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 Crime scenes set up in Green Park area with 40-year-old man taken into custody A man has been arrested after a 40-year-old woman who was shot dead in Talbot Green, about 15 miles west of Cardiff. The woman was found with serious injuries in the Green Park area of the Welsh town just after 6pm on Sunday and could not be saved by emergency services, south Wales police said. A 42-year-old man from Talbot Green was taken into custody, police said. Several crime scenes were set up in the area by investigating police and roads were closed. Det Ch Insp James Morris said: “I understand the concern this will cause the local community, and I want to reassure people that a team of experienced detectives are already working at pace to piece together the events of last night.” Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) county borough councillor Sarah Jane Davies called online for residents to “stay vigilant” and thanked them for cooperating. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. The Prince and Princess of Wales will carry out joint engagements in South Wales next week ahead of St David’s Day Kate, who is continuing with her gradual return to public duties since completing her cancer treatment, will join William on a visit to Pontypridd on February 26 The couple will meet local people affected by the severe flooding caused by Storm Bert and Storm Darragh which hit the region in the space of just two weeks in late 2024 William and Kate will visit Pontypridd Market, which has been at the heart of the community since 1805, and tour the food hall and help prepare and cook a batch of traditional Welsh cakes They will meet the owner of The Welsh Cake Shop which was established more than 25 years ago and is also known for its Welsh fruit bread bara brith they will chat to business owners about how the flooding affected the area The prince and princess will also see Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland to hear about the site’s impact and how volunteers worked to restore it in the wake of the storms Kate announced she was in remission from cancer in January and the day trip is the latest in a run of appearances since the start of the year which included a visit to a mother and baby unit in a women’s prison in Cheshire last week The King announced he had created his eldest son and heir William, the Prince of Wales, in his first televised address as monarch, the day after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. William, who was born Prince William of Wales, and Kate lived in Wales for a time before they married and as newlyweds, spending several years in Anglesey. The away-day to south Wales comes just three days before St David’s Day, on March 1, which celebrates the country’s patron saint. Charles, as Prince of Wales, visited Pontypridd five years ago in 2020 after it was hit by floods caused by Storm Dennis. He also helped cook a batch of Welsh cakes with the then-Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla, on a visit to the Village Bakery in Wrexham, north Wales, in 2015. Residents of a small town in Rhondda Cynon Taf are protesting against the proposed expansion of a local quarry arguing the number of lorries travelling on the main road is already putting them at risk said: "The quarry from where we're standing now [on the high street] is probably less than five minutes' drive but 90% of their vehicles come through the village - or as it is This is not about the existing lorries back and forwards it's about the proposal to increase those lorries." Ms Bolton added the road is already "really dangerous" to walk along That view was echoed by other protestors, with one telling ITV Wales they are already too afraid to commute using a bike because of how busy the roads are Another raised concerns about historic planning permission for the quarry which was granted before the area grew to what it is today Forest Wood Quarry was approached for comment while Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said it could not comment while the proposals are in the planning stages Have you heard our new podcast Talking Politics Robert and Anushka dig into the biggest issues dominating the political agenda… The Ardal South West 2024/25 season gets underway on Tuesday (July 23) night.  Only one team came down from the Cymru South and that was Pontardawe Town Their two-year stay in the division came to an end as they were relegated on goal difference It’s been a summer of change at Parc Ynysderw Their manager Garry Taylor has stood down from his post and was replaced by Ben Williams a Youth Development Phase Coach at Swansea City They have lost several good players including Joe Lloyd who has headed to Llanelli Town Cefn Cribwr had a week of promise but it ended up with them finishing the season with nothing The title race was out of their hands as Penrhiwceiber Rangers won the league in their final game they lost to the Ardal South League Cup to Swansea University and then just six days later they lost in the play-off final to Newport City The good thing for Cribwr now is that they have returned to Cae Golf They’re back in their own borough after spending two seasons in Tonypandy Scott Dryden’s men finally playing in front of their own supporters might give them that edge over their rivals Cardiff Dracs finished third last season but a whole nine points off second and 12 off of Penrhiwceiber Nana Baah has experience winning the second tier however with Caerau Ely and he’ll relish managing a team that might not be as fancied as much as the rest no actual champion came up from the feeder divisions All three feeder divisions only send teams that finished second and third Bridgend Street who have spent three years away from the third tier finished second They could have won the title had FC Cwmaman not won their final match.  Treherbert BGC finished third in what was a closely contested title race in the end They finished three points behind Cwmaman and two points.  Clydach and Evans & Williams have come up from the West Wales Premier League now playing at Llanelli Town’s Stebonheath Park finished eight points behind league winners Rockspur.  who finished fourth and a whole 16 points behind Rockspur filled one of the vacancies after Canton moved over to the South East.  Here’s a table-style run-through of the likelihood of each of the 16 teams winning the league from the top to the bottom The teams at the top of course stand the best chance of winning it and then the bottom teams are being tipped for relegation (Pic by John Smith/FAW) Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Cardiff Rugby St Peters and Pontyclun were the big winners as the Defender Cardiff Rugby Cup came to a thrilling conclusion at the Arms Park; The two clubs won three finals apiece of the best of grassroots rugby was showcased across three days What a weekend at the Defender @cardiffrugbycup finals Thank you to everyone who took part and those that helped make it such a successful weekend Diolch pawb 🩵🖤 pic.twitter.com/GUN89fM6Sj – Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) May 13, 2024 the WRU’s Rugby Officer for the Male Game in the Cardiff rugby region said: “It’s the culmination of a season-long competition from under 12s up to under 16s They’ve been playing out in their groups starting back in September getting to the knockout stages in the early part of this year “We’ve got down to the 17 finals now where we’ve introduced a youth section as well it was about 8,000 to 9,000 kids playing in this competition this season and 1,000 of those are out on the park behind me It’s the first time they get to play in front of a massive crowd It’s the first time all the social media is around it They see it coming and it’s their first time where they get a touch of what it could be like as a professional rugby player “They get the taste here now on the finals weekend they want that every weekend so they’re going to work and play as much as they can we run this as a partnership and that’s what we look at We’re not just looking at the player the team manager’s experience and then it’s the spectators and parents “Everyone is part of this journey with this child wanting to play rugby and we understand that We want to make it enjoyable for them off the field as it is on the field for the players It’s a 360 of rugby if anything because the more support you can give to that player off field