Author: Rhys Gregory

Love Island star Connagh Howard has been unveiled as the latest celebrity ambassador for the award-winning Sound campaign – a platform encouraging young men to take personal and collective responsibility in ending violence against women.  His role as ambassador recently took him back to his old school, Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf in Cardiff, to talk to pupils about healthy relationships, social media, and negative attitudes towards women. The students and Connagh explored what it means to be in a healthy relationship. One student said: “A big part of a healthy relationship is trust, there shouldn’t be a need to go through…

A landmark series of expos designed to connect, support and boost business across Powys began in Brecon this month. The series of expos will give local individuals and enterprises the chance to showcase their products and services, meet local suppliers and customers and get one-to-one business advice and support. The project is part of a wider programme of support across the county led by small business and coworking specialists Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq) and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), supported by Powys County Council. Attendance and access to the support is free, and businesses can exhibit…

An Aberystwyth University student has urged computer users to “think before you click” when asked to accept online cookies. Second year computer science student Jasmine Kam has been studying the possible effects of accepting browser cookies, small text files which are transferred to computers or mobiles when visiting a website or app. Jasmine presented her work at the 2024 BCSWomen Lovelace Colloquium, the UK’s national conference for women and non-binary computing students. This conference is organised by BCSWomen, the women in technology group of the BCS, The Chartered Institute of IT, and was hosted this year by Liverpool University. Jasmine’s…

Mermaid Quay is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week with a lineup of free events and pop ups on the Quayside from the 13th to the 19th May. The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 24th year and this year’s theme is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’. Even though the benefits of physical activity on our mental health are well known, getting enough fresh air and exercise can sometimes be a struggle with 36% of UK adults finding it a challenge to find the time for physical activity. So, this Mental Health Awareness…

Thousands of runners took to the streets of Newport to take part in the exciting new ABP Newport Marathon Festival. More than 7,000 people were signed up to run in the Marathon, the new Half Marathon distance and 10K races, which started and finished outside of the University of South Wales Building in Usk Way. Hundreds more took part in the afternoon’s Junior Races which included the Future Challengers competitive 1 mile-race, 50 metre Toddler Dash and Family Fun Run mile, and were even treated to a brief bit of sunshine. Members of the Newport Marathon 100 Club were also…

Transport for Wales has named two new trains after the home cities of Wrexham Football Club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The ‘Philadelphia Robin’ and ‘Vancouver Red Dragon’ were unveiled today by Welsh Government’s First Minister Vaughan Gethin and Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, ahead of the home game against Stockport. Transport for Wales wanted to acknowledge the positive work and impact the owners have had in the area including how they’ve helped the local community and businesses. First Minister Vaughan Gething said: “It’s been great to visit Wrexham General today and see two of…

The Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant is open and Expressions of Interest (EOI) are welcome. More than £4million of funding has been distributed to areas where the impact of second home ownership is highest since Pembrokeshire County Council set up the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant. Funded by the Council’s second home council tax premium, there is £700,000 available in 2024-2025 for small and large community groups and projects across the county. A total of £300,000 is available for small grants up to £15,000 and £400,000 has been allocated for large grants up to £100,000. Small grants are assessed on a rolling programme throughout…

The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle MS, officially opened Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon today, Friday the 26th of April 2024 along with special guests. The school, which is located on the former site of Cwmcarn Comprehensive School, opened its doors to pupils and staff in November last year. The project was jointly funded by Caerphilly Council and Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, which forms part of the Council’s wider Place Shaping Strategy. Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Gwyddon is home to approximately 260 pupils, and this continues to grow with the school now having capacity to accommodate…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team have been made aware of reports of a cold caller in the Bargoed area, offering to undertake work to re-spray a patio. The householder said that they would think about the offer, but the trader returned to begin work whilst they were not home, advising neighbours that he would return later for his payment. A spokesperson for the council said: “Our advice is never deal with doorstep cold callers. “Never give a cold caller access to your property or garden or pay upfront for work that has not yet been completed. “Do not…

An official opening for the all-new community recycling centre in Pyle was held earlier this week and a number of local dignitaries along with Local Environmental Champions and award winners Aoife Dean and Kylan Williams were invited to explore the modern-day facility which will benefit the county borough for generations to come. Council staff and contractors welcomed Council Leader Cllr Huw David, Deputy Leader Cllr Jane Gebbie, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment Cllr John Spanswick, Deputy Mayor Cllr Heather Griffiths and the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan Dr Richard Lewis MBE DL to the official opening of…