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 the House Manager at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club has earned the Club Management Association of Europe’s Certified Club Manager designation becoming the first woman in Wales in achieve the award The CCM designation is awarded to club managers who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of club operations and strategic management through a rigorous education and assessment process commented: “We are incredibly proud of Sian and her accomplishment Her commitment to professional development and the pursuit of excellence is exactly what the CCM designation represents Sian’s success will no doubt inspire others in the region to aim high and invest in their own growth.” Sian Heatley said: “I’m incredibly happy and proud to have achieved the CCM A big thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the process Being the first female CCM in Wales and the fifth female in CMAE is a proud achievement for me “It’s exciting to see more women achieving this but it also makes me aware that there is still a lot we can do to encourage more women to become CCMs We can start by offering strong mentorship and creating spaces where women feel supported in their professional development “It’s also important to highlight the success of other women in the industry showing that it’s not only possible but also incredibly rewarding By sharing the opportunities and benefits of becoming a CCM we can inspire more women to take that step and achieve the certification.” Following the news of the theft of over £2 million of stock from its Manchester warehouse last weekend Worldwide Golf Brands reports that the business is 'back up and running' with minimal disruption to the vast majority of its customers the business growth agency for UK and Irish golf clubs has launched a new marketing system that has delivered rapid advances in the service they deliver Brocket Hall has announced that world-renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon is to open a new state-of-the-art putting studio at the Hertfordshire-based venue GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course We aim to supply essential information both quickly and accurately in a format which is easy to use We are independent of all special interest groups Click here to sign up for our free twice weekly golf industry news summary View the latest newsletter here 5/7 High StreetDorchester-on-ThamesOxfordshire OX10 7HHUnited Kingdom publisher@golfbusinessnews.com © 1999-2025 e.GolfBusiness.com Limited | All Rights Reserved. | GBN Privacy Policy Chris Connor will be raising funds for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in your area By NOTICEBOARD · 2 May 2025 Bridgend dad Chris Connor will be taking on the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice this July – and is urging others to sign up to run for Tŷ Hafan too “I started running after my father passed away eight years ago,” says Chris “I needed to change some things in my life and I thought to myself ‘let’s start running so I can try to be around a bit longer Fourteen-year-old Mia is Chris and Emma’s only child She and her parents have been supported by Tŷ Hafan for the past 10 years “and while she is the size of a fully grown adult she is developmentally somewhere between that of a six to nine-month-old baby “She has a form of epilepsy which we believe means not being able to learn or remember things The word ‘Mum’ pops out every now and then “But she knows her own mind and is a cheeky tinker She knows exactly what she wants and what she needs "All she wants to do is be taken for a run or a walk in her buggy She loves it and it settles her right down.” Chris runs regularly with Mia in a specially adapted buggy often running through the beautiful Merthyr Mawr sand dunes near the family home in Bridgend “We’d been trying for a number of years when she came along "But when she was just a couple of days old she went lifeless on us and she was rushed into the hospital we started to notice that she was missing her milestones.” Over her first Christmas Mia was diagnosed with chronic epilepsy but since then the exact nature of her condition has remained a mystery “The cause of Mia’s problems are still unknown” says Chris "Lots of studies have been done and they’ve found nothing She’s now going through the SWAN clinic in Cardiff in a last-ditch attempt to find a reason for how she is But I don’t know if they ever will find any answers.” Chris recalls the heartbreak of his and Emma’s first Christmas together with baby Mia “It was a very difficult time,” says Chris which she’s been on ever since then and our first couple of years with her involved a lot of hospital visits and a lot of unknowns "But beyond that was realising that Mia was not going to grow up as normal everything you’d hope and expect for your child – none of that is going to happen for Mia I just couldn’t understand – I'd think to myself But when you get through to her and when you see her smile – everybody feels it "And in time I've come to realise that that is Mia’s job — to make people happy.” Chris and Emma started to be supported by Tŷ Hafan around Mia’s fourth birthday “Our family have never been able to help us and if we didn’t have Tŷ Hafan we’d have struggled massively with no support.” says Chris “Tŷ Hafan has definitely helped to keep our little family together with the opportunity to change to be normal and not just carers We’re always that bit more giggly and better with each other almost every second of every day Em and I have to look out for her “It’s really only when we are at Tŷ Hafan that we are able to power our brains or systems down enough to properly relax because it is only at Tŷ Hafan that we are able to trust that Mia’s in safe hands “We do get the support of personal assistants at home a couple of hours a week but Tŷ Hafan is as near a complete switch off for Emma and I that you can get "We’ve even managed to attend a concert in Cardiff knowing Mia is in safe hands is simple magic She gets to be herself in a secure building with professional staff "The facilities and location are right up Mia’s street right next to the sea with trees all around.” she can sit up cross-legged unaided and shuffle around on her bottom “Mia is very happy to drag herself around with her heels,” says Chris and she loves to kick things or other people we always have Kids YouTube songs on in the background Chris and Emma had started their own IT business before Mia was born After the extent of Mia’s needs became clear Emma became her full-time carer while Chris continues to run the business both of them have also had to face their own health issues “We’ve had brilliant support from Tŷ Hafan to support us through these times,” says Chris “with a few crisis stays to help us get through.” “Em had her ‘in the clear notification’ last Nov and right now We’re clear and healthy and well at the moment “Life will always throw curve balls – your choice is how to deal with each curve ball however you wish Chris is now in training to do the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K for Tŷ Hafan “Running is my switch off time,” says Chris I’ll run with Mia in her buggy and she absolutely loves it She loves nothing more than being outdoors “For a long time it was as if Mia didn't have emotions – but now head of fundraising for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice said: “We’re so grateful to Chris and everyone who will be running the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K for us on Sunday “With the support of people like you Tŷ Hafan will be able to walk alongside every family that needs us “We have more than 100 runners signed up to run for us already "So if you’re keen to do a running event while raising funds for a really great cause this year and haven’t signed up to one yet To find out more and to sign up go to: https://www.tyhafan.org/events/porthcawl-10km/ LoadingDaily Email Updates {{contentTitle}} Porthcawl in South Wales boasts a rich maritime heritage and attracts 1.1m visitors a year The seaside location is a draw for visitors and residents but rising sea levels and increasing storm intensity coupled with the town’s ageing infrastructure have increased the risk of coastal flooding this has constrained development opportunities in the area.   Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) commissioned Arup to develop a business case for investment to reduce coastal flood risk to Sandy Bay Our analysis revealed that the condition of Porthcawl’s historic Western Breakwater was key to managing coastal risk throughout the bay to include the structure in the project.  The bay is surrounded by more than 100-acres of land identified for regionally significant regeneration We developed a phased approach to the scheme so that works within the council’s control could be funded without the delay and risk of awaiting future development Where previous proposals would have seen sand dune habitat replaced with concrete terraced defences our study into coastal processes demonstrated that these could be preserved and restored Our designs sensitively restore and enhance historic coastal structures to minimise cost and carbon while employing placemaking to enhance the promenade amenity for visitors and residents alike Our sensitive technical approach also adds longevity to Porthcawl’s future climate resilience This project forms a vital part of the infrastructure for defending the town against flooding and key stakeholders who continue to live visit and invest in the area will be reassured by the quality of the upgrade Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment Sandy Bay has four connected but distinct frontages – Western Breakwater We applied wave modelling from specialist subconsultant ABPmer to our flood model and this found that if the Western Breakwater were to fail some 530 homes and 175 businesses would be at risk of coastal flooding Understanding the relative costs and benefits of repairing this key asset helped the council fund the project by increasing Welsh Government grant eligibility by £1.2m Porthcawl’s Western Breakwater has protected the town from extreme weather events The grade-II listed structure forms a crucial part of Porthcawl’s coastal defences but a challenging programme of repairs and strengthening measures was needed to maintain its structural integrity We consulted with the council’s specialists and Welsh Government’s historic environment service to safeguard the listed structure’s heritage value Early engagement with contractors Knights Brown ensured that our designs could be effectively and safely constructed during low-tide windows and in difficult coastal working conditions Our team conducted extensive research to understand the breakwater’s history and previous failures geophysical and geotechnical survey data enabled us to understand the structure’s existing weaknesses We developed a design to reduce the risk of voids and impact of waves We used stone sourced from the original local quarry to replace a failed seaward-sloping wall grouted voids and constructed a cut-off wall to reduce the risk of future voids forming To strengthen the slender parapet without damaging the historic masonry we added Cintec reinforcement – a system combining steel anchors with grout contained in a fabric sock mesh Our approach minimised the cost and carbon impact of the project as well as conserving the original character of the listed breakwater.  we partnered with CubeX and Swansea University to trial innovative modular textured panels to form an artificial reef and rockpools Some panels were constructed with concrete mixtures incorporating local crushed cockle shells and ash to replicate the natural environment and encourage marine life such as honeycomb worm reefs.  parapet raising and strengthening were needed A secondary wall to contain waves overtopping the promenade was originally planned but overtopping analysis showed that the wall could be replaced with multifunctional planters These offered the amenities of green space and integrated terraced seating while minimising service diversions which would have impacted programme cost and disruption Along with improved cycling and walking routes our additions make this part of the promenade a more functional and enjoyable space for visitors and locals to use The protection achieved by restoring and improving the breakwater meant we could take a regenerative approach to the bay’s relict sand dunes Instead of carbon-intensive and expensive concrete structures we opted for low-impact interventions to restore and enhance existing dune habitats 285m of low-level fencing was installed to encourage the build-up of new dunes Combined with a growth and stability monitoring plan these simple measures help maintain the coastal pathway in this part of the bay and complement the council’s Dunes2Dunes programme encouraging sustainable management of the coastal landscape and connecting important dune ecosystems Correctly framing the problem and using sensitive risk-based design has been key to success at Sandy Bay The outcome is a scheme that manages coastal risk; sensitively safeguarding a historic breakwater and restoring sand dune habitat while reinvigorating the seaside promenade But beyond protecting more than 700 properties from flooding and providing residents and visitors with much needed amenities the scheme will act as a catalyst to unlock regionally significant strategic regeneration Azimuth Land Surveys / Cubex Industries / GGAT / Knights Brown / Steve Hold Consulting/ Swansea University / TerraDat (UK) / WSP An ecological approach to sensitively protect Porthcawl from the impacts of climate change Mass sensor data to build a comprehensive picture of risk to sea defences high efficiency approach to flood protection   If you'd like to speak to one of our water experts about any of the issues raised on this page or a potential collaboration then please get in touch by completing the form 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 A mural of ’80s electro pioneer Steve Strange has appeared in Porthcawl The Welsh clubland trailblazer who was one of the catalysts for the New Romantic movement in the 1980s came to prominence thanks to his pioneering London club The Blitz and achieved musical stardom with his electro outfit Visage His funeral in Porthcawl was attended by many pop stars who knew and loved him – including Boy George and Spandau Ballet The mural by one of Wales’ leading street artists Tee2Sugars is situated at 32 John Street in the seaside town It features lyrics from Visage’s signature hit Fade To Grey It was commissioned by Steve’s lifelong friend Amanda Lloyd who wanted the town to honour one of their famous sons Posting images of the mural on his social media pages Street artist Tee2Sugars is renowned for his artwork which has appeared around South Wales His artwork created for the National Eisteddfod staged in Ynysangharad Park last year was acclaimed by many Located on a corner building on Mill Street it celebrates the Eisteddfod being held in the Valleys It features a father and daughter surrounded by iconic symbols from both the Valleys and Wales the artist said he wanted to create a piece that celebrated the people of Rhondda Cynon Taf and the different generations “passing the torch down” but Tee (real name Tom Llewellyn) revealed that the artwork was based on a photo he took of his wife and daughter which he then edited to create his stunning artwork The painting shows the landscape of the Valleys and the River Taff as well as local landmarks including Castell Coch and the Rhondda Heritage Park alongside well known Welsh symbols – the daffodil and dragon Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" 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. the cheapest way is to take advantage of the twilight rate of £185 after 3pm on a Sunday against the full fee of £250 the midweek green fee reduces to £125 and includes coffee and bacon roll on arrival The 2nd is one of three holes hugging the beach at the start (Photo: Geoff Ellis) The greatest strength of Wales’ finest links ranked 21st in our Top 100 UK&I Course Rankings in association with Peter Millar is 18 different challenges plus sea views at almost every turn Header Cell - Column 0 Header Cell - Column 1 Address royalporthcawl.com office@royalporthcawl.com setting its stall out from the start with a fine trio of holes flanking the boardwalk and beach on the left Perhaps one of the very best things about Royal Porthcawl is that with no towering dunes in the way and a wonderful tract of land that slopes gently down towards the beach there are great sea views to be savoured from almost every part of the course - It's almost universally regarded as the finest golf course in Wales - If you like your links golf with sea views aplenty (not always the case) Porthcawl