Author: Rhys Gregory

Following discussion with all of its schools, Denbighshire County Council has taken the decision to close all of its primary schools, special schools and pupil referral units from Wednesday (December 16) for face to face learning. This follows the Welsh Government decision to move all secondary schools and colleges in Wales to online learning from Monday (December 14). Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “We have reluctantly taken the decision to close our primary schools for face to face learning early. Confirmed cases associated with Denbighshire schools continue to be in…

Wonderwool Wales, the award-winning show that celebrates all that’s great about wool and natural fibres, is planning to return in style in 2021. The two day event became a Covid-19 pandemic casualty when it had to be cancelled this spring. However, buoyed by support from the Wales Cultural Recovery Fund, the organisers are pressing ahead with plans to hold the 16th show on April 24 and 25 next year at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, subject to restrictions at the time. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the show attendance will be limited to 2,000 each day -…

Exciting plans for the redevelopment of a Canton community facility to deliver attractive, accessible older person’s housing and enhanced, sustainable community facilities for the area have been unveiled. Cardiff Council wants to hear the views of people living in Canton and Riverside about its proposal for major investment in a brand new community centre, new homes for older people, a new multi-use games area and community green space on the site of Canton Community Hall. The redevelopment of  the Leckwith Road site would create a new Community Living scheme – providing around 40 one and two-bedroom spacious and accessible flats…

An updated version of Wales’ covid control plan will be published next week, the First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. The plan sets out in detail how national measures will be introduced in a more uniform and predictable way, depending on a range of indicators, including the level of the virus in Wales and the risk of infection. Wales is currently at alert level three. The national measures were strengthened on December 4 in response to rapidly accelerating levels of coronavirus across Wales. What happens at alert level four? Alert Level four (Very High Risk) When at alert level four…

An updated version of Wales’ covid control plan will be published next week, the First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced. The plan sets out in detail how national measures will be introduced in a more uniform and predictable way, depending on a range of indicators, including the level of the virus in Wales and the risk of infection. It updates the approach to changing restrictions set out in Leading Wales out of the Coronavirus Pandemic andUnlocking Our Society and Economy. It will provide greater certainty for people and businesses about the restrictions, which are needed to protect people’s health and…

A new masterplan for Atlantic Wharf, which sets out how 30 acres of land will be redeveloped to help transform Cardiff Bay into a top-tier UK visitor attraction, has been revealed. Cardiff Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the draft plan on Thursday, December 17. If agreed a detailed consultation with the local community and local businesses will begin to ensure their views are heard. The new masterplan sets out a number of possible projects on a site which stretches from Cardiff’s County Hall to the Red Dragon Centre across to Lloyd George Avenue and down to the Flourish…

A Bangor University Zoology with Conservation alumnus will feature in a new Channel 4 documentary Scotland: My Life in the Wild this Saturday (12 December) at 6pm.   This one-off programme follows wildlife cameraman and Bangor alumnus Hamza Yassin as he endeavours to capture iconic species like red deer, pine martens, white-tailed sea eagles and puffins that live on his doorstep. The programme features the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the west coast of Scotland, which is one of the most spectacular wildlife locations on the planet.  Hamza graduated from Bangor with a BSc in Zoology with Conservation in 2011. His first opportunity as a presenter was on BBC’s The One Show as one of their…

The unsolved murder of a south Wales taxi driver is being reviewed in the hope that advances in forensic capabilities and changes in loyalties will bring about justice four decades later. Detectives at South Wales Police’s Specialist Crime Review Unit are once again examining the case of John ‘Jack’ Armstrong, a 58-year-old man who was found murdered in October 1979 after he collected a customer from Cardiff in his taxi. On October 5th, Jack, as he was known by family and friends, radioed in to confirm he’d collected the fare from a Fairwater pub, but was not heard from again.…

Festive travellers looking to use public transport over the Christmas and New Year period are advised to stay aware of last minute service changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traveline Cymru is urging members of the public to check the latest public transport travel information via its dedicated Christmas and New Year Travel Information page. The Welsh Government’s public transport information service will be updating its page and social channels with service changes as it becomes available. Traveline Cymru is also encouraging the public not to forget to adhere to current Welsh Government COVID-19 guidelines when making plans to travel.…

Work is underway on the final phase of the redevelopment of Dewi Sant Health Park in Pontypridd. The second phase of the work will continue to bring together a range of health and social services under one roof, including community dentistry, mental health and substance misuse services and a newly refurbished diagnostic radiology suite. The work follows the successful completion of phase one of the development which saw a GP surgery move into the building, alongside services including Sexual Health, the @Home service, and third sector organisations who run workshops and courses from the health park’s Primary Care Resource Centre.…