Latest news with #SouthWalesArgus
South Wales Argus
14-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Newport locals capture stunning buck moon views
From the banks of the River Usk to the hills of Caerleon, the full moon offered a breathtaking spectacle that had skywatchers reaching for their cameras. Buck moon from Cwmbran (Image: Richard Edwards) But what exactly is the Buck Moon? The Buck Moon is the traditional name for the full moon in July, a term rooted in Native American and early colonial folklore. It marks the time of year when male deer (bucks) begin to grow their new antlers, covered in soft velvet. This natural cycle inspired the moon's name, symbolising growth, renewal, and strength In 2025, the Buck Moon reached its peak on Thursday, July 10, and while it wasn't a supermoon this year, it still dazzled with its golden hue and low horizon rise, making it appear larger than usual. Some cultures also refer to it as the Thunder Moon, due to the frequent summer storms in July. Buck Moon 2025 (Image: Tereza Sillett) The Buck Moon holds spiritual and cultural significance across many traditions. For some, it's a time to reflect on personal growth and set intentions for the months ahead. For others, it's simply a chance to connect with nature and marvel at the wonders of the night sky. In Newport, the moonrise was particularly striking, casting a silvery glow over familiar landmarks. Locals shared their photos with the South Wales Argus, capturing everything from the moon framed by the Transporter Bridge to its reflection shimmering on the canal. Buck Moon from Cwmbran (Image: Richard Edwards) Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or a casual observer, the Buck Moon is a reminder of the beauty and rhythm of the natural world. And thanks to the keen eyes of Newport's residents, we can all enjoy a glimpse of this magical midsummer moment.
South Wales Argus
13-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Lliswerry High School FOI reveals home education trend
The South Wales Argus can reveal that the school may have more than three times the Newport average of electively home educated (EHE) pupils who were previously on roll at the school. The South Wales Argus obtained these figures through a Freedom of Information request. However, additional data has been withheld by Newport City Council, we can reveal. Lliswerry High School currently has 63 pupils who were previously enrolled but are now being electively home educated. This figure stands in stark contrast to the average across secondary schools in Newport, where the home education rate is just 1.9%. Parents reaction can be read here: While specific enrolment numbers for Lliswerry were not disclosed in the FOI response, if the school has an average-sized student body of around 1,000, its EHE rate would be approximately 6.3%. This is more than three times higher than the city-wide average for comparable schools. Such a dramatic deviation from the norm would ordinarily raise valid concerns about possible systemic issues or parental dissatisfaction. Whether driven by academic concerns, unmet special educational needs, or broader school culture, the number of pupils opting out cannot be dismissed. It may suggest underlying problems within the school environment that may warrant further FOI investigations from the media and internal investigations by education authorities. Despite public interest in these trends, the local authority has declined to release full datasets on related topics such as staff suspensions and exclusions. Officials cited the risk of identifying individuals due to small sample sizes, a decision that may hamper transparency and limit accountability. The council also stated it does not hold national data on EHE rates across Wales, restricting wider comparison. Even so, Lliswerry's anomaly may justify closer scrutiny of its safeguarding, governance, and educational practices, in parental discussions. Whether driven by academic concerns, unmet special educational needs, or broader school culture, the number of pupils opting out suggests underlying problems that warrant further investigation. The FOI response also revealed that Lliswerry High recorded 414 fixed-term exclusions in 2023/24—more than double the Newport secondary school average of 175.6. Permanent exclusion data was partially suppressed, but the school reported five in 2022/23, compared to a city average of 1.88. Newport City Council has been approached for a comment.
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Oasis do not visit Rogerstone - shock-sighting is fake
The caption read: 'Legends keeping it real in Rogerstone. #GallaghersGoGwent' Within hours, more images appeared. One showed the brothers tucking into a roast dinner at a local pub, with Liam aggressively pointing at a Yorkshire pudding like it owed him money. Other sightings had them browsing Newport's Tesco, wearing period parkas. The trend is now likely to continue on social media as the tour moves on from South Wales. Watch as Oasis reunite after 16 years at Cardiff concert Oasis thank their fans as they close their first gig together in 16 years Before the brothers left, they contacted the South Wales Argus for a photoshoot outside the now-empty music venue, the legendary TJ's on Clarence Place, Newport. The band played a gig there in 1994 and wanted to take two A-list friends with them for the shoot. The brothers did not know the venue had closed 15 years ago, which was a great shock to them and Hulk Hogan. For the shoot, the brothers held up vintage copies of the Argus, printed on the day of their 1994 Newport gig. In Pictures: Oasis fans in Cardiff sunshiiine for first reunion tour gig However as the shoot was taking place, internet sleuths got to work. Zooming in revealed tell tale signs: Liam's head was suspiciously large. Noel's hand was clipping through a roast potato. The shadows were going in three different directions. And in one image, Hulk Hogan was inexplicably in the background, flexing behind the dessert trolley. A fan account allegedly posted: 'Every time they hold up that 1994 Argus, a Brit pop band reforms.' Eventually, Noel broke the silence during an interview with Radio Gwent: 'I've never been to Rogerstone. I don't even know what a Glade Café is. But fair play, that roast looked decent.' Liam tweeted: 'That roast was banging, yeah. Mad for it!'
