Author: Rhys Gregory

Last week marked the official unveiling of Zizzi Bridgend, located in the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, introducing a fresh and captivating ambience.   The much-anticipated launch of Zizzi Bridgend is the latest in the chain’s rollout of its newly designed restaurants, bringing the total to 137 across the UK. Zizzi is a welcome addition to the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend where customers can enjoy day-to-night family entertainment at the shopping centre. Talented local mural artist Hannah Davies was selected to be part of this opening, designing artwork for the restaurant. Hannah’s design called The Sunset over Ogmore Dunes is inspired by one…

A valleys college has scooped a string of top awards at a national culinary competition after impressing judges with the quality and skills of its learners. Coleg y Cymoedd has won 19 awards at this year’s Welsh International Culinary Championships – one of the most prestigious hospitality skills events in Wales – including being crowned the country’s ‘Best College’ in recognition of outstanding achievement from the panel of judges. Organised by the Culinary Association Wales, a partnership of professional chefs and caterers, with the aim of raising the culinary profile of Wales, the Welsh International Culinary Championships provides aspiring chefs…

Welsh Government has announced that 2024 is the year of Wales in India. Year-long celebrations will bring the two countries together through a series of events, stories and activities and celebrate the two cultures. To kick start the year, Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh Language Children’s Laureate), Nia Morais led a panel discussion at the Kolkata Literature Festival, hosted children’s literature sessions and discussions on the Welsh Language. As part of the International Kolkata Book Fair, the Kolkata Literature Festival is one of the largest literature festivals in the world with c.2.1 million attendees and is situated in north-east India. Nia…

Swansea Market has been crowned Britain’s best large indoor market in a national awards scheme. The city centre venue was given the honour by trade body the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA). The award follows an assessment by award judges. It’s one of the most sought after prizes at the annual NABMA awards. The award was presented to Swansea at a NABMA conference in Birmingham on Thursday, January 25. It’s the latest accolade for Swansea Market which won the same title in 2015 and 2020. Judges have praised it for championing local entrepreneurs, its commitment to development and…

The former Cwmgors Primary School building, which closed in 2015, will soon re-open its doors to the local community as energy charity Awel Aman Tawe (AAT) realises ambitions for the building as a Net Zero Community Hub. The newly renovated facility, now known as Hwb y Gors, has been a labour of love for Awel Aman Tawe, which has been developing its plans for the Hwb since acquiring it in 2018. The Hwb will offer a community and enterprise space, co-working studios, educational facilities and a community café. A community electric transport scheme will also operate from the facility. The…

Demolition of the former Bronllwyn Residential Care Home site in Gelli has resumed, so it can be developed into modern specialist care accommodation for people with learning disabilities in adulthood and older age. Demolition work has now recommenced following a break on site due to the liquidation of the former demolition contractor, whose previous site activity had completed the strip-out of the existing buildings. All structures will now be demolished, including removal of infrastructure such as foundations – while all demolished materials will be removed from the site. Upon completion of the demolition phase, the site at Colwyn Road will…

Monmouth Cemetery will be re-opening for burials after significant infrastructure improvements carried out by Monmouthshire County Council and Monmouth Town Council. The work funded by Monmouth Town Council has created a new section of the cemetery that was previously inaccessible. This area has now been cleared so that preparations for burials can be carried out. The improvements will also enable burials to take place at the bottom of the bank. Since 2010, burials in new grave plots have not been available at Monmouth Cemetery due to the unsuitable final area caused by a high water table. This led to the…

The Trading Standards Service at Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council recently prevented the sale of age restricted goods to a child. There is currently considerable concern over young people accessing ‘vaping’ products. As part of a programme of action tackling this issue, the Trading Standards Team regularly use volunteers under the age of 18 in ‘test purchasing operations’. Two Tones Vapes Ltd, 2A Victoria Street, Merthyr Tydfil was 1 of 6 premises where a 15 year old attempted to purchase a nicotine disposable vape. The director of the company, Michael Jenkins, sold the vape to the volunteer. An investigation following…

Eight projects have received Shared Prosperity Fund (Levelling Up) grants worth a total of £1.53 million in the last year to help people manage their money and improve their wellbeing. The awards have been made by the Powys Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) Local Partnership Board, under its Multiply (improving numeracy skills) theme. It is responsible for deciding how the just over £26 million in SPF money allocated to Powys for 2022-25, by the UK Government as part of its Levelling Up programme, should be spent. The Powys SPF Local Partnership Board is supported by Powys County Council’s Economic Development and…

Increased availability of community pharmacy services has meant hundreds of thousands of people haven’t needed GP consultations, Health Minister Eluned Morgan has announced. Substantial reforms introduced in April 2022, mean a wider than ever range of clinical services are being offered by community pharmacists in Wales. Today, a new report – ‘Presgripsiwn Newydd – A New Prescription – One year on’ – has highlighted the beneficial impact of those services for people needing to access primary care. Almost all pharmacies across Wales now provide free advice and treatment for common ailments, access to the morning after pill and oral contraception,…