Author: Rhys Gregory

Aberystwyth University is the top university in Wales for student satisfaction for the ninth year in a row according to the latest survey of students’ opinions on the quality of their courses. The 2024 edition of the National Student Survey (NSS), which is published today Wednesday 10 July, has been compiled using over 345,000 student responses from across the UK. Based on the higher education institutions featured in the latest edition of The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide, Aberystwyth features in the UK top 5 for ‘Organisation and Management’ and ‘Learning Resources’ and in the top 10 in…

Monmouthshire Building Society (MBS) has announced the launch of its MBS Community Academy, a groundbreaking pilot programme aimed at creating real career opportunities for individuals in our communities. The MBS Community Academy will offer up to six paid entry-level placements for a duration of 12 months, providing candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to kickstart their careers. At the end of the placement candidates will have the opportunity to apply for any permanent roles available at the Society. The academy will be open to anyone aged over 16, with no upper age limit. The Society have also removed any…

A 49-year-old man has been jailed after walking into a woman’s home uninvited and sexually assaulting her while she slept. Ian Wynne Williams, of Mount Road, Llanfairfechan intruded into the woman’s home and took off his clothes before getting into her bed. He appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Monday July 8th, after he was found guilty of sexual assault and knowingly trespassing with intent to commit a sex offence. The incident happened in December 2022 when the woman was suddenly awoken to someone cuddling her from behind. She screamed, alerting her son, who forced Williams out of the house.…

A popular local bus service is to reinstate its evening journeys next month following a successful bid by Bridgend County Borough Council for Welsh Government funding. The council will use part of a £1.6m Bus Network Grant to support First Cymru in offering additional journeys on the Number 70 Bridgend to Cymmer service. Starting on Monday 5 August 2024, the service, which already travels from Bridgend town centre to Cymmer and back up to 10 times a day, will operate three extra evening journeys between Monday and Saturday, and one additional journey in the morning from Cymmer to Bridgend at…

Every primary pupil in Swansea will be offered free school meals when children return from the summer holidays in September. It means Swansea will have hit the target set by Welsh Government for all primary aged children to receive the offer in 2024. Currently all pupils up to and including Year Five are eligible but from September it will be extended to Year Six as well, helping all families with the cost of living. It means that more than 18,000 pupils will be able to eat for free during term time in Swansea. More than £4m has been invested in…

The handover of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke has been completed, with Gareth Rees, Project Manager with Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd handing the keys to the new school to Executive Headteacher Dafydd Hughes on July 8th. Following the award of the contract for the design and build of the new school, Morgan Sindall commenced work on the site in March 2023. Rob Williams, Operations Director for Morgan Sindall said that it had been a privilege to work on such a landmark project, the school being the first in Pembrokeshire to be delivered meeting stringent Net…

A series of free Family Volunteering Club are taking place in Abergavenny, this summer. Family Volunteering Club makes it easy for children aged and their grown-ups to help out at important causes on their doorstep – helping create a society in which every child grows up feeling connected to their local community and understands the positive role they can play in helping change issues that matter to them. Sessions taking place in Abergavenny include: Saturday 13th July, 12 – 1.30pm, Bailey Park: Family friendly event volunteering at IYE Festival. Help out on stalls and activities, from giant board games to enormous bubbles.…

New Legislation comes into force this week which help to ensure cockle fisheries in Wales remain environmentally sustainable and economically viable for the future The Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024 will simplify regulations and give the Welsh Government new tools to flexibly manage each cockle fishery in response to evidence about the health of the stock and the environment. Cockle gathering has a long and well-documented history in Wales. In modern times its economic importance has increased, and it is now acknowledged as making an important contribution to the Welsh fishing industry. Cabinet Secretary for…

The Welsh Government is providing additional funding to ensure Wales’ cultural institutions are protected and preserved, with £3.2m earmarked this financial year for repairs to be carried out to both the National Museum Cardiff and National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth. Cabinet Secretary for Culture and Social Justice, Lesley Griffiths, has said the Welsh Government has listened to concerns regarding the intense financial pressures on all cultural institutions – at a national and local level – and acted to mitigate these difficulties. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed £500,000 to help improve storage facilities and protect important collections at…

One of leading hotels and event venues in Mid Wales has unveiled an impressive new garden courtyard just in time for the wedding season and summer. The Metropole Hotel and Spa in Llandrindod Wells says the outdoor transformation is set to redefine luxury and elegance in the historic spa town. As part of the rejuvenation of the hotel’s outdoor spaces, the courtyard seamlessly extends the renowned Garden Suite and is poised to become a favoured spot for customers and wedding guests alike. “Our new Garden Courtyard is an incredible addition to the Garden Suite function area,” said Lauren Bingley, the…