throughout their rugby career the better the player they’ll be and person growing up so that’s what’s really important to us.” Dan Thomas has been rewarded with a new contract at Cardiff after an impressive first… Cardiff Rugby are delighted to secure the services of Danny Southworth on a long-term contract… All the highlights from Cardiff’s emphatic bonus-point victory over Munster in the BKT United Rugby… Cardiff Rugby’s young stars shone brightly as Wales Under-18s recorded a clean sweep at the… General: 029 20 30 20 00 Tickets: 029 20 30 2030  Email: enquiries@cardiffblues.com View our Privacy Policy © 2024 Content Copyright Cardiff Rugby, Statistics Copyright SFMS Ltd. Web Design by Box UK The attraction has earned a prestigious reputation for telling the story of The Royal Mint, 'the original maker' of UK coins. These coins have commemorated special occasions and moments in history for monarchs since Alfred the Great. Popular for its rich history of minting coins over 1,100 years, it's set to be the ultimate destination for school holiday fun. With an exciting range of activities lined up - including the Pirate Takeover, Team Wales exhibition and the chance for visitors to strike their own Team GB and ParalymicsGB 50p coin in support of the Olympics - there's something for the whole family to enjoy this season. Families can get ready to join the Pirate Takeover, happening every Wednesday, Saturday and during the August bank holiday weekend, between July 31 and August 26, 2024. An interactive experience for both children and adults, there will be a bounty of activities to occupy your crew during the school holidays. Visitors can expect face-to-face encounters with pesky pirates causing shenanigans, cutlass training, animal encounters, games and engaging maritime history; it's not to be missed. There will also be live pirate shows filled with laughs and challenges to tackle, where children can earn a swashbuckling certificate if they complete all of the tasks. The fun doesn’t stop there though - visitors can dive into the 'Coins and the Sea' exhibition to explore fascinating stories of trade and treasure. Here's a reason to extend the fun - take advantage of a special offer with 40% off a Royal Mint Experience tour* on the same day as their pirate adventure. The guided tours provide an in-depth look at how coins are made, from blanking to striking, offering a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the oldest organisations in the world. The tour guides at The Royal Mint Experience are incredibly skilled in adapting for a range of audiences and are exceptional at bringing the story of British coinage to life. After the tour, guests can explore an award-winning exhibition that delves into the rich history of coinage, including rare coins and historical artefacts that have been collected over the last 1,100 years. While summer is in full swing, it's never too early to plan ahead. During the festive season, The Royal Mint offers immersive and interactive Santa experiences. Guests can explore Santa’s enchanting UK workshop before meeting the big man himself, as well as some of his mischievous chief helpers along the way. The experience tells the stories of some of our most-loved Christmas traditions and encourages guests to begin their own. Guests will also have the opportunity to strike their own coin during the experience. Keep your eyes peeled for news on 2024’s design! Christmas Experience tickets are now on sale - and this year, the festivities run from November 23 throughout December. Specific dates and tour times can be found online. Admission to the event is highly sought during this time of year and tends to sell out fast, so visitors are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. The Royal Mint Experience is conveniently located in Pontyclun, minutes off the M4, making it an ideal day out for families during the summer break. With ample free parking and facilities designed for families, visitors can enjoy a stress-free day packed with enjoyment and learning. Exhibition-only tickets cost £5 each, under fives and carers enter for free (with evidence of carer status). Tour admission tickets start from £13.50 for adults, from £10.35 for children aged 5-15 years, and from £11.25 for students and seniors aged over 65. The Royal Mint Experience is located at Heol-Y-Sarn, Ynysmaerdy, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF72 8YT. The museum's opening hours are Monday to Sunday, 9.15am to 4.15pm. Tours run throughout the day and specific timings can be found online. A dog rescue charity in South Wales says they're facing a surge in requests to take in unplanned or unsold litters of puppies Hope Rescue, in Llanharan, near Pontyclun say the number of puppies arriving with them has more than trebled with the charity receiving requests to take in 85 puppies since the start of the year 60 puppies came into Hope Rescue’s care between January and June 2024 compared to 14 puppies during the same period in 2023 A further 15 puppies came into Hope Rescue’s care as part of their work supporting local authorities and Animal Licensing Wales to tackle low welfare and illegal breeding They say the increase is down to a rise in dog ownership during the pandemic when many puppies born during this time weren't neutered They say 97% of adult dogs arriving as strays or relinquished from owners at Hope Rescue during the last three months are unneutered They say a litter of four puppies, only one-week-old, arrived in their care this week, having been abandoned in a horse yard in Merthyr Tydfil The litter of one female and three males were abandoned without their mother Another recent example they gave was Robin the Pointer who arrived at Hope Rescue after a call from her distressed owner The new-born litter of eight puppies and Robin were immediately brought into the rescue centre and given the care they needed They say "the market for puppies has reached saturation point and with no puppy buyers for the unplanned litters desperate owners are contacting Hope Rescue for help Hope Rescue is operating at capacity with a rise in stray dogs and a slowing in the number of dogs being adopted Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know.. The JD Welsh Cup returns this weekend as clubs across the country compete in the 2nd qualifying round Pontyclun FC exited the competition at this stage last season but long-serving manager Barry Quinn believes his squad are more determined than ever to achieve success in this campaign “We’ve started the season well so we will see where that takes us,” said Quinn to FAW.cymru this week “Our squad probably has a bit more depth than last year and we might still bring a couple more in before the window closes We’re happy with the boys that we’ve brought in so far and the atmosphere is better than I’ve ever known it We stayed undefeated in pre-season and we’ve carried that on We’ve got some tough games coming up but the boys are looking forward to those challenges as that’s what it’s all about.” Pontyclun narrowly missed out on the chance of promotion last season when they lost their decisive final day fixture to Ynyshir Albions their opponents finished one place and one point above them in the table and won the subsequent play-off match against Abertillery Bluebirds to take their place in the JD Cymru South The ambition for Pontyclun now is to go one step better in the Ardal South West this season and Quinn believes the pain of last season can motivate his squad to achieve success “It was agonising at the time to miss out at the final hurdle,” he explained “We could have still won the league going into the final day or finished second and earned a place in the play-offs but it’s given our boys the motivation to go one better this season and move to the next level The ambition is definitely there within the club but we’re under no illusions about how difficult it’s going to be.”  Penydarren Seniors BGC will visit Ivor Park on Saturday in the JD Welsh Cup and while Pontyclun won a fiercely-contested league fixture against them 3-0 earlier this month Quinn will not be taking his opponents for granted “Penydarren are one of the best sides at this level,” he added “We’ve had a good rivalry with them for a number of years now and I have a huge admiration for them It was a feisty match between us a few weeks ago but that was because we are two fully-committed sides and we will have to be even better this Saturday to get ourselves in the hat for the next round.  “The committee always mention the Welsh Cup prize money to me The cost of living affects clubs as well as households Everything we raise goes back into improving the facilities here and the difference at the ground now to ten years ago is credit to everyone involved behind the scenes We rely on the support of our community and they can see the improvements that are being made because of it We are also extremely grateful to the support we have received from the FAW and the interest they have shown in our ground improvement projects which has also made a lot of what we have done possible.” Pontyclun were formed in 1896 and recently celebrated their 125th anniversary an incredible achievement in itself for a small village football club But nearby Pontyclun RFC were formed just a year later in 1897 it represents the value and importance sport in general plays in such a community and why it is vital that continued investment is made to ensure they can provide such a crucial outlet for youngsters in the area “These clubs are institutions in the local areas and are vital for the development of young people,” he explained “We have around 450 junior players at our club alone and it gives them something to be involved in and to be a part of.” Quinn himself understands from his own experience just how important sport is to the local community His involvement with Pontyclun began as a junior player with the U10 team before he progressed through the ranks and eventually captained the first team for a number of years After a broken leg brought his playing career to an end he began coaching and became first team manager over a decade ago a role he combines with supporting the committee with their fundraising efforts and all the voluntary unseen tasks that make it possible for clubs to continue at this level “I didn’t have any grey hair when I started,” he added a lot of youngsters play rugby and football for the two clubs in the village,” explained Quinn “We have a brilliant relationship with the rugby club and we always support each other when it comes to fundraising events and a lot of people in the community support both teams The need to develop facilities is the biggest thing because we have so many children involved with both clubs that training facilities are in short supply We want to facilitate more teams and training sessions but it’s not always possible as we are at capacity and we have a waiting list of players wanting to join We’re trying to do everything we can to grow with the demand as we don’t want to have to turn anyone away.” Check the fixtures and follow the latest score with live updates in the Cymru Football App on your smart devices Visit your app store to download it now:  The FAW Cup Draw Show will be broadcast at 8pm on Monday The New Saints come from behind to take Nomads crown in JD Welsh Cup final Project Chwarae: FAW to undertake a review of weather-related postponements in grassroots football Cardiff City defeat Wrexham to lift Bute Energy Welsh Cup Close ModalLearn more from FA WalesSign up to receive all things FAW We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here © 2025 The Football Association of Wales * We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here Blok restaurant at Lanelay Hall hotel and spa opens its doors following an interior facelift by SpaceInvader Blok restaurant has opened its doors to reveal a contemporary interior refresh a luxury boutique hotel and spa in Pontyclun the new space marks the total rebrand of the previous hotel restaurant with a new open kitchen providing insight into the team’s culinary expertise with local British produce Lanelay Hall called on Manchester-based design studio SpaceInvader to take the reins of the restaurant’s transformation The design was centred around the newly created seasonal menu – which spans from crispy hen’s egg with asparagus wild garlic and Hafod Cheddar to scallops with peas Carmarthenshire ham and caviar – and Blok’s ethos of ‘fine dining by fire’ with charcoal and flames providing inspiration for the choice of hues and surfaces for the space ‘The space was fairly old-fashioned and formal and with its feeling of spaciousness and very high ceilings wasn’t attracting potential diners looking to experience an intimate environment,’ says Imogen Woodage from SpaceInvader The designers incorporated a 16-seat booth area at the core of the restaurant creating an intimate nook and strong visual interest Lighting took a leading role in creating a cosy atmosphere Decorative pendant lights drape above the booth while chargeable lamps are placed on each table for personalised mood lighting A private dining space features a large oval table with a black quartz finish in front of a full-height wine display while the space’s bay window ‘hugs’ a series of smaller tables Generous indoor planting complements the kitchen’s bottle green and charcoal tiling Blok restaurant at Lanelay Hall, Lanelay Road, Talbot Green, Pontyclun, lanelayhall.co.uk Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox. The driver of a car is in a critical condition after he crashed into a pub in Pontyclun in south Wales injuring five others Emergency services were called to the scene on Llantrisant Road on Thursday evening just after 8:30pm Police confirmed a 79-year-old man is thought to have suffered "a medical episode" while driving his car which then crashed into The Windsor pub in the village A number of pedestrians were injured in the collision with one suffering life-changing injuries Four others have been taken to hospital as a precaution with minor injuries One teenager said she had a "lucky escape" after witnessing the incident works at the hairstylists opposite the pub She said: "I had just finished work and was waiting for my Mam to come and pick me up."Normally I go and wait right on the wooden bollards where it happened."I was connected to the internet so by chance sat outside the salon I don't normally connect to it but it was by chance I was connected last night." She described hearing a "lot of crashing" and witnessing the car go "into the side of the Windsor." "It was very chaotic and there was a lot of people around," she said."There were three people on the floor and there were people from the upstairs window chucking blankets and pillows down There were people seeing to the people on the floor."It was a very horrific scene and it was very shocking." Police described the incident as "very distressing" “This was a very distressing incident and we are very grateful to the members of the public who came to the aid of the injured people in the moments immediately after the collision" Chief Inspector James Ratti of South Wales Police said “We worked alongside our colleagues in both the Ambulance and Fire Services to deal with the casualties as quickly and efficiently as possible," he added The public were asked to avoid the area while the incident was being dealt with Twitter user Jon posted this picture from the scene which shows a number of emergency vehicles including a fire engine and a police cordon Cowbridge Road was closed both ways as emergency services responded to the incident Leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew RT Davies tweeted to say it was "shocking news" coming from Pontyclun "Thank you to the efforts of the emergency services on the scene "My thoughts are with everyone involved" Pontyclun councillor Margaret Griffiths said: "People are very concerned for the families and the people that were hurt last night "There's no news on who the people are so we don't know how the people are progressing in hospital Model Church in Wales Primary School took on Pontyclun Primary School in the Under 11 Junior Group 10-a-side John Rees Cup Final Pontyclun Primary School beat Model Church in Wales school by 10 tries to nil to lift the John Rees U12 Cup in a dominating performance in the first match of the latest round of ‘Road to Principality 2023’ finals on 24 April The village of Pontyclun is one of the cradles of mini-rugby in Wales having set up one of the first club’s in 1971 and the latest crop of talented youngsters to emerge from the vilalge were not fazed by the Principality roof being shut as splashed their way to a commanding victory A hat-trick from Liam Jones and two tries apiece from Luc Llewellyn “We brought all of Year 5 and 6 with us to support the team which is a big part of the whole experience It