scores highly in that regard - Staying in the dormy house and waking up to glorious views sets you up perfectly for a great day's golf UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 21 I make no secret of the fact that this is one of my very favourite places on Planet Golf and it has become a real go-to place for me whenever I feel the need to re-energise Staying in the dormy rooms and wandering out early morning to gaze out over the links is the perfect way to soak it all in and set the mood for the day ahead There are many great - and many testing - holes but I've always had a soft spot for the heavily bunkered short par-3 7th with its fascinating green - proof that Royal Troon's Postage Stamp doesn't have it all is own way in any 'testing tiddlers' contest Exceedingly closely in the case of the 2nd where the OOB fence sits worryingly close to the green You then turn back via a dauntingly long par 3 with a thought-provoking green and a fine par 5 where the final approach plays steeply up to a narrow target from that tiny but well-defended par-3 7th to the exhilarating slingshot 9th Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts The back nine can be particularly challenging with a number of demanding par 4s Among them are the back and forth duo at 15 and 16 both blessed with devious cross bunkers and uphill approaches The 18th sweeps back down to the clubhouse Its 50-yard-long green means that merely finding the putting surface will not always be enough Martin Ebert has overseen further recent improvements to keep Porthcawl in the thoughts of those organising golf’s premier events Bernhard Langer won the Senior Open here in 2014 and 2017 which perhaps tells you all you need to know about the strategic test The fact that his winning scores were 14 shots apart – 18-under and then just 4-under – tells you just how stiff that test can be when conditions dictate Gordon RossGolf Monthly Top 100 panellistOne of the highlights at Porthcawl is the sea views wherever you are on the course With the addition of new bunkers this gives every hole strong visuals The only negative is the steelworks in the distance but that really is a minor point Most greens have either lumps and bumps or a gentle slope in one direction Quite a few also have subtle run-off areas and if the flags are placed close to the edges (which they were on several holes) it makes things both interesting and tricky A trip to Porthcawl is always something to look forward to High-class traditional golf with a warm welcome One of my personal favourites and a course that grows on me every time I visit Emily HudsonGolf Monthly Top 100 panellistWithout a doubt the best course in Wales A superb links that will challenge you from the first shot to the last and an incredible test of golf throughout 13 through 16 are mammoth holes to battle through and the back nine in general is one of the more difficult I’ve played The greens were probably the best I’ve ever played on which was even more impressive given it was October How to book a tee-time at Royal Porthcawl The club understandably trades on its 'Links in the Sky' name as there are plenty of linksy humps and bumps here despite the course floating some 200ft above the Bristol Channel Looking down on the estuary from the 6th and 7th CELTIC MANOR TWENTY TENThe star attraction at Celtic Manor is the Twenty Ten course where Europe just got the better of the USA in the 2010 Ryder Cup it comes alive in the middle section by the River Usk where water is a constant threat nowhere more so than on the 14th which kinks between two lakes Make four here and you’ve done very well Royal Porthcawl Dormy - Book now at royalporthcawl.comThe club has its own accommodation on site and it's a great place to wake up in the morning with the 1st tee just yards away Each room is furnished with an en-suite bathroom TV and wireless internet as well as tea- and coffee-making facilities The restaurant provides quality food in informal surroundings A full English breakfast is served every morning Jezz can be contacted via Twitter - @JezzEllwoodGolf Driver: Ping G425 LST 10.5˚ (draw setting), Mitsubishi Tensei AV Orange 55 S shaft 3 wood: Srixon ZX, EvenFlow Riptide 6.0 S 50g shaft Hybrid: Ping G425 17˚, Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro Orange 80 S shaft Irons 3- to 8-iron: Ping i525, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts Irons 9-iron and PW: Honma TWorld TW747Vx, Nippon NS Pro regular shaft Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 50˚ and 54˚, 12˚ bounce, True Temper Dynamic Gold 105 R300 shafts Ball: Any premium ball I can find in a charity shop or similar (or out on the course!) Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. CloseThis was the moment a lifeboat crew brought three-year-old golden retriever Seren to safety after she darted into the water at Newton Beach The RNLI team carried out their first rescue of the year on Saturday when Seren got spooked and darted out of her owner Andrea's car boot towards the beach - just five weeks after being adopted by Andrea and her partner Richard "I've rescued many dogs in my time but Seren is definitely the most traumatised," said Andrea "She had just been getting comfortable with her regular beach walks On Saturday we were planning to go out with her and had carefully placed her in the car boot when she seemed calm "As we clicked the key to close the car boot we think the noise must have spooked her because she leapt out and immediately running across the dunes and down onto the beach." She added she was "so grateful" she had her phone with her and could call the Coastguard as Seren had "swam so far out and I feared the worst" Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreWatch as lifeboat rescues spooked retriever Seren 00:00:59Watch as lifeboat rescues spooked retriever Seren 0:59Up Next Watch: Dog saved from sea after cliff fall 00:00:45Watch: Dog saved from sea after cliff fall 0:45'Rescue puppies had never experienced anything good' Video 00:01:24'Rescue puppies had never experienced anything good' 1:24Editor'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 Porthcawl RFC and ex-Wales star Alan Bateman have given their support to Aston Porthcawl RFC are rallying round one of its young rising stars as a search for a bone marrow donor for Aston Bevington intensifies The talented 16-year-old was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on December 12 and was blue lighted into Noah’s Ark Hospital in Cardiff where he immediately started an intensive chemotherapy regimen Further testing has brought to light that Aston is suffering a rare sub-type of ALL Leukemia and DNA testing of his white blood cells has shown him to be chemotherapy resistant A bone marrow match must now be sought immediately in a bid to cure him of his illness Determined that he wouldn’t face his battle ahead on his own his teammates recently had their heads shaved to raise awareness and funds for Aston Over 100 people turned up from far and wide including former Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Alan Bateman to #bravetheshave Over £2,000 was raised on the night and over £25k was ploughed into Aston’s go fund me page within 48 hours Aston was due to finish his GCSE’s this year and was hopeful of realising his sporting dreams of becoming a professional sportsman – having played academy football since the age of five for Swansea City He has been playing football for Pontardawe and was on track to a professional football scholarship when the illness struck His rugby exploits earned him a call up into the Ospreys academy having played exceptionally well for Porthcawl and Bridgend District this season He has also supported the club’s younger teams by completing his referee qualification to be able to referee minis and juniors on a Sunday morning who were last year voted Wales’s community club of the year along with the local community are coming together to aid Aston and his family in their time of need A go fund me page has been created (*link below) which has already surpassed its initial target of £8000 The funds will go towards advancing his treatments aiding his rehabilitation and getting him back doing what he loves WRU National Elite Performance referee manager who is also a coach at the club said: “On a personal level I’ve coached Aston at Porthcawl since he was aged six and he is an exceptional athlete “Only a matter of weeks ago he was playing rugby after a period