Author: Rhys Gregory

It’s a big weekend for Swansea sports fans as thousands of spectators will enjoy two top class events. So how can people watching the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea and IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea get the most of the event? And what can those not attending do to make it a good weekend? The free-entry events are being organised by British Triathlon and IRONMAN – and Swansea Council is supporting them Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “It’s going to be a great sporting weekend for the city. “There’s a huge appetite for quality events in this part of the world.…

TrustMark’s newest Scheme Provider, NetRet, is its first to be based in Wales and is focused on supporting the housing sector to achieve its net zero goals through the likes of the Optimised Retrofit Programme. Providing training (including NVQ level and vocational), guidance and certification, NetRet aims to help upskill the workforce within the social housing sector to overcome some of the supply chain and skills gap issues. Businesses can register with NetRet to become TrustMark registered, enabling them to demonstrate their commitment to quality (PAS 2035), consumer protection and maintaining high standards. TrustMark Registered Businesses with NetRet will also…

Offshore wind farms could offer new habitats for lobsters and possible biodiversity benefits, according to new research by led by Aberystwyth University academics. According to the study published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science, particular areas of habitat within offshore windfarms provide a suitable living environment for lobsters. These new turbines placed off the coast are believed to create a type of artificial reef, adding a hard substrate into areas where there was once soft sediment. For the research, tens of lobsters were tagged within a windfarm in the Irish sea, and their movements tracked. Monitored by the academics…

A beloved Italian restaurant in the heart of Conwy has a new lease of life with new owners taking on the premises with support from the Development Bank of Wales. Alfredo’s, on Lancaster Square, Conwy, was bought from retiring owners Pete and Christine Scaletta – who have run and owned the well-known restaurant for more than 30 years – by Richard Reynolds, supported by a six-figure loan. The Italian restaurant is based in a large 13th-century building dating back to the founding of the medieval town, and is a popular fixture for locals and visitors alike. New owner Richard also…

GROWERS across Wales reached great heights thanks to a revolutionary vertical farming project. And following a successful two-year programme the groundbreaking Tech Tyfu initiative – delivered by not-for-profit organisation Menter Môn – is set to continue until Summer 2024 via Welsh Government’s Backing Local Firms Fund. The Tech Tyfu Scale-Up project aimed to provide vertical farming equipment and businesses support to growers across the country, with a goal of developing local food supply chains for fresh produce. Among the participants to praise the scale-up scheme were Chris and Donna Graves from Micro Acres Wales, based in Church Village, Pontypridd. As…

FIM Speedway global promoter Warner Bros. Discovery Sports and circuit builder Speed Sport are on track to deliver a much-improved racing surface for the FIM Speedway GP of Great Britain – Cardiff on September 2. Britain’s biggest indoor motorsport event returns to the Principality Stadium in just under two months, with Britain’s Dan Bewley bidding for back-to-back Cardiff wins after his heroic victory in 2022, with fellow GB stars Tai Woffinden and Robert Lambert also going for glory. Bewley defied some testing track conditions to top the podium last year, racing to victory in record-breaking temperatures, which presented unprecedented challenges…

As Net Zero Week drives focus on the UK’s progress to the 2050 target, Wales’ journey towards Net Zero is already being boosted with green hydrogen produced in South Wales. Green hydrogen specialist, Protium, is driving projects that are powering buses and will offer Welsh industry a route to decarbonisation by providing a clean, renewable source of hydrogen fuel. Net Zero Week is an annual UK event and takes place from July 1 to 7. With its Welsh base in Cardiff, Protium is the largest green hydrogen producer in Wales. Leading this charge is its project called Pioneer One -…

Grant Thornton UK LLP’s Wales and South West corporate finance team has advised on the sale of South Wales based electrical engineering business Hornbill Engineering Ltd to OCU Group, the national energy and utilities group, backed by Triton Partners. Headquartered in Llandarcy, Neath and with offices in Pembrokeshire and Mold, Hornbill was founded in 1989 and employs around 120 skilled people. The business operates globally, servicing clients across the power, water, gas, rail, and other sectors and has enjoyed strong recent growth amid significant investment in green energy infrastructure. Operations director Gavin Murray will become the business’s managing director and all Hornbill staff will…

Potential buyers could be forgiven for seeking divine intervention when they bid for q former church at a collective property and land auction in Shrewsbury next week. Chirk Bank Methodist Church, Church Road, Chirk Bank, Wrexham awill be going under the hammer at the summer collective auction organised by leading regional auctioneers and estate agents Halls on Wednesday, July 19. With a price guide of £50,000 to £75,000, Chirk Bank Methodist Church could be the answer to a buyer’s prayers, as it has extensive internal accommodation with huge potential, subject to planning permission. The former church has parking, excellent gardens…

Flavours of Wales will be brought to a globe-trotting public audience later this week at a food event aimed at consumers keen to sample world cuisine. Welsh food and drink producers will be exhibiting at the National Geographic Traveller Food Festival (July 15th & 16th) under the auspices of Welsh Government Food & Drink Wales at stand C2 (mezzanine level). Taking to the Wales stand will be an array of food and drink from Radnor Preserves, Grounds For Good, Cwm Farm Charcuterie Products, Rogue Welsh Cakes, Mydflower, and Derw Coffee. Also exhibiting will be Pembrokeshire micro distillery Still Wild Drinks,…