Author: Rhys Gregory

UK Government’s Employment Minster Alison McGovern MP visited Blackwood Miner’s Institute last week for a roundtable discussion on welfare support. The event, hosted by Ruth Jones MP, coincides with the Government inviting feedback on its proposals to “Get Britain Working”, which include strengthening workers’ rights and overhauling Jobcentres, with a public consultation that runs until 30 June. Caerphilly Council’s Employment Support Team were part of the discussions as well as representatives from external organisations and their customers. The Employment Support Team uses the UK Government Shared Prosperty Fund and Welsh Government funding to deliver community-based employability support. The team aim…

Cyfarthfa Castle Museum and Art Gallery’s new arts prize, Cyfarthfa: Juxtaposed,opened this May. Launched as part of Cyfarthfa’s bicentenary celebrations, the exhibition features the work of 76 artists working in Wales, who have explored the existing collection artworks at Cyfarthfa Museum and Art Gallery and ‘juxtaposed’ a contemporary response. Cyfarthfa: Juxtaposed has been made possible thanks to support from the Cyfarthfa Foundation which is the charitable organisation championing the long-term development of Cyfarthfa Castle and Park at Merthyr Tydfil. A panel have judged the submissions with three winning pieces announced: for painting, Daniel Lazenby; photography was awarded to Konrad Gwozdz;…

One of the UK’s largest and most technically challenging road projects has officially opened, completing the £2bn Heads of the Valleys Road upgrade programme helping to deliver better transport and fix our roads. The final phase of the Welsh Government funded upgrade programme , which was designed to deliver prosperity to some of the most deprived areas in Wales, has already created 2,200 new jobs across the country with almost a half of those employed living in the local area and coming from a disadvantaged or long-term unemployed background. The £1.4bn Section 5&6 – Dowlais to Hirwaun final phase is…

Online raffle platforms are websites where participants can purchase tickets for low prices and stand to win big. Prizes include cash, trips, vouchers, or further raffle entries. These raffles are hosted on specialised websites that streamline ticket buying, promote the raffle, and notify winners.  Raffles are typically hosted by charities as fundraising events, but the world of raffles has changed significantly since scratchcards and community fundraisers. Today, raffles are also used by commercial entities for marketing, blurring the line between gaming, promotions, and gambling. Raffle websites use the latest technology to ensure a user-friendly experience, user privacy, secure payments, and…

In Wales, rugby is more than just a sport – it’s a powerful tool that can be used to connect  communities and improve people’s mental wellbeing. Whether you participate as a player or observe as a supporter, rugby has proven itself to be an effective avenue for dealing with the pressures that come with everyday life. And at a time where mental health issues are of a growing concern, rugby is beginning to play a significant role in helping individuals and communities thrive. With that being said, let’s take a look at a few of the ways rugby is having…

Two men who were caught dealing class A drugs in the Llandudno area have been jailed. Liam Coleman, 25, of Lon Cymru, Llandudno, and Daniel Thompson, 27 of no fixed abode, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court this week, Monday 9th June, after admitting to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine. Thompson was arrested in Colwyn Bay by officers in March 2022 in connection with unrelated matters when officers discovered he was in possession of cannabis and cocaine. He also had two phones which were seized. The phones belonged to Coleman and Thompson and included details of messages…

Businesses in Denbighshire are being urged to bid for a slice of a massive £1 million fund that’s just gone live. It’s a second helping of the Prosperous Denbighshire Business Fund being distributed by regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd and follows an initial fund worth £1.3 million that benefited almost 100 companies across the county. Now an extra £1 million is up for grabs in grants of up to £35,000 with the closing date for applications on Thursday, July 31. Smaller grants of up to £2,000 are also available and Cadwyn Clwyd are expecting a similarly high level of interest this…

An aid worker who survived a devastating missile attack in Ukraine says the donation of a fire engine to his charity by a North Wales business will save lives. Karol Swiacki, who is founder of Bournemouth-based charity Ukraine Relief, headed to Flintshire for the handover of the fully operational fire truck which has been donated by Port of Mostyn managing director Jim O’Toole. It was inherited by the Port of Mostyn when the company bought the adjoining 45-acre former Warwick International site as part of its expansion plan to build a new berth to cater for the next generation of…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of The Mountains Care Home in Powys. The Mountains Care Home is a converted property providing specialist nursing care for up 56 clients with dementia and mental illness, set in the beautiful countryside close to Brecon. Previously owned by Milkwood Care, The Mountains Care Home was brought to market as part of a strategic divestment, with the remainder of their portfolio being retained and located in England. Following a confidential and targeted sales process with Rob Kinsman from Christie & Co, the home has been sold to My Choice…

BUSINESS owners, politicians, third-sector groups, charities, council officers, health representatives and more came together to begin shaping a £20m strategy for a cherished seaside resort. Rhyl Neighbourhood Board held its first ‘thematic workshop’ at the town’s rugby club, uniting up to 40 leading figures and stakeholders to identify areas for investment and development over the coming decade. Among them were West Rhyl Young People’s Project, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Denbighshire County Council, Clwyd North MP Gill German and Vale of Clwyd MS Gareth Davies, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Willow Collective, DVSC (Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council), Rhyl City Strategy, FSB,…