Author: Rhys Gregory

The Minister for Economy has visited a purpose-built construction academy to see how Persimmon Homes, in partnership with Bridgend College, is developing the next generation of workers in South Wales. Vaughan Gething MS was given a tour of the ‘Persimmon Academy’, which sees apprentices develop their skills at a bespoke construction and learning facility at the housebuilder’s development in Llanilid, near Ponytclun. The visit coincided with National Apprenticeship Week, and the Minister had the opportunity to meet with the Welsh housebuilder’s latest intake of apprentice bricklayers and carpenters. He was given a tour of the site and observed students being…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the freehold sale of Rocking Horse Day Nurseryin Broughton, Flintshire. Funding for the purchase was sourced through commercial finance specialist, Christie Finance. Owned and operated by Mark and Evelyn Aindow since 1998, Rocking Horse Day Nursery is a real ‘home from home’ setting, offering a high-quality provision for up to 70 children aged from babies to four years. This family-run nursery boasts consistently strong occupancy generated by reputation, repeat custom, and word of mouth referrals. The nursery is located within a prime position extremely close to the Wales/England border and to…

A ground-breaking Ebbw Vale company has launched its prototype Inkjet Bioprinter, and reaction from the biotech sector is overwhelmingly positive. Copner Biotech, based at UKSE’s Ebbw Vale Innovation Centre, aims to push the boundaries of biomedical research and engineering with its new, patented 3D printer and other innovations. They believe their innovations represent a potential step-change in biomedicine, and that a global market beckons for their products. The printer, the firm says, revolutionises the production of the scaffolds used for growing cell cultures for research. “Our printer takes a new approach to this important area, offering more accuracy and realism…

Celebrity chef, author and ultra-athlete Matt Pritchard (The Dirty Vegan) is backing a call by the Be Mighty campaign for people in Wales to recycle more of their food waste in an effort to combat climate change and reduce the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Food waste in Wales can be converted into energy through specialist facilities across the country, and in 2021-22 more than 10,000 Welsh homes were powered by food waste recycling. But data shows that last year approximately a quarter of all general rubbish contained food waste, meaning 100,000 tonnes of food waste wasn’t put…

With more than eight in ten (84%) saying that spending time with their dog makes them feel more positive, dog owners across the UK will no doubt want to show their canine friends just how much they love them this Valentine’s Day. But while we may want to show our love through big bear-hugs and kisses on the nose, these acts may actually be causing our four-legged companions more stress than joy. Ahead of the big day, the team at Dogs Trust’s Dogs School, which runs classes across South Wales, gives their top tips for showing your dog just how…

This February half term, there’s plenty to see and do with all the family at the special places in National Trust Cymru’s care.   Discover and explore trails in gardens, estates and historic buildings near you with a day out for the whole family.  Enjoy time outdoors together in nature, spotting snowdrops, or squirrels, or the first signs of winter melting into spring in estates and gardens across Wales. Or head indoors to keep warm during the colder season with storytelling, puppet making, and much more.   South Wales  Dinefwr, Llandeilo  Visit the magnificent Newton House at Dinefwr for creative, fun half…

A Cardiff-based entrepreneur is ready to take the UK by storm, going all out to launch two sensational alcoholic tipples into the mainstream drinks market, having battled through all the challenges posed by Covid-19, to bring his product to fruition. Harry Hewett spent the pre-Christmas period at various markets and events around South Wales, promoting a unique spirit and liqueur that has no equal in the UK, either in terms of taste or back-story. After this soft launch activity, he is ready to go big. The product he has passionately steered through all the ups and downs of the past…

Entries are now coming in for the Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday 20 May 2023. This popular event is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and brings entrants from across the country to cycle, canoe and run or hike along the canal from Newtown, mid-Wales, into Shropshire. The Triathlon starts at Hafan Yr Afon, Open Newtown’s riverside venue in Newtown, with a 12-mile cycling section to Belan Locks, south of Welshpool. This section will include five road crossings where the canal was blocked after it was closed. Then there will be 5½ miles by canoe through Welshpool passing…

Popular UK bar and restaurant company Loungers is opening a new venue in the Neath Leisure Centre and Library complex which has just opened to the public in Neath’s town centre. Known as Cadno Lounge, the new outlet in Fairfield Way will be one of more than 200 sites operated by Loungers in England and Wales across two distinct but complementary brands, Lounge and Cosy Club. Cadno Lounge will serve a wide range of meals from tapas and salads to burgers and mac ‘n cheese, with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options also on offer. There will also be a…

Important flood alleviation work will get underway at two separate locations in Rhydyfelin, to reduce the risk of flooding in heavy rainfall – and both schemes are benefitting from significant Welsh Government funding. The works at Masefield Way and a nearby section of Bryn Tail Road start on Monday, February 13.The schemes will take place away from the highway, requiring no traffic management and causing minimal disruption locally. The Council has appointed Calibre Contracting Ltd to deliver each scheme on site. Seven weeks of work at Bryn Tail Road will install a structure that will help better control the flow of…