Author: Rhys Gregory

Network Rail is launching its masterplanning process around Cardiff Central Station, which will see the comprehensive design and redevelopment of over 10 acres of railway land and the delivery of new homes. Cardiff Central currently attracts 13 million passengers a year and the station is a vital gateway to the city centre. The masterplanning process, led by Network Rail, working alongside Cardiff Council, Transport for Wales and Rightacres, aims to regenerate and open up the site, improve connectivity and deliver homes within a new mixed-use neighbourhood creating a new entrance gateway for the Welsh capital. One of the last parcels…

Llandovery Sheep Festival will be back – bigger and better next September – ewe herd it here first! Next year’s event wool take place over the weekend of the 14 and 15 September 2024. The festival will be a huge celebration of rural crafts, food and entertainment, held in Llandovery town centre. The weekend-long event will also celebrate old drovers’ trails, sheep farming and the wool industry. Rachel Everett, the Chairman of the Llandovery Sheep Festival would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s Sheep Festival a terrific success. “Thank you to all the…

Evans, whose business success led her to buy Llansteffan Castle, has designed the new offering to cultivate wellbeing alongside business skills. Marian Evans, the business leader, entrepreneur and executive coach who famously bought Llansteffan Castle in West Wales, has launched a new membership platform designed to equip its members with the key ingredients for personal and business success. A new offering from Marian’s Elevate consultancy business, the membership platform is built on Marian’s belief that success is not just about developing hard business skills in areas such as leadership, negotiation and management. Personal development – working on everything from imposter…

Taff Ely Foodbank has scooped a massive £20,000 award from insurance provider Aviva, thanks to the help of Caerphilly-headquartered Thomas Carroll Group. Thomas Carroll has supported various Foodbanks for many years, helping raise funds as well as collecting donated goods and food for those in need. This year, as part of that ongoing support, Thomas Carroll Group applied for the Aviva Broker Community Fund Award on behalf of Taff Ely Food Bank. Aviva’s Community Fund invites insurance brokers from around the UK to apply for a financial grant to help a cause that will benefit the local community, with climate action…

Inspiring Skills Wales, a leading organisation dedicated to raising the standards of skills in Wales for now and for future generations, is pleased to announce the appointment of a dedicated officer to spearhead a ‘Net Zero Skills project’—an initiative focused on showcasing net zero skills within Further Education across Wales. The initiative, funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Coleg Sir Gar, forms part of the Inspiring Skills Wales project, secured by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations. This appointment falls during Wales Climate Week 2023, a pivotal event dedicated to the exploration of…

A bakery pioneer said that being presented with his MBE at Buckingham Palace was the “biggest honour” of his life. Alan Jones, 80, a founder of the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery, was being recognised for his contribution to the food industry and the economy of Wales. The medal was presented in the ornate Throne Room by Princess Anne and Mr Jones was accompanied by his wife, Wendy, sister Susan and son Robin, who is the company’s managing director. He also has two other sons, Christien, the bakery’s projects director, and Tim, who has a successful career in the property industry.…

Full casting has been announced for the upcoming UK tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, which will visit Wales Millennium Centre from 22-27 January 2024. The touring production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong reunites returning Mischief cast members with some courageous new recruits. Jake Burgum (Venus in Furs, Hound of the Baskervilles) will be playing Trevor. Jack Michael Stacey will be playing Chris. His previous tv and theatre credits include Poldark (BBC), Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, (Netflix) and The Play That Goes Wrong (West End). Robert will be played by Matthew Howell (The Play that Goes Wrong, As You…

Llanishen High School in Cardiff has received praise from Estyn for its commitment to providing a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for the school’s 1694 pupils. During a visit from the Inspectorate for Education in Wales, the school was commended for its dedication in ensuring every pupil’s success and taking decisive actions to mitigate the impact of poverty. Inspectors found the school provides an exceptionally broad range of extracurricular activities, fostering an inclusive community and raising students’ aspirations. It was also noted that positive working relationships between staff and students contribute to a respectful and engaging learning environment, with most…

Work has started on the construction of a new Welsh Medium Primary School in Tredegar. The school build is set for completion in the spring of 2025, however temporary accommodation has been sourced for pupils attending the new school (Ysgol Gymraeg Tredegar) at Bedwellty House, where they will be taught until the new building opens. The 210-place ‘seedling’ school, inclusive of childcare provision, is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to increasing Welsh education opportunities in the county borough. The school and onsite childcare facility is fully funded by the Welsh Government. Whilst initial cost estimates have increased due to…

Transport for Wales will now increase train service frequency on its Liverpool – Chester route (via Liverpool Airport), and on the Ebbw Vale branch, in January 2024. This represents a slight delay on the original plan to make the changes from next week (10 December 2023). Following the storms in November, several trains have suffered wheel damage, and a repair programme will take place throughout December. This will ensure that TfW have enough serviceable trains to increase the timetables on the Liverpool Chester route, and on the Newport to Ebbw Vales route in the new year. A spokesperson for Transport for…