Author: Rhys Gregory

A vacant, former chapel is to be given a new lease of life and will provide a much-needed service to the local community in Cwmgwrach, thanks to a grant received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. New owners Samuel and Megan Fender are currently overseeing the renovation project, which on completion will be home to Croeso Day Nursery, providing a Welsh-medium child-day care service to Cwmgwrach and its neighbouring villages. Renovation of the former Calfaria Welsh Baptist Church, located at High Street in Cwmgwrach, will see a complete conversion of the disused building, bringing it back into functional use for…

Scolton Manor, Pembrokeshire’s Victorian manor house and gardens museum continues to grow from strength-to-strength as a popular visitor attraction with the opening of a new Heritage display and shop. The museum recently underwent an accreditation assessment and received high praise from Welsh Government officials for its commitment to engage with its visitors and the Pembrokeshire community. Sarah Paul, Welsh Government’s Museums Standards and Performance Advisor noted that a well-regarded external assessor’s view of the museum was extremely positive. “This is a very impressive museum service, maintained by a very small team under immense financial pressures, which is funded by Pembrokeshire…

Primary school pupils in Ynyswen are now able to enjoy fantastic new outdoor learning and play facilities at their school – following a significant investment by the Council that will also benefit the wider community. Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Ynyswen has received an outdoor classroom and teaching space, a small play area, a green space, a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and a walking and running track. The vibrant new spaces are built on the site of the former infants’ block, that had previously been demolished. The modern facilities have been delivered using Council capital funding, with the project having been…

On 15th May 2024 at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court Lisa Hunt from Merthyr Tydfil was convicted for offences under the Trade Marks Act in relation to the supply of counterfeit goods. Lisa Hunt was found guilty of seven offences related to the sale of counterfeit goods through a Facebook group. The conviction follows an investigation by Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards into the unlawful trading activities conducted by the defendant. The court was told that over £11,000 was paid to Hunts bank account, which was thought to be form the sale of counterfeit goods via the Facebook group “Lisa’s Genuine Reps…

Applications are now open for micro, small and medium sized businesses in the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors to access funding to invest in future proofing their business. The Welsh Government’s £20 million Future Proofing Fund will help up to 2,500 businesses invest in renewable energy technology, improvements to their premises, and upgrades to systems or machinery to reduce energy use. Grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 is available to businesses located in Wales which: employ between 1 and 249 people have been trading since before 5 April 2023 operate from a property with a rateable value of between £6,001…

A Bill to remove private profit from the care of looked-after children – part of the wider and radical transformation of children’s care in Wales – has been introduced this week (Monday May 20). The Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill, which has been laid in the Senedd, will also give people more say and control over their healthcare by enabling direct payments for continuing healthcare. The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government sets out commitments to remove private profit from the care of looked-after children. Minister for Social Care Dawn Bowden heard from care-experienced young people about why they have…

A short film by University of South Wales (USW) Animation student Amy McCrellis has been selected from thousands across the world to celebrate 25 years of Lego Star Wars. Amy, 20, from Northern Ireland, is in her second year of the BA (Hons) 2D and Stop Motion Animation course at USW. Her film, Initiating Reboot, is now part of the Lego Star Wars 25-second film festival, which includes the best 25-second fan films from animators who have recreated their top Star Wars moments with their favourite Lego minifigures. Amy’s film is available to watch her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDUdorlutCk “I’m a massive Star…

With many of us spending the May bank holiday and half term in the UK, or preferring to drive over to the continent rather than fly, The Motor Ombudsman, the leading authority on motoring standards, is helping drivers to ensure their vehicles are legal and roadworthy. To help ensure that you’ve covered all the bases this summer, The Motor Ombudsman has produced the following guidance to help you stay safe when travelling on the road, whether it’s for a staycation in the UK, or if you’re planning to head across the channel. Tread carefully Regular tyre maintenance is critical, as the small contact…

With around 270 official engagements under her belt, including tree-planting ceremonies, charity fund-raisers, Royal salutes and school visits, no-one can say Bablin Molik has spent the past year as Cardiff’s Lord Mayor twiddling her thumbs. “It’s been both busy and delightful at the same time,” she said. “I knew it would be an honour and a privilege to serve as Cardiff’s first citizen and I didn’t want to miss any of it. Every engagement has been delightful in its own way.” Even before her diary began to fill up, her year was always going to be memorable. As the first…

From June 3, Year 5 pupils across the county borough will be eligible for free school meals, as the Universal Primary Free School Meal initiative continues to roll out. Eligibility for Year 5 and 6 pupils was originally proposed from September 2024.  However, the hard work offered by the catering service means that the scheme will be available sooner for Year 5 learners and will start following the Whitsun half-term break. As scheduled, the provision will be accessible to Year 6 pupils at the start of the new school year in September, when all primary school pupils will be eligible…