Author: Rhys Gregory

More than 200 Year 8 and 9 female pupils at Croesyceiliog School took part in an empowering careers event on Monday 9 February, led by Pro Steel Engineering in partnership with Olympic gold medallist and world boxing champion Lauren Price. The session, designed to inspire young women as they prepare to make key GCSE subject choices, highlighted the breadth of opportunity available across Wales’ construction and engineering sectors. Lauren was joined on stage by two former Croesyceiliog pupils, Megan Watts, and Faye Pimm, who are now employed by local business Pro Steel Engineering. Together, the panel shared honest reflections on…

Surveyors in Wales noted a rise in home sales through the first month of the year, according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey, but are more cautious about the short-term outlook. A net balance of 19% of respondents in Wales reported that sales increased through the month of January, which is up from the 8% seen in the December survey. The net balance of respondents (5%) also reported that house prices rose, which is up from the -3% seen in the previous survey. And the net balance for Wales is also higher than the…

Mid Wales-based escape games specialist Beyond Breakout has joined forces with one of the region’s award-winning leisure parks to launch a brand new interactive game. The new game, ‘Clue Crew and the Case of the Feathered Thief’, will be permanently available at the five star Meadow Springs Country and Leisure Park in Trefeglwys, near Caersws for owners and visitors to enjoy at a time that suits them. Beyond Breakout is keen to develop the concept and design bespoke games for other tourism and hospitality businesses across Mid Wales. Players purchase the Meadow Springs game online and receive a code that…

A MAJOR new investment in skills, education and regional growth has been confirmed for North East Wales, as Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University announce the creation of a pioneering joint venture backed by significant funding from Medr. The investment will enable the development of the North East Wales Skills Partnership, known as the Advanced Skills Hub (ASH). The Hub will change the way education and skills are delivered across the region, supporting plans for a more integrated tertiary system that is shaped by employer demand and regional priorities. ASH will operate as a new type of provider for businesses across…

AN AWARD-WINNING organic estate strengthened its position as a UK leader in sustainable agriculture and innovation, unveiling a wave of environmental achievements. The 12,500-acre Rhug Estate, near Corwen, has made significant progress across carbon measurement, regenerative farming, renewable energy, education and biodiversity – underlining its long-term commitment to net zero and resilient food production. At the heart of the latest advances is a deeper understanding of carbon impact, and following its Planet Mark Business Certification, the Estate has now worked with Planet Mark and key suppliers to calculate Scope 3 emissions linked to the Farm Shop, covering purchased goods, transport,…

Kitsch & Sync Collective have joined forces with Hijinx and Theatr Iolo to present Coblyn, a new outdoor show for families – made possible thanks to the Welsh Government St David’s Day Fund. Coblyn is a family-friendly celebration of Welsh folklore, bursting with mythical mayhem, curious creatures, music, songs and folk dance.  Performed next to Chapter’s community garden, the show follows an unruly gang of magical gnomes, who cause chaos and mischief wherever they go. The free 20-minute performances will take place throughout the day at Chapter in Cardiff on Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March.  Kylie Ann Smith…

Staff at a Welsh agricultural company have been trained to spot warning signs of suicide as part of a campaign to tackle the mental health crisis in farming. Drivers, office staff and senior managers at Platts Group, based in Llay, near Wrexham, have completed potentially life-saving training to help them recognise farmers in distress and guide them towards support. Managing director Caroline Platt said the Farming Community Network (FCN) was introduced so the company could help address what she described as “horrific” levels of suicide within the farming industry. Workers from all three divisions of the group – Platts Agriculture…

Justin James, 46, from Ely, Cardiff, has been jailed for sexually assaulting three females over a three-year period. James was found guilty of five counts of sexual assault by penetration and six counts of sexual assault by touching. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, January 23 to 14 years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. A further hearing yesterday (Tuesday, February 10) confirmed that James is also subject of a Restraining Order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Constable Lewis Clarke, from South Wales Police, said:“The victims and their relatives have been deeply impacted…

Drivers are being warned to expect delays on two busy routes around south Wales this afternoon. Traffic Wales has reported possible congestion on the A4232 northbound between Culverhouse Cross and Junction 33 Capel Llanilltern. Delays are also likely on the M4 eastbound between Junction 28 Tredegar Park and Junction 26 Malpas. Motorists travelling through these areas are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and consider alternative routes where possible. Traffic conditions are expected to remain busy during peak periods, and drivers are being reminded to take care, keep a safe distance and stay alert to changing conditions.

A North Wales family business has acquired a Cheshire caravan park. Ty Gwyn, based in Abergele, North Wales, has exciting plans to invest in Fishpool Farm Caravan Park in Delamare and make it one of the region’s most sought-after destinations for lodges, static caravans and touring caravans and motorhomes. The new owners, a third-generation family business and one of the UK’s oldest holiday park operators, have renamed the site Fishpool Holiday Park with bookings now being taken. The site will reopen towards the end of April following a programme of infrastructure works and the delivery of a mix of new…