Author: Rhys Gregory

A Swansea-based charity has secured almost £20,000 in new funding, which will allow it to help more people in Wales who suffer with kidney disease. Popham Kidney Support, the Swansea-based kidney charity, has announced that it has secured funding, a total of £19,875, from the National Lottery Community Fund. The funding will be used to help the development and expansion of the charity’s ‘Kidney Café’ initiative throughout Wales, providing vital support to individuals facing kidney disease and their families. The Popham Kidney Support Kidney Cafés are support groups designed for people living with kidney disease to connect face-to-face, offering patients…

On Thursday, November 7th, Dame Nia Griffith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Wales Office, visited Aberystwyth to see the regeneration projects which have been part funded by the UK Government: the Revitalisation of Aberystwyth Promenade and the historic Old College redevelopment. The visit included a tour along Aberystwyth Prom where there are significant improvements to public spaces, such as upgraded street lighting, as well as better footpaths and new street furniture to refresh and modernise the promenade. These upgrades will create a welcoming and safe environment, making the promenade an inviting space to enjoy year-round. Councillor Bryan…

Carmarthenshire’s ultimate festive event is set to take place in the beautiful surroundings of Aberglasney Gardens. The annual Winter Fair will be held over three days – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 29 & 30 November and 1 December 2024. For the Winter Fair the Gardens will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be festive live music, a children’s trail and Santa will be in his Aberglasney grotto. Stall holders will include artists and crafters as well as artisan food and drink producers. Jim Stribling, Aberglasney’s Director of Operations, said, “Aberglasney’s Winter Fair is the perfect start to…

ENTREPRENEURS and small businesses have united to bring collaborative energy and an economic boost to communities in west Wales And there is no better example than the bustling market town of Tregaron, where residents have either launched their own companies or taken existing ventures to the next level with the support of Antur Cymru Enterprise. With backing from Ceredigion’s Local Business Support and Smart Busnes projects – provided by Ceredigion County Council via the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund – countless traders have benefited from targeted advice, including Halen a Pupur cafe, Y Talbot Inn, Lewis and Hughes Printers, Gwen’s…

A series of arrests across southern Wales and the West Country aimed at tackling the supply of drugs saw 20 people taken into custody including 12 on a single day. Led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) for southern Wales, Operation Altar is a large-scale investigation into an organised crime group responsible for the production and supply of Class B drugs across the southern Wales region. The mass-enforcement activity took place on Monday, November 4 and involved over 60 police officers from the ROCU, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, and Dyfed-Powys Police. They were joined by officers from…

A 61-year-old man has been jailed for an unprovoked attack on a woman in a pub. John Welsh, of Bodlondeb Terrace, Holyhead, appeared before Llandudno Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 7th charged with affray and assault causing actual bodily harm. Welsh, also known as Jackie, admitted the offences and was jailed for 26 weeks. He is also banned from entering all licenced premises in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy for two years. In the early hours of Monday October 28th, Welsh assaulted a woman at the George Hotel in Holyhead. Following an altercation with another man in the pub, Welsh threw a…

Contactless tap in, tap out ‘Pay As You Go’ rail payment option has now been extended to a further nine stations between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay. Making it faster, easier and cheaper to travel, Transport for Wales launched the scheme in January on journeys between Cardiff Central, Newport and Pontyclun. It was then extended to the Ebbw Vale line in March, the Maesteg line in September and following its success it was expanded to an additional seven stations in October including Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Cwmbran, Pontypool and New Inn, Abergavenny and Pyle. The smoother travel option has now…

Schools in Pembrokeshire are leading the way in reducing issues with mobile phones with the Council among the first in Wales to develop a policy to support it. The rationale behind the policy is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones and devices that presents significant challenges to how pupils behave and learn in school settings. Increasingly, there is mounting evidence suggesting that the unchecked use of mobile phones in schools is having a detrimental impact on pupils’ mental health and academic progress, while also draining the energy of school staff who must manage resulting problems. As well as distraction by…

Caegarw Primary School of Mountain Ash is due to receive a significant upgrade to its playground climbing equipment. The school has received a generous gesture from local business, T Samuel Estate agents. Under the Local Management of Schools, it is a school’s Governing Body that is responsible for playground equipment. The school’s initial saving plan for the refurbishment of the playground estimated a 5-year goal, with planned fundraising activities such as an Easter Extravaganza and Choir Concert helping to raise over £5,000 towards the fundraising target. Purchasing a rundown local property, T Samuel Estate Agents, with the help of community…

The Welsh Government has today (11th November) launched a 50-day challenge to help more people safely return home from hospital and to ease winter pressures on our health and care system. Health boards and local authorities will work together to use a 10-point action plan to support more people who have experienced long delays in hospital, to return home. The challenge is designed to ensure the NHS and local councils work together to share and learn from best practice to improve our system performance and ensure we have the right support available to help people stay well or recover at…