Author: Rhys Gregory

Police in Aberdare are appealing for information after gun shots were fired into an address in Windsor Street, Trecynon at approximately 9.30pm on Monday, 1st February, 2021. Officers are appealing for anybody who may have been in the area at the time, who may have seen or heard anything, to make contact. They have released an image of a white BMW which has been seized by police and is believed to have been involved in the incident. Detective Inspector Lianne Rees, said: “Thankfully, nobody was hurt during the incident. Crimes involving firearms are extremely rare here, and we appreciate this…

Tourism operators around Swansea are delighted that the area has been praised by one to the world’s most influential media organisations. The renowned New York Times (NYT) reports that South Wales is one of the globe’s must-visit destinations, with Gower attracting warm praise. Its story is being enjoyed online by people around the world – including Swansea business people who operate in the area’s Tourism sector. Welsh Government Alert Level Four restrictions mean that travel here is only allowed when essential. However, it is thought that the exposure will help Swansea lead the way in a post-Covid world. In the…

The Welsh Government have unveiled a £55 Million funding package for Councils to encourage people to take up healthier travel for short local journeys. The record funding boost represents an eleven-fold increase in the dedicated budget for investment in Active Travel in the last five years. “We want to make it easier for people to make everyday journeys in ways that benefits their help and the environment” Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, said. The 2021-22 budget has allocated more than £55m to be spent on active travel, an increase of £20m from last year – up from…

Schools are being encouraged to set up alumni schemes to link students with local role models in their area. The programme, which will be available to all school in Wales, will be intensively trialled in 10 schools across the Valleys Taskforce area. The idea of the scheme is to inspire comprehensive school students by linking them with former pupils who have gone to develop interesting, varied and successful careers; and to help them access advice and practical support. Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport and chair of the Valleys Taskforce, Lee Waters said: “Children attending private schools often have a…

Building work has started on a new community facility at the heart of a major Swansea regeneration site. The building next to St David’s Church – one of the city centre’s key historic landmarks – will provide replacement church hall facilities as well as a separate commercial unit, the uses of which could include a café. Construction is taking place close to Llys Dewi Sant, the church’s existing hall that is being removed as part of the Copr Bay transformation plans. The new St David’s Church Hall – with a public square, landscaping and cycle parking – will be around…

Every resident and staff member in older people’s care homes across Cardiff has received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Just 23 days after Cardiff and Vale University Health Board started their vaccination programme for care homes, a total of 3,485 employees and 1,609 residents received their first dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The Health Board’s Mobile Vaccination teams visited 123 homes across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to administer the vaccine for this priority cohort, in line with the guidance from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health and…

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, has written a letter to South Wales Police to thank all the emergency services, government partners and volunteers who responded to the recent flooding incident in Skewen. The letter said: “I wanted to write to personally thank members of the South Wales Strategic Coordination Group for the effective and joined-up emergency response following the mine blow-out incident and flooding at Skewen. “I had the opportunity to visit Skewen on Sunday and it was heartbreaking to see the devastating effect of the incident on the local community. “I am grateful for the immediate response…

The Pontypridd YMCA redevelopment continues to make progress on site towards completion later in 2021 – and the latest landmark, the removal of the tower crane, requires a road closure at Morgan Street this Sunday. The £4.48m refurbishment is being jointly delivered by the Council, Pontypridd YMCA, Artis Community and Arts Council of Wales – in order to revitalise the venue which has been at the heart of Pontypridd since 1910. Works to bring it back into use got underway in 2020, and the project will maintain the iconic Shelley Hall at the heart of the building and also provide…

For many Bridgend county borough residents, daily exercise has become an essential tool for helping them to cope with life during lockdown. Whether it’s a chance to escape home schooling for a while or to move around after sitting down at your desk all day, exercise offers physical, mental and emotional benefits. Welsh Government regulations state that you must take your outdoor exercise locally. It should start and finish from your home unless you have a specific mobility issue. You can leave home as often as you like to exercise alone, with members of your household or support bubble and/or…

Bridgend Indoor Market will reopen on Wednesday 10 February with essential retailers being able to resume trading. The market will be open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday, and five food traders are preparing to reopen. They include a bakery, butcher and delicatessen, as well as fruit and veg, and health food stalls. A one-way system will be in place with two-metre markings on the floor to help ensure social distancing and hand sanitiser stations available. Councillor Charles Smith, Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “The reopening of the indoor market will allow essential retailers to begin trading…