From building LEGO masterpieces to meeting animal puppets, Barry’s has plenty to keep families entertained this week.
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Led by the St Athan Veterans’ Hub, the sessions will be held in St Athan and supported by Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes.
The scheme gives veterans a place to socialise, share experiences, and connect in a supportive setting.
Chris Hoad, community builder for Help for Heroes, said: “We’ve been having discussions with Derek Roberts and the team at the St Athan Veterans’ Hub and the work they are doing is just the sort of thing we want to support.
“I’m attending the monthly sessions to help explore how we can harness skills, experience and knowledge that veterans have to offer, in order to have a positive impact on the whole community.”
The veterans’ hub has been running for eight months and is led by Welsh Guards veteran Derek Roberts and fellow veteran Rob Bugden.
Together they have organised social and volunteering activities, created a memorial garden at St Athan Church, and helped ensure veterans have a voice in the community.
Mr Roberts said: “We want to make sure that all veterans and their families have access to the right support.
“We’ve been getting great attendance and support from the local armed forces community, charities and government agencies and we’re keen to build on the momentum.
“It’s great to have the support of Chris and the local Help for Heroes team, to help us make a difference.”
The sessions are open to all local veterans and their families and are held at St Athan Golf Club at 10am on the last Saturday of every month.
Demand for support is growing, as Help for Heroes reported an 11 per cent rise in requests for help from people in Wales in 2024/25 compared to the previous year.
Further information about the group is available by emailing chris.hoad@helpforheroes.org.uk.
The former sprinter has thrown his support behind Cancer Research Wales, encouraging runners of all abilities to join the charity’s Cymru United Team ahead of the race.
Mr Baulch said: “It’s a chance to come together with every mile helping to fund world class cancer research right here in Wales.”
“It’s going to be an amazing experience.
“Just the thought of it brings back such fond memories of race days for me.”
The Barry Island 10k will take place on May 17 and is renowned for its feel-good atmosphere and varied route.
Entries to run as part of Cancer Research Wales’ Cymru United Team close on April 19.
Adam Fletcher, chief executive officer of Cancer Research Wales, said: “We are so pleased to have Jamie Baulch support Cancer Research Wales in the run-up to the Barry 10k.
“Events like this are vital to raise funds for our charity so we can support the incredible cancer research that is taking place right here, on our doorstep.
“As a charity we have invested over £41.68 million in pioneering cancer research projects in Wales over the last 60 years, and by joining Team Cymru United for the Barry Island 10k, you can be part of ensuring that this valuable work continues to happen.”
Participants can join Team Cymru United for a £10 sign-up fee.
Once registered, runners will receive a bespoke fundraising pack, access to race training support, and a Cancer Research Wales branded T-shirt.
Luke Stanley, aged 35, of Despenser Road, Sully was locked up for nearly four years at Newport Crown Court by Judge Carl Harrison.
The defendant pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order eight times and one count of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.
He was jailed for 47 months after he hid a Samsung Galaxy S9 mobile phone from police officers and illegally opened Snapchat accounts.
Stanley was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order on December 14, 2023 after he admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
On that occasion, he was jailed for 22 months, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work.
I wonder if that was one of the reasons Jesus said to his disciples that he wanted to spend Passover night having a meal with them? Although not a nuclear family the twelve disciple and Jesus had a working relationship and Jesus understood more than they ever could have imagined that week the importance of this time together.
Earlier this week on Sunday we have been remembering the amazing crowds in Jerusalem that welcomed Jesus into the city as a hero. (Perhaps just like a few years ago the crowds came to Cardiff to welcome the winning cyclist or the crowds around on rugby international days).
The twelve must have been confused later by some of the activities during rest of the week and thought many a time “What or why is Jesus doing that for?”
It had been an action-packed week, meals out with others, lots of conversations. So, on what was an important day for all of them, it was a great idea that Jesus wanted to spend quality time with the twelve disciples on the eve of what we now call “Good Friday.”
This last night before He went to die on the cross fulfilling the purpose that he had become man to show the love of God to us here on earth, conversations were not easy, especially when a question of trust and betrayal came up. How would you be feeling if you were sitting at the table that evening?
Are you the betrayer, who is the betrayer? Jesus surely is not going to leave us! What a confusing mixture of thoughts! However, as they went out into the cold night, it was with a promise from Jesus, ringing in their ears which they did not understand! But would over the next days see proved.
