden on Market Street, Bridgend on that date and who is either already showing or developing symptoms such as a high temperature, persistent cough or change in their sense of taste…

Tenants in the private rented sector who have experienced financial hardship as a result of Covid-19 are now able to apply for a grant to help with rent arrears. Earlier this month Welsh Government announced a new £10 million grant to help people in private rented accommodation who are struggling to pay their rent because of the pandemic. The Tenancy Hardship Grant is designed to support people who have fallen behind on their rent by more than eight weeks between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021.  The grant is designed to help people stay in their homes and prevent…

Newport City Council is reminding off-licences and pubs of their duty to check the ages of people buying alcohol. They are also warning adults that it is an offence to buy alcohol, including beer, cider, liqueurs and alcopops, for anyone under the age of 18. Trading standards and licensing teams are issuing the advice following an increase in reports from residents about groups of young people drinking in the streets and other public places. A premises owner and the seller could be prosecuted if they make a sale to somebody under the age of 18. The owner also risks losing…

RCT Council has marked the start of the construction phase for £4.5m works at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr – which will introduce first-class facilities and a new childcare setting at the school. Cabinet Member Councillor Ann Crimmings, representing Councillor Joy Rosser, Cabinet Member for Education and Inclusion Services, visited the Cwmdare school on Wednesday, July 14, for a ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony to celebrate contractor Andrew Scott Ltd formally starting construction work at the beginning of the summer holidays. The scheme will increase Welsh Medium places at the school by 48 to 480. Full planning permission was granted by the Planning and…

The UK Government will undermine devolution if they establish freeports in Scotland and Wales without reaching agreement with devolved governments, according to Scottish and Welsh Ministers. Despite both devolved governments remaining committed to working with the UK Government, UK Ministers have signaled their intention to move forward without devolved consent and have failed to provide assurances they will not legislate in devolved areas. Scottish and Welsh Ministers will robustly challenge any attempt by the UK Government to legislate in devolved matters. Ministers are also seeking urgent clarity from the UK Government on joint decision making and funding allocations as UK…

The first meeting this Senedd term of the North Wales Cabinet Committee, which brings together all Ministers from the Welsh Government and Local Authority leaders, has taken place this week chaired by the Minister with responsibility for North Wales, Lesley Griffiths. The committee has committed to continue to work together on the region’s recovery and to collaborate on developments such as the North Wales metro and low carbon green energy. Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths said: “I’m very pleased to have chaired the first meeting of the North Wales Cabinet Committee this term.  It…