Author: Rhys Gregory

Mimi Xu, from Sketty in Swansea, has today returned from Wimbledon having been selected as a wildcard choice for the girls’ singles and doubles events at the Junior Championships. At just 13 years old, Mimi is the youngest Welsh player to ever compete at the prestigious tournament. Mimi gained international recognition – and the enviable Wildcard selection – by beating the junior world number 48 and 14 at one of the International Tennis Federation-run warm up events in Roehampton. She’d also begun to make a name for herself earlier this year, by winning the U16 Doubles event at the British…

Film Hub Wales (FHW) has awarded £52,700 in National Lottery funding, through the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) Film Exhibition Fund, to 8 Welsh independent cinemas and film festivals as they reopen post Covid 19. For some this will be the first time the doors have opened since March 2020. Funds will be used to help bring the best UK and international films back to the big screen in Welsh communities. Exhibitors will support wellbeing and reduce isolation created by the pandemic, offering audiences affordable, accessible events both online and in the local cinemas they know and love. From missed movies strands, to neurodiverse Welsh animation, communities will play a key role in the shaping the return of cinema. At Theatr Gwaun in Fishguard, they have been busy making over both the film programme and the building, with the help of the community. Audiences can expect an updated space, including Martha’s café, along with brand-new activities for young visitors.…

A new ‘Sunday Brunch Social’ is coming to Canton’s popular Fresh & Wild farmer’s market. The market, which takes place every Sunday at The Boneyard on Papermill Road, brings together a collection of local producers and growers. It offers a more sustainable way for people to buy weekly staples like bread, eggs, meat, fruit & veg – all whilst ensuring money stays in the local economy and supports small businesses and local jobs. Starting from Sunday 18th July, the new ‘Sunday Brunch Social’ will see extra seating areas, hot food traders and ‘brunch specials’ added to the thriving market, to encourage visitors to linger and…

With stunning scenery around every bend, Mid Wales has some of the most scenic drives in the UK where visitors can take their time and enjoy the views. Many of the fantastic routes are set against panoramic and breathtaking backdrops. Here are a few suggestions to whet the appetite of motorists who love to explore places off the beaten track. Our scenic drives begin with Abergwesyn Pass from Llanwrtyd Wells – famous for bog snorkelling, the man versus horse race and the Alternative Olympic Games – to Tregaron. This single track runs through an almost brutally wild landscape of moors,…

Two pharmacies in Merthyr Tydfil are joining with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s vaccination programme in a pilot scheme to offer COVID-19 vaccines. Anyone over 40 will be able to walk-in to the two pharmacies, without an appointment, and receive their first dose. The two taking part are Beacons Pharmacy and Keir Hardie pharmacy (full details below).  They will be open for vaccines from tomorrow (Wednesday July 14) in a three-day pilot, so the clinics will run Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Walk-ins will be available from 9am until 5:30pm. Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB’s latest vaccination figures show 89% of…

St Peter’s R.C Primary School in Roath has been removed from special measures by Estyn, the Education Inspectorate for Wales. The decision comes after inspectors found that the school, with support from the local authority and the Central South Consortium, had made sufficient progress towards addressing recommendations, which Estyn made when it placed the school in special measures in December 2018. After its recent inspection, the school was found to be a safe and welcoming environment and through significant funding from parent groups and the local authority, it has benefitted from building improvements, helping to enhance learning and improve pupil…

Young people are full of praise for Swansea Council endeavours to help them find work. In the past seven months, the council has placed more than 40 unemployed people aged 16-24 into positions with local businesses and has secured more than 200 placement opportunities within the Swansea area. Their roles, under the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme, range from medical receptionist to graphic designer. Businesses taking them on range from construction firms to those in retail and hospitality. Natalie Davies, aged 24, began a Kickstart placement with UK-wide dance school Tiny Toes – with their head office in Gowerton, in March.…

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething visited Boulders Climbing Centre in Cardiff to see how the centre has used Welsh Government Economic Resilience Funding to find new ways of operating – and keeping visitors safe. Throughout the pandemic, the Welsh Government has made £2.5 billion available to support businesses across Wales, helping to protect in excess of 160,000 jobs that might otherwise have been lost.  Boulders Climbing Centre received funding from the third phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund which was specifically aimed at securing jobs and helping businesses develop. The funding has enabled Boulders to expand its offering to…

RCT Council’s contractor for the demolition of the former Bingo Hall and Angharad’s Nightclub buildings in Pontypridd requires a further two Sunday road closures – taking place in the Town Centre over the next two weekends. Having started the demolition in March, contractor Walters Ltd continues to make significant progress at the prominent site. The work will enable the area’s future redevelopment by the Council after years of being derelict – much in the same way Llys Cadwyn has transformed the old Taff Vale site. In order to safely make progress in recent weeks, the contractor required three consecutive all-day…

Newport City Council has successfully secured an £80,000 grant from the Wolfson Foundation to help fund the Transporter Bridge transformation project. The grant, secured from the Foundation under their ‘Heritage, Humanities, and the Arts’ programme, complements the previous £8.75m grant awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the £1.5m grant from Welsh government and the £1m capital funding that the council has also committed to the project. Cllr Debbie Harvey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism said: “I’m delighted to announce that we have secured this grant from the Wolfson Foundation. “We’re pleased that the Foundation recognised the cultural…