Hello and welcome back to The Valleys Lead.
For some Caerphilly residents, their local library is far more than a place to borrow books — it can be a lifeline, a source of connection and a gateway to opportunities. As plans to close 10 smaller libraries move forward, we hear from the people who rely on these community spaces and ask what their loss could mean for the Borough’s most vulnerable residents.
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The Valleys Briefing
(A little round-up of some stories in brief from our valleys. Anytime you have something you’d like to share, no matter how big or small, email laurencrosbymedlicott@gmail.com):
Latest figures for Rhondda Cynon Taf show permanent exclusions have more than halved over the last three years while there has been a significant reduction in incidents of bullying in primary schools. During 2025-26 schools recorded 3,013 exclusions which was a small increase from 2,930 in 2024-25 but below the 3,292 exclusions recorded in 2023-24. Permanent exclusions have fallen from 57 in 2023-24 to 34 in 2024-25 and 27 in 2025-26. Days lost to exclusion have also reduced from 6,143 days in 2023-24 to 4,868 days in 2025-26. Persistent disruptive behaviour continues to be the most common reason for exclusion, accounting for more than 1,000 incidents (1,044). Verbal abuse or threatening behaviour towards adults (746) and physical assaults against pupils (376) are also significant contributors, the report says. The data indicates exclusions are concentrated within secondary-aged pupils with secondary schools accounting for approximately 85% of all exclusions. 305 bullying incidents were reported across primary, secondary, all-through, and special/PRU settings during the autumn and spring terms of 2025-26 which is a decrease of 119 or 28% from the 424 in 2024-25.
Secondary schools accounted for the largest proportion of reported incidents although bullying was recorded across all sectors.
In Merthyr Tydfil, new school buildings have started being used. Goetre Primary School moved to a brand new building on land below Pen Y Dre High School in the Gurnos, and rebranded as Goetre Community Primary School. Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic School has also opened its doors. Willmott Dixon carried out the work to build the new school which is made up of 525 full-time primary school places, 63 full-time equivalent nursery places and 600 secondary school places. The new school brings together four campuses - St Aloysius, St Illtyd’s, St Mary’s, and Bishop Hedley.
How will Caerphilly residents be affected by impending library closures?
Back in 2000, Murat Bedir had just moved to the south Wales valleys from Turkey to live with his Caerphilly-born wife.
Keen to find work, Murat would walk to his local library in Abertridwr after dropping his young son at school and use the internet to search for jobs.
“I didn’t have another way to find a job at that time,” he told The Valleys Lead.
He also used the library to communicate with family and friends in Turkey. By visiting regularly, Murat gradually became plugged into his local community.
“I didn’t know anyone,” he said. “But the library changed that for me. And then I found a job, thanks to the library.”
He went on to work in Cardiff for nearly nine years before resigning to take care of family members.
Committed to his community, Murat later became a children’s football coach at Aber Valley FC, and three years ago, became a community councillor — roles he continues to hold today.
Although he now has internet access at home, Murat continues to use the library to borrow books for himself and his children.
“Reading a book helps us to see the world,” he said.
Considering how pivotal the library was in his own life, Murat said he was “so sad” to learn that Abertridwr Library is one of 10 Caerphilly libraries due to close.
In May 2025, the Labour-run Caerphilly County Borough Council announced plans to close 10 smaller branch libraries - in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, Oakdale and Pengam - and concentrate services into larger regional hubs, with the council estimating the changes would save around £507,000 a year.
Just over three months later, in August 2025, a claim for a Judicial Review was issued against Caerphilly County Borough Council over the decision. The challenge was initially dismissed, but an appeal and interim injunction temporarily paused the plans and allowed the libraries to reopen.
In August 2026, however, a High Court judge dismissed the legal challenge.
