ARREST MADE: Teenager held over Ysgol Maesydderwen threats that sparked school shutdown

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed that the teenager, from Pontardawe, was taken into police custody on suspicion of sending digital communications conveying threats of death or serious harm, with the intent to cause fear.

His arrest follows an intense investigation by Dyfed Powys Police into the alarming messages that led to the Ystradgynlais school being shut down on February 27 and 28, according to the force.

The threats had a “profound impact” on pupils, parents, and staff, causing widespread disruption and anxiety, Dyfed Powys Police stated.

Powys Superintendent Gareth Grant extended his gratitude to the community for their support and patience during the challenging period.

“I’d firstly like to thank the parents, teachers, staff and the wider community, for the support and patience you have shown whilst we have carried out our enquiries in relation to this incident,” Superintendent Grant said.

He acknowledged the severe emotional toll the incident had taken, stating: “I understand this will have had a profound impact.”

Superintendent Grant also moved to reassure residents, confirming that Neighbourhood officers would maintain a visible presence in the area.

“Our Neighbourhood officers will maintain a local presence for reassurance, and we will continue to work with our local secondary schools, and partners, to ensure our local community are supported,” he added.

The school had previously been forced to close for a second day after a fresh threat emerged just hours after the initial incident.

Parents and guardians had been left scrambling for childcare arrangements as the school remained shut, with many expressing their concern over the safety of their children.

The arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation, and Dyfed Powys Police expressed hope it would bring a sense of relief to the worried community.

Dyfed Powys Police have urged anyone with further information to contact them on 101, reiterating their commitment to supporting the community.

Gwobr 3ydd i'r Côr Tŷ Tawe yn yr #Eisteddfod Cwm Tawe heno!

#Abertawe #Pontardawe

Max Boyce and local heroes celebrated at St David Awards

Welsh legend Max Boyce MBE and Wales’ most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock MBE were celebrated at the 2026 St David Awards, sharing the spotlight with a remarkable group of winners from communities across South West Wales.

Now in its 13th year, the awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of people from all walks of life.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “It has been a privilege to honour all of this year’s winners who make me even more proud to be Welsh. They are an inspiration to us all.”

Here are the winners from the Swansea Bay region and beyond:

Young Person Award: Cian Evans

Cian Evans from Pontardawe received the Young Person Award for his incredible fundraising efforts in the face of unimaginable tragedy. After surviving a devastating car crash that killed his mother and unborn sister, Cian has raised thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance, which helped save his life. His resilience and determination have been described as an inspiration.

Bravery Award: The Teachers of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman

Liz Hopkin, Fiona Elias, and Darrel Campbell were jointly awarded the Bravery award for their heroic actions during the terrifying knife attack at the Carmarthenshire school in April 2024. The three staff members put themselves in harm’s way to protect pupils, with Liz Hopkin sustaining multiple stab wounds while continuing to act decisively.

Community Champion Award: Faith in Families

Swansea-based charity Faith in Families won the Community Champion award. The judges recognised their incredible work supporting some of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods through their Community Cwtches and the launch of Cwtch Mawr, Wales’ first Multibank, which has distributed over a million essential items to families in need.

Innovation, Science and Technology Award: Professor Joanne Davies

Professor Joanne Davies, Head of Simulation at Swansea University, won the Innovation, Science and Technology award. Her work in transforming medical training in Wales through cutting-edge simulation was praised for improving patient safety and preparing clinicians for real-world pressures.

Public Service Award: Dr Tipswalo Day

Dr Tipswalo Day, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen, was awarded the Public Service award for her pioneering work to reduce stillbirths and birth-related brain injuries. She also founded Race Matters in Maternity, Wales’ first conference tackling inequalities in maternal care.

