Author: Rhys Gregory

At yesterday evening’s (Tuesday 12 October) special meeting of the Council to discuss applying for city status, councillors voted 21-10 against pressing ahead with the bid. Members were told in a chief officers’ report that a three-week survey run on the Council’s website and social media platforms resulted in a combined overall 42.56% (758 votes) of participants in favour and 57.44% (1,023 votes) against. The total number of votes cast was 1,781. Based on the population of Merthyr Tydfil being 59,100, just over 3% (3.01%) took part in the survey. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transformation and Commercialisation Cllr Geraint Thomas…

Enthusiastic social care and early years staff from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council are part of a national network of WeCare Ambassadors, championing the people working in the sector whilst encouraging others to consider a rewarding career in care. Ambassadors in Rhondda Cynon Taf started their social care careers in a wide variety of ways and love their roles and the difference they make in people’s lives daily. In Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ambassadors will work with schools and colleges to introduce students to the opportunities that are available in the sector and highlight the career paths available to those who want…

Registration for the Nos Galan 2021: The Virtual Challenge is closed, after a staggering 1,500 people from all walks of life secured their spots! Each successful applicant would have received a unique registration number, make sure you keep yours handy as it will be used to cross match against evidence you have completed the challenge. Similar to the 2020 event, there will be no separate race categories or minimum times needed. You simply complete 5k between December 1 and 31 2021. Walk it, run or jog it. Hit the tracks and trails of a country park or use the treadmill…

Pontypridd Remembrance Sunday Parade And Service takes place on Sunday, November 14. Organised by the Council, in conjunction with the Royal British Legion and Pontypridd Town Council, the public event is being held within the surroundings of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, which celebrates its centenary in 2023. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions now in place across Wales, the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf are once again able to attend the Pontypridd Remembrance Service and Parade after a very difficult 18 months due to the pandemic. Those attending are advised to make use of the hand sanitising stations around…

Greenway Primary School in Rumney has hosted a special tree planting ceremony to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Queen’s Green Canopy is a unique initiative which invites people across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”. As part of the scheme, 70 Celebration Trees are being gifted to primary schools in 69 cities across the UK with the aim of highlighting theeducational aspects of trees and the significance of giving young people access to nature. Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Mrs. Morfudd Meredith presented the tree, on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen,…

Bingo has grown in popularity during the last decade. Bingo used to be a game reserved for senior residents, but today it is enjoyed by individuals of all ages. This game has numerous advantages for players. It can be used to assist individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as well as to improve overall mental wellness. Along with this research finding, bingo promotes social interaction, which can result in increased physical health and wellness, among other benefits. Bingo’s popularity continues to rise because it is a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together for…

Following the successful launch of the Cardiff Business Club’s 2021/22 season, Andrew Davies, Chief Executive of the Kier Group, is set to headline the first live networking event on October 18 at Cardiff Hilton Hotel. The event, sponsored by Q5 Partners, will see Andrew address attendees about the construction industry today and overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, Brexit, and fuel shortages. Andrew was appointed as CEO of Kier Group plc in April 2019, prior to which he was CEO of Wates Group. This will be the first live speaker event for the Cardiff Business Club since March 2020, during which…

A recent survey carried out by Chambers Wales has revealed the attitudes of Welsh businesses to net zero commitments. Chambers Wales’ Quarterly Economic Survey is part of a British Chambers of Commerce UK-wide survey and the data gathered from responses is closely followed by governments, policymakers, the Bank of England and wider media. Over one hundred businesses took part in the independent survey of business sentiment to record the challenges and opportunities they encountered during the third quarter of the year, as well as their plans to achieve net zero. Net zero is an important facet to mitigate global warming…

A barn owl has been returned to the wild after spending an unexpected day at a Treorchy school. Ben Read – who teaches Year 3 pupils – was driving to work when he saw a bird crash land onto the kerb close to Treorchy Primary School on Tuesday (5 October). The owl was in clear need of help – so he carefully picked up the owl in a blanket, and took the bird into school before sounding the alarm to the RSPCA. RSPCA inspector Simon Evans arrived at the school, and took the owl to a local veterinary practice to…

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 57.1 in September, down from 58.0 in August, to signal a sharp expansion in output across the Welsh private sector. The rate of growth in business activity was the steepest of the 12 monitored UK areas, despite easing to a six-month low. Where an increase in output was noted, firms attributed this to a sustained rise in client demand. That said, raw material and labour shortages weighed on the overall…