Author: Rhys Gregory

New research examining how the foundational economy can be supported in Wales is helping to inform government policy for the future. The foundational economy (FE) provides everyday goods and services on which we all rely to ensure our health and wellbeing. Care and health services, food, housing, energy, construction, tourism and retailers on the high street are all examples of the FE. uThe study, A Scoping and Feasibility Study for a New Foundational Economy Academy in Wales was conducted by Swansea University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Central Lancashire. Its findings were included in the latest cabinet statement…

KWL Architects, one of the UK’s leading care sector architects, has transitioned into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Its founding Directors, Philip Lewis and Neil Ross, started the company in Stow Hill, Newport in 2001 after working together for over a decade at Philip’s former practice also based in Newport. Now located in Hazell Drive in the city, it has grown from a staff of four to its current team of 19. Philip and Neil have sold their interest in the practice to its employees as part of an EOT but will remain at KWL for the foreseeable future. They…

Pontypridd, South Wales – A 14-year-old boy from Pontypridd is making  his debut in the Spanish karting championship racing with the Jamkart  Team. Jayden, the only racer in his category from Wales, is representing his hometown and his country on the international stage. Despite starting karting relatively late, Jayden is proving to be a formidable competitor, holding his own against some of the best drivers in Spain. On his debut, he scored championship points, and has set himself up perfectly to build on his performance improving with each round this year. Jayden’s dedication and commitment to the sport have been…

Childline staff and volunteers have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the NSPCC-run service opening in South Wales and supporting tens of thousands of children. NSPCC Cymru first opened a Childline base in Swansea in April 1993 before moving to Cardiff in 2011. Childline is a free, confidential service available online, on the phone, anytime for children and young people up to 19-years-old to seek support and advice. As staff and volunteers celebrate the milestone, the NSPCC has revealed that counsellors in South Wales – who now respond to contacts from all over the UK – have delivered more than 220,000…

A new family bakery run by a 17-year-old is enjoying its town centre location in Shufflebotham Lane, Neath. Rosa’s Bakery is located in one of Coastal Housing’s new commercial properties and offers artisan bakes with a Romanian twist, cooked fresh on site. The family business was originally hoping to open on the Coed Darcy estate but are delighted with their new location in Neath town centre. Chris Cundill, Rosa’s dad, said: “This is a new business which had been in planning for quite some time. “Our head baker – and business owner – Rosa is just 17 but she’s wanted…

BOLESWORTH Castle has lined up a series of major events to give the region a post-pandemic boost and achieve its target of 250,000 visitors ahead of a landmark anniversary. Taking place from June 14-18, the always popular Bolesworth International has a brand-new look for 2023. Following significant investment, organisers have packed the 400,000 square metre-site with everything from world class equestrian competitions, entertainment, action sports, shopping and more to create the biggest and best attraction of its kind, in Cheshire and beyond. DJs Trevor Nelson and Phoebe d’Abo, pop outfit the Brand New Heavies, and Rick Parfitt Jr and the…

VISITOR numbers to some of Swansea’s best-known leisure destinations saw big increases as they emerged from the post-pandemic months of 2021 and 2022, a new report has revealed. Freedom Leisure, Wales National Pool Swansea, Plantasia and the National Waterfront Museum all saw a much-needed return of custom after being financially supported through the Covid-19 crisis by Welsh Government and the council. Visitor numbers to the city centre LC and its other community leisure facilities jumped by 84% to 1.42m in the months after re-opening doors to the public. Wales National Pool Swansea visitor numbers rose to 202,000. Plantasia also saw…

The café at Dare Valley Country Park will be re-opening today, Monday 24thApril. The café has been closed for several months which has allowed the new lease holders to take stock, plan menus – and there’s also been a partial refurbishment.  The new leaseholders are Caroline and Julian Symmonds who will be familiar faces to regular visitors to the park as they have been running Cabin Cwtsh in the courtyard since January.  The cwtsh theme continues as the café will now operate under the name Caffi Cwtsh. In addition to serving lunches and hot and cold snacks, the menu at…

Newport City Council’s tree work has been recognised with a major international award. Newport has received tree city of the world status, a programme run by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. The programme is an international effort to recognise cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated. A total of 168 cities and towns from 21 countries were recognised in 2022, with Newport one of over 50 cities earning the recognition for the first time. The council was…

Community centres across Wales play a pivotal role in supporting the most vulnerable members of our society, Minister for Social Justice has declared at the opening of a community centre that benefitted from Welsh Government funding. Funding from the Community Facilities Programme has helped community centres – as well as a range of other facilities – to make improvements, repairs and redevelopments across Wales. Each year projects can apply for larger grants up to £300,000 to cover the cost of upgrades to their community facilities, as well as small grants up to £25,000. In the financial year 2021/22, 71 projects…