Author: Rhys Gregory

Professor Chris Hopkins, Consultant Clinical Scientist and Clinical Director of the Assistive Technologies Innovation Centre (ATiC) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), has been elected as a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW), the nation’s foremost scholarly academy. The Fellowship recognises Professor Hopkins’ significant contributions to healthcare science, healthcare innovation, and academic leadership in Wales. Professor Hopkins is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and an Honorary Professor in both the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science at Swansea University. He is currently President Elect of the UK…

A man from the West Midlands has been jailed after he was found guilty of two counts of rape which were committed in Neath Port Talbot. 35-year-old Johnathan Sutton, from Walsall, pleaded not guilty to the offences, which took place in June and August 2021 in Cwmafan, at an address where Sutton was living at the time. However, he was found guilty at Swansea Crown Court, and has been sentenced this week. He has been handed an extended 18-year sentence for two counts of rape against two different victims. Detective Constable Gary Willis-Hill said: “Johnathan Sutton was clearly a dangerous…

Grassroots music venues in Cardiff have been awarded close to £200,000 through a grassroots venues fund established by Cardiff Council. The grants have enabled live music venues including Clwb Ifor Bach, Porters, Chapter Arts Centre, The New Moon, Paradise Garden, Acapela, Tiny Rebel and The Canopi to make improvements and buy essential new equipment. The funding forms part of the local authority’s Cardiff Music City work to protect and develop the city’s music sector which has also seen a new talent development scheme launched in the city’s schools, the launch of a new ‘Academi’ for young musicians, and the first ever Cardiff Music City Festival take…

The Welsh Government has announced the new Bills on the agenda for the final year of this Senedd term, focusing on laws that will deliver for the people of Wales. The Welsh Government is introducing four key Bills aimed at improving standards across Wales. These include: New measures to strengthen accountability for Senedd Members. A Bill that will require visitor accommodation to meet a relevant set of standards to help give visitors confidence in their safety and enhance the visitor experience, supporting tourism, a vital part of the Welsh economy. Legislation to ban greyhound racing. Consolidation Bills to simplify planning…

Two teens have been arrested following a fire in Port Talbot town centre. Officers investigating the fire, at Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in Station Road last Thursday evening, April 24, arrested the two teenagers on suspicion of arson. A 14-year-old boy from Sandfields, Neath Port Talbot, and a 15-year-old boy from Bryn, Neath Port Talbot, were arrested on suspicion of arson. The investigation is ongoing.

A UK Government Minister with responsibility for high streets and growth supported a £20m vision to regenerate a popular seaside resort. Minister of State for Building Safety, Fire and Local Growth Alex Norris MP met with Rhyl Neighbourhood Board on Thursday, 24 April, the group tasked with developing a strategy that will enhance the coastal town, create employment, and improve infrastructure over the next decade. The Minister – whose portfolio includes local and regional growth, and high streets and Investment Zones – held a forum with Board members at the Youth Centre on East Parade. They highlighted priorities and challenges…

Farms based within the Gower National Landscape (formerly Gower AONB) are set to work with Swansea Council to help improve the region and boost biodiversity. The Council has received funding through the Welsh Government ‘Ffermio Bro’ programme – a national scheme that supports farming projects across Wales’ National Parks and National Landscapes, that make improvements for nature and the environment. The Ffermio Bro programme will operate over three years until 2028 across all designated landscapes in Wales and will benefit from an investment of £1.5million. In Swansea, a grant of more than £100,000 will be invested in the first year…

A new shop frontage grant scheme for commercial properties is being launched via the Street Enhancement Scheme within the 2025 Shared Prosperity Fund programme. This new grant scheme will run alongside the existing paint scheme which will be continuing. The new grant scheme is aimed at business premises in the town centre zones of Fishguard and Goodwick, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and Tenby. Eligible owners and tenants/leaseholders with written consent from the property owner can apply for a grant of 80 per cent, up to a maximum grant value of £24,999, towards to total expenditure of upgrading external…

A former tourist information centre (TIC) in Builth Wells is enjoying a new lease of life as a community hub, thanks to funding secured by Powys County Council. The council awarded £45,860 towards the cost of refurbishing the site on the Groe Car Park, to turn it into a well-being centre for Builth Wells Community Support, and other charities and voluntary groups, to use. The funding was provided as a Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, through its Transforming Towns programme, and has been used to: Create a new fully equipped kitchen area. Refurbish the toilet and create more suitable facilities for…

A series of changes, recommended by a group of independent experts in a milestone report designed to strengthen the NHS, are being taken forward by the Welsh Government. Health Secretary Jeremy Miles has accepted the 29 recommendations made by the Ministerial Advisory Group on NHS Performance and Productivity, which was set up in October to look at the effectiveness of current NHS Wales arrangements. The review, led by Sir David Sloman, focused on planned care, diagnostics, cancer performance and urgent and emergency care and considered ways to improve productivity and performance, including digital and data and improving regional working. The…