Author: Rhys Gregory

Further education providers are encouraging greater gender diversity in applicants for games design and esports-related courses. The College, Merthyr Tydfil, is one of a growing number of colleges in Wales providing level two, level three and foundation degree courses in games design, esports and media production from its bespoke facilities. Although its esports courses have been popular since they launched in 2021, the 2024/25 school year is the first time they’ve seen applications from female learners, with three joining courses and excelling in their first term. Cariad Williams, 18, had an interest in art and design before she joined the…

An innovative campaign to stop wealth flowing out of the locality has been launched by Smart Money Cymru Community Bank. With the support of Blaenau Gwent County Council, the Bank is offering a new Community Investment Bond (CIB) to businesses, charities, societies, renewable energy funds and other organisations who are looking to invest their funds safely, ethically and with a good return. The aim, explained Blaenau Gwent Councillor Jules Gardner, is to encourage local investment and keep wealth in the area putting it at the service of the community through fair and equitable banking. “The purpose of this campaign is to offer…

A Swansea man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences. 44-year-old Christopher Norris, from Clydach, has been found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child. He has been sentenced to thirty months in prison, and has been made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). He is also subject of a restraining order against the victim for five years. He will remain on the sexual offenders register for life.…

A digital display screen designed to give customers up-to-the-minute information is moving to Llandrindod Wells Station. The digital display screen project saw eight mobile display screens deployed to Cardiff Central in August 2023 to allow customers to self-serve key details about their journey as well as station and local area information. Transport for Wales (TfW) is now relocating one to Llandrindod on a 12-month trial to improve customer service at one of the busiest stations on the Heart of Wales line. The digital display screen has been reconfigured and updated to show relevant information for Llandrindod. It is fully bilingual.…

Work is underway by the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley National Landscape team, in conjunction with Denbighshire County Council, to develop a supportive haven for nature and communities on the Clwydian Range. Nearly 18,000 native, broadleaved trees have been planted at Moel y Plâs, near Llanarmon yn Iâl, by rangers and volunteers from the surrounding communities to help create new diverse, species-rich habitats, and works are underway to restore moorland, improve ffridd, create wetland habitat and maintain woodlands (including mixed native broadleaved, upland oak woodland and a wet woodland coppice). This development is part of the Council’s work to tackle…

At an Extraordinary Meeting of Cardiff Council last week, Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones was inaugurated as the new Lord Mayor of Cardiff, and Councillor Michael Michael was appointed as the new Deputy Lord Mayor. The meeting to appoint the new Lord Mayor and Deputy was called following the passing in September of the late Lord Mayor, Councillor Jane Henshaw. Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones was serving as the Deputy Lord Mayor for the municipal year 2024/25. Yesterday she told Cardiff Council: “I pray we never experience again the loss of our Lord Mayor while in office and our thoughts are very…

Laserzone in Swansea has reopened at a different city centre venue. Formerly based at the old Castle Cinema, Laserzone opened at the former Iceland unit on St David’s Place on Saturday November 30. Swansea Council has granted the business a temporary lease for the unit, pending the regeneration of the overall former St David’s Shopping Centre site in the longer-term. The former Castle Cinema building is also being redeveloped. Cardiff-based developer Easy Living has secured planning consent to transform the building into a facility including flats, office space and a restaurant. Laserzone is a high-tech, live and interactive laser game…

The fourth Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards celebrating children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference was held recently. The Awards – a collaboration between Pembrokeshire Youth, The Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Children’s Services – took place on 22nd November at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people. A huge well done to the young people from Pembrokeshire Youth Bank, who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards. This was truly an event ‘For Young People,…

Newport City Council is celebrating after being recognised for its work promoting the Welsh language with its staff. The council was awarded employer of the year at this year’s Welsh for Adults Gwent awards. The council received the award for our Cymraeg Gwaith scheme, a partnership between the council, Welsh for Adults Gwent at Coleg Gwent, and the National Centre for Learning Welsh. The aim of Cymraeg Gwaith is to strengthen Welsh language skills in workplaces across Wales, offering diverse, flexible, fully funded training to employers. In the previous academic year, more than fifty members of staff from the council joined…

Rhymney Library Hub is thrilled to announce a week of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary, taking place from Monday 2nd to Friday 6th December 2024. This milestone event promises a packed schedule of activities for all ages, showcasing the library’s rich history and its importance to the local community. What’s On at Rhymney Library Hub – 50th Anniversary Week Monday 2nd December: 9:30–11:30am: Rhymney – Dirty Faces to Green Spaces – A talk on how our energy use has changed. 10–11am: Baby & Toddler Time – Ideal for ages 4 and under. 12–1pm: Rhymney Millennium Chorale Choir – Enjoy…