was great for so many pupils from the school to get involved and see us win.” The game’s first try saw Model CIW’s backline stretched with a great turn of pace from Llewellyn on the wing to finish in the corner The lead was quickly doubled on the opposite wing this time Theaker the beneficiary of a quick penalty Pontyclun added a third shortly after through an advantageous interception on the try line with a fourth following through Theaker again dummying to create space to finish in the far corner Tries five and six came just before the half-time break Llewellyn scored his second before Liam Jones scored his first with a fantastic line-breaking run and individual try to send his side into the break with a 30-0 advantage The second half saw Jones swiftly add his second of the game bundling through the Model CIW defence to cross the whitewash His first was arguably the highlight of the game showing skill and awareness to dummy his tackler to finish superbly The match finished as Jones scored his team’s 10th of the game “They did so well to reach the final and now we have the Urdd finals to look forward to in Aberystwyth it will be the start of their rugby journeys You should have seen their faces light up when they walked into the ‘Home’ dressing room © 2025 Content Copyright Welsh Rugby Union Cardiff Dracs concluded their season with a dramatic victory over Pontyclun at Ivor Park Substitute Jamal Roberts proved to be the Dracs hero after he came off the bench to score a late winner at Pontyclun Glynn Davies looked to have handed Ponty the win when he headed home a corner before the Dracs scored twice in the final five minutes Sam Roberts levelled the score in the 89th minute with a header before Roberts stunned the hosts when he was in the right place at the right time to prod home four minutes into added time and spark jubilant scenes The victory at Ivor Park helped Draconians return to winning ways, following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Ynysygerwn and moved Nana Baah’s side up to third in the Ardal South West table still have three games left to play but are safe from relegation and return to action this Saturday when they host Penrhiwceiber Rangers who are six points behind leaders Cefn Cribwr with three more games to play But the day belongs to Baah and his men after fighting tooth and nail to snatch victory from defeat to end their season on a high The Dracs began the game in the ascendancy but failed to convert their chances Callum Becket fired over from the edge of the box after winning the ball from Nathan Renfree before Roberts could only direct an effect wide Beckett was then denied superbly by Sam L’Homme His first one on the volley was well saved by Pontclun’s number one before he stood tall to block the midfielder’s close-range effort to keep the game goalless With half-time fast approaching Teejay Vickery had the hosts’ first shot on target when his effort was straight at Dracs goalkeeper Harry Johnson Johnson then pulled off a spectacular save from Renfree’s free-kick before Ponty did find the back of the net from the resulting corner in the 50th minute and the defender was left unmarked to nod the ball home via the crossbar Pontyclun held firm and resolute with N’Homme immaculate between the sticks and when he was beaten the woodwork came to his rescue as Oscar Raisbeck’s header from Nathan Mathias’ corner crashed against the crossbar N’Homme was then nearly caught out as he came out of his goal juggling the ball and was superbly blocked by Graham Trevett with the ball falling to Roberts who took the ball on his chest and with the goal gapping he could only send the ball agonising wide But the Dracs claimed their well-deserved equaliser with a minute left a bit in fortuitous circumstances Arjen Matthews attempted volleyed clearance came back off his bar and Roberts was there to hear the ball home the Dracs pushed forward and went close to snatching the win when Johnson came up from the back for a corner but the ball just evaded the visiting goalkeeper before Roberts’ late heroics Johnson’s free-kick in his half was sent towards Raisbeck the defender and home goalkeeper N’Homme came together and saw the ball fall to Roberts to guide the ball home from 12 yards out to spark delirium Cardiff Dracs manager Nana Baah said: “What a way to end the season (Featured Image: Josh Thomas) A paralysed man has achieved his "bucket list" dream of reaching the Pen y Fan summit raising money for the UK's leading spinal research charity in the process who was paralysed from the chest down in his early 20s made it to the top of the mountain on Saturday with the help of a team of 28 supporters The 39-year-old from Pontyclun was injured after he dived into a swimming pool during a holiday in Magaluf with friends in 2007 A keen rugby player and trainee quantity surveyor at the time Jon was paralysed instantly after the incident Talking ahead of Saturday's challenge Jon said: "Not only did it flip my world upside down but it changed me and my life forever." he added: "Over the past 17 years I’ve tried to live as normal a life as possible I’ve overcome many hurdles and built a great life so now I’d like to push myself outside my comfort zone to give something back and try to help others." The challenge was made possible by a specially adapted wheelchair designed by Jon's engineer brother Jamie which had to be taken into consideration coming up with the design Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.. Talking to ITV Wales' reporter Kate Lewis after the event Jon explained: "My brother made an especially adapted chair so that helped A large team was needed to pull off Saturday's mission safely going up and down the 2,900ft mountain without breaks on the chair the team described the prospect of managing the rocky terrain as "a huge challenge." However Jon described the challenge as the first "full adrenaline rush" he has had since his accident He said he wanted to do it to raise money for spinal research Jon and his 28-strong team took 3 hours to make it up and down The team included close friend Lloyd Collier who will be travelling to the Sahara dessert later this week to take on the famous Marathon des Sables - an ultramarathon roughly the equivalent to six marathons in just six days an emergency medicine consultant originally from Pontyclun but currently working in Australia He said: “Spinal cord injury is an area of research close to my heart and that of my family and local community sustained spinal cord injuries in their 20s they have both been inspirational figures of resilience in my life and I wanted to be with Jon when he makes the attempt to summit Pen-y-Fan.” Lloyd set a new world record for circumnavigating the world on a tandem bike with a fellow medic Taking 283 days to cover more than 29,000 kilometres they cycled through 23 countries including India Jon said: “Lloyd may say I’m his inspiration but it’s completely the reverse He has absolutely inspired me with all that he has achieved in life and the things he has already done to raise money for Spinal Research." Lloyd told Kate Lewis: "For me it was definitely one of the proudest moments just to call Jon my friend really." He added: "Watching Jon achieve that goal was quite emotional." Message Invalid character found in the request target [/detail.cfm?i\u003d9341] The valid characters are defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 3986 Description The server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error (e.g. Note The full stack trace of the root cause is available in the server logs People have been waiting a while to see something new in this building once a pub which people of a certain age will forever remember as the place they partied with abandon in the 1990s The huge building has been a long time empty but was filled to the rafters on Tuesday in its new guise as the upmarket Brothers Steak and Seafood Restaurant the menu’s stars are the steaks (ranging from 10oz rump at £28 to sharers of Porterhouse and Chateaubriand at £80 and £90) and the seafood (from prawns and Menai mussels for starters to seafood sharing platters) The steak prices are on a par with what you'd pay at top Cardiff city centre steak restaurants but it’s worth pointing out that they come with a side and sauce priced in and there’s a set menu running early evening and lunchtimes with a pretty good selection of dishes (£25 for two courses and £28 for three) READ NEXT: