Author: Rhys Gregory

Members of the public who are prepared for a stretch in police cells are being sought – but not as prisoners. More volunteer independent custody visitors are needed to check on the welfare of detainees to ensure they are being treated correctly and in line with regulations. North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has launched a recruitment drive to find more volunteers for the custody suite in St Asaph which serves force’s central area which includes Conwy and Denbighshire. According to Mr Jones, a former police inspector, it’s an important public service role and volunteer independent custody visitors…

The decision by world renowned contemporary artist Banksy to use a breeze block Port Talbot garage as the canvas for his latest outdoor masterpiece strengthens the steel town’s bid for a new National Gallery of Modern Welsh Art. [aoa id=”1″] That is the view of the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Councillor Rob Jones, who says the globally viewed, newly arrived piece of guerrilla art in Taibach makes Port Talbot the perfect place for a new Welsh modern art gallery. Plans are being drawn up for a possible new National Gallery of Contemporary Welsh art which is expected to…

Work on a brand new centre that will help transform education for some of Swansea’s most vulnerable young people will start this month. [aoa id=”1″] Swansea Council has awarded Dawnus Construction Ltd the contract to develop land at the Council’s Cockett House site which will provide a new base for the EOTAS (Education other than at School) service. The new teaching facility will replace existing and outdated pupil referral accommodation that is currently scattered at various locations across the city. Demolition  of buildings to the rear of the site will take place shortly and construction is scheduled to start in…

The Council will undertake site clearance work to enable an extension of the Llantrisant Community Route through Penygawsi and Cross Inn in the future. [aoa id=”1″] The Llantrisant Community Route is a popular path to the rear of Glamorgan Vale Retail Park, running from Cowbridge Road to the west and Westfield Court to the east. The near mile-long route opened in December 2017 and is being enjoyed as a shared walking and cycling path, running parallel to the A473 and spanning the Llantrisant Town and Talbot Green electoral wards. The Council intends to extend the popular route in the future,…

New research to ensure more Welsh livestock farmers could benefit from longer lasting, disease resistant red clovers is being undertaken at Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS). The three-year Welsh Government (WG) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funded project is looking at ways to improve protein production and utilisation on farms in Wales through improved forage crops. Professor Leif Skot, head of forage plant breeding at IBERS, is leading the project, whose partners are WG, ERDF, Germinal Holdings, HCC and Farming Connect. As part of the project, Professor Skot and his team are looking at…

The family of Craig Roberts, who died following a fatal road traffic collision on Water Street, Pontarddulais shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday 3rd January, pay tribute to his life. Craig Roberts, 35, was a family man who would do anything for anyone. Well known within the community for his devotion to his family and friends. Craig enjoyed nothing more than going for long walks or watching the latest boxing match. A devoted father to Kai, family was a big part of Craig’s life. Craig was a loving; partner to Ellisa; son to Julie and Gareth; step-son to Allan; brother to…

Portable projectors have been growing in popularity in recent years and the ViewSonic M1 projector is no exception. Like with all technology, the cost of buying a projector has fallen considerably, making this pretty cool technology far more affordable and accessible to the everyday user. Once confined to business users or first adopters, anyone can purchase a projector and have one in their own home. Introducing the rise of portable projectors – the ViewSonic M1. These light weight portable projectors are usually much smaller than their big brothers; they usually have a built-in battery, their bulb life is much shorter,…

Tony Jones, 27, and 45-year-old Peter Roberts, both of Briton Ferry, pleaded guilty to fraud last year, and were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court today (Friday, January 4). Jones was jailed for nine months and Roberts for 12 months. Police were first alerted to a possible fraud by the bank branch where the victim, a 67-year-old from Penllergaer – who died before Jones and Roberts pleaded guilty – had gone to withdraw cash in order to pay what had been demanded of him. The duo had demanded thousands of pounds as payment for work such as cleaning gutters and turfing…

A gym has recently opened at University Hospital Llandough to help those having treatment for breast cancer feel fitter, stronger and improve their confidence. On December 4, Cardiff and Vale Health Board Chief Executive Len Richards, and Chair, Maria Battle visited the McCarthy Suite at the Breast Centre in University Hospital Llandough to meet Victoria Collins, Senior Physiotherapist, Mr Sumit Goyal, Consultant Oncoplastic Surgeon and some breast cancer patients using the facility. The McCarthy Suite is a gym facility which was equipped with funds raised for the Breast Centre Appeal by Irene Hicks BCAv in memory of her three sons.…

Educ8 Group has acquired ISA Training Ltd for an undisclosed sum which sees the leading training and apprenticeship provider continue on its ambitious growth plans across Wales and England. [aoa id=”1″] Founded in 2003 by Chairman Colin Tucker, the business is headquartered in Ystrad Mynach and takes over Bridgend-based ISA Training with immediate effect. In the last financial year, Educ8 had a turnover of £7m and employed 125 staff across England and Wales. Established in 1998, ISA Training employs 60 members of staff and has a direct contract with Welsh Government for the provision of training services worth nearly £2m.…