Rhyl Journal
07-07-2025
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Mark Templeton: Tributes to journalist who died aged 53
Mark Templeton, a father-of-two who spent nearly a decade at the South Wales Argus, died on June 8 at a care home in Wrexham, two years after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and incurable neurological disease. His mother Anne and brother Andrew said: "Mark loved music and the news from an early age, hosting a show on hospital radio in his home city of Wrexham when he was just 16 years old. "He was a fantastic son, brother, and the best dad to his two boys. "The illness he suffered – PSP – is so cruel and awful, but he fought it very bravely and still loved listening to music until the end." Mr Templeton served as news editor and then assistant editor of the South Wales Argus from 2004 to 2012. Kevin Ward, former editor of the Argus, said: "Losing Mark is absolutely devastating for all his family and friends, but particularly for his two young sons. "Mark and I were great friends for more than 20 years and we had some brilliant times together. "I will miss him terribly. "He was energetic, witty, huge fun to be around and a superbly talented journalist. "To see the effect PSP had on him at such a young age has been heart-breaking." Mr Templeton began his journalism career in 1989 as a trainee reporter at the Evening Leader in Wrexham. He rose to deputy news editor before a brief period freelancing in the United States. Returning to the UK, he worked as education correspondent at the Lancashire Telegraph before joining the Oxford Mail as local government correspondent. He later returned to Blackburn as news editor and went on to run the newsroom at the Western Daily Press. In 2004, he joined the South Wales Argus as news editor and was later promoted to assistant editor, overseeing the paper's fast-growing digital presence. After leaving Newport, he led the newsdesk at the Echo in Basildon before transitioning into public relations. He held roles at Medway Council and later became head of communications at the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in 2016. In 2022, he launched his own business, Spark PR, which he ran until his diagnosis in 2023. Mr Templeton's funeral was held in Wrexham on June 26. PSP affects around 4,000 people in the UK and causes problems with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing, worsening over time.
Leader Live
04-07-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
Mark Templeton: Tributes to journalist who died aged 53
Mark Templeton, a father-of-two who spent nearly a decade at the South Wales Argus, died on June 8 at a care home in Wrexham, two years after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and incurable neurological disease. His mother Anne and brother Andrew said: "Mark loved music and the news from an early age, hosting a show on hospital radio in his home city of Wrexham when he was just 16 years old. "He was a fantastic son, brother, and the best dad to his two boys. "The illness he suffered – PSP – is so cruel and awful, but he fought it very bravely and still loved listening to music until the end." Mr Templeton served as news editor and then assistant editor of the South Wales Argus from 2004 to 2012. Kevin Ward, former editor of the Argus, said: "Losing Mark is absolutely devastating for all his family and friends, but particularly for his two young sons. "Mark and I were great friends for more than 20 years and we had some brilliant times together. "I will miss him terribly. "He was energetic, witty, huge fun to be around and a superbly talented journalist. "To see the effect PSP had on him at such a young age has been heart-breaking." Mr Templeton began his journalism career in 1989 as a trainee reporter at the Evening Leader in Wrexham. He rose to deputy news editor before a brief period freelancing in the United States. Returning to the UK, he worked as education correspondent at the Lancashire Telegraph before joining the Oxford Mail as local government correspondent. He later returned to Blackburn as news editor and went on to run the newsroom at the Western Daily Press. In 2004, he joined the South Wales Argus as news editor and was later promoted to assistant editor, overseeing the paper's fast-growing digital presence. After leaving Newport, he led the newsdesk at the Echo in Basildon before transitioning into public relations. He held roles at Medway Council and later became head of communications at the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in 2016. In 2022, he launched his own business, Spark PR, which he ran until his diagnosis in 2023. Mr Templeton's funeral was held in Wrexham on June 26. PSP affects around 4,000 people in the UK and causes problems with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing, worsening over time.
