Author: Rhys Gregory

A 24-year-old man who groomed a teenage girl has been jailed. Matthew Cai Pritchard of Dol Eithin, Caergeiliog, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday 22nd July after admitting to four counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of sexual communication with a child. Pritchard, who was aged 18 to 19 at the time of the offences, messaged the girl on social media when she was aged between 13 to 16. They then began to meet in person where he gave her alcohol before having sex with her. During this time, he also made her pose for…

Transport for Wales has published their 2024/25 Annual Report and figures reveal that more people are using the rail network and positively impacting revenue figures for the not-for-profit organisation. Key figures from the report include: 31.7 million train journeys made by customers – up a fifth from last year; 17.8% increase in rail revenue to £174.8 million; 77.1% of journeys made on new trains as of 24 May 2025; 1.2 million journeys on TrawsCymru bus contracts that TfW run – 11.4% increase on last year; £47 million of Active Travel funding distributed. TfW has been on a transformational journey since…

The plans for Cowbridge were launched at a community event held at Cowbridge Town Hall. Placemaking is about working together to collectively improve our communities and involves listening closely to local voices and incorporating their ideas to create towns and neighbourhoods that are more vibrant and enjoyable for all. The new plans seek to build on what already makes our communities great places to live, work and visit, and make them better for future generations. The Cowbridge plans are the result of wide-ranging feedback and ideas from residents and local groups and focuses on celebrating the town’s unique character whilst…

Staff and pupils from Pencoed Comprehensive School are celebrating a glowing Estyn report from a recent inspection at the school, which highlights strengths ranging from leadership to inclusivity. Inspectors noted the effective distribution of leadership at the school, empowering individuals, as well as encouraging ownership and collaboration; the vibrant culture of professional learning, which is supported by the ‘Pedagogy Pioneers’ – a group of pupils who have received training to work with leaders in making improvements to teaching and learning practices at the school. The report praised how pupils from across the school are offered opportunities to implement change and…

A new exercise area has opened to the public in Cardiff’s Victoria Park. Complete with pull up bars, leg lifts, dip benches, tyre flips and jumping blocks, the new fitness area will allow visitors to the park to take their workout regime to the next level. The low maintenance equipment is designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try calisthenics. It can be used for free by individuals and by group classes of up to 20-30 people at a time. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Outdoor exercise areas like this mean…

Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards Officers have taken possession of illegal, disposable vapes still found to be on offer in local shops despite a ban on their sale. Following receipt of intelligence, the officers carried out visits to shops in Neath Port Talbot which were still selling the banned vapes. In Wales, a ban on the sale of disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025 – part of a larger effort across the UK to reduce the environmental impact of disposable vapes and to protect children. Two shops were visited and a total of 67 disposable vapes…

Prendergast CP School in Haverfordwest is celebrating after being awarded an internationally acclaimed eco-award. Prendergast CP School has been awarded their third Green Flag Award thanks to the environmental education programme, Eco-Schools. Eco-Schools is an international programme run in Wales by environmental charity, Keep Wales Tidy and funded by the Welsh Government. Over 90% of schools in Wales are registered on the programme. The Eco-Schools programme inspires and empowers pupils to be leaders of change in their community, helping them learn about sustainable living and global citizenship while giving them the information and support they need to make changes that…

Caerphilly County Borough Council approves plans to increase recycling rates. These changes are due to come into effect from late 2027 to early 2028. In a meeting that took place on Wednesday 23rd July 2025, Caerphilly County Borough Cabinet members approved plans, which will require residents to separate their household recycling. The new recycling system, which is in line with the councils Waste and Recycling Strategy and Welsh Government’s collections ‘blueprint’, will see the end of the borough’s current mixed recycling (brown) bin system. The new recycling model will consist of: Bag for cardboard Bag for plastic, metal, cans, foil and cartons Bag…

School’s out and once again the ‘Food and Fun’ programme will be providing free nutritious breakfasts, lunches and fun activities for learners to enjoy during the summer holidays. This year is extra special as it marks the ten-year anniversary since the programme first launched with the aim of promoting healthy living, supporting learner wellbeing and improving engagement with families and schools during the school summer holidays. What started as a pilot by Cardiff Council has expanded into the national ‘Food and Fun’ School Holiday Enrichment Programme, delivered in schools across Wales coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and…

Registration is now open for the 2026 Welsh 3 Peaks for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice. This iconic charity fundraising event offers teams of four plus their designated driver the unforgettable experience of summitting three of the highest peaks in Wales in just one day and all while raising vital funds to support children with life-shortening conditions. This year’s Welsh 3 Peaks took place last month and saw 36 teams take part, including many from business across South, Mid and West Wales. Three hundred and seven walkers walked 20.35 miles, and summitted yr Wyddfa, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan with total ascent…