Latest news with #BlaenauGwent
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'We are a chubby community', locals respond after famous ‘gymfluencer' slams town
A valleys town has responded after, yet another famous internet content creator decided to visit the UK's 'fattest' town. Ebbw Vale earned the unofficial title of UK's 'fattest' town back in 2023 after a report published by 'Now Patient' revealed Blaenau Gwent has highest rate of obesity in Wales. The report highlighted nearly 80 per cent of adults were deemed either overweight or obese (with a BMI score of 25 or higher). Since then, the town has played host to a range of popular internet content creators fascinated by these stats. Youtuber Will Tennyson at Ebbw Vale train station (Image: You Tube) Most recently was Will Tennyson,= a 30-year-old 'gymfluencer' hailing from Canada. Having travelled over 3,000 miles from greater Toronto. Tennyson has 3.39 million subscribers. Whilst in Ebbw Vale Tennyson didn't leave the town centre frequenting takeaways and neglecting chain supermarkets located only a few miles down the road. Youtuber Will Tennyson in Ebbw Vale Greggs (Image: You Tube) To begin the video, he claims: 'I'm in Ebbw Vale where fast food isn't just a treat it's a way of life. 'For the next 24 hours I'm going to eat like a local eating my way through this town to understand the real struggles behind these stats.' Other statements included: 'I feel really bad for people who are here because it's all they know…they only know what they know' So, what do locals think about being called the UK's 'fattest' town? Sarah Clay of Caffe Della Citta reacting to label of UK's 'fattest' town. (Image: NQ) 41-year-old Sarah Clay runs Caffe Della Citta. She raised the issue of food poverty. Sarah said: 'I'm overweight myself and I know my BMI is obese. I think most people around here could do with eating a little bit healthier. 'But we are stuck in a crisis, aren't we? If a punnet of strawberries is £3.50 and a family sized bag of crisps is £2.00, what do you do? 'Nobody ever wants to hear the truth we probably are quite a chubby community, but he was quite rude about it.' Ebbw Vale town centre (Ebbw Vale reacts after famous 'gymfluecner' slams town in new mockumentary) (Image: NQ) Councillor Helen Cunningham Cabinet Member for Adult and Communities said: 'It is always disappointing when people seek to capitalise on and peddle derogatory stereotypes of our communities. 'We are talking about places that have endured high rates of poverty that harms people in multiple ways throughout life. 'As a council we are committed to working for an equitable settlement and addressing the invidious structural inequalities at the root of these challenges.' Keyon Davies in Ebbw Vale town reacting to label of UK's 'fattest' town. (Image: NQ) 30-year-old Keyon Davies said: 'I think it's pretty spot on to be honest. I've lived here most of my life and my grandparents are quite obese as well. 'I do find that it's the older generations that are stuck in their ways.' I wouldn't say it's the fattest town, but we do struggle with healthy living.' Jodie of Fresh and Fruity Ebbw Vale (Image: NQ) 39-year-old Jodie works in Fresh and Fruity. She was interviewed by Tennyson. She said: 'I thought he was quite genuine, but he never said anything about obesity. 'It would have been nice to know that was his intentions. It's the same as everywhere there's some people that look after themselves and there's some that don't.' Wayne Grist of Grist's Butchers Ebbw Vale reacting to label of UK's 'fattest' town. (Image: NQ) 60-year-old Wayne Grist runs Grist's butchers. Commenting on the label of 'fattest' town he said: 'I don't think it's what they eat I think it's the amount they eat if you are living in Greggs and are eating quite a lot, you're going to put that weight on.' Beryl and Malcolm Cross reacting to label of UK's 'fattest' town. (Image: NQ) Beryl and Malcolm Cross (75 and 77) are retirees. They thought it was a generational issue. Malcom said: 'That's all there is here fast-food places we look around at some people that live here, and we are lucky that we are like we are because we take care of ourselves. 'They're not exercising and once you get a certain size you can't exercise.' Beryl added: 'It's a different generation, not enough home cooking.' The controversial video can be viewed here.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gwent team unveiled ahead of Street Child World Cup journey
Squad announced for girls football team from Blaenau Gwent Youth Service who will be jetting off to Mexico next year to represent Wales in the Street Child World Cup (Image: Submitted) A girls football team from Blaenau Gwent Youth Service will be jetting off to Mexico next year to represent Wales in the Street Child World Cup. The girls who will be taking part were unveiled at a special event at the Metropole Theatre in Abertillery. Advertisement The event introduced the 10 girls aged from 14 to 17, who were selected to take part in the tournament in Mexico City organised by Street Child United. Cllr Sue Edmunds, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council cabinet member for children, young people and families, said: 'This is more than football - it's about empowerment, equality, and giving young people the platform they deserve. 