Author: Rhys Gregory

Visitors at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend will now be greeted by a unique street-art installation is unveiled in the centre today.  The graffiti-style artwork – created by local organisation Peaceful Progress – depicts the informal Welsh greeting “Shwmae” against a backdrop of autumnal colours, vibrant flower motifs and abstract wave pattern reflecting Ogmore by Sea and the Merthyr Mawr area. Welcoming visitors into the centre, the community-led mural will offer a fantastic background for creative selfies and other family-fun photo opportunities while celebrating the Welsh language and local heritage through an artistic medium.  Welsh-born and raised artist Bryce Davies, AKA Peaceful Progress, attributes his 20-year-long fascination with the rich history and culture Wales has to offer as an endless source of inspiration.   The work that Bryce typically produces focuses on creating large-scale murals that depict the true essence of Welsh culture. Driven by his own interest in Welsh ‘history and…

Lesley Pearse, creator of books such as ‘Liar’ and ‘You’ll Never See Me Again’ will be joining Powys County Council’s Library Service to discuss her latest bestseller ‘Suspects’. The event will take place online via Zoom, on Wednesday 20 October 2021 at 7:30pm and will be free to join. The council’s Portfolio Holder for Young People, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Rachel Powell, said: “It’s fantastic for our library service to be hosting events of this calibre and we are so proud to be involved. Having a bestselling author, of international repute, such as Lesley Pearse joining us will be a…

Pembrokeshire County Councillors have approved (Thursday, 14 October) and recognised the need for further significant investment in local schools. Councillors have backed proposals to invest £62.4m in the community of Milford Haven with the creation of new-build primary and secondary schools in the town through the use of the Welsh Government Mutual Investment Model (MIM). This decision recognises the educational need to provide the learners of Milford Haven with 21st Century School environments that will enhance the development of the Curriculum for Wales over the coming years and enable every learner, regardless of their background, to become the best they…

Installation of all gold-coloured panels surrounding Swansea Arena is now just about complete. Over 1,600 of the panels have been installed – each equipped with LED lights to enable the hosting of displays around the attraction. It’s another milestone for the £135m Copr Bay phase one district, which is being developed by Swansea Council and advised by development managers RivingtonHark. Construction of the district – led by Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd – will be complete this year, with the arena opening its doors in early 2022. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “This is another great milestone for our…

A project run by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Youth Service has supported more than 300 young people to help get access to either employment, full-time education or training. The project, known as Cam Nesa, worked specifically with young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who were disengaged from the job market and were not in employment, education or training (NEET). Youth Workers employed by the project provided tailored support for the young people such as helping them with job searching, CV writing, interview techniques and completing job applications. Plus, they would provide advice and guidance when needed, including…

The County Borough Council is giving its backing to the development of an anti-bullying campaign together with children and young people across Merthyr Tydfil. Having had an Anti-Bullying Strategy for schools in place since 2009, the Council’s Cabinet has reaffirmed its commitment to a county borough-wide ‘Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)’ programme where all schools have staff trained in PBS and annual refresher systems in place. The Cabinet also recently heard that seven local schools are taking part in the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Hate Crime in Schools project, which is funded through the Welsh Government European Transition Fund. The…

Ceri Dupree has been delighting audiences worldwide for almost 30 years and he is back with his fantastic show ‘A Star is Torn’. On Thursday 21st October Ceri Dupree will be back to Blackwood Miners’ impersonating our favourite stars. Over the years Dupree has impersonated almost every major female star, from Marilyn Monroe to Madonna, Shirley Bassey to Barbara Cartland, Tina Turner to the UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher! He has also given us The Queen of England, Jordan and his newest addition, Amy Winehouse! Dupree is certainly more than a comic in a frock, his singing, dancing, acting, impersonation…

RCT Council wishes to thank Pontypridd Football Club for successfully fundraising and purchasing a new lifesaving defibrillator for the benefit of the whole community. The donation was made possible after a prize draw was organised, with the top prize being Welsh international jersey, signed by the player that once wore it. Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services met Nigel Wheeler, Chair of Pontypridd FC, to thank him for the club’s fantastic fundraising efforts, which has secured the new wall-mounted defibrillator for the residents of the community of Pontypridd, as well as visitors to the area. Free defibrillator and CPR training courses are regularly organised by the Council at…

A new strategy, which aims to double the number of people who use buses in Cardiff, reduce congestion and improve air quality, is out now for public consultation. The eight-week consultation seeks views on Cardiff Council’s nine-point strategy to improve bus services in the city for both residents and commuters, including: Introducing cheaper fares; Working with Transport for Wales (TfW) to develop an integrated ticketing system which works with the Metro; Getting more low-emission buses on the road; Building infrastructure which will make bus travel easier and quicker; and Creating a better customer service. To fill in the short survey…

Professor Laura McAllister and Dr Rowan Williams will be co-chairs of an independent Constitutional Commission to consider Wales’ future. The Commission will develop options for fundamental reform of the constitutional structures of the UK in which Wales remains an integral part, and will also consider all progressive options to strengthen Welsh democracy. Dr Williams and Professor McAllister will lead the Commission in making recommendations on how Wales’ constitutional settlement can best improve outcomes for the people of Wales. It will aim to engage with the public for a national conversation about the future of Wales. The establishment of an independent…