Latest news with #Torfaen
South Wales Argus
20 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Best and worst areas in Wales for food hygiene ratings
Online training provider High Speed Training analysed Food Standards Agency data for more than 240,000 UK food businesses. Wales ranked seventh overall, with an average score of 4.47 from more than 13,000 premises. This has improved from a score of 4.45 in a similar 2024 study. The biggest improver in Wales was Torfaen, which improved its average score by 0.19, though it still placed in the bottom half of the local authorities list. Newport, which is now ranked 8th in the country, had the biggest improvement in ranking, moving up 4 positions from its 2024 rank of 12th. However, it wasn't all good news. Blaenau Gwent recorded the lowest average score of 3.94. Paul Turner, environmental health officer for North Yorkshire Council, said: "Since its inception 15 years ago, the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme has played a pivotal role in improving standards across the UK. "We are also always pushing to make the display of food hygiene ratings in England mandatory, as it is in Wales and Northern Ireland, to ensure that consumers have all the information they need to make informed choices about where to spend their hard-earned money." Dr Richard Anderson, head of learning and development at High Speed Training, said: "Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them. "Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have improved from 2024. "We would also urge customers to check the food hygiene ratings of establishments they wish to dine at." The report highlighted that more than 25 per cent of Welsh takeaways scored 3 or below in their food hygiene rating, with 36 premises receiving a zero score.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran: Tandoorz takeaway awarded five-star hygiene rating
Tandoorz, located in Fairwater Square, opened on June 5 and was inspected on June 25. The takeaway, which serves kebabs, wraps, curries, and Indian-flavoured pizzas, was rated as "good" in both hygienic food handling and cleanliness and condition of facilities and building. In their management of food safety, they received a "very good" rating. A spokesperson for Tandoorz said: "We had our first visit from Torfaen environmental health, and we are delighted to have achieved a five-star rating. "Many thanks to all our already growing loyal customers for your support, and great thanks to the Tandoorz team. "Our kitchen is open plan, so everyone is welcome to come and see their meals being cooked fresh in front of them by our skilled chefs. "We also have lots of collection-only deals." Tandoorz offer a variety of dishes including donner kebabs in plain, tandoori, or naga flavours, and chicken tikka kebabs made from fresh marinated chicken breast cooked on the chargrill. All their kebabs and wraps are served using fresh naan cooked in the tandoor oven. They also offer traditional curries and Indian-flavoured pizzas. Customers have the option to order online at where they can get 10 per cent off and collect loyalty points. The food hygiene rating is based on three areas: hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and management of food safety. The rating ranges from 0, which means urgent improvement is required, to 5, which means hygiene standards are very good. The inspection is carried out by officers from the food safety team at the council.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- BBC News
Pontypool boy faces months in wheelchair after alleged hit-and-run
A nine-year-old boy faces spending months in a wheelchair after a being hit by a car in a suspected hit-and-run while riding his bike. Theo Rees broke his leg in three places after being hit by a car in Pontypool, Torfaen. His mum, Jo Newman, 46, said he had been through a "horrible, horrible experience" and urged whoever was responsible to come forward. Gwent Police has appealed for witnesses and any footage of a car, believed to be a BMW, travelling where Theo was found. Theo went out for a bike ride at about 19:10 BST on 8 July near his home when he was hit. "We wait until that time so that the end of the day traffic has died down," said Ms Newman. "There is an air tag on his bike so I know where he is and a few minutes later I noticed he was still at the bottom of the road."The mum said she thought he was speaking to a friend and decided to go to see him. On her way she met a neighbour who said "you've got a boy haven't you, he's come off his bike near the line". "It was 30 seconds from my home," Ms Newman said. "The neighbour also told me there was a man in a silver BMW with Theo." By the time Ms Newman reached her son, who was lying on a grass verge, he was being looked after by neighbours including a teacher from a local teacher covered Theo's legs with a blanket and told his mum the boy had given way for a motorist to drive down the hill. Ms Newman said she thought whoever had driven into her son must have carried him and his bike to a nearby grass verge and taken his helmet off. "I think [they] must have been checking if Theo was alive," she said. The mum said she would "like to think" the motorist panicked and drove away as they were scared, but hoped they didn't have children and didn't "have to go through this". "I really don't know what I would say to this person," she added, before calling on the motorist to have a "conscience" and come forward. Ms Newman said the ambulance crew noticed Theo had a broken femur when they tried to roll him over on to a stretcher. "I have never heard screaming like that coming from a child, and then their whole demeanour changed."The medics took two hours to stabilise Theo before he was taken to Noah's Ark Children's hospital in Cardiff. The next morning he underwent a four-hour operation and now has plates in both his thighbone and shinbone. "This has been so traumatic for him," she said. "It's horrible, horrible and I wouldn't wish this on anyone."Theo cannot remember anything other than being hit by a car and waking up to be surrounded by people. Luckily, said his mother, he cannot remember the pain."He's a lot better now that he is home, but he misses his friends and his school. The school have been amazing as has the community. But he misses his football."Gwent Police has appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the Merchants Hill area of Wainfelin, near Pontypool, between 19:15 and 19:45 on 8 July to get in touch.
