Author: Rhys Gregory

Bridgend County Borough Council has approved capital funding bids for a host of improvements to community facilities across the area. As part of the council’s work in partnership with town and community councils to develop facilities which could otherwise be under threat due to budget pressures, a report was presented to Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday 6 April to outline the latest funding bids. The requests for funding from the Town & Community Council Capital Grant scheme 2021-22 and Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Fund included: A request for £25,675 from Brackla Community Council for essential repairs to Brackla Community…

Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board has confirmed that its mobile testing facility for residents who have symptoms of Covid-19 will stay in Pyle until Thursday 15 April. The drive-through facility at the Halo Swimming Pool on Marshfield Avenue in Pyle (CF33 6RP) is available from 9am-5pm. Booking is essential. A walk-through testing facility is also available daily between 8am-8pm at the Bowls Hall car park off Bridgend Life Centre (CF31 4AH). Booking for this facility is also essential. To book an appointment for either facility, visit the Welsh Government website or call 119. If you have hearing or speech…

Merthyr Tydfil community groups are being urged to apply for funding of up to £5,000 from two local grants schemes. The Ffos-y-fran Community Benefit Fund programme was established by the County Borough Council in collaboration with local mining company Merthyr (South Wales) Limited. It donates £1 for every ton of coal sold from the Ffos-y-fran land reclamation scheme, and since the site opened in 2007, more than £6m has been awarded to a wide range of groups and causes. The Ffos-y-fran Intermediate Grants Scheme awards grants of up to £5,000 twice a year, while the Small Grants Scheme of up…

Caerphilly council’s Cabinet has approved an exciting package of investment totalling over £40 million, to help transform schools across the Caerphilly county borough. The Cabinet met yesterday (Wednesday 7th April) to consider a number of key reports that sets out ambitious proposals for the next phase of the authority’s multi-million pound 21st Century Schools programme. First to gain approval were major plans to completely transform the future of two key school sites under Band B of the 21 Century Schools proposals: Trinity Fields Special School – £12.5 million expansion of the existing school and resource centre, including a new building…

Ten emerging technology companies have been selected to participate in the 2021 FinTech Innovation Lab New York, a 12-week program founded by Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and the Partnership Fund for New York City that helps early- and growth-stage enterprise tech companies accelerate product and business development through in-depth engagement with top financial services and venture capital executives. Among this year’s participants is Cardiff-based fintech Delio, which has been selected from more than 200 applications across the globe, helping financial institutions address key societal challenges and develop improved digital products for customers.  The Cardiff-based fintech company, which develops investment platforms for a…

We cannot deny the fact that we live in a world where stress or anxiety can’t be avoided, regardless of how hard we try. It seems like there’s always something that makes us struggle, affecting our lives, relationships, in one way or another. Still, most of us live caught up in the everyday routines and jobs, and we ignore our health completely. The reality is that we must consider our overall health, but unfortunately, we fail at doing so. This ignorance can lead us to severe health issues that often aren’t even noticeable, and it’s too late for any treatment.…

Ask someone about the Grand National and they’ll most likely state that there’s only one, the English one held at Aintree every year. What those people may not realise is that there are also Grand Nationals in the other constituent countries of the United Kingdom, including Wales. Before jumping into that, however, it is worth noting that as stated before, the most infamous Grand National takes place at Aintree and this year sees a tight pack when it comes to discussing the associated 2021 Grand National latest oddswhich can arguably mean that this year’s National may be one of the most competitive…

The history of gambling in casinos has faced its fair share of myths and misconceptions. These are highly deceivable for rookies, as well as professional gamblers at some point. The myths are associated with the gaming organization, the casino, and resort, and cheating the player off (especially money, as far as the myths go). Moreover, the evolution of gambling into a digital form set the stage for new myths to take form. However, some of the myths are easily recognized as false. Once you gamble at a casino for a while, facts are easily comprehendible as well. Nonetheless, some myths…

AN INSPIRING teenager battling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been awarded a prestigious national media prize. Coleg Cambria learner Faith Dodd, from Wrexham, was named BBC Wales Young Reporter of the Year. The 17 year-old, who is studying at the college’s Yale site, wrote 500 words about her OCD journey before capturing it on camera for a gripping short documentary. Filmed by Dad Matthew – himself a former pupil at Yale – the video has been watched more than 117,000 times on the BBC Wales Facebook page and had many more views on the channel’s website. A former pupil at…

Older people and their carers throughout Monmouthshire can now benefit from a new Age Cymru project called HOPE (Helping others participate and engage), which will provide independent advocacy support to people aged 50+ and their carers. So, if you’re an older person who is struggling to find information about what services are available, or who needs support to access services and entitlements, then one of HOPE’s independent Volunteer Advocates may be able to help. They can also listen to your views and help you understand your options so you can make better-informed decisions. HOPE has recruited and trained community-based volunteers…