Author: Rhys Gregory

A man who fled the scene of a collision which left a woman fatally injured has been sent to prison after appearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday July 17). Cameron Jones, 30, from Swansea Road, Merthyr Tydfil, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and disqualified from driving for 10 years. On Friday April 5, Jones was driving an Audi along Swansea Road when it collided with a garden wall. Demi Mabbitt, 25, from Aberfan, died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. After avoiding arrest for three weeks Jones was arrested and charged with causing…

North Wales Police is issuing SmartWater spray to high-risk victims to further protect them against domestic abuse. The forensic liquid is often used to mark property to prevent items being stolen. But the force is now giving out DeterTech canisters to some victims to prevent perpetrators from contacting them. The substance in each canister, only visible under ultraviolet light, has its own unique reference number, similar to a DNA profile. Once it is sprayed, the watermarks will provide key evidence in court against a suspect, who is likely to have been ordered not to visit a victim. Inspector Claire McGrady…

ransport for Wales has launched a special Welsh menu on their trains as a celebration of the national Eisteddfod. Customers can expect a unique dining experience featuring the very best of Welsh produce including laverbread bacon, Caerphilly chicken supreme, glazed bara brith and many more. The exclusive restaurant is available on selected rail services running between north and south Wales and all meals are cooked by TfW onboard chefs. A menu will also be available in standard class offering customers the chance to try the ‘Eisteddfod Burger’ and a selection of Welsh produced drinks. Piers Croft, Transport for Wales On…

A recent reaccreditation of Heronsbridge School’s platinum status with Investors in People, first achieved in 2021, has highlighted the school as having the highest nationwide score for this award in the school sector. Focusing on advanced levels, the Investors in People reaccreditation process revealed phenomenally high scoring in all of the relevant indicators, positioning Heronsbridge School at the forefront of schools throughout the UK for this accolade. The latest reassessment and report spotlighted an array of the school’s exceptional qualities, including the positive culture of development, innovation and creativity, as well as the empowerment of staff to use their initiative,…

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee valley National Landscapes are reminding dog owners to act responsibly as people prepare to visit the area’s countryside hotspots during the upcoming summer holidays. Following incidents reported around Moel Famau, people are being urged to follow important advice to keep pets on leads whilst taking in the countryside during the holidays. Livestock worrying, where dogs disturb and chase sheep, is illegal. Dogs that are caught worrying livestock can be destroyed and their owners can be prosecuted. Visitors to the countryside should make themselves aware of what restrictions and guidelines are in…

After many months of work and numerous questions about the activities happening under the white gazebos on the gantry, Newport Council has shared an update on the transformation project at Newport’s beloved Transporter Bridge. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government, and the Wolfson Foundation, with additional financial support from the council, the project includes two major elements: the construction of a new visitor centre and the restoration of the world-famous bridge itself. While work on the bridge continues, the new visitor centre is set to open for organised community and school group visits in January 2025, providing…

Blaenau Gwent Council, working as part of a new taskforce, has been successful in securing Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions against five male youths who have engaged in sustained violent and threatening behaviour in the Brynmawr and Tredegar areas. This has followed numerous complaints from residents and businesses in the affected areas about the behaviour of the youths aged between 14 and 17. The Injunctions are designed to prevent the individuals responsible from entering identified exclusion areas and causing further issues. The Injunctions carry power of arrest for any breach of the court order. A new Anti-Social Behaviour Taskforce made up of…

Pobl Group has climbed two places in the Inside Housing Top 50 Biggest Builders development survey, securing the 40th spot, demonstrating the contribution Welsh housing associations are making on the UK scene. The annual report from the influential trade publication charts how many homes housing associations in the UK are building. The Group has achieved impressive milestones across the time covered by the latest report, completing a much needed 462 homes across various tenures during the 2023-24 period, a notable 27% increase from the previous year.   Significantly, Pobl is ranked 9th in the whole of the UK for social rent…

A large number of parks and green spaces across the county borough of Neath Port Talbot have once again reached the high standards required to fly the coveted Keep Wales Tidy Green Flag. The environmental charity has revealed the sites across Wales which have won the Green Flag and Green Flag Community awards including the following in Neath Port Talbot : •    Gnoll Estate Country Park (Full Award) •    Margam Country Park (Full Award) •    Swansea Bay University Campus Grounds (Full Award) •    Taibach Memorial Park (Full Award) •    Victoria Gardens (Full Award) •    Amman Valley Trotting Club (Community Award)…

Cwrt Rawlin Primary School in Caerphilly and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Allta, Ystrad Mynach are both celebrating positive Estyn inspection reports. Estyn is responsible for inspecting education and training providers and advising Welsh Government about the quality and standards of education in Wales. Both Caerphilly borough schools were inspected earlier this year to positive feedback from inspectors. Cwrt Rawlin was praised for its highly inclusive ethos and its strong team of dedicated, skilled teachers and teaching assistants. Tara Lloyd, Headteacher at Cwrt Rawlin, said “We are delighted that ESTYN have recognised the very good practice in the school and the hard work…