Author: Rhys Gregory

A newly refurbished children’s play area in Maesteg has been damaged by vandals just weeks after reopening. Bridgend County Borough Council has revealed that the play park at Maesteg Welfare Park has suffered significant damage, with burn marks left on the safety flooring. The park only reopened in May following refurbishment works, making the damage particularly disappointing. In an update, the council said it is committed to repairing and replacing the damaged areas, but warned the work will cost more than £1,000. A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesperson said: “We’re saddened to report vandalism at the newly refurbished children’s play…

People are being invited to have their say on plans for the proposed new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr as the statutory pre-application consultation gets underway. The consultation, which opened on Friday 17 July, gives residents and other interested parties the opportunity to view the proposed plans and provide feedback before a planning application is formally submitted. The proposed development includes a new Welsh-medium primary school on land north of the Princess Way roundabout in Brackla. The plans also include sports pitches, floodlighting, parking, drainage, landscaping and associated engineering works. Copies of the proposed application, plans and supporting documents are available…

A new scheme designed to help Cardiff residents improve the energy efficiency of their homes will launch on 1 September. The Tai Clyd Caerdydd pilot scheme, delivered in partnership by Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government, will initially focus on homes in Fairwater, Adamsdown and parts of neighbouring Splott. The area based scheme aims to help residents make informed decisions about improving their homes, while reducing energy bills and tackling fuel poverty. Households taking part will be offered free access to trusted advisers who will provide independent advice and whole house assessments. The assessments will help residents understand which improvements,…

Thousands of visitors are expected to flock to Swansea Bay later this month as the Wales Airshow returns with two days of spectacular flying displays and family entertainment. Taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July, the free event, presented by Swansea Council, will once again transform Swansea Bay into a natural amphitheatre, with a packed programme of aerial displays and attractions along the promenade. Among the headline acts is the RAF Typhoon, the fourth generation multi role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high intensity conflict. Its appearance at this year’s event is being supported by Bassetts Motor…

Three people in two separate cases have been ordered to pay a combined total of more than £3,500 after waste was discovered in the Dulais Valley and on a street in Port Talbot. This first case saw waste strewn across two miles of land along a road between Crynant and Cilfrew in the Dulais Valley. It was first reported on 6th November (2025). The waste contained a mixture of vehicle parts, oil-coated components, commercial waste, household items and fluorescent lighting tubes. Following some initial enquiries, 38-year-old Roger Townsend contacted investigators saying he wanted to discuss waste he’d deposited in Crynant.…

Visitors travelling to this year’s National Eisteddfod in north Pembrokeshire are being encouraged to leave the car at home, with a range of extra bus services operating throughout the festival. The enhanced services will make it easier for people to reach Eisteddfod y Garreg Las at Llantwd, with additional routes, later evening journeys and a free shuttle bus available during the event. The TrawsCymru T5 service will take passengers directly to the Maes, operating regularly between Haverfordwest and Cardigan via Fishguard. TrawsCymru will also provide more frequent buses and late evening services between Fishguard and Cardigan throughout National Eisteddfod week.…

A youth charity, a thriving restaurant, a popular barbershop and an established sign manufacturer are among the Newport businesses and organisations to benefit from grants awarded through Newport City Council’s business fund. Councillor James Clarke recently visited Urban Circle, Low and Slow and Hounds to see how the funding awarded last year has been used. Earlier this year, he also visited family business Standard Signs to hear how it had benefited from an accelerated growth grant. Urban Circle is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year as an independent youth arts and advocacy charity. Earlier this year, it opened Circle in…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet will consider a proposal this week to transfer the Winding House Museum in New Tredegar to community ownership through its Community Asset Transfer (CAT) programme. The proposal recommends granting AbleRoots CIC a 25-year lease of the historic building, subject to legal due diligence, completion of essential enabling works, and agreement of final lease terms. The Community Asset Transfer programme aims to empower local organisations to take on valued community assets, helping to safeguard services and facilities while supporting long-term community benefit. The Winding House Museum, which has been closed since 2022, is a significant local…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet is set to agree plans for the Community Asset Transfer of several sports facilities in Senghenydd at its meeting on 22nd July, supporting their long-term future and wider community use. The proposed 25-year transfer to Senghenydd Rugby Football Club includes Senghenydd Bowling Green and bowls pavilion, the rugby pavilion and pitch at Welfare Park and Windsor Colliery Playing Field. Senghenydd RFC has served the community for more than 125 years and currently supports over 350 regular users, with more than 65 active volunteers. The club plans to improve the facilities and increase opportunities for schools,…

A Powys primary school is celebrating after being removed from special measures following a successful Estyn monitoring visit. Inspectors judged that Llangors C.I.W. Primary School has made sufficient progress against all recommendations from its previous core inspection. As a result, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales has removed the school from the list of schools requiring special measures. The Estyn monitoring report highlights significant progress in safeguarding, leadership, teaching and learning, and self-evaluation. Key improvements highlighted in the report include: Strengthened safeguarding arrangements – leaders, staff and governors have established a strong culture of safeguarding, with…