Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans to protect the future Swansea Marina’s much-loved Helwick lightship have been unveiled by Swansea Council. Cabinet has agreed to spend around £450,000 to restore the striking red and white vessel moored in the marina so it can be protected and enjoyed by future generations. The aim is for Helwick to be restored at the local dry dock in Swansea where it will be repaired and returned to the marina. The Helwick and two other vessels – the Olga and the Canning – are set to be preserved and protected under a plan that could see the Olga sailing again and the Canning restored…

Cwmbran entrepreneurial mums join Vodafone’s business.connected Academy as it brings digital skills training to Cardiff’s entrepreneurs.  Entrepreneurs in Cardiff are set to get a fresh opportunity to enhance their digital prowess with the launch of a pioneering three-part business.connected Academy. Delivered in partnership with Vodafone Business and Enterprise Nation, this initiative is set to equip the city’s business owners with practical digital strategies designed to boost business growth in today’s connected landscape. Recent research highlights the important impact of digital tools on SMEs. The Lloyds Bank Digital Index reports that digitally advanced SMEs are 50% more likely to increase their…

On 14th November, the Richard Burton Centenary celebrations will reach their peak at the RB100 Gala – welcoming Burton’s family, contemporaries, and fans to The Orangery at Margam Country Park for a sold-out evening of performance, music and storytelling. Headlined by renowned actor Michael Sheen and multi-award winning The War of the Worlds composer Jeff Wayne, the Gala evening presents exclusive performances by those who admired, and knew, the iconic Welsh actor. For one night only, Michael Sheen will perform A Christmas Story, penned by Richard Burton himself and inspired by Burton’s hero Dylan Thomas. A ‘poignant and heartfelt recollection…

Newport is becoming a cleaner and greener city, according to a new report outlining Newport City Council’s progress towards becoming a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030. The council’s 2024-25 annual report into its organisational climate change plan shows that emissions have fallen by 8.95 per cent compared to 2023-24, marking a total reduction of 48.9 per cent since the 2019-20 baseline. “The climate emergency is real, and we are determined to do something about it,” said Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, waste and recycling. “By taking action to reduce our emissions, not only are we creating a healthier,…

Over 270 girls from primary schools across Caerphilly County Borough took part in the Girls’ Primary Football Festival at the Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach on Thursday 16th October, marking the largest girls-only football events ever delivered by Sport Caerphilly. The festival saw 27 teams take to the pitches for a fun-filled day of football, teamwork and participation. It is the first of three girls’ football festivals taking place across the academic year, designed to encourage more young girls to get involved in sport and enjoy being active. Support on the day was provided by students from the…

Blaenau Gwent’s new Welsh Medium Primary school is almost complete, and pupils and staff are really excited to move in this November. Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar is a 210-place seedling school, with co-located childcare, in Chartist Way. With the numbers of children in Welsh education growing, it’s part of our commitment to increasing opportunities for families within the county borough. The school has been fully funded by the Welsh Government through the Welsh Medium Capital Grant. Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar is federated with the county borough’s other Welsh primary school, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Helyg, and shares the same Governing Body and Headteacher.…

More focus on prevention and public health is needed to improve people’s long-term health in Wales. Mental Health Minister Sarah Murphy will call on healthcare professionals to become “champions of prevention” to support people to make healthier choices and to address the underlying causes of obesity and continue to cut smoking rates in Wales. Speaking at the Welsh Public Health Conference, in Cardiff, she will highlight the impact of preventable illnesses on people’s lives; on the NHS and the economy. For example, obesity-related illness costs the NHS £365m ever year in Wales and a quarter of adults live with obesity.…

A North Wales behavioural scientist has unveiled a pioneering new exhibition she believes could revolutionise how businesses and public services influence people. Trailblazer Denise Hampson, author of a critically acclaimed book called The Desire Code, has launched what’s being hailed as the UK’s first interactive and immersive showcase, designed to help clients spark fresh ideas and engagement. Ms Hampson, a former Team GB cyclist who qualified as a systems engineer before moving into behavioural science, said the exhibition brings her Desire Code philosophy to life in a way that is “engaging, accessible and immediately useful.” She explained: “This isn’t about…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has this week outlined plans to fundamentally reform the way water is managed, regulated and delivered in Wales  Addressing the findings of the Independent Water Commission Report in the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister said this was a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to reset the water sector and build a better system for Wales. He told the Senedd that changes would mark a decisive shift towards a more sustainable, fair and transparent water sector that puts people, the environment and future generations at its heart. “This is a moment to do things differently – and to do…

A new specialist supported housing scheme in Llanelli is nearing completion after receiving more than £600,000 from the Welsh Government’s Housing with Care Fund (HCF).   The Welsh Government has allocated £60.5 million to the HCF for the 2025–26 financial year and has extended the programme through to March 2027, which aims to expand access to housing that supports independent living with tailored care services in Wales. Thanks to this fund, a former pub on Bryn Road has been transformed into a shared supported housing scheme featuring five ensuite bedrooms—two of which are wheelchair accessible—alongside communal living, kitchen, dining and outdoor areas.…