Author: Rhys Gregory

Over half a million pounds has been invested in two Denbighshire Secondary Schools, with both schools seeing updates to their Science Laboratories. Welsh Government grant funding has been used to fully refurbish two Science Laboratories at Denbigh High School in Denbigh and three at Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen. The projects included a full strip-out of the existing Science Labs, followed by the installation of new heating, electrical and gas services, together with new ventilation and the installation of new energy efficient lighting and redecoration throughout. Also included was the installation of purpose made specialist laboratory furniture along with new…

Construction of a new swimming pool at Pentwyn Leisure Centre has begun. Cardiff Council’s appointed contractor is working on a new 25 metre swimming pool, which will feature a split raising floor and new children’s wet play area, alongside several other improvements to the centre. The work, which is currently expected to be completed by the end of the year, will also see the changing facilities and reception area refurbished and other improvements to the building, including a transition to green energy sources. The centre will remain open to the public throughout the construction period. The pool will feature an…

Public transport users to and from the Rhondda Fach can now access a new ‘connector ticket’ covering both their train journey between Cardiff and Porth, and bus journey between Porth and Maerdy. It follows the recent opening of the Porth Bus Interchange, and aims to make local journeys more convenient. Stagecoach South Wales and Transport for Wales have recently announced the new ‘Rhondda Fach Connector Ticket’ – which is now available to buy on the bus, the train, or at local train stations. The ticket enables commuters to use any valid Stagecoach service to travel between Porth and Rhondda Fach,…

Newport City Council has intensified its efforts to combat fly-tipping around litter bins. In recent months, the council has issued 29 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to individuals found misusing these bins. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address improper waste disposal and maintain the city’s cleanliness. To raise public awareness, the council has placed informative stickers on litter bins throughout Newport. These stickers serve as reminders that the bins are intended solely for small items of litter, such as crisp packets, drinks cans, and coffee cups. They also caution that depositing household or business waste in or…

A problem property that had been vacant for 15 years has a promising future as a new home, thanks to the efforts of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Empty Homes team. Since becoming vacant in 2009, the house in Nelson had become a magnet for anti-social behaviour, including break ins and fires started at the property.  Concerns from neighbouring residents led to the Council being called to the property on numerous occasions. Despite multiple notices being served by the Council to secure the property and clear the gardens of overgrowth and waste, problems continued. The Empty Homes team communicated with the owner…

A touring opera and theatre company, based in Powys, was saved from making its final curtain call by an arts transition and resilience grant from the county council. Mid Wales Opera (MWO) was one of 10 organisations that benefitted from awards administered by Powys County Council’s Arts and Culture Service in 2024, after it secured backing from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). It received nearly £76,000 to draft a new business plan and find new sources of funding after its Arts Council of Wales support – around 60% of its income – was cut. MWO has now secured…

Now open for applications, the ‘Cynllun Pontio’ programme is aimed at attracting Welsh-speaking teachers to secondary schools in Wales. It supports Welsh speakers who are currently teaching in primary schools in Wales, teachers in schools outside Wales, and teachers who have been out of the profession for five years or more, to become secondary school teachers in Welsh-medium schools. Opening on Monday 10 February and closing three weeks later on 2 March, the popular scheme has been running since 2020 and has helped many primary teachers convert to teach in secondary schools – with benefits to both the individuals and…

Wales’ first ever recreational fishery for bluefin tuna was permitted in 2024 which revealed an increase in Bluefin Tuna in the Celtic Deeps of West Wales and provided a boost to local charter businesses. The fishery was open between August and December for 2024 and during this time, eight vessels were permitted, and a catch and release of 83 individual Tuna was reported, with no reported mortality. The Fish ranged from 4ft to 9 ft in length. The recreational fishery was open to charter vessels to maximise the socio-economic benefits. Ocean Odyssey was one of the charter vessels to obtain…

The next stage of works to fully restore the Menai Suspension Bridge are set to commence on 3 March. The phase two works will include painting of the underdeck, upgraded lighting and some final structural repairs in preparation for the bridge’s 200th anniversary in 2026. During this period, the bridge will remain open with traffic management in place to reduce disruption to local residents. The 7.5 tonne weight restriction will also be reintroduced during this time to ‘free up’ capacity on the bridge so that temporary works platforms and necessary equipment can be installed to carry out the works. Motorists…

Regulations to restrict the promotion and placement of foods high in fat, salt and sugar will be laid in the Senedd, marking a crucial step in Wales’ fight against rising obesity levels. The Food (Promotion and Presentation) (Wales) Regulations 2025 aim to reshape how shops promote less healthy foods, targeting what experts identify as one of the key drivers in the obesity challenge. The regulations will: Restrict promotions that can encourage over-consumption, such as multi-buy offers and free refills of sugary drinks Restrict the presentation of foods high in fat, sugar and salt products at prime selling locations in stores,…