EASTER OPENING: Final stretch of Tywi Valley Path set to welcome walkers and cyclists

Carmarthenshire County Council has confirmed the final stretch of the Tywi Valley Path — linking Carmarthen to Llandeilo — will be ready for the public within weeks.

The last section of the 13-mile route, between Abergwili and Ffairfach, marks the completion of the flagship project.

Landmark bridges complete final phase

The final phase includes two major new bridges crossing the River Tywi and River Cothi — described as a key milestone in delivering the scheme.

Once open, the route will provide a continuous, traffic-free path for walkers, cyclists and families travelling through the Tywi Valley.

Scenic route through historic heart of Wales

The path runs through some of Carmarthenshire’s most picturesque countryside, offering views of landmarks including Paxton’s Tower, Dryslwyn Castle and Dinefwr Castle.

Visitors will also be able to explore nearby attractions such as National Botanic Garden of Wales and Aberglasney Gardens, along with independent food stops and cafés along the route.

Boost for tourism and local economy

Council leaders say the completed path will help bring more visitors to the area while supporting local businesses.

Cllr Hazel Evans said the scheme was a “once in a generation project” that connects communities while showcasing the valley’s natural beauty and heritage.

Cllr Edward Thomas added that completing the bridges provides “a stunning new way to experience the county” while supporting active travel and tourism.

Years in the making

The full opening follows years of development, including major funding backing and the phased rollout of different sections of the route.

When complete, the Tywi Valley Path will stretch from Carmarthen to Llandeilo, offering a safe and accessible route for residents and visitors alike.

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Tywi Valley communities asked for views on new woodland
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Tywi Valley Path gets £16.7m Levelling Up boost
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New £15m eco‑business hubs filling up fast, says Welsh Government as demand surges in Carmarthenshire

Ministers say the £15m investment — jointly funded by the Welsh Government and Carmarthenshire County Council — has delivered new sustainable business units at Parc Gelli Werdd in Cross Hands and a second scheme now under construction at Beechwood Industrial Estate in Llandeilo.

According to the Welsh Government, Parc Gelli Werdd’s 26 “state‑of‑the‑art” workshops and offices are already demonstrating “strong market demand” for low‑carbon premises. The Government says the site includes an energy‑management system allowing tenants to control electricity use for cost efficiencies, alongside high‑performance insulation and solar panels designed to reduce running costs and environmental impact.

Officials say the development is around 70% let, with further enquiries being considered for the remaining units.

The Welsh Government also says five new energy‑efficient industrial units are being built at Beechwood Industrial Estate. The scheme, due for completion in June, is described by ministers as being designed to meet a “Net Zero carbon in‑operation target” and will include electric vehicle charging points.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans said businesses consistently highlight the need for modern, flexible space.

“Businesses tell us how access to modern business spaces is crucial to helping them expand and grow,” she said. “Both of these developments in Carmarthenshire deliver to exceptional environmental standards and will reduce operational costs for occupying businesses whilst minimising environmental impact.”

Carmarthenshire County Council says the partnership is helping create high‑quality space for local firms. Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism Cllr Hazel Evans said the new units will support business growth in the county.

“Through collaborative working with Welsh Government, these energy‑efficient commercial units will provide fantastic, flexible spaces for businesses in Carmarthenshire to thrive,” she said.

Fifth daily train to run on Heart of Wales line from December

From 14 December, passengers travelling between Swansea and Shrewsbury via the Heart of Wales line will have access to a fifth daily train.

Transport for Wales is adding a new midday service in both directions, increasing the number of trains from four to five per day. The Heart of Wales line runs through Llanelli, Llandeilo, Llandrindod Wells and Knighton, connecting rural towns with Swansea and Shrewsbury.

The change is part of the UK-wide December rail timetable update. Journey planners have already been updated, and passengers can now check times for travel after 14 December.

Funding and political agreement

The extra service is being funded through the Welsh Government’s 2025–26 Budget deal with Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds.

In a statement, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said:

“The Heart of Wales line provides a spectacular and scenic journey for tourists but is also a vital link for rural communities in Mid Wales, so this will be welcome news for residents and visitors alike.”

“Railway connections are vital in driving prosperity. These changes will make a real difference to customers, who will benefit from more services across Wales and the Borders.”

“This has been made possible by our £800m investment in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.”

Transport for Wales said the new service would give passengers more flexibility for day trips and essential journeys, and help support the local tourism economy.

