Author: Rhys Gregory

Work to transform two libraries into new wellbeing hubs in the northern part of the city will start in the New Year. Building on the success of the Council’s community hubs programme, the Council is committed to delivering wellbeing hubs in the northern part of the city, focusing on social wellbeing and active lifestyles, community engagement and independent living. Rhydypennau Library and Whitchurch Library will close at 7pm on Tuesday, January 7 to enable the work to take place and will reopen as community hubs in Summer 2020. Funding has been secured from the Welsh Government’s Museum, Archives and Libraries…

As the driver of this car faces spending Christmas in hospital, South Wales Police is appealing to a motorist who fled the scene of the collision, to do the right thing and come forward. Officers were called to a serious, three-vehicle collision on the B4265 near Fonmon in the Vale of Glamorgan, at approximately 4.40pm on Friday, December 6. The owner of this grey VW Polo sustained serious injuries. The father-of-one will now spend Christmas at the University Hospital of Wales, where he continues to undergo surgery . Two other vehicles were involved in the collision – a red Audi…

A Barry-based Mum surprised the cancer support staff who supported them during Christmas with a festive thank you, and the moving moment was captured on camera. With the help of Macmillan Cancer Support, Bethan Close arranged to drop in a thank you gift to unsuspecting Macmillan Information and Support Facilitator Sarah Davies, and tell her how much the support she gave meant to Bethan and her family. Mum-of-three Bethan found herself on statutory sick pay (SSP) after needing to be off work for close to a year following her non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in February 2018. Whilst Bethan’s employers were supportive…

Plans for what happens after the 31 December 2019 when Wales’ largest renewal programme officially comes to an end have been announced. These plans are an important step to support the small number of people who’ve yet to apply or receive their new-style cards. Over the past few months, Transport for Wales has been managing the reissue programme to replace all over 60s and disabled persons’ bus passes with new-style Concessionary Travel Cards before their expiry date at the end of December 2019. Chief Executive of Transport for Wales, James Price, said “We’d like to thank everyone who has…

A Caldicot man has been banned from keeping animals for five-years, after he left his dog suffering with chronic and severe skin disease over a prolonged period of time. Karl Mark Hobday, 49, of Newport Road in Caldicot, pleaded guilty to the Animal Welfare Act offence at Usk Way Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (17 December). He was banned from keeping animals for five-years, given a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £400 in costs and an £85 victim surcharge. The man’s failure to ensure urgent veterinary care for the dog led to the…

South Wales Police can confirm the sad passing of Luke Williams, 26, who was critically ill in hospital since being involved in an incident which occurred on Monday, December 16, 2019. He was pronounced deceased on Thursday evening (December 19) at Prince Charles Hospital. His family have said: “We are devastated by the loss of Luke and ask for privacy at this time while we come to terms with what has happened.” The South Wales Police Major Crime team is now liaising with his family, the Crown Prosecution Service and HM Coroner in respect of Luke’s death. Andrew John Davies,…

Black Friday, also known as Mad Friday is the last Friday before Christmas and traditionally the most popular night for office parties. As a result, it has gained a reputation as one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, pubs and the emergency services.

South Wales Police is appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Hirwaun yesterday evening (Friday, December 20). Just before 3pm, emergency services were called to the collision involving a red BMW and a grey Peugeot on Rhigos Road. An 84-year-old woman from Aberdare, who was driving the Peugeot, has died. Her family have been informed and are being supported by a specially-trained family liaison officer. The driver of the red BMW – a 25-year-old man from Hirwaun – has been arrested and is in police custody. Witnesses to the collision or anyone else with information which may…

As the nation eagerly awaits the return of Gavin and Stacey to our TV screens this Christmas, more than 100 men and women took to the road in festive fancy dress for a sponsored motorcycle ride on a scenic route from Llandow to Barry Island in aid of Help for Heroes. Staff and supporters from Vale Moto Training raised over £650 in the annual Charity Ride Out, which raised money for the military charity for the first time this year. Jo Davey runs the business with her husband Steve, and chose to hold the event in aid of Help for…

Staff at manufacturing giant Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) have donated over 100 gifts for three local charities in the lead up to Christmas. As part of its commitment to supporting the local community through charity work, staff at the Pencoed facility have been collecting gifts for Bridgend Foster Care, Calan DVS – a charity in Bridgend that support women and children effected by domestic abuse, and Llamau, who work to eradicate homelessness for young people and vulnerable women in Wales. At the beginning of the festive period, a Christmas tree was erected in the factory and decorated with…