Author: Rhys Gregory

The National Lottery Community Fund in Wales announced this week that three groups – in Powys, Gwynedd and Pembrokeshire – have successfully applied for a grant to support their rural community. The grants, made possible by National Lottery players, have been awarded through the Rural Futures programme, which aims to support communities wishing to make a positive impact on the lives of people living in poverty in their small rural communities in Wales. One village that will benefit from a grant of £160,000 is Cwmllinau, near Machynlleth in north Powys. The committee of Neuadd Bentref Cwmllinau will refurbish the village…

Families visiting the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) near Machynlleth this summer can take part in a wide range of hands-on activities exploring nature, gardening, green building and more – all free with an entry ticket. Running throughout the school holidays, CAT’s events offer a wide range of creative and educational topics around sustainability, with different activities offered each day. In the Centre’s woodland corner, families can discover green woodworking and try their hands at a range of woodland crafts, while in the green building zone there are hands-on activities for budding builders and architects. Elsewhere, visitors can roll up…

Wrexham AFC is making its debut in League Two of the English Football League this weekend, after scoring a promotion from the National League and climbing to Hollywood fame with the docuseries, Welcome to Wrexham. To mark this milestone, Entain, the global sports betting, gaming, and interactive entertainment group, reveals the ‘Wrexham Effect’ in sports betting. After Hollywood icons Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham AFC in November 2020, Entain’s Ladbrokes and Coral brands in the UK recorded an increase of 59% in the number of bets placed during the National League’s 2021/22 season from 2017/18. This far…

Flotek, a leading provider of comprehensive managed IT services, is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with Hoowla, an innovative legal case management software solutions provider. This collaboration aims to deliver cloud-based technology and streamlined workflow solutions to the legal sector. Hoowla is a cloud-based case management software platform very popular with conveyancers and property solicitors. With a base in Swansea, Hoowla serves clients all over the UK providing legal case management and document automation. The partnership is a response to the demand for enhanced security around data management and efficient case management solutions. Recognising this growing need, Flotek and…

Ceredigion County Council has successfully obtained funding from the Welsh Government to proceed with the construction of the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme. The £31.59m scheme will be funded through a £26.85m contribution from the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme, together with a £4.74m contribution from Ceredigion County Council. Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Environmental Services and Carbon Management commented: “The rising sea levels and storms pose a serious threat to our seaside town of Aberaeron. Implementing this scheme will improve the level of protection afforded to the many businesses and homes in the town and…

Independent developer, Acorn Property Group has agreed terms with national housebuilder, Redrow, to purchase the Grade II listed building featured in the popular Netflix hit, Sex Education, to restore and convert the iconic building into stylish new homes and apartments.   Located in Caerleon, a historical town in Newport in South Wales, the scheme, will be known as Tempus at Parc y Coleg and will sit alongside, Parc y Coleg, Redrow’s development of 170 homes.  The Grade II listed building that will be restored and converted by Acorn was formerly one of the buildings used by the University of Wales, until…

Award-winning musician and performer Mared Williams will play the title role in Branwen: Dadeni, Wales Millennium Centre and Frân Wen have announced as they unveil casting and a trailer for the eagerly-anticipated new Welsh language dramatic musical. The member of Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Welsh of the West End will lead a talented cast in the contemporary reimagining of the legendary yet tragic tale of Branwen, from the ancient mythical tales of the Mabinogion, set to tour Wales this November. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music, Mared Williams covered the role of Eponine in the West End’s reworked…

This Summer, FOR Cardiff will launch Talking City, an interactive historical walking trail powered by artificial intelligence (AI), presenting a significant development in the city’s cultural offering. By scanning QR codes dotted around the city centre, users will be able to interactive with virtual tour guide, Ceri, who will share facts, ask questions, and send pictures, audio & video of the specific locations through a two-way conversation. The trail is now live and will highlight the iconic landmarks and history of Cardiff, including Cardiff Castle and its iconic Animal Wall, Betty Campbell, the Principality Stadium, and the historic arcades. Carolyn…

This month one million seeds will be collected off the north Wales coast as the pioneering project makes waves to tackle the global climate and nature crisis.   Launched in North Wales last Summer, the Seagrass Ocean Rescue project aims to plant five million seeds across ten hectares, with the support of communities in Pen Llŷn and Ynys Môn by 2026. Seagrass Ocean Rescue, managed by WWF in partnership with Project Seagrass, Swansea University, North Wales Wildlife Trust, and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau SAC, are working together with communities to deliver this ambitious seagrass restoration project in north Wales. In December,…

Swansea Building Society has announced the successful completion of the expansion and refurbishment project at its head office, located in Cradock Street, Swansea. The adjoining property, number 13, was acquired and transformed to accommodate the Society’s growing workforce. The project was completed on schedule, and staff have now moved into the new premises. The extensive refurbishment of the acquired property has included the installation of new windows, a new roof, and a comprehensive interior redesign. These improvements were necessary to ensure a comfortable and productive working environment for the Society’s additional staff. The expansion aligns perfectly with a significant milestone…