Caerphilly Observer » News

Deadline looming for council homes transfer vote

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:20:06 +0000

Council tenants who have not yet voted on the housing transfer proposal are being urged to use their vote before the ballot ends.

£5m to be invested in community start-ups

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:47:36 +0000

lmost £5m will be invested to help community organisations develop into sustainable local enterprises following an EU funding boost, Deputy Minister for European Programmes Alun Davies has announced.

Have your say on rail network policing in South Wales

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:44:59 +0000

Train passengers in South East Wales are being given the opportunity to have their say on how the network is policed.

Caerphilly MP Wayne David’s blog: February 6

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:05:32 +0000

The Truth Behind The Parliamentary Boundary Changes Usually, the way MPs are elected is decided on a ‘consensual’ basis between all political parties.

Campaign to protect children from smoking in cars begins

Editor — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:57:46 +0000

A Welsh Government campaign to highlight the dangers of second hand smoke to children in cars has begun.

Called ‘Fresh Start Wales’, the campaign calls on parents and other carers to pledge to keep their cars smoke free.

Community partnership at Coleg Gwent takes centre stage

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:00:42 +0000

Independent Living Skills (ILS) students at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus have been learning performing arts skills with the help of a new drama club run at the campus.

Rugby’s Jamie Roberts immortalised in pastry by Peter’s Pies

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:17:35 +0000

Wales centre Jamie Roberts has been immortalised in a pastry mosaic by Bedwas food firm Peter’s Pies.

The stunt, coming ahead of Wales’ first Six Nations match on Sunday against Ireland, follows a survey to find fans’ tastiest rugby player.

£45,000 needed for nine-year-old Caerphilly boy’s life-changing operation

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:02 +0000

A family is trying to raise £45,000 for a life-changing operation for a nine-year-old Caerphilly boy.

Tom Sargent has cerebral palsy and cannot walk unaided because of his condition.

Caerphilly Council tenants’ rent set to increase by 4%

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:08 +0000

Council tenants could are set to see a 4% hike in their rent.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is set to consider the Welsh Government’s proposals for rent increases at a meeting on Tuesday February 7.

Maesycwmmer sheltered housing residents say ‘No’ to cold callers

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Residents living in a sheltered housing complex in Maesycwmmer have ‘closed the door’ on unwanted callers.

The Y Glyn Sheltered Housing Complex is the latest area to introduce a No Cole Calling Zone following a distraction burglary in the area.

Snow warning for most of Wales from Met Office

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:54:03 +0000

The Met Office has issued a warning of snow for most of Wales on Saturday as temperatures continue to drop below freezing.

27 jobs lost as Pontllanfraith plastic recycling company goes into administration

Editor — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:34:02 +0000

Updated: 6.50pm Twenty-seven people have been made redundant after plastic recycling company, which was handed grants of £1.3m by the Welsh Government to set up in Pontllanfraith, went into administration.

23 tonnes of scrap metal seized by Gwent Police

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:51:22 +0000

Police have said they confiscated 23 tonnes of scrap metal during a recent operation targeting metal thieves.

Officers joined forces with Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Trading Standards and Environmental Health officers for the one day crackdown, part of the wider Operation Ignite.

Blackwood training scheme Fast Forward to help 150 unemployed

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:47 +0000

A training and employment scheme in Blackwood, which has helped more than 1,000 people over the past 13 years, has secured a range of new contracts.

Welsh Government in drive to recruit more doctors

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:00:16 +0000

A campaign to encourage more doctors to apply to work in Wales has been launched by Health Minister Lesley Griffiths.

Police warning of Blackwood burglaries

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:02 +0000

A spate of burglaries in the Blackwood area has led to police issuing a warning to residents to be vigilant.

Bargoed cinema scheme gets go-ahead

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:54 +0000

Councillors have agreed plans to fund a £5million cinema and retail development in Bargoed town centre.

A meeting of full council has agreed to the authority building a cinema to lease to a national operator.

First Minister to discuss future of BBC Wales and S4C with BBC Trust

Editor — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:01:59 +0000

The future of both BBC Wales and S4C will be on the agenda when First Minister Carwyn Jones meets with the Chair of the BBC Trust Lord Patten later on Thursday.

February’s blood donation dates for Caerphilly, Blackwood, Ystrad Mynach and Bargoed

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:00:18 +0000

The Welsh Blood Service is coming soon to a venue near you.

Please see listed below details of forthcoming blood donation sessions in your area.

