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Wales Online
14-07-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Every space in Wales given a Green Flag Award and there are hundreds
Every space in Wales given a Green Flag Award and there are hundreds There are 35 sites awarded with the flag for the very first time Llandaff Fields in Cardiff has been newly awarded the Green Flag for 2025/26 (Image: Richard Swingler ) Wales has been awarded the most Green Flags across the globe with over 300 spaces given the title. Keep Wales Tidy has awarded 315 spaces across the country with the Green Flag Award, connecting people to parks and green spaces in their area. The sites include parks, university campuses, community woodlands, cemeteries, allotments and housing estates across Wales. A total of 223 community sites receiving the Green Flag Community Award, with 35 of them receiving it for the first time, marks a record for Wales as well as being the highest number across the world. Wales has been awarded 92 Full Green Flag Awards and 223 Green Flag Community Awards. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Cardiff has been given the most awards with 46 followed by Caerphilly who was awarded 26 and Swansea was given 22. Newly awarded Green Flag sites for 2025/26 include Llandegfedd Lake in Monmouthshire, Bronllys Hospital in Powys, Tredegar Park Sports and Recreation Ground in Newport, and Llandaff Fields in Cardiff. Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: "I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded green flag sites. Article continues below "Our local green spaces play a vital role in connecting us to nature, supporting biodiversity and providing opportunities for healthy recreation, and it is particularly pleasing to see people not only using these spaces but also actively helping to maintain and improve them. "The standards required to achieve Green Flag status are exceptionally high, so I'm very delighted to see so many diverse sites and organisations achieving this prestigious recognition and want to congratulate everyone involved for providing outstanding facilities that benefit both local communities and visitors alike." Full list of sites across Wale that received the Green Flag Award (full award) and Green Flag Community Award for 2025/26 Anglesey Amlwch Community Allotments & Wildlife Park - Community Award Church Island - Community Award Llangoed Commons & Aberlleiniog Local Nature Reserve - Community Award Llyn Parc Mawr Community Woodland Group - Community Award Blaenau Gwent Bryn Bach Park - Full Award Aberbeeg Community Centre Garden - Community Award Abertillery Bowling Club - Community Award Beaufort Hill Woodlands - Community Award BGfm Community Garden - Community Award Parc Nant y Waun - Community Award Trevor Rowson Park - Community Award Bridgend Bryn Garw Country Park - Full Award Coychurch Crematorium - Full Award Maesteg Welfare Park - Full Award Caerau & Brynglas Market Garden - Community Award Coed-yr-Hela - Community Award Marlas Green Space - Community Award Ogmore Vale Fire and Rescue Station - Community Award Spirit of Llynfi Woodlands - Community Award Tremains Wood - Community Award Caerphilly Brithdir Cemetery - Full Award Cwmcarn Forest - Full Award Morgan Jones Park - Full Award Parc Cwm Darren - Full Award Parc Penallta - Full Award Ty Penallta - Full Award Waunfawr Park Crosskeys - Full Award Ystrad Mynach Park - Full Award Aber Valley Community Allotment - Community Award Caerphilly Miners Centre Climate Change Garden of the Future - Community Award Coed-Y-Werin/Caerphilly - Community Award Eco Park Cefn Forest - Community Award Libanus Lifestyle Community Garden - Community Award Michael Williams Memorial Garden - Community Award Morgan Jones Community Allotment - Community Award Pontygwindy Allotments & Community Growing Space - Community Award Pontywaun County School Memorial Garden - Community Award St Andrews Community Churchyard - Community Award St Martins Church - Community Award Trethomas Community Allotment - Community Award Taraggan Educational Gardens - Community Award Tirphil Community Hub - Community Award Van Ward Allotments - Community Award Waunfawr Community Garden - Community Award Windy Ridge Allotment - Community Award Ynys Hywel Farm - Community Award Cardiff Bute Park - Full Award Cardiff Bay Barrage - Full Award Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve - Full Award Cathays Cemetery - Full