Author: Rhys Gregory

Located in the idyllic Gethin Park in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, BikePark Wales, the UK’s largest purpose-built bike park, is expanding to meet the growing popularity of the thrill-seeking sport. A team of seven dedicated trail builders have designed new routes for all weather conditions, with 40 trails now available including four new advanced trails, alongside a new option that is opening the sport up to a whole new audience – a stunning new five-kilometre-long beginners’ downhill trail. Ideal for bike riders looking for a first taste of off-road excitement, the new trail, nicknamed ‘Kermit’, delivers all the…

New research from FSB Wales has found that business confidence is building in Wales – and is rebounding at the highest rate across the UK. 57.5% of businesses in Wales expect their business performance will improve in the next three months compared to 50% in England and Scotland and 27% in Northern Ireland. 23% of Welsh businesses expect their business to get worse over the next 3 months. While still a worrying number, this is a significantly lower proportion than businesses in the UK who expect their business performance to get worse (32%). The net positive confidence rating in Wales…

As part of our Paths to Wellbeing project, we are looking to give communities across Wales the tools and training needed to identify and design new routes and enhance and upgrade existing ones, all with the support of a Paths to Wellbeing regional project officer. We will work together to help promote access to green spaces for members of your local community to enjoy. You can be a core part of this flagship project, gaining a vast range of new skills with expert support and guidance from Ramblers Cymru and partners! As well as enhancing the walking environment, we will…

Oriel Davies Gallery has been collaborating with young people from North Powys, artist Erin Hughes, Open Newtown and Andrew Evans Landscapes to create an inspirational large-scale drawing in the centre of Newtown. The drawing, named Landscape Lines, depicts a sun within a landscape and has been made using a pitch line marking machine. It can be found in the green space opposite the gallery (Gallery Green). Its design is inspired by the work of Criw Celf, a nationwide programme for young people interested in art and the creative industries. The aim of the drawing is to promote the positive benefits…

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has announced that the winner of the Norah Isaac Award for 2021 is Llŷr Griffiths, a BA Primary Education with QTS student from the Llandysul area. The Norah Isaac Memorial Award is awarded to the student who, in the University’s view, has contributed most to the Welsh life of the institution during the academic year. Norah Isaac was Principal Lecturer in Drama and Welsh at Trinity College Carmarthen for many years, where she inspired generations of students. She nurtured cohort after cohort of students to become skilled teachers and they in turn thanked…

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents of its plans to welcome visitors this summer. With a busy summer expected, the Council is working to manage the increase in visitors and has made a number of preparations. Additional car parking spaces have been created at Moel Famau and Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen, while extra countryside rangers are being deployed at beauty spots, including Loggerheads and Moel Famau country parks and Horseshoe Falls, to provide information, support for visitors and help deal with any issues. Extra street cleaning provision will be in place during the summer months focusing on busy areas in towns…

A trial project is making waves in the way the quality of bathing water is recorded and how that information is presented to those thinking of taking a dip. Launched during the baking hot weather and at the start of the school holidays, the project run by Pembrokeshire County Council aims to develop an information platform for local people, visitors and activity groups to detail the bathing quality away from Blue Flag beaches. As an Authority, Pembrokeshire County Council is very proud to have the most Blue Flag beaches in the whole of UK, and this is testament to the…

Swansea’s newest school has a striking new logo thanks to the talents of one of its students. Charlie Bowden drew inspiration from the trees at the site of the new Maes Derw which opened earlier this year. Maes Derw translates to Oakfield and Charlie used the fingerprints from fellow pupils to create the leaves on her tree design. She has been presented with a framed copy of her artwork and the logo has now been incorporated into a sign at the entrance to the building. Fellow Year 11 student Jaydn Hinder (pictured right) has also been recognised for his talents…

A planning application for the construction of a world class rail testing facility at the head of the Dulais and Tawe Valleys has been conditionally approved by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Planning Committee. The train, rail infrastructure and technology testing facility known as the Global Centre for Rail Excellence (GCRE), will provide a unique capability in the UK and Europe to support innovation in the UK and international rail industry, including the testing of cutting-edge, green technologies. The Welsh Government has been working in partnership with Neath Port Talbot and Powys councils to develop proposals for the GCRE, which will…

Congratulations to Herbert Thompson Primary School, honoured with the Thrive School of Excellence Award. This award recognises extraordinary schools which have had a positive impact on their learners and the wider community by putting emotional well-being high on the agenda. There has been a focus to prioritise children and young people’s mental health and well-being throughout the pandemic and Herbert Thompson iscreating an environment in which children’s emotional health and well-being thrives. Joanna Dunne, infant and juniors’ teacher and Thrive Leader, says: “The school has adopted specific Thrive strategies as part of everyday practice. These were introduced during our ‘5 to Thrive week’, where…