Author: Rhys Gregory

Musicians in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra will be taking industrial action on Saturday 21 September, supported by the Musicians’ Union(MU). MU members will be taking Action Short of Strike by leafleting the audience on their way in to and wearing campaign t-shirts instead of their usual concert dress for the opening night performance of Rigoletto. The performance is directed by Adele Thomas, who will be taking office as Co-General Director and Co-CEO alongside Sarah Crabtree in January 2025. The musicians will be calling on management, Arts Council of Wales and Arts Council England to keep WNO as a…

North Wales Police have received reports of youths throwing items, which has subsequently resulted in vehicles being damaged and on one occasion, a baby in a pushchair was hit. PC Jordan Jones, of the Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “The recent behaviour in Caernarfon is having a serious impact on residents and is putting community members at risk. “Luckily, the baby did not sustain any injuries, but this could have been a different story. “We have so far identified 14 young people between the ages of 9-15 years old who we suspect are involved and officers will be visiting their homes…

A section of Gower coast path affected by coastal erosion is being diverted further inland to help maintain the popular walking route. Swansea Council has secured funding from the Welsh Government to help provide a new 450 metre section of coast path between Rotherslade and Limeslade. The latest planned improvements follow on from coastal erosion which has previously occurred near to the existing route and has prompted the Council’s Countryside Access Team to look at developing an alternative route which will help maintain the continuous route that stretches along the entire Gower coastline. Plans will include the introduction of a…

A unique remote classroom will cross the Irish Sea this month to give young people in Pembrokeshire an introduction to Aquaculture – the farming of aquatic animals and plants. The Aquaculture Remote Classroom (ARC) from Ireland will visit Pembrokeshire College on September 18th and 19th, and Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi on September 20th. The event at Pembrokeshire College on Wednesday 18th includes an open session and anyone interested in attending is asked to please contact in advance (see details below). The ARC visits schools across Ireland to introduce students to Aquaculture and demonstrates the importance of marine life. This will be the…

Works have begun to enhance the current hockey pitch in Ysgol Afon Wen, formerly known as Hawthorn High School, for school and community use. The Council has received 38% of funding towards for the project from the Pitch Sports Collaboration Group, provided by Welsh Government and administered by Sport Wales in collaboration with Hockey Wales, Football Association of Wales and Welsh Rugby Union. The re-surfacing project, with some work to upgrade and strengthen the fencing will include new dug outs and new hockey goals. It will be a priority pitch for hockey but will also be available to other sports…

Caerphilly County Borough Sports and Leisure Services were honoured to welcome Hanna Guise, the National Learn to Swim Manager from Swim Wales, to Caerphilly Leisure Centre this week. Hanna led a masterclass aimed at enhancing the delivery of primary school swimming lessons throughout the borough. The event was attended by over 20 primary school swimming teachers, showcasing Caerphilly County Borough Council’s commitment to delivering excellence in school swimming programmes. The masterclass provided invaluable insights and practical strategies, empowering teachers to further improve the quality of swimming instruction available to local pupils. Councillor Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, commented…

A new Senedd law which will help modernise the electoral administration and remove barriers to democratic engagement has become the first act to be sealed by new First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, since she took office. The Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill was first introduced to the Senedd in October 2023 and was passed by the Welsh Parliament in July this year. The new law means that Wales is set to be the first part of the UK to have automatic enrolment to the voting register, following countries like France, Germany and Italy who have a similar system…

From 1st October 2024 it will become a legal requirement for all bird keepers in Wales (and England) to register themselves with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Previously, only keepers with 50 or more birds were legally required to register. This new requirement will mean keepers of poultry and other captive birds must register regardless of the size of their flock. More than 2,000 keepers of small flocks of poultry and other captive birds across Wales have already registered ahead of the legal deadline on 1st October. By registering you will receive updates and guidance if there’s a…

First Minister Eluned Morgan has this week announced above-inflation pay awards for hundreds of thousands of public sector workers in Wales. NHS staff, teachers and public sector workers in many devolved services will receive pay rises of between 5% and 6% in 2024-25. The announcement comes as the Welsh Government has accepted the pay recommendations from independent pay review bodies in full: Teachers will receive a 5.5% pay award. NHS staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions will receive a 5.5% pay award. Doctors and dentists, including GPs and salaried GPs, will receive a 6% pay award, with an…

Openreach’s latest plans to upgrade current broadband to ultrafast connectivity for eligible homes and businesses around Broad Haven, Carew, Dale, Dinas Cross, Lamphey and Manorbier could soon get underway with the support of the UK Government’s Gigabit Voucher scheme. Openreach has plans for six areas in the county that are in scope for full fibre broadband and eligible residents have already started to pledge Gigabit Vouchers to bring the ultrafast broadband to these communities by applying for and pooling together their free UK Government Gigabit Vouchers to help fund the build. The broadband upgrades are integral to kickstarting economic growth…