Author: Rhys Gregory

All families in Swansea are now eligible for Flying Start funded childcare. This allows parents and carers to access high quality childcare for two and three-year-olds for up to 12.5 hours per week during term time only. Funded by Welsh Government and administered by Swansea Council, families can choose from a range of providers including school-based settings, private nurseries, cylchs and childminders. Progress has already been made through a phased approach and now all eligible aged children regardless of where they live in Swansea can benefit from the initiative. Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Alyson Anthony, said: “Flying Start…

Gnoll Country Park was transformed into a hub of imagination and celebration earlier this month when pupils from Neath’s Alderman Davies Primary School joined storyteller Michael Harvey for a day of outdoor adventure, creative writing and cultural storytelling. Hosted by Neath Port Talbot Libraries and Gnoll Country Park, the event embraced the crisp autumn weather and the joy of learning in nature. The pupils explored storytelling in the open-air bringing tales to life in the park’s newest feature Cadair Y Gnoll, the Gnoll Throne. The Gnoll Throne was crafted by local sculptor Garry Turler using wood from the beloved Tree…

More than 400 young musicians took part in this year’s Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival. Musicians from each of the County’s eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part in individual and ensemble competitions throughout the day. Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “The atmosphere at this year’s Valero Secondary Music Festival was wonderfully supportive, allowing every pupil to shine. “It was a great example of the Music plan for Wales in action, with community, schools and Pembrokeshire Music Service working together to give young people outstanding musical opportunities. Our thanks go to Valero…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has shared a proposed new operating model for New Tredegar Leisure Centre, following the cabinet decision earlier this year and a detailed review of feedback from previous engagement with users, clubs and the local community. The preferred model aims to balance community access with the financial pressures facing the service and reflects usage patterns across the year. Under the proposal, the leisure centre would open: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 8pm throughout the year Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4pm to 8pm during the winter months when demand for club and community activity is highest…

A Swiss company is set to expand its manufacturing operations in Newport as part of a deal with a leading technology company in the aerospace and defence sector. Cicor Group has entered into a strategic supply agreement with a leading technology company active in the global aerospace and defence industry and has chosen to transfer a significant part of production to its site in Rogerstone, Newport. The initial five-year contract further strengthens Cicor’s market leadership in the European aerospace and defence industry and is expected to increase Cicor’s turnover by a mid-range double-digit million-pound amount. It will increase the proportion…

Further changes to the way 999 calls to the Welsh Ambulance Service are managed will come into force from Tuesday 2 December. These changes will enable the ambulance service to quickly identify and respond to people with a range of serious, time-sensitive conditions like suspected stroke and heart attacks, which need to be prioritised. New “Orange Now”, “Yellow Soon” and “Green Planned” categories will replace the existing Amber and Green categories. This builds on the “Purple Arrest” and “Red Emergency” categories, which were introduced in July for the most life-threatening calls. From Tuesday, when someone calls 999 in an emergency…

Thousands more social housing tenants in Wales will benefit from warmer homes and lower energy bills as the Welsh Government announces an additional £14.1 million for energy efficiency improvements. The funding boost brings total investment in the Optimised Retrofit Programme (ORP) to £107.1 million this year. Since 2020, the programme has already funded 31,000 energy efficiency upgrades to social homes across Wales, cutting household bills whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The ORP funds improvements including insulation, efficient heating systems and renewable energy installations in social housing. Social landlords working through the programme monitor health indicators such as mould and moisture levels, enabling them to provide targeted advice and…

Five trains a day will be available between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod Wells from December. As part of the December timetable changes, Transport for Wales is adding a new midday train in each direction on the Heart of Wales line between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod Wells, increasing the daily service from four to five trains a day. From 14 December, the new timetable will provide passengers on this line a more flexible option for day-long trips and essential journeys. This improvement will support the local tourism economy. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said:  “Railway…

Monmouthshire Building Society’s charitable foundation has committed to donating thousands in financial support to businesses and organisations impacted by the recent flooding in Monmouth – and is working with its partners to offer even more monetary support in the coming months. The Building Society’s Charitable Foundation offers small amounts of funding to provide practical and immediate support and has decided to help the Monmouth community, which was recently devastated by the floods caused by Storm Claudia. It is also reaching out to its business partners and collaborators to raise even more funds to help the local community. The Society has…

The Celtic Manor Resort has won a prestigious hotels industry award in recognition of the exceptional work it performs to support the local community. The five-star hotel in South Wales won the Extra Mile Award at the Hotel Cateys during a glittering gala awards ceremony at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on Monday 24th November. The accolade recognises the commitment of Celtic Manor Resort and the wider Celtic Collection as a lead partner in the Newport Place Programme established by Business in the Community, the UK’s largest and longest-established responsible business network. The Celtic Collection pledged to take a prominent…