Other Winners

• Culture Award: Max Boyce MBE
• Sport Award: Jess Fishlock MBE
• Business Award: de Novo Solutions
• Environment Champion Award: Deorfa Cynrig Hatchery
• Volunteering Award: Brian Jones
• First Minister’s Special Award: Henry Engelhardt CBE and Diane Briere de l’Isle Engelhardt OBE

Pontardawe Arts Centre to host new drama inspired by forgotten Welsh folk songs recorded in a workhouse

Pontardawe is one of just 13 venues across Wales chosen to host Ledi’r Wyrcws (The Lady of the Workhouse), a new production uncovering the remarkable true story behind one of Wales’s most important folk‑song collections.

The drama, written by author and academic Jerry Hunter, explores the unlikely relationship between Lady Amy Parry‑Williams — wife of renowned scholar and poet T. H. Parry‑Williams — and a woman living in a workhouse in the 1950s, where Amy recorded traditional songs that were on the brink of disappearing forever.

A forgotten workhouse and a cultural mystery

Hunter says the idea struck him after giving a talk in Denbigh, when a member of the audience pointed out an old building across the road — once a workhouse where Lady Parry‑Williams had captured some of her most treasured recordings.

He was stunned to learn that a workhouse was still operating in the 1950s, years after the founding of the NHS.

The revelation sparked a series of questions that form the backbone of the play: Who was the woman singing in the workhouse? Why was she there? And what conversations unfolded between two women from completely different worlds, united only by their love of Welsh culture?

Hunter said the story “immediately captured” his imagination, leading him to picture the pair spending a day together — one a respected academic’s wife, the other living in poverty — yet both preserving the same musical heritage.

Touring Wales — with a key stop in Pontardawe

The production stars Morfudd Hughes, Owen Arwyn and Judith Humphreys, and will tour Wales from 4 March to 2 April.

Pontardawe Arts Centre will host the show on 25 March, giving local audiences a rare chance to see a drama rooted in real Welsh history and cultural survival.

Full tour dates

04–05 March – Galeri Caernarfon 07 March – Twm o’r Nant 10 March – Theatr Clwyd 13 March – Theatr Derek Williams 17–18 March – Theatr Arad Goch 19 March – Yr Egin 20 March – Theatr Felinfach 24 March – Theatr Soar 25 March – Pontardawe Arts Centre 26 March – Yr Olwg 28 March – Llanover Hall 01 April – Neuadd Dwyfor 02 April – Pontio

Tickets and more information are available via Galeri Caernarfon: https://www.galericaernarfon.com/eng/ledirwyrcws.html

Pontardawe engineering firm up for two major Swansea Bay Business Awards

Wall Colmonoy, which employs nearly 200 people at its site on the Alloy Industrial Estate, is in the running for Manufacturer of the Year and Innovative Business of the Year at the Swansea Bay Business Awards 2026.

The firm produces specialist alloys, castings and precision‑engineered parts used in aerospace, automotive, defence, energy and oil and gas. Most of what it makes in Pontardawe is exported around the world.

The double nomination follows major investment at the site, including £4.5 million spent on new metal powders and a high‑tech lab to support advanced manufacturing and research.

The company has also pushed into new technology, including AI‑driven casting simulations and one of Europe’s largest vacuum precision investment casting foundries — a facility backed by Innovate UK and defence innovation programmes.

Managing Director Rob Davies said the recognition belongs to the workforce.

“These nominations are a testament to our workforce… their dedication, consistency and technical depth underpin the quality of our products and drive our innovation.”

Wall Colmonoy has been operating in Pontardawe since 1969 and remains one of the Swansea Valley’s most established industrial employers.

The Swansea Bay Business Awards take place on 30 January at Brangwyn Hall.

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Historic Ty Mawr restored into new homes for Pontardawe

Dating back to the 1800s, Ty Mawr is identified by Neath Port Talbot Council as a Building of Local Importance. It once formed part of the sprawling tinplate works owned by W. Gilbertson and Company, which at its peak provided employment for much of Pontardawe’s population and sustained families for generations.

Today, the rest of the site is occupied by Cwmtawe Comprehensive School, retail units and housing — leaving Ty Mawr as the sole surviving structure of the town’s industrial past.

