Author: Rhys Gregory

Footfall counters installed on walking routes across Bridgend county borough indicate that up to three times as many people are using the local rights of way network as they did before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with some of the more popular routes seeing an increase of up to seven times more. Over the last year people have rediscovered what is on their doorstep, walking more and exercising locally. The top three most popular routes in the county borough are the Nant Brynglas Circular Walk, the River Ogmore and Merthyr Mawr Circular Walk, and the Miners Path in Pencoed.…

The redevelopment of the Canolfan at Cyfarthfa Park is progressing at pace, with work on the new café, decking and outdoor seating completed and ready for alfresco dining in the summer. The facelift – funded to the tune of around £900,000 as part of Welsh Government’s Valleys Regional Park ‘Discovery Gateways’ programme – is also providing a community meeting space, new toilets and changing rooms at the Splash Pad, a resurfaced play area and better access through the construction of new paths, steps and a footbridge. “We now have a full-service café in the perfect spot for people to pop…

A brief animated video has been produced by Caerphilly County Borough Council which aims to raise awareness of hidden homelessness and sofa surfing. The project has been produced by the Welsh Government funded HPAD (Homelessness, Prevention, Awareness, Diversion) team, that forms part of the Council’s Youth Service.  The team’s main focus is the prevention of youth homelessness. An educational pack has also been produced, to accompany the video, for use in schools and other youth settings.  Funding for the video has been provided by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership. As well as raising awareness locally and signposting young people…

With restrictions tentatively easing up and life returning to some kind of normality, people will be starting to use their cars more often whether this is driving to and from work, going to the gym, socialising, shopping and/or recreation. While it is fantastic that people are able to start doing these things once again, it is important to know that it is recommended that you check your vehicle over particularly if it has been sat unused for long periods of time. Why Car’s Need Checking Over With many people practically housebound for over a year, vehicle upkeep and maintenance is…

On 11 June 2021 the European Football Championships will officially begin, which for the first time will take place in different countries of the continent, ending on 11 July with the final at Wembley Stadium in London. All football lovers are anxiously awaiting for the kick-off of the tournament, as the European Championships have been postponed for a year due to the Covid-19 emergency. Bookmakers have been active for quite some time to offer bettors the best odds and markets on the tournament. Obviously, the most important odd concerns the national team that will win the tournament, but there are…

Caerphilly’s Innovation Centre for Enterprise (ICE), has created 213 job placements as the campus becomes the largest Kickstart gateway in the County Borough. ICE has enabled over 70 local businesses to access the UK Government scheme which is designed to support organisations with funded six-month work placements, as well as giving young people who are not in education or training, paid employment experience. Placements range from admin and care-worker support to social media and marketing positions. All placements are also supported with further training to help them with future employment opportunities. Employers originally had to be able to take on…

An award winning manufacturer of kids’ bikes is gearing up production to meet record global demand from their site at Mamhilad Park Estate, Pontypool. Frog Bikes was first established in 2013 by husband wife team Jerry and Shelley Lawson after a fruitless bike hunt for their own two children inspired them to leave their corporate careers and begin creating quality, lightweight and affordable kids’ bikes. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge issued a photograph of their youngest son Prince Louis on a Frog Bike to mark his 3rd birthday last week. The company now sells to over 1800 retailers and…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB has extended its COVID-19 vaccination reserve list to include people aged 25 and over. Until today, only people aged 35 and over could apply (35-49), but as the Health Board continues to vaccinate 40-49 year olds with their first dose, it can now invite others to be on standby should an appointment become available. The reserve list means that Cwm Taf Morgannwg can manage ‘no shows’ by offering appointments to those who can take them up at short notice, and ensure no vaccine goes to waste. You can apply online to be on the reserve list…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Engineering Projects Group are pleased to announce that the works to remediate Full moon footbridge’s damaged abutment has commenced on site this week. The works will be undertaken in two stages: Steel support structure to be installed to support the bridge  during the construction works. Construction of the abutment. The footpath and Cycle Route 47 will remain closed for the duration of the works. The works are expected to last approximately 13 weeks, completion circa mid July 2021. Pedestrians and cyclists should refrain using this route until the abutment has been repaired. Please accept our apologies for…

Neath Port Talbot Council is introducing an enhanced recycling service for businesses and larger complexes of flats. The service is part of the council’s strategy to increase recycling and will introduce wheeled bins for the collection of recycling to offer a better service for businesses and larger multiple occupancy properties. Up to now, businesses have had to make do with smaller receptacles used on domestic collections and may for instance have had to use a large number of household food bins to separate food waste.  The service change will also bring business recycling in Neath Port Talbot into line with…