Author: Rhys Gregory

Bridgend County Borough Council has welcomed news that work is to resume on the construction of an all-new health care centre and 59 affordable homes close to Bridgend town centre later this month. Linc Cymru have appointed Welsh firm Wynne Construction to complete the Sunnyside Wellness Village, which is being developed on the site of the council’s former Sunnyside offices and the town’s old magistrates court. Work on the new three-storey centre originally started at the site in 2021, but had to stop after a previous contractor went into administration, forcing Linc Cymru to launch a new procurement process and…

Illegal vapes with a street value of more than £47,000 have been discovered in a disused WWII bunker in a garden in Swansea. Swansea Council Trading Standards Officers, with the assistance of specially trained tobacco and vape detection dogs, found the illegal vapes during the search of a local shop, suspected of selling both illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco. A search of the bunker at the rear of the shop, also unearthed large quantities of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco. A second operation in the city centre, using Pembrokeshire-based BWY Canine Ltd also seized large quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes…

A lasting tribute for Pembrokeshire loved ones lost during the Covid-19 pandemic and those working on the frontline has been placed at County Hall. Council Chairman Cllr Thomas Tudor unveiled a beautiful stone, kindly donated to the people of Pembrokeshire by Ian Harries of A & C Aggregates. It features a slate plaque, sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven, engraved with a fitting and poignant tribute. The plaque reads: In memory of all those taken from us during the Covid-19 pandemic. We remember our loved ones who died. We think of those who were unable to say goodbye. Our…

South Wales Police are investigating reports of six sudden deaths that have occurred at HM Prison Parc in Bridgend since February 27. Two of the deaths are being treated as non-suspicious with the four remaining deaths believed to be drug related. Detective Inspector Steve Jones said: “At this stage we cannot confirm that the four deaths are connected to any specific drug however a fast-track process has been undertaken and identified the presence of Nitazene based substances in connection with all four deaths. Spice has been identified in two of the four deaths. “Postmortems have been completed on two of…

A shop in Clifton Street, Cardiff, has been closed down after complaints about the sale of illegal tobacco and nitrous oxide canisters. Kermashan Mini Market will be closed for a minimum of three months. A Closure Notice under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 was imposed by Cardiff Magistrates’ Court last week (Thursday, March 21) following joint work by Cardiff Council and South Wales Police. The case came to light when complaints were received that the shop was selling illegal tobacco products and Nitrous Oxide canisters. An investigation was launched and test purchases were made.…

Monmouthshire Building Society is delighted to announce the appointment of Mike Jones to its board as a Non-Executive Director.  Mike has a wealth of experience and is highly respected in the financial services industry with a career spanning over 40 years. He spent over 25 years at Principality Building Society, holding a number of senior leadership positions, before becoming Chief Risk Officer in 2009 and being appointed to the board in 2013.  He was also their Interim Chief Executive Officer for a period in 2019 and 2020. Mike also holds a Non-Executive Director position at POBL Housing Group and was…

LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, has appointed Vera Kuehne as an Investment Manager and Sally Tam as an Investment Executive to increase its support of businesses in Wales and the South West of England. Vera brings six years’ experience in private equity and investment banking. Most recently, she was a Senior Associate at CPP Investments, where she worked on all stages of the transaction process, from deal origination to post-acquisition value creation. Sally joins LDC from PwC in Bristol, where she was an M&A Manager and played a key role advising on transactions…

PDSA, the UK’s leading vet charity for pets in need, has just opened the doors of its brand-new shop in Newport on 21 March.   Bargain-loving customers in the area will now be able to browse and pick-up an array of pre-loved and new items from the store! PDSA charity shops are stocked with fabulous finds from vintage clothes to brand new animal-themed accessories.       They are also a great community hub, where locals can browse and chat to the friendly faces in store, all whilst raising money for an essential cause with every penny spent.      The charity…

ICC Wales will welcome more than 1,900 delegates, 320 exhibitors and 90 speakers when the venue hosts the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Annual Conference and Exhibition in October 2025. The RCGP is the professional body for GPs in the UK and its mission is to encourage, foster and maintain the highest possible standards of patient care in general practice in the UK. The Annual Conference is a highlight in the calendar for healthcare professionals who can update their knowledge by accessing the latest learning to support their continuing professional development and practice skills. It is the first time…

The world is moving fast, and amid growing concerns over climate change, more individuals are making the bold step towards sustainable living. Among these steps, transitioning from gas-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) stands out as a significant move towards reducing carbon footprints. Electric cars are not just a trend; they are the future of transportation.  They offer a cleaner, more sustainable way to navigate our day-to-day journeys, from bustling city commutes to serene road trips across the country. If the idea of driving an electric car intrigues you, here’s your guide to making that transition seamless and enjoyable. Understanding…