Author: Rhys Gregory

The new Youth Mayor of Neath Port Talbot (NPT) Council who “grew up wanting to be part of the Youth Council” has been officially inaugurated during a special ceremony at the Council’s Civic Centre. May Al Jadouh from Port Talbot is stepping up from her previous role of Deputy Youth Mayor.  New NPT Council Youth Mayor, May Al Jadouh said: “My eldest brother was part of the Youth Council and I just grew up wanting to be part of it. My school has also really encouraged me.  “In my previous role as Deputy Mayor, the topics I worked on included…

The first phase of a major redevelopment programme at Portfield School has now been successfully completed, marking an important milestone in the ongoing improvement of specialist education provision in the county. The project is jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, which aims to deliver high‑quality, modern learning environments for pupils across Wales. Developed in partnership with Morgan Sindall, the scheme has been shaped by a strong commitment to accessibility, sustainability, and the creation of spaces that cater to a wide spectrum of learning and therapeutic requirements. This collaborative approach…

Organisers of the Caerphilly 10K have confirmed a new race route will be introduced for the 2026 event, delivering a 14.29% reduction in elevation following feedback from runners seeking a flatter, more consistent course. Feedback from runners showed a clear appetite for a flatter, less hilly course, prompting the redesign of the route for 2026. The Start and Finish will remain on Crescent Road, placing the event firmly in Caerphilly town centre and ensuring the race-day atmosphere remains a central part of the Caerphilly 10K experience. From the start on Crescent Road, runners will head through Pontygwindy Road towards the…

A small north Powys primary school could close later this year if given the go-ahead by Cabinet next week, the county council has said. Powys County Council is proposing to close Llandinam C.P. School and earlier this year (January) published a statutory notice formally proposing the change. During the statutory notice period, 44 objections were received. On Tuesday, March 24, Cabinet will receive and consider the objection report and will be asked to approve the proposal to Llandinam C.P. School from the 31 August 2026, with pupils to transfer to their new catchment school. Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cabinet Member for…

The Welsh and UK Governments have today reaffirmed their joint commitment to coal tip safety and the responsible management of Wales’ mining legacy by resuming the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips Task Force. The announcement was made during a visit to Tylorstown by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change, Huw Irranca-Davies and Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens. The task force is a joint intergovernmental forum bringing together key delivery partners, including the Mining Remediation Authority, Natural Resources Wales, and local authority partners, to support the safety of communities living near disused mine and quarry tips…

A women’s health hub is now open in every health board area in Wales, bringing menopause, contraception and menstrual health services closer to home. The Welsh Government committed to opening the seven women’s health hubs by the end of March 2026, in response to the Women’s Health Plan. Each of the hubs have been tailored to meet local needs. Some will operate over multiple sites and others will be accessed online initially. Every hub is designed to improve access to specialist care and deliver services in the community. First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Improving access to women’s health services is…

South Wales Police has confirmed that its Live Facial Recognition (LFR) team will be operating in Neath and Swansea city centres this Thursday, March 19. The technology will be used to help officers locate suspects, wanted individuals and high-risk missing people, as part of ongoing efforts to keep communities safe. Police say the deployment will be clearly visible to the public, with marked vehicles and designated zones in place. Officers will also be on hand to speak with anyone who wants to learn more about how the technology works, with demonstrations available where possible. Ahead of each deployment, a watchlist…

A man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of raping a child. Julian Hobbs, 36, of Cathays was sentenced to 15 years, with an extension of three years at Merthyr Crown Court this week (March 16) after being found guilty multiple child sex offences. Hobbs was found guilty of the following offences, following a three day trial between December 15 – 18 at Newport Crown Court: Three counts of Rape a girl under 13 Two counts of Offender 18 or over cause a child under 13 to watch / look at an image of sexual activity…

The transformation of Welsh gaming culture over the past decade tells a remarkable story. What began as scattered groups of friends playing League of Legends in bedrooms and university halls has evolved into a recognised pipeline feeding talent into professional esports organisations across Europe. The dedication of Welsh gamers extends across multiple titles, with many maintaining competitive profiles in games like clash of clans account alongside their League focus, showcasing the multi-game nature of modern esports culture. Wales may not dominate headlines like South Korea or China in the League of Legends ecosystem, but the nation has quietly built infrastructure…

The biggest trap of modern life is constant connectivity. Because we carry our offices in our pockets, we never truly leave work. This “always-on” culture makes us forget who we are outside of our professional roles. We become exhausted, not just in our bodies, but in our creative minds.  It is nearly impossible to relax when you are sitting in the same chair where you answer stressful emails or handle difficult clients. To combat this, you need a physical and mental break. Finding a healthy balance is a skill that takes practice. You can find helpful resources and community stories…