Author: Rhys Gregory

A North Wales biotech firm has pioneered a new robotic dispensing system for diagnostic devices that test for conditions such as cancer, with Welsh Government support. Biofortuna, in Deeside, secured £225k SMART Flexible Innovation Support, to develop its BeadBot™ system, which is set to help the company achieve international growth ambitions. The project is one of 140 initiatives to receive SMART funding as part of a £20 million programme launched in 2023 to invest in cutting-edge research and innovation that will improve people’s lives. So far £17.9m in innovation grants have been allocated to companies such as Biofortuna, to design…

Thousands of pets and animals across Wales will benefit from improved welfare protections as the Welsh Government confirms £1 million in continued funding for Animal Licensing Wales.  The funding for 2026/27 enables Animal Licensing Wales to maintain its specialist team supporting local authorities to regulate animal activities, tackle illegal breeding, and prosecute offenders. A central online portal now streamlines applications for dog breeders, with plans to expand to other licensed activities. Since launching in 2020, Animal Licensing Wales has become a vital national resource. The initiative has secured significant prosecutions and improved welfare outcomes through consistent, expert enforcement. They have helped train animal welfare inspectors across Wales, raising professional standards. Veterinary professionals have also received training to conduct health…

Passenger numbers on the Cambrian line have seen a significant boost in the past year with more local people and tourists using the improved service. Recent figures show that, in every month from January to November 2025, the number of train passengers on the Cambrian line was larger than in the same month in 2024. In total, the line has seen around 150,000 more journeys compared to the previous year – the equivalent to a 13% rise in total. Responding to the news, Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates MS, said: “The increase in passenger numbers on…

A warehouse worker spotted a frayed cable last week. The pallet jack looked dodgy. She’d been through electrical safety training months back, so this wasn’t her first rodeo. Tagged it. Reported it. Problem solved. Could’ve been bad. Electric shock, possible fire, maybe worse. But she caught it early because she knew what to look for. This stuff happens constantly in Welsh workplaces. Training makes the difference between a close call and a disaster. Preventing Accidents Through Proper Training Workplace accidents cost UK businesses £16 billion annually. That’s real money walking out the door. Lost days, insurance claims, medical bills. The…

Wales welcome Scotland to the Principality Stadium this afternoon for the latest chapter in their Six Nations rivalry, with kick off set for 16:40 on Saturday, 21st February. With both sides used to producing tight contests, another close encounter is expected in front of a packed Cardiff crowd. Recent meetings Recent history adds extra spice to the fixture. Wales last beat Scotland in 2022 at home and have not beaten the side since. When the teams met at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in last year’s Six Nations, Scotland edged a thrilling contest 35-29. The margins between the two nations have often…

Street Food Circus is set to return this spring, kicking off a calendar of five family-friendly events that promise to celebrate the best street food, great days out and good times together in epic coastal, castle, and woodland settings across south Wales. The 2026 season also sees the launch of a new offer designed just for kids, the Little Kooks Club. Building on its 10th-anniversary season last year, the 2026 season marks the next chapter for Street Food Circus, which has spent over a decade providing a vital platform for some of Wales’ best-known chefs and street food businesses. The…

Community feedback is being sought on a proposed luxury lodge park in Flintshire as part of plans to boost the county’s tourist appeal. Parc Gwysaney Luxury Lodge Park could have the potential to put the region on the map for UK staycations, while driving spending and investment in the local area. The proposal, which includes up to 75 high-quality lodges and a visitor centre containing a tearoom, visitor reception and a small shop, is currently in the process of seeking feedback ahead of planning submission. The site, Tyddyn Uchaf Farm, Raikes Lane, Sychdyn, has been in the ownership of the Davies-Cooke…

Crystal Ski Holidays has launched package holidays to Italy for Welsh skiers and snowboarders thanks to a new TUI Airways flight to Turin, where world-class slopes meet exceptional Italian cuisine. Starting on Sunday 20th December 2026, TUI Airways will operate the weekly flights from Cardiff Airport to the Italian destination, meaning holidaymakers could be hitting the slopes, sipping espresso and tucking into fresh pasta in the Italian Alps before they know it. The flights will run for the winter season until 14th March 2027. The new Cardiff – Turin route adds more choice for customers looking for latest ski deals…

Leading Welsh homebuilder Llanmoor Homes is celebrating its 60th anniversary with another significant milestone – completing the sale of its 5,000th home. The family-run business was founded in February 1966, and has since developed more than 55 residential sites across South Wales, from Neath Port Talbot in the west to Monmouthshire in the east. Tim Grey, Sales Director of Llanmoor Homes, said: “It’s very rare for a business in such a competitive industry to still be trading after 60 years, and it’s even more rare for it to still be privately owned and family run. “We’re immensely proud to continue to deliver…

Rabbit Run Wales is back for 2026 and this year it will be even bigger and better than ever before. Taking place on Saturday 18 July, this year’s event has the exciting addition of two new distances – a marathon and ultra marathon, as well as a marathon relay option. Last year’s 40K race has been extended to a full marathon distance (42.2K) and new for 2026 sees a 65K ultra added into the mix. The much-loved 12K race will still be taking place, seeing runners have the chance to run on the private grounds of the Merthyr Mawr Estate…