Author: Rhys Gregory

A major restoration of Cardiff’s historic Central Market is now fully funded, with work expected to begin in Summer 2024, after Cardiff Council successfully secured £3.1 million towards the project from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme. This follows on from the recent announcement of a £2.1 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The remainder of the restoration work will be funded via the Shared Prosperity Fund and direct investment from the Council. A total of approximately £6.5 million will be invested in protecting, preserving and future-proofing the 130 year old, Grade II* Listed Victorian market. Council Leader,…

The wait is over for star apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers across Wales as finalists for the prestigious Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2024 are announced today (November 16). Highlight of the year for apprentices, employers and work-based learning providers and practitioners, the awards are organised by the Welsh Government and supported by the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW). The judging panel had the difficult task of whittling the large number of applications down to 27 finalists in nine award categories. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at ICC Wales, Newport on March 22,…

Tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales are being urged not to miss an important annual conference that’s being held in the region next week. ‘Embracing Tomorrow’s Tourism: Communities, Innovation and Business’ is the theme of this year’sMid Wales Tourism Conference  which is being held at the Metropole Hotel and Spa, Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, November 23. An impressive line-up of speakers will address topical issues impacting the tourism and hospitality industries as well as how innovation and technology will help businesses in the future. There will also be exhibitor stands at the event, giving delegates the opportunity to meet…

A PARAMEDIC who was called a ‘c**t’ and spat at by a patient has relived his ordeal.Geoff Williams, who is based in Chepstow, Monmouthshire, needed hospital treatment after an attack by the man he was trying to help. The 34-year-old describes feeling ‘dirty’ after the incident, which left him unable to work the remainder of his shift. Geoff said: “An assault on one of us is an assault on all of us. “I come to work to help people, not to be assaulted. “This felt personal – there was so much malice.” Geoff and his colleague Matt Baker, an emergency…

Paul McGrath, 67, sexually assaulted a woman in the bus stop outside the Admiral Napier Pub, on Cowbridge Road East, at around 1am on Friday, April 14. Detectives have praised the actions of some members of the public – including a group of young men from Splott – who intervened. McGrath, from Riverside, was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by touching. The court heard that McGrath had targeted the victim who was intoxicated and vulnerable, and that his actions had caused her extreme psychological harm. She was unconscious during the 22-minute ordeal…

North Wales business leaders have been invited to round off 2023 at a historic site as a nationally recognised company owner shares environmental insight and encourages organisations to prepare for the year ahead. The Institute of Directors (IoD) Wales is hosting its annual Christmas networking lunch at Bodysgallen Hall in Llandudno, with Frankie Hobro of Anglesey Sea Zoo announced as the keynote speaker. IoD North Wales chair and Fellow of the organisation David Roberts is calling on businesspeople to attend and learn about the marine wildlife centre’s achievements across the past 12 months. The owner of the visitor attraction will…

A “Team Wales” approach is needed to deliver the renewable energy advances promised by the Celtic Freeport, according to Tom Sawyer, CEO of Port of Milford Haven and Celtic Freeport executive member. The Celtic Freeport, due to be formally designated by the Welsh and UK Governments in spring/summer 2024, will build on the strengths of two of the UK’s leading ports, Milford Haven and Port Talbot, to create a green investment corridor. This will enable Wales to capitalise on renewable energy technologies and to position itself as a leader in the field. Sawyer is one of four speakers lined up…

A South Wales property firm will revitalise a dormant brownfield site outside Merthyr Tydfil with the backing of a £4.1 million investment from the Welsh Government and Development Bank of Wales. MKR Property Developments Ltd has started construction on Paisley Business Park, on the site of the former ICI works at Pant Industrial Estate. The disused site will be turned into a dynamic business park of 14 modern factory units, providing a space for small and medium-sized businesses in the area. The £4.1 million investment is made up of a £2.6 million Welsh Government Property Development Grant coupled with a…

A cat with her two female kittens have been abandoned in a box in Rhymney, Tredegar. They were found by a member of the public in a grey carry container just behind some bins on High Street on 8 November at around 3pm. The finder kindly took them in and kept them safe overnight until they were collected by the RSPCA the following morning. RSPCA animal rescue officer Paula Milton said: “These poor cats must have been so frightened being left inside a carrier behind some bins. Luckily they were found and we’d like to thank the finder for looking…

The Old Point House at Angle has been awarded a Good Food Award in recognition of its food quality, service, and value. The iconic pub, which is reached via a tidal causeway in Angle, Pembrokeshire, specialises in fish, seafood and seaweed harvested off the Pembrokeshire coast or grown in its Secret Sea Garden. Jonathan Williams took on the Old Point House last year after years serving award-winning food from Café Môr, a street food outlet made from a former fishing boat. He took it on the road to festivals and served loyal customers from its regular spot at Freshwater West…