What it means for passengers

The new train will run midday every day, giving people more choice when planning journeys.

Passengers are being advised to check journey planners for travel after 14 December to see the updated timetable.

#additionalTrains #heartOfWales #janeDoddsMs #kenSkatesMs #llandeilo #llanelli #swansea #trains #transportForWales #welshGovernment

Haunted South West Wales: The spookiest spots to visit this Halloween

From ghostly gamekeepers to spectral actresses, South West Wales has no shortage of spine-tingling tales. A new study by Verdant Leisure ranks Carmarthenshire and Swansea among the most haunted counties in Wales — but Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Bridgend have their own chilling legends to share.

As Halloween approaches, here’s your guide to the most haunted places in our patch — and the stories that still echo through them.

👻 Top 5 Haunted Spots in South West Wales

• Newton House, Carmarthenshire – National Trust mansion with multiple spirits, featured on Most Haunted
• Margam Castle, Neath Port Talbot – Haunted by a white lady, ghostly children and a furious gamekeeper
• Swansea Grand Theatre – Home to “Jenny,” a ghostly actress linked to the Titanic
• Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire – Haunted by Princess Nest, with sightings of a woman in white
• Ogmore Castle, Bridgend – Linked to ghostly knights and riverside apparitions

Carmarthenshire: Newton House and the Ghosts of Pembrey

Carmarthenshire ranks second in Wales for paranormal activity — and it’s easy to see why. At the heart of its haunted reputation is Newton House, a grand National Trust property in Llandeilo. Twice featured on Most Haunted, it’s said to host multiple spirits, including a woman seen drifting through corridors and a man whose footsteps echo in empty rooms. The house’s long history and isolated setting make it a magnet for ghost hunters.

But the real chills lie deeper in the woods. Pembrey Forest, near Llanelli, has terrified locals for generations. Tales speak of the “little hatchet men of Pembrey” — lantern-carrying figures who lured ships onto the rocks before slaughtering survivors and stealing their cargo. During the 19th century, gunpowder and dynamite were produced here, and in WWII, damaged planes often crashed nearby trying to reach the RAF airfield. Today, ghostly figures are said to roam the dunes and shoreline — from cursed pilots to phantom sailors aboard ghost ships.

Whether you’re chasing folklore or just looking for seasonal fun, Carmarthenshire delivers. Paranormal investigations run year-round in Pembrey Forest, but for something gentler, Pembrey Country Park’s Pumpkin Trail offers a family-friendly way to explore the area’s darker side.

🎃 Halloween Event – Carmarthenshire

Pumpkin Trail at Pembrey Country Park
A gentle walk through the woods with spooky surprises for all ages.
Event details

Swansea: Jenny of the Grand and Castle Shadows

Swansea ranks fourth in Wales for paranormal activity — and its ghost stories are as theatrical as they are chilling. The most famous is “Jenny,” said to haunt the Swansea Grand Theatre. Legend has it she was an actress who performed there shortly before boarding the Titanic. Her presence is still felt backstage, with unexplained footsteps and flickering lights reported by staff. Actor Owen Straton retells her story in a haunting reading available on YouTube.

Beyond the stage, Swansea’s castles offer plenty for horror fans. Oystermouth Castle leans into its haunted past with ghost tours and tales of medieval spirits, while Swansea Castle, tucked into the city centre, is part of the “Legendary Castles Trail.” Further west, Oxwich Castle sits above the bay on the Gower Peninsula — a crumbling Tudor ruin steeped in shadow and folklore, perfect for windswept Halloween walks.

Whether you’re chasing ghosts or just dressing up, Swansea’s Halloween calendar delivers. The city’s annual Spooks in the City event returns with a new monster mash-up of street theatre, parades and family fun.

🎃 Halloween Event – Swansea

Spooks in the City
A monster mash-up of street theatre, parades and family fun across the city centre.
Event details

Neath Port Talbot: Margam’s Ghostly Gamekeeper and Abbey Shadows

Neath Port Talbot may not be ranked in the study, but its haunted history runs deep. Margam Castle is widely considered one of the most haunted buildings in Britain. Visitors have reported sightings of a white lady, ghostly children, and the angry spirit of a gamekeeper who once worked on the estate. Paranormal investigators have captured unexplained sounds and shadows in the castle’s grand halls.

