Bank Holiday recycling and waste collections: There will be no collections on Monday 05 May 2025 Collections will take place one day later than normal for the week until Saturday 10 May 2025 The council’s annual campaign to encourage people to ‘Spend summer in your town centre’ has launched this week Highlighting a programme of free events taking place throughout the summer months the campaign aims to boost community engagement and support local businesses in Bridgend Residents can look forward to an action-packed series of free events including: which also offer a wide variety of ‘destination restaurants’ and independent traders and businesses the council has extended its free parking offer in two council-maintained town centre car parks in Bridgend and Porthcawl where visitors can continue to park for free for the first three hours at the Rhiw multi-storey car park in Bridgend and between noon and 3pm at John Street in Porthcawl People visiting Bridgend town centre after 6pm can park for free at the large open air car park at Brackla Street (behind Wilkinson’s) and car parks at Tremains Road Council-run car parks at John Street and Hillsboro Place in Porthcawl are free to use after 6pm and free parking is also available along the seafront Free full-time car parking is also available in Maesteg town centre at the Llynfi Road multistorey car park Free Wi-Fi is also available in town centres across Bridgend County Borough with the aim of increasing connectivity among residents The free service is available in the four town centres of Bridgend individuals will need to search their Wi-Fi network settings for “BCBC free Wi-Fi” and will then need to enter their email address to begin Lewis Smith – Local Democracy reporter Reform UK have won a seat on a second Welsh council following a by-election in south Wales Kenfig Hill and Cefn Cribwr ward in Bridgend on May 1 after the resignation of former Labour councillor Mike Kearn The vacant seat was won by newly elected Reform councillor who clinched it with a narrow margin of only 30 votes He edged out the second placed Labour candidate Gary Chappell who ended the night with 667 votes and the third placed Independent candidate Rhys Watkins with 351 votes Following the shock result he will now join two sitting Labour members for the ward – current deputy leader of the council He also takes his place as the second Reform politician in Wales to have won an election following a win at a Torfaen Borough Council by-election earlier this year Cllr Clatworthy said: “I’m incredibly humbled and it’s a true honour to have been elected I ran a campaign based on people because many are fed up of being ignored and want to see change “The work begins now to build a better future for everyone in the ward and I will stand up for the community and put people first.” Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" No surprise that Owain Clatworthy is a recent member of the Conservative Party I bet he didn’t raise that much when campaigning in Cefn Cribwr I say this with the no happiness but another awful result for Plaid in a working class south Wales ward I really hope they are doing some soul searching They don’t need to do any soul searching They need to do some actual grassroots work and sort out moribund constituency committees across the south Plaid has no chance in South Wales next year but there was a very strong branch there in the 70s So the grassroots feelings may still be there Who’s waiting for the flypast by Nigel Farage with a banner proposing a new Bank Holiday celebrating himself All I see in this lineup are those who would sell Wales down the river to please their cult leader Nigel Farage They are merely sheeple led by their noses The very same mindset opposed devolution in 1979 They also hostile towards and likely voted against Wales having a legislative powers in 2012 They opposed the increase in Senedd members from 60 to 96 ironically a change that increased their chance… Read more » https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/media/3vxfvkav/pyle-kenfig-hill-and-cefn-cribwr-declaration-of-result-of-poll.pdf As a welsh socialist it grieves me that a party that wants to privatise our public services that’s led by privately educated millionaires and that was born out of the most fanatical union jack waving elements of the tory party is probably set to be the biggest party in Wales’ parliament next year And everyone that believes in a just and compassionate Wales needs to ask ourselves how such a terrible prospect as Reform possibly forming a welsh govt has come to pass Certainly its a shocking indictment of Wales governing class for the last 25 years A governing class… Read more » Presumably Reform don’t have a leader in Wales because they don’t need one just for a county of England they only have a group leader in the Senedd rather than a party leader in Wales: https://nation.cymru/news/andrew-rt-davies-criticised-for-falsely-claiming-hes-leader-of-the-welsh-conservatives/ Good point I think that will affect their credibility in Cymru Then again are Reform’s UK nation specific It’s reasonable to assume their light blue approach to Wales will be based on the long-standing dark blue approach which was neatly summarised in that article last year: >>> A Welsh Conservative source said: “Andrew may like to think he’s the leader of the Welsh Conservatives Unlike in the case of the Scottish Conservatives which is a fully-fledged entity in its own respect there is no stand-alone Welsh Conservative Party The Welsh party is essentially an offshoot of the English party and It would therefore be… Read more » ‘The vacant seat was won by newly elected Reform councillor who clinched it with a narrow margin of only 30 votes.’ Sign of the times This phenomenon might turn out to have run its course before the next Westminster election but I don’t think there’s any chance of it doing so before our next Senedd election only a year away I think we may yet have to face our own ‘Trump experience’ here in Wales though fortunately there’s a pretty good chance that we won’t get anything… Read more » New rules in next years election but I haven’t quite parsed them yet AfD have been deemed right wing extremists by Germany security service That same AfD that gave Reforms owner a standing ovation ‘New rules in next years election but I haven’t quite parsed them yet.’ If I’ve understood correctly we’ll be asked to vote for a party ‘ticket’ rather than for individuals of voting for different parties on the constituency and on the regional list will be gone While I back the expansion of the number of MSes – too few backbenchers under the present system for a healthily functioning democracy – I’m less happy with ‘list’ elections There’s a value in being represented by a specific member rather than by a ‘batch’ As for AfD,… Read more » He screams free speech abuse in the UK but is shutting it down in the US free speech He attacks a president that is trying to defend a country but defends a president that dodged the draft vance is a truly nasty bit of work to step up to the plate We can only put this down to a lack of confidence within our own people in Wales The perception of there being a ceiling to our ambitions That we should always accept our fate as second class citizens in our own country of Wales and therefore always accept what the UK English/British state (ie English government) hands down and dictates to us and even with their own political parties and society that should not be the case and should never have ever been accepted not the English/British state and not… Read more » Jenkyns was saying Reform wants to take the UK back to the glory days Guess what the very next question every single reporter in Wales needs to be asking reform It’s ironic then that she’s only in power because of devolution they have had in the English local elections Nothing is given because Reform now have enough rope to permanently harm themselves because they have to deliver public services on the ground The Fakebook army of bored retirees will be very quick to highlight when things go wrong in their local area in that Reform UK in a great many places has needed to ramp itself up rapidly from pretty much of a standing start And that must mean that in rather a lot of those places they will have had to recruit candidates quickly and inevitably without much prior scrutiny and due diligence in many instances And while they will have certainly recruited some ex-councillors and former supporters of other parties who have a degree of local