Author: Rhys Gregory

Transport for Wales (TfW) is thrilled to announce the opening of a new Men’s Shed at Milford Haven Station. A great use of one of TfW stations, providing a new base for community support. Men’s Sheds are community spaces where individuals come together to make, repair and repurpose, all while supporting projects in their local communities. These spaces host mainly ‘grassroots’ community activities that respond to shared needs within the local area. Sheds bring several health benefits, including improved wellbeing by providing communities with a way to stay social. Members (or Shedders as they’re known) reported a 96% reduction in…

An historic Corwen monument is supporting work to help future generations of local nature and communities. Denbighshire County Council’s Climate Change and Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape teams are working to provide a new area of support for nature and visitors to enjoy underneath the watchful eye of the Caer Drewyn Iron Age Hillfort monument. Over 1,500 trees have been planted on the lower slopes below the hillfort to help create new diverse species-rich habitats to support local nature. A 190-metre hedgerow has been created with the help of Ysgol Caer Drewyn pupils, containing over 1,000 whip trees…

Work to improve active travel routes in Pillgwenlly and Malpas started earlier this month. A new active travel bridge is being installed over the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal at Gwastad lock in Malpas. The new structure will be a manually operated bascule bridge and will be installed alongside the existing bridge. The existing bridge is not being removed, it will remain in place next to the new bridge, providing two crossing points at the lock. The new bridge is designed to remove the risk of bottlenecks along the canal path at the lock. It will feature a counterweight lift which…

Conservation areas are distinct areas of special architectural or historic merit. Ceredigion County Council is required, from time to time, to review conservation areas in the County and formulate proposals for their preservation and enhancement. The Council is preparing or updating our Conservation Area Appraisals in order to identify the things that make these areas special and any opportunities or problems that may exist. The Appraisals form the basis for more detailed Management Plans. The Management Plans set out appropriate responses to address any opportunities and issues. Draft Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans have been prepared for the following…

RUGBY LEGEND, Sir Gareth Edwards, had his sights set on helping Specsavers in Porthcawl to officially launch its new look store this week [Monday 27 January], following a £50,000 refurbishment. The former Wales international was on hand to cut the ribbon and unveil the store’s upgraded facilities, as part of a launch event to mark the completion of the first phase in the store’s modernisation programme. The refurbishment includes the addition of upgraded store displays to create a brighter and more welcoming environment for customers. It complements the new test room, which was added just last year, to accommodate the…

An ability to focus on the bigger picture is needed for an investor willing to grab the challenge to revitalise an end of terrace South Wales House with a £35,000 price tag. The cost of buying the three-bedroom property at auction may well be low but the effort and imagination needed to transform the place could well be quite high. Sean Roper, of South Wales-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This end terrace property in the South Wales valleys village of Treherbert is ideal for those looking for a solid project to renovate for themselves or to resell. “Having previously been…

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced after smuggling hundreds of endangered European eels into Holyhead from Ireland. Kevin Forbes, of Rossa Court, Dungannon in Northern Ireland, had 37 boxes of eels hidden in a pallet locker beneath the trailer of an HGV he had driven from Dublin. They were discovered by Border Force officers at Holyhead Port in the early hours of January 3rd, 2024, who were carrying out checks on the paperwork for the goods he was carrying in. Forbes had no documentation for the eels, which can no longer be exported legally due to being critically endangered. They were…

In a major boost for passengers, integrated ticketing and affordable bus fares are being introduced across the TrawsCymru T6 route and local services 62 and 64 from 2 February. These updates aim to make travel more convenient and cost-effective, with passengers now able to move seamlessly between routes using a single ticket. Working in partnership, Transport for Wales, Powys County Council and Adventure Travel are introducing this new fare structure which includes through fares from the local bus services (62 and 64) onto the T6 route, providing passengers with easier travel options to destinations including Brecon, Neath, Swansea, and beyond.…

A vital piece of life-saving kit has been reinstalled at a countryside car park after the original was stolen in 2023. Run by the Clwydian Range Runners, a successful fundraiser has seen a replacement defibrillator installed at Coed Moel Famau toilet block after the original was believed to have been taken by thieves. The Clwydian Runners funded the original equipment in 2018 and presented to countryside rangers looking after the location. Following the alleged theft group member Gareth Jaggard started a GoFund Me fundraiser which raised £420 towards a new defibrillator. The Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley…

In 2025, Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales is celebrating its bicentenary. Built in 1825 as a majestic family home for the Ironmaster William Crawshay II, Cyfarthfa Castle is the jewel in the crown of Merthyr Tydfil. Every year thousands of people enjoy a visit to the castle and its expansive gardens, lake, play area and other activities. During 2025, Cyfarthfa200, a bumper programme of fun, exciting and informative events and exhibitions will be taking place to highlight the national and international importance of the Cyfarthfa site, and to celebrate the history of the people and communities that made it.…