Author: Rhys Gregory

Summer refurbishment work at Newport Stadium has been boosted by over £150,000 of grant funding. Newport City Council and Newport Live are working in partnership with Newport Harriers, Sport Wales and Welsh Athletics to deliver the refurbishment, which will see the installation of a new World Athletics specification throwing cage and new polymeric surfacing for the track and field areas in addition to works of cleaning, repairs and line marking, as well as the establishment of new external throwing cage and area to be used as a training facility. Councillor Deb Harvey, cabinet member for culture and leisure, said “the…

Libraries in the Caerphilly county borough are offering a new ‘Order and Collect’ service to residents. Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced the launch of the new initiative as part of its plans for the phased reopening of library services. From Monday 24th August, residents can request items of stock which they can collect at a convenient time from one of seven libraries operating the scheme. Since July the library service has been providing a LibraryLink Home Delivery service to eligible residents, including those shielding and those over the age of 70 who are unable to access to digital library…

Pride Cymru, Wales’ largest LGBT+ charity joins forces with a range of LGBT+ groups, businesses and performers ahead of its online Pride. The charity will be hosting its first-ever Big Online Week (24 – 30 August) to unite the LGBT+ community and raise awareness of the inequalities that remain. Throughout the week, the charity will stream a range of talks, events and performances on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. Gian Molinu, Chair at Pride Cymru, said: “Like many Prides across the UK, we have had to adapt our plans due to Coronavirus and we are bringing our event online.…

15-year-old girl has tragically died in a river incident in the Llanrumney area of Cardiff, despite best efforts of emergency service crews. Rescue teams including firefighters, paramedics and South Wales Police were called yesterday at 5.20pm to a report of a girl in the river in Ball Lane, Llanrumney. A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “We attended with a number of other emergency services and the police helicopter. “At about 6.40pm a 15-year-old girl was located and despite the best efforts of emergency services she sadly passed away.”

A fire has been reported ripping through the newly opened The Deck restaurant this evening (Friday 21 August). The former Pier 64 restaurant is located at Penarth Marina and is popular with diners looking to unwind with views of the bay. The popular bar and restaurant also boasts a floating jetty bar, which opened in August. South Wales Fire & Rescue teams are on scene and attempting to bring the fire under control. Plumes of smoke and flames can be seen pouring from the building. The Deck opened less than two weeks ago, following the closure of Pier 64 in January…

ODEON Cardiff at The Red Dragon Centre, Cardiff’s leading entertainment venue, will reopen from August 21, just in time for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated spy thriller Tenet. Following the success of 29 reopened ODEON UK & Ireland cinemas in July and August, the new phase of the UK’s largest cinema chain’s reopening sees a further 70 cinemas, including the venue at The Red Dragon Centre, open their doors ahead of the action-packed thriller’s release on August 26. Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet follows the journeys of its characters on their espionage mission to save the world. Its star-studded…

With a third of people over 65 falling every year, falls cost the NHS two billion pounds annually. And with the inactivity in older people that lockdown and shielding caused, it is feared that falls could pose an increased threat to life. Elderfit, a company specialising in exercise for the elderly, was established to combat the risk that falls pose to the older generation, and when lockdown struck they took all of their face to face classes in care homes and community centres online. Margaret Shanahan, 69 from Splott, Cardiff started Elderfit classes two years ago, following a recommendation from…

Meliden’s Y Shed – a community hub which provides space for up-and-coming businesses, artists, and crafters – had been open for just a few months when the Coronavirus pandemic forced it to temporarily close. The converted old railway building, home to independent businesses, a shop, and café attracted thousands of visitors in its first few months. The enforced closure was a blow for all at Y Shed, a project championed by charitable housing association Grŵp Cynefin and Meliden Residents Action group. Now, four months on, the Grade II listed building has opened its doors again, just in time for its…

Tenants of Family Housing, a housing association in South West Wales, are being given help getting online as part of an initiative that aims to tackle social isolation. The Get Online with Family scheme, which is funded with £4550 from The National Lottery Community Fund, is a direct response to the challenges faced by some tenants during lockdown. It is now more important than ever to be able to connect online, for everything from social to financial reasons – but some tenants remain isolated due to lack of knowledge and equipment. The scheme will provide equipment to get tenants online…

Artists and filmmakers throughout the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are being given the chance to create work to celebrate the beauty and character of the acclaimed landscape as part of the re-imagined Wye Valley River Festival taking place from September 21 – 27. Previously the biennial award-winning festival has worked with local communities to bring internationally acclaimed art, performances and events to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such as the Museum of the Moon event in 2018. However, the coronavirus pandemic has meant plans have evolved for 2020, with event organisers re-imagining the festival so that…