government experience and knowledge my bet is that a large majority of their newly successful candidates will have no… Read more » And it’s not just what will go wrong that’ll shock It’s the cover-ups and other potentially unethical activities they might resort to in order to avoid embarrassing The Leader with failure Will illegal immigrants get blamed when nosy journalists start disappearing It’s appalling that there’s enough people with such disdain for Wales to elect such a candidate Connect with Nation.Cymru on Facebook and Twitter If you would like to donate to help keep Nation.Cymru running then you just need to click on the box below it will open a pop up window that will allow you to pay using your credit / debit card or paypal Enter your email address to receive instant notifications of new articles All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018 In 2017 Nation.Cymru was launched after raising £5000 from a crowdfunding campaign Today it is one of the fastest growing news sites in the UK attracting over 1.5 million visitors a month We are not backed by billionaire owners or hidden behind a paywall but we depend on our readers' support to continue our work If everyone who visited the site over the course of a month donated at least £1 we would have enough funding for the next eight years To guarantee our future please consider making a donation today. is on track and due for completion in spring 2026 The new centre is a multi-disciplinary centre which will provide new purpose built space for a range of healthcare services for the patients of Bridgend and surrounding areas Being built on the site of the old Magistrates Court on Sunnyside Road and close to the Halo – Bridgend Recreation Centre the new Healthcare Centre will be a standalone facility and will become a Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board owned and managed healthcare facility The new building will also provide a single site for the delivery of a range of services to patients across the whole of the Bridgend and wider area Cookies are small text files saved on your phone tablet or computer when you visit a website These cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas The website cannot function properly without these cookies and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences Consent for some third party cookies can not be automatically revoked Please follow the link below if you want to opt out of them We may use third party tools such as Google Analytics and similar to help us anonymously measure how you use our websites This allows us to make improvements based on our users\' needs These tools set cookies that store anonymised information about how you got to the site Bridgend County Borough Council has announced that Jake Morgan will join the authority in July as its new Chief Executive Officer He was appointed by members following a vigorous recruitment and assessment process which culminated with an extraordinary meeting of Council held on Wednesday 2 April Currently employed as the Deputy Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Community Services at Carmarthenshire County Council Having moved to live and work within Wales 20 years ago he has built up more than 30 years of extensive experience working within local government covering a number of senior roles These include leading on various corporate functions and regeneration projects acting as the chair of the Mid and West Wales Regional Safeguarding Board and undertaking a number of director-level roles in key service areas such as Education The Leader of the Council is elected every year at the Annual Meeting of Council which normally takes place in May The Leader is usually the group leader of the majority political party.The Leader is the political head who often speaks on behalf of the council and provides clear leadership for the council’s strategies Current Leader: Councillor John Spanswick Current Deputy Leader: Councillor Jane Gebbie Following the budget meeting on 26 February the council has made the reluctant decision to stop the supply of blue refuse bags to all households as part of its measures to make essential budget reductions householders will need to provide their own black refuse bags ensuring that the bags are no larger than 60 litres Residents can continue to use the remainder of their blue refuse bags for refuse collections until these have run out Most residents will have already received their final delivery of blue refuse bags with remaining households due to receive deliveries in March Residents are assured that fortnightly collections will continue as normal with the limit of two bags per fortnight for households remaining in place and other recycling containers will not be affected by these changes and will continue to be delivered and distributed on request The decision brings Bridgend County Borough Council in line with other local authorities in Wales who have stopped the supply of refuse sacks While Bridgend County Borough Council has been named as the top local authority in Wales for recycling a recent survey carried out by Wrap Cymru has revealed that 47 per cent of waste in your current blue refuse sack Please remember that black refuse sacks should be used for non-recyclable household waste only and the following should NOT be placed in your black refuse sacks: such as broken glass should be wrapped up carefully we have implemented a decision made by several other local authorities in Wales to revert to the household provision of black refuse bags There are no changes to the provision of food bags and other recycling containers You can still order recycling containers online via the recycling and waste portal: Single-use refuse bags can be purchased at most supermarkets and hardware stores Two standard sized refuse bags with a capacity of up to 60 litres can be placed out for collection Most supermarkets clearly state the litre size on their packaging Please note that we will not be able to collect waste that is placed in extra-large bags or wheelie bin liners Blue refuse bags can be continued to be used for refuse collections as normal Households that are due to receive a delivery of blue refuse bags in March 2025 will continue to receive their final allocation You can apply to put out extra bags each fortnight a home for eight people with an ash-producing coal fire as the main heat source could have three extra refuse bags However the two bag limit is achievable for an average family of five You can request additional bags via the recycling and waste portal: Garden waste collections are available and take place every two weeks between March and November You can find out more information or register for garden waste collections online.  You may be eligible for Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) collections if your household has any of the following items to dispose of: on the same day as your non-recyclable waste collection You can find out more information or register for absorbent hygiene product collections online.  There are a variety of events and activities in town centres across the county borough.  A fabulous market filled with independent produce from local artisan food This event is organised by Green Top Markets Join Porthcawl Town Council for VE Day celebratory events Join Gilgal Church for their Community Summer Festival on 27-30 May Dive into an action-packed weekend of beach sports lifeboat displays and bucketfuls of more fun as BeachFest hits Porthcawl’s shores on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June Sandy Bay will play host to the beach sports elite as teams from across the UK compete across beach volleyball Families will be able to get involved in the action with ‘have-a-go' sessions The RNLI will be hosting exciting demonstrations entertainment and fundraising activities with the return of its popular RescueFest event on Saturday 21 June demonstrations and market stalls throughout Porthcawl over the weekend Join Bridgend Town Council for their Armed Forces Day Parade featuring military organisations The Keeper of the Colliery 5K and 10K Run is returning to Maesteg the route will take runners past the great Keeper of the Colliery taking in the scenic views of Nantyffyllon Join Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K which takes runners past famous landmarks and stunning views including Rest Bay the Grand Pavilion and Porthcawl Lighthouse Join Maesteg Town Council for their Family Fun Day in Welfare Park The First Battalion Welsh Guards will be joining Bridgend Town Council to host a St David’s Day Parade and Leek Giving Ceremony on Saturday 1 March 2025 which is organised by Bridgend Town Council in partnership with the Welsh Guards culminating in traditional leek giving ceremony to serving personnel at the War Memorial in Dunraven Place which will be led by the Band of the Welsh Guards and include 60 First Battalion Welsh Guardsmen 250 Welsh Guard Association Veterans and up to 50 cadets followed by a march past and salute to the Lord Lieutenant and the War Memorial Bridgend County Borough Council and South Wales police are both offering support with the arrangements for the event with the council also providing a Tourism Events Support Grant funded through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund Residents are advised that they will be at risk of receiving a penalty charge if they abandon their cars in places that inconvenience residents or businesses From 01 May to 30 September dogs are banned from a number of beaches in Bridgend County Borough These restrictions do not apply to guide and assistance dogs There are still some beaches for dogs to enjoy throughout the summer: All are in the Porthcawl area on the south west coast busy holiday resort with several seaside amenities.  