I tried Cardiff's newest pizza restaurant and it's the best I've ever had READ MORE: I tried the new city restaurant that combines fire and wine to make the most delicious small plates of food you'll eat We were always going to choose a steak and something from the fish counter while we also wanted to sample the set menu and a delicious glass of the Canevel Prosecco (£7.50) in hand I chose a medium rare sirloin served with parmesan and rosemary fries and a peppercorn sauce (£28) and a king prawn starter (£12) with grilled pork belly followed by hake with mussels and potato and curry veloute chilli oil and coriander bringing a medley of flavour and a nice kick One more prawn per portion wouldn’t go amiss sticky with the miso treacle caramel and sesame dressing I am an absolute sucker for a croquette and this one was brilliant: soft crisp crumb and a bed of peppery Romesco sauce The hake dish was tasty and also substantial The curry veloute had set slightly but had good delicate flavour and the nice hunk of hake stood up to the sauce and had a lovely crisp top Underneath the hake was a crispy potato rosti which my dining partner loved and said made the whole course My steak was cooked as requested and was a decent size there was no discernable flavour on the meat or from the flame the silky and piquant peppercorn sauce added a bit of oomph I loved the idea of the rosemary and parmesan fries and would have liked the additional ingredients perhaps tossed throughout the chips rather than plonked on top fries should always taste great on their own The aforementioned Jean’s Baked Apple tart (£9 alone or it comes as part of the set menu) is worth trying for the beautifully prepared wafer-thin slices of apple layered up over a disc of (slightly soggy) pastry The fruit tasted delicious and it came with a big ball of vanilla ice cream A great dessert which has a lot going for it that’s the overall takeaway from Brothers Steak and Seafood Restaurant: it has a lot going for it It's got a good menu with dishes that obviously mean a lot to the people behind them who are very keen on showcasing Welsh produce (perhaps a little more about the provenance of the ingredients behind those dishes would be welcome) But it could maybe do with a little bit more finesse in the execution If you’re going to have a price point that’s on par with some of Cardiff’s best restaurants you have to give people the complete package but high-end venues will nine times out of ten open with everything on point I’m sure the restaurant will thrive and I really hope it does Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Pontyclun is a village situated midway between Cardiff and Bridgend, just a stone’s throw from The Royal Mint Experience at Llantrisant. It’s the location for an unusual industry story about love, adventure, disappointment and hard work. Our protagonist is Sérgio Alves, born in Portugal in 1976, his father making a living working as a coach driver for well-respected operator Barraqueiro Transportes. During school holidays, the young Sérgio would accompany his father to work, helping out doing odd jobs. After serving the mandatory one year term in the Portuguese army, followed by a couple of jobs, Sérgio realised that he wanted his future to follow the same path as his father – being a coach driver. “My father was always travelling, driving coaches across Europe,” he says. “That life appealed to me, so in 2006 I took my licence and started working for the same company. I was soon driving tours in Europe. I fell in love with the lifestyle.” In 2010, whilst on holiday, Sérgio met his wife to be, Kinga. She soon moved to Portugal from her native Poland. However, with Kinga finding it difficult to get a job, and thinking what would be best for the two of them, Sérgio decided to visit London to look for a driving job. He reckoned that Kinga, whose English was good, would stand a better chance of finding employment in the UK. A round of interviews with London-based coach operators brought no results. But just a couple of days before he was due to fly back to Portugal, Sérgio found himself talking with Debbie Newman of Clarkes of London. By the end of that chat, he had been offered a job. “Debbie was really supportive,” he says. “She sorted out some accommodation for me that saw me though those early weeks.” In June 2012, Sérgio and Kinga packed their bags and started their new life, renting a flat in south east London. “I was really enjoying driving for Clarkes,” he says. “But during 2013 our financial situation worsened. I was the only one working and we were struggling. I didn’t want to leave Clarkes, but I had to find a better paid job. I went to see Debbie and explained the situation. She asked me if Kinga spoke English. When I said she did, Debbie’s face lit up saying that if she could give Kinga some work, would I stay? Kinga joined Clarkes as a booking clerk and I stayed put.” Like most London-based coach drivers, Sérgio was learning more and more about driving in the capital. His record was exemplary – no accidents, and no complaints from passengers. Kinga recalls Debbie telling her that Sérgio was a breath of fresh air in the company. “Sérgio and I had come to the UK for a better life,” she says. “We’d found it!” But it wasn’t long before the couple realised that raising a child in London, their daughter Isabella having been born in 2015, wasn’t what they wanted. It was time to leave, and this time, Debbie Newman couldn’t persuade them otherwise. Through recommendation, Sérgio found a job driving for Bryan Smith at Grange Travel in Gravesend. But Gravesend still wasn’t the rural, and hopefully cheaper, lifestyle Sérgio was looking for. In 2016, whilst looking around for inspiration, Sérgio saw mention of Edwards Coaches in South Wales. He researched the area and liked what he saw. Approaching the company he was offered a job as a coach tour driver. By February the family had moved to South Wales and Sérgio found himself doing what he loved, driving coaches again on continental tours. But he was restless. In the October he left Edwards and enjoyed a few months working on the lorries, having acquired his HGV licence in the army. That encouraged him to become a freelance driver. Contacting Bryan at Grange Travel he found himself driving a few tours. Prompted by the experience of hiring himself out, he set up a driver agency offering both PCV and HGV drivers. The company name? Bella Road Services (BRS), named after his daughter Isabella. By the end of 2018 he had 35 drivers on his books and was working with a range of UK and Irish operators. Sérgio’s reputation grew, prompting a meeting with travel and tour operator Tracoin who asked if he would consider buying and operating coaches on its tours. This was something different again for Sérgio and he said he would think about it. Nothing transpired, but the thought remained in Sérgio’s head. By 2019, still focused on his driver agency activity, Sérgio could see opportunities to develop a coach business. Kinga by this time had had her second child, Dominic. Sérgio took his Transport Manager CPC and gained an operator’s licence for two vehicles. He restarted the conversation with Tracoin and by early 2020 had a verbal agreement to rent two used Irizar i6 coaches to be used on tours. And then the pandemic hit. It was good fortune that he hadn’t yet taken the coaches. In May 2020, wanting to be ready to respond as things improved, he bought a 16-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from Grange Travel. But the hoped-for contract and private hire work didn’t materialise, and by the end of 2020 the family were living on savings. An abortive attempt to contact local councils to see if they needed transport made him realise he knew little about the tender process. “I contacted Newport City Council to ask them how to tender for work,” he says. “As a result I tendered for one school run, which I won, starting operations in January 2021. A second contract followed, awarded under an emergency contract. I then started applying for everything. When I won a contract, I bought a vehicle.” By the start of 2022, in addition to the driver agency activity, BRS was operating eight vehicles from the current base in Pontyclun on a mix of work including schools and rail replacement. Sérgio explains that he always wants to work with people who help him. “There are those in the industry, like Clarkes and Grange Travel, who have been magnificent,” he