Author: Rhys Gregory

ALMOST 100 young women from schools across North Wales attended a major event at Coleg Cambria exploring careers in cyber security, AI and digital innovation – more than double the number who attended last year. Year 9 and Year 10 learners gathered at the college’s Yale site in Wrexham for a day of hands-on workshops and industry talks designed to encourage more girls to pursue careers in technology. The event welcomed pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, The Maelor School, Ysgol Clywedog, St Joseph’s High School and Castell Alun High School in Wrexham, and Ysgol y Creuddyn in Penrhyn Bay.…

A new soft play area will be opening at Eastern Leisure Centre in Llanrumney, Cardiff this autumn. Work will begin on the new state-of-the-art facility on Monday 13 July – with the centre’s downstairs gym being closed in preparation for its relocation two days later to the upstairs gym and studio space. Consisting of multi-level slides, ball pits, climbing frames and sensory play space, the new attraction is being designed to keep children up to the age of ten active and well entertained. Operated by charitable social enterprise GLL on behalf of Cardiff City Council, Eastern Leisure Centre has a…

Techniquest is bringing back two of its most popular exhibits as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, alongside a host of new interactive experiences for visitors this summer. The Cardiff Bay science discovery centre is relaunching the much loved Mirror Maze and Head on a Plate exhibits after visitors voted for their return in an on site poll last year. The new versions are designed to give generations of former visitors the chance to relive childhood memories while introducing a new audience to two exhibits that helped make Techniquest a family favourite. Established in 1986 as the UK’s first purpose…

Pupils at Radnor Primary School turned pre-loved clothes into catwalk creations as part of an ‘Eco-Eisteddfod’ that has seen the school recognised at an event that celebrated the range and quality of climate action – from bike buses to gardening projects, litter picks and energy saving initiatives – being taken in schools all across Cardiff. Children at the school designed, created and modelled upcycled outfits in a fashion show to highlight the environmental impact of fast fashion and the importance of re-use. Fifteen teams took part in the activity, which used clothing donated by local pre-loved clothing boutique Déjà Vu.…

Thousands of athletes and spectators are set to descend on Swansea this weekend as IRONMAN 70.3 returns to the city on Sunday 12 July. Now in its fifth year, the event has become a firm favourite with competitors and residents alike, with this year’s race selling out quickly as participants prepare to travel from across the UK and beyond. The race will once again feature as part of the global IRONMAN Pro Series, with professional triathletes competing for valuable points and the chance to be crowned IRONMAN Pro Series Champions. Councillor Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Development at Swansea Council,…

Nearly 40 organisations across Pembrokeshire have secured funding through the community element of the county’s Second Home Council Tax, supporting projects that aim to improve local communities and wellbeing. The Enhancing Pembrokeshire scheme, which is funded through the second home premium, has distributed more than £5 million since it was introduced. Among the latest projects to benefit are Blue Horizons CIC, which will enhance its inclusive surf therapy programme, improvements to Clynderwen Playing Field, the Fishguard Folk Festival and Forget Me Not Chorus, a singing and wellbeing project for care homes. Funding has also been awarded to Poppit Sands Surf…

Blaenau Gwent Council has purchased the Gwent Shopping Centre in Tredegar as part of its long term regeneration plans for the town. The acquisition of the privately owned shopping centre has been fully funded through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme and the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The council said the purchase marks an important step in its ambitions to strengthen Tredegar’s town centre and build on wider regeneration work already underway. A programme of improvement works has already been put in place under the council’s ownership, while day to day management of the shopping centre will be carried…

Residents and businesses are being invited to find out more about plans for a new active travel bridge linking Llanfoist and Abergavenny at a public drop in event next week. The session will take place on Thursday 16 July between 11am and 1pm at the Balfour Beatty site on Merthyr Road, Llanfoist. Hosted by the Balfour Beatty project team, the event will give people the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the scheme and discuss what the project could mean for the local community. The team is encouraging anyone who lives nearby, travels through the area, uses the meadows,…

A major programme of investment is continuing at Cyfarthfa Castle and Park as work progresses to protect one of Wales’ most important heritage sites while improving the visitor experience. Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has provided an update on the wide range of improvement works currently underway, supported through funding from Cadw, the council, the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics fund and The Cyfarthfa Foundation. At Cyfarthfa Castle, essential roof repairs and drainage improvements are currently being carried out to help safeguard the historic building for future generations. The drainage works are expected to be completed within the next few months,…

Welsh Government along with other Governments from across the UK are asking for views on new rules aimed at making vaping products less attractive to children and young people. Data shows that over a quarter of 11–16 year olds in Wales have tried a vape and almost 7% are vaping weekly. Among 16-year-olds specifically, over 45% have tried a vape and weekly use is 16%. The plans being consulted on would require vaping and nicotine product packaging to be plain white, therefore banning colourful branding and imagery, and limit flavour names to single, recognised terms like ‘Apple’ — ending names…