and a ten minute walk from the picturesque village of Newton.  It is possible to walk through the Newton Burrows Dunes to the Ogmore’s mouth The beach itself is next to the Merthyr Mawr dunes Many Welsh sports people train on one especially large dune which is known locally as ‘The Big Dipper’ Location: The beach is a 15-minute walk from Rest Bay alongside the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club The beach has golden sand with rocks and pebbles at the top there is a monument to the crew of the Mumbles lifeboat and the S.S This is a popular Blue Flag beach with lots of golden sand and very few rocks kite/wind surfing and body boarding and rock pooling as you can go along the Wales Coast Path to Pink Bay and beyond This is a popular beach with lots of golden sand and very few rocks This beach was partly tarmacked over in the 1980s to repair sea defences. Swimming is prohibited as the beach is very dangerous at certain stages of tide Location: It is reached by a 20-minute walk from Rest Bay along the Royal Porthcawl Golf Club and is only accessible by walking from Rest Bay or Kenfig National Nature Reserve which makes it one of Porthcawl’s quieter beaches a plaque in memory of all the lives lost on the S.S Santampa and the Mumbles lifeboat is visible Location: Trecco Bay can be reached either via the Trecco Bay Holiday Complex or by walking from Newton beach This beach is next to Sandy Bay (Coney Beach) and a five minute walk away from Trecco Bay Holiday Park which has excellent entertainment facilities This is a large sandy Blue Flag beach with excellent water quality Although only a few minutes from the Holiday Park Natural Resources Wales assesses water quality at chosen sites in Wales Annual ratings class each site as excellent sufficient or poor based on readings taken over four years This is an exciting time to join our expanding catering services as general kitchen assistants assistant cooks and cooks as we continue to support the Universal Primary Free Schools meals initiative which has been rolled out to Primary and full-time Nursery pupils in 51 schools across the county borough and we’re pleased that they have been recognised for the outstanding service they provide to children across the county borough including their 5-star hygiene rated kitchens Bridgend County Borough is a great place to work and we can offer excellent opportunities for you to progress your career; for example if you start with us as a kitchen assistant we can provide you with the necessary training to progress to an assistant cook Duties will include assisting in the preparation You will be required to lay out dining tables and chairs and in some schools Duties will include assisting the Cook with the preparation of school meals and assist in providing training and organisation of staff within the kitchen £13.69 - £14.17 per hour / £15.17 - £15.70 per hour Duties will include managing and co-ordinating day to day activities within a new kitchen ensuring a quality service is provided to all customers and be responsible for menu planning preparation and cooking within the kitchen Cook at Pîl Primary School and Katherine Underhill provide meals for over 470 children each day between them and have over 60 years’ combined experience in Catering Services I have worked in schools across the county borough for 22 years I have been at Pîl Primary School for a year now but I must have worked in 30 or 40 schools over the years I wanted to join as a General Kitchen Assistant (GKA) but my supervisor who I had worked with previously Clare: I have been with the council for around 22 years too I joined as a GKA when my son started primary school as I was looking for a job that fitted around my children being in school and then within a year or two I had progressed to a Cook and then by September 2008 I started cooking at Cefn Cribbwr Primary School and I’m still there but I’m always in early as I like to make sure that everything's running for breakfast club but it’s down to each individual cook really I've always liked to come in early to make sure things are ready for the day I do breakfast club as well in Brynmenyn Primary School and I start at 8am We have 130 children in our breakfast club Depending on how many children we’ve had that day it might be a little bit later we will get a confirmed number of lunchtime meals from the school secretary After a while you get to know on average how many meals a day we will be serving and I have an Assistant Cook and two GKAs in my team All schools work with the same menus but the children in each school like different things so it’s getting the meals prepped and working out portion sizes and vegetarian options Katherine: I have two GKAs in my team where we will add sauces and vegetables etc for example for bolognese and chicken curry Vegetarian options like lentil shepherds pie we make from scratch Clare: I have a team of 8 including Assistant Cooks and GKAs and we prepare and serve between 240 and 280 meals a day as well as the prepping and serving we also use the cashless tills for pupils’ meals and we’re also part of the school community and socialise with teachers too You get to form bonds with the children as well because you see them coming in from Nursery all the way through to Year 6 when they leave They are like part of your extended family Some of the children who were in school when I started now have children of their own here as well so you are seeing different generations of the same family Shan: It’s not just working with the children that I love I love working in a team and over the years I've worked with so many and in every school I've been in I get parents coming up to me on the street asking me how I cook certain things as their children will only eat meals the way I have cooked them and it’s just so rewarding to see how you have helped pupils to develop I have entered our school into the ‘Eat them to defeat them’ competitions where we think of ways to encourage the children to eat more vegetables I’ve made displays and we came second once so I am hoping to improve on that this year!  