Author: Rhys Gregory

Premier Forest Products, a leader in the UK’s timber and timber products industry, has announced its latest acquisition with the purchase of a specialist fire door manufacturing business. Established in 1996 and based in Newport, Paul White Ironmongery, Doors, and Fixings (PWIDF), is a renowned specialist door manufacturer with a strong reputation for precision and quality. The business is based on Langland Way, Newport, just a short distance away from Premier Forest’s head office and employs 22 staff. PWIDF is known locally and nationally for its craftsmanship in manufacturing fully compliant, precision fit fire doors – a growing market. The…

A bumper hawthorn berry crop this autumn – the biggest since records began 20 years ago – is bringing a big boost for wildlife. Hedgerows and woodland across the nation are awash with the red berries which nature experts at the Woodland Trust are describing as one of the biggest ever crops. Nature’s Calendar recorders have sent in reports with this year’s crop being given 4.2 on the fruit scale – deemed as “exceptional”. This takes in dozens of records where hawthorns are judged on the abundance of their berries, also known as haws. The Nature’s Calendar team has been…

Pupils from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant won two regional categories in a recent digital competition set by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and later represented the Central South Consortium at the final, held at the Principality Stadium. Learners were set the task of designing and building a rugby club for the future using Minecraft for Education, and pupils from Ysgol Cynwyd Sant undoubtedly rose to the challenge. This particular competition is always popular amongst our pupils and all classes from Years 3 to 6 were busy collaborating, designing, and competing for the win. We held an internal competition and groups were…

Pembrokeshire County Council will add six new homes to the social housing supply and help provide suitable housing for those on the Choice Homes Register. Plans to buy six, one bedroom new build flats at Sandbanks, Broad Haven, have been approved by Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery Cllr Jon Harvey. The acquisition can be funded through the Housing Revenue Account and aligns with the approved Housing Revenue Account Business Plan. Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery, said: “A key priority for this administration is to increase the amount of Council housing available and this…

Caerphilly County Borough Council signed the Armed Forces Covenant on Thursday 2nd November solidifying its commitment to the armed forces community. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces are treated fairly. The Covenant is a voluntary pledge to support the welfare, employment and education of the armed forces community and their families. Caerphilly County Borough Council joins more than 10,000 organisations across a range of sectors including education, charity, hospitality, retail and financial services that have committed themselves to providing fair treatment for veterans, serving personnel…

Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, has started the second phase of dredging on the Montgomery Canal as part of the effort to restore the 200-year-old canal so that boats can once again use it and to protect the manmade waterway for future generations. The Montgomery Canal restoration has included decades of work by volunteers and partners. Now, over four miles of the canal between Llanymynech and Maerdy is being restored thanks to Glandŵr Cymru’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid in partnership with Powys County Council, supported by the Montgomery Canal Partnership. This phase of the canal’s…

Finance professionals in Wales are well-placed to support the country’s business, public sector and third sector in creating long-term prosperity and a sustainable, inclusive society. ACCA, the world’s leading accountancy body, and its members have had a longstanding role in working with organisations in every part of Wales, navigating challenges and dealing with rapidly changing competitive landscapes. Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s chief executive’s recent visit to Wales underlined the strong ties that financial professionals have with organisations including universities, public institutions, the finance sector and entrepreneurial business. ACCA has over 3,600 members in Wales – an increase of over 1,000…

New timetables for the TrawsCymru T2 and T3 bus services have been announced as part of a series of changes to both services aimed at improving connections across the TrawsCymru network to meet passenger needs. The new timetables will come into effect from Sunday 5 November, along with revised fares and additional, more frequent bus services on both the T2 and T3 routes. A full explanation of the changes for both services is available below. Changes to the T2 service between Bangor and Aberystwyth: The T2 service will be integrated with the X28, which is soon be rebranded as the…

A heroic Rhondda resident has been recognised for her bravery. Ayette Bounouri, a French citizen who is a long-standing resident of the Rhondda, received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for attempting to prevent Zara Radcliffe from attacking shoppers in the Co-op store in Penygraig in May 2020. As a mark of appreciation to South Wales Police for the care and compassion displayed by its officers to all those caught up in the tragic incident, Senior Investigating Officer Det Supt Mark O’Shea was invited by Ms Bonouri to accompany her to the medal ceremony at Windsor Castle. The late Queen Elizabeth bestowed…

A powerful new film demonstrating how the people of Cardiff are using arts, education and culture to improve diversity and encourage inclusivity in the city has been launched on the internet this week. It features leading figures from Cardiff’s arts, theatre and music scenes along with teachers, councillors and community cohesion workers all explaining how their work helps to generate harmony in the city’s multi-ethnic communities. Among those taking part is Father Dean Atkins, of the South Cardiff Ministry Area, who introduces the film. “It’s the stories that people bring with them, the humanity that exists… it’s important for people…