Author: Rhys Gregory

Paul Popham Running Club (PPRC) has announced a nationwide expansion across Wales, following growing demand and the continued success of its flagship Swansea running club. The rollout is being supported by partnerships with Freedom Leisure and Legacy Leisure, enabling the club to strengthen and grow its community-based running network across the country. PPRC President and Popham Kidney Support CEO, Joanne Popham, is calling on runners and anyone looking to get fit in 2026 to join the club, highlighting the benefits of physical activity for overall wellbeing and helping raise awareness of kidney disease. New clubs are set to launch at…

From optimising solar power to installing energy efficient lighting, Flintshire firms and community organisations are advancing towards net zero. Nearly a dozen beneficiaries have been empowered to implement key low carbon infrastructure thanks to a grant from the Flintshire Fund, delivered by Antur Cymru and backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). This builds upon previous support delivered via the social enterprise’s Carbon Reduction Feasibility Fund, delivered in partnership with Pathway to Carbon Zero Ltd, which helped participants identify where and how to minimise their emissions. One such recipient is Cambrian Aquatic Sports Centre in Connah’s Quay, which has…

The British Business Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2025/26 report, published today, highlights a challenging year for business dynamism in Wales, with declines in the number of private sector businesses and a contraction in equity investment activity. While smaller businesses remain central to employment across Wales, the report finds lower levels of business creation and investment. Despite these pressures, targeted investment programmes and growing activity in innovation-led sectors such as artificial intelligence continue to support opportunities for future growth. Equity investment deals and values decline in Wales Equity investment activity in Wales fell significantly in the first three quarters of…

28 projects across Wales have secured over £15million (£15,186,716) to protect wildlife and biodiversity across land and sea. The projects, which include initiatives to protect the brown long-eared bat, restore wetland habitats and safeguard important plant species, will all benefit from grants between £50,000 and £1million from the Nature Networks Fund. Delivered by the Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government and in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the fund aims to strengthen the resilience of Wales’ protected land and marine sites and accelerate nature’s recovery. Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change said: “This significant investment demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our international targets such as 30by30 which are increasing the scale and pace…

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…