Mirna Smith

Facilities reopening includeRumney Partnership Hub, Llanrumney Hub, Canton Library, Fairwater Hub, Cathays Branch and Heritage Library, Llandaff North & Gabalfa Hub, Grangetown Hub, Rhydypennau Hub, Radyr Library, Whitchurch Hub, Rhiwbina Library and Llanishen Hub. www.cardiff.gov.uk/hubs Access to the libraries and hubs will be on a pre-booked appointment basis (except in urgent cases) for Into Work, housing, benefits, money advice services and public access computers. Customers can order titles or a selection of books based on their interests and preferred genres via the Cardiff Libraries online catalogue or by calling the library phone line (029 2087 1071, option 2). Our Hubs and Libraries service has continued to deliver essential services to residents throughout the past 12 months, even when some of our buildings have had to close and we are pleased to be able to offer some face to face services once again, whenever we’re unable to support customers over the phone or email.

Preparations are underway for the start of work on a new £6.4m scheme that will defend Porthcawl from flooding and any potential future rise in sea levels. With the first phase of the scheme set to focus on the iconic Western Breakwater, construction specialists Knights Brown are in the process of setting up a compound on land at Salt Lake in readiness for the work to begin next month. As part of a second phase which will run concurrently to the first, Knights Brown will focus upon upgrading the Eastern Promenade, which was also originally built in the 1860s, and will create improved flood defences between Porthcawl Marina and Coney Beach. The new flood defence scheme follows a recent successful £3m project that replaced ageing sea defences at Town Beach and ensured that 260 homes, businesses and historic buildings such as the Grand Pavilion can continue to be protected.

Weatherman Derek Brockway is lacing up his boots and is back out on the Wales Coast Path for a brand new series of Weatherman Walking: The Welsh Coast. From Fairbourne to Fishguard and from Llandudno to Llantwit Major, Derek will be exploring spectacular stretches of the 870-mile path and will be joined by a host of co-presenters who show off what each walk has to offer. Putting his best foot forward on the north coast of the Gower Peninsula in south west Wales, Derek starts the new series in Cwm Ivy and embarks on a seven mile walk to Llanrhidian. Along the way, Derek takes a detour off the path to visit a local farmer who rears sheep on the surrounding saltmarsh before trying his hand at weaving Welsh wool in Llanrhidian with a local textiles specialist.

A gathering of just four households in breach of the Covid regulations had a significant impact on the lives of other people as well as those attending the family event. The circumstances came to light during contact tracing after a care home worker, who was one of those at the gathering, tested positive for Covid 19. As we move slowly into the easing of restrictions, we must continue to take care to follow all the necessary precautions to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities safe. Following the rules, maintaining social distancing and good hygiene procedures will help to ensure that we can protect others, particularly the most vulnerable, and do our best to avoid further tighter restrictions or even another lockdown.