Clare: We have won kitchen of the year previously and it’s great to see that the children still remember you when they are older When you see them out and about in their twenties and they still call me the dinner lady Clare: If you’re a parent looking to find work that fits around school hours You get all the holidays off and get to spend time with your children or grandchildren Having time to be there for concerts and sports days and even over the school holidays we still get paid We’re pro rata’d so we get the same wage throughout the year Shan: The training and career opportunities available are just brilliant There is a clear and quick progression for GKAs to become Cooks and the skills you learn can be used anywhere so if you are keen and show willing to progress you can become an Assistant Cook in just a couple of months If you are struggling to complete an application please contact our Trent Help Desk on 01656 643698 Employability Bridgend are on hand to support residents of Bridgend County Borough with all aspects of employment and are able to help you to submit your application and support you in finding a role (including providing training young people or adults at risk is a core responsibility of all council employees Applicants should note that a criminal records check by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) will be necessary for the successful applicants If you are interested in joining and have any questions we are keen to answer them – please contact Emma Bennett (Catering Service) Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council After six years as Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council Mark Shephard has confirmed that he intends to step down from the role and retire in 2025 Prior to accepting the position back in May 2019 Mark served as the council’s interim chief executive he spent 30 years undertaking increasingly senior local government roles the most recent of which was acting as a Corporate Director for Communities https://www.derrynow.com/section/1245/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Derry and County Derry Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read all the latest crime & court news in Derry and County Derry Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Catch up on all the latest business news in Derry and County Derry Find whats happening in and around Derry and County Derry Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Derry and County Derry Read about the latest properties available in Derry and County Derry Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Derry and County Derry Derry and County Derry Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Derry and County Derry Latest environmental and climate change news in County Derry Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism Gardaí in Buncrana are investigating the incident Two cars have been burnt out and a third damaged in an arson incident in Bridgend at the weekend Gardaí are investigating the criminal damage incident that occurred at Bonnemaine Read next: ‘A United Ireland would undo the disaster of Brexit’ - Foyle MLA says The fire service attended the scene and extinguished the fires The two cars were burnt out and damage was also caused to a third car.  Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have travelled in the area of Bonnemaine or within the general area of Bridgend between 5.30am and 6.30am with a dash-cam to make the footage available to them.  Anyone who may have observed any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area is asked to contact Buncrana garda station on 074-9320540 " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Derry BT redundancy payments capped at one year The role offers an attractive package for the right candidate Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie Energy and decarbonisation information including heat schemes energy efficiency and low carbon communities An Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) is a defined area where the level of certain pollutants exceed or are likely to exceed national air quality objectives as set by Welsh Government to protect human health Caerau Heat Scheme is a highly innovative project that will provide low-carbon heat and a reduction in energy bills to properties in Caerau There are publicly accessible off-street electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Bridgend County Borough There are both ground-mounted units and wall-mounted units at various sites and at most sites the option for slow charging or fast charging The aim of ECO Funding is to help those who are living in fuel poverty and vulnerable to the risk of living in a cold home Low Carbon Communities is an initiative launched by Bridgend County Borough Council to empower local communities to produce and share renewable electricity amongst participating households whilst helping to fight the climate crisis you’ll find practical tips to make greener choices and a glimpse into the incredible benefits of going green—like saving money Welsh Government has legislated for a Net Zero Wales by 2050 with the public sector leading by example to be Net Zero by 2030 We have committed to the Net Zero 2030 target as an organisation and recognises the leadership role to enable wider Net Zero for businesses and communities in the county Helping homeowners in Wales make energy efficient improvements to their homes Green Homes Wales is a Welsh Government initiative designed to support eligible homeowners in making energy efficient improvements to their homes The Scheme offers both interest free financing and fully funded expert support helping you save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions Introducing the Open Access Youth Centre Extravaganza Are you ready to embark on a journey filled with excitement Look no further because we've got something epic in store just for you the coolest hangout spot for all you amazing young folks aged 11 and above Here's a sneak peek into what we have in store for you during our sessions: We invite you to visit our welcoming and safe space across Bridgend County Borough where young people can connect with others Stay updated on our upcoming locations and events on Facebook, Instagram and X Unleash your creativity in our interactive community group where you can gain valuable skills Our youth-led group aims to change the way youth services connect digitally with young people See you there for some seriously awesome creative adventures Themed Evenings and have some guest speakers in now and again to deliver training and workshops YPOP is Safe Space for young people who are looking to make new friends engage in workshops and discussions and receive support from our Youth Support Team if needed Find Your Calm Crew -  Looking for a chill place to make new friends Join us in a peaceful environment where you can meet new people who enjoy a quieter vibe board games or just relaxing with good company Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5.15pm - 7.15pm Come join us for a blast of fun and excitement every week You’ll be supported by our professional youth workers who are here to ensure you have a fantastic time and provide guidance when needed Don’t miss out on the fun and fitness—see you there you’ll be supported by our professional youth workers ready to ensure you have an amazing time and provide guidance when needed Address: Cynffig Comprehensive School (Youth Wing) Relax in our warm and welcoming environment our friendly youth workers are here to offer advice and guidance whenever you need it See you there for an evening of fun and excitement Don’t miss out on the ultimate Friday fun—see you there Foster Wales Bridgend joined Wales’ fostering community in highlighting the benefits of local authority care as the Welsh Government’s landmark Health and Social Care Bill begins the process of removing profit from the children’s care system Wales is the first country in the UK to legislate to remove profit from both residential and foster care for children led by care experienced people and local authority foster carers aims to show how the policy will support young people in care to stay connected to their local area 85 per cent of young people with local authority foster carers remained in their area only 31 per cent of young people cared for by commercial fostering agencies stayed local with 7 per cent being moved outside of Wales entirely Becky and Pete from Bridgend have been local authority foster carers since 2006 They specialise in fostering children with complex needs and Becky is also a liaison carer – which means she has undertaken additional training to be able to support other foster carers.  there are more than 7,000 children in the care system Foster Wales has set out with the bold aim of recruiting over 800 new foster families by 2026 to provide welcoming homes for local children and young people some of which are very much needed in the county borough For more information about fostering, or to make an enquiry, visit: fosterwales.gov.wales A £300 million scheme to deploy four micro-nuclear plants in Bridgend to provide power to manufacturers has moved a step closer. Prosiect Egni Glan Llynfi will see the micro modular 20 MWe nuclear power plants built on a vacant site that housed the coal-fired Llynfi Power Station from 1951 to 1977. The plants will deliver power to mid-size manufacturers throughout the region. Last Energy, a Washington D.C.