Latest news with #Pontypool
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'There's support out there' - we visit new wellness café in Gwent town
A brand-new mental health café has opened its doors in Pontypool. 'Grounded Coffee & Wellness' created by mental health charity Tidy Butt is Sebastopol's newest mental health space. Last Sunday on June 15 the team welcomed the community inside with a wellness themed launch party. At the party visitors enjoyed locally made coffee, sampled baked goods and enjoyed ice baths and a woodfire sauna experience. The café's brand-new therapy rooms were also on show. Matthew Creel of Tidy Butt wellness café (Image: NQ) 42-year-old Matthew Creel is the brain behind Tidy Butt. Speaking of Sunday's launch he said: 'Seeing people turn up today and the amount of people that have come in support of us is absolutely incredible. 'People of all ages coming in and enjoying the space and that was our decision from the beginning really. 'It's been a labour of love because we've all been working full time, and we've got families but to see the growth of what we've actually achieved with everybody's support within the community has been absolutely incredible It's mind blowing.' Matthew explained how Tidy Butt was created. The inside of Tidy Butt wellness café (Image: NQ) 'I kind of lost out on a promising rugby carer to a heart condition. I never really dealt with the loss of kind of losing my career as such. 'As a result of that at pre lock down I was kind of at my lowest point but with my wife's support I plucked up the courage I went to the doctor. 'I started looking in my local area mental health wise to see if there was anything I could get involved with. I didn't feel like anything fitted for me at that time, so I thought you know what I'm going to start my own.' Matthew had the following advice to anyone struggling: 'If somebody is struggling, they can come in and have a coffee, they can come to have a chat. 'They can access support upstairs via the counselling, and I just think it's another avenue for people to come down.' Matthew Creel with UFC fighter Mason Jones outside the café (Image: NQ) 30-year-old Mason Jones from Blaenavon is a professional UFC fighter and ambassador for the charity. Despite a thriving UFC career, he's also struggled with his mental health. Mason said: 'I went from fighting in front of 18,000 people to having to deal with a lot of problems with my family and injuries it was a lot in one time. 'I've worked with sports therapists before but actually working with someone about my own mental health was massively important.' He added: 'Reaching out to someone who is actually a professional is a big thing.' Emma Robinson outside the Little Lee Therapy rooms (Image: NQ) Also invited to the launch event was 33-year-old Emma Robinson. Back in 2023, Emma's brother Lee Robinson took his own life just aged 42. The family, alongside Pontypool United, held 'Little Lee Fest', a festival in Lee's memory, with all proceeds going to Tidy Butt and managed to raise over £7000. Lee's memory was honoured at the event with the naming of the 'Little Lee' therapy rooms. Speaking of this Emma said: 'We are thankful that they've still got Lee in mind. 'It's a bad day not a bad life help is out there even though you're struggling and when you're in that dark place there is support out there and you can get out of it.' Community reaction to the event was also positive. Helen King and Reg King in the ice baths (Image: NQ) 52-year-old Helen King and 53-year-old Reg King enjoyed the ice bath and sauna sessions. Helen said: 'It is amazing, I think for women of a certain age going through things like menopause, suffer quite a lot with anxiety so it's really helped and having this resource locally is brilliant.' Reg added: 'It looks good I'm glad there's something here for peoples mental support.' For more information click here.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Tributes pour in for talented footballer, 19, who died suddenly as club make emotional gesture to player who brought 'joy and strength to everyone'
A 'talented' young footballer has died suddenly, aged just 19 with his club retiring his shirt number as a mark of respect. Pontypool footballer Tristan O'Keef tragically passed away on Wednesday, June 11, leaving his family and friends 'devastated'. Tristan played more than 100 games for Pontnewynnd AFC, playing an 'integral part' in the club's 'unforgettable undefeated league campaign' that ended in promotion to the Gwent Premier League. In an emotional tribute from the club, the club said they would retire his number 3 shirt and hang it up in the changing room. He was described as 'kind and humble young man' who was 'loved by his teammates, respected by his coaches, and cherished by all at Pontnewynydd AFC'. The statement from the club read: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of one of our own — Tristan O'Keefe. 'Tristan wasn't just a talented footballer — he was a bright light in our club, a kind and humble young man who brought energy, joy, and strength to everyone around him. 'Loved by his teammates, respected by his coaches, and cherished by all at Pontnewynydd AFC, Tristan was an integral part of our unforgettable undefeated league campaign — a journey that led us to promotion to the Gwent Premier League. 'His presence was felt in every game, every training session, and every moment off the pitch. 'Tristan. You will always be a part of Pontnewynydd AFC. Forever 19. Forever our Number 3.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Tragedy as popular footballer, 19, dies as club release emotional statement and retire jersey
