Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans to transform Merthyr Tydfil’s Cyfarthfa Castle into an international quality museum set in an expanded 100-hectare public park, could draw more than half a million visitors each year and “energise the Valleys Regional Park concept”, according to a report published today. The report says the plan would ‘open new chapters in Welsh tourism, community and cultural development and sustainability’ and ‘create an exemplar project to demonstrate the force and effectiveness of the agenda of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act’. The 20-year Cyfarthfa Plan is the result of 12-month’s work by a multi-disciplinary team led by the internationally renowned…

The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council has unveiled an ambitious draft budget for 2021/22 that will allow the authority to continue its journey of ‘improvement and transformation’ following the significant disruption of the past 12 months. The council’s Cabinet will discuss the draft budget report at its meeting on Wednesday (13th January) before final budget proposals are considered in February. Cllr Philippa Marsden, Leader of Council said, “The positive financial settlement announced by Welsh Government has allowed us to focus on the delivery of our key services, rather than making the type of cuts that local authorities have experienced…

The Welsh Government has today published a White Paper setting out its bold plans for a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, which will protect the health of the nation and defend our ecosystems from pollutants in our atmosphere, in law. It is currently estimated poor air quality contributes to a reduced life expectancy and death, tallying an equivalent of between 1,000 and 1,400 deaths in Wales each year. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states air pollution as the single largest environmental health risk, globally. A report on the pandemic’s impact on air quality from March – October 2020, which investigates the…

We are already halfway through the Championship season, and things are getting intense for the Welsh teams in the league standings. Swansea City and Cardiff City are the top teams from Wales and they have a good chance of coming back on the Premiership stage at the end of this season. But out of all the league’s teams, Norwich City have the best chances of returning to Premiership, with the best odds when it comes to betting on Championship matches. The Canaries did win the Championship two seasons ago, before finishing at the bottom of the table in the last…

Aberystwyth University has announced that it will offer accommodation fee refunds to students who have not returned to their university-owned accommodation in the town this year while teaching is solely online because of the pandemic. The announcement follows Welsh Government advice to students last Friday afternoon asking students to remain at home. Tim Woods, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching and Student Experience at Aberystwyth University said: “The change in Welsh Government guidance on Friday 8 January means that many of our students will not be taking up residence in University accommodation for the time being. “With this in mind, the University…

A leading supplier of human tissue and surgical equipment has appointed former Rugby Union player Nick Macleod to join its expanding team in South Wales. Former Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons’ fly-half Nick takes on the role of Sales and Marketing Specialist which will see him split his time working in the field supporting customers, and at the company’s headquarters building marketing campaigns, overseeing social media and product launches. Nick graduated from the University of Wales with a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent sixteen years playing professional rugby; representing both Wales and Barbarians at…

On 6 January 2021, at Aberystwyth Justice Centre the Magistrates passed sentence on Mr. Toby Holland of Maesgwyn, Blaenporth after he was found guilty in his absence of 10 charges relating to Animal Welfare and Animal By-Products offences. Following the trial on 3 February 2020, a court warrant was issued for Mr. Toby Holland’ arrest in connection with these offences, and he was arrested by Police in December 2020. The District Judge, in the trial held on 3 February 2020  heard that Animal Welfare Officers of the Public Protection team visited the farm on the 29 January 2019 and found…

The UK’s leading charity for adoptive families has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will extend the Adoption Support Fund for a further year, providing life changing support for adopters and their children. But Adoption UK warns that a long-term commitment is crucial. The Government committed £45m for the current financial year and has so far invested more than £200m in the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) since its introduction in 2015, benefitting 61,000 families. The budget for the next financial year has not yet been confirmed. Today’s announcement means thousands of adoptive families will continue to be offered a range of therapeutic support aimed at helping their children…

A free helpline has been launched to support people in Swansea over the age of 66 who may be missing out on extra income through unclaimed benefits. Government figures show that two in every five people who qualify for Pension Credit do not claim what they are entitled to and are on average missing out on £39-a-week. Swansea Council’s Welfare Rights Team has joined with partner organisations in the area to launch a campaign to raise awareness and increase take-up. It includes a free phone number 0800 112 4763 for people to call between 10am and 3pm Monday to Thursday…

Bridgend County Borough Council is seeking an operator for a new road train attraction in Porthcawl. Plans to establish the service, which will run between Sandy Bay and Rest Bay to connect the town centre with the seafront, were approved by the council in November. The seasonal service will normally be expected to operate from the end of March or the beginning of Easter until the end of September. Services outside this period will be at the discretion of the operator and subject to any necessary approvals. The operator will be responsible for providing the land train, all maintenance, repair,…