Author: Rhys Gregory

The headline NatWest Wales PMI® Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose from 48.0 in December to 49.9 in January, to signal broadly unchanged output levels at Welsh businesses at the start of 2024. The broad stabilisation in activity followed four successive monthly declines. Nonetheless, of the 12 monitored UK areas, only Wales and the North East posted a sub-50.0 reading. Where a decrease in activity was noted, Welsh companies linked this to further subdued demand conditions and a downturn in new…

A doting father from Poland who moved to Wales to help provide for his young daughter is celebrating getting an apprenticeship and making strides in his dream career after returning to college as a mature learner. Originally from Turka in eastern Poland, 44-year-old Miroslaw Kowalczuk decided to move to Cardiff in search of a better life for himself and his beloved seven-year-old daughter, Lena, who still currently lives in Poland. Wanting to develop his skills and improve his job prospects so he could better support her, Miroslaw initially got a job as a sandblaster at Pullman Rail. Through the company,…

From exciting craft activities and natural play areas to fun family trails and winter wildlife spotting, there are a whole host of family adventures to be had at the places cared for by National Trust Cymru this February half term. In North Wales see how many things you can tick off your winter spotter sheet at Bodnant Garden, gather your courage and venture down into the two-level dungeons at Chirk Castle, run wild the natural play areas at Erddig and Penrhyn Castle, or join in the scavenger hunt at Plas Newydd. In Mid Wales, meet Llanerchaeron’s Llanwenog sheep and Seren…

A special ground-breaking ceremony has marked the start of construction of a new pioneering joint education campus, to be located in the Fairwater area of the city. The £110m project is the largest in scale and investment, of Cardiff’s education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The development will include the construction of three new build schools for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School, all situated on a single site. The ground was cut at the site by Wales’s First Minister Mark Drakeford, Cardiff Council’s Leader, Cllr Huw…

Swansea Council has announced a £60,000 fund to make it easier for residents to improve their local areas. A new round of the Crowdfund Swansea programme will enable people across the city to access funding for community improvement initiatives. The council and its community fundraising partner Spacehive are keen to hear from residents with innovative ideas to improve their areas. No fundraising experience is necessary, with the majority of Spacehive creators putting together a community project for the first time. Spacehive assists project creators with online workshops, one-to-one support and resources, providing advice on everything from project costs to campaign promotion. A…

South Wales Police is appealing for any witnesses to a collision on the M4 in the vicinity of junctions 42 (Briton Ferry) and 43 (Llandarcy) at 3:10pm on Friday, January 26, 2024. A 53-year-old woman from Mount Pleasant died as a result of the collision, and has since been named as Victoria Jones. Victoria’s family have paid the following tribute: “Victoria was a social butterfly, always smiling and happy as she loved so much to go out in company with friends and family. She would be especially so happy when out horse riding and swimming. “Victoria will be sorely missed…

Andrew Glyn Passmore, 41, from Hirwaun, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of attempt rape of a girl under 16, assault by penetration and sexual assault. In addition to the jail term, he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life; will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years; and has a 10-year restraining order placed on him. Police Constable Natalie Cook said: “I would like to praise the victim for the strength they have shown during this investigation. I hope that…

Neath Port Talbot Council is seeking people’s views on how the Aberavon Seafront should develop in future to meet the needs of residents and visitors. Public drop in sessions will be taking place on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February, from 10 am to 6pm at the Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre. Local views on what’s good about the seafront and what’s missing will feed directly into a ‘Masterplan’ for the Aberavon Seafront which will guide future development options and further consultation. At the drop in sessions members of the public will be able to talk directly with members of…

Traders are invited to showcase and sample the top tastes of south west Wales at a food networking event next month. The Supplier to Buyer food and drink trade show returns on Wednesday, 13th March, 10am to 3pm, organised in partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Cywain and Visit Pembrokeshire. Spaces are limited and suppliers are asked to place an expression of interest as soon as possible via the link below. Taking place in the stunning setting of the National Botanic Garden of Wales greenhouse, the event is expected to attract producers, wholesalers and distributors from across south…

Residents are advised that drainage improvements will take place at several nearby locations in Porth over the next two weeks. The scheme started on Sunday, February 11, to improve local infrastructure – being delivered using funding secured from Welsh Government’s Small Scale Works programme. The work will include relining a section of pipe that runs beneath the stepped footpath onto Ynyshir Road. A single lane road closure is needed on Ynyshir Road, to be managed using two-way traffic lights. A manhole in the highway will be replaced at Gynor Place and Graig Road – requiring a closure to a small…