South Wales Echo

Shopping Minus Stress ; Newsbrief

Boost for Heroes' Fund ; Newsbrief

THE South & West Wales Branch of the RAF Regiment Association has given pounds 1,000 to the national Help for Heroes fund. Association members, including Jeff Carney, branch treasurer, and secretary Alan Day, handed the cheque over to David Gatward, the area representative for Help for Heroes, at the Buffs Club in Pencoed, near Bridgend.

Homeless to Work for a Better Future

A GROUP of homeless people have turned their lives around after taking part in a volunteering project through a South Wales charity. Residents of the Huggard Centre in Cardiff have been busy painting, cleaning and gardening at sites across the capital, including at other charities, businesses and even churches, after receiving funding from Cardiff County Council.

House of Horrors Is a Real Trick or Treat ; Hallowe'en Home Is Sure to Get Your Spine Tingling with Excitement

ANYONE passing Sandra Baldwin's house could be easily forgiven for thinking they had walked straight onto the set of the latest Hollywood blockbusting horror movie. With a cemetery in her driveway, a graveyard in her lounge and a rather bloody mannequin taking up residence in her bath, Hallowe'en fan Sandra has turned her Trebanog home into a real house of horrors.

Residents Show Their Support for Disabled Rights

A CALL for the public to back a campaign to take action if they see a disabled person being treated unfairly has won support in Cardiff. The Scope charity says it has attracted widespread backing in the city to expose discrimination. The charity asked people to sign up at their local Scope shop and the response of 530 people at the Churchill Way shop put it among the highest number of responders in Wales and England.

Friends and Foes Old and New Star in Who's Swansong for David Tennant

DAVID Tennant said he was looking forward to watching Doctor Who rather than starring in it, at the launch of his latest adventure. Tennant was speaking at the launch of The Waters of Mars, which sets the foundations for the beginning of the end of Tennant's incarnation as the Time Lord.

Soroptimist Celebration ; Newsbrief

Learn to Rap at Workshop ; Newsbrief

History Hits the Shelves ; Newsbrief

THE latest edition of the Merthyr Historian is on book store shelves. It is the 20th volume of articles to be produced by Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society.

Stars Have Charity in Bag

SHOPPERS are being urged to bag a bargain and help a children's charity. The |House of Fraser gala night on Tuesday is in aid of Ty Hafan.

Officials to Discuss 'Poor' Schools Survey ; Councillors and Headteachers Will Meet Next Week

A TOP-LEVEL meeting of education officials, councillors and headteachers is to be held in the Vale of Glamorgan after a survey highlighted wide-ranging concerns about education in the area's schools. The School Perception Survey by the Wales Audit Office asked head teachers to rate various aspects of the Vale council's education service and its relationship with schools in the area.

Learn to Defend Yourself

A SELF-DEFENCE class for women will be held by a former prison officer. Gareth Noble's class is on November 14 at 10.30am until noon at St Thomas Church, Pantbach Road, Cardiff.

Where the Money Goes

Conservative AM Darren Millar purchased of a table and four chairs for pounds 290. Labour AM Alun Davies bought mirrors, a mattress protector and a laundry basket for pounds 64.46. Ann Jones, a fellow Labour AM, purchased two desk fans for pounds 30.58. Tory AM Jonathan Morgan spent pounds 308.99 on office blinds and pounds 99.99 on a digital camera.Liberal Democrat AM Eleanor Burnham spent pounds 117.99 on a camera and batteries. Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd paid pounds 1,960 to West Wales-based...

Making Plans

Ams Are Thinking Before Spending Our Cash

THE days of Assembly Members spending pounds 2,000 on a sofa appear over, with their latest expenses published online yesterday. Welsh politics was plunged into crisis last year when it was revealed AMs had used taxpayers' money to purchase items including iPods, a memorial wreath and a top-of-the-range televisions.

Brought Tojustice

'Pioneering Op in America Is Our Last Hope'

THE PARENTS of a two-year-old girl with cerebral palsy are attempting to raise pounds 40,000 for pioneering treatment in America. Elodie Wilton was diagnosed with the debilitating condition only a few weeks ago, after her parents became concerned that she was having problems learning to walk.

Stars to Give Charity Christmas Concert

STARS will be celebrating Christmas at Llandaff Cathedral for charity. Soprano Laura Parfitt, tenor Richard Allen, royal harpist Claire Jones and treble Geraint Llyr Owen will be joined by Howell's School Choir and Llandaff Cathedral Girl Choristers for a concert in aid of the George Thomas Hospice.

Care Home Campaigners Hold Protest

FAMILY and friends of residents at a closure-threatened care home were today holding a demonstration outside a meeting of council leaders. Members of the Vale of Glamorgan Council's cabinet were holding the last in a series ofVale on the Road public meetings which give the public a chance to question them on areas of concern.

Get Your Council Tax Bill with Mouse Click

PAYING council tax bills is now just a mouse click away for residents. People in Rhondda Cynon Taf have the option of receiving their bills via secure e-mail, as part of the council's ongoing campaign to offer information and services in the ways customers want.