Award Cathays Park - Full Award Flat Holm Island - Full Award Forest Farm - Full Award Grange Gardens - Full Award Hailey Park - Full Award Heath Park - Full Award Hendre Lake - Full Award Llandaff Fields - Full Award Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs - Full Award Parc Cefn Onn - Full Award Parc Tredelerch - Full Award Parc Y Maltings - Full Award Roath Park - Full Award Rumney Hill Gardens - Full Award St Fagans: Natural History Museum - Full Award Thornhill Cemetery and Cardiff Crematorium - Full Award Victoria Park, Cardiff - Full Award Waterloo Gardens - Full Award Western Cemetery - Full Award Ainon Baptist Church - Community Award Canolfan Beulah Garden - Community Award Chapter Community Garden -Community Award Coed Y Felin - Community Award Dusty Forge Garden - Community Award Forest Farm Community Allotment - Community Award Global Gardens Project - Community Award Grow Well Riverside - Community Award Howardian Local Nature Reserve - Community Award Lansdowne Surgery Garden - Community Award Llwynfedw Gardens - Community Award Old St Mellons Community Playing Fields and Park - Community Award Maes y Coed Community Garden - Community Award Nant Fawr Community Woodlands - Community Award Pengam Pavilion Allotments - Community Award Plasnewydd Community Garden - Community Award Railway Garden - Community Award Riverside Community Garden - Community Award StarGarAllot Community Allotment - Community Award St Mellons Community Garden - Community Award St Mellons Pantry Garden - Community Award St Peters Community Garden - Community Award Whitchurch Community Garden - Community Award Carmarthenshire Bishops Park - Full Award Llyn Llech Owain Country Park - Full Award Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park - Full Award Pembrey Country Park - Full Award University of Wales Trinity Saint David Carmarthen Campus - Full Award Burry Port Community Garden - Community Award Cydweli Sensory Community Project - Community Award Danyrhelyg Community Garden - Community Award Footholdcymru Community Garden - Community Award Friends of Betws - Community Award Llanfallteg Memorial Playing Field - Community Award Pontyberem Park - Community Award Ceredigion Aberystwyth University - Penglais Campus - Full Award University of Wales Trinity Saint David Lampeter Campus - Full Award Aberporth Village Hall Recreation Ground - Community Award Coed Y Bont - Community Award Denmark Farm Conservation Centre - Community Award Gardd Enfys - Community Award Llanafan Women's Institute Wildlife Garden - Community Award Penparcau Community Hub - Community Award Silian Village Green - Community Award Tircoed - Community Award Conwy Parc Peulwys - Full Award Tre Cwm - Full Award Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay - Community Award Queens Park - Community Award Ralphs Community Garden - Community Award Station Road Community Garden - Community Award St Cynbryd's Community Gardens - Community Award St Tudno's Churchyard (Great Orme) - Community Award The Dingle (Colwyn Bay) - Community Award The Wishing Well Garden, Conwy Town - Community Award Denbigshire Adullam Garden, Rhyl - Community Award Afon Elwy Riverside - Community Award Ffrith Common Land Park, Prestatyn - Community Award King Georges Field - Community Award Llanferres Playing Field - Community Award Maes Ysgawen - Community Award Maeshafn Playing Field and Orchard - Community Award Marine Lake, Rhyl - Community Award Outside Lives - Community Award Prestatyn Community Woodland/Coed y Morfa - Community Award ReSource / Cae Dai - Community Award Woodland Skills Centre - Community Award Flintshire Bailey Hill - Full Award Greenfield Valley Heritage Park - Full Award Wepre Park Flintshire - Full Award Community Clubhouse & Garden - Community Award Gwynedd Ynys-y-Maengwyn Park - Full Award Gardd Nant - Community Award Gardd Wyllt, Penygroes - Community Award Incredible Edible Porthmadog - Community Award Lle I Enaid Orffwys - Community Award Wern Mynach Nature Reserve - Community Award Y Tir Gardd Cymunedol - Community Award Merthyr Tydfil Aberfan Cemetery - Full Award Cyfarthfa Park - Full Award Taff Bargoed Park - Full Award Thomastown Park - Full Award Cilsanws Nature Reserve - Community Award Dowlais Community Centre Gardens - Community Award Dowlais Nature Garden - Community Award Edward and Trevor Nature Garden - Community Award Hafod Cottages Community Garden - Community Award Hafod Community Nature Garden - Community