Author: Rhys Gregory

Two men have been handed significant prison sentences after they were involved in a Swansea robbery. 38-year-old Ceri Gibson, of no fixed abode, and 36-year-old Christopher Palmer, from Clase, Swansea, approached a 43-year-old man who was unknown to them on Page Lane. Both men then pulled the victim to the floor from behind, with one of them heard to ask him, “is it worth getting stabbed over?” as the other went through the victim’s pocket and removed his mobile phone. The victim then removed cash from his other pocket due to further threats made by the men that they were…

Twenty four illegal e-bikes and e-scooters have been taken off the road thanks to another joint operation with Cardiff Council. This takes the total number seized to more than two hundred since the summer. Officers and council staff worked together on Sunday (November 30) to continue tackling community concerns about mechanically propelled vehicles (MPVs) also known as illegal e-bikes and scooters. 24 MPVs were seized and there were four arrests. A man tried to run off after being stopped riding a MPV in Lamby Way. A 62-year-old man from Trowbridge was arrested on suspicion of possession of crack cocaine with…

Transport for Wales has taken another major step towards completing the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines, as the overhead wires across the Rhymney railway line are switched on. This major step in the electrification of the South Wales Metro network follows the completion of engineering work on the 25km stretch between Caerphilly and Rhymney. The final section along the Cardiff Bay line is due to be electrified in early 2026. Electrifying the upper Rhymney line enables TfW to introduce tri-mode trains (capable of running on electric, diesel, and battery power) replacing the last of the legacy diesel rolling stock currently operating…

Latest figures reveal that more than 25% of primary-aged children in Cardiff are missing out on free school meals, despite the Universal Free School Meals scheme being available to all primary-aged pupils in the city. With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the added pressures of the festive season, Cardiff Council is urging families to take advantage of the Universal Free School Meals scheme. Hot, nutritious school meals are much more than just food on a plate, they are a foundation for children’s health, learning, and wellbeing. Access to balanced meals every day, help children concentrate, learn and thrive. School meals…

The annual Together at Christmas event takes place at Brangwyn Hall on Tuesday 9 December, bringing festive cheer to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. There’s an open invitation to attend between noon and 3pm with a two-course Christmas dinner, entertainment and more wrap-around support services than ever. There will also be food and clothing banks, free haircuts, pet care advice and products, children’s books, hygiene products and much more. The free event, now in its ninth year, offers people who are lonely or isolated, people who are at risk of homelessness and anyone else who feels they need…

Pembrokeshire Library Service is informing customers that, due to unavoidable delays with the delivery of key items required for scheduled improvement works, the planned temporary closure of the Riverside Library, Gallery and Visitor Information in Haverfordwest, has been moved to January. As a result, the Riverside Library will remain open throughout December and will close at 1pm on Wednesday 24 December, for the Christmas break. The library will reopen as normal on Friday 2 January, and Saturday 3 January. To allow the outstanding works to be completed, the library will then close for a two-week period from Monday 5 January,…

A Caerphilly man who was caught red handed illegally collecting scrap metal in Beddau has been fined more than £1,100 by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s dedicated Licencing Officers caught Mr. Cole from Caerphilly, during a routine check they were carrying out on Hackney Carriage vehicles. Mr Cole was clearly seen collecting scrap metal in a white Ford tipper van in Commercial Street, Beddau. In 2013 the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to combat the rising problem of metal theft across the UK. The Act aims to regulate the scrap metal industry more effectively and…

All secondary school pupils will be able to access new education materials designed to help increase understanding about common women’s health conditions. The resources, which are launched this week by the Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, cover four key areas – menstrual health, endometriosis, pelvic health and menopause. The Women’s Health Network has worked with school nurses and learners across Wales to develop the materials. Girls and boys contributed to ensure they reflect the information young people need. Secondary schools will be able to adapt the resources to include their own branding. The materials work across multiple…

Landmark regulations that secure Wales’ climate commitments and enable the roll-out of the Sustainable Farming Scheme have been passed in the Senedd. Members have approved bold new regulations that reinforce climate action and transform agricultural support. Collectively, they mark a major step forward in Wales’ response to tackling the climate and nature emergencies and promoting sustainable land management and food production. The Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, described the moment as “historic for the Welsh environment”. Wales has already cut its emissions by more than a third since 1990. The new climate…

A package of support designed to help learners and families navigate the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system has been announced, following a review of ALN legislation, listening to families and learnt lessons from delivery across Wales. This includes a new ALN parent and carer toolkit, which has been published and developed collaboratively with parents, carers, and professionals. The toolkit provides a range of resources to explain how the ALN system works, outlines the support available for children, young people and parents, as well as setting out their rights under ALN legislation. The toolkit and all supporting materials are available in…