Nearby, Neath Abbey is said to be haunted by monks and a Victorian policeman who patrols Old Market Street. The Castle Hotel in Neath has its own cast of ghosts — including an Edwardian boy, a headless cavalier, and a festive spirit who appears only at Christmas. And then there’s the Cursed Wall of Port Talbot, a local legend claiming that if the wall falls, so does the town.

For those who want to experience the chills firsthand, Fright Nights at Margam Castle offer after-dark ghost hunts in one of Wales’ most storied buildings.

🎃 Halloween Event – Neath Port Talbot

Fright Nights at Margam Castle
Paranormal investigations and ghost hunts in one of Britain’s most haunted buildings.
Event details

Pembrokeshire: Princess Nest and the Creepy Mill

Pembrokeshire may not have made the top five, but its haunted history runs deep. Carew Castle is said to be haunted by Princess Nest, a noblewoman whose tragic story has echoed through the centuries. Visitors have reported cold spots, strange noises, and sightings of a woman in white near the battlements.

The county’s coastal paths and ancient churches also carry whispers of ghostly monks, shipwrecked sailors, and long-lost lovers. The windswept ruins and remote beaches make Pembrokeshire a perfect setting for eerie tales and Halloween walks.

This year, Carew Castle is hosting Creepy Mill, a haunted house experience that transforms part of the castle into a terrifying attraction for brave visitors.

🎃 Halloween Event – Pembrokeshire

Creepy Mill at Carew Castle
A haunted house experience inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most storied ruins.
Event details

Bridgend: Ogmore Castle and Creepy Cocktails

Bridgend’s ghost stories are quieter but no less eerie. Ogmore Castle, with its crumbling walls and riverside setting, has long been linked to spectral sightings. Locals speak of a ghostly knight who guards the ruins, and visitors have reported strange sounds after dark.

The county’s folklore also includes tales of haunted inns, shadowy figures in the woods, and mysterious lights near the coast. It’s a place where myths linger — and Halloween brings them to life.

For a grown-up twist, Maesteg Town Hall is hosting Monstrous Myths & Creepy Cocktails — an evening of storytelling, spirits (of both kinds), and seasonal surprises.

🎃 Halloween Event – Bridgend

Monstrous Myths & Creepy Cocktails
A grown-up evening of storytelling and seasonal spirits at Maesteg Town Hall.
Event details

🎃 Halloween Ideas Across the Region

• Book a ghost tour in Carmarthen or Neath
• Visit Newton House or Margam Castle for a haunted day out
• Explore Swansea’s haunted theatre or castle trails
• Share your own spooky sightings — South West Wales has plenty of stories still untold

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Carmarthenshire neighbours celebrate £1 million Postcode Lottery win

A promise kept, a bridge built

Four neighbours in Cwrt Henri, Carmarthenshire are celebrating a shared windfall after their postcode landed the £1 million Millionaire Street prize in the People’s Postcode Lottery draw on Saturday 13 September.

Cwrt Henri sits on the A40 corridor between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, and the postcode win has brought joy to several households in the village.

Among the winners is Isara Panicker, 38, who plans to use part of her £250,000 prize to build a long-promised bridge on her father’s farm.

Isara Panicker said: “We need to build a bridge at the farm. When the river rises, it’s not easy to cross. I promised dad we’d get it done one day — and now we finally can.”

The new bridge will help prevent the farm from being cut off during periods of high water, fulfilling a long-standing commitment to her father Simon.

Neighbours win together

Three of Ms Panicker’s neighbours also won £250,000 each, with the postcode draw bringing joy to multiple households.

Susan Childs, 56, said:

“My mother-in-law has won, my tenant and my neighbour too. So, to win with them — there’s something special about it.”

She and her husband Colin plan to use part of their winnings to travel to New Zealand for a family friend’s wedding.

Their tenant, Julie Carter, 66, a retired nurse, described the win as the start of her dream retirement.

Julie Carter said: “We never thought we would ever win big on Postcode Lottery. But now, this is the retirement we dreamt of.”

Julie and her husband Steve, who married in Key West, Florida without a honeymoon, have already booked a trip to Spain and plan to visit the Maldives after Christmas.

Charities benefit from postcode prize

The ripple effect of the win extends beyond the village, with several Welsh charities receiving significant funding.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales received £80,000 to support its Every Child in Wales initiative.

Dr Lucy A. Sutherland, director of the Garden, said: “We are deeply grateful. This generous funding will support our educators to take their expertise beyond the Garden walls, working with young people and teachers across Wales.”

