Author: Rhys Gregory

Today, The National Lottery Community Fund announced that nearly £3 million has been awarded to communities in Wales to tackle climate change, thanks to National Lottery players. Two organisations in Wales have been awarded grants totalling £2,738,621 from The National Lottery Community Fund Climate Action Fund to enable their communities to tackle the climate crisis. The grants are among 14 grants across the UK totalling over £14 million which are the first that are awarded under the £100 million Climate Action Fund and are made possible thanks to National Lottery players.  North Wales Wildlife Trust receives £2,499,871 to bring together…

It’s been a season of highs and lows for Aaron Ramsey, with the midfielder enduring a mixed debut campaign in Serie A. The Welsh international signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus back in February 2019, and was expected to be a hit in the Italian top flight. However, despite arriving with a big reputation, he clocked up just 1,050 minutes last season, and rarely completed a full 90. However, at the beginning of August, Maurizio Sarri was dismissed and replaced by the stylish Andrea Pirlo. The former midfielder’s appointment could be good news for the Caerphilly-born star, who despite being linked with a return to the…

Domino’s, the nation’s best loved pizza, opened its new store on The Portway, Porthcawl, on 12 August, adding to the 25.5 million homes that are currently served in the UK and Ireland. Pizza fans in Porthcawl will be able to enjoy firm favourites, including the Pepperoni Passion and the Vegi Supreme. The store opening will give the community a welcome employment boost by serving up 40 local positions including customer service representatives, pizza chefs and delivery drivers. Gavin, Store Manager at Porthcawl Domino’s said: “We’re thrilled to have opened a new store in Porthcawl, allowing us to deliver our extraordinary menu…

Transport for Wales Rail Services have undertaken a recent structural review of the Cardiff Road bridge (over the main Rhymney rail line) in Caerphilly and requested an urgent emergency weight limit. A 7.5T weight limit is required to be imposed on the bridge in order to protect the structure and ensure the safety of both road and rail users. Transport for Wales urged the urgent change based on a robust Health & Safety assessment and Caerphilly as the Highway Authority will assist TfW in implementing the required traffic order amendments as a priority. The new weight limit restriction will come…

The Afro Brazilian percussion troop ‘Barracwda’ have found an alternative home for their rehearsal at the temporary outdoor courts in Bute Park near Blackweir changing rooms. Around 30 of the samba band’s members come together to mix funk, reggae and jungle music but were unable to rehearse and socialise indoors due to lockdown and the ongoing social distancing measures. The seven outdoor activity courts have been designed as part of a scheme to make use of outdoor areas that are not currently being used, providing a private space for group activities to continue in a safe environment. Since the launch…

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, today announced the launch of the Voluntary Services Recovery Fund (VSRF), which will replace the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund (VSEF) from Monday 17th August 2020. The VSEF, which has awarded almost £7.1million in emergency grant funding to voluntary organisations to date, closed on 7 August 2020 – but third sector organisations will still be able access funding to support the voluntary sector and continue to play a major part in Wales’ recovery efforts. Jane Hutt said: “We’ve been working closely with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) throughout the Covid-19 pandemic,…

If conditions remain stable over the next week, people will be able to see more of their family and friends as part of the next review of Wales’ coronavirus restrictions, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Fri 14thAugust). The intention is that from Saturday 22nd August: Up to four households will be able to join together to form a single extended household. A meal following a wedding, civil partnership or funeral will be allowed for up to 30 people indoors if social distancing can be maintained. However, the Welsh Government will not be making any changes to the rules on…

Individuals from the Ministry of Defence’s 1st Battalion The Rifles and Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Support Battalion have been recognised for their work managing testing units in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Mobile Testing Units (MTU’s) were deployed throughout the UK in response to COVID-19 under Operation Rescript. The MTU managed logistics in the community, delivering and collecting antigen tests from patients before they attended hospital, as well as supporting the Community Testing Units (CTU’s) and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board in a wide variety of other roles associated with the fight against COVID-19. Thanks to the hard…

A gifted learner from Aberdare is one step closer to his dream of designing the sustainable cities of the future after achieving top grades and securing his place at university. Armed with AAB grades in biology, chemistry and law, eighteen-year-old Scott Harris is set to head to Liverpool University in September to study Biological and Medical Sciences. The talented teenager, who is passionate about biodiversity, is hoping to pursue a career in biophilic architecture – a role which would see him design urban buildings that incorporate natural and sustainable elements such as green roof gardens, recycled rainwater, solar panels and…

Welsh Ambulance Service recently experienced its busiest day since New Year’s Day. The service dealt with 1,495 incidents across Wales on Wednesday, its most eventful day of the year so far second only to 01 January, when it had 1,593 incidents. Incidents for the period 06-12 August are up by 10% compared to the previous seven days (30 July-05 August), up by 18% compared to the same period last month (06-12 July) and by 11% on the same period last year (06-12 August 2019). On A-level results day and with the warm weather set to continue into the weekend, the…