of 10 weeks out with a broken ankle now he finds himself fighting for his life On a facebook post his mother Sian Mansell wrote: “The consultants have been honest Our road is long and quite bumpy for the foreseeable but I  know that we will get there and we will get Aston back on the pitch – ball at foot or in hand – shining like the star we all know his is… the go fund me organiser has already been blown away from the heartwarming response to her campaign “We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported Aston’s fundraiser this support is a testament to the strength and kindness of Aston’s community providing hope and resources as he battles Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia “Aston has blown us away by his force and determination while taking on four weeks of chemotherapy so far we are excited to announce there’s going to be multiple fundraising events going forward where money will be raised for chosen charities close to our hearts during this journey “Thank you for standing with Aston and his family during this challenging time—your support makes all the difference.” © 2025 Content Copyright Welsh Rugby Union 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 Festival promises a weekend of entertainment including live music and the experience of being inside a metal whale By NOTICEBOARD · 14 April 2025 Awen Cultural Trust’s hugely popular Seascape family festival returns for a second year with a fun-packed programme of free outdoor performances taking place at locations across Porthcawl is to provide the local community and visitors with an exciting schedule of high-quality creative ‘pop-up’ cultural events to enjoy whilst the town’s Grand Pavilion is closed for its multi-million pound redevelopment and provide accessible arts experiences for all ages live music will be provided by the Rock Choir indie duo Lonely Tourist and The Old Time Sailors Rock-infused soulful reggae band Captain Accident will headline at Cosy Corner the live music programme at Cosy Corner includes a performance by Bridgend Youth Theatre members and Osian Meilir’s Welsh folk dance inspired production of Mari Ha Visitors can also expect a visual spectacle at Griffin Park – a new location for 2025 – with Splatch Productions’ outdoor circus performance Strange Weather on the Saturday and Fish Boy by 2Faced Dance on the Sunday Those heading to the harbour on either day can enjoy Talking Bird’s The Whale a giant metal creature which ‘swallows’ the audience whole to enjoy a memorable multi-sensory and accessible theatre experience inside Other entertainment throughout the weekend will include: Cruisetopia a performance from the Kitsch n Sync Collective; puppetry and bubble entertainment with Aquanauts Adrift Louby Lou’s Sea Turtles; Gary and Pel’s land-based pedalo ‘Swan in Love’; and silent discos There will also be opportunities to see and support local community performances at the bandstand in John Street These performances will showcase musical talent developing through local open mic events There will be British Sign Language interpretation for all live music at Cosy Corner will be available to borrow (subject to availability) from the information point Awen will be working in partnership with Tanio and Beach Academy to support Beach of Dreams a month-long UK-wide coastal arts festival there will be an outdoor display of fabric pennants created by local groups in collaboration with Tanio and Naseem Syed A parade will take place on both Saturday and Sunday Ziba Creative will be out and about spreading messages of positivity and kindness using colourful and creative pom poms They will be helping people make a climate pledge about protecting our oceans and shorelines all weekend we aim to provide and facilitate enjoyable free and accessible events which people together to experience culture in safe and familiar spaces while at the same time helping to boost the local economy Last year’s Seascape festival was attended by thousands of people contributing to an increase in town centre footfall over the weekend and benefiting local businesses “We had great feedback from those who attended in 2024 and from those local businesses who saw a demonstrable uptick in their revenues over the weekend We hope to welcome back even more people this year; a full programme of events will be published soon "We are grateful to our partner organisations which include Arts Council of Wales and Bridgend County Borough Council who recognise the role of culture in supporting the local economy and continue to support the festival into 2025.” Deputy Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council added: “The return of the Seascape Festival to Porthcawl promises to be bigger better and even more successful than last year’s event which attracted thousands of visitors and was of huge benefit to the local economy “Porthcawl already has a reputation as a wonderful seaside resort and the Grand Pavilion has long featured at the heart of this While work continues on the multi-million pound refurbishment and regeneration of the iconic venue the Seascape Festival is helping to keep arts and culture alive within the town through a series of amazing free ‘pop up’ events and I am looking forward to seeing what surprises it has in store for 2025.” ShareSaveCCTV shows head attacking love rival teacher with wrenchAnthony Felton is jailed for attacking his friend and colleague in his office at school. Man recalls moment car turned into 'ball of flames'Tony Johnson pulled a driver from a burning car after a crash with two vehicles in Bodfari. Watch: Labour MP criticises gender ideology 'damage'Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi says Welsh government and others were "captured" by LGBT charities. Race Across the World 'much harder than we thought'Sioned Cray and Fin Gough thought they were prepared for the challenge of the reality TV show. Party time in Merthyr as Martyrs clinch promotionThe fan-owned club won the Southern Premier League South title with victory at Penydarren Park. Paddleboard tour victims' families pay tributeFour people died after paddleboarding in "extremely hazardous conditions" on the River Cleddau. Judge sentences river death paddleboard firm ownerWatch as a judge sentences Nerys Bethan Lloyd for the gross negligence manslaughter of four people. Footage shows firm owner at paddleboard death sceneWatch as Nerys Bethan Lloyd tells police what happened during a fatal paddleboarding incident. 'He was a great listener to everyone'Bishop of Wrexham Peter Brignall and Mark O'Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, pay their respects. Watch as stranded dog rescued from cliff edgeEmber became stuck after chasing after a ball while out walking along a coastal path with her owner. Dangerous driver involved in 'shocking' crashSwansea Crown Court heard that Peter Gilmore had 44 previous convictions for 104 offences. Watch: Life raising a toddler with 'butterfly skin'Protecting Albi's skin is a daily battle for parents as it can blister or tear from any friction. Watch: 'Disgusting' vandalism of owl sanctuaryOwl sanctuary toilets targeted by vandals. Watch the moment thieves take charity truckOasis Cardiff, which supports refugees and asylum seekers, says the truck was crucial to its work. Watch: Can you spot a fake football shirt?Vintage football shirt expert, Daniel Rees, explains how to keep your money safe from fakes. How a Welsh uni helps F1 star reach top speedFormula One season favourite Lando Norris is put through his paces at Swansea University. 