-based micro-nuclear technology developer, has now announced confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UK’s nuclear regulator, that it has formally entered the nuclear site licensing (NSL) process for its plans to develop the microreactors. It aims to deliver the first plant in Bridgend by 2027, contingent on the licensing and planning processes. The project now becomes the first new site for a commercial nuclear power reactor to enter licensing since the Torness Nuclear Power Station in Scotland in 1978. All British deployments since then have been on, or adjacent to, sites with existing or former nuclear plants. Last Energy said it was “proud to pioneer nuclear development where it is needed, not only where it has historically been, and take a leading role in advancing the UK’s goals for greater siting flexibility”. The company said it would not require public funding for the development and estimates an overall capital investment of £300 million in equipment, services, and other development-related activities. It said it plans to source at least 10% of its needs from South Wales suppliers, translating to a £30 million local economic investment – not including business rates collected by Bridgend County Council – and at least 100 full-time jobs. Taken together, the plants’ annual output will be equivalent to the amount of energy consumed by approximately 244,000 UK homes per year, alleviating grid restraints and contributing to the Welsh Government’s 2030 net zero targets as well as national climate goals, Last Energy said. In December the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) issued Last Energy a $103.7 million letter of intent confirming the bank’s willingness to finance end-to-end delivery of the company’s first microreactor in South Wales. In January Last Energy accepted a grid connection offer from National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) for 22 MW of export capacity. Michael Jenner, CEO of Last Energy UK, a subsidiary of Last Energy, said: “We are pleased to officially enter site licensing with ONR, as we continue to make tangible progress toward the delivery of our first microreactor in Wales. “This is another critical milestone necessary to unlock nuclear power at scale in the UK, which will help meet growing energy demand and alleviate grid restraints. We appreciate ONR’s efforts during early engagement, which has allowed us to accelerate through the process swiftly. We also very much welcome that ONR has applied proportionality during their engagement with us, as this is a critical enabler for realising the benefits of small modular reactors.” An Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Last Energy has entered our nuclear site licensing process. “The licensing process is fundamental in ensuring that prospective licensees of a nuclear site are ready and able to meet their obligations under the nuclear site licence to protect their workforce and the public. “Last Energy has been participating in our early regulatory engagement framework since May 2024, which enables applicants to develop their understanding of regulatory processes and expectations early on in their projects. “Our inspectors will now provide pre-application advice to Last Energy as it prepares its application for a nuclear site licence. This advice will inform Last Energy of the regulatory expectations and legal responsibilities of a nuclear site licensee in Great Britain. “Our goal setting and enabling regulatory regime is in place to ensure that high standards of safety, security and safeguards are upheld.” Last Energy says that by “productising” nuclear energy it is transforming power generation for data centres, manufacturers and other industrial customers throughout the United States and Europe. and highly targeted distribution networks offers our clients a proven strategically connected one-stop-shop solution for all regions and business sectors in Wales and beyond The Early Help Screening Team is the first contact point for any professional child or young person to get the information advice and assistance you need in Bridgend The Screening Officers are available to listen to your situation identify what support is best for you and can help you access it The Screening Team can help you find support services including money advice Social Services to ensure that you access the right support Families can access Early Help support by contacting 01656 815420 or alternatively please complete a contact form and a member of staff will be in contact within 48 hours Families may also be referred by a professional Professionals can refer by completing a C1 form and returning to: Please note: If you have already received support from Early Help you will need to wait 3 months before a new referral can be made unless there are new issues that you want support with This body gives young people a voice in Bridgend County Borough If you identify an important issue that affects the area’s youth It is set up and run by local young people and is an entirely separate entity from Bridgend County Borough Council Our current Youth Mayor is Ellie O’Connell from YGG Llanhari The Deputy Youth Mayor is Daisy Davies from Brynteg Comprehensive School Are you unsure of joining the youth council Come along to one of our socials to meet the council in an informal way The youth council will meet once a month to have a social or agendas just fun and the chance to chat  We provide everyone the opportunity to host a social and to skill share game night or arts and crafts and so much more We hold regular youth council meetings twice a month one online and one in person in the Civic Offices in Bridgend The meetings have special guests from other organisations and professionals from Bridgend County Borough Council We have consultations and design campaigns within the meetings Everyone has the opportunity to chair a youth council meeting and to take minutes.  Youth council wanted to design a campaign to educate their peers on topics that are important to them climate change and political education (the 3 main priorities of the youth council) The council members get together and learn about the topic and then design fun and engaging workshops to deliver to their peers Get in contact and be a part of the peer to peer education campaign The recruitment process for the Youth Council is very simple: For more information or to be a part of the council please contact: To raise an issue or express an opinion about your area M was a Youth Council Member and ran for Youth Mayor She was elected and served as Youth Mayor for her term getting involved in a number of initiatives the Police and Crimes Commissioners Team and leading on Period Dignity initiatives for Bridgend M is now at University studying Politics and International Relations and she was a finalist for Young Activist of The Year in 2022 G was one of our Deputy Youth Mayor’s and has been awarded the Mayors Citizenship Award This is due to his amazing win of the prestigious Diana Award for his outstanding community work in developing and delivering Trans Awareness Training to young people parents and professionals across South Wales and helping to lead on creating YPOP LGBTQIA+ Youth Group in Bridgend YPOP came from a need identified by the young people during the pandemic lockdowns We developed an online LGBTQIA+ Safe Space for Young People to relax and meet others from across the county borough Members have been working on projects such as developing their own LGBTQIA+ and Trans Awareness Policy and community art project And were highlighted by Sarah Murphy MS in the Senedd as a much needed and welcomed safe space for young people in Bridgend We meet weekly face-to-face in the Youth Hub every Monday evening from 4pm - 6pm for ages 12-17 years Bridgend County Borough has four Welsh-medium primary schools (age 3 to 11 years) and one Welsh-medium secondary school (age 11 to 19 years) The best way to learn Welsh as a child is to attend a primary school that offers Welsh-medium education Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr is a Welsh-medium primary school located in Brackla balanced and inclusive curriculum for all pupils through their high standards of teaching and learning The school values their pupils and provide a curriculum that’s rewarding and fulfilling Plant Bach Sarn (Ti a Fi) is a parent/care and child group that’s run every Thursday afternoon from 1.45pm – 3pm at the Life-long Learning Centre Fforwyr Bach (Ti a Fi) is a parent/care and child group that’s run every Thursday afternoon from 1pm – 3pm at Soft Landings Families are welcome to attend any Cylch Ti a Fi or Cylch Meithrin in the area Four Cylchoedd Meithrin feed Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr The school offers full-time and