says. “Then there are others who haven’t really wanted to know.” One coach dealer who most certainly did want to know was Irizar UK. “Julie Hartley has been there for me, on my side, when others weren’t,” says Sérgio. “Operators need that support. This year she’s sourced me a Jonckheere, a Yutong TC9 and a 22-plate 53-seat i6 to full PSVAR specification. That coach was destined for touring work, but earlier this year I was approached by FlixBus. The coach is now operating on the FlixBus Cardiff to London route.” A sudden and unexpected change in arrangements earlier this summer with a local operator for vehicle maintenance resulted in Sérgio converting his current base into a state-of-the-art workshop. He’s also employed an experienced fitter, formerly with Clarkes of London, which has helped reduce costs. “We’re using TruTac for compliance and working towards DVSA’s Earned Recognition,” says Sérgio. We use Distinctive Systems’ Coach Manager software and Quartix for vehicle tracking. We’re also members of CPT.” A new operating base, located a few hundred yards away on the same business park in Pontyclun, is due to open in September. routeone magazine is the indispensable resource for professional UK coach, bus and minibus operators. The home of vehicle sales and the latest bus and coach job vacancies, routeone connects professional PCV operators with complete and unrivalled news coverage. CloseA landlord decided to shut his pub after being greeted by temperatures of “almost 40 degrees” on opening Simon Cole, owner of Pontyclun's Pipeworks Bar in Rhondda Cynon Taf, said pints were warming up within minutes of being served and “no-one likes their gin and tonic with all the ice melted" Monday was Wales' hottest day of 2021 as 30.9C (88F) temperatures were recorded in Cardiff amid an extreme weather alert “I think there was a bit of relief that they didn’t have to work tonight and tomorrow.” Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore more'No-one likes gin and tonic with the ice melted' Video 00:01:13'No-one likes gin and tonic with the ice melted' 1:13Up Next England nightclubs reopen: 'This is what life's about' Video 00:02:03England nightclubs reopen: 'This is what life's about' 2:03Giving up alcohol: 'I feel like I’ve been reborn’ Video 00:02:08Giving up alcohol: 'I feel like I’ve been reborn’ 2:08How Sweden is keeping its pubs and bars open 00:03:12How Sweden is keeping its pubs and bars open 3:12Editor's recommendationsWatch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 00:01:40Watch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 1:40Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:25Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:25Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released The long wait to finally lift a trophy was ended by Pontyclun Falcons as they knocked arch-rivals Llandaff Norrth completely out of their stride to convert a 15-0 half-time lead into a sensational 20-7 victory in the end to claim the WRU Women’s National Cup at Principality Stadium Virgin Media has connected more than 2,000 homes and businesses in Pontyclun Openreach ducts were used for the first time in Wales to complete build Local residents and business can now experience broadband speeds 11 times faster than the local average Virgin Media has completed its ultrafast broadband expansion in Pontyclun with its first ever use of Openreach ducts in Wales helping to connect more than 2,000 homes and businesses with full fibre directly to premises As part of its ‘Project Lightning’ programme Virgin Media is expanding its ultrafast broadband network across the UK to bring speeds of up to 362Mbps to more residents and small businesses Cabling an area with fibre is a complex engineering task and Pontyclun provided some build challenges especially when attempting to carry out expansion works close to bridges To overcome these issues Virgin Media made use of existing Openreach cable ducts as part of Ofcom’s Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) remedy This allows other broadband builders to use Openreach ducts which are the tubes broadband cables run through underground This is the first time Virgin Media has used this regulatory remedy in Wales which was recently revamped by Ofcom to make it easier to build new broadband infrastructure and spur greater network competition A large proportion of the build that used Openreach ducting was carried out close to a bridge crossing that connects Llantrisant Road and Cowbridge Road in Pontyclun Virgin Media trialled the use of an Openreach trunk duct to go under a railway line speed up build times and reduce the costs of expansion reliable connectivity from Virgin Media will help transform the quality of broadband in Pontyclun where the average download speed is 32.4Mbps* films and games become unbelievably quick to stream ·        Download a standard HD movie file (5GB) in two minutes compared to more than 20 minutes on the average local connection; ·        Download a 25GB console game in 10 minutes compared to more than one hour and 50 minutes on the average local connection.** Customers will also feel the power of Intelligent WiFi Virgin Media’s recently announced in-home broadband service It’s a series of new WiFi updates that will give millions of its customers complete control of their WiFi and provide the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds in more areas of their home Intelligent WiFi on the Hub 3 router is a smart system that adapts to the needs of the home and the devices that are connected to WiFi It is made up of many features that work side-by-side to ensure that the best WiFi performance is being delivered Build Director for South of England and South Wales at Virgin Media said: “Local residents and businesses in Pontyclun can now reap the benefits of the UK’s fastest widely available broadband speeds Making use of Openreach ducts has helped to make this build possible and give the local area faster We will consider using their ducts again so that more areas of the UK get a much deserved broadband boost from Virgin Media.” Virgin Media’s gigabit-ready lines will mean residents can also sign up to Virgin TV and benefit from the latest entertainment on its 4k-ready V6 set-top box.  This is on top of great programming with up to 260 TV channels (including up to 50 HD channels) and all the football from Sky Sports and BT Sport Virgin Media also offers Sky Movies and Netflix as well as an extensive on demand library of TV box sets and movies; giving customers seamless access to the TV they want Residents can also benefit from Virgin Mobile’s fast 4G connectivity which for pay monthly customers includes data free Whatsapp as well as the ability to rollover unused data each month and have truly unlimited data packages For those interested in Virgin Media’s services, more information on bundles and the latest deals is available online > https://www.virginmedia.com/ *The average (median) broadband speed in Rhondda Cynon Taf is 32.4Mbps ** Download speeds calculated using www.download-time.com (anything related to Virgin Media specific services) (anything related to O2 specific services) Photographs of the white van involved in the incident in north London situated near the village of Pontyclun in Rhondda Cynon Taf say they are "shocked and saddened" by the attack and are co-operating fully with the police We are cooperating fully with the Metropolitan Police investigation and our thoughts are with those who have been injured in this cowardly attack Villagers from Pontyclun spoke of their shock at the apparent local connection Shop worker Helen Edwards said: "It was a shock to see the van was from Pontyclun When it's so close to home it's even scarier" She said: "I think everyone is in shock This is a small village in Wales and you don't expect to see something like this here" said: "You see these awful events in London and Manchester and you don't think there's going to be a connection with a place like Pontyclun.. I've lived here for over 50 years and it's not the sort of place that you feel nervous in quiet village and it was a shock on the television to see that van came from Pontyclun" has finished work on a significant expansion to its warehouse site in Pontyclun The investment by the family-owned chain has created 25 new jobs at the site which has increased from 12,500 to 16,750 square metres in order to keep up with storage requirements driven by increasing consumer demand.  