Author: Rhys Gregory

A by-election will be held to fill a vacancy in the Haverfordwest Prendergast ward. A Notice of Election was published on 6th January.  Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer between the 7th and 15th January, between 10am and 4pm. For further information and to obtain nomination papers please email [email protected] or call the Elections Helpline number 01437 775844. The Statement of Persons Nominated will be published following the close of nominations. If contested the by-election vote will take place on Tuesday, 11th February. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor…

Blackwood Miners Institute has received positive news to mark the start of the New Year as Caerphilly County borough council announces that the popular attraction is to remain open for the future. In December 2024 it was confirmed that a successful application to the Arts Council for Wales meant that building was able to remain open for an extended period of time, to allow for an alternative delivery model to be considered. Caerphilly county borough council has now confirmed that Blackwood Miners Institute will remain fully operational with more options being explored for the venue to be run in a…

Skills Minister, Jack Sargeant, recently visited a Working Wales careers centre to meet individuals who have turned their careers around in their 40s and 50s with the support from a Working Wales career review. Working Wales are currently running a campaign to encourage more people across Wales to take up the offer of their free career review. The review is an opportunity to explore and consider new career possibilities with an experienced and professionally trained careers adviser. It is open to people of all ages who are considering a career change for any reason, which could include: Looking for a…

First Minister Eluned Morgan will today (Tuesday 7 January) tell the Senedd how she will deliver for Wales in 2025. Since becoming First Minister, she has travelled the length and breadth of Wales, meeting people in their own communities to listen and learn firsthand what is most important to them. Their priorities have been placed at the heart of the government’s work programme: ‘Iechyd da’ – a Healthier Wales, jobs and green growth, opportunity for every family and connecting communities. The Welsh Government has already targeted an extra £157m this financial year to deliver these promises. This includes £21m for…

A leading civil engineering firm’s determination to leave a legacy in communities in which they’ve worked has been underlined by a trio of sporting sponsorships. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has backed two junior football teams in the shape of Panthers under-11s and Prestatyn Sports under-11s, as well as Rhyl Rugby Club under-9s. This support links closely to the multi-million-pound coastal defence works in Penrhyn Bay in 2023 and current activity on a similar project in Kinmel Bay. Penrhyn Bay-based Panthers u-11s received a £1,500 donation, which has been used to purchase training kit and a matchday tracksuit for all 12 players.…

Three dead dogs have been found dumped in rubbish bags in a Pentrebach car park, Merthyr Tydfil. The upsetting discovery took place yesterday (Monday 30 December) at around 9am at the end of a car park on Brown Street near a small brick building. The three dogs found were all female – one black spaniel type dog, a white and ginger terrier type and a small white terrier who had black markings to her face. They were all found in separate black plastic bags. Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Kirsty Morgan, who collected the bodies, said: “The vet estimates they had…

The renowned Spanish restaurant group behind Asador 44 (Cardiff) and Bar 44 (Cardiff, Bristol and Penarth) will kick off the new year with an exciting and interactive offer to beat the January blues. Starting from 3rd January, customers visiting any Bar 44 restaurant, or the acclaimed Asador 44 in Cardiff, will have the chance to roll a custom-made dice for a chance to win up to 44% off their entire restaurant bill. The playful twist on a January sale is set to run Monday to Friday throughout the month. What’s the deal? When asking for their bill, guests dining at…

Wales’s legendary centre-forward, Mark Hughes is the subject of a brand-new documentary on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Wales on Tuesday, 7th January at 10.40pm; the first episode in a new series of Legends of Welsh Sport. David Beckham’s tributes to Mark Hughes are glowing. “There are certain players that played for United over the years that set the tone of the club. We were able to learn from players like Mark. That is why Mark is part of Manchester United history,” says Beckham. Focusing on his club career with two European super clubs – Manchester United and Barcelona –…

Hotels, guest houses and other providers of visitor accommodation in Powys are being encouraged to take part in a consultation on Welsh Government plans to introduce a tourism tax. The Senedd Cymru (Welsh Parliament’s) Finance Committee is seeking views as part of its scrutiny of the proposed Bill which, if passed into law, would see the introduction of a register for all visitor accommodation providers in Wales. It would also give councils – like Powys – the ability to impose a visitor levy (tax) which the places where they stay would be responsible for collecting. The consultation can be found…

Christmas at Bute Park has closed its doors after another jam-packed festive season that saw visitors flocking to enjoy the spectacular light display. Despite having to temporarily close due to flooding two days after its original opening date – and again for a day due to Storm Darragh’s high winds – 96,788 guests enjoyed the spectacular display at the award-winning event, with a re-imagined route of all new installations created by a selection of world-class artists and designers. Roxy Robinson, Creative Director at From the Fields, the team behind Christmas at Bute Park, said: “With Christmas at Bute Park in…