Vacant since the late 2000s, and formerly used as an “Extra Care” facility, the building had fallen into disrepair. Now, thanks to housing association Pobl, working with T.A.D Builders Ltd. and supported by Welsh Government’s Social Housing Grant, the landmark has been carefully restored and extended.

New homes and sustainability

The project has created 12 modern, energy‑efficient apartments for social rent — six one‑bedroom and six two‑bedroom units. A new build element complements the refurbished two‑storey detached structure, with improved access from the highway and enhanced parking arrangements. Solar panels have been installed on the roof to boost sustainability.

Jo Brown, Project Manager for Pobl Group, said at the outset:

“This scheme is an excellent example of Pobl’s commitment to build general needs homes and bring existing buildings back into fruition. We look forward to working with T.A.D Builders Ltd, and all being well, working toward a completion date in Summer 2025.”

That completion has now been achieved, with residents beginning to move in.

Blending old and new

A spokesperson for Pobl said:

“Restoring such an old structure came with challenges — from insulating thick walls to retaining its unique character — but the result is a striking mix of old and new.

“We’re so pleased to welcome new residents to Ty Mawr and see this much‑loved building once again playing an important role in the heart of the community.”

Local heritage preserved

By regenerating Ty Mawr, Pobl say they have helped preserve the character of Pontardawe’s industrial past while addressing contemporary housing needs. The building’s legacy as part of the tinplate works endures — but now with a new role, providing homes and stability for today’s community.

#BuildingOfLocalImportance #construction #CwmtaweCommunitySchool #Pobl #Pontardawe #renovation #socialHousing #TADBuilders #tinplate #TyMawr #WGilbertsonAndCompany

Four Neath Port Talbot vape shops shut down in crackdown on illegal sales

A District Judge at Swansea Magistrates Court approved three‑month closure orders against:

• Vape Land, Commercial Road, Taibach
• Vape Zone, Queen Street, Neath
• Classic Vape, Station Road, Port Talbot
• Pontardawe Vape, James Street, Pontardawe

It is the second time in six months that Vape Land has been issued with a closure order.

Pattern of illegal sales

The court heard that test purchases and inspections over the past two years had repeatedly found counterfeit cigarettes, non‑tax‑paid tobacco and oversized or non‑compliant vapes on sale.

In September, joint inspections by South Wales Police, Neath Port Talbot Council Trading Standards and Waste Enforcement Officers led to seizures of vapes, leaf tobacco and cigarettes. Further complaints were also received about sales to under‑18s.

Despite being notified of the council’s intention to apply for closure orders, the owners of Vape Land, Vape Zone and Pontardawe Vape did not attend their hearings. Classic Vape’s new owner contested the application, but the judge accepted the council’s evidence that the business had changed hands repeatedly following inspections.

What Trading Standards do

Trading Standards teams work to protect consumers and communities by tackling illegal, unsafe or unfair trading practices. Their work includes:

• Carrying out test purchases to check if shops sell age‑restricted products like tobacco, alcohol or vapes to under‑18s
• Inspecting premises for counterfeit or non‑compliant goods
• Seizing unsafe or illegal products, including oversized or disposable vapes
• Taking enforcement action through the courts, including closure orders
• Advising businesses on compliance with consumer protection laws

Residents can report concerns about illegal sales to their local council’s Trading Standards team.

Wider crackdown

The closures come just days after Swansea Magistrates extended closure orders on vape shops in the city, underlining a wider regional clampdown on illegal sales.

Since June 2025, the sale of disposable single‑use vapes has been banned across the UK. The ban was introduced to tackle environmental concerns and to protect children and young people, with many illicit products found in child‑appealing packaging and flavours.

Council response

Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, said:

“Trading Standards work hard at protecting the public and the vulnerable from illegal tobacco and vape sales. Considerable work has gone into obtaining these closure orders, and the team will continue to use the resources at their disposal to combat this illegal trade.”

