Author: Rhys Gregory

A group of local businesses and community groups have been announced as the first to be awarded grant funding from the Net Zero Newport Decarbonisation Programme. The programme, run by Newport City Council, offers free advice and match-funded grants up to £30,000 to organisations in the Newport area looking to reduce their carbon emissions. Over £201,000 has been awarded in this first phase. The programme aims to help stimulate growth in Newport’s low carbon economy and support the city’s journey to net zero by 2050 by investing in local businesses and community groups, people and skills. Eight of the first…

A man from Newport has been successfully prosecuted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for depositing large quantities of waste on his land, without an environmental permit, following a two-day trial at Cardiff Magistrates Court. Mohammed Zishan Ali Hassan and his company CF39 Ltd were ordered to pay a combined total of £19,886 after being found guilty of allowing general mixed waste and waste consistent with house clearance and renovation works, to be dumped on his land at the Courtybella Works Club in Newport, and operating a regulated facility without an environmental permit. This is an offence under the Environmental Protection…

Saturday the 6th of July saw Bargoed Town Centre transform for the first ever Bargoed Summer Music Festival, with thousands of people flocking to the town to see and listen to the huge selection of musicians. The lively festival had multiple performance areas, from a main stage to busking areas, all of which were enjoyed by everyone. The weather wasn’t the best, but this didn’t deter the crowds from having a great time. Many of the town centres venues participated in the event. There was the main stage on Lowry Plaza, as well as four busking areas at Bargoed Library,…

28 High Street, Bargoed has recently been taken over by PopUp Wales as a space to support local businesses. PopUp Wales helps businesses by providing a space to work and hold meetings, enabling them to avoid the burden of high hire fees, legal complexities, and safety barriers. There is currently an introductory offer on until the end of September 2024 for businesses to hire a pop-up stall for just £5 a day (£15 on Saturdays) as an opportunity to test the retail market without the added financial burden of running your own premises. Trading hours are 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday.…

On July 11, a small group of the Criw Cymraeg’s from across the primary schools in Merthyr Tydfil came together to compose a song to promote the Welsh language with the support of the ‘Welsh Whisper’. A total of 8 primary schools participated in the project. The Criw Cymraeg’s are established in all schools across Merthyr Tydfil to encourage the use of the Welsh language and to arrange activities to promote the language. All the children from the various schools, provided innovative ideas on creating lyrics for the song, with the aim of promoting the language, culture and heritage. The…

Powys County Council delivered a modest surplus budget for the last financial year despite the challenging economic environment, the Cabinet will be told. The council had a £1.8m underspend for the financial year 2023/24 which ended on March 31, after contributions to specific reserves, of £0.5 million against the £242.1 million budget – a 0.7% variance – excluding Schools and the Housing Revenue Account. Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation, Cllr David Thomas said; “This year saw the Council successfully managing its budget in an extremely challenging economic environment. High inflation and pay awards have continued to impact costs…

The Year of Croeso – or ‘welcome’ – announced as part of Wales Tourism Week, aims to celebrate the distinct and varied ways in which people from across the UK and the world can feel welcomed when they holiday in Wales. The friendly welcome visitors get in Wales is a key reason for many choosing to return time and again, a testament to Wales’ culture and its people, and the primary influence for Visit Wales choosing the ‘Croeso’ theme for 2025. From mobility bikes for conquering mountains, to specially adapted changing facilities at iconic beaches, the Welsh Government has been…

A small business owner has urged parents to sign up for the Welsh Government’s Childcare Offer before the autumn term starts. Lisa Jones, who runs Y Diod café in Llandeilo, said the Childcare Offer was easy to apply for and has made a huge difference to her life. “Since we’ve had two children and learned about the 30 hours of funded childcare a week, it’s made a huge difference to our lives. “Being self-employed, it has made a massive difference ensuring I can return to the café sooner after giving birth. “I would urge people to sign up for it,…

North Wales Police are investigating a burglary and three attempted burglaries in Llanberis this week. Business and commercial premises were targeted overnight on Wednesday and Thursday. Following CCTV enquiries, we are seeking the identities of those in the below photos. PC Scott Jones said: “I am appealing to the community to help us to identify the people in the below photos who were seen in the area and may be able to assist our investigations. “There will be an increased police presence in the village today and over the weekend to provide reassurance to residents and business owners, as well…

Private landlords with properties in the Caerphilly borough can apply for free ‘green skills’ training. Caerphilly County Borough Council is offering training to help landlords implement green energy solutions, to enhance the environmental and economical performance of their properties. By taking advantage of this free training, landlords can: Gain in-depth insights into green energy technologies and sustainable practices. Learn how to reduce energy costs and improve the efficiency of properties. Stay ahead of regulatory changes and enhance the long-term value of their investments. Play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and contribute to a healthier environment. Landlords can find…