“But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” Mark chapter 14 verse twenty-eight.
South Wales Police appealing to woman who may be able to help their appeal
Vicky Curtis-Cresswell has faced an “extremely stressful time” after winning the home in Blakeney, Norfolk, in an Omaze draw.
Curtis-Cresswell, from South Wales, had been unable to take ownership of the coastal property after a council investigation discovered it had breached rules.
Omaze spent months working to resolve building issues which they now say are resolved.
The luxury home was offered as a prize by Omaze for Comic Relief in March 2025.
Omaze said: “We are pleased to confirm that all remaining works at the Blakeney property have been completed, and the home is ready for handover.
“Omaze appreciates that the process has taken time given the initial planning-related matters initiated by third parties that have been fully resolved and looks forward to completing the handover shortly.”
She won won the three-bed home in then Omaze’s biggest ever prize draw – raising money for Comic Relief.
But North Norfolk District Council later launched an investigation that found it was in breach of planning rules.
It said elements were built without the correct permission, including a pool, garage and tennis court.
Omaze said she had already received a £250,000 cash prize and has been ”supported throughout the process”.
ENDS
Chloe Wheatley, 20, pleaded guilty to committing the offences last month on March 3.
The defendant, of Dafydd Place, Barry was fined £120 after she appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
She was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
The RSV vaccine, which was first introduced in 2024 for people aged 75 to 79, has been found to reduce the risk of hospitalisation by 75 per cent, according to a new study.
Public Health Wales (PHW) said the vaccine had already led to over 13 per cent drop in RSV-related admissions among the eligible 75 – 79 age group between October 2024 and April 2025.
RSV is a common virus but can be dangerous in older adults, causing serious illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Each year, RSV is estimated to cause between 700 and 1,000 hospital admissions among people over 75, and up to 9,000 GP appointments.
Dr Christopher Johnson, head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at PHW, said: “These early results are very encouraging and show that the vaccine is providing strong protection for older adults in Wales.
“More than 100,000 people aged 75–79 have already taken up the offer of RSV vaccination.
“The expansion of the vaccination programme to people aged 80 and over gives us an opportunity to prevent even more RSV-linked hospital stays.
“This will benefit individuals, but it will also help ease pressure on GPs and hospitals in Wales.
“We know that vaccination is the best way to protect ourselves and others against illnesses like RSV and COVID-19.
“I would encourage everyone who is invited to take up the offer of vaccination this spring.”
Following the early success of the pilot, the RSV vaccine programme is now being expanded to include people aged 80 and over.
A catch-up programme will see people aged 80 and over, and residents in care homes for older adults, offered the RSV vaccine between April and June this year.
Where possible, the COVID-19 spring vaccination will be offered at the same time.
The Met Office is forecasting beach weather across the Vales with sunny weather and temperatures over 20°C in Barry this Tuesday and Wednesday.
The rise in temperatures comes after Wales recorded its joint-fourth warmest March on record – and the warmest since 2017 – according to the Met Office.
Provisional Met Office statistics revealed the UK experienced a mean temperature of 7°C in March, placing it as the joint-tenth warmest March on record dating back to 1884.
Here’s an hour-by-hour forecast for Barry over the two days.
Tuesday
7am: Sunny day – 8°C
8am: Sunny day – 9°C
9am: Sunny day – 11°C
10am: Sunny day – 12°C
11am: Sunny day – 14°C
12pm: Sunny day – 16°C
1pm: Sunny day – 18°C
2pm: Sunny day – 19°C
3pm: Sunny day – 20°C
4pm: Sunny day – 20°C
5pm: Sunny day – 19°C
6pm: Sunny day – 18°C
7pm: Sunny day – 17°C
8pm: Clear night – 15°C
9pm: Clear night – 14°C
Wednesday
7am: Sunny day – 9°C
8am: Sunny day – 11°C
9am: Sunny day – 13°C
10am: Sunny day – 14°C
11am: Sunny day – 15°C
12pm: Sunny day – 16°C
1pm: Sunny day – 17°C
2pm: Sunny day – 18°C
3pm: Sunny day – 19°C
4pm: Sunny day – 20°C
5pm: Sunny day – 19°C
6pm: Sunny day – 18°C
7pm: Sunny day – 16°C
8pm: Clear night – 14°C
9pm: Clear night – 13°C
