Author: Rhys Gregory

A determined mum who lost two family members to cancer within eight months is taking on a double marathon challenge in their memory to raise money for a top Welsh charity. Emma McCracken, will complete both the New York and Berlin marathons – just six weeks apart – is running in memory of her mother and father-in-law, Phillip and Adele McCracken, from Gwersyllt, in Wrexham, who recently lost their cancer battles within eight months of each other. The 42-year-old from Nesscliffe, in Shropshire, who balances a tough training regime with providing care for her 13-year-old son who has Down’s Syndrome,…

AN ORGANIC beauty range swept the board at a Europe-wide skincare awards ceremony. Rhug Estate, based near Corwen in North Wales, won seven medals including two golds and three silver at the Free From Skincare Awards. The Estate’s Wild Beauty range, which uses natural ingredients foraged on site, defended the Best Brand title for the second year in succession and was a finalist in all nine categories entered. Rhug also won gold for its Deep Cleansing Balm with Wild Berries (Face Care) and Nourishing Eye Cream with Elderflower (Eyecare). The collection was founded by Lord and Lady Newborough, who were…

 In a major boost for Welsh life sciences, Pioneer Group, one of the UK’s largest developers and operators of lab space, has secured planning permission to deliver 54,500 square feet of purpose-built lab space at the company’s Cardiff Edge Science Park development. The space is being delivered as part of a new two-storey building that has been designed for maximum flexibility – meaning it will be available to let in its entirety or split across several units. As a result, the new state-of-the-art facility will be able to cater for companies across the life sciences spectrum – from start-ups and scale-ups to…

The owner of Cardiff indoor play centre Supajump has been given a 10-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £10,000 in costs for a string of health and safety offences, and for failing to report to the correct authorities injuries to children who played on faulty equipment. Supajump, based at Trident Park on Ocean Way, offers a range of attractions for children including a climbing wall; trampolines; inflatables; basketball and dodgeball arenas; a foam pit and a large airbag. But Between August 2017 and August 2019 six separate incidents occurred on the premises which…

Lisa Hartley, Quadrant Shopping Centre Manger, says developments like Swansea Arena have raised the city centre’s profile while also attracting more visitors. Developed by Swansea Council, the arena, run by Ambassador Theatre Group, is one feature of a city-wide regeneration programme worth over £1bn. Other council-led projects include the ongoing construction of a modern, flexible office development for 600 workers in sectors like tech and digital at the former Oceana nightclub site on The Kingsway. Plans are also in place for a revamped Castle Square Gardens, which is set to include lots more greenery, new outdoor seating areas, a new…

Ongoing work at the former M&S and Dorothy Perkins sites in Pontypridd Town Centre is now transitioning to the main demolition phase – and will retain largely the same site arrangements as in recent months. The Council’s Pontypridd Placemaking Plan has identified core ambitions for the town, including a ‘Southern Gateway’ that brings key sites back into use through exciting projects. Redevelopment of the M&S, Dorothy Perkins and Burtons sites (97-99a and 100-102 Taff Street) provides an opportunity to improve the public realm and open the townscape towards the river. Welsh Government has provided £1.283m funding to demolish the buildings,…

This year’s Tour of Britain, the UK’s biggest cycle race, will feature its first return to the legendary Caerphilly Mountain climb since 2013 as part of a spectacular final stage in South Wales. Stage eight of the Tour will see over 100 of the world’s best riders race from the picturesque Margam Country Park to the finish line in the shadows of Caerphilly Castle on Sunday 10 September. Far from being a ceremonial end to the race, the battle to be crowned Tour of Britain champion will go down to the wire thanks to a stunning but challenging route supported…

A Caerphilly County Borough Council owned sheltered housing scheme in Springfield, Pontllanfraith has been transformed thanks to a £3.18 million investment. Former bedsit accommodation at Ynyswen has been remodelled to provide residents with bright, spacious 1 and 2 bedroomed apartments.  Each home has received extensive refurbishments including new kitchens, wet rooms and heating systems and most are fully wheelchair accessible.  A sprinkler system has also been installed in the building for residents’ safety. New windows and rendering have improved the appearance of the building as well as making it more energy efficient.  Solar panels have also been fitted on the…

A pioneering primary school, built by Powys County Council, has picked up a top award at Wales’ prestigious construction awards ceremony. Welshpool Church in Wales Primary School, which opened its doors in January 2021, won the Value Award at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards 2023. The awards ceremony, which are recognised across the Welsh built environment as the biggest and brightest celebration of best practice in Wales, took place last Friday (16 June) at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. The school building, which was built as part of the council’s Transforming Education Programme, had also been shortlisted in…

Creative Wales’ investment in productions has boosted the Welsh economy by £187m since it was created in 2020, Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden announced this week. The Deputy Minister revealed the figures at Creative Wales’ first in-person showcase event being held in Cardiff today, which will celebrate the sector’s achievements and outline plans for future growth and development.  Since its establishment, Creative Wales – the Welsh Government’s creative agency – has invested £16.3m in production funding to 31 projects, generating over £187m into the Welsh economy and demonstrating in excess of an 11:1 Return on Investment…