Award Heolgerrig Park - Community Award Merthyr Nats Bee Garden - Community Award Market Street Garden - Community Award Muriel & Blanche Community Nature Garden - Community Award Nant Llwynog Park - Community Award Penydarren Park - Community Award Penywern Top Pond - Community Award Pontsticill Village & Park - Community Award Twynyrodyn Community Hub - Community Award Woodland Walk - Community Award Monmouthshire Caldicot Castle and Country Park - Full Award Castle Meadows - Full Award Llandegfedd Lake - Full Award Monmouthshire & Brecon - Full Award Old Station Tintern - Full Award Rogiet Country Park - Full Award Bailey Park - Community Award Busy Bees Garden - Community Award Caerwent Meadows - Community Award Caldicot Community Garden - Community Award Crick Meadow - Community Award Crucorney Allotments - Community Award Goytre Community Garden - Community Award Incredible Edible Usk - Community Award Laurie Jones Community Orchard - Community Award Mardy Park - Community Award Rogiet Wildlife Friendly Village - Community Award The Cornfield - Community Award Neath Port Talbot Gnoll Estate Country Park - Full Award Margam Park - Full Award Swansea Bay University Campus - Full Award Talbot Memorial Park - Full Award Victoria Gardens - Full Award Amman Valley Trotting Club - Community Award Cilybebyll Community Growers - Community Award Craig Gwladus Country Park - Community Award Cwmafan Community Orchard - Community Award Friends and Neighbours Centre - Community Award Gardd y Pobl - Community Award Glantawe Riverside Park, Pontardawe - Community Award Sandfields Community Garden - Community Award The Lane Community Garden - Community Award Vivian Park Nature Garden - Community Award Newport Beechwood Park - Full Award Belle Vue Park, Newport - Full Award Gwent Crematorium - Full Award Tredegar Park Sports & Recreation Ground - Full Award Bishton Village Pond Community Area - Community Award Lliswerry Pond - Community Award Pill Unity Gardens Allotment - Community Award Underwood Memorial Garden - Community Award The Glade Community Garden - Community Award Pembrokeshire Scolton Manor Country Park - Full Award Allens View - Community Award Brynberian Community Garden - Community Award Canolfan Clydau Community Garden - Community Award Coast Allotment Project - Community Award Dewi's Acre - Community Award Fishguard & Goodwick Green Spaces - Community Award Hayscastle Community Woodland - Community Award Jubilee Park and Nature Trail - Community Award New Hedges Village Hall Play Park - Community Award Saundersfoot Sensory Garden - Community Award Tabernacle Garden Through Time - Community Award Tenby Edible Community Garden - Community Award Powys Bronllys Hospital - Full Award Cultivate Community Garden - Community Award Dolwen Fields, Llanwrtyd Wells - Community Award Dolydd Gobaith - Community Award Gerddi Bro Ddyfi Gardens - Community Award Llandrindod Pomarium - Community Award Riverside Gardens Llangammarch - Community Award Severn Farm Pond Nature Reserve - Community Award St Catwg's Churchyard - Community Award The Warden - Community Award The Show Allotment, Edible Mach - Community Award Watton Allotment Association - Community Award Rhondda Cynon Taff Aberdare Park - Full Award Dare Valley Country Park - Full Award Taff's Well Park - Full Award Ynysangharad War Memorial Park - Full Award Blaen-y-Cwm Chapel Quiet Garden - Community Award Brynna Allotment Community Garden - Community Award Butchers Pool - Community Award Cwm Clydach Countryside Park - Community Award Daerwynno Outdoor Centre - Community Award Efail Isaf Community Garden - Community Award Eithin - Community Award GGCA Community Garden - Community Award Lee Gardens Pool - Community Award Meadow Street Community Garden and Woodland - Community Award Pixie Bridge Woods - Community Award Penrhiwceiber Old Age Centre - Community Award Perllan Penyrenglyn - Community Award Penyrenglyn Garden - Community Award St Winifred's Church Penrhiwceiber - Community Award Ty Mynydd - Community Award Swansea Clyne Gardens - Full Award Botanical & Ornamental Gardens - Full Award Brynmill Park -Full Award Cwmdonkin Park - Full Award Mount Pleasant Hospital - Full Award Parc Llewelyn - Full Award Penllergare Valley Woods - Full Award Swansea University Singleton Campus - Full Award Victoria Park, Swansea - Full Award Cadle Heath Local Nature Reserve - Community Award Coedbach Park - Community Award Coeden Fach Community Tree Nursery - Community