Author: Rhys Gregory

Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station volunteer, Sherry Edwards, is retiring after volunteering at the station for over 20 years. There has been a ‘friends’ group at Prestatyn station for many years and Sherry’s retirement comes as the group marks 11 years since its reformation in February 2013, following improved access at the station. The award-winning Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station (FoPRS) have organised a series of projects for the station which has included the creation of signage and a life-size sculpture of a walker named ‘Rhodri the Rambler’ on a disused platform, as well as the planting of winter and…

A former South Wales Police officer engaged in inappropriate online conversations with someone he thought was a child. In fact, the person he was talking to was an undercover Tarian police officer and former PC Anthony French was arrested. A file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service which decided not to pursue any criminal charges. The joint investigation between Tarian and the South Wales Police Anti-Corruption Unit resulted in the officer facing an accelerated misconduct hearing chaired by Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan. PC French resigned prior to the hearing which considered allegations that he breached the following…

To mark St David’s Day, the celebration of Wales’s patron saint, the Welsh Government has launched ‘Wales in India’, to strengthen ties and opportunities between the two countries. First Minister Mark Drakeford and Minister for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan launched the year-long initiative at St David’s Day events in London’s Indian High Commission and in Mumbai yesterday. Wales In India is a 12-month series of events celebrating the links between the two countries, especially across art and culture, education, health, business and human rights. As well as strengthening the ties between Wales and India, it will help foster…

Today, on St David’s Day, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language has launched a Cultural Ambassadors scheme to promote the Welsh language, culture and heritage. The role of the network of Cultural Ambassadors is to support newcomers to communities across Wales to learn more about Wales, the Welsh language and its importance to the community, to provide support and guidance for businesses to use and promote the Welsh language, and to work locally to maintain and strengthen social networks. Any person or business can volunteer to become an ambassador by completing short interactive modules on the history of the…

£1 million of Welsh Government funding is being made available to boost the marine, fisheries and aquaculture industry in Wales, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. The support comes from the Welsh Marine and Fisheries Scheme, with the application window for this funding opening today. The scheme aims to ensure environmentally and economically sustainable growth in the sector and help coastal communities prosper into the future. Those in the industry can apply for funding for a wide range of activities from 11 separate categories. These include, but are not limited to, funding to increase the potential of aquaculture sites…

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus i chi. Today, people across Wales and all over the world will be celebrating all things Cymru a Chymreictod – Wales and Welshness! On our national day, we like to do as St David did – “gwneud y pethau bychain” – to do the little things to help improve the lives of others. This sense of taking care of, and doing well by others is enshrined in our national identity, just as much as our love of song and sport. In these uncertain times, we could all benefit from being a bit more Welsh and doing…

The newly refurbished Brecon Household Waste Recycling Centre will reopen to the public on Monday 11 March. The safety upgrades and refurbishment to the recycling centre on the Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate include new, safer hardstanding across the site, upgraded drainage, and an improved one-way system with easier access and safer parking area. Although many of the improvements to the site are not noticeable to visitors, they are essential to make sure the facility complies with legal requirements, operates safely, remains easy for visitors to use, and ensure the site continues to be fit-for-use going forward. “We are pleased that the…

Corporate culture is an essential part of making the workplace exciting and productive. In a way, the secret sauce makes the whole employee experience unique. But what does “corporate culture” really mean? It’s like the personality of a group as a whole. It includes the beliefs, values, habits, and attitudes that affect how people in the company work together and talk to each other. So, how can businesses create a good and exciting work environment? A good boss and clear communication are the first steps. Setting a good example by living by the ideals they teach sets the mood for…

A Bridgend woman has been jailed after she admitted breaching a disqualification order where she had been banned from keeping dogs for five years. Janine Maloney of Bridgend Road, Aberkenfig, appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 20 February after previously pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act on 15 December 2023. The first offence related to a breach of ban between 21 May and 6 July 2023 – the second offence related to a further breach on 9 December 2023. The court heard that the RSPCA obtained evidence that she was breaching her ban by owning a…

Business confidence in Wales fell seven points during February to 25%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down nine points at 28%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down six points to 21%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 25% (vs. 32% in January). Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as investing in teams (35%), introducing new technology (33%), and evolving their offering, including introducing new products and services (25%). A net…