part-time places from three-years-old The drop-off window is between 8.10am – 8.30am Late immersion provision is available to newcomers to Welsh-medium education from Year 1 and those returning to Welsh-medium education Pupils will be immersed in the language for one term before returning full-time to the classroom The school will make a request for this provision with the local authority The school offers a variety of extra-curricular clubs after school Further information is shared with parents an after-school club from 3:30pm – 5:25pm at the school Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr is part of the Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd family The Welsh-medium cluster work together to provide the best education through the medium of Welsh for the children of Bridgend County Borough Ysgol Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd is a Welsh-medium primary school in Betws serving the areas of Cwm Garw and Cwm Ogwr The school offers a happy and caring environment where pupils feel safe and secure The education is carefully matched to the learning needs of individual pupils Children from Plant Bach Sarn often transfer to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd The drop-off window is between 8.35am – 8.45am which provides specialist provision in a supportive environment to meet their needs through the medium of Welsh Places are allocated by the local authority Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon y Cymoedd is part of the Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd family Ysgol Cynwyd Sant is a Welsh-medium school that is firmly rooted in Maesteg within the Llynfi Valley It provides high quality education to over 280 pupils This ensures that pupils leave the school bilingual and are competent and confident to use both languages Pupils are thoroughly prepared for the transition to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd which is also in the Llynfi Valley Parents are welcomed to participate in the school’s activities and the school looks forward to a happy successful and meaningful partnership with parents and carers Maesteg (Ti a Fi) is parent and child group that’s run every Friday morning at Fairfield Centre Session times are 9.15am – 10.30am and 11.00am – 12.15pm Blaenllynfi Cylch Meithrin: The session time is: 9am – 11.30am Cylch Meithrin Cynwyd Sant is located at the school and welcomes children from two years old Children who attend Blaenllynfi Flying Start provision The drop-off window is between 8.20am – 8.30am The school has a learning resource centre for pupils with moderate learning difficulties which provides specialist provision for pupils in a supportive environment to meet their needs through the medium of Welsh an after school club from 3:30pm – 5:25pm at the school Ysgol Cynwyd Sant is part of the Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd family Ysgol Y Ferch O'r Sgêr is a Welsh-medium school situated in North Cornelly The school works closely with Cylch Meithrin y Sgêr and Cornelly Out of School Club to provide care from 7.30am – 6pm on the school site Y Sgêr (Ti a Fi) is a parent and child group that’s run every Friday afternoon from 1.30pm – 3pm at Corneli Integrated Children’s Centre on the school’s site Cylch y Sgêr (Cylch Meithrin) run two sessions per day and welcomes children from two years old The morning session is from 8.55am – 11.55am The afternoon session runs from 1.15pm – 3.15pm and is located at Corneli Integrated Children’s Centre The drop-off window is between 8.30am – 8.40am Additional clubs are held at Corneli Integrated Children’s Centre on the school’s site Ysgol Y Ferch o’r Sgêr is part of the Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd family Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd is a designated Welsh-medium school for pupils aged 11 to 19 maintained by the local authority This is the only Welsh-medium secondary school in the local authority The school is located in the historic village of Llangynwyd and serves the whole local authority Specialist provision for pupils with moderate learning difficulties which provides a supportive environment to meet their needs through the medium of Welsh Tŷ Derwen is the school’s specialist provision for pupils with Autism social areas and a classroom within the base and the school adopts an ASD friendly approach across the school Late immersion provision is offered to newcomers and pupils returning to Welsh-medium schools until Year 9 The school offers a variety of extra-curricular clubs during school time and after school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd is part of the Llangynwyd family Company registration number: 6650714VAT number: 938406505 The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board (PSB) brings together key local partners who work together to improve the economic environmental and cultural well-being of people who live work and visit the Cwm Taf Morgannwg areas of Bridgend It offers partners and citizens opportunities to engage with and further understand the key role of the board as it develops Our Cwm Taf Morgannwg also contains a wealth of information about the region Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board is made up of a variety of organisations across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region Minutes and agendas for previous and upcoming Cwm Taf Morgannwg Public Services Board meetings The Well-being of Future Generations aims to improve the economic environmental and cultural well-being of their area Our Well-being Assessment provides a picture of well-being in Cwm Taf Morgannwg It is the evidence base for the Well-being Plan.  Our well-being plan sets out how we will work together to improve well-being in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area The annual report is important as it gives an overview of the previous year and gives the opportunity to reflect and celebrate the achievements made View and download Bridgend PSB meetings minutes and agendas: View and download Bridgend PSB annual reports: View and download Bridgend PSB Assessments of Well-being:  Company unveils plans for site it bought last year Vantage has revealed plans to develop a major data center campus in Wales As reported by Nation.Cymru Vantage has launched a consultation on plans to redevelop a former Ford car manufacturing plant in Bridgend into a “multi-billion-pound” data center campus “Our investment in Bridgend will help the community prosper, bringing a range of high-quality jobs and other opportunities during construction and operations,” the company said in the consultation Site plans suggest the site could total 10 buildings and three substations developed over a 10-15 year period though further specifications weren’t shared The company aims to formally submit its plans to local officials by the spring and start construction in early 2026 Vantage claims the campus will be net zero by 2030 and be able to offer its waste heat to district heating networks Located to the west of the Welsh capital Cardiff, Ford stopped production at the plant in 2020, with Vantage acquiring the 1.3 million sq ft (120,000 sqm) site in May 2024 The Ford engine plant opened in 1980 and produced more than 22 million engines for Ford The company closed it down as part of cost-cutting measures citing falling demand for the type of engines it produced Vantage already has a presence in Wales after it bought Next Generation Data, which runs a campus outside Cardiff and a site in Newport, in 2020 Microsoft Azure is a major tenant at the Newport facility The Newport campus opened in 2010 on the site of a former LG semi-conductor plant a property that had stood vacant for more than a decade prior to development the 46-acre site will total 2 million sq ft (186,000 sqm) and 148MW across three three-story buildings Data Centre Dynamics Ltd (DCD), 32-38 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8FH Email. [email protected]DCD is a subsidiary of InfraXmedia Early Years and Young People Directorate plays a key role in delivering a wide range of services that impact directly on the lives of children While the directorate is proud of the work it does we recognise that many challenges remain if we are to ensure that our education early years and young people services are able to adapt to meet the needs of our residents This strategic plan sets out our ambitions for the future of education early years and young people services in Bridgend and brings together our ambitions and operational goals