Author: Rhys Gregory

The British Business Bank announces its first major equity deal from the £130m Investment Fund for Wales, with a £650,000 investment from the Equity Finance fund, managed by appointed fund managers Foresight Group (“Foresight”), into ‘hard adventure’ travel firm, EverTrek. The deal includes co-funding of £650,000 which Foresight has provided using the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (“MEIF”); this is operated by British Business Bank and Foresight was appointed fund manager to MEIF in 2018. The investment in EverTrek is the first deal announced on behalf of the Fund and comes just two months after its launch on November 23rd 2023.…

The sixth Immersed! Festival returns to Tramshed Cardiff on Saturday 2nd March with an electrifying lineup of music, film, art, fashion, and theatre showcasing a diverse programme and one-of-a-kind festival experiences. For the main stage headliner, the events team have announced  MOBO award-winning London duo, Bob Vylan – an exceptional live act with a unique sound that has found them embraced by rock, rap, punk, dance and alternative fans alike. Bob Vylan will be supported by Bristol-based producer Grove, new wave synth-based pop maestros Voya, rising local star Bianca, alt rock trio Chroma and metalcore favourites Continents. More than 50…

Gower Unearthed CIC is set to host an extraordinary event featuring the acclaimed explorer and BAFTA Cymru award-winning BBC presenter, Will Millard, in a unique opportunity to embark on a journey of discovery with one of the UK’s foremost adventurers, writers and filmmakers. In a special talk, meet and greet, and show-and-tell to be held at Bishopston Primary School, Gower, on Sunday February 18, Millard will share captivating stories and unveil artefacts from his groundbreaking expeditions. Thanks to funding from the Welsh Government Sustainable Development Fund and Gower AONB, the event is free to attend and will begin at 10am,…

A packed series of St David’s Day celebrations is planned by Swansea Council and others across the city. The council’s annual Croeso festival takes place over four days from February 29, featuring live music, cookery demonstrations, family entertainment and a street parade. Venues range from the city centre – featuring free-entry fun for all – to the Brangwyn Hall and Swansea Arena which are both set to offer memorable music events in top quality indoor settings. The city’s St David’s Day Croeso celebrations are a taste of what’s to come through 2024 as the council’s Enjoy Swansea Bay team has…

Tourism businesses across the Swansea area have secured important new funding to boost their prospects. Small-scale visitor accommodation operators in areas including Llanmadoc, Rhossili, Felindre and Clydach were granted funds by Swansea Council under the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). Successful bidders are now starting work on their projects. They range from accessibility improvements for bedrooms and bathrooms to new storage facilities for specialist activity equipment and from the conversion of outbuildings to the upgrading of shower and toilet facilities for campers. Council cabinet member for investment, regeneration, events and tourism Robert Francis-Davies said: “It’s great news that we’ve been…

Neath Port Talbot councillors have endorsed three new strategic plans to address issues in housing and homelessness, adult social care and children and young people’s social care. Neath Port Talbot Council, which prioritises support for children and vulnerable adults, is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of funding pressures, growing demand, ongoing legacy impacts of Covid, inflation and the cost of living crisis. On January 25th, 2024 the council’s Social Services, Housing and Community Safety Cabinet Board endorsed the following new strategies containing plans to ‘do things differently’ using assistive technology, home adaptations and other innovations: Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan 2024/27 (A…

Cabinet Members have agreed to implement the important proposals for the Council to build a state-of-the-art new Special School for Rhondda Cynon Taf by 2026 – which will deliver first-class facilities and meet all pupils’ needs. At their meeting in October 2023, Cabinet agreed to progress the exciting proposals having considered the positive feedback received in a public consultation exercise. Statutory Notices to open a new 3-19 special school, and introduce catchment areas for all special schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf, were published on November 10, triggering a 28-day period for objections. The Council has proposed the investment in response…

Newport City Council, the Newport Chinese Community Centre and the Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre are delighted to be working in partnership to bring a spectacular Lunar New Year Celebration to Newport city centre on Saturday 10 February. This celebratory day of events marks the first time these Newport groups have come together to mark this important day in the lunar calendar and hope the day of activity will bring many members of the Newport community together in celebration. Titled ‘The Dragons Are Coming!’, the event on Saturday 10 February will be filled with performances, workshops and activities all celebrating…

Residents in Powys are being urged to have their say on proposals by the Welsh Government to reform council tax. Council tax helps to fund the everyday essential services provided by local councils that we all rely on, including schools, local libraries, social care and street cleaning, and pays for around a fifth of spending by councils. The consultation by the Welsh Government, which closes on Tuesday, February 6, is asking residents what they think of different potential approaches designed to make the tax fairer, including adding new council tax bands, changing the tax-rates charges for each band, and reviewing…

A CYNON Valley mother has had an emotional reunion with the ambulance crew who supported the birth of her premature twins. Catherine Johnson was 29 weeks pregnant when she went into labour unexpectedly at her Mountain Ash home in November. Ambulance crews arrived to take the 36-year-old to hospital, but twins Carreg and Aneira had other plans which forced Catherine to give birth in her bedroom. A team of 12 paramedics and technicians used specialist training they had undertaken just weeks prior to care for and safely transport the newborns to hospital. Catherine said: “I can’t thank them enough for…