Caerphilly Observer

Peter’s show Eurovision backing for Bonnie Tyler with special pie

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:29:55 +0000

Bedwas-based food firm Peter’s Pies has backed Wales’ very own Bonnie Tyler to win this Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest by baking a special edition pie.

Nearly 60% of Welsh adults are overweight or obese

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:47:12 +0000

Almost 60% of Welsh adults are either overweight or obese, according to the results of a national health survey.

Volunteers in Caerphilly needed to raise money for Diabetes UK

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:32 +0000

Diabetes UK is looking for volunteers in the Caerphilly County Borough area to help co-ordinate a collection weekend at their local Tesco store.

Welsh ICE Blog: Reasons to be cheerful in May

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:25:38 +0000

In her column for Caerphilly Observer, businesswoman and Welsh ICE director Mandy Weston takes a look at current business news.

Do you know these men? Police appeal for information after incident on Cardiff train

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:47:16 +0000

British Transport Police are appealing for the public’s help to identify two men they wish to speak to in relation to an incident on board a train between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street rail stations.

New Community Market for Bedwas

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:43:14 +0000

A new community market is being held for the first time this Sunday at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall.

The event follows the success of similar local farmers markets in Machen, Rudry and Caerphilly town.

Ombudsman to take no action over Caerphilly Council’s grave personalisation policy

Editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:09:17 +0000

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales will not investigate a complaint against Caerphilly County Borough Council over personal items and tributes left on graves.

Police investigation into unlawful pay rises at Caerphilly County Borough Council will be “meticulous”

Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:40:43 +0000

Avon and Somerset Police has said it will be “meticulous” as its investigation into unlawful pay rises at Caerphilly County Borough Council continues.

Brand New Village Hall for Tir-y-Berth

Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:33 +0000

Tir-y-Berth Village Hall is set to be demolished and replaced with a brand new building, thanks to a Big Lottery Fund grant of nearly £400,000.

Caerphilly businesses awarded £2m in European Union grants

Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:17 +0000

Businesses in Caerphilly County Borough have received more than £2 million in European grants since 2009.

According to Caerphilly County Borough Council, which administered the Local Investment Fund grants, the funding has created 300 jobs and allowed 26 new businesses to be established.

Huw Lewis: the Welsh poverty minister

Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:17 +0000

The Welsh assembly has appointed the UK's first-ever poverty minister as the country prepares for the worst hardship since the 1930s

Partnership formed to foster arts and crafts in Caerphilly County Borough

Editor — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:00:28 +0000

A new partnership to foster arts and crafts in Caerphilly County Borough has been formed with help from Caerffili Cwm a Mynydd RDP Team.

Help needed to produce TV film in Senghenydd

Owen Sheppard — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:00:34 +0000

Villagers in Senghenydd have been invited to take part in the production of a new short film.

As part of a project by S4C and BBC Wales, production company It’s My Shout will be visiting Senghenydd in July to shoot the community-based film – and residents have the chance to help shape it.

Heolddu Leisure Centre recognised for quality

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:52:40 +0000

Heolddu Leisure Centre has been recognised for it quality of service for the 14th year running.

The centre is the only one in Caerphilly County Borough to have the QUEST Quality Award, which judges the facilities on the customer experience, health and safety, maintenance and several other categories.

Cefn Hengoed Ladies Choir raise £200 for charity

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:35:42 +0000

Cefn Hengoed Ladies Choir successfully raised £200 for charity during a recent concert at Llancaiach Fawr Manor House.

New Tredegar welcomes innovative new sports facility

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:23:56 +0000

A new state-of-the-art indoor training pitch has bee unveiled at New Tredegar Leisure Centre.

Children were among the first to make use of the 3G artificial pitch at its official opening on Monday.

Striking statue chosen for National Mining Memorial at Senghenydd

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:00:40 +0000

A bronze statue depicting a ‘Miners Rescue’ has been chosen for the National Mining Memorial at Senghenydd.

The statue, designed by sculptor Les Johnson, was chosen following a community vote depicts a rescue worker coming to the aid of a survivor signifying emotion and brotherhood.

South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle’s blog: May 15

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:00:50 +0000

South Wales East AM and Penyrheol ward councillor Lindsay Whittle gives his take on the latest news.

Unemployment in Wales falls by 6,000

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:39:10 +0000

Unemployment in Wales has fallen by 6,000 according to latest figures from the the Office for National Statistics.

Rugby League: Gateshead Thunder 16 South Wales Scorpions 28

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:09:40 +0000

South Wales Scorpions got their third win in four games in the north-east on Sunday, but credit must be given to an improving Gateshead Thunder side who gave them a few scares and made the Welsh fight all the way for their 28-16 victory.

£19,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco stolen from Risca petrol station

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:06:28 +0000

An estimated £19,000 worth of cigarettes and tobacco were stolen during a burglary at Tesco Petrol Station in Risca.

