Author: Rhys Gregory

As the UNESCO World Heritage Committee convenes in in Fuzhou, China and virtually  on-line for the first time in its history,  the decision on whether the bid for the slate landscape of north-west Wales  will be  awarded World Heritage Site Status will be made this week.  If accepted, the landscape will earn its place as the fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site in Wales. Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden recently  visited the National Slate Museum, and said: “We  now eagerly await the decision on whether the slate landscape of north west Wales will gain World Heritage Site Status.…

With three brand new play areas to discover, a pump track for bikes, woodland trail, steam train and signal box, plus acres of green space to picnic and play, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore, play and discover at Scolton Manor this summer. As well as the new eco-explorer village tucked in a lovely shady part of the woods, there’s a brand new ‘Scolton Express’ wooden play-train and pirate ship – not to mention the well-loved play area, Manor House, beautiful walled garden and Edie’s Tearoom, which serves delicious home-made cakes, lunches and other refreshments. “We’ve introduced several new…

Pembrokeshire County Council is launching a bespoke apprenticeship programme to boost the numbers of people entering the caring profession and provide local young people with high value work opportunities. The Council’s Social Services and Housing Directorate is to recruit up to eight apprentices through the programme in conjunction with Pembrokeshire College. The apprenticeships will benefit both the authority and the wider community by increasing the numbers of carers into the care workforce – an ongoing challenge across the UK – while also supporting the local community and young people through job opportunities in a highly rewarding career. This is especially…

Neath Port Talbot Council is considering a new culture and heritage strategy which could be used to attract funding for projects celebrating the county borough’s rich sporting, cultural and industrial history. In a report to Neath Port Talbot Council’s Education, Skills and Culture Cabinet Board on July 22nd , Council Chief Executive Karen Jones said: “Recent debates at cabinet have demonstrated the heritage of our place is something that is very important to elected members and residents. “However, to move this important area of work forward, it’s timely to consider developing a clearer sense of where heritage and culture is…

Four nights of live music, curated by Cardiff’s grassroots music venues, will take place at Cardiff Castle over the August bank holiday weekend, as part of a Cardiff Council plan developed with Cardiff Music Board, to support live music and put culture at the heart of the city’s recovery from Covid-19. Three acts will perform each night, and independent venues Clwb Ifor Bach, Porters, Fuel, and  The Moon, will curate the music, sell the tickets, retain all ticket income, and pay the musicians involved, providing much needed support for an industry that has been hit hard by the strict public…

Rhondda Cynon Taf swimmer Calum Jarvis is competing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, one of 27 Welsh athletes representing Team Great Britain. For 18 of the 27 competitors, Calum included, this will be their very first Olympic Games. The group of elite athletes will be aiming to emulate the achievements of the Welsh contingent in Rio five years ago. They won a record 10 medals – four of them gold. Calum, 29, of Ystrad, Rhondda, will be competing in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay, having become a key figure in British 4x200m relay teams over the past few years. Councillor Jill…

A care worker from Rhondda Cynon Taf is among the 12 extraordinary care workers recognised as Care Stars who shone brightly during the past 15 months in Wales. Conor O’Leary, a residential child care practitioner for Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, has been recognised for going above and beyond during the pandemic. When the children’s home Conor worked at lost half its staff overnight because they had to shield, Conor did not hesitate to move into the home for two weeks. Conor provided invaluable support and care and made a frightening time for the children in his care a…

Here’s all you need to know about the Maerdy Mountain Road summer work – including details about the road closure, bus arrangements, the need for the work and why it is being carried out now. RCT Council has previously given advanced notice of the A4233 road closure, between Monk Street in Aberdare and Station Road in Maerdy. It will close from 8am to 6pm from each Monday to Friday – between Monday, July 26, and Wednesday, September 1. An alternative route for motorists will be clearly signposted, and access will be maintained for emergency services. What work is being carried out this summer? This is part of the ongoing effort to mitigate structural issues on the mountainside, exacerbated by unprecedented weather in Storm Dennis, and…

Following the success of the first fflecsi pilot in Wales which launched in two areas of Newport last year (Rogerstone and St Julian’s), Transport for Wales, in partnership with Newport City Council and Newport Bus are undertaking a huge expansion of the fflecsiservice, meaning that a fleet of 9 small brand new buses will now serve the whole of Newport. This new service will complement and enhance the existing scheduled bus services and will launch this summer. The fflecsi buses will give many more people across Newport access to public transport, operating from 6.00am until 11.00pm (Monday – Saturday) enabling…

Having an older home means you’ve got a space that likely has some character to it. Perhaps you have some interesting architectural details, a traditional home layout and design, and even historical elements in the house. But just because you have an older home doesn’t mean it has to be used as your overall design concept. There are plenty of ways you can use modern décor and design in an older home to freshen it up and make the space feel customised and even luxurious. If you’re looking for décor and design tips or even some inspiration, these ideas are…