Author: Rhys Gregory

A South Wales charity that provides support for people impacted by homelessness has received a donation of £1,500 from the Amazon delivery station team in Port Talbot to help it continue to support the local community. Emmaus South Wales received the donation as part Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK. Emmaus South Wales, based in Bridgend, provides a home for as long as it’s needed and meaningful work for people who have experienced homelessness. The donation will be used to purchase lawnmowers and gardening equipment to help maintain Emmaus South Wales’ community house,…

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has announced the launch of its first-ever ‘Not Your Average Gardener’ awards, to find the best and most dedicated gardeners from Swansea and beyond. Dobbies is looking to reward gardeners from Swansea for their creativity and commitment to making the UK a brighter place through their gardens and is encouraging the public to get involved and nominate the talented people in their lives. Whether it’s a family member, friend, neighbour or even themselves, the competition is open to amateur gardeners across the country. Categories include Best Community Gardener, Best Mini Garden Makeover and…

On 27 November 2020, and 22 December 2020, the Crown Court heard an appeal by Mr. Dorian Wyn Jones, of Dorwan Kennels, Penrheol, Talsarn, relating to convictions for failing to comply with dog breeding license conditions. Mr. Dorian Wyn Jones had previously been convicted at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court of running a licenced dog breeding establishment far in access of the number allowed on his licence and that the dogs in his care were kept in overcrowded conditions. The Court heard evidence that Mr Dorian Wyn Jones had been granted a licence for 33 dogs. However, during a visit undertaken by…

Steam trains are set to return to the Banwy Valley from May 1, as the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway runs its first public services of 2021. The reopening of the Mid Wales tourist attraction, which remains subject to the continuing easing of Covid restrictions by the Welsh Government, follows five months of closure, during which the Llanfair line’s popular Christmas Santa Specials and February half-term services all fell victim to the lockdown. The line’s early-season timetable features a variety of one and two-hour return journeys, with new-for-2021 innovations including travelling first class, alongside returning favourites from previous seasons, such…

Residents aged 40 to 49 who are available to attend a Covid-19 vaccination appointment within one hour can now sign up for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s reserve list. Overwhelming demand and technical problems saw the form crash when it was first launched but it is now back up and running. A large number of people submitted their details before the form crashed but are invited to resubmit them as a precaution. The list has been set up due to a slight increase in the number of no-shows at community vaccination centres and will allow the health board to…

Work to repair, restore and extend Maesteg Town Hall continues to make good progress. The latest developments on the multi-million pound project include the laying of concrete for the new backstage platform lift, which will ensure better access for bigger sets and stage equipment. Previously, equipment had to be hauled up the main steps of the building and through the hall. It will also mean evenings won’t need to be cut short by stage crew having to remove sets and equipment through audience areas after the show. On the roof, the cupolas, which form part of a traditional ventilation system,…

Following the latest Welsh Government announcement, RCT Council can confirm that the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty will re-open on Saturday, May 1. The Lido suffered significant damage during Storm Dennis in February 2020, which brought widespread devastation to communities across Rhondda Cynon Taf during the worst flooding episodes in a generation.  This was quickly followed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the Council has continued work to repair and improve the hugely popular Lido over the last year, with works to the facility being completed last month. The Lido will open on weekends and bank holidays…

In response to Covid-19, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Home Office have put temporary measures in place to provide emergency DBS Check processing for specific roles. The measures enable people working in these roles to have Standard or Enhanced DBS Checks free of charge, as well as fast-track emergency checks of the adults’ and/or children’s barred list(s). Which roles are eligible for emergency DBS Checks? The emergency measures apply to healthcare and social care workers in England and Wales who are being recruited in relation to the provision of care and treatment of coronavirus. They also apply…

The Royal Ascot is one of the greatest horse racing events within the season calendar. You may have been one of the many who contemplate on getting into it themselves, yet actually do not know where to start. Within this short guide, we will provide to you the exact way to go about betting on the Royal Ascot, so you too can participate in this huge horse racing event, and hopefully enjoy the spoils of winning.  Currently, there are many Royal Ascot betting offers and free bets for new customers, so once you have picked up on how to actually…

Horse Racing provides a punter with many varying pursuits when it comes to the betting variety that you can access. Punters of all types can take the test and ante-up when opting for horse racing. If you are a high roller, or looking to casually bet, the best shot of making some winnings out of this past time, is by approaching horse race betting with a solid foundation, when it comes to your strategies. Many say that having strategies when betting on horses is a myth, but we are here to tell you that is simply not true. Betting systems…