Author: Rhys Gregory

A Monmouth teacher is lacing up his boots for an exciting adventure in the world of football. Mr Lee Jones is taking up the role of House Parent in charge of player welfare and support at Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up. Mr Jones has been a Geography teacher at Monmouth School for Girls and has coached girls’ football and even golf for the past 10 years. He has had a huge impact at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, introducing girls’ football in the boarding community and golf, and having worked as a successful Houseparent in boarding, alongside…

On Thursday morning 10 June, pupils from Ysgol Gynradd Penrhyn-coch and Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig received an unexpected Zoom call all the way from Baku, capital city of Azerbaijan. The call was made from Ben Davies, Welsh professional footballer, who is currently located at a camp with the rest of the Welsh national football team in Baku, ahead of their Euro 2020 opener game against Switzerland on Saturday. After the initial shock of seeing the live image of Ben appear on the screen in front of them, Pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 of Ysgol Penrhyn-coch and Year 7 puplis…

To those unfamiliar with the sport, cricket can be a bewildering and convoluted game to follow. Not only do you have so many intricate rules, but a variety of formats that seem to change the whole complexion of the sport from match to match. This can make it a daunting challenge for anyone wanting to start watching or playing cricket, particularly without prior experience or understanding. So, read on for a brief rundown on what does and doesn’t change across each format of the game. What’s consistent across all formats? Firstly, it’s a good idea to focus on what doesn’t…

A new scheme to enable young carers in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to get the support and recognition they need has been launched this week (Thursday, June 10), during Carers Week. The Young Carers ID card is a national initiative to support young people who care for a family member or friend to receive more understanding about the role they play, especially from the professionals they come into contact with most often. The scheme will identify the young person carrying the card as a young carer, and help people like doctors, teachers and pharmacists to recognise them and support…

Neath Port Talbot Council cabinet members are being recommended to approve statutory publication of proposals to establish a new English-medium 3-11 school to replace Alltwen, Godre’rgraig and Llangiwg Primary schools. The proposed scheme, which would include the development of a learning, health and wellbeing community campus to include Cwmtawe Community School and Pontardawe Leisure Centre, as well as the primary school, will see £22m of investment at Parc Ynysderw. The site would feature a six-lane swimming pool with additional learner pool to enhance the health and wellbeing offer for 630 full-time pupils, 140 nursery pupils and the wider Swansea Valley…

Public consultation is about to begin on proposals that could see a new 26-turbine onshore wind farm developed on land between the Llynfi and Afan valleys. Called Y Bryn, the wind farm development is being proposed by the energy companies, Coriolis Energy and ESB. It would be split between two forestry blocks on land which is owned by Welsh Government and managed by Natural Resources Wales. As some of the development land lies within the boundaries of both Bridgend County Borough and Neath Port Talbot, public exhibitions have been arranged in both areas to help publicise the proposals: Monday 21…

With plans for creating new facilities at Cosy Corner in Porthcawl continuing to make progress, Bridgend County Borough Council has revealed an early concept which demonstrates how it hopes to invest more than £1.8m into the iconic seafront location. A funding application for £1m has been submitted to Visit Wales, and the council has agreed to match this with an additional £885,000. As the terms of the funding grant requires the council to provide community facilities while also creating fresh employment opportunities, the plans for Cosy Corner include an all-new stone and glass-clad building which will feature new premises suitable…

Three consecutive Sunday road closures are required in Pontypridd Town Centre to ensure the ongoing demolition of the former Bingo Hall can progress safely – with the first closure taking place this weekend (June 13). Contractor Walters began the demolition process for the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s Nightclub buildings in March, to enable the Council’s future redevelopment of the prominent town centre site after years of being derelict – much in the same way Llys Cadwyn has transformed the former Taff Vale site. Residents and town centre visitors will have noticed the good progress made, particularly in recent weeks,…

Work will begin to erect hoarding around the current bus station to safeguard the public as soon as it closes on Saturday night (12 June). The following morning the first buses will depart the new bus interchange at Swan Street, while the Victoria Street site will be made secure over the next three weeks to ensure its safety, in preparation for its future development. The Glebeland site (the former bus station site) has been identified as a signature project within the Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre ‘Placemaking’ Plan, a 15-year masterplan, and has been earmarked for mixed use – commercial and…

Hubs offering holistic support to people who need to self-isolate and to those hit hardest by the pandemic are being rolled out in a pilot scheme across five areas in North Wales. The Covid Support Hubs offer immediate support with lateral flow tests and help to self-isolate if necessary.  They also offer longer term assistance for people who might be struggling to buy food or pay rent, to access services, manage debt or with utility bills. The pilot scheme is part of Wales’s Test Trace Protect programme, offering an extended and longer-term ‘Protect’ offer in deprived communities in North Wales. …