Author: Rhys Gregory

A leading civil engineering firm has retained its place as the sole contractor on a framework for one of the UK’s largest resource and waste management companies. During the next two years, Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK will continue delivering landfill engineering schemes for FCC Environment under an extension of the framework it successfully secured in 2022. The multi-million-pound contract strengthens their long-term relationship, with Jones Bros working with the firm since 2011. The extension also means Jones Bros senior contracts manager Dafydd Elis will have overseen the partnership for a full decade, leading an experienced team on UK-wide…

A LUXURY lodge park in the grounds of a prestigious golf club will be in full swing this summer. Eden Lodge Retreat – set in the grounds of Eden Golf Club in Crosby-on-Eden, near Carlisle – is to open its new show homes to prospective owners over the coming weeks. The first phase of the high-quality, 20-acre development is nearing completion to the delight of owners Alistair and Julie Wannop. The Wannop family has farmed the 1200-acre Estate for more than a century, and the golf course has been a mainstay in the village – set in a UNESCO World Heritage…

Global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Company has acquired Aparito, the Wrexham-based med-tech business set-up by Dr Elin Haf Davies and part-funded by the Development Bank of Wales who now exit with an initial return of 2.9x on their £1.2 million equity investment with the potential for this to rise to 3.2x depending upon Company performance in due course . Established in 2014 as part of the Bethnal Green Ventures Accelerator, Aparito is a software business focussed on accelerating drug development by digitising decentralised clinical trials. Initially developed for rare diseases, Aparito’s Atom5™ eCOA platform allows clinical studies to be carried out…

Three British nationals have been arrested and 36 firearms seized as part of joint Spanish National Police and National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. Armed officers deployed to 36-year-old Anthony Finnigan’s property in Murcia, Spain, on 20 June. Finnigan is suspected of being part of a British organised crime group, based in the Murcia area, responsible for trafficking class A drugs through Spain to the UK. He emerged from the property accompanied by another British national, Hasan Topal, 35, and a firearm was discharged in the direction of the attending officers. Warning shots were then fired by the officers and both…

A Neath Port Talbot man has been jailed following conviction for multiple cases of stalking and harassment. 38-year-old Neal Hancock, from Sandfields, was previously handed a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victims, which he subsequently breached. As a result, he has now been sentenced to 46 weeks in prison. Inspector Jared Easton said: “Neal Hancock is a serial stalking offender who has made the lives of numerous victims a misery through his unacceptable behaviour. “He displayed an obsession with his victims, leaving them fearing for their safety.” Stalking and harassment are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act…

Two newly refurbished sports facilities have opened in Talbot Memorial Park, Port Talbot, and Parc Siencyn Powell, Cwmafan as part of a partnership project. Funded by Neath Port Talbot Council and Sport Wales, these new facilities are now open to the public, providing spaces for tennis, netball, and basketball. The previously underutilised areas have undergone a £167,000 revamp, which includes: Resurfacing of the games areas and improved drainage. New court markings set to governing body standards. New court furnishings including tennis nets, and basketball and netball hoops. New perimeter fencing. Improved wheelchair accessibility. Councillor Cen Phillips, Cabinet Member for Nature,…

Newport City Council has welcomed the publication of a report which sets out potential future growth opportunities for the city’s creative sector. The Creative Industries Cluster Hub Impact Report (Un, dau, tri: Steps towards developing a framework to support regional creative clusters), written by Cardiff University’s Centre for the Creative Economy, sets out the findings of a demonstrator pilot project to develop cultural hubs and the creative industries in Newport, Monmouthshire and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The project followed on from the learnings of Clwstwr, a creative industry cluster hub established in Cardiff from 2018-2023. Newport’s pilot was centred around providing business…

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning recently visited the Bush housing scheme in Sketty, Swansea. The scheme is being developed by Coastal Housing Group and will see the creation of 13 new affordable homes for social rent. The homes will include 13 two-person one-bedroom flats. A new dedicated car park for residents is also being built and will include dedicated disability spaces for the first time. Coastal are also exploring whether secure bike storage and EV charging facilities can also be offered as part of their commitment to environmental sustainability The scheme has received more than £1.7m…

The First Minister has announced the appointment of Rhian Bowen-Davies as the new Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Rhian is recognised as an expert chair of Domestic Homicide Reviews involving older people and was Wales’ first National Adviser for Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. She will take up the post in September, when Heléna Herklots’ term as Commissioner comes to an end. In 2008, Wales became the first country in the world to appoint an Older People’s Commissioner. The Commissioner has a range of legal powers to help safeguard and promote the interests of older people. The…

CARDIFF Bay’s leading entertainment venue, The Red Dragon Centre, is hosting a summer market to kick off its summer of fun. Taking place on July 13, the Dragon Bay Summer Market is The Red Dragon Centre’s first venture with Green Top Markets. Located inside the Centre, the market will welcome up to 20 traders and local makers selling gifts, cheeses, breads and more. Green Top Markets host food and craft markets in south Wales to promote local produce and creating a community hub within a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The event promises to be an action-packed day for all the family…