Author: Rhys Gregory

An exhibition and meet the author event are planned this summer to mark the 75th anniversary of the publication of the first of the Railway Series books written by the Rev. W. V. Awdry, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine. The Narrow Gauge Railway Museum at Wharf Station, Tywyn in Mid Wales will host both events on Friday, August 28 when Pauline Hazelwood, author and illustrator of the Saddletank series of books, will be available to meet visitors. The museum contains a re-creation of part of the Rev. Awdry’s study, as a tribute to his contribution to Talyllyn Railway as…

In line with the latest instructions from the UK Government, Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), the not for profit enterprise running the  eight Better Leisure Centres on behalf of Cardiff City Council, will close its venues at the end of Friday 20th March 2020 until further notice. Rhys Jones, Better Cardiff Manager, said: “The health and well-being of both our staff and valued customers is paramount. We have a social responsibility to everyone in the local community to take action to protect ourselves and others, therefore we are closing all our centres until further notice.  This follows instruction from the UK…

THE Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has today outlined its work supporting businesses in South Wales affected by the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. The region is working with the Welsh and UK Governments to keep them updated on the current experiences of South Wales business, while working to ensure the region’s business are kept informed of the support available to them and how it can be accessed. The Covid-19 (coronavirus) disease has caused huge disruption to many businesses for the foreseeable future and with this comes the uncertainty of how they will cope. During this time, the CCR wants to ensure that…

Today Drew Jones, aged 16, of Waunceirch, Neath has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at Swansea Crown Court for the manslaughter of Mark Winchcombe in Neath Abbey on 1st September last year. Christine, the wife of Mark Winchcombe, has said his death has destroyed and changed her family’s lives forever. In a victim impact statement provided for the court she talks about the impact of Mark’s death which has also included her losing her home and business. She said: “Mark was a much loved man, he was always on hand to help anybody. That’s what Mark was doing on…

Today, Friday 20 March, the Welsh Government Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James AM, published a statement that set out how the Welsh Government and its partners will support people without a home during the coronavirus outbreak, and on its longer term commitment for a plan to end homelessness. The Welsh Government is making £10m available to councils in Wales to help them to take immediate and direct action to protect the homeless and rough sleepers in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Housing Minister Julie James has confirmed. The additional funding will enable local authorities to secure…

Friday might be the last day of school for most children in Wales, but children whom are vulnerable or have a parent identified as a key worker, provisions are being made to keep them in school. The Government is doing everything they can to keep people safe, but also to ensure the UK keeps on running. In a statement on Gov UK, a spokesperson has said: “The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading.” However,…

Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway is suspending trains until at least April 11 following Government advice about limiting the spread of Coronavirus. The railway has been working hard to get everything ready for the main season opening on April 4, including special cleaning, extra carriages to spread visitors out, limited catering and other protections for both staff and visitors. But Government advice about isolation, social distancing and avoiding unnecessary travel made it impossible to run a public train service, said a railway spokesman Individuals and groups with advance bookings for trains or events over Easter will have their tickets honoured…

First Cymru has announced the following service changes for the working week from Monday 23 March to ensure it sustains services for those needing to travel across the region. From Monday 23 March, for one week only: Swansea services will switch to a Saturday timetable during weekdays. This does not apply to Services 15 and 30 which will continue to operate their normal Mondays to Fridays timetable Swansea (University) Services 10 and 9 will be suspended until further notice All other depots (Port Talbot, Bridgend, Maesteg, Ammanford, Llanelli, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest) will operate a school holiday service The changes are…

In total, there have been 191 cases of Coronavirus and three deaths in Wales, with confirmed cases up 21 in the latest figures. Dr Giri Shankar, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: “The Chief Medical Officer has today confirmed the death of a third Welsh resident who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Public Health Wales offer our sincere condolences to family and friends affected by this loss. “The individual, who was in their seventies and had underlying health conditions, was being treated at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.…

Spartan Motor Factors Limited has been sold to MWR Sales, in a deal that safeguards 135 jobs at the firm in Newport. Richard Hawes and Matt Cowlishaw were appointed as joint administrators to Spartan Motor Factors Limited on 13 March 2020. Following the appointment, the business was successfully sold to MWR Sales Limited on 18 March 2020. The Company is a motor parts business operating a central hub in Newport and ten other branches across South Wales and the South West serving over 1,400 customers. The Company employs 135 across its network. MWR Sales Limited operates the motor factors and…