Thirty Years On: Aberaman Still Waiting for a Community Centre, Say Campaigners
Aberaman, one of the largest communities in the Cynon Valley with a population of around 5,000, has been without a dedicated community centre for three decades — and residents say local councillors have shown little urgency in addressing it. The village’s original hall, which opened in 1910 and once housed a library, games rooms, a…
Fall in school attendance worse amongst poorer pupils
Over half of all pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school in Wales last year, figures published today show. In the 2025-26 academic year, 51.3% of pupils eligible for free school meals were persistently absent from school, up from 49% in 2024-25. Last year, school attendance was worse amongst older year…
The wildfire at Llanwonno remains a major incident,
The wildfire at Llanwonno remains a major incident, but significant progress has been made and there is currently no immediate risk to life or property. Firefighters and partner agencies continue to work together to contain the fire and protect surrounding areas. A specialist firefighting helicopter, secured by NRW, remains in operation today, supporting crews in…
Drainage maintenance works to begin at Penrhiwceiber tip site
Residents are advised that routine works will be taking place over the weeks ahead at the disused Penrhiwceiber coal tip site, using Welsh Government funding. The works area is located generally to the south and south-west of the B4275 Pentwyn Avenue, the stretch of road between Penrhiwceiber and Tyntetown/Ynysyboeth. The scheme will include routine vegetation…
Local donation transforms family spaces at Prince Charles Hospital’s Neonatal Unit
Families staying at Prince Charles Hospital’s Neonatal Unit will benefit from more welcoming and comfortable family spaces, following improvements made possible by a generous £10,000 donation from Merthyr Cage Bird Society. The newly refreshed family bedrooms, family room and expressing facilities were officially opened on Wednesday 29 July, when members of the Society visited the unit to see how their support had helped local families. The donation was built up through weekly collections from Society members, who raised money each…
Statement on grooming gang verdict
Commenting on the news that five individuals in North Wales have been found guilty of being part of a grooming gang, Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: “I welcome today’s guilty verdicts and pay tribute to the extraordinary courage of the young victims who came forward to give evidence. Those responsible for these…
Wales Air Ambulance gave mum a second chance and helped save her foot
Mandy Reynolds was enjoying a walk on Great Orme last year when she slipped on jaggedrocks and needed help from Wales Air Ambulance.On 10 April 2025, Mandy was returning to the car park when she suffered injuries that lefther in significant pain and in need of critical care.The Charity’s critical care team, Doctor Gareth Thomas…
Aberdare’s police station has sat closed to the public for years — while Pontypridd gets a shiny new one
Aberdare Police Station has been shut to walk-in visitors for years. No front desk. No officer to speak to face-to-face. Residents wanting to report a crime or raise a concern in person are simply out of luck — despite the building sitting right in the town centre, fully staffed, yet locked to the very public…
Council lawyers write to Welsh Rugby Union as end to stay of legal challenge nears and row breaks out over decision making process
Swansea Council’s lawyers have written to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) ahead of the end of a stay of the local authority’s legal challenge over a shake-up of the professional game in Wales, just as a row broke out about a leaked audio of comments made by the WRU’s chief executive. The dispute concerns the…
Another review won’t help tourism businesses this summer
The Welsh Conservatives have accused the new Plaid Cymru Government of wasting its first three months in office after announcing a consultation on the controversial 182-day holiday let rule, despite the tourism industry already being at the height of its busiest season. Almost 100 days after taking office, the only action ministers have taken is…