Author: Rhys Gregory

New electric TrawsCymru buses running between Carmarthen and Aberystwyth have seen a 65% increase in passengers this year. Launched at the end of March 2023, the new state-of-the-art buses carried more than 100,000 passengers in their first six months in service and more recently have shown an overall increase of passengers by 65% compared to 2022/23. Each vehicle saves 3kg of CO2 per round trip, equating to nearly 13,000 cups of tea. Promotional offers have helped encourage more people to use the sustainable transport service including a £10 travel all-day for two adults and two children summer group ticket, an…

Seventy Pembrokeshire clubs have been successful in receiving grants from the Be Active Wales Fund over the last financial year. In total the clubs received more than £407,800 from the grants scheme from Sport Wales in 2023/24. The fund backed 25 different sports, ranging from archery, basketball and cricket to sailing, short mat bowls and weightlifting and everything in between. The Be Active Wales Fund is open to applications from not for profit community clubs and groups to help develop and sustain their activities. Grants range from a minimum of £300 up to a maximum of £50,000. The scheme will…

People in south Wales can now access free online mental health therapy through a new referral system set up in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB). For the first time, CTMUHB’s Local Primary and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services can refer clients to a suite of guided, online self-help programmes based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CTMUHB – serving Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf – is the third health board to gain direct referral access to the service, with teams at Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) and Aneurin Bevan already referring. Referrals through a…

Hexa Finance has created a specialist Growth Advisor team briefed with the task of helping Welsh businesses grow. Based in Newport, Hexa Finance provide business finance solutions to Welsh SMEs. The business has already been recognised at the Business Growth Wales Awards 2023, winning the Economic Contribution Award. The establishment of its Growth Advisor team demonstrates Hexa’s commitment to increase its level of support to Welsh businesses. The Growth Advisor team will be headed up by General Manager Jason Davies, with Sharon Bromage promoted to Senior Growth Advisor. Andre Le Roux also joins the team, alongside new recruit Robert Smith.…

TMA Security Services, a London-based security service company providing consultancy, training, and guarding services, has acquired Gloucester security service company, Glevum Security Ltd, in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group. Founded in 2019 by Mark Telford, TMA Security was formed to get back to basics of excellent service in security by offering a highly personal service and connecting with its clients’ ethos and culture. The company focusses on developing the skills of everyone at TMA to ensure they are fully equipped to meet all client needs. As one of the leading security services companies in the UK,…

Newable, the leading provider of money, advice and workspace to SMEs, has won a contract with the Welsh Government to support entrepreneurs and businesses on their accelerated growth journey. The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme forms part of the Welsh Government’s Entrepreneur and SME business support services, which helps inspire individuals to become entrepreneurial and ensure micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Wales have access to appropriate and timely information, guidance and support. The Business Wales Accelerated Growth programme will support entrepreneurs and SMEs that have high growth aspirations and will be delivered by Newable’s team of highly…

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend can reveal major development plans to enhance the food offering and experience for guests at the South Wales destination.   To ensure that the Centre continues to attract the most exciting food and beverage restaurant partners for visitors across the country, the Designer Outlet will undertake a substantial investment to redevelop the Food Court area and replace it with new and exciting restaurants. The plans are set to commence at the end of this month and be complete by late Autumn.   The multi-million-pound development will feature a modernised style with bright features and a fresh fit out…

Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has boosted access to public charging in Carmarthenshire with eight high-powered EV chargers installed at Carmarthen Garden Centre in Pensarn, supporting local residents, businesses and visitors with reliable EV infrastructure. The 300kW rapid charge points are compatible with every EV on the market today and can typically add 100 miles of range in just 15 minutes, depending on the model of the vehicle and its battery. Situated at Carmarthen Garden Centre in Pensarn, the chargers are an ideal place to charge an EV whilst enjoying some shopping. Easy to use…

Six pioneering organisations have been awarded a share of over £2 million in funding from Innovate UK — as part of ‘Round 1’ funding to support the impact of their work on the net zero progress of industry in South West Wales. It’s all part of the Net Zero Industry Launchpad for South West Wales — a programme developed by Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, in partnership with Net Zero Industry Wales (NZIW) on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and the Welsh Government. As one of eight Launchpads funded by Innovate UK,…

A plasterer from Bristol will be running the ABP Newport 10K in memory of his twin brother who sadly took his own life in September. Gary Stretton, who has been trying to stay positive since the tragedy, says he used to enjoy running and cycling with his brother Steve. He’s not only taking on the event on Sunday 28th April in Steve’s memory but hopes that in doing so he can help raise awareness of mental health issues too. The 42-year-old said: “On the 16th September 2023 Steve took his own life and it seems both like a lifetime ago…