Author: Rhys Gregory

European beavers will become a protected native species under Welsh law. The Welsh Government will extend European Protected Species status to European beavers, making it illegal to deliberately harm them or damage their habitats. The legislative changes bring Wales into line with England and Scotland in recognising beavers as a native species requiring protection. The move will also see how European beavers can help create natural flood defences and cleaner rivers across Wales. Recent scientific evidence demonstrates that beaver dams trap sediments and filter pollutants from agricultural runoff, significantly reducing harmful nitrogen and phosphorus in waterways. This natural water treatment…

Swansea Building Societyhas appointed Christopher Rice as the new Branch Manager of its Cowbridge branch. Rice, who joined Swansea Building Society at the start of April this year, brings with him over two decades of financial services experience to his new role. Throughout his career, Rice has held senior sales and managerial roles at major financial institutions including Woolwich, Barclays, Northern Rock, Virgin Money, Seren Financial and The Money Partnership. His expertise includes leading teams, providing mortgage advice, and supporting clients and communities with their financial needs. He replaces David Osterland, who has moved to manage the Society’s Portland Street…

IoD Wales has officially launched the search for its next National Chair, as Richard Selby MBE DL prepares to step down after five years of service. Richard has completed two successful terms, steering IoD Wales through a period of growth and change, and ensuring the organisation is a strong voice for Welsh business leaders across the UK and beyond. The new Chair will be expected to build on this foundation, working with members, regional committees and partners to help shape the next chapter for IoD Wales, with a particular focus on good governance, membership growth, and representing the business community…

COLEG Cambria is set to sharpen the future of food skills with the launch of its brand-new Butchery Academy. And leading the way is award-winning butcher and mentor, Matt Edwards. Matt – Food Manufacturing Work-Based Learning Practitioner at Cambria and a former WorldSkills UK gold medallist – has already been sharing his expertise with learners. Recently, he supported Gabi Wilson, from NPTC Group in Newtown, ahead of her appearance in the cooking category at EuroSkills in Denmark. Gabi and her tutors specifically turned to Matt for his sector knowledge and competition experience, underlining his reputation as one of the UK’s…

Wales’ flagship festive light trail Christmas at Bute Park has strengthened its commitment to supporting home-grown talent through the Ignite Cymru initiative by featuring two installations for 2025 created by Welsh artists, Ruby June Walker and Patrick Richards. Now in its fifth year, award-winning Christmas at Bute Park will return to the Welsh capital from Friday November 21st through to December 31st 2025, with a new reimagined route and exciting new light installations created by world-class creatives, including two designed by Wales-based artists as part of the Ignite Cymru scheme. Ignite Cymru is a project run by Christmas at Bute Park…

A leading civil engineering contractor has strengthened its commitment to Wales with the opening of a new office in the heart of Cardiff. Jones Bros Ruthin Civil Engineering UK, headquartered in Ruthin, has expanded its national footprint with a second Welsh location in Southgate House, within the city’s enterprise zone. The new base will enhance Jones Bros’ ability to support projects across south Wales and the wider UK, leveraging Cardiff’s strong transport links to London and other key locations. Recent schemes delivered in the region include major low-carbon energy developments, such as the Uskmouth battery storage facility and Swansea Greener…

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across parts of Wales this weekend as Storm Amy moves in, with disruption expected from Friday evening through to late on Saturday. The warning is in place from 6pm on Friday, 3 October, until 11.59pm on Saturday, 4 October. Gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely across many areas, with exposed coasts and hills seeing stronger winds that could exceed 70mph. Forecasters say the strongest gusts are expected further north, but conditions in parts of north Wales, including Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, and Anglesey, could still prove disruptive. Heavy…

Over 200 new product ranges will one of the main attractions at the upcoming Blas Cymru / Taste Wales – Meet the Buyer event, with 150 Welsh food and drink suppliers taking part and an opportunity for 300 invited buyers to meet a nation of food and drink innovators. The Welsh Government’s flagship food and drink trade show, taking place at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Wales, Celtic Manor Resort on 22-23 October, will bring together food professionals from across the globe to explore the latest developments in Wales’s thriving food and drink sector, and to engage in brisk trade. Backed by multi-million-pound investment in innovation and production capabilities, the Welsh food and drink industry…

Cymru will take part in a powerful and emotional moment of unity at Wembley Stadium this month, as players will walk out side by side with fans living with dementia ahead of the international friendly against England. In a landmark initiative delivered by Alzheimer’s Society and The Football Association (FA), supported by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), 22 fans living with dementia, nominated from across Wales and England, will walk out alongside the players in place of the traditional child mascots. The mascots will join both squads for the national anthems, to call on fans across the UK to…

South Wales Police are appealing for information to help find 15-year-old Malakai, who has been reported missing from Caerau, Maesteg. Malakai has been missing since Monday, September 29. He is described as around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, with hazel eyes and dark brown curly hair. The last confirmed sighting of him was when he was wearing a black Nike jacket and trousers, along with black trainers. Police believe Malakai could be in the Reading area and may be using the rail network to travel. He also has known connections to Cardiff and Swansea, and has previously travelled to…