Award Friends of Coed Gwilym Park - Community Award GRAFT: A Soil Based Syllabus - Community Award Kilvey Community Woodland - Community Award Llys Nini - Community Award Mayhill Washing Lake & Community Food Garden - Community Award Pontlliw Park - Community Award Rosehill Quarry Park - Community Award St Madoc Centre - Community Award Swansea Canal - Community Award Swansea Community Farm - Community Award Torfaen Cwmbran Boating Lakes - Full Award Garn Lakes - Full Award Pontypool Park - Full Award Blaen Bran Community Woodland - Community Award Fishpond Park Panteg - Community Award Forgeside Rugby Club Community Garden - Community Award Henllys LNR - Community Award Llanfrechfa Grange Walled Garden - Community Award Oakfield Flower Gardens - Community Award Vale of Glamorgan Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery - Full Award Barry Uniting Church - The Bridge Between Community Garden - Community Award Bee Loud Glade - Community Award Birchgrove Woodlands - Community Award Cwmtalwg Local Nature Reserve - Community Award CF61 Community Gardens - Community Award Elizabethan Orchard - Community Award Friends of Victoria Square - Community Award Goldsland Farm - Community Award Lanlay Orchard - Community Award Little Hill Brock Street - Community Award Old Hall Gardens - Community Award Our Health Meadow - Community Award Upper Orchard Field Wenvoe - Community Award Welsh Orchard Wenvoe - Community Award Wenvoe Community Orchard - Community Award Wenvoe Wild Orchard - Community Award Wrexham Acton Park - Full Award Alyn Waters Country Park - Full Award Bellevue Park, Wrexham - Full Award Ponciau Banks Park - Full Award Ty Mawr Country Park - Full Award Wrexham Cemetery - Full Award Chirk Station - Community Award Erlas Victorian Walled Garden - Community Award Holt Car Park Nature Area - Community Award Maes Y Pant - Community Award Mount Street - Community Award Madeira Hill - Community Award Article continues below Plas Pentwyn - Community Award
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Charlotte Church campaigns against ban on Palestine Action group
Charlotte Church campaigns against ban on Palestine Action group The Welsh singer said: "We will not be silenced" The Welsh singer has been calling for an immediate ceasefire on the Gaza strip (Image: Richard Swingler Photography ) Charlotte Church has joined hundreds of peace campaigners in opposing the ban on Palestine Action. The singer has called the ban an "abuse and misuse" of terrorism laws and signed a letter which describes the ban as "a major assault on our freedoms". The Welsh singer said the ban was an attempt to "silence movements" by branding them as extremists and terrorists, comparing the ban to what was seen with the suffragettes and civil rights protestors. Charlotte said: "I sign this letter because history shows us that when people stand up to injustice, those in power often reach for the same old playbook: label dissent as dangerous, criminalise protest, and try to silence movements for change by branding them as extremists or terrorists. "From the suffragettes to the civil rights movement, what was once condemned as radical disruption is now celebrated as moral courage. We must remember this pattern – and refuse to let our rights be eroded by fear. This is not new, and we will not be silenced. "By signing this letter I am not inviting support for any proscribed organisation – people can make their own minds up – but I am making a clear and strong stand against the abuse and misuse of terrorism laws to malign direct action protest." Palestine Action are a group who use direct action to target Israeli weapons factories in the the UK and their supply chain. Article continues below At the start of July plans to ban the group took effect after a legal challenge against their proscription failed. MPs overwhelmingly voted in favour of the ban. It puts the group in the same category as Islamic State, al-Qaida and the far-right group National Action. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . As a result it is now a criminal offence to be a member of or support the group. Doing either will carry a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Wearing a T-shirt or badge with the group's name could also be punishable with up to six months in prison. Charlotte Church has been vocal in her criticism of the war in Gaza calling for an immediate ceasefire on several occasions. In March 2024, she led a 'Big Sing for Gaza' on the Barry Island Promenade which saw a choir singing "Let Gaza Live", kite flying, sand art and floral tributes. Article continues below At the weekend, 13 people were arrested outside the BBC Wales headquarters for showing support for the group under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and have since been released on police bail. On July 21, Palestine Action will apply for permission for a judicial review to quash the order.
