Author: Rhys Gregory

A range of temporary road changes will ensure that tens of thousands of people can enjoy this year’s Wales Airshow safely. The free-entry two-day event is due to take place on July 6 and 7 with a series of world-class displays over Swansea Bay. Whilst many people will travel to the event by car, organisers Swansea Council are encouraging visitors to walk, cycle or take the train or bus to the event with Airshow travel partners GWR, First Cymru and Transport for Wales. Temporary road changes will include seafront sections of Oystermouth Road and Mumbles Road, a number of roads…

Nominations are open for this years GAVO Volunteer Awards. The annual awards ceremony that celebrates the incredible work of volunteers across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, and Newport is taking place in September and October this year to thank those that make a positive impact in our communities. Individuals and groups can be nominated for the following categories: Trustee and Director Food Sustainability Sport & Leisure Community Advocate Environmental Inspirational Young Person (14-25) Family Champion Health & Wellbeing Inspirational Journey Culture and Heritage One winner and one runner up will be chosen for each category by a panel of local community…

In a meeting which took place on Wednesday 5th June, Caerphilly County Borough Council Cabinet members agreed to a formal consultation on the proposal to federate Cwmaber Infants School and Cwmaber Junior School. The federation of schools is a legal process which enables schools to work together through a formal structured process by sharing a governing body that will make decisions in the best interest of all the schools, staff and pupils in that federation. Cwmaber Infants School and Cwmaber Junior School have been informally collaborating since September 2020, with both schools sharing the same Head Teacher. The Governing Body…

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, has made further changes to TB testing in Wales after meeting with and listening to farmers across Wales. The changes, which were announced this week (Wednesday, June 26), are in response to industry feedback and have been made to simplify procedures without compromising the risk of disease spread. The Cabinet Secretary made the announcement ahead of speaking as the guest of honour for the first time at the British Veterinary Association Welsh dinner (Wednesday 26 June). The Cabinet Secretary said the changes to the specific types of TB test…

Cwmbran, South Wales—RPS Telecom, a leading telecoms firm in South Wales, proudly announces the appointment of its General Manager, Natalie Strange, as Co-Chair of the Comms Council UK’s ‘Women in Telecom’ group. In her new role, Natalie will ensure the group aligns with its core vision and values. Her responsibilities include incorporating member feedback to strategically plan and enhance group support and informing members of the latest industry developments. Natalie Strange said, “I am honoured to take on this role and dedicate myself to ensuring that our group consistently reflects our guiding principles. At RPS, we aim to build positive…

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has teamed up with the town’s heritage railway to turn back time by more than 60 years for scores of eager schoolchildren.  On Tuesday, 2 July, the first day of this year’s Eisteddfod, 160 pupils from three schools in the Dee Valley will board a train to transport them in style between Corwen and Llangollen railway stations to enjoy children’s day which is traditionally held on the first day of the core festival. And that’s something that’s not happened since the summer of 1963 when the last ‘Eisteddfod special’ left Corwen before the line was…

A Specsavers store in Swansea has celebrated 40 years of serving the community with a charity fundraiser for a local hospital. The store was opened in 1984 by Specsavers co-founders, Dame Mary and Doug Perkins. It was the first Welsh Specsavers store to open, and one of only five stores to open in the company’s first year – the others being Guernsey, Bath, Bristol and Plymouth. Since then, Specsavers has grown to become the largest privately-owned optical group, with stores in over 11 countries. Dame Mary worked closely with the store’s team during the early days of its opening, helping…

TV soap stars and ex-Premier League players will be raising money for a crime-fighting organisation at a charity football match. The game in aid of North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) is being organised by the Wrexham Police FC team  who are the second favourite club of Wrexham AFC co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Among those expected to be lining up against the off-duty coppers will be a trio of actors from Emmerdale, James Hooton who plays Sam Dingle, Jay Kontzle who portrays Billy Fletcher and Joe Warren Plant aka Jacob Gallagher. They will be turning out for…

The Development Bank of Wales has published its annual results for 2023/24. 430 different businesses benefitted from 491 investments totalling £125.2 million and generating £50.1 million of private sector co-investment. 4,406 jobs were created or safeguarded against a target of 3,779. The average deal size increased to £254,977 and the Bank recorded its largest ever strategic funding deal in January 2024 as part of a syndicate with co-investor Barclays for Bluestone Resorts. The ESG syndicated facility has enabled Bluestone to continue with a major sustainable investment programme, including the development of a 5-hectare solar farm. The value of exits rose…

Thomas Carroll Group has this week reported a 2% growth in turnover, as well as pre-tax profits of nearly £1million in its FY 2023 results. 2023 was a landmark year for the Thomas Carroll Group – the Caerphilly-headquartered independent insurance, risk, wealth management and insurtech company celebrated its 50th year in business and also transitioned into employee ownership, via an employee ownership trust (EOT). The move into employee ownership was taken to reinforce its continuing independence, as well as creating a clear succession plan for the Group. In delivering the EOT, Thomas Carroll Group incurred a number of one-off additional expenses…