Author: Rhys Gregory

On Friday, March 8th, 60 pupils from the Monmouthshire County Council Leadership Academy Scheme attended the Leadership Academy Conference at County Hall in Usk. The young ambassadors, who came from the four secondary schools in the county, received leadership training and inspirational talks to help them with their volunteering work in their schools and communities. They participated in workshops to further develop their skills and had the opportunity to network with other ambassadors and learn from each other. Various partners from the sector held workshops, including the Youth Sport Trust, which delivered a workshop on ‘The Role of a Young…

The recently launched Streetscape Paint Scheme is being extended from Milford Haven to Haverfordwest town centre. Property owners in Charles Street, Milford Haven, have been able to apply for grants to paint the exterior of their properties and this will now be widened to include Quay Street, Bridge Street and High Street in Haverfordwest. The scheme is funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) and is part of the Council’s Street Enhancement Programme. Grants will provide 80 per cent of the total capital expenditure on one property Local Member Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “As the County Councillor for the…

“Partnership working is key if child poverty is to be tackled in Powys” – that was message to those who attended a child poverty conference hosted by the county council. The second Child Poverty Task Force Conference, which was hosted by Powys County Council, took place at the end of February. During the conference, attendees heard from the council as well its partners in the public, voluntary and charity sectors about the work that has been undertaken to tackle child poverty in the county. Key activities to support children and young people in Powys that were highlighted during the conference…

The Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, has today announced new capital funding of more than £12.5m to improve school and college buildings throughout Wales. The funding package will include £2.56m to cover the costs of remedial works to all schools where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been identified. A further £10m will be available for large scale capital maintenance work focused on energy efficiency measures. This includes replacing roofs, windows, heating and ventilation works and electrical systems. Five schools – Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi on Ynys Môn; Ysgol Maes Owen in Conwy; Ysgol Trefnant in Denbighshire and…

A new website has been launched by The Open University in Wales and Wales TUC to support more people into lifelong learning. unionlearning.wales gives information on OU degrees and free courses, as well as funding available for all workers in Wales. The new site contains descriptions of OU courses which are popular with people looking to upskill or change their career. These include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as Access courses which can help people take a step into higher education for the first time. Users can also find out about the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF), which has…

MWT Cymru, an advocate for tourism businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd, has announced a leadership change with the appointment of Zoe Hawkins as new chief executive. With 14 years of dedicated service within the organisation, coupled with her first-hand experience as a business owner, Zoe has a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the complexities faced by tourism businesses. Zoe, who lives in Newtown, is looking forward to leading MWT Cymru, also known as Mid Wales Tourism,  into a new era of growth and collaboration. She takes up her new post next month. “I am immensely proud…

Chocolate fans are in for a cocoa powered treat as Hotel Chocolat, the luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier, announces the opening of its latest out-of-town concept store located at Newport Retail Park. Opening 21st March 2024, this latest store from Hotel Chocolat is home to a Velvetiser Café, serving iconic Velvetised™ drinking chocolate and other hot drinks. Guests can select from thousands of combinations to personalize their drink including 18 flavours served hot, over ice or as a Choc Shake with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative, plus a variety of toppings. The team can also help customers find…

The Charity regulator for England and Wales has opened an inquiry into the Al-Manar Centre Trust following serious concerns about a video post on the charity’s Facebook page. The Al-Manar Centre Trust was established in 2009 to advance and support Islamic education, strengthen community relationships and religious harmony in Cardiff, and to educate the public about the Islamic faith. The video was posted on the charity’s Facebook account in November 2023 and has raised concerns around the charity’s social media controls. The video, which was not created by the charity but posted on one of its social media channels, could…

The World’s last seagoing paddle steamer is returning to cruise the Bristol Channel this June for an extended period building on the exceptional success of her 2023 visit. Waverley will give locals and visitors alike the opportunity to step aboard for a nostalgic trip on the famous steamship from Saturday 1st to Sunday 23rd June. The steamer will offer a wide variety of cruises from Penarth, Porthcawl, Swansea, Tenby and Milford Haven. This year marks the 45th anniversary since Waverley first visited the Bristol Channel and South Wales back in 1979, sailing in the wake of the famous White Funnel…

Cardiff Bus has announced service changes from March 31st 2024, in response to the conclusion of the Welsh Government’s Bus Transition Fund (BTF) support scheme. The scheme, which provided stability during and post pandemic by funding the bus network Wales-wide for all operators, will come to its planned end.  Like all operators, Cardiff Bus will now need to return to the pre-Pandemic business model which sees the vast majority of its services operating based on the level of use by its customers. However, Welsh Government has made some additional funding available to Local Authorities across the Country to support services…