Leekes recently reported a 12% rise in like-for-like sales in half year results, following a strong financial year in 2015-2016.  Leekes currently operates five stores and a transactional website said “The increased space created by the expansion to the warehouse will be invaluable to us "We will have more scope t store increased volumes of stock and ultimately fulfil customer demand more efficiently "We are particularly grateful to Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council for their efforts in supporting us as a significant local employer through both the planning process and by working with us to investigate what grant opportunities were available "We would also like to thank the Welsh Government for their assistance and access to grant funding which has made this project possible.” Economy Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said: "It’s great news to hear that Leekes is going through a significant expansion programme and also benefiting from its investment in on-line trading "Increasing capacity at its warehouse is vital for the company’s on-going success and I am very pleased support from the Welsh Government helped facilitate this expansion that is creating and safeguarding jobs in the area.” said “We are delighted that this warehouse expansion is now complete - it is an exciting time for the business allowing us to grow our capacity and extending our catchment area further to meet increased customer demand along with the recent acquisition of Park Furnishers in Bristol demonstrates our commitment to investing in our business It’s likely to be a challenging but exciting few years ahead.”Source :  Insight DIY Original article: www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/department-store-leekes-creating-25-11762945  Insight DIY always publishes the latest news stories before anyone else and we find it to be an invaluable source of customer and market information winners of the U11 John Rees Cup Final at ‘Road to Principality 2023’ players to the Pontypridd Schools side for the DC Thomas Cup Final (Wednesday Back chasing more glory against Islwyn Schools will be Pontyclun skipper Reeve Tucker Another person chasing more medals at Principality Stadium will be one of the coaches to the Islwyn Schools side He was at outside half in the Newbridge team that won the Division 1 title last weekend and is joined in the coaching role by Robert Coles who recently returned from the Deaf World Cup in Argentina where he helped Wales become world champions Five of the Islwyn squad were in the team that drew 3-3 with Bridgend Schools in the Plate final last year Ellistan Czekaj is included in the Cardiff Schools side to take on Bridgend Schools played on the wing for Cardiff Blues and Wales Pembrokeshire Schools: Jamie Cook (Pembroke Dock Community) In opening paragraphs you don’t expect to write – World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury was spotted with his top off outside Dominos in Pontyclun today the actual Tyson Fury was out and about in the valleys town ahead of appearing at the Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre tonight as part of his Fury Fest – The Official After Party tour Tyson has close ties to the area thanks to his friendship with his head of security Brendan Lyons who also runs the Lyons Den Gym in Pontyclun Apparently the world boxing heavyweight champ who is staying at Lanelay Hall in Talbot Green was out for a morning jog near to the gym on Coed Cae Lane with one of his team when he was pictured in the street Tyson Fury being spotted having a tops off party outside Pontyclun Domino’s has made my day 😂 pic.twitter.com/rPMd12rfGU — Tyla Campbell (@TylaTPTP) July 15, 2022 Leading up to the event tonight lots of people have taken to Facebook to recount stories of spotting the boxing colossus in south Wales where it appears he’s been stopping the traffic – literally Posting in the Pontyclun Hub Facebook page Anita Cashmore said how she had a close encounter with the legend : “Well I nearly run him over… oblivious to the fact him and another jogger ran straight across the road just down from the garage “Needs vizi vest on or something bright in the shadow and shade of trees totally invisable in black good job my brakes work Could have been the first women to flatten him someone in Tesco said did you see Tyson Fury jogging with a mate….he must have 9 lives 8 now he used one up this morning.” 😅 Russ Gower said: “I bumped into him near Coed Cae Lane he stopped put his huge hands on his hips and said Good morning sir Like a numpty I said “is it you “… he said aye…The Gypsy king and he sprinted off Lena Matthews added: “He come into Tesco to shop today READ: Tyson Fury fan’s tops off tribute to the boxing legend outside Dominos Fury is set to visit two sports facilities in south Wales as part of his after party tour celebrating his recent victory over Dillian Whyte Hosted by Gold Star Promotions in co-operation with Lyons Den security and promo The Gypsy King will visit both Rhondda and Swansea to offer fans an up-close and personal evening alongside a tour paying respects to some of the best sports facilities in the country The “once in a lifetime opportunity” includes entertainment meet and greets with the champion and other special guests to celebrate an “evening to remember” with an opportunity to listen to the “leading boxing icon of our era” Tyson Fury successfully defended his WBC heavyweight title at Wembley Stadium with a highlight-reel one-punch stoppage in the sixth round against Dillian Whyte before reiterating his plans to retire Promoters said that this tour would be a golden opportunity to meet someone who they said was “the biggest name in sport today” Tyson will appear at Rhondda Fach Leisure Centre this evening and visit Swansea Warehouse-Gym in Cwmdu tomorrow with both events scheduled to start from 5pm onwards Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" would an independent Wales ban boxing like the senedd did parkrun Joseph Quinn from Stranger Things is going to the Royal Welsh…seen in Tesco in Llandrindod today 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. Jonathan Hobbs with his partner Cara and children Ellis (13) at Pontyclun RFC alongside friend and club first aid coordinator Helen Parsons Watching your children play mini rugby on a Sunday is something most parents would be forgiven for taking for granted but due to accessibility issues this is not a possibility for Pontyclun’s Jonathan Hobbs Former Badgers full-back Hobbs suffered a life-changing injury 14 years ago while on holiday and is now confined to a wheelchair who has two sons Alfie (8) and Jenson (5) involved in the club’s minis section was initially surprised by the initiative but grateful for the support shown by the club “I am completely overwhelmed and shocked as I knew absolutely nothing about it beforehand It’s still sinking in and to be honest I didn’t think people understood how much of an issue this can be for me and my family at times I’ve been really taken aback by the way the challenge has really taken off Even Alfie’s under 9s team mates have started to clock up the miles with their families they rallied around me at the time of the accident and they’ve done it again now – even some of the other clubs in the area have donated “I’ve been dreaming about this wheelchair for about five years but lockdown has made me realise just how much I need it – my current wheelchair can only be used on very flat ground and there aren’t many truly accessible places in my local area “People probably wonder why I even go to watch the boys train and play rugby if I’m just going to sit in the car but the truth is the ground is usually too soft for my wheelchair – I would literally get stuck most of the year I have to sit hundreds of metres away from the pitch and when you’re watching children under 9 this isn’t an easy task “I gained so much from rugby and I will always be as involved as possible in my children’s activities but it would be so much better to watch their progress for myself – rather than taking Alfie’s word that he’s had a good game – which is what he always tells me!” 13-year old Ellis and one year old daughter Eira with partner Cara added “Having this chair would be life-changing for the whole family and being able to watch my sons enjoy playing rugby “Jonathan played for us from minis through to youth and senior rugby and we are only