Author: Rhys Gregory

LGBTQ+ champion and creative producer, Berwyn Rowlands, has been made an Honorary Fellow at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) graduation ceremony held in Carmarthen today. Berwyn Rowlands is the founder of the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival, a Cardiff-based LGBTQ+ short film festival which celebrates and champions LGBTQ+ titles and filmmakers with messages which are positive and uplifting.  He has also made a significant contribution to the creative arts in Wales. On receiving his award Bewyn Rolwands said: “I feel humble receiving this a fellowship from the UWTSD but at the same time very proud to be…

LEADING names in sports, advertising and signage have united under one banner.  Dragon Signs, Route Media, Colour Studios, and Sportin Wales are all now part of Dragon Group. Employing 80 people at its Cardiff HQ and Colour Studios’ existing base in Radstock, Bath – the Group will be led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington. He says there has already been significant investment in rebranding and a fresh direction focused on sustainability, innovation, and advances in technology. With clients including Transport for Wales, Travis Perkins, Cardiff Airport, Leicester Tigers and Apetito, Rhys is confident the organisation will provide a cutting-edge, end-to-end…

Cutting edge projects in areas including semiconductors, AI, quantum, and engineering biology have received up to £50,000 each from Innovate UK. Each company has never previously received funding support from Innovate UK. Among the 270 winners are: CSBR Ltd: a start-up from the University of St Andrews, Scotland, which plans to replace fossil-fuel based chemical goods, such as fragrances, adhesives and fire-resistant coatings, using oil made from waste cashew shells. NovNat Tech: a University of Birmingham start-up developing a novel material able to extract water from the air in any environment around the world, no matter how dry. Corryn Biotechnologies:…

Statkraft, Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy, has been granted planning permission to construct a pioneering project north of Swansea, which will increase the stability of the electricity grid, and allow more renewable energy to be transmitted through the network.  Even when there is enough renewable energy to meet the demands of homes and businesses in Wales, National Grid ESO – who run the electricity system in Great Britain – sometimes need to pause wind and solar farms, and turn fossil fuel power stations back on, just to provide stability to the electricity network. They have identified Swansea as an…

A primary school in Barry that set up a ‘pay-as-you-feel’ food, uniform, and launderette shop to support struggling families is in the running for a global education prize. Cadoxton Primary is one of six schools in the UK that is in the top 10 shortlist for the T4 Education World’s Best School prizes, and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is proud to be welcoming them to the Royal Welsh Show later this month. The Royal Welsh Show, which takes place on the 24th – 27th of July, attracts over 200,000 visitors across four days to come together and celebrate the…

GWM ORA UK announces its new partnership with Wales’ largest automotive retailer, Sinclair Group. The brand will launch initially with one site in Swansea, officially opening its doors to the public for the first time on the 5th July. GWM ORA UK has announced six new retail group partnerships this year already and is on track to achieve a total of 20 full sales sites by the end of 2023. While GWM ORA does take an omni-channel approach to sales through ‘ORA Online’, the brand is investing heavily in physical retail spaces which it believes will be key to scaling…

Pressures including rising inflation, increased demand for services and anticipated pay awards for its staff have led Cardiff Council to predict a £36.8m gap in its budget for 2024-25, a new report has revealed. The Council’s latest Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which will be reviewed by the Cabinet at its meeting on July 13, outlines in detail the predicted cost of delivering its services next year, including running schools, caring for vulnerable people and operating libraries and venues. It also estimates how much Welsh Government funding it will receive. For 2024-25, the council estimates additional costs of £53.6m. Set…

Building work is expected to start on Cardiff’s new 15,000-capacity indoor arena site by the end of this year. Cardiff Councill’s Cabinet will discuss the progress of the project with recommendations to approve a range of legal agreements at its meeting on 13 July, so that both the indoor arena and the regeneration of the Atlantic Wharf site can take a further step forward. The Cabinet report recommends that the Atlantic Wharf regeneration site is split into two specific areas, with one area being put out to tender to deliver a specific development and the other to undergo further market…

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet has underlined its commitment to creating a transformational Public Transport Interchange for the County Town of Haverfordwest. Cabinet was told on Monday 3rd July that all funding has been secured for the development which forms part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro project. The interchange, including upgraded multi-storey car park, EV charge points, integrated bus station and new public toilets, links to the wider ongoing regeneration of Haverfordwest. This includes the redevelopment of the former Ocky White department store at Western Quayside and public areas and the significant investment planned for Haverfordwest Castle. Cabinet…

Libanus Primary, near Blackwood has been named as the best in the region – picking up the top prize of School of the Year at the 2023 South Wales Schools and Education Awards. Nicola Williams, Headteacher said: “Children’s wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do, and we have built our community, curriculum, and opportunity for pupil voice around the needs of our children. “We are constantly looking for opportunities to improve the experiences that our children have through their learning, visits and visitors and enrichment activities.” “A dedicated team of staff encourages them to flourish and reach their…