Author: Rhys Gregory

Aberystwyth academics will play a key role in new efforts to improve the resilience of UK coasts. A new four year-long project led by experts from Aberystwyth and Greenwich universities will work with coastal communities in mid and north Wales, the Humber Estuary in England, Lough Foyle in Northern Ireland and the Firth of Clyde in Scotland with the aim of building their resilience. In Wales, the research will focus on the coastlines of north Ceredigion and Gwynedd, looking at how climate change and sea level rise interact as well as nature conservation, rural challenges, economic development, questions of language…

Preparations are in full swing for the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar, the Royal Welsh Show, which takes place from Monday 22nd – Thursday 25th July. Each year, the four-day event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the heart of Mid-Wales to come together and celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture. Along with the fantastic livestock and equine competitions, the Royal Welsh Show provides something to interest everyone with a wide range of countryside activities, sports, shopping, food and drink and a 12-hour programme of exciting entertainment and displays and the launch of our new Horticultural Village. Main…

A historic collection of Welsh language Bibles will be saved for future generations thanks to a multimillion-pound investment in a new archive. It was feared that the William Morgan Bibles collection, which is currently kept in Ruthin, could deteriorate to the point of destruction if urgent action wasn’t taken to keep the precious texts safe from damage. Plaid Cymru Councillor Emrys Wynne, who is the Cabinet Member for the Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage on Denbighshire County Council, has hailed the investment as “hugely important to our cultural heritage in Wales”. The William Morgan Bibles collection is currently stored at Ruthin…

Some of the most inspiring educators in Wales have been announced as winners of the sixth Professional Teaching Awards Cymru. The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, revealed the winners of the ten categories at a special ceremony held at Soughton Hall in Mold on Sunday, July 14, from twenty-seven education professionals who made it to the finals. For the first time, the teaching awards were open to colleges as well as schools. Two new awards were also introduced to the well-loved celebrations: ‘Lecturer of the Year’ and ‘Learners’ Engagement in School/College’. The award for ‘Learners’ Engagement in School/College’…

South Wales’s growing reputation as a hub for creative arts received a welcome boost with the launch of a new company delivering high end podcast production. HayMan Media is the brainchild of award winning photographer Rob Norman (former picture editor at the Western Mail and Echo) and acclaimed videographer Darryl Corner (who was head of commercial video for Reach plc). The company has brand new studios in the heart of Newport where they can deliver tailored podcasts for creative and corporate clients. Specialising in video, audio and still images the pair want to bring their experience in some of the…

A man from Swansea has been jailed following conviction for rape and sexual assault. 37-year-old Daniel Blight, from Bonymaen, raped his victim while they were asleep, with the victim only finding out later after reviewing home security footage. He has been sentenced to seven years in prison. Detective Constable Elizabeth Picton said: “Daniel Blight preyed upon his victim when they were completely helpless, but was crucially caught on camera in critical evidence for his conviction. “At South Wales Police we relentlessly pursue the perpetrators of sexual offences and ensure that the victims receive justice. It takes great bravery for a…

Police are appealing for information following vandalism to a silent soldier memorial outside Wrexham Memorial Hall in Bodhyfryd. The damage to the statue was reported on July 11th but it is not currently known the exact time or date it was caused. District Support Sergeant Rhian Hughes said: “It is disappointing that someone would see fit to vandalise a memorial which serves as a reminder of those who have given their lives to protect others. “We have launched an investigation into this disrespectable behaviour, and I would ask anyone with information about the damage to contact us. “I would also…

Transport for Wales is on a mission to get more people walking, cycling and wheeling within Wales and has launched a promotional toolkit to help. Recent statistics reveal that 58% of adults walked ten minutes and 6% cycled once a week or more to get somewhere in Wales. 78% of primary school children would prefer to travel actively to get to school – however 51% usually travelled by car. To help boost these figures and encourage more to travel sustainably when they can, TfW has launched a promotional toolkit for local authorities, co-created with them. Providing access to new promotional…

Twenty new 3G pitches are being proposed by Cardiff Council as part of a new long-term strategy in partnership with the Football Association Wales (FAW), Cymru Football Foundation (CFF), and local leagues. The ‘Going for Goal’ strategy is aimed at reducing the number of weather-related fixture cancellations, attracting investment into grass pitches, and increasing participation in football. If approved by Cabinet at a meeting due to take place on Thursday 18th July 2024, and subject to stakeholder consultation, the new strategy could also see a rationalisation of grass pitches into a smaller number of highly maintained hub sites across the…

Cardiff Council has revealed it is facing a predicted budget shortfall in 2025/26 of almost £50m. The council is now working on a budget plan for next year – which could see some services reduced or stopped completely – to bridge the gap. The shortfall is caused when the money the council receives from Government, added to the money it expects to raise from charges like council tax, isn’t enough to pay for the 700-plus services the council delivers to residents. A report to Cardiff Council’s Cabinet, on Thursday, July 18, details the financial pressures the council is currently experiencing…