'Blaring' wildfire burns close to homes Crews have been battling wildfires across Wales, with firefighters described as "on their knees". Watch: E-bike riders caught using police drone Police in Newport use a surveillance drone to spot a group of e-bikers on city streets. Rugby fans react to Cardiff administration newsThe Welsh Rugby Union is in line to take over the regional side. Watch: Massive wildfire filmed from aboveFirefighters are striving to get a huge blaze under control after it started four days ago. using a lifeboat as she was swept further and further out to sea Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend High pressure brings further fine and settled weather this week Patchy cloud clears this evening leaving a settled evening with some late sunshine Rather chilly beneath clear skies overnight with a frost developing in places and with light winds With light winds and plenty of strong sunshine it will begin to feel quite warm The remainder of the week will see high pressure dominating Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average A new bus station costing almost £4m which aims to “improve public transport links across south-east Wales” has opened in a popular seaside town The new Porthcawl Metrolink is located alongside the town’s beach front at Portway and Salt Lake and features a covered station with both indoor and outdoor seating areas and an “environmentally friendly green roof” It also contains space for four buses to be parked at any given time and was built using money from the Cardiff Capital Region city deal and UK Government as well as the council’s own Porthcawl Regeneration budget However following its opening this week the development has drawn a mixed response from residents in the town with some who say its creation represents progress in an area that has long been set for regeneration while others who have raised concerns over its location will now begin its operations with only a handful of services to and from the town in the coming weeks which include the First Cymru X2 service between Porthcawl the 63 service between Bridgend and Porthcawl and the Sunday-only Stagecoach route from Porthcawl to Aberdare Speaking shortly after the opening an independent town councillor from Porthcawl said: “Personally I think the cost was over the top at £4m It’s in the wrong position and really speaking I think the money would have been better spent on refurbishing the bus shelters that we already have around Porthcawl “Where it is now I personally think it should have been on the other side of the road so people haven’t got to cross the road to get in to the town centre or cross the road to get to a bus stop but it has had a mixed reaction from people.” At the new station Porthcawl resident June Wilkinson said: “This is the first time I’ve come here and so far I think it’s all right as bus stations go though perhaps it could have had a toilet put in here “It is a bit out of the way for local people especially if you live up the seafront way but today I’m really here just to try it out as I do catch a local bus quite often Hopefully now they can start to get some more buses in and people will be able to go anywhere then.” Colin Powell has lived in the town since 2007 and while he was also disappointed there were no toilet facilities in the building he said after years of planning the creation of the town’s new Metrolink is an overall good thing and a sign of progress He said: “I know there’s a lot of feeling around Bridgend and the older ones they don’t like change but this is really here for the future developments with 900 houses going just over there for 4,000 people I think this is planning for the future because this is going to be built on here as well so I agree to plan ahead.” Suzanne Padden also lives in Porthcawl and said while she felt the new bus station looked good with so few buses running in the area at the moment it simply might not have been needed She said: “I’ve never seen four buses turn up in one go in Porthcawl so you’re just going to get the odd bus It could have been done with space for one bus and one waiting Suzanne also believed that in order for the development to fully improve transport in the area someone will also have to bring in more buses as well as bringing the type that can accommodate tourists visiting for days out at the beach She added: “If they want people to start using buses you’ve got to be able to live your life as you live now Most people who come here have surfboards and bodyboards as well as big bags and all the kids with wetsuits How could you possibly come from Aberdare or somewhere now on one of these buses to go to the beach Carol Durham of Cornelly said she was also using the new station for the first time and added: “In itself you’re in here and you’re in the dry which is good but if you’re going to town you’ve got a fair walk which for older people with support trolleys is a fair distance away.” The new Metrolink facility is part of a number of planned changes for the seaside town in the coming years with proposals to alter parts of the seafront area as well as other sections of the town The major regeneration scheme lead by Bridgend council could eventually include a number of changes to both the roads and layouts in the well-known tourist destination as well the creation of about 900 new homes Speaking ahead of the opening of the Porthcawl Metrolink councillor Neelo Farr said: “As one of our largest towns Porthcawl needs a modern transport interchange capable of benefiting residents and visitors alike “This new Metrolink facility is set to offer fast efficient access both into and out of the town and has been designed so that it will fit seamlessly into our ongoing regeneration plans for the Porthcawl waterfront area.” When the Cardiff Metro was being planned (I say toilets were to be omitted from the new trains But toilets were to be provided at each station instead Now we have a new bus station (Porthcawl) without toilets Does this mean that bus passengers never need toilets and train passengers have to get off a train (say The modern idea of progress – one step forward and two steps back… Should we have any confidence in Transport for Wales and its oversight by the Welsh Government CloseA man deciding what to order from the chippy had a shock when two horses strolled past him to the front of the queue "While outside debating if I should bother queuing up a horse just walked past me and entered the shop," said Gabe Godbeer who was outside Finnegans chippy in Porthcawl "I was confused for a second then realised what had actually happened I decided to start recording and to my surprise another horse walked in "After the horses left I went in bought some food and went home to bed." Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreWatch: Customers' surprise as horses queue in chippy 00:00:10Watch: Customers' surprise as horses queue in chippy 0:10Up Next Two octopuses found walking on Welsh beach 00:02:18Two octopuses found walking on Welsh beach 2:18What is it like to cuddle a cow 1:25First tiger cub born in Wales zoo practises roar 00:00:19First tiger cub born in Wales zoo practises roar 0:19Editor's recommendationsWatch: BBC reports from pier 33 - the gateway to Alcatraz 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 Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today Caerphilly Athletic claimed a comfortable 4-0 victory over Porthcawl Town to keep pressure on Cardiff Airport at the top of the South Wales Premier League The hosts welcomed Porthcawl to sunny Ystrad Mynach on Saturday March 29 knowing they needed to keep winning games to stay level on points with Cardiff at the top It was a superb performance from Caerphilly who all but killed the game off in the first-half They’re now just a few wins away from lifting the title Literally seconds into the match and Porthcawl goalkeeper Liam Sheehy was already picking the ball out of his own net following a clinical Caerphilly attack Will Toms was in far too much space and had time to pick his man out in the middle with a cutback cross The keeper perhaps should have got there first but it was Jason Gardiner who managed to get contact for the easiest of finishes into an empty net who did have a few minutes of possession following the goal but could only muster-up one half chance when Joseph Joyce blasted an effort over and continued to find joy down the right through Toms whose lovely through ball sent the winger away once more Iwan John tried his luck with a speculative lob from 30 plus yards out – only just over the frame of the goal The second did eventually come in a more conventional way Toms dug-out a great cross from under his feet to find John in the middle Porthcawl should have answered straight back when Leon Rayner had a golden chance to put one past Christopher Alexander there was still time for the hosts to snatch one more goal and kill the match A cross from the right should have been cleared by defender Harvey Crews but he got it all wrong and Franke was there to hammer the ball into the roof of the net from close range Caerphilly were threatening again down the right when a ball was played into Gardiner He couldn’t sort his feet out though and fired over The visitors could have perhaps got back into the tie when a corner fell to Luke Conaty in the box but his effort smashed the underside