Author: Rhys Gregory

The impact of Covid-19 and the local, national and international response has had a dramatic effect on all of our lives and will continue to do so long into the future.  But the seismic shift in the way we work has also brought about many positives. Vast numbers of us have continued to work from home since March, in line with government advice.  As a result we are all spending much more time and money in our local community. And even when restrictions do lift, the trend towards home working looks set to stay. Already this autumn the Institute of…

The Police and Crime Panel for South Wales has approved the appointment of Jeremy Vaughan as Chief Constable of South Wales Police.   The Panel endorsed a recommendation by Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael to appoint Mr Vaughan at a meeting earlier today.  The need to appoint a new Chief Constable followed the announcement that current Chief Constable Matt Jukes has accepted a role as Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police.  Mr Michael said: “I am certain and confident that we have the right person to lead South Wales Police and I am therefore delighted that the Police and Crime Panel has…

A South Wales college has received a national award in recognition of its outstanding work supporting young carers. Coleg y Cymoedd has been awarded the Carers Federation ‘Quality Standard in Carer Support’ (QSCS) accreditation which recognises organisations that have gone the extra mile to support carers. The achievement is the latest in a string of accolades received by the college for its work with young carers, adding to the bronze and silver Young Carers College awards it received from Rhondda Cynon Taf Young Carers’ Service earlier this year. Developed by carers for carers, the QSCS accreditation looks to reward organisations…

This year an army of experts awarded a record breaking 2,061 Green Flag Awards to the UK’s very best parks and green spaces. The scheme is now asking the public to vote for their favourites. You can find your nearest award-winning green space at www.greenflagaward.org. To vote for your favourite, simply find it on the winners map and click the vote button. Once you’ve voted, why not encourage others to get involved too. Voting closes 25 November, with the top 10 winning sites announced on 3 December. The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep…

With the generosity and support from HSBC UK and Welsh Government as headline sponsors the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s virtual Winter Fair will open it’s doors to festive shoppers for a 6 week period on Tuesday 10th November. With a variety of over 200 Royal Welsh Winter Fair tradestands signed up to the Christmas Fair it is surely something not to be missed in the lead up to this year’s festivities. Traders have taken up the opportunity to be a part of this years virtual Winter Fair and there will be many occasions to purchase items to make your Christmas…

Elfyn Evans has moved another step towards becoming the first Welsh driver ever to be crowned FIA World Rally Champion following the cancellation of this month’s Renties Ypres Rally Belgium. Belgium was due to host the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time but, following rising COVID-19 infections in the country, directions from regional government forced the organisers to cancel the season’s penultimate round. As a result, Evans will now enter next month’s season finale – to be staged at Monza in Italy (4-6 December) – holding a significant 14-point advantage over his closest rival, with a maximum 30 points still…

Congratulations have poured in from celebrities including Catherine Zeta Jones and Luke Evans, as well as from many businesses, for the winners of the Child of Wales Awards 2020. There are twelve categories of awards which recognise inspiring young people and organisations whom have demonstrated remarkable courage and achievements. The Child of Wales winners would normally be unveiled at a star-studded awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor. The event, originally scheduled for April, has twice been postponed due to COVID-19. The organisers now hope to run the event in April 2021, but they did not want to keep the children waiting any longer to celebrate their…

The adoption of well-loved beauty spot in Carmarthenshire has been given the green light thanks to an innovative partnership between Welsh Water & Llanelli Rural Council – the community adoption is the first of its kind in Wales. The partnership could attract 90k+ visitors a year by creating a hub for recreation, health and wellbeing at the Swiss Valley Reservoirs in Llanelli.   Initial plans include improvements in visitor infrastructure (car parking, toilets, footpaths and a pontoon) and biodiversity enhancements, working with local volunteers.  The aim is to reconnect people with water and our beautiful environment whilst protecting, conserving and enhancing…

Aberystwyth University is asking the public for their views about its music provision, as it looks to spread the benefits to the local community. The University’s musical contribution dates back to its early days in the 19th century. In 1895, Professors Anwyl and Ainsworth Davies composed the ‘College Song’ to celebrate St David’s Day. For well over a century, the University has provided a platform for performances at the Hen Goleg (Old College) on Aberystwyth seafront, which is now undergoing redevelopment. Along with the provision at the Arts Centre on its Penglais campus, it also offers music scholarships and a…

A Blackwood man has been sent to prison for 26 weeks after he was found guilty of torturing and mutilating a hedgehog. Richard Coyle, 54, of no fixed abode, appeared at Newport Magistrates’ Court for trial on Tuesday 3 November, to face two charges which he pleaded not guilty. The first offence – under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 – was that on  27 August in 2019, in the area of Highfield Way, Blackwood, he caused unnecessary suffering to a hedgehog by cutting its legs, by burning/singeing the animal and covering the hedgehog’s head and eyes with molten candle wax.…