He urged residents to report any information about illegal tobacco or vape sales to the council.

More on Trading Standards

From vape shop closures to counterfeit goods crackdowns, our Trading Standards coverage follows the teams working to protect communities across South West Wales.

Browse all Trading Standards stories →

#ClassicVape #CllrCenPhillips #counterfeitCigarettes #illegalTobacco #illegalVapes #Neath #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Pontardawe #PontardaweVape #PortTalbot #QueenStreet #Taibach #TradingStandards #VapeLand

Minister agrees to visit Godre’r Graig school after six years in portacabins

Pupils at the school have been taught in temporary portacabins miles from their community since the original building was closed and demolished in 2019. Despite a funding application for a replacement school being submitted by Neath Port Talbot Council, no decision has yet been made — and Welsh Government officials are reportedly assessing the proposal as if it were for a brand-new school.

“This isn’t a new school — it already exists”

Raising the issue in the Senedd this week, Sioned Williams MS, who represents South Wales West, urged the Cabinet Secretary to meet with school leaders and “understand the exceptional context” of the application.

“What is of concern to me is the impact on the many learners at Godre’r Graig School who have never been educated in a permanent school building in their own community,” she said. “This isn’t a ‘new school’ — the school already exists.”

Ms Neagle confirmed she was “very happy to visit the school,” and acknowledged the wider impact of the situation on Welsh suppliers and families.

Community frustration grows over delays

The funding application is being considered under the Sustainable Communities for Learning Nine-Year Rolling Programme, but concerns have been raised about the criteria being applied. A letter from Welsh Government officials reportedly referenced the impact a “new school” could have on pupil numbers at neighbouring schools — but not the disruption already affecting Godre’r Graig pupils.

David Chadwick MP, Liberal Democrat Member for the area, has also written to the Cabinet Secretary urging urgent action:

“Five years after its closure, pupils are still being taught in temporary offsite portacabins. These facilities are not suitable for long-term education, and parents continue to raise concerns about uncomfortable temperatures and extended daily travel.”

He called for clarity on the timeline for reviewing the application, the criteria being used, and whether any interim support would be offered to improve current learning conditions.

Rejected super school plan still casts a shadow

The original proposal to merge schools in the Swansea Valley into a single “super school” was overwhelmingly rejected by the local community in 2021. Campaigners argued that the plan would strip three communities of their local primary schools, including Godre’r Graig.

With the demolition of the original building now complete, campaigners say the lack of a permanent replacement risks undermining the future of a successful school — and leaving a generation of learners without a stable, community-based education.

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#DavidChadwickMP #education #GodreRgraig #GodreRGraigPrimarySchool #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #newSchool #Pontardawe #portacabin #SionedWilliamsMS #SwanseaValley #WelshGovernment

Blockbusters come to Pontardawe as new cinema opens

First screenings announced

The redeveloped 74‑seat cinema launches with a trio of films:

• Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (PG)
• Dora: Magic Mermaid Adventures (U)
• TRON: Ares (12A)

Tickets are available now at pontardaweartscentre.com.

State‑of‑the‑art facilities

The venue now boasts cutting‑edge laser projection, immersive Dolby ATMOS surround sound, and comfortable seating, offering a high‑quality viewing experience in the heart of Pontardawe.

For the first time, audiences will be able to enjoy the latest blockbuster releases locally. The cinema will also host relaxed screenings designed to provide a calm and inclusive environment for people with a range of impairments.

Café bar and theatre upgrades

Visitors will also benefit from a new modern café bar, open to all, while the theatre itself has seen upgrades including new balcony seating, improved lighting and cosmetic enhancements.

The redevelopment builds on the centre’s varied programme of film, music, comedy and theatre, cementing its role as a cultural hub for the community.

Backed by major investment

The project was supported by the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, Arts Council of Wales lottery funding, Neath Port Talbot Council’s capital programme, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Cllr Steve Hunt, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said:

“This fantastic redevelopment means we can now screen the latest blockbuster films right here in Pontardawe. We’re incredibly grateful to the Arts Council of Wales and the Welsh Government for their support in making this vision a reality.”

