Author: Rhys Gregory

A man from Swansea has been jailed after he pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences against one victim, beginning when the victim was a child. His victim disclosed to a family member that 58-year-old Stephen Hindley had led a campaign of sexual assaults against them, between the ages of nine and 22. Offences were alleged to have taken place in Mayhill, Plasmarl and Manselton between the mid-Nineties and the mid-2000s. Hindley failed to appear at a hearing in connection with these offences in May 2013, and an arrest warrant was issued by the Courts. He then remained outstanding – using…

A 29-year-old man has been jailed for strangling his former partner. Sam Trommelen of Berwyn Street, Llangynog, Oswestry, attacked the victim while the pair were on holiday in Aberdyfi, Gwynedd in October last year. Following an altercation in their room after Trommelen accused the victim of cheating, he put his arm around her neck, restricting her from breathing. He eventually let go and she fled the property, but Trommelen followed and continued the altercation with the victim in the street. A local resident who witnessed the incident intervened and called the police, before offering sanctuary to the victim. As Trommelen…

ransport for Wales (TfW) has launched a new online brand shop, offering a unique collection of merchandise designed to celebrate the beauty of Wales while directly supporting the transport network. The shop offers a collection of items from drinkware and beautifully crafted prints to charming postcards and souvenirs – the perfect gift or personal keepsakes that capture the essence of travel across the network. Many items in TfW’s brand shop are made in Wales, allowing customers to support local businesses while taking home a piece of their journey. The concept for the shop emerged from numerous suggestions put forward by…

Denbighshire Council’s Nature for Health Team are launching a series of weekly Wellbeing Walks, designed to promote health, wellbeing, and community connection. These walks will take place across various locations in Denbighshire, offering residents a chance to enjoy nature, improve their wellbeing, and meet like-minded individuals. Nature for Health is a collaborative project funded by the UK Government, that engages with individuals and communities to promote the role access to nature can play in improving health and wellbeing. The programme welcomes people of all abilities to get involved with conservation and healthy outdoor lifestyle activities on your doorstep. Starting Tuesday,…

Urgent works to address structural issues at Greenhill School in Tenby have commenced and will proceed over the coming months. Naturally, the school has received correspondence from concerned parents and the Headteacher is responding to these concerns in a letter which went out to all parents/carers last week (2nd May 2025). Pembrokeshire Council is providing the necessary support to the school to ensure that the work is carried out safely and thoroughly, and is supportive of the Headteacher’s actions in ensuring that all parents/carers are kept fully appraised of the situation. It is anticipated that the work will continue throughout…

The huge investment in education facilities at Ysgol Afon Wen in Hawthorn is now fully-delivered, with the final phase of work completing the external areas of the brand new school development over the Easter holiday. The community has benefitted from a brand new school environment since September 2024, thanks to major joint funding from the Council and Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The 3-16 Ysgol Afon Wen newly-formed at the start of the current academic year, and welcomed all pupils from the former Hawthorn High and Hawthorn Primary schools, and the English Medium stream of Heol y Celyn…

A six-metre common swift tower has been installed at County Hall in Usk as part of the Gwent Green Grid Shared Prosperity Funding for enhancing Green Spaces. The tower, which includes bird boxes for up to 12 pairs of swifts, has been installed at the Incredible Edible community garden. The tower aims to support the local swift population, which is on the Red List of Conservation Concern, and to raise awareness of how Monmouthshire County Council is supporting nature recovery across the county. The tower will: Provide additional nesting spaces for swifts and other urban nature, to help address the…

Caerphilly Council’s youth service are working with schools and other organisations, to support young people aged 11-18, who are at risk of being not in education, employment or training or becoming homeless. Their preventative approach focuses on early identification of risk, and information sharing with agencies such as schools, colleges, Careers Wales and third sector organisations, to help young people build a positive future. John Poyner, the engagement and progression co-ordinator at Caerphilly youth service, brings together organisations to support around 400 young people. Their intervention includes tailored support to help young people transition smoothly into education, employment or training…

A group of leading experts in democracy, community engagement and policy development have been brought together to find new approaches to democratic participation across Wales. The Innovating Democracy Advisory Group, led by Dr Anwen Elias, will explore creative ways to strengthen citizen involvement beyond voting in elections. The Group was established by the Welsh Government in response to a recommendation from the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales which found that many Welsh citizens feel disconnected from decision-making processes that affect their lives. This Group aims to help address this through innovative approaches to civic education and participation…

From sports clubs to family centres offering vital support, 14 community settings across Wales will be given a new lease of life, thanks to a new £3m investment from the Welsh Government. The Community Facilities Programme grant helps transform spaces where people gather, learn new skills and access support when they need it most. Tumble Family Centre has received £300,000 from the fund to help give them a proper home after years of making do in a condemned portacabin and then temporary accommodation. The Family Centre supports children, families and young people in Tumble and the wider community within the…