Author: Rhys Gregory

Great Point Media, the diversified London-based media group that has invested more than £500 million into the creative industries worldwide, is collaborating with Fields Park, US-based Volume Global and Media Cymru, a consortium of creative and educational institutions in South Wales to build a world-class virtual production hub at Great Point Seren Studios in Cardiff. In addition to hosting full-scale film and high-end television projects from across the UK and internationally, the facility will comprise a virtual production research and training academy in collaboration with Media Cymru aimed at continuing to develop the region into a thriving global hub for…

Cornerstone Capital, which initially launched in 2021 to bridge a gap and support property developers and private investors in Wales, has now expanded to offer funding solutions to commercial clients across the whole of England and Wales. Following the successful pilot in Wales, which saw the company support more than 20 SME clients in furthering their business aspirations, Cornerstone Capital will now provide funding between £45k – £500k, as a short-term lending loan, to commercial clients outside of Wales. Commenting on the expansion, Chief Executive Officer for Cornerstone Capital, Haydn Thomas, said: “We are hugely excited to expand our offering…

An oak tree on land between Coed Mawr and Andover Close has had branches removed without permission, action that is likely to kill it. It is believed this took place on the afternoon of Sunday, February 5. The tree was worth up to £28,000, according to Capital Asset Value for Amenity Trees (CAVAT), the system used to make such calculations. This matter has been reported to the Police and the Council will be actively looking to start legal proceedings against anyone involved. A nearby ash tree with a value of around £900 also appears to have been very seriously damaged.…

Bridgend County Borough Council remains committed to exploring all options available in relation to improving traffic in Pencoed despite the council’s recent bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund being turned down. The local authority is now seeking alternative funding for the project which would see a new a new replacement bridge being built on Penprysg Road. If funding is successfully secured, the new bridge would be able to accommodate two-way traffic and would lead to the eventual closure of Pencoed’s railway level crossing, which often causes congestion when the barriers are down. In the meantime, plans are underway…

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet has approved plans for the authority to join Welsh Government’s National Empty Properties Scheme, whilst proposals to introduce a council tax premium on long term empty properties were given the go ahead at full council. Both plans are aimed at bringing more empty properties back into use and will help to increase the supply of affordable housing across the county borough. As part of the National Empty Properties Scheme, the council is now required to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council who have been confirmed as the scheme’s lead authority.…

All Year One pupils attending schools in Swansea will be offered free school meals when classes resume after the February half-term break. Pupils in Reception have been offered a free lunch since September 2022 and the expansion of the offer to Year One means more than 4,800 children in Swansea are now eligible. Year One pupils will be automatically enrolled so there is no requirement for parents or carers to apply for the meals. The Welsh Government made a commitment for every primary school pupil to receive a free school meal by 2024 and Swansea Council is working to achieve this…

A two-day festival is coming to Swansea with some big-name chefs, live music and a lot of fun.  Croeso Festival will bring the feel-good factor to the city centre with its varied programme of entertainment. Swansea’s festival celebrating all things Welsh, Croeso will be packing lots of excitement into the city centre when it returns on February 24 and 25. The free event is organised by the council in association with First Cymru and support from Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales. Cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Croeso is a great opportunity to showcase fantastic Welsh food and drink and…

Neath Port Talbot Council has responded to the joint statement issued by the Welsh Government, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the Confederation of Passenger Transport and Coach and Bus Association Cymru on Friday 10th February 2023. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt said :“I welcome the news that Welsh Government is not to proceed with an immediate withdrawal of the Bus Emergency Scheme Grant as this has been a crucial form of support that has kept bus services running throughout the pandemic.” He continued: “I note that further dialogue will now take place between Welsh…

Hundreds of Pembrokeshire children will take to the streets of Haverfordwest on March 1st for a parade to celebrate St David’s Day. The parade, organised by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Pembrokeshire Language Forum, will start at 10am from the carpark behind the former county library building on Dew Street. Led by the fantastic Samba Doc they will head down High Street, through Bridge Street and across the Old Bridge, back through Quay Street, then finishing at County Hall for an open-air jamboree. There is also a competition for the best Wales and Welsh inspired shop window with a special dragon…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is continuing to support its Armed Forces Community by launching a new Veterans Support Hub. In conjunction with Woody’s Lodge, the council has announced extra support for the Armed Forces veterans and community. The new Woody’s Lodge Veterans Support Hub will be open at the Bowls Pavilion at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, every Saturday, from 10am until noon. All members of our Armed Forces community are welcome to attend every Saturday. Councillor Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Deputy Leader and Armed Forces Champion, said: “We are delighted to welcome Woody’s Lodge to our County…