Author: Rhys Gregory

It has been programmed to coincide with the Gower Festival of Music and the Arts 2024, which takes place next month. Celebrating Gower as an inspiration for artists adds a special local interest to this year’s festival. The Gower Peninsula was the first place in Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and its dramatic rocky coastline, beaches, hills and valleys provide outdoor leisure and enjoyment for Swansea residents and visitors alike. Tourist views of its top attractions, particularly Three Cliffs Bay and Rhossili, are widely publicised. Both local and visiting artists, however, have responded to Gower…

The focus of this year’s activity is to make sure carers are more visible in society – ensuring that that they feel seen and respected and that they can access the services and support that they need. Over 6.5 million people in the UK are unpaid carers and it is likely that 3 in 5 of us will become unpaid carers at some point in our lives. It can be incredibly rewarding to care for a loved one and unpaid carers often say they are just being a husband, wife, mum, dad, daughter, son, friend or good neighbour. An unpaid…

A Chair has been selected for a new Town Board which has been established to develop the long-term vision for funding from the UK Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns. Denbighshire County Council will be receiving £20million for Rhyl from the UK Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns fund. The new Town Board is a UK Government requirement of the funding and once formed will develop a 10-year vison for Rhyl and an initial 3-year investment plan which will determine what the town’s investment priorities should be. In order to comply with UK Government criteria, Denbighshire County Council has been required to…

Counter Terrorism Policing Wales has today charged Hakan Barac, a 27-year-old man from Newport, with offences under Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (online distribution of terrorist publications) and Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (Support for a Proscribed Organisation). Barac has been refused bail and will appear before Westminster Magistrates Court today, Thursday 6th June 2024. It is not considered there to be a wider risk to the public.

The Football Association of Wales has launched a new initiative to take the bilingual spirit of The Red Wall into the heart of Welsh communities. Over the next six months, 12 events will be held in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, bringing the joy of the Red Wall to local areas. The family events will range from live music to football workshops, with appearances from some Welsh legends. The aim is to use the passion of the men’s and women’s national football teams to unite people, businesses and the arts in communities in the four counties. It will demonstrate there’s…

The Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee has today published a new report on the governance of Welsh fire and rescue services.  Following an investigation into the controversial appointment of Stuart Millington as Interim Chief Fire Officer for South Wales, the report finds a lack of clarity and “troubling” responses from respondents in senior positions.   The committee recommends that the Welsh government make clear that fire service staff coming forwards with complaints will be adequately supported and treated fairly, alongside urgently exploring options for “more radical reform” in the long term.   Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said:  “This…

Three men have been sent to prison for a total of 16 years after being convicted of a violent robbery which happened in February this year in central Cardiff. At around 10pm on February 16, a 63-year-old man was cycling along Tudor Road when he was set upon by three men who dragged him from his bike, assaulted him and stole his bicycle. By the end of the month all three suspects were arrested and charged with robbery and assault offences. Detective Constable Craig Pearce from Fairwater CID said: I am pleased the matter has been brought to court and…

Many are aware that Bangor-born Hugh Iorys Hughes was involved in the development of the Mullberry temporary harbours used during the D Day Landings- some of which were also built at Conwy Morfa. Less well-known if the contribution of Blaenau Ffestiniog-born Jack Derbyshire, who also played a pivotal role in the D- Day preparations. Jack graduated from Bangor University with a Physics degree in 1940. He then joined the Admiralty Research Establishment at Teddington. At Teddington he was assigned to  ‘Group W’, a small group of mathematicians and physicists, whose objective was to study the propagation of ocean waves over very…

Tenby is preparing to welcome the iconic paddle steamer the Waverly back into harbour this week. Last summer the last ocean going paddle steamer returned to Tenby after more than 30 years and hundreds of people crowded around the harbour to welcome the ship. Waverley Excursions are delighted to be returning to the area and will be ferrying passengers to and from the coastal town on Thursday, 6th June. The Waverly is due in to shore at around 5.45pm before setting off on an evening cruise at 6.15pm. Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Hundreds of people…

More than 400 pupils from Neath Port Talbot schools took part in the 2024 National Urdd Eisteddfod at Meifod which ended last week. One of Europe’s largest annual youth festivals, this year’s Urdd was held between May 27th and June 1st on land near Welshpool. This year the Urdd celebrated a record-breaking 100,454 young people registering to compete in more than 400 competitions including more Welsh learners than ever before. Of the many accomplished singers, dancers and other entrants from Neath Port Talbot one of the stand-out performances came from Ystalyfera Uwchradd (Secondary Sector) Girls’ Singing Group (Parti Merched) which…