Author: Rhys Gregory

University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) senior lecturer Dr Darrel Williams, is about to take on a 500km cycling challenge to raise funds and awareness of The Brain Tumour Charity The Charity is supporting his daughter Daisy, who has been diagnosed with a grade 2 Astrocytoma brain tumour. On June 12, Dr Darrel Williams from the University’s Centre for Childhood, Youth and Education, will cycle from Lloughor Castle to Carnarvon Castle and back in 24 hours. Daisy, who graduated from UWTSD with a first-class honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science last year, is a keen cyclist and her…

One of South Wales’ key furniture manufacturers has crowned its continued growth with being certified to international standards for quality and environmental sustainability. Recliners, a major employer in Pentre in the Rhondda valley, successfully passed an audit by Lloyd’s Register to be awarded ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification. For over 30 years their factory has designed, developed, manufactured and supplied bespoke electrical ‘Rise and Recline’ and manual furniture to the trade. ISO 9001 was in recognition of its quality management of its product lines while ISO 14001 saw the company demonstrate its commitment to environmental best practice, particularly in…

A trio of high-performing pupils from Buckley are looking to the future after being named the recipients of a school’s science prize. Elfed High School students Madi Ion, Lauren Brocklebank and Max Jones have been honoured for their academic performance with acknowledgment in the school’s annual Synthite science prize. The prize, sponsored by Mold-based chemical manufacturer Synthite, endorses exceptional efforts in scientific subjects of physics, chemistry and biology. The year 11 pupils were nominated by staff from the Buckley school off the back of their work ethic, attitude to learning and assessment performance, with the three now working towards their…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (UHB) is pleased to announce funding of £1.4 million from Welsh children’s cancer charity, LATCH, for the refurbishment of Rainbow Ward at the Children’s Hospital for Wales. Rainbow Ward is the lead centre for paediatric oncology in South and West Wales, caring for children and young people with cancer and leukaemia, aged from birth up to 13. It is an extremely important place, with specialist doctors, nurses and LATCH support workers building close relationships with children and their families spending long lengths of time on the unit, months at a time in many cases.…

The iconic Neath September Fair, which has been running for more than 700 years, has been cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision to cancel Neath Fair has, like many other major events around the UK, been taken early because of the significant preparation in advance that is necessary to stage these large events. Held in the town centre, the street fair usually starts on the second Tuesday of September each year. In more recent years it has incorporated a funfair in Milland Road Car Park operated by the Showman’s Guild. Traders from around the UK and…

Schools in Neath Port Talbot have been given fruit trees to help offset carbon emissions and to be used as a learning resource for pupils. The project was thought up by Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Council who teamed up with The Old School Nursery in Cwmtwrch to supply the trees. Just short of 100 fruit trees were donated to 31 primary and secondary schools across the county borough. Pupils from each school helped to plant the trees and will be responsible for the aftercare. Erin Sandison, Neath Port Talbot’s Youth Mayor and Youth Council member, said:  “As a Youth Council,…

Another historic Merthyr Tydfil pub is reopening after a spectacular transformation, thanks to support from the County Borough Council’s Regeneration Team and two national grants schemes. The Morlais Castle Inn, which has been closed for more than 20 years, will be offering residential accommodation, indoor and outdoor restaurants, live music and themed evenings for care home residents when it reopens at the weekend. The building has been bought and redeveloped by local company GTH Developments at a total cost of more than £500,000.  The company received an Urban Centre Living Grant of £250,000 from Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative, and…

Caerphilly County Borough is fast becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Wales. With a vast array of activities, attractions and accommodation venues, the borough offers an appealing and all-round extensive visitor experience. Whilst Cwmcarn Forest is one of the focal attractions for the area, there are plentiful new businesses emerging all over the borough. Morbitorium is a small oddities museum that has sprung up at the foot of Cwmcarn Forest, whilst Ty Coppi Adventures and Alpacas is a relatively new family run outdoor adventure business based in Blackwood. It offers activities from rock climbing and E-biking to gorge…

Cllr Carol Andrews, Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council and her daughter and Mayoral consort Megan are gearing up to ride one of the world’s fastest zip lines to raise money for her chosen charities. Carol’s fundraising plans have been impacted by the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, so she is urging as many people as possible to support the event and donate to her charitable causes. So, on June 12th, Carol and her daughter and consort Megan will be riding the Phoenix ride, the fastest seated zipline in the world at Zipworld, near Aberdare. Nestled in the Rhigos mountain range, and…

Imagine Bute Park being your office. Or spending your days in Parc Cefn Onn, Roath Park, or any one of the hundreds of parks and green spaces around Cardiff. It sounds like a dream, but for six people it could soon become reality, because Cardiff Council is currently looking for six apprentices to join its parks service, and in the words of one former apprentice, it could be “life-changing.” Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury said: “Since 2004, sixteen people have graduated from our parks apprenticeships and gone onto find permanent jobs working for Cardiff in some…