of the bar before being hooked away they had a much better second-half in general combined with the fact Caerphilly were happy enough to take their foot off the gas just a touch Toms almost had a goal to go with his hat-trick of assists but shot just wide after a nice run down the right Rayner was doing his best to make things happen for the visitors – their best player on the day – he’d often get past one or two defenders but ultimately couldn’t do it all Porthcawl continued to probe despite the scoreline and Conaty should have pulled at least one back when a cutback to the number nine was on a plate and Caerphilly were putting bodies on the line to protect their clean sheet Just as you thought Porthcawl had at least drawn the half Caerphilly had one last attack in them when Gardiner turned provider for sub Mark Walker The substitute was slid a well weighted ball down the right he placed the ball perfectly into the top corner past Sheehy to huge celebrations from all involved Full-time and a very professional performance from Caerphilly Athletic Looking to keep pressure on Cardiff Airport at the top they scored early goals and managed the game well but do play each other in just a few weeks time for a potential title decider Support quality, independent, local journalism…that mattersFrom just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.Become a member today Bridgend County Borough Council and its partners at Awen Cultural Trust have provided an update on the progress of the £20m redevelopment project at the Grand Pavilion Art Deco building is currently undergoing enabling works forming an essential part of the preparation of the building in readiness for the main renovation work later this year Prichard’s Demolition were appointed as the contractor to undertake the enabling works inside the Grade II listed building which involves stripping out all the building’s plasterboard and suspended ceilings to take the building back to its concrete shell the removal of mechanical and electrical kit and the erection of hoardings The council have also commissioned a number of surveys including CCTV Dust monitoring will also continue throughout the enabling works period A specialist team of experts are working behind the scenes with the contractors to ensure the preservation of key historical and architectural features inside the building Helen Hughes is an historic interior researcher and conservationist and part of the specialist team who was commissioned to extract and examine historic paintwork samples from the building which can be traced back to the 1930s Contracts Manager for Pritchard’s Demolition said: “As a local business we were honoured to be awarded the enabling package on the Grade II listed Grand Pavilion Works are progressing steadily and are all on track We look forward to handing the building over for the main refurbishment project later in the year.” The redevelopment will entail an extension to the rear of the building and provide a new studio theatre and gallery space whilst glass fronted additions on top of the existing loggias will provide a new café with views across the bay said: “We are delighted that the planned enabling works are progressing well ahead of construction starting on site later this year One of the exciting aspects of this redevelopment is the opportunity to protect and enhance the Grand Pavilion’s rich history and heritage so we look forward to uncovering some long-hidden features within the building as the work develops.” This project has been funded by Bridgend County Borough Council and the UK Levelling Up Fund Get A Golf Handicap UK Golf Guide Golfshake Top 100s Find Golf Travel Deals Golf Competitions Community Forum Having played Coed-y-Mwstwr Golf Club as part of his golf tour of Bridgend, Golfshake Andy Picken next had the opportunity to experience the acclaimed Royal Porthcawl which has hosted the Senior Open three times and will stage the AIG Women's Open in 2025 Over breakfast, I watched a video created by the Legends Tour watching my heroes wax lyrical about the qualities offered by Royal Porthcawl. Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, and Thomas Bjorn are among the voices, as is Tom Watson, who talks of the club as a possible Open Championship venue this wasn’t a good idea as I was very nervous as I reached the gates accessing the car park and clubhouse.  We had a guided tour of the venerable clubhouse which blew my mind. The only other clubhouse that I have seen matching this type of museum standard memorabilia is Royal North Devon The floorboards creak and gently moan as you wander around Pictures of golfers from every era adorned the walls taunting you to follow in their footsteps Top tip: give yourself extra time to enjoy this experience It is well worth the effort to savour a very special clubhouse The first nine holes were created in 1891 Porthcawl received the prefix 'Royal' in 1909 and became the second course in Wales and only one of 66 clubs in the world to have that mark of distinction.  With my limited expectations from my current golf form I rarely get nervous on the first tee but this one gave me the collywobbles The practice facilities are second to none I should have arrived three hours before my tee time to get the best possible experience from the site There are also several Dormy houses available for the overnight visitor the scene of so many important tournaments is to your right and crosses over the opening fairway for a short distance.    Royal Porthcawl is a sensory golfing experience from start to finish The sound of the crashing waves against the beach and rocks and boardwalk the screech of the seagulls as they fought to hold position against the sea winds These were described as breezes later in the bar There was a wonderful smell coming from the clubhouse that mixed with a musty smell of sea and seaweed Coming from the Midlands I am more tuned in than most to these aquatic odours I could feel the wind coming off the sea and my final swing thought was that if my adopted hook shot occurred then at least the prevailing wind would carry it back towards the fairway I didn’t need to worry as my nervously topped tee shot was unaffected by the "breeze" but it at least allowed me to release my nerves and simply laugh out loud The entire left side of the opening hole is out of bounds provided by the sea and beach The tee box is elevated allowing clear sight of the sand scrapes and bunkers that patrol the outer edges of the fairway left and right I always thought that Harry Colt preferred that his opening holes provided an easy introduction into the game.  The first thing that struck me about the quality of the layout is that the footpaths that access the fairways have their own irrigation systems and are in better condition than some greens I have played in my lifetime The course condition given our recent weather is simply of the highest possible order and it felt like a deep luxurious carpet with every step The second hole again uses the sea as its natural boundary with OOB present throughout its entire length from tee to green.  The boardwalk public footpath was busy due to the finer weather and there was a decent gallery of dog walkers and hikers as I stood to address my tee ball and I was simply soaking up this extraordinary experience and loving every second of it.  Visually this course is stunningly beautiful Expect to take some time to stop and take pictures My phone is usually off when I golf but I kept it close by as new views and vistas came into range that I wanted to record for later review.  