Author: Rhys Gregory

Christopher Gould, 45, from Maesteg, who subjected a teenager to years of coercive control has been sentenced to four years in jail for coercive control, malicious communications, and sexual assault. Gould pleaded guilty to the coercive and controlling behaviour and malicious communications charges. He was later found guilty by a jury to the additional offence of sexual assault. The coercive and controlling behaviour involved setting up numerous fake social media accounts to ‘befriend’ the victim and her friends.  Christopher Gould was then able to monitor her whereabouts, and who she was with, in order that he could stalk and harass…

A new video has been created in partnership with Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme (PSEP) to illustrate how accessible voting can be for all. Pembrokeshire County Council Electoral Services has been working hard to ensure that everyone who wants to vote has access to all the information they need to do so, whether that be via postal vote or in person at a polling station. The skills of film graduate Aeran Hopewell, currently working with the PSEP, were put to good use as they shot and edited the video featuring colleagues Kath Brookes and James Pugh, along with Electoral Services and…

RCT Cabinet has agreed to continue the Council’s Local Business Rate Reduction Scheme for another year – to grant an estimated 500 businesses that qualify for Welsh Government’s Retail, Leisure and Hospitality scheme with additional rate relief of up to £500. The Retail, Leisure and Hospitality (RLH) Rates Relief in Wales Scheme has been provided by Welsh Government since 2020/21, as a temporary measure to support businesses like shops, pubs, restaurants, performance venues, gyms and hotels. It was introduced to help businesses in the pandemic and remains in place due to continuing economic pressures. It will provide a 40% business…

The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k is thrilled to announce that Llamau will be returning as the official sponsored charity for this year’s event on Sunday 12th May. As a leading charity dedicated to supporting young people and women experiencing homelessness across Wales, Llamau’s involvement adds a meaningful dimension to the race. Llamau, with a rich history of making a positive impact, focuses on homelessness prevention, offering support, accommodation, and opportunities to those in need. The charity’s commitment to creating lasting change aligns seamlessly with the spirit of the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k, where participants not only run for personal achievement…

When it comes to hitting the road, safety isn’t just a priority; it’s the heart of every journey. With Ezlogz, it’s more than a tracking tool – it’s a partner committed to ensuring that each drive is secure, efficient, and stress-free. Let’s explore how Ezlogz goes beyond the standard GPS and becomes a real ally in safeguarding drivers on their travels. Better Routes, Smoother Rides Getting stuck in traffic or facing unexpected roadblocks is a daily headache for drivers. Ezlogz does more than just give directions; it plans smart routes. By considering real-time factors like traffic and weather, it ensures…

A 23-year-old woman from Caerphilly is running the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon to raise money for Tŷ Hafan. Heidi Perkins, a flood risk consultant from Bedwas, said the charity provided ‘amazing care’ for her nephew Matthew who sadly passed away when he was just seven weeks old. Matthew was born in July 2023 by emergency C-section after a midwife was concerned with his growth. Heidi said: “Throughout my sister Caroline’s pregnancy everything looked fine. But at 38 weeks her midwife wanted to send her for some more scans as the growth of her bump wasn’t looking right. The scans detected…

Swansea Arena is in the running for an award in recognition of its design excellence. The arena, which has been open since March 2022, is among the finalists for a Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) Welsh Architecture Award. Developed by Swansea Council, run by Ambassador Theatre Group and part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal, the arena was designed by architecture practice, ACME. Over 1,600 gold-coloured panels help make up the outside of the building, along with close to 100,000 programmable LED lights used to promote upcoming shows and events at the venue. Its entrance level is fully…

North Wales businesspeople have been invited to hear a fresh economic outlook to help ensure they blossom in the year ahead. This spring, the North Wales branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) will bring company leaders together to learn the potential opportunities for growth and development, using trends both segmented to the region and across the UK. As part of its first event of the year, the IoD lunch will welcome Alwen Williams, portfolio director of Ambition North Wales to discuss the latest Growth Deal plans, and financial economist and Bangor University senior lecturer Professor Ed Jones for an…

BRIDGEND-based housing association Valleys to Coast has appointed former Pobl Group Chief Executive Amanda Davies as the new Chair of its Board. Amanda will join Valleys to Coast in April, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her career in housing, care and support services alongside board positions at the heart of Welsh regeneration and charitable causes. She will step into the shoes of retiring Chair Anthony Whittaker, who bids farewell to Valleys to Coast after five years at the helm. Amanda will work closely with the association’s Group Chief Executive Joanne Oak and the Executive Team providing strategic…

The world-renowned Welsh chocolatier behind the fantastical chocolate creations in the new Timothée Chalamet Wonkafilm has visited learners at a valleys college to shed light on what it takes to turn passions into a dream profession. Cardiff-born Gabriella Cugno, who has been referred to as the real-life Willy Wonka, joined creative and catering learners at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus to talk through her illustrious career and share advice to budding chocolatiers and prop makers. During her visit, Gabriella spoke to 50 learners studying prop making, arts, special effects and catering courses, giving them an insight into her career journey,…