Author: Rhys Gregory

ENTERPRISING students are aiming high after reaching the finals of a regional business competition. Coleg Cambria learners Dylan Morris and Henry Garner won the Young Enterprise North Wales event at Wrexham University with their innovative new activewear and lifestyle brand – MountForce. They were victorious in the Judges Award and Company Programme categories and will now contest the Welsh finals in Cardiff next month (May), having impressed with their presentation and positive attitudes. The Level 1 Business, Travel and Events students are confident of future success and taking their start-up venture “to the next level”. “We were up against A…

A woman from Neath Port Talbot has been jailed after stealing thousands of pounds from her employer. 44-year-old Rebecca Hanford, from Skewen, had been working as a cashier at Arbourne’s, on New Road, Skewen, since 2010. Up to September 2020, the business noted a shortfall of approximately £55,000 in their accounts. The business owners told the court that they estimated that the amount of money taken could total up to £100,000. She has been sentenced to 12 months in prison. Detective Sergeant Simon Davies said: “Rebecca Hanford’s actions were not only criminal and selfish; they also had a detrimental impact…

Transport for Wales is pleased to launch a new fflecsi app, bringing bus passengers a seamless and convenient way to pay for their journeys. Passengers using fflecsi bus services will now benefit from a simpler and more consistent fare system. As part of a recent update, fares have been aligned across the majority of fflecsi schemes in Wales, establishing a new distance-based structure that mirrors the established TrawsCymru fare system. This change has been designed to offer customers with a more user-friendly experience when using the fflecsi bus service. Key features of the new fare system: Unified fare structure: All…

Local projects in Porthcawl and Coychurch will be supported by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Town and Community Council Capital Grant Scheme following recent Cabinet approval. After a detailed application process, funding is allocated to town and community councils to contribute towards key projects that align with Bridgend County Borough Council’s community asset transfer and net-zero policies. The fund has previously supported a range of key projects throughout the county borough and the most recent successful applications will see £20,000 awarded to Coychurch Lower Community Council as part of a multi-phase project to improve the local community playing fields with bike…

Young people from Cardiff Youth Services have assisted in the development of an augmented reality therapy to help address anxiety in young people. The immersive technology provides an intervention for young people as an alternative to traditional therapy and has been developed and tested by six young people from Cardiff’s Grassroots provision over a six-week pilot period. Created by Elemental Health, who provide mental health support services for young people – and in collaboration with Sugar Creative and Media Cymru – the approach provides a way for young people to engage with therapy by digitally “growing” a plant that represents…

Pembrokeshire County Council is once again preparing for the annual Tenby Pedestrianisation scheme. The scheme is due to start on Monday July 7th and finish on Friday September 12th and run between 11am – 5.30pm each day. The scheme will again see the Walled Town divided into three zones, each of which will have varying degrees of vehicle access. Full details of the scheme and the on-line application form will be available from Thursday May 1st on the Council’s website at https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/tenby-pedestrianisation Residents and business within the Walled Town are encouraged to complete the application process as soon as possible…

Flood alleviation work has now been completed to reduce the flood risk to properties at Plantation Road in Abercynon, using Welsh Government funding. The work started in late January 2025, to tackle the known issue of water running off the mountainside and spilling onto the highway during periods of heavy rainfall and affecting properties. Works have repaired and upgraded the channel upstream, enabling an unobstructed flow of water. They have also upgraded the drainage infrastructure, and constructed an additional culvert inlet. The scheme was substantially completed on schedule by the end of March 2025 – using 2024/25 funding from the…

Local families received a helping hand this Easter through the Everyone Deserves an Easter campaign, led by Nick Smith MP and supported by Caerphilly County Borough Council. A total of 25 hampers were distributed from Rhymney Library Hub, with support from Caerphilly Cares – who made it possible for the scheme to operate locally. The campaign builds on the success of the “Everyone Deserves a Christmas” initiative and continues to provide meaningful support to families in need. Each hamper included a chicken dinner with vegetables, hot cross buns, Easter eggs, and a few thoughtful extras. Community organisations and council services,…

As Wales marks 18 years as the first UK nation to abolish prescription charges, forty-four-year-old Ryan Perrot who has severe asthma shares how the policy helped change his life. Since 2007, Welsh pharmacies have dispensed more than one billion items, helping millions manage their health conditions effectively and free of charge. Charges were abolished as costs were preventing a third of people from getting their prescribed medication. People with chronic conditions reported cutting back on food and bills to afford medication, leading to worsening health, increased GP visits and hospital admissions. Key facts show that: More than 313,000 items are…

Newport City Council has confirmed that it will receive almost £6.8m in funding from Welsh government to improve local transport and active travel networks. The funding covers a number of different areas. Highlights include: £1.4m to develop our active travel network in and around Newport city centre, and connections north of the railway line towards Crindau, along with a further £740k of core funding for our active travel work. £1.5m towards Newport central travel improvement proposals, including £288k to fund the Momentwm active travel programme. £500k to improve bus infrastructure £1.04m to expand our residential electric vehicle charging network £251k…