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen 10k: all you need to know for the 10k run on Sunday
The Torfaen 10K race will take place on July 13, 2025. This popular event, known for its fast, downhill route, will start in Blaenavon and finish in Pontypool Park. With a 9am start, the race offers an excellent opportunity for both newcomers and experienced runners to achieve a personal best. Participants, who must be aged 15 or above, will be rewarded with a commemorative medal, a high-quality tech T-shirt, water, and a banana to help them recover. The event welcomes runners of all abilities, including those with disabilities. A transport service will run from Pontypool to Blaenavon for those who have pre-booked. However, the transport is now fully booked, and race entries are closed. For those who have not received their race pack, collection is available at Pontypool Active Living Centre car park from 6.15am on race day. Safety pins for attaching race numbers will not be provided. The race is governed by Welsh Athletics policy, which discourages the use of personal audio equipment. However, bone conduction earphones are permitted. The team organising the event will be unavailable from 12pm on Friday, July 11, so any queries should be made before then. The Torfaen 10K has introduced a new prize structure for 2025, with the top three male and female finishers and the junior winners being awarded on the day. Category prize winners will be contacted in the days following the race. All profits from the race will be donated to the Mic Morris Memorial Sporting Trust Fund, to support aspiring young athletes. The race, which is described as "the fastest 10K on the planet," consistently attracts both new and seasoned runners. A full road closure will be in place for the event from 8am until 11.30am. The main roads affected include: A4043 Cwmavon Road from the junction of Prince Street and New William Street in Blaenavon to Old Road in Abersychan Old Road Limekiln Road Freeholdland Road George Street Mill Road Hospital Road the northern section of Osbourne Road to its junction with Riverside Riverside Park Road leading up to Penygarn Road Side roads will not be formally closed, but no vehicles will be allowed to access the route during the race. Emergency services will have access at all times. Anyone with travel or caring responsibilities affected by the closures should contact Torfaen's sports development team. The Torfaen 10K offers a thrilling experience for all participants, whether they are seasoned runners or beginners. The event encourages everyone to register and secure their spot in the race, all while supporting a worthy cause.
BBC News
23-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Pontypool homeowner uses Google Earth to win decking planning row
A homeowner has used Google Earth to keep decking he built in his garden after a planning permission dispute with a council. Gareth William Leek, from Pontypool, Torfaen, had been told a planning application was required for his decking years after it was built because it was about 50cm (20in) too far off the ground. Decking more than 30cm (12in) requires planning permission, but local authorities must take action within four years for most developments. A planning officer concluded there was no reason to doubt the decking had not been "substantially completed" for less than four years and Mr Leek's certificate of lawful development was granted. The application stated the decking had been completed in October 2017 and a statement from a neighbour supported Mr Leek's claim it had been built since at least 2019, when they moved to St Augustine Road in Griffithstown, Pontypool. As part of his evidence, Mr Leek also dug out old photographs dating back to August 2017, when the raised wooden platform was constructed. The council planning department said the 4.84m wide, and 3.82m long, light grey composite decking was 83cm from the ground level, meaning it is just over half a metre over the height that requires planning approval, which is 30cm. Planning officer Simon Pritchard said the council accepted the evidence put forward by Mr Leek which included a Google Earth aerial photograph from June Pritchard said the council did not have any evidence itself, or from anyone else, to contradict the information provided.
