Author: Rhys Gregory

Securing the multi-million pound Celtic Freeport, opening Neath’s new swimming pool, leisure centre and library complex and securing more than £17m in Levelling Up money for the Vale of Neath tourism corridor. These were among Neath Port Talbot Council’s key achievements in the 2022/23 fiscal year outlined in its Corporate Plan Annual Report entitled Recover, Reset, Renew which was endorsed by the council’s Cabinet on 28/11/23. The report shows Neath Port Talbot Council is on track to meet four ambitious wellbeing objectives: Best Start in Life; All Communities are Thriving and Sustainable; Our local Environment, Heritage and Culture Can Be…

Welsh Government has agreed its funding package for the redevelopment of the former Merthyr Tydfil Bus Station site. The circa £1m development will see the unused space transformed into a marketplace with events area, parks, and open green space. Councillor Michelle Symonds, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted that this funding package has now been confirmed and the plans for the site can be realised. These are exciting times for Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre!” Leader of the Council, Councillor Geraint Thomas, said: “We’ve taken onboard the comments of residents through two phases of consultation, and we know that residents…

Residents in Powys are being asked to help the council find anyone that may be sleeping rough in the county so that help and support can be provided. Members of the public can let Powys County Council know about rough sleeping they come across by contacting its Housing Service on 01597 827464 or by emailing [email protected] Cllr Matthew Dorrance, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys, said: “With the weather turning colder, we’re asking residents to be on the lookout for anyone who is rough sleeping in the county. “Whilst rough sleeping is the severest form of homelessness…

Tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales are being encouraged to work with Visit Wales to bring more international visitors to the region. A sell-out Mid Wales Tourism Conference, held at the Metropole Hotel and Spa, Llandrindod Wells, heard that international tour operators are keen to bring visitors to the region. Recognised for its culture, adventure, landscape, history and heritage, Mid Wales is being marketed by Visit Wales to countries France, Germany, Netherlands, USA and Ireland. “Tour operators need accommodation partners and bookable attractions and experiences in Mid Wales, which have an opportunity to grow international business,” said Val Hawkins,…

The Friends of Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth are seeking support to keep a nationally important hoard of Bronze Age metalwork in the county. The exciting find of more than 50 bronze tools, weapons and body ornaments was made by metal detectorists Craig Hearne and Kieran Slade in Llangeitho in 2020. This find of a lifetime was declared as treasure by a coroner under the Treasure Act and an opportunity was given to purchase the hoard for the sum of £4,200. The Friends of Ceredigion Museum are now raising the funds necessary to ensure that the treasure remains in Ceredigion. Bronze…

Leading Welsh environmental services specialist, Forward, has clinched a coveted National Recycling Award. Forward emerged victorious in the Employee Training and Skills category at the ceremony in London on 16 November, the largest and most prestigious event in the recycling and resource management sector calendar. Forward beat the competition thanks to its ‘bringing values to life’ project, set to reaffirm the company’s five core values: trust, preparation, thoroughness, creativity, and persistence. Over the past twelve months, Forward has actively revitalised these values, aligning them with the evolving work landscape post-Covid, inspiring existing team members and guiding new recruits. Judges commented…

City Hospice’s annual charity art auction is back for its 12th year. Cardiff’s local hospice is hosting a charity art auction, as part of its Light up a Life appeal, to support its work in providing specialist palliative care to patients with life limiting and terminal illnesses, and support to their families. The auction will take place at Rogers Jones Auctioneers in Cardiff on Wednesday 13 December. Commencing at 6:30pm, guests will be welcomed with complimentary canapes and a drinks reception, before the auction begins at 7:30pm. Guests can put bids forward online or in person. Returning to wield the…

Winners of What You Will, a competition hosted by the charity Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) inviting children and young people to create new speeches for Shakespeare characters, have been announced at a gala event at London’s Criterion Theatre.     A Ukrainian pupil who arrived in the country as a refugee last year, a young person who created a speech incorporating British Sign Language that was praised by the judges as one of the most ‘ready for theatre’ pieces they had read, and a special education school that created character profiles for guests at the ball in Romeo and Juliet, were among the winners. …

St David’s Cardiff has unveiled its stunning new Christmas decoration scheme, lighting up the city shopping destination for the festive season.     The ‘Do You Believe?’ scheme reveals the wonder and power of believing, showing the ethereal journey of Christmas letters to Santa from children across Wales as they are carried through the air by waves of light, stars and sparkle until they reach the North Pole to power the magic of Christmas.     The new display runs throughout St David’s and is made up of more than 3,000 metres of lights – long enough to cover the pitch of…

International real estate advisor Savills, on behalf of Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), has sold the freehold of its former building in Cardiff, to Remoda Ltd for £1,075,000. The detached two-storey building comprises 10,155 sq ft of high quality office space. The accommodation provides a mix of open plan and glazed partitioned offices, as well as a board room. Externally, there are 54 parking spaces and solar panels on the roof.  Located on Beck Court in Cardiff Gate Business Park, the site benefits from easy access to M4 (J30) and a number of amenities, including an Ibis Hotel, day nursery and…