'These girls are ambassadors for Blaenau Gwent and for children's rights around the world.' The Blaenau Gwent team will not only compete in football matches but also participate in a festival of arts and a youth-led Congress focused on children's rights. Advertisement The Football Association Wales is providing sponsorship of £5,000 towards the trip but the team is looking for more sponsorship opportunities. If you are interested, contact Kristian Gay at or call 07412 614067. Team member Lilly-May York said: 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. We're proud, we're ready, and we can't wait to represent our community in Mexico City.' A big supporter and mentor for the team is Neville Southall, former Wales and Everton goalkeeper, who works for Blaenau Gwent Council as a sports, health and wellbeing employability ambassador. He said: 'I'm absolutely delighted that Blaenau Gwent Youth Service has managed to win a place in the Street Child World Cup in Mexico City, it's the first time I think that a female team from Wales has got to a world cup! Advertisement "For the 10 girls and staff it will be an unbelievable experience and history making for our area and country. The team must raise some of the money, so any donations are welcome, and there are sponsorship opportunities so get on board with our history making girls.' The team who will compete are: Sienna-Mae Cripps, Darcy Gallier-Morgan, Lexi Hamer, Emily Brown, Ayva Batkin, Alexandra Carpe, Peyton Ayears, Ruby Jarett, Lilly-May York and Phoebe Lane.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Change of plans for Ebbw Vale glass factory
A company which was set to open a glass factory in Ebbw Vale has changed its investment plans. Ciner Glass announced it would not proceed with its plans for a new glass bottling facility but was seeking alternative investment projects for the same site. The original plans for the factory, which is based on the Rassau Industrial Estate, was set to create 650 jobs. A spokesperson for the company said it remained fully committed to making long-term investments in the UK and south Wales. The decision not to proceed with the initial plans follows an extensive review of the commercial viability of its previous scheme, which has shown significant changes in UK market company said there would be no impact on the community and sporting initiatives it supports, including Ebbw Vale Rugby Club and the Welsh Rugby Union's Fit , Fed, Fun campaign.A spokesperson for Blaenau Gwent Council said it acknowledged the changes in plans. "The council remains committed to supporting economic growth, attracting investment, and creating opportunities for our residents, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Ciner and partners as they look to develop new plans for the site."A spokesperson for the Welsh government said it was disappointed that the plans for a Ciner Glass plant would not be progressed. "The company has indicated global market forces mean the glass packaging facility is no longer viable, but the decision will nonetheless be felt by the local community," they said.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to convert storage unit at service station into takeaway
Plans have been submitted to convert a storage unit into a new takeaway. The proposal involves changing the vacant unit at Penybont Service Station, Abertillery, from storage use to a takeaway. The plans detail the erection of a single-storey cold room and the installation of high-level extraction ducts on the building's side elevation. The takeaway would operate from 11am to 11pm every day. The planning application was submitted in June 2025, but no decision date has yet been confirmed. The unit, currently vacant, is situated on the north-eastern side of Victor Road and is surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential properties. The application has been assessed under the Wales Spatial Plan, Planning Policy Wales (PPW), and associated Technical Advice Notes (TANs). It also considers the Blaenau Gwent Local Development Plan (LDP) to 2021, specifically policies SP4, SP6, DM1, DM2, and DM5. Read more New café to be created at city park transforming 'eyesore' derelict building Multi-million pound investment to 'breathe new life' into two high streets Newport property to be transformed into community and social club The proposal reportedly aligns with the five objectives of good design, namely access, movement, character, environmental sustainability, and community safety. The location of the unit supports both foot and vehicle access and includes level thresholds for accessibility. The reuse of the existing commercial unit is viewed positively in terms of community activity and crime prevention. The principle of development is supported by both national and local policies for urban development and the reuse of commercial units. The proposal is said to align with the mixed-use nature of the area, with minimal visual impact expected from external additions. No undue impact on neighbour amenity is anticipated, with odour and noise control measures available as conditions. The unit is served by bus routes and pedestrian links, with existing on-street parking. No significant increase in traffic is anticipated. The development is presented as sustainable, policy-compliant, and beneficial for the reuse of the property. The application explicitly requests planning permission in accordance with policy compliance.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Swansea City Ladies football says ACL injury was mental torture
