Author: Rhys Gregory

Hundreds of school children in Swansea are taking part in a UK-wide cycling and walking event. More than 20 primary schools in the city have signed up to Sustrans ‘Big Walk and Wheel’ event which will take place between March 24 and April 4. It aims to encourage schoolchildren to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school, building pupils’ confidence, resilience and life-long healthy habits. Among the schools taking part is Penyrheol Primary where active travel is part of everyday school life. By the time children leave nursery, they can confidently ride a balance bike, mastering essential skills like…

A new service is to be established to tackle problems across Neath Port Talbot caused by non-residential or commercial properties which are either empty or derelict. Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet agreed to fund two new Environmental Health Team posts to operate the service at their meeting on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025. The two new officers, when recruited, will be incorporated into the Housing and Community arm of the General Environmental Health Service, with the focus of the posts being to specifically deal with empty non-residential / commercial properties – both proactive and reactive enforcement work. The Cabinet heard the…

The Newport Ship visitor centre will be opening for its 2025 season on Friday 28 March. During the visitor season, which runs until Saturday 1 November, the visitor centre will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am-4pm. Visitors will be able to learn about the history of the fifteenth-century ship, its purpose, why it sank, and the project to reassemble it, which has been described as one of the world’s largest 3D puzzles. Visitors on Saturday 29 March will be able to take part in family craft sessions with local artist Nathan Sheen, as well as be among the…

With less than 50 days to go until the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K, excitement is building for this scenic road race, taking place on Sunday, 11th May 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking for a new personal best or a first-time participant eager to take on the challenge, there’s still time to sign up and be part of this fantastic event. The Caerphilly 10K will once again take runners on a stunning route through the town, with Caerphilly Castle providing an iconic backdrop. Meanwhile, the Caerphilly 2K is a perfect opportunity for younger runners and families to…

A new taskforce focused on improving the resilience of Irish Sea transport connections will hold its first meeting this Thursday. The taskforce was set up in response to the recent temporary closure of Holyhead port, which highlighted the critical importance of maintaining reliable sea routes between Wales and Ireland. The group will discuss how we strengthen the vital connections and port facilities at Holyhead and other key locations serving communities across both nations. The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, will lead the work, alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans,…

Roadchef, one of the UK’s leading motorway service operators, has unveiled six new high-powered 360kW electric vehicle chargers at its Pont Abraham site on the M4 at junction 49. These latest additions feature 360kW charging capability and CCS connectors, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of electric vehicles. With a charge rate of up to 360kW, drivers can rapidly charge their vehicles, significantly reducing downtime during their journey. In addition to the charging facilities, visitors to Pont Abraham Services can take advantage of a range of amenities, including 2 hours free parking, free Wi-Fi and a selection of shopping and…

Cardiff-based cell orchestration company, TrakCel, is set to see a multi-million-dollar boost to its turnover after acquiring a string of new clients in the US off the back of growing demand for its products in the region. Over the last 12 months, TrakCel, a leading provider of digital supply chain tracking and management solutions for the cell and gene therapies sector, has secured contracts with four US-based biopharmaceutical companies, generating millions of dollars in new revenue. The deals are for commercially approved cell and gene therapies for conditions like Sickle Cell, B- Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, Metastatic Synovial Sarcoma and…

Welsh music icon Tom Jones is to play a second date in Cardiff this summer. The international and multi-award-winning icon is already heading to TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle for a sold out show on Wednesday August 20 and now, due to overwhelming demand for tickets, he will perform a second headlining show on Thursday August 21. The shows are Sir Tom’s only Welsh headline performances on his 2025 Defy Explanation tour. The concerts mark Tom’s headlining return to the Welsh capital after playing to 30,000 fans across three sold shows at Cardiff Castle in summer 2023…

An appeal on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live has asked for the public’s help in locating a teenager who went missing in Neath Port Talbot in 2002. Fifteen-year-old Robert Williams left his home in Resolven, Neath, almost exactly 23 years ago. His mum, Cheryl, has not seen him since. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him,” Cheryl told Crimewatch Live, who last week broadcast a fresh appeal for information to try and find Robert. “I know somebody out there knows something. Somebody was the last person to see my son alive. So all we want as…

A man from Swansea has been jailed after launching a violent and unprovoked assault on a female stranger. 37-year-old Grantham Jones, from Bonymaen, delivered a series of punches and blows to the face of the victim during the incident, which took place in Bonymaen. The assault continued until the victim took an opportunity to run away. Jones has been sentenced to twelve months in prison. Detective Sergeant Mark Kayes said: “Grantham Jones clearly took pleasure in enacting violence against a defenceless victim. “His actions proved that he was clearly a danger to others, and it is only right that he…