Cllr Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature, Tourism and Wellbeing, added:

“High‑quality venues like this are vital for our town centres – they bring people in, support local businesses, and create a real sense of place.”

Dafydd Rhys, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales, said the £600,000 investment would “strengthen the cultural life of the community” and ensure the centre thrives as part of a vibrant arts landscape across Wales.

Cabinet Secretary Jayne Bryant said more than £1.2m of Transforming Towns funding had been invested, “strengthening the social and cultural fabric that makes our towns vibrant places where people want to live, work and visit.”

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#ArtsCouncilWales #bar #caféBar #caféBar #cafe #cinema #CllrCenPhillips #CllrSteveHunt #films #JayneBryantMS #movies #NeathPortTalbotCouncil #Pontardawe #PontardaweArtsCentre #TransformingTowns #UKSharedProsperityFund #WelshGovernment

New data reveals rising coal tip risk in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot

Coal tip danger escalates in South West Wales

The risk rating has increased to the highest levels for five more coal tips in Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot, bringing the total number of high‑risk tips in these former mining communities to more than 80.

The newly classified tips include two in the Llynfi Valley above Caerau and Maesteg, and three in the Godre’r‑graig area of the Swansea Valley — the same community where a primary school was closed and later demolished because of fears a spoil tip could collapse.

Neath Port Talbot: Godre’r‑graig in the spotlight

Neath Port Talbot has 41 high‑risk coal tips in total. The latest update confirms that three tips at Godre’r‑graig have been reclassified to Category D, the highest risk level.

The reclassification comes just six years after Godre’r‑graig Primary School was evacuated and later demolished because of the threat from a spoil tip above the playground. Families in the village are still waiting for a permanent replacement school.

Other high‑risk tips in Neath Port Talbot are concentrated in the Afan Valley (Cymmer, Croeserw, Glyncorrwg), the Dulais Valley (Crynant, Seven Sisters, Onllwyn), and around Resolven and Blaengwrach.

📊 Table: Neath Port Talbot high‑risk tips

Bridgend: Valleys carry the heaviest burden

Bridgend has 42 high‑risk tips — the highest number in South West Wales. The Garw and Llynfi valleys carry the greatest concentration, with clusters above Pontycymmer, Blaengarw and Caerau.

Two tips in the Llynfi Valley were reclassified to Category D in the October 2025 update, adding to long‑standing concerns in communities where spoil heaps sit above homes and schools.

📊 Table: Bridgend high‑risk tips

Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire: lighter but not risk‑free

Further west, the numbers are smaller but the risks remain. Swansea has five Category C tips, spread across Cadle/Portmead (2), Pontardawe, Felindre and Loughor. None are currently rated at Category D, but all require annual inspections.

Neighbouring Carmarthenshire has just one Category C tip, located at Ammanford in the Amman Valley — the only high‑risk site in the county.

In Pembrokeshire, no Category C or D tips are recorded, reflecting the county’s different mining history.

The city and county have also faced other mining‑related legacies. In January 2021, homes in Clydach were flooded after water surged from old mine workings, underlining how the impact of coal is not confined to spoil tips alone.

📊 Table: Swansea & Carmarthenshire high‑risk tips

➡️ Pembrokeshire: No Category C or D tips recorded.

A legacy of tragedy and neglect

It is almost sixty years since the Aberfan disaster, when 116 children and 28 adults were killed as a coal tip collapsed onto a school and nearby homes.

Coalfield historian Ben Curtis said that while some tips were removed or made safe after Aberfan, the danger has never gone away.

“It is a potential problem that continues to remain for some of these tips to become unsafe over time, perhaps because of factors like the effects of climate change and increased rainfall,” he said.

For decades afterwards, little was known about the precise locations or conditions of Wales’ thousands of disused coal tips. That changed only after a landslip above Tylorstown in Rhondda Cynon Taf five years ago, which prompted the creation of a national register and new legislation to ensure tips were monitored and made safe.

