Author: Rhys Gregory

Tartan is timeless. Instantly recognisable, it’s a pattern that appears to trend year on year – and it doesn’t have to be strictly limited to the festive period or Scottish clans! While most of us will think of bright, bold tartan, such as the quintessential red Stuart variant, you can find tartans in all manners of colour and design. When used in your home correctly, it can be warm and welcoming, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Whether you’re looking to make a real statement in your home, or after something a little more subtle to add a splash of…

Talyllyn  Railway ran a special slate train on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the announcement of the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The railway is named as part of the new World Heritage Site because it was the first Welsh narrow gauge slate railway to be designed for steam haulage from the outset and the world’s first preserved railway. Taking up the story of the special train, general manager Stuart Williams said: “When the agenda of the UNESCO meeting was published, it was realised that the announcement of success, or otherwise, of the Northwest Wales…

A fifth of adults under 40 in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot have still not had their first dose of a Covid vaccine. Director of Public Health, Dr Keith Reid, has branded the figure “concerning”. He is urging all eligible adults who remain unvaccinated to get their first dose as soon as possible. Drop-in sessions are ongoing and appointments are available. Out of 78,000 eligible adults under 40 in the Swansea Bay University Health Board area, around 16,000 or 20% remain unvaccinated. Dr Reid said: “The summer holidays give us all the much needed opportunity to catch up with family…

Community organisations across Ceredigion are invited to apply for up to £2,000 to develop projects which help bring communities together. The Mid and South West Wales Community Cohesion Small Grants Scheme encourage projects that can help people to enjoy and celebrate living in their communities and strengthen their sense of belonging. This could mean helping people to understand and enjoy each other’s cultures and traditions. It could involve new ways of working, developing materials which help bring people together and promote diversity and inclusion. Specific focus should be given to projects that consider the following areas: Commemorate/support events e.g. Hate…

Gwynedd Council and North Wales Police are once again working together to tackle problems associated with illegal and irresponsible parking. With an unprecedented number of people choosing to visit Gwynedd, irresponsible parking in some of the county’s major destinations is a cause for concern. Officers have been specifically targeting parking these areas to help keep the area safe for all road users. Councillor Gareth Griffith, Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Following the incredible weather at the start of the summer holidays along with travel restrictions meaning that people aren’t able to travel abroad, many Gwynedd communities are…

It is going to be a Summer of Fun for children and young people in Swansea with hundreds of free activities catering for a huge variety of interests are taking place during the school summer holidays. They include sports, play, community event, arts and crafts, skills such as computer coding and days the whole family can enjoy. Dozens of community groups and organisations across Swansea successfully applied for grant funding from Swansea Council and the Welsh Government to put on activities. The Summer of Fun programme along with information and contact details can now be found at www.swansea.gov.uk/summeroffun. Elliott King,…

Bus passengers using a new free travel scheme in Swansea can make their journey run smoothly by planning ahead. From Friday July 30, all bus travel in the city will be free to use thanks to financial support from Swansea Council, which has organised the free bus deal with local bus operators. The Council is funding the initiative to support families and boost retail, leisure and tourism as communities emerge from lockdown. It will also help reduce emissions and congestion by encouraging people onto buses rather than using their car every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday between now and August…

Adventure Cinema is bringing three exceptional films to the wonderful surroundings of Margam Country Park this summer. Bring a blanket or a camping chair to the large events area in front of gothic Margam Castle where the music themed movies can be viewed on a giant screen over three nights, August 28th, 29th and 30th. The films start just after sunset and there will be an on-site bar, hot food and snacks will be available and picnics are welcome. For those using public transport, the Margam Park bus stop is serviced by route X1. The three movies are: Saturday, August…

A resident has heaped praise on Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cleaner Streets Team after they helped clean up a split rubbish bag full of nappies. Barbara Phillips called on the council when her street in Brackla was left strewn with dirty nappies after a refuse bag containing the used products split. Keen to keep her street tidy, 83-year-old Barbara, swept up a number of the bags herself before a local authority team turned up to finish the job and remove the scattered nappies. Now, Barbara has heaped praise on Cleaner Streets team who responded so swiftly and has also thanked…

Work is officially underway to deliver new £12.1m school and community facilities at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydywaun – and the Council’s Cabinet Member for the Welsh Language has visited the site to mark the occasion. The Welsh Medium secondary school in Penywaun will receive their brand new facilities in time for the 2022/23 academic year – which will also increase the school’s capacity by 187 places. The Council secured a 65% contribution from Welsh Government’s 21stCentury Schools and Colleges Programme to deliver the work, which received planning permission during February 2021. Councillor Geraint Hopkins visited the school on Tuesday, July 27,…