Author: Rhys Gregory

Powys Council’s scrutiny committee will discuss the results of the comprehensive review of changes at Powys’ Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) at this week’s meeting (12 March). The major review was carried out six months after the booking system and DIY charges were introduced in April 2025, and gathered views from more than 6,000 residents, alongside staff feedback, councillor workshops, and considered things like fly tipping, recycling rate and customer compliments and complaints. Overall, the review has shown strong support for the booking system with 93% of those asked saying the booking system is easy to use, and almost three quarters…

A community space which opened a year ago in the centre of Swansea centre is now helping the city’s older people to stay connected, active and engaged in their communities. Social Care Minister Dawn Bowden visited the Collaboration Station in Swansea yesterday to see first-hand how the Welsh Government’s Age Friendly Communities Grant is helping older people. A wide range of weekly activities for people aged 50 and over are on offer at the hub, including Tai Chi, Tech Tuesday digital skills sessions, LGBTQ+ coffee mornings, social walks and community events. These activities are designed to tackle loneliness and isolation,…

Cardiff Council is preparing an updated Active Travel map showing where people can currently walk and cycle safely across the city – and where new and improved routes are planned in the future – which is a requirement set by Welsh Government.Before the map is submitted to Welsh Ministers, the Council will carry out a 12‑week public consultation from May to June 2026, giving residents, businesses and community groups the chance to comment on the proposals and suggest improvements. The consultation will include targeted engagement to ensure the views of different communities are properly considered. The updated Active Travel Network…

A man has been jailed for attempting to rape a child. Ryan Williams, 37, of Hendre, Corwen, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence on Friday 6 March. He was convicted on a count of attempting to rape a young girl in Wrexham, following a trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in January. Williams was jailed for 11 years, with a four-year extended license period. He was also handed a 25-year sexual harm prevention order and subject to notification requirements for life. A lifetime restraining order was also put in place to protect the victim. Detective Sergeant Keegans said: “At the…

Police have arrested two men and seized suspected drugs and cash following warrants carried out in Holyhead as part of an investigation into the supply of ketamine on Anglesey. Officers from North Wales Police executed warrants at two addresses in the Holyhead area on the morning of Friday 6 March as part of ongoing work to disrupt the supply of ketamine locally. During the searches, officers seized a significant quantity of suspected ketamine and cocaine, along with a large amount of cash. Two men, aged 25 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences. Both remain in police…

Police have closed part of Mill Lane in Cardiff while officers deal with an ongoing incident in the city centre. South Wales Police confirmed they are currently at the scene, with the road shut between ASK Italian and Las Iguanas while the situation is dealt with. Drivers and pedestrians are being urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. In a short update shared on social media, South Wales Police said: “We’re at the scene of an incident on Mill Lane in Cardiff. “The road is currently closed between Ask Italian and Las Iguanas. “Please avoid the…

Access to fast and reliable broadband has become a cornerstone of modern infrastructure, yet many rural communities across the UK have historically struggled with slow or inconsistent internet connections. In Wales, where geography and lower population density can make network deployment more complex, improving digital connectivity has long been a priority for both government and industry. In recent years, however, that picture has started to change. A growing push toward gigabit-capable broadband networks is beginning to transform connectivity across rural parts of the country. Through a combination of government investment, infrastructure projects, and community initiatives, thousands of homes and businesses…

A manufacturing company in Newport landed their biggest German contract ever. Six months of negotiations. A £340,000 order. Everything agreed. Then the dispute started. The German buyer claimed the Welsh company should have handled customs clearance. The Welsh company insisted the contract said otherwise. Both sides were adamant. Both sides had lawyers review the paperwork. The problem wasn’t who was right. The problem was the contract used the term “FOB” without anyone understanding what it actually meant. Free on Board sounds simple. It isn’t. The Welsh company thought it meant “get the goods to the port and we’re done.” The…

Starting welding is always exciting, especially when you need to assemble a complete tool kit from scratch. It’s often difficult for both beginners and experienced welders to find the perfect cables, clamps, and consumables for a specific machine. Ready-made welding sets significantly simplify life and save precious time.  In this regard, it’s best to trust experts like PATON. A leading Ukrainian manufacturer of welding equipment and consumables offers such solutions. The company employs 250 specialists and annually produces 30,000 units of equipment and 4,000 tonnes of electrodes, exporting to 50 countries. Over the past three years, the company invested $10…

Cardiff’s newest Community Living scheme, providing modern, sustainable homes for older people has been launched in Butetown. Built on the site of the former Brandon Tool Hire on Bute Street, Llys Mattan is a development of 45 one and two-bedroom, flexible apartments, alongside communal facilities, residents’ roof garden and dedicated spaces designed to support independent living while encouraging social connection and community life. Now nearing completion, it forms part of the Council’s older person’s accommodation programme, following the recent launches of the Llys Y Goetre ‘housing with care’ scheme in St Mellons and Ty’r Groes Community Living on Leckwith Rd.  A…