Woman punched in face during Pontllanfraith attack

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:40:13 +0000

Gwent Police is appealing for information to an assault that took place between 11pm and 11.30pm on Saturday May 11 in Pontllanfraith.

Greater diversity in Welsh local government to be looked at by expert panel

Editor — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:00:40 +0000

Local Government Minister Lesley Griffiths has set out a programme to promote open and transparent local councils, including measures to ensure elected representatives better reflect the communities they represent.

Campaign calls for more foster carers

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:00:54 +0000

A national campaign to attract more foster carers has been launched.

The annual Foster Care Fortnight, run by the Fostering Network, aims to raise the profile of fostering and provide an opportunity for fostering services up and down the country to get out into their communities and speak to potential new foster carers.

Six Nation trophy tours Caerphilly schools

Owen Sheppard — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:10:35 +0000

More than 2,000 children across Caerphilly County Borough got the chance to share in the Welsh rugby team’s Six Nations triumph when the championship trophy visited their schools.

New Welsh flag for Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:00:45 +0000

A new Welsh flag has been donated to Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School by defence manufacturer General Dynamics.

The flag was secured from the company, which has sites in Oakdale and Newbridge, by Islwyn MP Chris Evans.

Newbridge Library to close and move to Memo

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:35:53 +0000

Newbridge Library will be closing its doors on Friday May 24 and will be moving to the ground floor of Celynen Colliery Institute Building – known locally as Newbridge Memo.

Ystrad Mynach sports complex confirmed as Newport Gwent Dragons’ training base

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:00:35 +0000

A new £6 million sporting complex in Ystrad Mynach is to become the home of regional rugby side Newport Gwent Dragons.

Caerphilly County Borough Council leader outlines plans at annual general meeting

Owen Sheppard — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:10 +0000

Caerphilly County Borough Council leader Harry Andrews has outlined some of the keys projects the local authority is working on Cllr Andrews was speaking at the council's annual general meeting on Thursday, which also saw the election of Crosskeys councillor Michael Gray as Caerphilly County Borough's new Mayor.

Employability, volunteering and skills fair being held in Blackwood

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:00:29 +0000

A European Union-funded project aimed at getting more people into work is holding a skills fair in Blackwood on Thursday May 16.

Gwent Police appoints new Assistant Chief Constable.

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:37:46 +0000

Gwent Police has appointed a new Assistant Chief Constable.

Lorraine Bottomley, who is currently Chief Superintendent at West Midlands Police, will take over the role from Paul Symes who has been Temporary Assistant Chief Constable since March.

Rugby Union: Wales training squad update

Editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:20:09 +0000

Wales have called Cardiff Blues outside half Rhys Patchell and Newport Gwent Dragons hooker Sam Parry into their training squad for the tour of Japan but Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland has been ruled out of the tour.

Blackwood Poundstretcher fire latest: Timpson shop to be assessed

Editor — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:58:36 +0000

Safety inspectors are to decide whether the Timpson store on Blackwood High Street will be demolished following a huge fire a fortnight ago.

Police appeal after assault at Blackwood’s Vanilla Bar

Editor — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:21:28 +0000

Gwent Police is appealing for information after an assault left a 29-year-old man with facial injuries and bruising.

New kit for Blackwood Town Girls and Boys FC Under 9s

Owen Sheppard — Mon, 13 May 2013 11:48:50 +0000

A junior football team has unveiled its new kit thanks to sponsorship from a firm owned by one of its assistant coach

The Blackwood Town Girls and Boys FC under 9s squad have new colours after assistant team coach, and father-of-two, Haydn Thomas donated 11 kits from his firm of chartered surveyors Hutchings and Thomas.

CCTV appeal after bodywarmer theft from Caerphilly Peacocks

Editor — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:34:19 +0000

Gwent Police want to trace this man pictured in this CCTV image in connection with the theft of three bodywarmers from Caerphilly town’s Peacocks store.

Welsh Government announces £685,000 to help Caerphilly’s most vulnerable families

Editor — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:14 +0000

The Welsh Government has announced funding of £685,000 to help families in some of Caerphilly County Borough’s most disadvantaged areas.

Redundancies expected at General Dynamics in Newbridge and Oakdale

Editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:28:36 +0000

Defence manufacturer General Dynamics has admitted that jobs are to go at its sites in Oakdale and Newbridge as part of a restructure.

Ystrad Mynach air cadets visit Nantgarw’s GE plant

Editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:43 +0000

Air cadets from Ystrad Mynach’s 2353 Squadron recently visited an aircraft engine maintenance base to learn about career opportunities.

Coleg Gwent student nets top British Colleges Sport award

Editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:00:13 +0000

A Coleg Gwent student has won a coveted UK award for her contribution to the college and local community.