Author: Rhys Gregory

Rural towns and villages in Flintshire have been empowered to sustain key facilities, improve the built environment, and strengthen their resilience thanks to a range of innovative schemes. From integrating sustainable energy solutions to upgrading and repairing community spaces, more than 40 businesses and social enterprises in remote or semi-remote locations have been boosted by an investment of nearly half-a-million pounds from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). From Gwaenysgor Village Hall building a vegetable garden that grows produce which is free to those who need it, to improved energy efficiency at Talacre Community Centre, residents across the region…

A Swansea University project to improve understanding of fish behaviour in Welsh rivers and seas has received a £657,000 funding boost. The fisheries research has been funded after making a successful bid to a prestigious environmental funding programme, overseen by Welsh Government. It was named as one of the projects chosen to benefit from the latest round of the Nature Networks Fund. Delivered in partnership with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural Resources Wales, the Fund helps Welsh Government work towards the Global Biodiversity Framework 30 by 30 goal, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30 per cent…

Comedian and BBC Presenter Elis James will cycle over 90km from Swansea City to Cardiff City alongside former Swansea striker Lee Trundle as the Sky Bet EFL Every Minute Matters Relay passed through Welsh clubs at the weekend to inspire supporters to learn lifesaving CPR. The Sky Bet EFL Every Minute Matters Relay, which kicked off on 25th March, is a gruelling 4,000-kilometer 28-day journey that will feature an incredible 72 legs stopping off at each and every EFL club before culminating at Wembley on 21st April. The truly unique charity event will see supporters of each EFL club team…

THE “incredible” amount raised by a leading pet retailer for a children’s charity is approaching the £100,000 mark. PetPlace – which has stores in Llangefni, Ruthin, Mold, Abergele and Gledrid, Oswestry, and a HQ in Kinmel Bay – has collected a staggering £94,789 for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices. Led by Managing Director Sion Pritchard, the independent retailer organised a series of events and activities while sponsoring and supporting innumerable campaigns over the years. The Snowdon Sunrise Trek, annual ball and the Summer Bumper Raffle are just some of the milestones and challenges PetPlace has got behind for…

A man has pleaded guilty to a series of charges – including the attempted murder of a police officer – at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey. Following an incident at Talbot Green Police Station on Friday, January 31, which resulted in three police officers being injured, 28-year-old Alexander Stephen Dighton, from Llantrisant, pleaded guilty to 10 offences. Dighton, who was arrested at the scene, was charged on February 2. The offences are: attempted murder of officer 1 attempt to cause grievous bodily harm of officer 2 threatening officer 3 with an offensive weapon assault of an emergency worker (officer…

Denbighshire Councillors have approved a proposal to change the operating model for leisure services in the county, which will protect high-quality services for residents and visitors for years to come. Following a special Council meeting in County Hall, Ruthin on Wednesday, 26 March, Councillors voted in favour of Denbighshire Leisure Limited’s proposal to purchase the company to ensure the future success of leisure services. The move will see DLL being funded £1.5m by a private investor to purchase the company. This investment will allow DLL to grow the company, safeguarding the future of leisure in Denbighshire and sustain and protect…

Neath Port Talbot Council is looking for feedback from residents, businesses and visitors on proposed walking, wheeling, and cycling improvements to enhance active travel options in and around Neath Town Centre. These proposals aim to make local routes safer, more accessible, and sustainable, as part of the council’s commitment to improving health, wellbeing, and the environment, while reducing congestion. What is Active Travel? Active Travel refers to making everyday, short-distance journeys (e.g. commuting to work, school, or shops) by walking, cycling, or wheeling, rather than using motorised transport. It excludes trips made purely for recreation or social purposes. Proposed Routes…

Music lovers can enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment at Ysgol Greenhill in Tenby next week, featuring talent straight from the West End. The Denmark Street Big Band will headline the evening on Friday April 4th. The musical extravaganza also marks the launch of the Ysgol Greenhill Theatre to further promote and support the arts at the school and showcase the talents of young people. The Denmark Street Big Band are a throwback to when exciting big bands electrified audiences and recreates the swinging sounds made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin among many others. Having…

The first works on the ground towards delivering an innovative new primary school and community hub for Glyn-coch by 2026 will get underway next week. Residents may notice initial enabling activity at the work site, which will precede the main construction phase which will follow on next month. This exciting project being delivered by the Council via Welsh Government’s Sustainable Schools Challenge funding will provide a new sustainable school for the Glyn-coch community. A modern building will welcome pupils from Cefn Primary and Craig yr Hesg Primary schools, serving their combined catchment area. It will be built on the Craig…

Newport culture strategy: empowering culture, transforming communities is an ambitious ten-year plan to grow the city’s cultural sector and offer. It sets out a vision for a radically inclusive and accessible cultural offer, one which local artists and communities are empowered to take part in and shape. Actions and outcomes for achieving this vision are set around four priorities: Newport being seen locally, nationally and internationally as a destination for culture empowering our communities to create culture by increasing access to cultural activities growing Newport’s cultural skills base to help grow our creative sector help culture endure by addressing sustainability challenges…