to tackle the impact of poverty and support people to live healthier and prosperous lives Our aim is to achieve equity and excellence for all Bridgend Athletic’ will play in a cup final at the Principality Stadium for the first time in their history after defeating Hendy 31-0 in the Admiral Division 1 Cup semi-final at Tonmawr RFC Ollie Olds and two tries from centre Gabe Brown sealed a five-star triumph Captain Johnny Phillips added three conversions They will now meet Caernarfon in Cardiff next month who got past Skewen 25-12 in the other semi at Llanidloes RFC Dafydd Thirsk and Iolo Evans scored for Caernarfon Aled Jones kicked conversions and two penalties © 2025 Content Copyright Welsh Rugby Union The report assures Welsh Government that we are performing well open way and using our money and other resources properly businesses and stakeholders how we are doing This self-assessment report covers the period 6 April 2023 to 5 April 2024 Bridgend County Borough Council is one of six local authorities to participate in the ‘Welsh Veg in Schools’ project a cross-sector initiative to introduce more organically produced Welsh vegetables into primary school meals across Wales an organisation aiming to influence how food is produced and consumed in Wales the scheme involves enthusiastic growers and other critical partners local authorities and health boards covering Cardiff Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire along with wholesaler Castell Howell Funded by Welsh Government’s Backing Local Firms Fund, as well as Bridging The Gap, a programme led by Sustain, Growing Communities and Alexandra Rose Charity the project supports Welsh Government’s commitment to ensure that every primary school-aged child in Wales is offered a free school meal and that the ingredients used come from local suppliers where possible “At its heart, Welsh Veg in Schools is about getting sustainably produced local veg into schools to nourish children via their school meals – the more progress we make the more benefit we can deliver to them,” says Katie Palmer “We aren’t producing enough veg in Wales and we need to be building our own supply base bringing benefit to local communities and reducing our reliance on imports through connecting local growers with local wholesalers and fostering relationships that help businesses flourish.” most of the veg that comes into Welsh schools is from outside the country and often is frozen This pilot is showing that it is possible to increase the amount of produce grown in Wales and support growers and farmers in doing so by using the market of local authority free school meal provision We are growing from strength to strength and developing the systems needed to deliver more healthy fresh Welsh vegetables into schools whilst supporting farming systems that enhance the environment here in Wales.” frozen broccoli is being replaced with fresh run by Katherine and David Langton in Crickhowell.  Learners have been given an insight into the broccoli’s journey of plot to plate and have become completely invested in the project choosing the Welsh vegetable over its frozen counterpart in terms of taste said: “It is wonderful for our school meals to be part of the Food Sense Wales Welsh Veg in Schools project.  The scheme is supporting the local authority and the growers by bridging the funding gap between the cost of the conventional frozen broccoli on our menu and the fresh organic broccoli.”    the project offers growers and farmers a new or alternative key income stream as well as opportunities for children to connect with nature and farming through visiting local growers commented: “I’m really excited to be part of the Welsh Veg into Schools project it means that great food is getting to those who need it most I hope we can inspire them to not only be passionate about eating healthy but to also be the future farmers and growers who will feed us all in return.”  Castell Howell is also delivering the produce to the schools across the county borough highlights the importance of the project and the company’s instrumental role in the scheme: “We’re proud to be part of the Welsh Veg in Schools initiative and it’s great to see broccoli from Langton’s Farm being supplied into schools across Bridgend County Borough.  As intermediaries in the supply chain we deliver to some 1000 schools across Wales and therefore recognise the importance of restructuring the way food is sourced.  “Working in collaboration with likeminded stakeholders growers and committed customers is critical to achieve our shared ambitions but delivering information and discussing risk and opportunities with a high level of transparency  We’re so pleased to be a part of this project delivering high-quality organic produce to schools in Wales.” Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services I am so proud that our local authority is part of this project playing a significant role in potentially overhauling the current food system organic food being supplied in our schools.  This can only be beneficial for our children our future.  I am eager to learn how this project will unfold and the long-term impact it will have.”   Images: Pupils at Brackla Primary School give the seal of approval for Welsh organic broccoli during a ‘broccoli tasting’ session Ageing Well events and activities in Bridgend County Borough which help older adults to stay healthy and socially connected within communities A new Virtual Reality (VR) training programme, developed by Goggleminds has been rolled out for social care staff in Bridgend to enhance management of high-risk swallowing incidents This immersive training equips staff with the skills and confidence to handle dysphagia-related emergencies Dysphagia is a swallowing difficulty that can lead to malnutrition It’s one of the pressing health issues faced by older adults care pathways for detecting and managing dysphagia remain disjointed often resulting in delayed assessments and long waitlists replicates real-life swallow assessment consultations allowing staff to engage in dynamic patient interactions within a realistic virtual environment the programme enables staff to practice complex consultations care teams can respond more effectively to high-risk swallowing incidents and strengthening collaboration between speech and language therapists Goggleminds said: “This collaborative effort not only makes training more accessible but also empowers care professionals to make informed decisions that drive better patient outcomes through the power of technology." Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “This project is a pioneering step in truly embedding health and social care integration By equipping care home staff with essential training in remote assessment for swallowing we’re ensuring that integration is not just a concept but a real person-centered care for the residents who need it most.” a ‘Train the Trainer’ session was held in Trem Y Mor where training staff were introduced to the programme The session also explored VR’s broader applications in healthcare highlighting the benefit for staff training and enhancement but also for patient pain distraction and engagement One example of the VR device being used for patient wellbeing was a powerful scenario from a Digital Communities Wales team member who described how VR positively impacted a patient with dementia the patient was able to relive a cherished beach holiday memory With her feet submerged in a bucket of water the immersive experience transported her back to her favourite beach destination Healthcare professionals in Bridgend were enthusiastic about the potential impact of VR training for staff Speech and Language Therapy Associate Practitioner Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “It gives staff the space to practice remote assessments without causing any potential harm If they can build confidence in a virtual setting it will make them feel safer and more competent in real-life scenarios.” Public Health Dietetic Assistant Practitioner Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: “I see this working well in our experience staff turnover in care homes is quite high Some staff may already be aware of the dietitians Providing this knowledge in a more engaging and interactive way could be really beneficial.” The VR Training programme is the result of collaboration between healthcare driving forward innovation in care provision Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board are leading the way in ensuring care home staff are