Two other organisations — Carmarthen Youth Project and St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility — each received £50,000 to support their work with young people and communities.

#A40 #Carmarthen #CarmarthenYouthProject #Carmarthenshire #CwrtHenri #EveryChildInWales #Farming #Llandeilo #LotteryWinner #NationalBotanicGardenOfWales #PeopleSPostcodeLottery #PostcodeLotteryWinners #StDavidsDiocesanCouncilForSocialResponsibility #WelshLotteryWinners

Family pays tribute to 18-year-old Sally Allen following fatal A40 collision

The family of Sally Allen, an 18-year-old from Cresswell Quay, Kilgetty, have paid heartfelt tribute following her death in a collision on the A40 at Broadoak, between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, on Wednesday morning, July 23.

Sally died after a crash involving a red Renault Clio and a blue Audi Q5. In a statement released by Dyfed Powys Police, her family described her as “endlessly caring, unintentionally hilarious and the most amazing supportive and joyful person.”

They added:

“Sally was a much-loved sister to William and Issie, and a treasured daughter of Richard and Kate. She was a beloved granddaughter to Nanna, Bamps, Nanny and Pops and was loved by all her aunties, uncles and cousins. She had a large number of friends and was very popular with everyone who knew her.

In only 18 years of her life, she touched the hearts of so many people within her community, her school, her work and social life. She was a girl who found happiness in attending Young Farmers Club, including Martletwy YFC. She enjoyed horse riding and her day-to-day life at home in Cresswell Quay.

Sally lit up any room she entered with her smile and personality. Since her death it has become apparent how much Sally was loved and cherished. Her sudden absence leaves an unfillable space in the lives so many people that knew and loved her.

The Allen family is devastated, in shock and is being comforted and supported by family and friends.”

Police appeal for witnesses

Dyfed Powys Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision and are appealing for witnesses. Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was travelling along the A40 at Broadoak around 8am on Wednesday, July 23, and may have dash camera footage.

Information can be submitted:

• Online via Dyfed Powys Police’s contact portal
• By email: [email protected]
• By phone: 101, quoting reference 075 of the 23rd

Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

#A40 #A40Collision #BroadOak #Broadoak #Carmarthen #communityTribute #CresswellQuay #DyfedPowysPolice #fatalAccident #fatalCrash #Kilgetty #Llandeilo #MartletwyYFC #RoadTrafficAccident #SallyAllen #WalesNews #witnessAppeal #YoungFarmersClub

Llandeilo youth club expands thanks to £19,816 National Lottery Grant

Llandeilo Children and Youth Society is set to expand its youth club provision following the award of a £19,816 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, allowing more young people in the town to access safe, structured activities.

Based in the basement of Llandeilo Civic Hall, the club currently runs drop-in sessions twice a week for children aged 11 and over. Thanks to the new funding, the society will increase its weekly sessions from two to three and extend access to Year 6 pupils, offering a broader programme of activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and social skills.

The youth club was launched in 2022, during the pandemic, in response to a lack of facilities for young people in the area. It is staffed by trained youth work professionals and supported by a network of local businesses and volunteers. Activities include painting, cooking, games, and informal social time, all delivered in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Chairman Richard Lashley said the funding would allow the society to “press on with plans to broaden the range of opportunities available to local children and give them a safe space in town.” He added: “This is important because there is a big gap in things to do for them.”

Youth worker Lauren Dunkley echoed the sentiment, saying: “It’s so great to see children come out of their shell, make new friends and have the ability to hang out somewhere. With this funding secured, we’re looking forward to putting together an extended programme of activities and making sure everyone is having a great time.”

The club has also received support from the Rotary Club, Round Table, The Plough Hotel and Restaurant, and The Class House gym, which held a month-long fundraising challenge. Llandeilo Mayor, Charlotte Walker has named the society as her chosen charity, further boosting its profile in the community.

The grant forms part of the National Lottery Community Fund’s new strategy, It starts with community, which aims to distribute £4 billion by 2030 to grassroots organisations across the UK. In the last financial year alone, the fund supported more than 13,700 projects, distributing £686.3 million to causes ranging from youth services to environmental initiatives.

The expansion of the youth club is expected to benefit dozens of children in Llandeilo and surrounding villages, offering a vital outlet for social development and wellbeing. With the Civic Hall already home to a wide range of community groups, the youth club’s growth reinforces its role as a central hub for local engagement.

