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Valley Times, Aberdare (2025)

10/10/2025

Heritage Park’s car boot sale is now fully booked for sellers this Saturday, 11th October, 10am-1pm. 🚨

Entry and parking are free for all bargain hunters—don’t miss out! 🚗🛒Rhondda Heritage Park’s car boot sale is a sell-out this Saturday, 11th October from 10am to 1pm.

Entry and parking are free, so head down for great bargains! 🚗🛍️

10/10/2025

💔 Heartbroken Mum’s Tribute to ‘Beautiful’ Daughter, 8, Who Tragically Died at a School. R.I.P. 🕊️

A tight-knit Rhondda community has been left devastated after eight-year-old Olivia-Grace Huxter died suddenly at Primary School.

Emergency crews were called to the school on Wednesday afternoon after the Year Four pupil suffered a medical emergency. Despite the efforts of teachers and paramedics, Olivia-Grace sadly passed away at hospital.

Her heartbroken mum, Melanie, shared an emotional message online, calling her daughter her “beautiful baby girl” and saying she was “absolutely adored by everyone lucky enough to have known her.” 💔

Penrhys Primary closed its doors on Thursday as pupils, staff, and parents tried to process the tragedy. Headteacher and council leaders described Olivia-Grace as a *cherished member* of the school community.

In a touching gesture, local children went door-to-door collecting money for Olivia-Grace’s family — an act praised by local councillor Julie Edwards as “something to be proud of.” 🌹

Support services have been made available to help pupils and staff as they come to terms with the loss.

🕊️ Rest in peace, beautiful Olivia-Grace. Gone far too soon, but forever remembered.

10/10/2025

Welsh Fans in Tears as Join Dementia Heroes on Pitch 💙

Wembley witnessed a spine-tingling moment last night as Wales players walked out arm-in-arm with fans living with dementia, drawing a standing ovation and floods of emotion from the crowd.

The moving walkout with Alzheimer’s Society mascots left supporters “in tears” and social media buzzing with praise, proving that football’s power goes far beyond the pitch, even though Wales lost against England 3-0.

10/10/2025

is pitching itself as the party that will “stand up for Wales” as leader Rhun ap Iorwerth says voters increasingly see Plaid as the strongest voice to take on rivals ahead of next May’s Senedd election.

Rhun ap Iorwerth has been doubling down on a simple message: if people want a party to fight hardest for Wales, Plaid is the choice, with recent clips and reactions online showing him arguing Plaid is best placed to beat opponents and shift the balance of power in Cardiff Bay.

In broadcast interviews, he’s framed Plaid as the pragmatic challenger ready to end “business as usual” and set a different ambition for government in Wales.

The pitch to voters 📣

The Plaid leader says a “radical” programme focused on tackling child poverty and delivering a “revolution in preventative health” will define the party’s offer, with pledges to improve waiting times and strengthen literacy and numeracy standards across schools.

He argues disillusioned Labour supporters are already moving, insisting Plaid is the credible alternative as the race tightens against Reform and others before the Senedd vote.

With polls suggesting a genuinely competitive election, Plaid believes momentum and message discipline can turn seats their way, from headline by‑elections to core heartlands where the party senses an opening. Social engagement around ap Iorwerth’s videos shows the debate is heating up—exactly the kind of attention parties crave as campaign season approaches.

10/10/2025

🚨 Major Crash Closes Rhigos Mountain Road ⛰️

Rhigos Mountain Road has been closed this morning following a serious collision involving multiple vehicles — including what appears to be a head-on crash.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, with several police units, ambulances and fire engines currently in attendance. A rescue helicopter has also been spotted nearby, reportedly searching for a safe place to land.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area while emergency crews deal with the incident. Delays are expected to continue for some time.

More updates to follow as the situation develops.

10/10/2025

Shock in 😱: Convicted Pa******le Worked at Community Repair Café for Two Years Without Anyone Knowing

Residents in , Rhondda Cynon Taf, have been left horrified after discovering that a man previously jailed for his part in an international pa******le network had been working at a local repair café for two years — without anyone realising.

Ian Baldock, 56, was described by colleagues at Re:Make Valleys as a "quiet, friendly" worker who repaired electrical goods and often chatted with customers, including children. But on September 25, the team learned he was a convicted member of the notorious “Wonderland Club”, a global network known for trading child abuse images.

The revelation triggered outrage. By the next morning, up to 30 furious locals gathered outside the café on Ceridwen Street, demanding to know how Baldock had been allowed to work there. Police were called to calm the situation, and no arrests were made.

Nova Barton, one of the café’s directors, said staff were “in shock” and suspended Baldock immediately after learning the truth. She confirmed the repairman occasionally interacted with children — including those bringing in scooters for repair — but insisted "he will never come back to work."

Re:Make Valleys admitted that no DBS background check was carried out when Baldock was hired, as they were told the roles didn’t meet the criteria for such checks. The shop has now launched an urgent review of its safeguarding and recruitment policies.

Baldock’s crimes date back to the early 2000s when he was exposed as a “crucial link” between international child abuse rings. He served prison terms for distributing and hoarding tens of thousands of indecent images.

“We’ve always seen ourselves as a safe community space,” said Ms Barton. “This has been devastating for all of us.”

South Wales Police confirmed officers were called to the scene and that the crowd “dispersed voluntarily” after discussions.

Maerdy residents are now calling for stronger vetting rules and DBS access for all community-facing roles — to ensure such a scandal never happens again.

10/10/2025

Flags Lowered in Tribute to Fallen Sea Rescue Hero 🕊️♥️

RNLI joined lifeboat stations nationwide yesterday in flying flags at half mast, paying respect to Adrian Willyson Brask, a dedicated member of the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue.

