Author: Rhys Gregory

An area of Welsh woodland that provides a haven for native wildlife has been improved for its local community, thanks to a group of Welsh learners who teamed up with local activists to protect the ecosystem and create a thriving natural habitat.  There had been plans to build housing at the site of Tynant Woodlands and Common, which is designated as a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation), but a campaign by local residents has so far seen off the planning permission. In the meantime, local volunteers began to clean up the site and improve its biodiversity. After hearing…

On Thursday 2nd July, the Welsh Government announced that bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants could begin to re-open outdoors in Wales from July 13, if cases of coronavirus continue to fall. Now, after a full week of outdoor opening, hospitality businesses in Wales have thanked the Welsh public for their support and willingness to adapt to the ‘new normal’. In Cardiff, alternative events venue The DEPOT welcomed more than 3,500 people to its socially distanced ‘street food social’. Customers were booked into three-hour slots, given temperature tests on arrival, and could order street food and drinks straight to their tables…

A bakery boss is appealing to people to continue supporting village and corner shops which have provided a lifeline for families during the coronavirus crisis. According to Village Bakery managing director Robin Jones, local stores have “saved our bacon” after the lockdown restrictions were imposed and supermarket delivery slots were impossible to come by. As well as supplying major supermarkets across the UK, the Wrexham-based family firm supplies a network of independent retailers across North Wales and the borders. Among them is the community shop in Llanarmon-yn-Iȃl which is staffed mainly by volunteers. The admiration is a two-way street for…

A search has been launched for talented singers from across Wales who fantasise about performing with the musical idol. The top tenor Rhys , who hails from Porthmadog, is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in  dazzling duets on his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr (Singing with My Idol). Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV production company, Cwmni Da, by August 2. They are looking for nine people, aged from 10 to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which…

Detectives investigating a serious assault on a 21-year-old man are appealing for information on a machete used during the alleged attack. Officers were called to Harris Avenue, Rumney, at 3.25pm on Monday, April 13 following reports of a serious assault. The victim, who is from Tremorfa, suffered injuries believed to have been caused by a machete and a shot gun. He underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Wales but has since been discharged from hospital. In May, officers recovered two firearms on land near Harrowby Street in Butetown. Searches have been continuing for a machete and today detectives are appealing…

RCT has worked in partnership with Transport for Wales and Stagecoach to extend the ‘fflecsi’ pilot scheme to the 152 bus service between Tonypandy and Hendreforgan. Fflecsi allows people to request a demand-responsive bus to pick them up near home, work or shops for essential travel, rather than following a set timetable at fixed bus stops. Powered by technology from ViaVan, fflecsi was first launched by TfW and Newport Bus in May, replacing a number of scheduled local bus services in Newport and has received positive feedback in its first month of operation. It has also since been rolled out…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to consider plans for phase 1 of improvements being delivered as part of a £78 million investment through the 21st Century Schools and Colleges Band B programme. A report will be considered by Cabinet at a virtual meeting on 22nd July; if approved, the council will begin consultation on plans for the expansion of Trinity Fields School and Resource Centre, Ystrad Mynach, along with the relocation and expansion of Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon in Cwmcarn. Proposals for Trinity Fields, the only special school in the Caerphilly county borough, include building a new extension…

More homes and businesses are set to benefit from the Welsh Government’s rollout of fast fibre broadband in partnership with Openreach. The vast majority of homes and businesses in Wales – 95 per cent – already have access to superfast broadband, following the completion of Superfast Cymru. As part of a package of measures to reach the remaining premises, the Welsh Government has an agreement with Openreach which will now increase from 26,000 premises to 39,000.The extension will be funded by £30m from the Welsh Government and European Union, with additional investment from Openreach. The extension to the project will…

People will be asked to phone first before going to A&E as emergency services are remodeled to respond to coronavirus, Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today. The telephone triage service will direct to people to the right service for their condition or injury instead of everyone automatically seeking care at their local A&E department. The changes, which will be trialled at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, are modelled on a successful Scandinavian scheme, and are part of a new approach to delivering safe, person-centred health and care services. The emergency 999 service will not be affected by the changes.…

For people across Wales, these are challenging times. Only now are households no longer being asked to stay local. The coronavirus restrictions have put a lot of things into perspective – from the role of key workers to the leisure activities we once took for granted. But it is also a chance for many to take stock of their financial situation and manage their money more effectively. Keeping track of your finances is something that is a good habit to get to in ‘normal’ times. The recent lockdown restrictions, however, now make that point much louder and clearer. There are…