Author: Rhys Gregory

A SCHOOLBOY will be having his cake and eating it after being the lucky winner of a spectacular chocolate dragon. Six-year-old pupil Thomas Povey’s name was drawn out of the hat to win the fundraising raffle at Ysgol Penygelli in Coedpoeth near Wrexham. The raffle for the dragon cake has helped breathe fire into the school’s fundraising drive to enhance its outdoor areas and buy new equipment, raising £188. The cake was baked and donated by Ann Chapman, manager of Pendine Park’s Bodlondeb care home in Wrexham, as a show of gratitude to school staff for all their hard work. She…

Swansea Council plans have been approved to save an historic former industrial building for future generations. The grade two listed Laboratory Building on the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site could have a new use – including that of a restaurant – if funding is secured to repair the dilapidated structure. Planning approval and listed building consent has now been granted. The council is now working to secure funding of around £2.5m to undertake the renovation. The new facility would stand next to a Penderyn Distillery attraction being developed now. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We…

Wales’ largest building society has hit a milestone, by raising £1 million for charities in Wales since 2014. The fundraising has supported seven different charities in Wales in the past seven years, including Mind Cymru, Cancer Research Wales, School of Hard Knocks, MS Society, Llamau and since 2019, the Society’s current charity partners Teenage Cancer Trust Cymru and Alzheimer’s Society Cymru. Over the years, colleagues across Principality have taken part in a variety of fundraising events, including half marathons, treks, cake sales, bucket collections and step challenges to raise vital funds, with the Society’s members donating across its 53 branches.…

As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, Flintshire County Council is encouraging residents to get out and explore some of the roads and sights less travelled in the region. Many popular spots for scenic walks and attractions have automatically been top of people’s lists as the weather improved and restrictions reduced. And Flintshire County Council is keen to ensure the public maintain social distancing and other covid regulations to stay safe. During peak periods, Wepre Park was so busy that the car park was closed to manage visitor numbers and maintain social distancing. Flintshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Planning, Environment…

On Saturday 29th May, SC2’s waterpark will be reopening its doors, just in time to welcome visitors to North Wales for the half term holiday. With restrictions now lifting, customers will be delighted to be reunited with their favourite flumes, slides and play equipment, but will notice a fantastic new look to the outdoor Splash Pad.  In addition, following customer feedback, the Splash Pad will now be available as a separate booking from the indoor park. There’s plenty to look forward to inside the Waterpark, with the launch of a new ice cream factory, Costa Coffee; and upgrades to poolside…

Welsh Seafood Week (May 31st to June 6th) is set to make a splash with the drive to put #WelshSeafood on the nation’s plates. Using the hashtags #BwydMôrCymru #WBMC2021 #WelshSeafood #WSW2021 fishers and those in the wider seafood sector will be encouraging people to seek out and celebrate Welsh produce. Helping raise awareness of Welsh Seafood Week are two projects dedicated to supporting and promoting Wales’ seafood industry. Port to Plate and the Wales Seafood Cluster will be highlighting ways consumers can buy and enjoy the abundant array of fish and shellfish from the Welsh coast. Different fish and shellfish…

AN AMBULANCE technician whose indigestion turned out to be incurable cancer will marry his fiancée next week after a fundraiser to pay for the big day reached seven times its goal. Dorian Williams, 44, was diagnosed with stomach cancer after he developed ‘unbearable’ pain for which he took himself to A&E while on a night shift as an Emergency Medical Technician in Swansea. Three weeks later and following a series of tests, doctors broke the news that the father-of-three had advanced stomach cancer which could not be cured. Dorian’s friends and colleagues have since raised more than £17,000 so that…

Residents and businesses have been praised for helping put things right after the disturbances in Mayhill and Waun Wen last week. Swansea Council is continuing to provide support for communities affected by the incident while the South Wales Police investigation into what happened goes on. Bethan McGregor, the council’s local area co-ordinator said she’s been really impressed by the way residents and businesses have rallied round since Thursday night. She said: “The response of the community has been amazing. “The scenes we saw on Thursday night are not representative of the area but the response that has followed is. “We…

Parents and carers of children attending West Park Primary in Porthcawl have been advised to remain alert following a number of positive Covid-19 tests at the school A letter has been sent to pupils’ homes advising parents and carers to monitor their children for any symptoms of coronavirus, and to book a test immediately if they develop a new, continuous cough, a high temperature or a change to their sense of smell or taste. As a result of the positive tests, online learning has been arranged for the affected pupils and some year groups are currently isolating. A new walk-in…

Since July 2020, the Supporting People team at Caerphilly Council have worked in partnership with Oakfield GP Surgery in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Cornerstone Support Services to set up an enhanced GP service in the Caerphilly County Borough for homeless individuals. Cornerstone and POBL are commissioned by Caerphilly Council’s Supporting People team who manage the Welsh Government Housing Support Grant. As a result of the work undertaken through this partnership, an enhanced GP service at Oakfield Street GP practice in Ystrad Mynach commenced in September last year. The service has highlighted the complex needs of vulnerable, homeless clients…