Author: Rhys Gregory

The Summer Reading Challenge is back in Cardiff libraries and hubs and young readers across the city are encouraged to make mischief as part of this year’s challenge. The theme of this year’s challenge, organised by The Reading Agency and delivered in libraries across the country, is Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved children’s title Beano, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary. To take part in Mischief Makers, all children aged four to 11-years-old need to do is sign up at their nearest library and read any six books over the summer. They’ll also be given a colourful collector’s map…

Swansea Council has become a property investor, generating new income to be ploughed into its public services. Its new property investment strategy has just produced its first deal – and more will follow. The new income will help the delivery of council services. Local authorities across the UK have seen significant drops in Government funding and Swansea Council is aiming to become increasingly commercial. Cllr Clive Lloyd, the council’s cabinet member for service transformation and business operations, said: “This innovative new strategy will see us invest wisely and securely in Swansea commercial property. “We will invest around £5m a year,…

Prestatyn dad Luke Gratton has just returned from a life-changing adventure in Kenya, East Africa, with child development charity Compassion UK. The 38-year-old, who lives in the North Wales town with his wife and two sons, has gone from being a novice runner to taking on a Marathon in 40oc heat in rural Kenya to raise money to help children living in poverty there. Luke, a visual producer for npower, kicked off his training for the Muskathlon Challenge in aid of Compassion UK last June with 5km runs in his lunchbreaks. He gradually moved onto 10km runs and half marathons,…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s significant repair and improvement scheme on the Maerdy Mountain route last summer has been awarded a prestigious national award for outstanding engineering achievement. The substantial work took place from July to September 2017, undertaking significant stabilisation of the mountain following a landslip caused by severe weather in winter 2015/16 – affecting 150m of road at the Aberdare end of the route. The Council’s contractor for the works was Alun Griffiths Ltd. Taking advantage of a necessary full road closure, improvements to future-proof the entire Maerdy route were also undertaken thanks to significant funding through #RCTinvest –…

A campaign has been launched between Arriva Trains Wales and the charity Welsh Hearts to install life saving defibrillators along the Heart of Wales line in its 150th year. The campaign, which was launched today (4th July), coincided with a visit by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall travelled from Llandovery to Builth Road Station to mark the 150th anniversary of the line and were shown the first two defibrillators to be installed upon their arrival at Builth Road. With 28 stations solely on the Heart of Wales…

Singing care home residents attracted bumper crowds as they teamed up with renowned choir Only Boys Aloud for a day long workshop at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The residents of Pendine Park care organisation’s homes in Wrexham, were a star attraction as they helped fill a large marquee with non-stop music. Strains of Yellow Submarine and My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean could be heard resounding around the tent, tempting an array of passer-by to call in and listen. At one point an extra loud chorus of Happy Birthday filled the air as it was discovered three people in the…

Cancer Research Wales has received £17,100 after 19 fundraisers from Whitchurch had their heads shaved for the cancer charity. The team of fundraisers joined forces in April this year to take part in a ‘Close Shave II’ at The Malsters Arms, Whitchurch, and raised more than £12,000, while two more fundraisers helped boost the total a further £5,000 after running the London Marathon this year. Cancer Research Wales was presented with a cheque for £17,100, which will be used to fund research that can result in vital developments into early diagnosis, treatments and cures for cancer right here in Wales.…

From making pizza for astronauts in space to recreating ancient bones for archaeological research, pupils at a Carmarthenshire school have been learning all about the use of 3D printing technology. Dr Dimitrios Pletsas, of Swansea University’s College of Engineering, led a morning workshop at Nantgaredig Primary School, where he talked year six pupils through the history of printers, current uses of 3D printers, and exciting technological advances that are expected in coming years. A digital pioneer school, Nantgaredig primary already has a 3D printer, thanks to funding from Tesco and the Royal Society scientific academy. The funding also enabled the…

An appeal has been launched to find police watchdogs to help North Wales’ four-legged crimefighters to keep paw and order. New recruits are needed for a volunteer dog welfare scheme that’s been set up to keep a check on how police handlers look after the canine cops. The North Wales scheme was set up by the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, a former police inspector. The welfare visitors make monthly unannounced visits to view dog training sessions or visit dog handlers and their canine companions out on patrol. Their brief is to ensure police dogs are properly cared…

A mum-of-two living in Pontypridd is taking on the Simply Health Great North Run, the world’s biggest half marathon, for Diabetes UK Cymru, in support of her dad who has Type 1 diabetes. Jen Matchett’s father, David, 56, was diagnosed in 1991, age 29. Jen, 32, a secretary at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, said, “I was 10 when dad was diagnosed. He was a single parent and brought me up on his own. A colleague mentioned how much water he was drinking and suggested he get tested. Dad had just given up smoking so thought that was the…