The 3rd is a delightful par 4 of 274 yards from the championship tee box Do not be fooled into thinking that this is a pushover the hole is framed along its entire length by the crashing sea and the green complex is tucked tightly next to that boundary I played a poor tee shot to the left of the fairway restricting access to the green but then a career-best hybrid floated into the wind allowing my first birdie chance The par I secured was simply golfing ecstasy and I floated to the next tee box We christened the house that can be seen from this hole as the Butterscotch House and later discovered its reputed history as one of the most haunted in the UK The 4th is a par 3 of 216 yards protected by a green complex of scrapes and bunkers that ring its entire playing surface the hole is framed by the beach and its ominous out-of-bounds markers The 5th is 611 yards from the tips and is nestled into the course boundary wall A dogleg right to left to an elevated green protected by its OOB boundary left and sand right I walked from this green with another par and a natural high of pure pleasure The 6th is a short par 4 with many hazards and features in play to catch the errant shot maker I followed the suggestions in the course guide favoring the right-hand side of the fairway that offered a much better angle with which to attack the green The impeccably presented undulations and run-off zones add to the hazards of an overly ambitious shot into the green The 7th is a delight with a narrow green surrounded by hummocks Fail and expect a minimum of a six as the bunkers are penal This is three-dimensional golfing chess played against a grand master A true par 4 despite its length due to the fairway bunkers that cut across the approaches to the green It follows the boundary of the practice range ensuring another hole with out of bounds along its entire length.  The 9th is a classic short par 4 requiring an accurate tee shot to allow for a short second shot into a steeply sloping green that is protected by another ring of bunkers Please take the time to enjoy that view across the Bristol Channel A narrow strip of fairway requires an accurate drive down the left side The green is then defended by its gradients and swales plus three bunkers that have a much larger footprint than is visible Place a ball too close to these beasties and it will gather and be swallowed up The 11th turns the screw a little more with a fabulous short hole that features a plateau green ringed by a series of necklace bunkers that cry out at you from the tee box Another superb golf hole that made my bogey a hard-earned achievement The 12th is a 582-yard par 5 with a tee shot requiring a substantial initial carry to even reach the first cut of fairway the scrapes and presentation are stunning bringing up thoughts of golf in days gone by I reached the putting surface in regulation and nudged the hole with my birdie attempt leaving me squealing with the simple pleasure of being alive playing golf at this amazing venue Swales of deep grass offer punishment left and right for the wayward tee shot The kidney bean shaped green is then protected by bunkers and its shaping The 14th offers more views of Sker House behind the green It looks so natural and yet its presentation and conditioning is simply perfection The 15th is the start of a challenging series of closing holes Another long tee ball is needed to ensure reaching the fairway and then a series of bunkers offer additional defenses for the course which is another cracking golf hole with bunkers and sand scrapes placed exactly where you don’t want them The series of cross bunkers look bigger from the tee than they are but again they have an extended footprint that gathers up any balls played towards them the 17th offers a blind tee shot over a marker post with a narrow fairway The shots into the green are much easier to assess as all the hazards are in plain sight the 18th cuts across the first fairway for a short distance there is a narrow green running front to back with some magnificent rolls and shaping I walked off this hole with a par on the card and a ridiculous smile on my face as I felt I had experienced golfing nirvana.  My playing partner had played here before and simply said that from the first hole This was an exceptional golfing experience that will live long in the memory Access to this course is restricted for visitors to specific days and the green fee is around £225.  That is a lot of money to play golf but spending six hours at such an exceptional venue with such an exquisite product is a rare thing I have waxed lyrical about this experience as I want to be an evangelist for this venue I will return and take some of my golfing buddies because I want them to experience the sheer joy that it offered me on this April day of days we spent time soaking up the atmosphere in the clubhouse and then drove back to Pyle & Kenfig to prepare for a new culinary experience for me I have never experienced top Japanese cuisine before but was asked to visit Bridgend and a venue called Gin & Sake I was delighted to discover an excellent range of dishes and cocktails that I was able to devour and enjoy A wonderful way to finish a memorable day.  Note to self, a mix of gin and sake can be detrimental to the quality of the golf the next day at Pyle & Kenfig If you want to follow Andy's complete journey around in the courses near Bridgend, please click here What do you think? post your thoughts and feedback on the Golfshake Forum: https://forum.golfshake.com/ Tuition Series Golf Forums Golf Course Directory UK Golf Courses Tee Time Search Golf Inspired Search for Golf Courses Tee Time Search Weekly Tour News Industry News Rating & Reviews Get a Golf Handicap Golfscoretracker Handicap Calculations Stat Tracking Cards Golfshake Services Terms, Cookies & Privacy THE 'Jewel of Wales' is about to get even shinier - thanks to a multi-million pound makeover of the town's famous Grand Pavilion Porthcawl's much-loved art deco theatre which has been a mainstay of its seafront for more than 90 years Home of Gavin and Stacey stars Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones, the South Wales town - which is also located 40 minutes from Barry Island, where the show is set - is a popular tourist destination Porthcawl is about to get £20million pumped into a complete redevelopment of its much-loved seafront area including a number of new attractions being built and a £4million makeover of the historic Grand Pavillion theatre The building’s original domed roof will see a "sensitive restoration" with the original marine-styled weather vane reinstated and modern insulation added Plans will also see new extensions added, including a glazed rooftop pavilion with views of the Bristol channel which closed in February 2024 for the construction work will be re-opened with enhanced facilities Renders shared by Awen Cultural Trust show the planned extension, including the rooftop pavilion. A passenger lift, auditorium, gallery, toilet facilities, and supporting back-of-house areas will also be developed. Eddie Izzard, Elkie Brooks, Cerys Matthews, and Katherine Jenkins have also headlined the hotspot, while Sir Tom Jones gave one of his first performances there in 1963 The venue is praised for its seafront location and panoramic views of the Heritage Coast And it has been described as a "much-loved creative space for audiences "I've had some great times in Porthcawl Pavilion," one five star reviewer wrote online "From raves on Saturday nights in my teens to Christmas Pantomime with our children then our grandchildren "Great cafe bar for a catch up with friends and when the sun shines sit outside and people watch on the prom." Another visitor praised the "amazing sound quality" within the domed theatre Porthcawl will see a variety of new attractions added to the seafront area as well as splash parks and play areas will all feature Woodland attractions with treetop walks and climbing walls will also be added as part of the plans Restaurants, shops and cafes are set to line the town's promenade Seasonal events such as fairgrounds and local fairs are set to take place during peak tourist times The Porthcawl area boasts seven sandy beaches There is also a wide variety of affordable pubs to visit in the area which first became a licensed brew house in 1818 Work is set to begin on the Grand Pavilion redevelopment project in May with the new and improved space officially opening in spring 2027 Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ 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. 