better prepared to respond to swallowing difficulties ultimately improving the health and quality of life of residents Find out more about the VR Training project here. Cookies are small text files saved on your phone, tablet or computer when you visit a website. These cookies enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences. Consent for some third party cookies can not be automatically revoked. Please follow the link below if you want to opt out of them. We may use third party tools such as Google Analytics and similar to help us anonymously measure how you use our websites. This allows us to make improvements based on our users\' needs. These tools set cookies that store anonymised information about how you got to the site, and how you interact with the site. Developer Robert Hitchins has won a prestigious award for its groundbreaking development at Central Park, Bridgend for parcel giant Evri. The 15-year full repairing and insuring lease for the 82,000 sq ft unit has been recognised as the most impactful in Wales for 2024 in the CoStar Impact Awards, judged by a panel of industry experts. Evri moved into the purpose-built unit on the Robert Hitchins-owned industrial estate near J35 of the M4 in 2024. The company has tripled in size in the last five years to become the UK’s biggest dedicated parcel delivery company, delivering more than 730 million parcels per year with a team of more than 20,000 couriers and close to 17,000 ParcelShops and Lockers. In the first 24 hours at its new base in Bridgend the team processed 128,000 parcels. John Jones, Senior Asset and Development Manager at Robert Hitchins, was delighted to receive the accolade from CoStar which seeks to recognise significant contributions to the commercial property industry. “For several decades, Robert Hitchins has been committed to delivering employment-generating developments in Bridgend and South Wales and we are proud that our success and our continued investment in best-in-class commercial premises has been recognised by some of the best in the industry,” he said. Judges for the CoStar Lease of the Year Award praised the Evri deal as a catalyst for vibrancy and economic activity which represents significant growth and sets new milestones. CoStar judge Huw Thomas, director at Huw Thomas Commercial Property Consultancy, said: “The costs of providing a new institutional building of the size and specification required will have presented significant challenges to the developer in terms of viability and industrial yields.” Fellow-judge John James, director at Fletcher Morgan, added: “This letting has resulted in job creation, will help to address a lack of Grade A stock of this nature in South Wales. It has set new rental levels and demonstrated that a development of this nature can be successful west of the M4 Brynglas tunnels.” Robert Hitchins, based in Gloucestershire, has developed Central Park over several phases since it acquired the former Kimball Electronics plant in 2006. A scheme of 16 trade counter units amounting to 51,000 sq ft was developed in 2008, followed by a 13,500 sq ft trade counter scheme in 2012 and a 40,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility for PCI Pharma Services in 2017. The Evri warehouse, along with a new built-to-suit 20,000 sq ft unit for MKM Building Supplies, completes the Robert Hitchins’ development of the Bridgend Industrial Estate. Mr Jones estimated that there are currently more than 500 jobs associated with Central Park and said its continued development is providing a much-needed boost for the region and the wider economy. “We are proud to be investing for the long term in Bridgend by self-funding the development of high-quality buildings which has become increasingly rare in the commercial property market due to rising build costs and other factors,” he said. He thanked Neil Francis from Knight Frank in Cardiff who acted as agent, and Ewan Kilgour from Davies & Partners in Bristol who handled the legal affairs. https://www.donegallive.ie/section/1196/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Donegal Read the latest crime and court news from Donegal County Donegal - Donegal Live Donegal Now Donegal Democrat Donegal Post Donegal Peoples Press Finn Valley Inishowen Find whats happening in and around Donegal Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Donegal Gaeilge Irish Language Erse Gaelic Donegal Live Donegal Now Donegal Democrat Donegal Post Donegal Peoples Press Finn Valley Read about the latest properties available in Donegal Recent death notices and obituaries from Donegal Latest environmental and climate change news in County Donegal The van is a white Ford with a partial registration plate of 09 DL A van that was stolen from the Letterkenny area was found after it collided with a roundabout in Bridgend the van collided with a roundabout in the Bridgend area It is described that the van is a white Ford with a partial registration plate of 09 DL READ NEXT: Donegal gardaí arrest 11 people for driving under the influence over the weekend"Gardaí are asking for witnesses or anyone who was in the Bridgend area between 5am to 6am who have dash-cam footage to contact Gardaí in Letterkenny on 074-9167100 or Gardaí in Buncrana on 074-9320540," Gardaí said they can contact the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111." A day in the life of a children’s residential care worker at Ashdale Care Minster Alan Dillon at the opening of the new offices The opticians are delighted to welcome onboard their new Practice Manager (Middle) Council Leader Cllr John Spanswick joined by (L-R) Local Councillors Richard Williams and Melanie Evans with representatives from Plan B Management Solutions and the council’s Recycling and Waste team Council Leader Cllr John Spanswick and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment Cllr Paul Davies alongside members of Bridgend County Borough Council and representatives from Plan B and Groundwork Wales Bridgend County Borough has this week been named as the best performing local authority in Wales for recycling Jumping up to take the top spot with a recycling rate of 73% recent statistics reveal that the county borough has increased its performance by a staggering 17% over the last decade Bridgend County Borough has recycled 39K tonnes of waste including nearly 5,000 tonnes of glass 11,000 tonnes of organic waste and 6,000 tonnes of paper with over 9000 tonnes of waste processed at community recycling centres This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Council Leader John Spanswick in Bridgend town centre Cabinet Member for Regeneration Councillor Neelo Farr in Porthcawl town centre Cabinet Members for Resources Councillor Melanie Evans and Councillor Eugene Caparros in Maesteg town centre This week sees the launch of the council’s annual ‘Spend Christmas in your town centre’ campaign which encourages people to ‘shop local’ and support independent businesses and events in the run-up to the festive period Christmas shoppers can look forward to an array of handcrafted goods and seasonal produce at Green Top traditional Christmas street markets, alongside exclusive offers and promotions from local businesses and restaurants with the return of the ‘Digital Christmas’ website The special offers can be accessed by downloading the popular ‘We Love BRIDGEND / MAESTEG / PORTHCAWL’ apps on the Apple App Store or Google Play by searching BRIDGEND / PORTHCAWL / MAESTEG Visitors can also take advantage of the council’s existing free parking initiative in Bridgend People visiting Bridgend town centre after 6pm can also park for free at the large open air car park at Brackla Street (behind Wilkinson’s) and car parks at Tremains Road, Tondu Road and at Bridgend Life Centre. Further town centre parking information is also available on the council’s website We are responsible for cutting grass owned by Bridgend County Borough Council Grass cutting commences in April and continues until October Please note: Other organisations such as community councils and housing associations also cut public grass areas within the county borough we need to balance biodiversity with issues such as highway safety requirements we still have to cut grass at specific locations in order to maintain driver line of sight or to ensure that footpaths remain accessible.  We maintain areas of open space and highways in support of wildflowers and have greatly reduced our annual grass cutting to actively manage our land and promote flowering and ecological diversity wherever possible