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Police issue update into investigation over protests in Cardiff
Police issue update into investigation over protests in Cardiff The protests held outside of the BBC headquarters on Wood Street in the city centre were among many similar protests being held across the UK A protester being arrested in Cardiff (Image: Richard Swingler ) Police have issued an update on their investigation into protests in Cardiff. Some 13 people were arrested on Saturday during a protest over allegations the protesters were supporting a proscribed terror organisation. The protests held outside of the BBC headquarters on Wood Street in the city centre were among many similar protests being held across the UK. During the protest it's alleged campaigners criticised the decision to class Palestine Action as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act. South Wales Police arrested 13 people on Saturday who they have since released on bail. A spokesperson for the force said on Sunday evening: 'The 13 people who were arrested on Saturday, July 12, during a protest which took place in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff, have been released on police bail. Article continues below 'They were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under Section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (supporting a proscribed organisation). 'The investigation which is being led by CTP Wales with support from South Wales Police is ongoing.' The protesters were lying on the floor and bore placards which read "I oppose genocide" and "I support Palestine Action". Article continues below One said the designation of Palestine Action as a terror group was an "infringement of our democratic right to peaceful protest". South Wales Police said it "supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully".
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
Welsh city experiences hottest day in three years and sees highest temperature in UK
Welsh city experiences hottest day in three years and sees highest temperature in UK Wales experienced the hottest temperature in the UK on Saturday as the peak of a scorching heatwave was reached Thousands descended on Barry Island to make the most of the heatwave on Saturday (Image: Richard Swingler ) A Welsh city was the hottest place in the UK on Saturday as the country experienced the peak of a lengthy heatwave. Cardiff's Bute Park recorded the highest temperature in the UK with a scorching 33.1°C reached. BBC weatherman Derek Brockway said it was the warmest day in the Welsh capital since August 2022 with temperatures being 11 degrees above average for this time of year. Usk also reached a peak temperature of 33°C on Saturday. Although it will be slightly cooler on Sunday temperatures are still expected to reach 30°C. If you have been finding the heatwave a little bit too hot the Met Office has updated its forecast to say when these scorching temperatures will finally drop accompanied by a surprising change. The heat will ease slightly on Sunday with temperatures forecast be "a degree or two lower". There is also a chance that there could be some showers. The Met Office forecast for Sunday says: "Temperatures a degree or two lower today though still widely very warm with sunny spells and light winds. Fair weather cloud bubbling up through the afternoon with a few showers possible in the south later. Maximum temperature 30°C. Article continues below "Increasingly cloudy overnight with showers spreading northeastwards, these perhaps heavy and thundery at times. Still feeling rather warm and muggy, especially in towns and cities. Minimum temperature 15°C." The start of next week is when a real difference will be felt with the weather becoming "changeable". Temperatures are expected to "briefly" drop closer to the seasonal average. The Met Office's outlook for Monday to Thursday also says that there will be showers which could be heavy and thundery. The full forecast for Monday reads: "A cloudier start to the new week with bands of heavy and perhaps thundery showers moving northeastwards. "Some drier and brighter interludes possible. Increasingly breezy and feeling fresher. Maximum temperature 24°C." For the rest of the week, the Met Office say the weather will remain "changeable with spells of rain or showers, these sometimes turning heavy and thundery". Temperatures will be back closer to the seasonal average by midweek. