Author: Rhys Gregory

A South Wales college has been crowned ‘Best College’ for the second year in a row at a national culinary competition after impressing judges with the quality and skills of its learners. Alongside this impressive title, Coleg y Cymoedd also won an additional 31 awards at this year’s Welsh International Culinary Championships – one of the most prestigious hospitality skills events in Wales – setting the highest record yet for the college. Organised by the Culinary Association Wales, a partnership of professional chefs and caterers, the Welsh International Culinary Championships aims to raise the culinary profile of Wales, providing aspiring…

Leading UK adventure park operator and certified B Corp, Zip World, has announced a majority investment from direct equity investor, Dolphin Capital, marking a pivotal moment in Zip World’s ambitious plans for growth and expansion in 2025 and beyond. Dolphin Capital has invested alongside Zip World founder, Sean Taylor, in a deal that values the company at more than £100m. The transaction marks an exit for LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, and follows a successful six-year partnership in which Zip World increased turnover by 95% and grew headcount by 200%. LDC originally backed…

his is the moment a motorcyclist was brought to a controlled stop at one of Cardiff’s busiest junctions after his reckless driving saw him hit speeds of up to 120mph. Paul Desmond Kelly initially pulled over to the hard shoulder of Eastern Avenue when signalled to do so by one of our Roads Policing teams in March last year. But as officers pulled in behind the 43-year-old, he once again sped off, overtaking other motorists and continuing to ignore the flashing blue lights and sirens. After pursuing the vehicle for almost three minutes, officers were left with little option but…

A former Chaplain at a Llandudno school has today been sentenced for making indecent images of children. Samuel Erlandson, 36, of High Street, Ruabon, admitted three charges including two counts of making indecent images of a child and possession of an extreme pornographic image. Appearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday, January 27th), Erlandson was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a ten-year sexual harm prevention order. He must also carry out 160 hours unpaid…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has opened a highly-anticipated play area in Rhoose. A group of children from local play group Passport to Play were among the first to enjoy the new facilities at Celtic Way Park. The nature-themed play area is now home to a set of swings, a roundabout, a seesaw, slides – many of which are accessible – as well as a handful of sensory activities. A number of biodiversity improvements were also made prior to construction on the play area, including bulb, wildflower and tree planting with the help of Vale Local Nature Partnership and local…

This month, a scheme has been initiated to promote natural regeneration in areas of Brackla Hill Woodland, where diseased ash trees were removed last year. The local authority took away a number of trees identified with ash dieback disease in Brackla Hill Woodlands, along the rear of Lark Rise and Hazel Tree Way, with further plans in place to remove affected trees in the adjacent area in due course. Ash dieback is the most devastating tree disease since Dutch elm disease, which killed 60 million elm trees in the UK during two epidemics in the 1920s and 1970s. Infected trees…

Applications for nursery school places are now open and parents with children who turn three between September 1 2024 and August 31 2025, can now apply for a part-time nursery place to start in September 2025. English and Welsh medium places are available at one of the 91 nursery classes in 87 schools across the city, including three schools with a dual stream offer. Families are encouraged to apply before the deadline of Monday 24 February 2025, to help their chance of being offered a nursery place of their choice. To apply for a place in a community school nursery…

Swansea Council’s ongoing maintenance programme for 2024/25 is continuing and key routes are set for resurfacing as part of an £8.1million investment in road repairs. The funding is spread across a number of different highway improvement programmes, including large resurfacing schemes (LRS), small resurfacing schemes (SRS) – where teams tackle smaller road defects. The money also helps fund the pothole repair scheme. A number of large schemes have been planned for January and February along major routes throughout Swansea. The first schemes to get underway include Valley Way – Llansamlet (between junction with Fendrod Way and Junction at Ferryboat Close).…

The installation of a new high-performance CCTV system in Pontardawe’s town centre, and the upgrade of the existing camera network in Briton Ferry West, led by Neath Port Talbot Council and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, have now been successfully completed. These upgrades aim to enhance the safety and security of residents and visitors significantly. The new cameras are integrated into the council’s modernised CCTV control room, which operates 24/7 and collaborates closely with emergency services including police, fire, and ambulance teams. Melanie Humphreys, Owner of ‘Village Cards n Gifts’ in Pontardawe, said: “As a business owner in…

A consultation will be launched on plans to introduce a non-vehicular link between Johnston and Milford Haven with Steynton to Old Bulford Road Active Travel Improvements. Proposals include the construction of a Shared Use Path forming a connection from the Neyland Road crossroad heading North along the A4076 where it will divert towards the C3024, Tiers Cross and the existing Bulford Road Shared Use Path. There are three phases in the overall scheme with phases one and two being a joint project between PCC and South Wales Trunk Road Agency. The third phase will form the remaining part of the…