Author: Rhys Gregory

This month one million seeds will be collected off the north Wales coast as the pioneering project makes waves to tackle the global climate and nature crisis.   Launched in North Wales last Summer, the Seagrass Ocean Rescue project aims to plant five million seeds across ten hectares, with the support of communities in Pen Llŷn and Ynys Môn by 2026. Seagrass Ocean Rescue, managed by WWF in partnership with Project Seagrass, Swansea University, North Wales Wildlife Trust, and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC, are working together with communities to deliver this ambitious seagrass restoration project in north Wales. In December,…

Swansea Building Society has announced the successful completion of the expansion and refurbishment project at its head office, located in Cradock Street, Swansea. The adjoining property, number 13, was acquired and transformed to accommodate the Society’s growing workforce. The project was completed on schedule, and staff have now moved into the new premises. The extensive refurbishment of the acquired property has included the installation of new windows, a new roof, and a comprehensive interior redesign. These improvements were necessary to ensure a comfortable and productive working environment for the Society’s additional staff. The expansion aligns perfectly with a significant milestone…

Wales’s alternative telecoms company – Ogi – lands on the high street this month [August 2023], in the broadband providers first partnership with retail chain Get Connected. The new deal sees the UK’s largest independent mobile phone retailer, Get Connected, offer Ogi’s ultrafast full fibre broadband and voice packages in their high street stores for the very first time. Ogi propelled on the broadband scene in 2021, bringing a new full fibre network to places like Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire and the Vale of Glamorgan – often before any of the major providers. Now offering its services – including a digital voice…

Two Cardiff drug dealers Dionisio Correia and Rafael Mendes have been jailed. On July 1, Correia (right), aged 23 and Rafael Mendes aged 22 were found in possession of up to £11,000 worth of cannabis when they were pulled over by officers. Their car was searched and they were found in possession of almost 500g of cannabis, valued between £5,800 and £11,140. They were also found in possession of a phone which contained messages linked to drug dealing also discovered paraphernalia including cannabis grinders, scales and grip seal bags, £7000 in a cash and a burner phone, as well as…

Bridgend County Borough Council has wrapped five collection vehicles as part of a wide-spread campaign to boost household food waste recycling participation throughout the county borough. Using existing ‘Be Mighty. Recycle’ creative artwork, the vehicles have been wrapped in imagery highlighting the ‘Power of Food Waste’ and how food waste can be recycled into climate change-fighting renewable energy in Wales. The local authority was awarded grant funding for the vehicle wrapping and other campaign materials, as part of a nation-wide campaign from WRAP Cymru and Welsh Government to improve its recycling rates, thereby supporting the Welsh Government’s goal of becoming…

The first modular units, part of an innovative pilot scheme to help tackle an immediate shortage of affordable housing in Cardiff, have arrived on site in Grangetown. The two modular units are part of the initial phase that will be installedon the former Gasworks site at Ferry Roadto create 155 pre-fabricated, highly energy-efficient properties to help alleviate pressures on homelessness services and the availability of temporary accommodation in the city. With financial support from the Welsh Government’sTransitional Accommodation Capital Programme, the Council is working with development partner Wates to deliver the new homes, which willprovide good quality, temporary housing for…

​​​​​​​Swansea Council has announced a £50,000 fund to make it easier for residents to improve their local areas. In partnership with community fundraising platform Spacehive, the latest round of the Crowdfund Swansea programme will enable people across the city to access funding for community improvement initiatives. This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The council and Spacehive are keen to hear from residents with innovative ideas to improve their local areas. Spacehive assists project creators with online workshops, 1-2-1 support and resources, providing advice on everything from project costs to campaign promotion. This…

Swansea Council has now approved dozens of projects across the city that applied for support as part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund’s open call for bids. Projects that have been given the green light include: Skills for Swansea, where Gower College Swansea will lead a partnership of specialist local training providers to deliver retraining and upskilling support to adults aged 19 and over in line with the local economy’s skills needs. Swansea Green Futures, where Pobl Group will deliver a green infrastructure programme that will improve opportunities for wellbeing, green skills, biodiversity and local food provision while reducing…

Suzanne Dickenson Director of Trade Price Sofas (Merthyr Tydfil) Limited (TPS) has been fined almost £20,000 for offences contrary to labelling requirements, required by the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988. A full inspection of the TPS stores located at Hepworth Park, Pontyclun and Penygarnddu Industrial Estate, Merthyr Tydfil were carried out as a result of a consumer complaint alleging misleading statements in relation to the company returns policy made by the Director Mrs Suzanne Dickenson contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. During these inspections offences contrary to the labelling requirements required by the Furniture and…

An important watercolour of Chepstow Castle painted by JMW Turner in 1794 has been unveiled in the town’s museum. The work, titled ‘Chepstow Castle on the River Wye Monmouthshire Wales’ is now on public display at Chepstow Museum for residents and visitors to admire. The evocative painting is being displayed as part of an exhibition on The Wye Tour in a dedicated gallery space. The watercolour dated 1794, was painted when Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851) was 19 years old. It was produced on his first tour, which was a journey into South Wales, when Chepstow was his first port…