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here . The cooler conditions may not last for too long however. The Met Office long-range forecast from July 17 to July 26 reads: "Weather conditions are expected to be changeable across the UK during this forecast period. "Periods of fine and dry weather are expected at times. These settled spells could persist for several days at a time and are likely to be accompanied by plenty of sunshine. Article continues below "Interspersed with this will be cloudier, more unsettled intervals which will bring some showers or longer spells of persistent rainfall. Some of the rainfall is likely to be heavy in places, with a risk thunderstorms at times as well. "Temperatures are expected to be above normal for the majority of the UK throughout this period. Some hot conditions are likely to develop at times, particularly in southern and eastern areas of the UK."
Wales Online
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Protesters arrested in Cardiff amid UK-wide anger over Palestine Action
Protesters arrested in Cardiff amid UK-wide anger over Palestine Action Arrests were made on suspicion of supporting a proscribed terror organisation A protester being arrested in Cardiff (Image: Richard Swingler ) People protesting in Cardiff on Saturday were among around 70 across the UK arrested for showing support for a proscribed terror organisation. The protests outside the BBC Wales headquarters in the centre of Cardiff were held alongside parallel protests in London and Manchester. Some 13 people were arrested in Cardiff as well as 41 in London and 16 in Manchester. The protests were over the decision to class Palestine Action as a proscribed group under the Terrorism Act of 2000. The designation means that membership of or support for the group is a criminal offence. South Wales Police said that it arrested 13 people who had been protesting outside the BBC offices near Cardiff's Central Square. The protesters were lying on the floor and bore placards which read 'I oppose genocide' and 'I support Palestine Action'. The arrests were all on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation. Article continues below One said the designation of Palestine Action as a terror group was an "infringement of our democractic right to peaceful protest". South Wales Police said it "supports the right for people to make their voices heard through protest providing it is done lawfully". In her speech announcing the decision to make Palestine Action a proscribed body, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper referred to an attack on Brize Norton on Friday, June 20, in which two Voyager aircraft were sprayed with paint. She called it "the latest in a long history of unacceptable criminal damage committed by Palestine Action" and said the Government would not "tolerate those who put [national] security at risk". She said: "Since its inception in 2020, Palestine Action has orchestrated a nationwide campaign of direct criminal action against businesses and institutions, including key national infrastructure and defence firms that provide services and supplies to support Ukraine, NATO, Five Eyes allies and the UK defence enterprise. "Its activity has increased in frequency and severity since the start of 2024 and its methods have become more aggressive, with its members demonstrating a willingness to use violence. Article continues below "Palestine Action has also broadened its targets from the defence industry to include financial firms, charities, universities and Government buildings. Its activities meet the threshold set out in the statutory tests established under the Terrorism Act 2000. "This has been assessed through a robust, evidence-based process, by a wide range of experts from across Government, the police and the security services. "In several attacks, Palestine Action has committed acts of serious damage to property with the aim of progressing its political cause and influencing the Government."
