Author: Rhys Gregory

Friday the 15th September saw the elite of the Welsh business community gather to recognise their achievements at the South Wales Business Awards. Hosted by one of Welsh television and radio’s most popular presenters Sara Edwards at the iconic Hilton Hotel – Cardiff. This year’s awards was an opportunity to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the South Wales Business Awards. 2023 has been the most competitive awards in its history. This year has seen more applications, and a standard that far exceeds any other year. The winners of the South Wales Business Awards are as follows:  Young Entrepreneur of the…

A mum of two from Cardiff who went back to education as an adult learner has secured her dream managerial job working with vulnerable people at a housing association. Harriet Willis-Adams, 33 from Cathays, began volunteering for Cadwyn Housing Association to give back to society and was encouraged to try an access course that could lead to continued education and employment opportunities in the housing sector. After completing the Level 3 Health & Social Care accredited course through Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Widening Access programme, Harriet then went on to complete both a Social Sciences foundation degree and an undergraduate degree…

A wave of Alzheimer’s Society fundraisers, including TV presenter and meteorologist Sian Lloyd, turned Cardiff blue on Sunday (17 September) at the charity’s Memory Walk, to help end the devastation caused by dementia. The well-loved Welsh weather presenter joined over 1,500 walkers who took part in the 2-10km routes at Bute Park, raising money to provide help and hope to everyone living with dementia. Sian Lloyd was one of many who stepped out at today’s event to celebrate or remember a loved one living with dementia. Sian walked in memory of her mother, who had Alzheimer’s, which was related to…

Cardiff Council has arrived at a significant milestone in its exciting scheme to regenerate the Channel View estate. Representing the largest and most exciting holistic estate redevelopment within the council’s development programme, the scheme in Grangetown will deliver around 319 new highly energy-efficient, low-carbon mixed-tenure homes, including the replacement of the existing 180 Council-managed properties. Following the conclusion of the procurement process for the appointment of a developing partner for the project, a preferred bidder has been identified to deliver the entire scheme. At its next meeting on Thursday, September 21, Cabinet will consider the recommendation to delegate authority to…

Cardiff Council is taking steps to increase the protection afforded to buildings of local architectural or historical interest in the city against demolition or unsympathetic development. There are currently more than 200 ‘Buildings of Merit’ in the city. While some fall within existing conservation areas, there are many pubs, community buildings and music venues which do not have ‘locally-listed’ status but still make an important contribution and have the potential to enrich the historic and cultural life of Cardiff. Last week, councillors and planning officers moved to remove the owner’s right to demolish the Rompney Castle pub in Wentloog Road,…

Thousands of runners and supporters enjoyed the weekend’s Admiral Swansea Bay 10k. Runners in the main race headed west from the seafront Rec at St Helen’s to Mumbles and then back along the Prom to finish on Mumbles Road near the Rec. A number of other races took place, including 1k and 3k races for juniors and a mascot race in which the winner scooped £100 for charity. The total number of entrants topped 4,100. Participants and spectators enjoyed the event village with food, drink and entertainment. Swansea Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “We thank all those who came to…

A series of changes to free car parking arrangements over the Christmas period, current car parking charges, parking permit charges and the introduction of a parking charging regime along the Aberavon Seafront have been agreed by Neath Port Talbot councillors. The new fees and charges seek to address the outstanding maintenance issues faced by the council’s car parks and to reduce severe budget pressures within the council’s parking services. Members of Neath Port Talbot Council’s Environment, Regeneration and Streetscene Cabinet Board agreed the changes at their meeting on Thursday September 14th. Nicola Pearce, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Director of Environment…

RCT’s Cabinet will consider proposals and recommendations put to them by Council Officers to close Rhigos Primary School and transfer pupils to Hirwaun Primary School – with a decline of pupil numbers in Rhigos projected to continue, and the old school buildings requiring significant works. On Monday, September 18, Cabinet could agree to consult residents on the proposal, which would also require the catchment area of Hirwaun Primary School to be increased to include Rhigos. Parents also have the option for their children to continue their education at Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Penderyn, with support from the Welsh Language Immersion Team.…

The sympathetically restored elements of the Iron Tram Bridge in Trecynon are now being delivered to the works site for their installation. The Scheduled Ancient Monument, built in the early 1800s, is on course to reopen in October. The main scheme started this summer after the Council, working closely with Cadw, gained consent to undertake a complex restoration and reinstatement scheme for the historic structure – which was damaged in several storm events including Storm Dennis. Planning permission was then granted in June 2023. The original bridge was constructed in the early 1800s, manufactured by the Abernant Foundry to carry…

Newport City Dogs Home has won gold in two categories at the 2023 RSPCA Cymru PawPrint Awards for their work with stray dogs. This is the twelfth year that the team has been recognised with a gold award in the stray dog category for their hard work looking after the dogs in their care. Newport City Dogs Home also won a second gold award for their work with kennelling stray dogs. The RSPCA PawPrints annual award scheme recognises hard work from public bodies in relation to animal welfare. There are a number of categories for awards including recognition for stray…