Author: Rhys Gregory

64 community projects across Wales are benefitting from new all-weather pitches, extended playing hours through floodlighting, and modern changing facilities designed to welcome underserved groups like women and girls, in a new boost for grassroots sport facilities by the Government. The projects across the country have been awarded funding through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2025/26, with more beneficiaries to be announced soon. These new or refurbished facilities will give families low-cost options to stay active on their doorstep, helping when many are facing cost-of-living pressures. It will also open up opportunities to underserved groups like women and girls.…

WORK has already started on the renovation of a substantial four-bedroom end of terrace South Wales valleys house but there is still plenty more work to be done. With large gardens and awesome views over the surrounding valley, the house is at 52, Belmont Terrace, is in the village of Brynithel, near bustling Abertillery. Olivia Williams, of Paul Fosh Auctions, says the Gwent house, listed with a guide price of £63,000, offers great potential for an enthusiastic new owner or developer. Olivia said: “This is a substantial, end of terrace four-bedroom property with large gardens and a garage all of…

A children’s book written by young carers in Bridgend County Borough has been republished to help raise awareness about the important roles that they play in looking after the needs of family members and relatives. Written and created by Bridgend Young Carers, ‘The Bear Who Struggled To Care’ highlights the challenges faced by children and young people who care for family members while also showcasing their strength, resilience and determination. Organised by Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with Awen Cultural Trust, the relaunch of the book saw children from local schools visiting Pencoed Library and Bridgend Library for two…

Three illegal dog breeders have been sentenced for unlawful dog breeding and animal cruelty last week at Cardiff Crown Court. Turan Kiran, 48, and Cetin Kiral, 34, were sentenced on January 21 following reports of the smell of a “dead body” coming from a property. When officers attended, they found 38 dogs living in extremely poor conditions, with a strong smell of urine and faeces throughout the premises. Kiran initially claimed that only 20 dogs were at the property but admitted he did not hold a dog breeders’ licence. The property was unfit for both human and animal habitation, and…

Registrations are now open for the 2026 Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K Run, returning on Sunday 10th May 2026 and set to build on the success of last year’s sold-out event. After a record-breaking year in 2025, which saw every place filled for the first time in the event’s history, runners are being encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot on the start line. The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K offers something for everyone, from experienced runners chasing a personal best to first-timers and families taking part in the 2K. With a buzzing race-day atmosphere and…

The company Director of Gurnos Pizza Grill Ltd, Unal Cetin, pleaded guilty to nine food hygiene offences at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on 21st January 2026. The nine breaches under the Food Hygiene (Wales) Regulations 2006, included poor management to control cross contamination risks, which can lead to food poisoning. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Environmental Health Officers conducted an unannounced food hygiene inspection of the business in January 2025, where poor standards of food hygiene were observed. Procedures to control cross contamination were inadequate, staff were not trained in food hygiene, and basic food safety management procedures were not…

A new £11m Farming Connect programme will be available for farmers in Wales to support them as they prepare to move to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme. The programme was announced by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies during a visit to Penllyn Estate Farm. The programme will be an integral part of the SFS and will support the implementation of the Scheme.  The key aims will be to assist farm businesses in increasing resilience and productivity by focusing on areas such as improving soil health, animal health and welfare, pest management, benchmarking and developing additional skills and knowledge on…

Motorists are advised to plan ahead before they travel on the A55 between junction 34 (Ewloe) and junction 35 (Dobshill Eastbound) as essential road maintenance takes place for four weeks from 22 February. A single carriageway lane closure will be in place weekdays (06:00 – 20:00) with full road closures limited to overnight on weekdays (20:00 – 06:00) and weekends (Friday 20:00 – Monday 6:00) on the eastbound carriageway. All closures will be signposted in advance with traffic diverted via the A494, A5117and A41 to rejoin the A55 at Junction 39. This work will include removing the worn-out surfacing, repairing…

South Wales Police are appealing for help to locate a teenage girl who has been reported missing in Cardiff. Lillie May has not been seen since around 6.45pm on Monday, January 26. She is described as being 5ft 6in tall with a large build. When last seen, Lillie May had her hair in a ponytail and was wearing a black coat over a grey tracksuit. Officers are growing concerned for her welfare and are urging anyone who may have seen her, or who has any information that could help locate her, to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to…

A man from Swansea who led a drug trafficking operation has been jailed. 22-year-old Abbas Al-Sulaimawi, from Waun Wen, was running the “Milly” drugs line, which was bulk texting to drug users offering the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Al-Sulaimawi often changed his drug line number to evade detection, but a joint effort by South Wales Police and Metropolitan Police resulted in the drug lines being attributed to him. Upon his arrest, Al-Sulaimawi was found to have the sim cards for two drug lines concealed within a waistband inside clothing found in his bedroom. He was also found to…