Adrian tragically lost his life on 26 September during a rescue operation, and his sacrifice is mourned across the global search and rescue community.

On 9 October, stations across the country lowered their flags in honour of Adrian’s funeral, standing together to remember his bravery and commitment. Thoughts are with Adrian’s wife, young daughter, family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. 🤍

10/10/2025

Care Homes Crisis: Is the Government Abandoning Vulnerable Brits by Refusing to Fix Dangerous Staffing Shortages? ⚠️💷

The GMB Union has sounded the alarm, warning that the UK must recruit over 350,000 new care workers to meet international safe staffing standards in care homes—a crisis that demands immediate government action and legal guarantees for families and frontline staff alike.

With thousands of dedicated carers stretched to their limits, campaigners are calling for safe staffing levels to be enshrined in law, ensuring vulnerable residents receive the care they deserve—and care workers receive the support and respect they need. Understaffing in care homes puts lives at risk every day, leaving families anxious and staff overwhelmed.

A money bonus could help attract vital new recruits, but lasting change requires real legislative action with investment in people. Share this post to demand safer care for loved ones and a better future for care professionals!

10/10/2025

Critic Slams ‘Irony’ of Supporters Backing Long-Time Politician 🗣️

A Welsh commentator has called out the “strange irony” of some voters planning to back Reform UK because they’re “fed up with politicians”, pointing out that party leader Nigel Farage is “more establishment than anybody else within Westminster”.

, a familiar presence in British politics, has been an elected politician for decades and built a successful brand from his career, making him a key figure of the very political landscape some Reform supporters claim to oppose.

The critic argues that Reform UK’s approach is a “regressive kind of politics”, accusing it of undermining workers’ rights, neglecting community interests, and fostering division to promote its own leaders. Public polling in recent weeks shows that messages attacking Reform UK’s policies on employment rights and the economy are convincing to many voters, especially those still undecided about the party’s direction.

Labour and other parties have also increased their attacks, citing Farage’s support for controversial economic policies and a shift towards US-style health care as major risks to working people.

While Reform UK positions itself as anti-establishment, critics say the party’s rhetoric is misleading, with Farage and other leaders “selling a brand” and furthering division rather than serving communities. With the general election approaching, the debate around Farage’s political legacy and Reform UK’s vision for Britain rages on, reflecting deep divisions and uncertainties in UK politics.

10/10/2025

Welsh Politicians Clash Over £2bn M4 Relief Road Demand 💸🚧

Calls to build the controversial M4 Relief Road erupted online today after a blunt post by former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies demanded urgent action to tackle traffic chaos on one of Wales' busiest routes. Davies’ post sent social media into a frenzy, sparking heated debate between drivers’ frustrations and those questioning the eye-watering cost.

One user mocked the proposal: "Have a rummage through your turn-ups and see if there’s a spare £2bn in there. The things you could do with it rather than simply generating more traffic..." Others fired back, insisting new infrastructure is vital to unlock the Welsh economy – even if it means a bigger tax bill.

The £2bn M4 Relief Road proposal has long divided Wales, with campaigners warning it could drain public funds, while supporters say investment would fuel jobs and growth. As tempers flared online, the battle over Wales’ motorway future looks set to rumble on… 💥

09/10/2025

fans stunned by nearly-villainous twist! 😜

😱😂

Gavin, usually the show's heartthrob, was almost written as the series' villain in a dramatic storyline idea for the 2019 special.

Writers James and Ruth, who also play Smithy and Nessa, revealed they had considered a plot where Gavin would have an affair, turning his character upside-down. The unexpected concept left fans wondering how differently the show could have played out under this wild plan.

Would it have been a welcomed twist? 🤷‍♀️

09/10/2025

🔥 “Wales Could Go Up in Flames” — Senedd Warns of Rising Hate and Looming Civil Unrest 🥲

Whole Welsh communities could “go up in flames” unless urgent action is taken to tackle spiralling racism and hate against refugees, a Senedd report has warned.

Experts told politicians that frontline workers now fear for their safety, as hostility towards asylum seekers and minorities reaches what they called “a level of toxicity” across parts of Wales.

Incidents include a Chinese woman being pushed from her bike, social care workers told to “go home”, and Black schoolchildren verbally abused while on trips — all highlighted as signs that tensions are boiling over.

Committee chair Jenny Rathbone MS said a “crisis of trust in politics” and the cost-of-living pressure are fuelling a “tinderbox of discontent” that threatens to erupt into widespread civil unrest.

Flags, she argued, once served as symbols of unity but are now seen as tools of intimidation. She warned: “We must act now to prevent whole communities going up in flames.”

The Welsh Refugee Council revealed that over half of its staff now feel less safe working in Wales, blaming a fast-growing wave of anti-migrant abuse. It pointed to protests in Llantwit Major and Llanelli, social media smear campaigns, and unrest following riots elsewhere in the UK as examples of hate increasingly spilling onto Welsh streets.

Community leaders say far-right groups are exploiting poverty, poor housing, and government mistrust to spread racism and division — turning struggling towns into political battlegrounds.

However, some hope remains. In Llantwit Major, locals, churches and football teams stood up to extremists and outnumbered them — proving, the report says, that “strong community leadership” can still drown out hate.

The committee is now urging the Welsh Government to launch an expert taskforce on social cohesion, boost funding for local groups, and ensure early engagement with communities before placing asylum seekers in housing.

As Rathbone’s stark warning puts it: “Unless we act now, the flames of division will burn through the fabric of our democracy.”

Valley Times

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