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, craft and gift makers. This event is organised by Green Top Markets. Join Porthcawl Town Council for VE Day celebratory events. Join Bridgend Town Council for their Armed Forces Day Parade featuring military organisations, military vehicles, bands, choirs, stalls and activities. The Keeper of the Colliery 5K and 10K Run is returning to Maesteg. Starting at Maesteg Comprehensive School, 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, Trecco Bay, Coney Beach, the Grand Pavilion and Porthcawl Lighthouse. Join Maesteg Town Council for their Family Fun Day in Welfare Park. Featuring live music, games, street food stalls, fair rides and more! 9-10 August. My Choice Healthcare has acquired Danygraig House (Care Home), a 48-bed residential Care Home in Porthcawl, for a seven-figure undisclosed sum. The firm described the strategic purchase as ‘an exciting new chapter’ for both My Choice Healthcare and the team at Danygraig House, as the current owners transition into retirement. It marks My Choice Healthcare’s tenth home and its eighth in South Wales, and it says it furthers its mission to ’put people at its heart’. A Grade II listed building set within landscaped grounds, the home is a few minutes' drive from the Porthcawl seafront. Bethan Evans, CEO of My Choice Healthcare, said: “We are thrilled to be acquiring Danygraig House from its current owners and are committed to maintaining the excellent care standards and reputation that they have established over many years. “Our focus will be on continuing the good work that’s already in place while maintaining the supportive environment for the dedicated staff team. We understand the vital role that our staff play in delivering high-quality care for those we are privileged to support, and we are eager to invest in their ongoing development and well-being.” Founded by friends Craig Sheppard and Neil Askew in 2019, My Choice Healthcare provides care in South Wales and the West Midlands. It has a team of more than 400 and reached the finalist stage of the Care Forum Wales and Great British Care Awards recently. 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 As the opening of Porthcawl’s Metrolink draws closer Bridgend County Borough Council addresses any concerns about its structure and grass rooftop Built on solid bedrock on the landward side of the old Salt Lake harbour wall concrete piles used in the construction of the Metrolink offer strength and support to the lightweight structure consisting largely of aluminium and glass The steel piles have been positioned at least 10 metres into the ground with building control inspectors monitoring each critical stage of the build as well as the installation of the structure has been chosen for this spot specifically for its suitable properties  A hardy plant that thrives in full sun as well as tolerates excessive amounts of water; it sprouts to create a carpet of leaves that turns a darker shade of green in the winter as the plant moves into self-preservation mode The same plant found on the roof at Kenfig National Nature Reserve sedum is especially useful positioned on a rooftop because of the way in which it soaks up water and complements the drainage system Students from Porthcawl Comprehensive School have trailblazed their way to London to perform in a play directed by Year 12 pupil, Wil Morgans, at the National Theatre later this month Treading boards in the National Theatre as Dame Helen Mirren, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sir Ian McKellen and other iconic actors have done, the group has been selected from youth companies from across the UK to perform at the theatre, with their interpretation of Orchestra This accolade comes as part of the National Theatre Connections nationwide youth theatre festival championing the talent of young people for the last 29 years.  ten new plays are commissioned for young people to perform uniting some of the UK’s most innovative writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow The youth companies choose one of the ten plays to interpret and perform just one group is selected to perform each play at the National Theatre.  performed by Porthcawl Comprehensive School is one of the ten plays included in the Connections 2024 programme an actor and writer passionate about “making art that’s honest has a list of acclaimed work; this includes the play which opened to great praise at Shakespeare’s Globe in summer 2022 as well as other more recent award-winning plays practising for a concert during the half term holidays - providing the backdrop to explore the intricacies of relationships  I knew it would be emotionally challenging as well as the stress that can stem from the high standards that we set ourselves coming from a comprehensive school in Wales the opportunity to stage and perform Orchestra at the National Theatre is a once in a lifetime chance The whole experience has been an absolute joy that none of us had expected Connections has given us access to an aspect of theatre and avant-garde writing that we have all fallen in love with.” who plays one of the lead characters agreed adding: “This opportunity has been so amazing for our school this makes our London stage debut so surreal and exciting!” Head of Young Peoples’ Programmes at the National Theatre commented: "We are so excited to have Porthcawl Comprehensive School with us for this year's Connections festival at the end of this month National Theatre Connections champions the talent of young people across the UK and is a brilliant opportunity for them to develop new skills We cannot wait to see the imagination and creativity of Porthcawl Comprehensive School brought to the Dorfman Stage." 25 June and Charlie Josephine is very much “looking forward to watching the play and meeting the students afterwards." Head of Drama at Porthcawl Comprehensive School said: “Seeing the pupils flourish so greatly in their performance has been an absolute privilege Being able to celebrate their success with them performing at the National Theatre will be a once in a lifetime opportunity - something I will never forget.” also commented: “Everyone at Porthcawl Comprehensive School is very proud of the achievements of our students The opportunity to direct and perform at the National Theatre is so very well deserved for this talented group of students they are role models for success in every single way  Our production is a collaborative production Driven and directed by one of our Year 12 students this performance will be outstanding - I am one very proud headteacher!”  allowing the learners to pursue this opportunity and to the pupils for their drive  We are extremely proud of you all and look forward to seeing you shine on the stage at the National Theatre!” Images: Porthcawl Comprehensive students performing Orchestra and Orchestra poster for National Theatre Connections Carmarthenshire News Online Local and National News for Carmarthenshire Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. OPTIONS will be brought in front of Blaenau Gwent councillors to discuss whether the cash-strapped authority can use overpaid council… MACMILlAN Cancer Support has warned of a cancer care system at breaking point, with over 780 people facing treatment delays… An Anglesey councillor’s comments over the loss of Welsh homes and language, likened to what happened to Native Americans has… Porthcawl RNLI rescue a golden retriever from the water at Newton Beach(Image: Porthcawl RNLI)The coastguard was called into action to rescue a dog which found itself in difficulty in the sea at a Welsh beach. Porthcawl RNLI and Port Talbot Coastguard attended the incident at Newton Beach in Porthcawl at 1.24pm on Saturday The golden retriever was found near Newton Point 300 metres from the shore and being swept further out to sea by the current A volunteer crew was able to rescue the dog and bring it safely back to its owner who was waiting on the beach together with others who lined up to watch the rescue The RNLI said that the dog was "shaken but unharmed", and offered advice to others on what to do if they find themselves in a similar situation. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here "Once on scene the crew quickly located the golden retriever near Newton Point The dog was around 300 metres from the shore and being swept further out to sea by the current The crew recovered the dog onto the lifeboat and returned it back to the owner who was on the beach The dog was a little shaken but otherwise unharmed "If your dog gets into difficulty in the water move to a place they can get to safely and call them If they're unable to get to safety dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard." It was left 'shaken but unharmed'(Image: Porthcawl RNLI)Article continues belowA statement from Port Talbot Coastguard added: "Our team of volunteers were tasked alongside Porthcawl Coastguard to a person and dog in the water at Newton Beach Porthcawl RNLI Lifeboat were soon on scene under the watchful eye of National Coastwatch Institution - Porthcawl Both person and dog were safely brought ashore by Porthcawl RNLI to our awaiting coastguard rescue officers we stood down and returned to station."