Caerphilly-based PHS looks to expansion at subsidary

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:54 +0000

The secure document shredding arm of Caerphilly-based group PHS has invested £1.2m on new machinery as it looks to expand.

Police continue to investigate Rhymney arson attacks

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:41:37 +0000

Police are continuing their enquiries into two arson attacks that happened in Rhymney on Sunday.

The first fire broke out in the early hours at a flat on Heol Aneurin Bevan in Rhymney.

Councils allowed to borrow more by Welsh Government for road improvements

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:50 +0000

Councils across Wales will be allowed to borrow more money to increase funding of highways improvements, the Welsh Government has announced.

Extra £1 million for resurfacing works agreed by Caerphilly councillors

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:18 +0000

Councillors have agreed to spend an extra £1 million on Caerphilly County Borough’s roads.

At a meeting of full council on Tuesday January 31, members agreed plans to spend £1.05m on a range of resurfacing schemes.

Labour politicians meet health board over problems at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:55 +0000

Labour politicians Wayne David and Jeff Cuthbert have met with officials from the Aneurin Bevan Health Board to discuss reported problems at the new Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.

Welsh Water bills to go up by 3.8%

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:18:27 +0000

Welsh Water has announced its customers will see an average price rise of 3.8% – the lowest increase in England and Wales.

Cigarette vending machine ban introduced in Wales

Editor — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:29:13 +0000

A new law banning the sale of cigarettes from vending machines in Wales has come into force.

The move is part of the Welsh Government’s efforts to safeguard young people and children from the harmful effects of smoking.

Blackwood Miners’ Institute set to celebrate 20 year’s as arts venue

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:00:02 +0000

Blackwood Miners’ Institute is to celebrate its 20th anniversary as a theatre and arts venue next month.

Built and paid for out of the Miners’ wages at 3d a week, Blackwood Miners’ Institute originally opened as a single storey snooker hall in 1925.

Islwyn MP uses debate to raise awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:59:36 +0000

Islwyn MP Chris Evans has used a debate in the House of Commons to raise awareness of the employment difficulties faced by those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Minister wants merger of Cardiff Metropolitan, Glamorgan and Newport universities

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:53:33 +0000

Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews has restated his desire to see a merger of Cardiff Metropolitan, Glamorgan and Newport universities.

Plea to Cardiff City supporters to help fund Fred Keenor statue

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:19 +0000

A campaign to get a statue of Cardiff City legend Fred Keenor is appealing to supporters of the football club to donate £1 each.

Future of Welsh ports and airports to be examined in National Assembly inquiry

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:00:15 +0000

A new inquiry by a National Assembly for Wales committee will examine the importance of Welsh ports and airports to the Welsh economy, and how their potential can be developed.

Gwent Police Surgeries for Caerphilly County Borough, February 1 to February 15

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:12 +0000

The following police surgeries are being held in Caerphilly County Borough where residents can drop in for the opportunity to discuss local issues with officers.

Tir Y Berth man taken to court over dog mess

Editor — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:57:30 +0000

A Tir Y Berth man has been taken to court and fined for a dog fouling offence.

John Evans, 55 of Asquith Street, Tir Y Berth, was prosecuted by Caerphilly County Borough Council for non-payment of a Fixed Penalty Notice..

Police investigate second arson attack in Rhymney

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:47:13 +0000

Update: Police keen to speak to person in area at time of first fire

Police are investigating the possibility that an arson attack which hospitalised two people could be linked to a second fire.

Ice warning in Caerphilly County Borough after snow

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:04:16 +0000

The Met Office has issued an ice warning after snow fell in many parts of Caerphilly County Borough on Monday morning.

Caerphilly Council ranked highly for its recycling

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:00:40 +0000

Caerphilly County Borough Council has been ranked as one of the UK’s best performing local authorities on recycling.

Resource Magazine compiled a table using the percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling or composting and the kilograms of residual waste per person.

Ron Davies confirms interest in Police Commissioner role

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:11:13 +0000

Former Welsh Secretary and Caerphilly councillor Ron Davies has confirmed his interest in standing for election as a Police Commissioner.

Free scheme to help strengthen families

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:43 +0000

A project pledging to get parents and young people talking openly about the issues that affect them the most will be offering places again to local families this Spring.

MRI scanner installed at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:00:49 +0000

Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr will be able to perform MRI scans on patients after new equipment was installed at the hospital.

Two wanted by police for shoplifting in Ystrad Mynach

Editor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:56:24 +0000

Police in Ystrad Mynach would like to speak to these two men in connection with an incident of shoplifting on Wednesday January 18.