Author: Rhys Gregory

Porthkerry Country Park is set to receive support from the Woodland Investment Grant Scheme (TWIG) to help progress plans to improve biodiversity, woodland management, and access. The scheme, which is delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the Welsh Government, has awarded the Vale of Glamorgan Council £249,676 to help assist with improvements across the country park’s wooded areas. The grant will be used for a number of improvements including: General woodland management works to maintain, enhance, and create a more robust and resilient woodland Effective management of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed which needs specialist…

Newport City Council is asking for residents’ feedback on plans to expand Ysgol Bryn Derw. The plans will see an extra 40 places made available at the school starting from September 2025. Ysgol Bryn Derw is a special school which provides education for children aged from 3-19 who have a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated learning difficulties. The council is looking to increase capacity at the school as the demand for ASD school provision in Newport is higher than the number of places currently available. Increasing capacity within the city would provide better outcomes for local children,…

Simplelifeco is a local business that assists micro businesses across the UK, helping to ditch the use of single-use plastic by supplying 100% compostable and eco-friendly packaging and mailing supplies. Simplelifeco was founded in 2019 and currently employs 3 people. The business is heavily invested in the environment and is already part of the FSC Chain of Custody group and have successfully completed our B Corp Impact Assessment and are awaiting certification. Certified B Corps meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance and are a new kind of business, balancing profit with people and the planet. The project…

Plans to consult on closing a small north Powys primary school will be considered by Cabinet later this month, the county council has said. Powys County Council is proposing to close Ysgol Bro Cynllaith, which currently has 26 pupils. On Tuesday, September 17, Cabinet will consider the plans and will be asked to start the statutory process, which could see the school close from 31 August 2025. This represents the next stage of implementation of the Llanfyllin Catchment review approved by Cabinet in September 2023. The proposal would be for pupils to transfer to their closest school in Powys. For…

Following confirmation of new cases of Bluetongue virus in England, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has urged farmers to be alert to signs of the virus. Bluetongue is caused by a virus that is primarily transmitted by certain species of biting midges. It affects ruminants (such as cattle, goats, sheep and deer) and camelids (such as alpacas and llamas). Bluetongue does not affect people or food safety. Bluetongue is a notifiable disease and suspect cases must be reported immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Further information on the clinical signs of Bluetongue and action to be…

Five members of an organised crime group responsible for trafficking more than 70 kilograms of Heroin, with an approximate street value of £7,000,000, around the United Kingdom have received sentences totalling 57-years and 2-months today at Cardiff Crown Court. Five men were brought before the Court following a protracted investigation – known as Operation Solon – which was led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales. Tarian commenced the operation on May 12, 2022, when they requested that Police Scotland arrest Steven Creasey. Creasey, an ex-police officer who had also worked for the Royal Navy, was stopped…

Transport for Wales (TfW) is providing additional rail services for fans traveling to Cardiff for the Wales V Turkey game this Friday. TfW has been working closely with the FAW to  prioritise and strengthen services  for fans travelling in and out for the game. Fans travelling to watch Wales’ first international football match under new boss Craig Bellamy should check updated timetables and plan ahead. Marie Daly, Chief Customer and Culture Officer said: “At TfW we’re proud to be delivering a transport network that supports major events throughout Wales. “So far this year, we’ve successfully provided rail services for five…

Uber Eats is today announcing that its industry-renowned Restaurant of the Year Awards are back for 2024, to spotlight and champion small restaurant businesses across the UK for the third year in a row. This year, Uber Eats is going bigger than ever, as chef, television and radio broadcaster Andi Oliver joins the esteemed judging panel. Andi is set to bring her warmth and expertise to this year’s panel and infuse the Awards with her love of food, community and connection. What’s more, Uber Eats is giving local high-street favourites more representation by introducing even more regions for the public…

Builth Wells town centre is to see improvements, that will add to its appearance, after a funding bid submitted to Powys County Council was successful. Builth Wells Town Council is to receive up to £69,472.08 towards the cost of refurbishing nine business frontages on High Street, Broad Street, Groe Street and Garth Road. The funding is being provided in the form of a Welsh Government Placemaking Grant, through its Transforming Towns programme, in this instance, for up to 70% of the total cost. The town council is working as a facilitator for the scheme, in partnership with the county council.…

BAFTA in Wales, BAFTA Cymru, today announces the nominations for the annual BAFTA Cymru Awards, honouring excellence in broadcasting and production across film and television in Wales. The winners will be unveiled at a star-studded ceremony at the ICCW in Newport on Sunday 20 October. The highlights are: Six nominations for Men Up Five nominations for Doctor Who, Pren Ar Y Bryn and Steeltown Murders Four nominations for Wolf Three nominations for documentary Siân Phillips Yn 90 Three nominations for feature film Chuck Chuck Baby Two nominations for Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In the Neck and Strike! The Women Who…