A footballer who ruptured major ligaments in each of her knees has said recovery from the injuries was "mental torture". Chloe Chivers, 26, who plays for Swansea City Ladies, said she was "stuck in the house" after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and considered retirement. Studies have found female footballers are up to eight times more likely than men to injure their ACLs, and players including Wales' Megan Wynne will miss Euro 2025, which starts on Wednesday, as a result. Experts warned a lack of structured performance pathways in women's football was a leading factor. Chivers, 26, from Abertillery in Blaenau Gwent, ruptured the ACL in her right knee in 2018 playing in the qualifying round of the Women's Champions League for Cardiff Met. In 2021, she then ruptured the same ligament in her left knee. "My first one was just a clean rupture, just a turn, and my second one was actual dislocation which caused the rupture," she said. "I sort of remember someone coming in to tackle I thought 'if I don't jump over this, my ankle's going to break'."So I just remember jumping over the ball and yeah just my knee dislocated. I watched it dislocate." Chivers, who is semi-pro and is also a residential support worker, had previously told herself she would retire if she ever injured her ACL, but her family's encouragement helped her get through two successful operations and back on the pitch. "You can't drive, you can't work, you're stuck in the house, you've got to rely on everyone," she said. "It was like mental torture – that's the only way to describe it."Before injuring myself I said if I ever did my ACL I'd retire, so I was really, really reluctant to actually have the operation."I just remember my Mam being like 'come on, you've got to do it'. I just wanted to do it for my family really more than anything." Research has long suggested ACL injuries are more prevalent in female directional changes and landing after heading the ball are common events on a football pitch that can lead to ACL injuries. The injury typically takes about six to nine months to recover from, although returns to competitive sports can take between nine months and a year, sometimes longer. A study by Leeds Beckett University found 14 Women's Super League players sustained ACL injuries either in the league or on international duty since August 2024. They've also launched a three-year research into the injury with Fifpro, the Professional Footballers' Association and high-profile names have suffered injuries, including England captain Leah Williamson, who was absent for the 2023 World Cup, and former Ballon d'Or Feminin runner-up Sam Kerr, who has not played since 2024. Wales' Sophie Ingle has raced back to fitness for the Euros after injuring her ACL in September. But her teammate Wynne was not so lucky and will miss Wales' competition debut. Wynne, 32, who plays for Perth Glory in Australia, suffered an ACL injury in the final game of the season in April. She said she had spoken to head coach Rhian Wilkinson three days before the injury. "She said 'good luck for your last game' and said she was looking forward to catching up when I get back."Obviously, as soon as I did it, that was in the back of my mind that, that chance if I ever did get it, it's over."So yeah, I don't know whether I might have been involved in the May squad, it's hard to kind of think of the what ifs." It was Wynne's second ACL injury - the first coming in 2020 just weeks after joining Bristol City. "Physically, I was probably the strongest I've been in the gym. Just sometimes you just can't help it," she said of her second injury."You've got to wait for the scan results and everything, but unfortunately I already knew by the look on people's faces and the physio's face - something was up."She said recovery had been "hard", especially as her teammates were preparing to compete in the Euros, but she said she was "proud" to have been involved and was looking forward to watching Wales "have the opportunity they all really deserve". Why do women get more ACL injuries? Sara Gray, a graduate sports therapist, said the risk to an ACL injury was "multi-factorial"."Women are not small men we are built very differently and even down to the structure of our bones they sit slightly differently," she said."If we look at where the ACL attaches on the female thigh bone it's smaller in women so if that's smaller, the ACL tends to be smaller and a little bit weaker."She also said the way the thigh bone aligned with the knee also placed the ACL under "a little bit more stress". Dr Kate Williams, a senior lecturer in sports therapy at the University of South Wales, said the biggest difference between male and female athletes was the "physical preparation and performance pathway experiences"."Males have a really good structure for going through an academy or a structured performance pathway."They are given access to excellent medical care, physical preparation, strength and conditioning programs, technical coaching."Females, she added, "don't necessarily have that structure". Research also suggests oestrogen peaks during menstrual cycles can reduce joint Dr Williams said research should go into injury prevention programmes rather than a focus on structural and hormonal difference. "The whole team undertakes a standardized warm-up that addresses a number of physical concerns that predispose our female athletes to ACLs," she said. "As long as we start them them two to three times per week, and we target our younger players, they can be effective in reducing ACL injuries by around 60%."