too keen to help out Many of our senior players are taking part but the challenge is also helping us all to get out and stay active while staying connected as a club.” “If we manage to raise enough for the off-road wheelchair we are keen to keep going for a mental health charity, a cause close to many people’s hearts at the moment.” Principality Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1NS © 2025 Content Copyright Welsh Rugby Union, Statistical Data © Opta A man rushed to hospital after a car crashed into a pub beer garden full of people has said everyone was "lucky to be alive" after the incident.Darren George ankle breaks and deep wounds after a car crashed into the Windsor pub in Pontyclun on 22 July He also has a broken pelvis and will need skin grafts on his legs.He was one of six people taken to hospital after the 79-year-old driver suffered what police said was a "medical episode" behind the wheel. Mr George was at the pub on Thursday evening having drinks with friends He was sitting on a picnic bench with three others when he said the car crashed into them so I've probably turned away then and all I can remember is just kind of being tumbled around and my face just grazing up against the wall "Next thing I know I'm kind of still somehow on my feet I turned around and seen everyone on the floor and everything...so much is going through your head then." Mr George added that he "took quite the hit" Mr George said that because of his position on the bench he was able to see the vehicle veer towards the pub beer garden.South Wales Police said that the driver suffered a "medical episode" behind the wheel no arrests had been made and the investigation into what happened is ongoing."I just saw out of the corner of my eye the car coming over the brow of the hill and he’s come over onto the wrong side of the road" said Mr George."So I was looking at that and I said to my friend Dean ‘look at this mad one’."He literally just narrowly missed a car coming out by the rugby club he was on the pavement then and then swung back onto the other side of the road" Mr George said he soon realised that the table would take the force of the hit as "the driver just had his foot completely on the accelerator and came straight towards us."He said that he was "lucky" only to have damaged his leg after being hit and that everyone was "lucky to be alive." He said that the help offered by members of the community in the minutes after the incident was invaluable who remains in hospital while he undergoes further operations on his legs said he has struggled to come to terms with what happened to him I don’t really know how to take it in or think about it "I don’t know how I feel about the whole thing I just want to try and stay positive more than anything Mr George said he owes his positivity to the members of the community who helped in the aftermath of the incident and have offered support since."Considering you can't have visitors because of covid I haven’t been lonely - I’ve had plenty of people on the phone with me," he added."I want to express my deep gratitude to the entire community because without their support I won’t be able to stay so positive and happy It has been so helpful and important to me." 16-year-old girl charged with attempted murder after alleged assault in Cardiff News | UK Six people have been taken to hospital after a car ploughed into a crowd outside a pub in South Wales Police were called to the serious incident on Llantrisant Road at around 8.30pm sparking a huge emergency services response South Wales Police said six people have been taken to the University Hospital of Wales One of the pedestrians has suffered life-changing injuries While four were taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering “minor injuries” It is believed he suffered a medical episode which resulted in the car he was driving, a silver Ford Puma, crashing with The Windsor pub Chief Inspector James Ratti of South Wales Police said: “Emergency services were called to this critical incident just before 8.30pm this evening and were confronted with a scene which involved a number of casualties “We worked alongside our colleagues in both the ambulance and fire services to deal with the casualties as quickly and efficiently as possible “This was a very distressing incident and we are very grateful to the members of the public who came to the aid of the injured people in the moments immediately after the collision.” An investigation into the collision has now been launched Pictures from the scene show several ambulance A police cordon is in place around the street The owner of the nearby The Windsor pub wrote on Facebook: “Hiya all I have had a few messages in regards to the situation tonight Everyone has been taken to hospital and the emergency services are on the case Thanks to all by standers who helped and all the emergency services Leader of the WelshConservatives Andrew RT Davies said in a tweet: “Shocking news from Pontyclun this evening Indie rock band English Teacher named winner of 2024 Mercury Prize Classroom ban for ex-Eton teacher who searched for indecent images of children Fact check: Major hurdle for offshore wind auction was changed by Conservatives Mountaineer Bonita Norris reveals how to overcome everyday obstacles “Thank you to the efforts of the emergency services on the scene Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin Royals watch historic flypast as huge crowds turns out for VE Day 80th anniversary  Royals watch historic Red Arrows flypast for VE Day 80th anniversary David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints Jonathan Hobbs is now able to enjoy watching his children play rugby thanks to the fundraising efforts of his club Pontyclun Watching your children play mini rugby on a Sunday is something most parents would be forgiven for taking for granted but this wasn’t a possibility for father of four Jonathan Hobbs – until now Former Pontyclun full-back Hobbs suffered a life-changing injury 14 years ago while on holiday and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since his chair wasn’t suitable for rugby pitches which was heart-breaking for this rugby dad so when the club looked for a cause to galvanise fellow Badgers during lockdown They decided on a physical challenge to raise funds for an off-road wheelchair so that Jon could watch his sons from a much closer distance The goal struck such a chord with the whole club that more than 120 Pontyclun players coaches and volunteers ended up clocking up 6989 miles between them to raise £15 000 – more than enough to make Jon’s dream come true who has two sons Alfie and Jenson involved in the club’s minis section was initially surprised by the initiative but hugely grateful for the support shown by the club – and now that he’s received the new chair he couldn’t be happier with the end result In a message to all those who helped raised he money “I want to thank every single person who has donated to make this happen and for all of you that have gone out and done the mileage you absolutely smashed both the target and the distance! The support we have been shown as a family is unbelievable and we are completely blown away by it “Two weeks ago I had my final fitting in my chair and even though I knew it was going to change my life I really had no idea just how much I’ve managed to do so much in two weeks already from taking the kids to theme parks parks and just out walking the usual trails which my old wheelchair wouldn’t go anywhere near On top of that not only does it give me independence but the comfort is unreal and that’s thanks to you all for the extra money raised to buy all the extras like air cushions I’ve never sat comfortably and pain free in a wheelchair before so it’s completely changed my quality of life but it will be so much better to watch their progress for myself – rather than taking Alfie’s word that he’s had a good game – which is what he always tells me “I’d like to say a special thanks to Helen Parsons who has been the driving force behind all the fundraising and has been there through the whole process even the fittings and handover to make sure everything was perfect junior and mini sections for not just the donations but ticking off the miles come rain or shine “Thank you to Recare for an outstanding service and taking the time to get the chair right THANK YOU ALL and I’ll look forward to seeing you all over the coming months for a beer.”