Today, more than 2,500 disused coal tips have been identified across Wales, the majority of them in the south Wales coalfield. Of these, 360 are classed as Category C or D — the higher‑risk sites that must be inspected once or twice a year. Lower‑risk tips are categorised as A or B.

Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly remain the counties with the highest concentrations of Category C and D tips, each with more than 50. But the latest figures show that communities in Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea and Carmarthenshire are also living with dozens of high‑risk sites on their hillsides.

New dataset and map

The figures come from the latest update to the Welsh Government’s national coal tip database, published on 3 October. The database, first launched in 2023, is updated twice a year and is available through an interactive online map that allows residents to check the location and risk category of tips near their communities.

Coal Authority chief executive Lisa Pinney said managing tips on hillsides was key to reducing risk.

“Just under 300 are higher‑risk sites but that really just means that they need much more regular attention and inspection to make sure they stay safe. Any tip which is old mining material sitting on a hillside can pose a risk, obviously, but the key thing to their safety is to manage water and keep it away. And that’s why these inspections and maintenance are so important.”

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies added:

“The regular updating of this national, publicly available data demonstrates our unwavering commitment to coal tip safety across Wales, and our absolute dedication to protecting people. I want to reassure people living near to where tips have moved categories that this means they will receive increased monitoring and management.”

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Investment and legislation

The Welsh and UK governments say they have now committed more than £220m to coal tip safety, with £118m pledged by Westminster over three years and the remainder from Cardiff Bay. Officials say the funding is being used for inspections, maintenance and remediation works.

But ministers have also warned that the true cost of remediation could reach £500–600m over the next 10–15 years, far above the sums invested so far. In Neath Port Talbot alone, more than £6.3m has been earmarked for safety works, including drainage improvements at Cwmgwrach where one tip was recently upgraded to Category D.

A new law — the Disused Mine and Quarry Tips (Wales) Act — received Royal Assent last month. It will establish a dedicated Disused Tips Authority in 2027 to oversee monitoring and management. The legislation builds on proposals first set out in 2022, when ministers argued that the old law was “no longer fit‑for‑purpose” and called for a supervisory body with enforcement powers and rights of access.

⚠️ What do coal tip categories mean?

Category D
Highest risk. Potential to endanger life or property. Inspected at least twice a year.

Category C
Significant risk. Potential to impact public safety. Inspected at least once a year.

Category A & B
Lower risk. A = very low, B = low. Inspected less frequently.

Why it matters: Category C and D tips are the focus of safety works and new legislation, as they pose the greatest potential danger to communities.

Communities still living with coal’s legacy

Across South West Wales, more than 90 high‑risk tips remain on hillsides above towns and villages. For residents in places like Godre’r‑graig and Caerau, the latest reclassifications are a reminder that the scars of coal mining are not just historical — they continue to shape daily life.

Campaigners say the figures underline the need for long‑term solutions, not just inspections. As one local activist put it: “We’ve lived with these tips for generations. Every reclassification is a reminder that the risk is still with us.”

The risks are not confined to spoil tips alone. In 2021, a burst mine shaft in Skewen caused catastrophic flooding, leading to a national mines safety summit. First Minister Mark Drakeford warned then that climate change and heavier rainfall would increase the likelihood of such incidents.

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#AfanValley #Ammanford #Blaengarw #Blaengwrach #Cadle #Caerau #coalTip #coalTipRisk #coalTipSafety #Croeserw #Crynant #Cwmgors #Cwmgwrach #Cymmer #DulaisValley #featured #Felindre #GarwValley #Glyncorrwg #GodreRgraig #HeolYCyw #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #LlynfiValley #Loughor #Nantymoel #OgmoreVale #OgmoreValley #Onllwyn #Pontardawe #Pontycymmer #Portmead #SevenSisters #SwanseaValley #ValeOfNeath #WelshGovernment