A "talented" young footballer has suddenly passed away aged just 19 leaving his family and friends "devastated." Pontypool footballer Tristan O'Keefe tragically passed away on Wednesday June 11. 3 His sudden and untimely death left family, friends, supporters and his club reeling. Tristan played over 100 games for Pontnewynnd AFC and played a massive role in their promotion to the Gwent Premier League. As a mark of respect the club is retiring Tristan's number 3 jersey and plan to hang it in the changing rooms. He was described as "kind and humble" by those who knew him with Pontnewynnd AFC releasing an emotional statement following his death. The statement from Pontnewynydd AFC reads: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of one of our own — Tristan O'Keefe. 'Tristan wasn't just a talented footballer — he was a bright light in our club, a kind and humble young man who brought energy, joy, and strength to everyone around him. "Loved by his teammates, respected by his coaches, and cherished by all at Pontnewynydd AFC, Tristan was an integral part of our unforgettable undefeated league campaign — a journey that led us to promotion to the Gwent Premier League. "His presence was felt in every game, every training session, and every moment off the pitch. ' We will never forget you, Tristan. You will always be a part of Pontnewynydd AFC. Forever 19. Forever our Number 3.' 3
South Wales Argus
7 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Talented Pontypool footballer Tristan O'Keefe dies aged 19
Tristan's family, friends, club, and supporters have been left shocked by his untimely passing on Wednesday, June 11. As an integral part of the Pontypool side, Tristan played over 100 games for the club and was a huge part in their undefeated league campaign that led them to promotion to the Gwent Premier League. As a mark of respect, the club is retiring Tristan's number 3 jersey and plan to frame and hang it in their changing rooms as a constant reminder of his presence on and off the pitch. Tristan's number 3 jersey will be retired by the club (Image: Pontnewynydd AFC) A statement from Pontnewynydd AFC reads: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of the passing of one of our own — Tristan O'Keefe. 'Tristan wasn't just a talented footballer — he was a bright light in our club, a kind and humble young man who brought energy, joy, and strength to everyone around him. Loved by his teammates, respected by his coaches, and cherished by all at Pontnewynydd AFC, Tristan was an integral part of our unforgettable undefeated league campaign — a journey that led us to promotion to the Gwent Premier League. His presence was felt in every game, every training session, and every moment off the pitch. 'As a mark of our deepest respect and in loving memory of Tristan, we are retiring the number 3 shirt, the number he proudly wore for this club. His jersey will be framed and placed permanently in our changing rooms — a symbol of the incredible impact he made and a reminder that he will always be with us, in spirit and in heart. 'Our entire club is grieving. No words can express the pain we feel or the loss suffered by those closest to Tristan. To his family and friends, we extend our deepest condolences and our unwavering support during this heart-breaking time. 'We will never forget you, Tristan. 'You will always be a part of Pontnewynydd AFC. 'Forever 19. Forever our Number 3.' A vigil in Tristan's memory will be held Saturday 14th June at 3pm at Lasgarn Pitch, . A GoFundMe campaign to help Tristan's family with funeral costs has so far raised more than £5,000. You can donate here: Fundraiser by Tia Hicks : Tristan O'Keefe
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A big welcome to the world for these three Gwent babies
Here are more babies recently born in Gwent. Every week on our New Arrivals page we give them a big welcome to the world. If you've recently had a baby and would like to share your news with us go to and fill in our easy-to-use Q&A. Elijah Thomas PriceElijah Thomas Price was born on May 21, 2025, at the Grange University Hospital, near Cwmbran, weighing 7lbs. His parents are Rickayah and Michael Price, of Pontypool, and his sibling is Malachi, 17 months. Ivy-Mae LawlerIvy-Mae Lawler was born on March 26, 2025, at the Grange University Hospital, near Cwmbran, weighing 8lb 7oz, She is the first child of Skye Lawler, of Newport. Otis James WatkinsOtis James Watkins was born on May 15, 2025, at home in New Inn, near Pontypool, weighing 7lb 1oz. His parents are Georgia Fitzgerald and James Watkins and his big sister is Mabel, 17 months.
