Author: Rhys Gregory

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has slated Tata’s shock announcement yesterday that it will be closing the coking ovens at Port Talbot steel works with near immediate effect. Although the coking ovens were known to be in a state of disrepair, Tata had not indicated to trade unions during recent consultations that they were at risk of imminent closure. Tata recently told the unions that it hoped to increase their capacity in the near future. The closure of the coking ovens does not change Unite’s position that there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that…

An architect from Newport has started an eco-hut business, creating sustainable places and spaces for a variety of purposes following a Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank. Spence Gadsby, 31, founder of Tŷ Green, is hand building shepherd huts, office pods and garden rooms to provide long-lasting, alternative spaces crafted from sustainably sourced, natural materials. After qualifying as an architect three years ago, combined with his life-long experience working on building sites with his dad and on carpentry projects recycling wooden pallets and scaffold boards, Spence was experienced enough to establish a business designing and building the huts…

An exciting day was had by all on Sunday’s 2Wish Great Welsh Marathon Events hosted at Pembrey Country Park. The race that incorporates both the full and half marathon distances saw over 1,000 runners and hundreds of spectators and volunteers attend this hugely popular event. Renowned as being one of Wales’ oldest marathon events, it’s starting to make waves amongst the running community by recently being dubbed by Runners World as one of the top 5 marathons to run in 2024! It’s fair to say that conditions were challenging but the rain at the start certainly didn’t dampen the spirits as…

INNOVATION and diversification continue at a renewable energy firm which has added a sparkling new service to its award-winning portfolio. Carbon Zero Renewables – part of the Carbon Zero Group based in Old Colwyn, St Asaph and Mochdre – is one of the few companies in the sector to offer solar panel cleaning in addition to installation and maintenance. The development comes after the business welcomed more than 100 guests and exhibitors to its inaugural two-day Solar and Battery Expo at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay. While some window cleaners will give solar panels a squeegee and scrape as part…

A project which could significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas produced during the treatment of wastewater is being pioneered by the University of South Wales (USW). The project, named ‘OXYHYWATER’ is in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW) and could lead to major cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. OXYHYWATER is a novel form of wastewater treatment being developed by the USW-based Sustainable Environment Research Centre (SERC), which uses pure oxygen, rather than air from the atmosphere, to treat the effluent. Initial findings are showing that the project has numerous environmental benefits. “By using pure oxygen to treat the…

Dozens of Police Youth Volunteers (PYVs) have been welcomed into the #TeamSWP family during the first PYV Attestation Ceremony to be held for four years. The young people and their families, from across South Wales, were greeted by the Mounted Section, Halberdiers, and the South Wales Police Band at last week’s Margam Orangery event. Assistant Chief Constable Danny Richards and Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael both addressed the PYVs and their guests. Welcoming the PYVs, ACC Richards told them: “At its core, the Police Youth Volunteer scheme is a simple concept. It aims to encourage 14 to 18-year-olds to…

Plans that will help sports club Radyr Rangers improve their facilities at Morganstown Recreation Ground are due to be agreed with Cardiff Council. The club are set to become the latest community sports club in Cardiff to take on responsibility for the management and maintenance of facilities and pitches in the park where they play. The new arrangements, which are proposed for a 25-year term, cover the existing changing rooms and will allow the club preferential use of the nearby sports pitches. The arrangement will enable the club to access new funding streams which are unavailable to local authorities, and…

A famous Cardiff landmark – the Pierhead Clock – has been fully restoredand is being reinstalled in its protective glass box in Lower St Mary Street this week. The clock’s casing will also feature new lighting which will see it lit up at night for everyone to enjoy. The 19-century time piece was built in 1896 for the Bute Docks Building in Cardiff Bay, now known as the Pierhead Building, which was completed in 1897. The  bell within the clock was forged by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, the same company that forged the historic Liberty Bell in New York. Designed by…

Swansea’s free buses are back for the Easter holidays, starting this Saturday, March 23. Local shoppers and day-trippers heading into Swansea city centre or out and about around can travel on buses for free every Saturday and Sunday over the Easter school holiday period. Easter traditionally herald’s the start of the six-month tourism season in the city and there’s lots of events on offer as well as wonderful spring walks in our parks and coastal paths to enjoy as well. The free bus offer will help make all of it easier and cheaper to enjoy during the cost of living…

Tenby Harbour and North Beach users are being asked to be aware of heavy moving machinery from Tuesday March 26th to Friday 29th as dredging work is carried out. Sand will removed from the mouth of the Harbour and deposited at the north end of the beach. The work will not affect vessel movements at the Harbour. Tenby Harbourmaster Chris Salisbury said a licence for the dredging had been issued after several months of application work. “We ask that the public please keep clear of the operating area and that dogs are kept on a lead during this time,” Chris…