Author: Rhys Gregory

A new Mass Vaccination Centre (MVC) has opened in Swansea to increase the number of people being protected. Canolfan Gorseinon Centre, which is near Aldi on Millers Drive, Gorseinon, is the third MVC in the Swansea Bay University Health Board area, following Margam Orangery and Bay Field Hospital on Fabian Way. The initial focus of the new centre will be on vaccinating those in their late 70s in line with the Welsh Government’s ambition to protect all those in the top four vulnerable groups by the middle of next month. The centre will be open for a limited number of…

Emergency services remained overnight at the scene of a flooding incident in Skewen. A major incident was declared after at least eight streets, including Goshen Park, flooded and a large number of properties needed to be evacuated. Everyone who was evacuated has been found accommodation for tonight, estimated at around 80 residents. There have been no reported injuries and we ask people to continue to avoid the area. The cause of the flooding is being investigated and the water level will continue to be monitored. Chief Superintendent Andy Valentine, South Wales Police said, “Emergency services, Neath Port Talbot Council and other…

An exclusive documentary film celebrating Llanelli’s much-loved panto company, Friendship Theatre Group, will be broadcast later this month as part of Carmarthenshire Theatre’s programme of digital shows. ‘Oh yes it is! It’s the Friendship panto story’ will delve into the history of this remarkable local company which has been entertaining generations of local families with their annual pantomimes for almost three decades. Through a mix of cast and audience interviews alongside clips from archive footage, the film celebrates the memories and stories as recollected by those who’ve been bringing the magic of panto to the Llanelli stage for past 26…

The Welsh Government is providing a further £3 million for projects which support, improve and deliver the everyday goods and services we all use and need. The foundational economy describes the jobs at the heart of our local communities, across sectors such as care and health services, food, housing, energy, tourism, construction and retail. This part of the economy account for four jobs in every ten and £1 in every £3 spent. The Welsh Government’s is working to ensure that everybody has access to the basic essential goods and services within this part of the economy and that the people…

Key workers in Bridgend county borough are being reminded that if they or a member of their household is experiencing any of the symptoms of Covid-19, they can request a test at a community testing centre via a dedicated phone number. A wide group of occupations are classed as key workers, including: NHS and social care staff Council workers Teachers Prison staff Police, coastguard and fire and rescue service personnel Charity and volunteer workers Financial services Food and other key goods supply, including retail staff Funeral industry Justice and probation Private waste management Public service broadcasting Religious staff Armed Forces,…

Welsh Government has announced that it will award exam results for 2021 based on work students have completed over their course following further disruption to face-to-face learning caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Education Minister Kirsty Williams confirmed that learners studying for Qualifications Wales-approved GCSE, AS and A-levels this year will receive grades determined by their school or college and based on coursework and other evidence such as mock exams. The minister said: “The worsening situation with the pandemic has meant we have no choice but to revisit our approach to ensure wellbeing and public confidence in our qualifications system. “The…

The contract to build a new home for Fitzalan High School has been awarded to Kier, as thelatest scheme to be delivered under Cardiff’s £284m Band B, 21stCentury Schools and Education Programme progresses. Representing a£64.3m investment in the local community, the development will see the existing Fitzalan High School replaced with a new-build 10 form entry school, accommodating up to 1,500 students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form. The new school will offer comprehensive sports facilities including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and a new indoor swimming pool, replacing the current pool which is…

RCT Council will begin a scheme to upgrade the traffic signals on the A4119 near Tesco Talbot Green – with traffic management to be implemented on the last two Sundays in January and two weeks of work in February. The scheme will replace the traffic signals at this location on A4119 Talbot Road, to deliver a more efficient light sequence at the busy junction and improve traffic flow. The work will take place in and around the access road to the supermarket, utilising signposted lane closures and traffic management. The work, subject to fair weather, will take place at the…

Residents and road users are advised that St Albans Bridge in Blaenrhondda will undergo a planned closure next week, to complete further work as part of the scheme which saw the bridge successfully replaced last year. The Council reopened St Albans Bridge to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians during December 2020 with a brand new structure – having replaced the 1930s bridge which had reached the end of its design life. When the bridge reopened last month, the Council confirmed that contractor Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd would continue activity across the wider site – and would require a further closure of…

The County Borough Council’s longest-serving elected female member Cllr Lisa Mytton has also become the new Leader of Merthyr Tydfil CBC. At a Special Council meeting held on Wednesday (20 January), a unanimous decision was reached to appoint Cllr Mytton as Leader with immediate effect. Independent member for the Vaynor ward, Cllr Mytton was elected in 2008, became Mayor in 2012, and has been Cabinet Member for Learning for almost four years. Cllr Mytton left school at 16 and joined a YTS Youth Apprentice Scheme to work in a travel agent’s, soon becoming one of its youngest managers. Later returning to…