Author: Rhys Gregory

TRES BIEN! A former music teacher has started writing songs in French after being inspired by tutors on a college languages course. Talented Paul Fisher, from Wrexham, performed some of his new compositions for fellow learners at Coleg Cambria Yale this week. Paul, who spent most of his career teaching at the city’s St Christopher’s School, sang and played classical guitar, including his own tracks, Où Sont Passés Ces Jours (Where Have Those Days Gone), and Mon Coeur est Ouvert (My Heart is Open). Having played harmonica, keyboard and guitar with local bands over the years he recently returned to…

A woman involved in a road traffic collision with a cyclist on Moorland Road, Splott, Cardiff, has died in hospital. Police investigating collision are appealing for witnesses and information. The 57-year-old woman was walking her dog with her husband sometime between 5.30pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, when the collision happened. She was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where she died yesterday (Monday, January 13). The cyclist who is described as male, wearing a black face covering, white shirt, and red tie, is urged to please come forward. Anyone with information or footage, which might…

A 40-year-old man who attacked a police officer has been jailed. Kevin Humphrey Jones, of Pen Y Bry, Dwyran. Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday January 14th, having admitted a charge of wounding as he resisted arrest. Shortly after midnight on December 8th, PC James Marsden and a colleague were responding to a report of a domestic assault in Llangefni when Jones began resisting arrest. During the struggle, Jones pinned PC Marsden down before biting a piece of his ear off. Another officer pulled Jones away from PC Marsden before placing him in handcuffs. The officer was taken…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has installed its third Rainbow Bench ahead of the Barry Pride festival this summer. Featuring an arcing prism of colours across its width, the bench is in Central Park, near the town centre, where the LGBTQ+ celebration event begins on June 15. This will be the third seat of its kind in the Vale, with others already in place on Cowbridge High St and Barry Island Promenade. Another is also due to be unveiled at another Vale location in the near future. Cllr Ruba Sivagnanam, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Equalities…

A project that ran through 2024 will provide stronger support for an under-threat bird returning to Denbighshire this year. Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity Team last year launched a project to provide better protection for swifts nesting across the county. Swifts visit the UK during the summer, flying nearly 3,400 miles from spending the winter in Africa to breed in the UK. They pair for life returning to the same site each time. They like to nest in homes and churches, using small gaps in the roofs. However, as older buildings are renovated, roof gaps closed and new builds designed differently,…

A Resilient Roads scheme will begin at the pictured section of the A4059 near Mountain Ash, to reduce flooding at this key location. The majority of work can be undertaken while maintaining two-way traffic flow. The Council has secured an 90% Welsh Government funding contribution for this scheme – with the first phase of work, lasting around three weeks, starting from Wednesday, January 15. The remaining funding has been met within the Council’s Highways and Transportation Capital Programme for 2024/25. Phase one of the scheme will install a new culvert, along with associated inspection chambers. The culvert will direct rainwater…

The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K Run are set to return on Sunday 11th May 2025, offering runners of all abilities the chance to take part in one of South Wales’ most exciting and scenic running events. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, entering your first race, or simply want to enjoy the thrill of running in a vibrant community atmosphere, this event is for you. Starting and finishing on Crescent Road, the 10K route takes runners through the heart of Caerphilly town, with the stunning Caerphilly Castle as a constant backdrop. The course is mostly flat with some…

Caerphilly Council has appointed agents Avison Young to help deliver a bright new future for Llancaiach Fawr Manor House. The council took the difficult decision to temporarily close the site at the end of December while options are explored to run the venue in a different way in future. Interest has already been received from potential third party operators, who could take on the site and run it in a commercial capacity, without significant council subsidy. The agents will now progress discussions with interested parties as part of the formal marketing of the site. Deputy Leader Cllr. Jamie Pritchard, said,…

Monmouthshire County Council has published its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. With a proposed net revenue budget of £216million, an 8% increase from the 2024/25 budget. The draft budget prioritises essential neighbourhood services which are critical for maintaining the quality of life in the communities and preserving our environment for future generations. In a commitment to enhancing frontline services, Social Care and Health funding is set to rise by 10.6%, while Education funding will increase by 10.7%. Additionally, more than £2million will be allocated for capital investment in crucial infrastructure,…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, visited Cardiff University to see how a £12.2m investment is accelerating their progress towards carbon reduction. The investment is part of a wider £20m loan funding for universities to help the reach their low carbon emissions. It has helped the University improve older building by installing energy efficient lighting, new windows and heat pumps. This is part of the university’s wider sustainability journey, where it provides electric vehicle charging and is working to electrify its fleet. Funding has come from the Welsh Government’s Digarbon programme for…