Author: Rhys Gregory

The RSPCA has renewed calls for local authorities to consider easing some locally-imposed rules on where dogs can be exercised to help dog walkers comply with lockdown rules and stop the spread of Covid-19. Many Councils across England and Wales have previously introduced Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), which often include strict rules on where dogs cannot be walked. There have long been fears that this can restrict suitable dog walking spots in some local communities. As England enters another national lockdown, and with Wales already under national Tier 4 restrictions, the RSPCA has renewed its calls for Councils to…

Cat owners in Flint have been warned to be vigilant following a suspected poisoning incident over the Christmas period. RSPCA Cymru was contacted by the owner of Gizmo – a black and white domestic shorthair cat – after it was thought that he had been poisoned by antifreeze just before Christmas in the Bryn Onnen area in Flint. The cat was taken to a local vet on Christmas Eve after he became unwell with the vet confirming acute renal failure. Sadly he deteriorated rapidly and was put to sleep by the vet to prevent any further suffering on Boxing Day.…

One of Swansea’s most historic buildings is to benefit from a £64,200 grant lifeline. The money has been awarded to Morriston Tabernacle to help it with the challenges of the pandemic. It will assist with the loss of income suffered as community groups have temporarily stopped meeting there. It will fund essential maintenance work on the building and the installation of broadband there. The grant was secured by Swansea Council officers working to make the Tabernacle a community focal point for future generations. It was awarded under the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund for the heritage sector. Robert Francis-Davies, the…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed new arrangements for mobile coronavirus testing facilities in Bridgend County Borough. A new mobile testing facility will open tomorrow (Thursday, January 7) in the Richard Price Centre in Llangeinor. This will be a walk-in site only and booking is not required. It will be open for a 7 day period, until January 13, between the hours of 9am and 4pm. The drive-through facility currently available at the site of the former Revlon / Cosi factory off Oakwood Drive in Maesteg will close at the end of tomorrow (Thursday, January 7). Instead, a…

Non-essential retail businesses occupying premises in Bridgend county borough that were forced to close due to alert level four restrictions can now apply for a grant from the Restrictions Business Fund. The Welsh Government launched the fund to support businesses that have been directly impacted by the additional restrictions put in place on 4 December to control the spread of Covid-19. Applications opened for hospitality firms before Christmas and are now open to other eligible businesses. The Non Domestic Rate Grant is available to businesses that occupy a business premises and are liable to pay business rates. It can be…

More than 500 applications have been received to bring empty homes back in to use through Welsh Government’s £10 million Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant Scheme, Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters has announced. Phase One of the initiative was launched a year ago by the Deputy Minister, and Chair of the Valleys Taskforce, after a successful roll-out across Rhondda Cynon Taf. The scheme is open to home owners across the extended Valleys Taskforce, which runs from Carmarthenshire in West Wales to Torfaen in East Wales. Its boundaries were also extended last year to include the Gwendraeth and…

The subject of administering drugs to animals is a very sensitive topic for many pet owners. This is a major issue as they seek the best way to ensure that their felines, canines, horses, exotic animals, or livestock are in the right shape mentally and physically. But beyond using the right drug, the dosage has to be appropriate. This is because it can be ineffective if it is too little, and can complicate things if it is too much. In this article, we will discuss factors revolving around how CBD oil should be administered on cats, dogs, and other animals.…

Cardiff residents are complaining of a build up of recycling bags on city streets as rubbish fails to be collected since Christmas. Every year there is inevitably an increase in recycling bags following the Christmas and New Year period as people unwrap gifts. However, this year in particular, there is an estimated 400 tonnes of additional recycling waste that has to be collected by refuse collectors. The additional waste is being blamed on more people shopping online. Earlier in December, the council said that gift wrapping would need to be bagged separately in black bags and not recycled due to…

STAFF from a Welsh care agency are offering their free expert advice to the elderly this winter (January 2021) on how to ensure they stay warm. ISS Healthcare in Cardiff says individuals over 65-years-old or with reduced mobility are the most vulnerable at this time of year. Neil Griffiths, Regional Manager at ISS Healthcare, which has offices at Springmeadow Business Park, said: “We want to keep the elderly and vulnerable of Wales warm this winter, so are offering our expert advice to anyone out there who might need it. We hope it will be helpful to them as we face…

South Wales Police is investigating a Fatal Road Traffic Collision, which occurred at about 3.45am this morning (6 January) on the westbound carriageway of the M4 motorway between junctions 30 and 32, Cardiff The incident involved a Renault articulated HGV and a male pedestrian. Sadly the man was declared deceased at scene and his family are being supported by a specially trained liaison officer. Officers wish to thank members of the public who assisted at scene and for their patience during the road closures. South Wales Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or…