#community #Llandeilo #LlandeiloCivicHall #NationalLotteryCommunityFund #YouthClub

Llandeilo man charged with ‘threats to kill’ and ‘commit arson’

Firearms officers and police drones were called to the town in response to the 42-year-old man’s threats.

Jason Lewis from Ffairfach in Llandeilo was remanded into custody following the incident and will appear at Llanelli magistrates later today (30 June)

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a disturbance at an address in Llandeilo at around 10.10am on Saturday, June 28.

“A number of police resources, including drone operators and firearms officers attended the location, and were supported by other emergency services.

“The road was closed for several hours and reopened at around 5.10pm.

“Jason Lewis, ages 42, from Ffairfach, Llandeilo, has been charged with affray, threats to kill, criminal damage, and threats to commit arson. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Llanelli Magistrates Court on June 30.”

#Arson #criminalDamage #DyfedPowysPolice #Llandeilo #threatsToKill

Consultant appointed to progress Llandeilo bypass scheme

In 2024, Transport Secretary Ken Skates MS approved a preferred route for the long-awaited scheme. This would see a new junction with the A483 and A476 to Cross Hands at Ffairfach, with another junction just before Llandeilo’s iconic brick bridge before the road follows the line of the railway across a new bridge bypassing the town, before joining the existing A40 junction to Carmarthen.

Additional work would also take place in Llandeilo itself, with Rhosmaen Street becoming one-way to provide more space for pedestrians.

Arcadis Consulting will now commission contractors to develop the outline design for the project.

Residents and businesses have argued for many years that the narrow sections of Bridge Street and Rhosmaen Street were not suitable for the heavy traffic which squeezes through it. Llandeilo is also a designated air quality management area due to historic breaches in nitrogen dioxide levels.

The need for a Llandeilo bypass was raised in Parliament as far back as 1970, with feasibility studies for the bypass in progress by 1973, but no draft orders were announced. 

Work to build a bypass was initially supposed to begin in 2019, but this was delayed twice with a new start date of 2025 proposed. 

The project was one of the few road schemes which wasn’t scrapped by former transport minister, Lee Waters MS following his review on road building.

The Welsh Government now say that, subject to successful completion of statutory processes, which will likely involve a public local inquiry, construction work could commence in 2029.

The project has now been estimated to cost £88m – an increase over the original £50m budget, and is now projected to be complete by Autumn 2031 – 61 years after it was first discussed.

#A483 #bypass #Llandeilo #LlandeiloBypass #WelshGovernment

Rail passenger group demands clarity on new Heart of Wales Line timetable

The Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association (HOWLTA) has written to the head of TfW James Price, to ask when the new timetable will be introduced and how it will be publicised.

“We very much welcome the re-introduction of the five trains a day service on the Line”, said HOWLTA’s Chairman Prof. Stuart Cole. Funding for the increased service was agreed as part of the Welsh Government’s budget settlement earlier this year.

“However”, he continued, ‘We appreciate that the provision of funding is only part of the development of a five trains per day service. There are obviously technical and management issues to be addressed . . . Therefore we are keen to see concrete and timely progress towards the introduction of the increased service.”

He noted that the five trains a day service prior to the end of 2024 was beset with problems of reliability. He said “we believe that with the benefit of that experience [the problems] can be overcome. For example we trust the you have overcome the staffing issues which affected the service, and that you will make arrangements to use reliable rolling stock and avoid it being reallocated to other routes as happened previously.”

He also stressed that the new timetable must aim to meet the needs of as many potential users as possible – local people, tourists and those attending meetings/conferences in Llandrindod Wells which is ideally located for gatherings of people from north, mid and south Wales. It should also improve connectivity with services to e.g. Birmingham, Manchester and London.

“HoWLTA would be happy to assist TfW with any ideas, advice or feedback that could help to progress this project,” he concluded.

Meanwhile TfW say they are committed to increasing the frequency of trains on the line.

A spokesperson for TfW said: “We recognise the importance of the Heart of Wales line to the communities it serves and the wider economy, and we are committed to increase services to 5 through trains a day from December 2025.

“We are in regular correspondence with the Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association (HOWLTA) and other interested stakeholders and will continue to update them on the detailed timings at the earliest opportunity once these have been validated by Network Rail.”

#Ammanford #HeartOfWales #Llandeilo #Llandovery #Llanelli #ProfessorStuartCole #trains #TransportForWales