Author: Rhys Gregory

A new attractive market development in the heart of Caerphilly town centre has moved a step closer to reality today, as the County Council confirm that planning permission has been granted. The new market will provide 28 small-scale units and space for additional ‘pop-up’ market traders. The site will also house an external events venue to further enhance the visitor attractions on offer within the town centre. The site is due to open in September 2023. The plans form part of a wider regeneration blueprint for the town, with funding support from Welsh Government’s Transforming Town’s initiative. Within this plan…

Thanks to funding of £134,000 from Caerphilly County Borough Council and £269,902 from Welsh Government’s Capital Transformation fund, Rhymney Library is set to receive an exciting refurbishment. Improvements include refurnishing and modernising both floors of the library; creating an innovative education, reading and support hub for residents, Council staff and partner organisations. Many features of the new design were taken from a Community Voice survey carried out with the local community. The ground floor of the library will focus as the main book lending space for children, young people and adults.  It will also feature a new seating area for…

Blaenau Gwent Council has welcomed an Estyn report into its education services which shows that the authority has made good progress since its last inspection and that important areas for improvement have been addressed. Estyn carried out their inspection over several days in late November/early December, and engaged with schools, children and young people, parents and other key stakeholders. The final report recognised a strong commitment to education by senior officers and councillors; good planning to ensure the educational needs of all learners are met; the growth of Welsh medium education and, pleasingly, the council’s work to support vulnerable learners…

The Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, has launched a £5m Brilliant Basics tourism fund for 2023-2025. Brilliant Basics is a capital fund to deliver small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements across Wales and is aimed at public, third sector and not for profit organisations. Previous projects funded by Brilliant Basics have included electric vehicle charging points, improved toilet and car parking facilities, accessible changing places facilities and improved signage and interpretation panels. Brilliant Basics will also support projects that improve accessibility at sites and those  that make their destinations more environmentally sustainable. 2023 is Wales’ Year of Trails which…

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science with visit to the University of South Wales (USW) forensic laboratory to meet with a growing number of women working in science, engineering, and maths (STEM) and to encourage more women and girls to consider a career in the sciences. The facility at USW enables the simulation of a variety of realistic crime scenes – from domestic burglaries and break-ins to more complex scenes such as homicides and fatal fires. The Forensic Sciences department boasts many staff who are current or former practitioners. Having either worked…

The FTSE 100 and European equities closed higher on Wednesday, bolstered by Fed Chair Powell’s dismissal of Friday’s robust labor market data. The FTSE 100 (FTSE) gained 0.34% to settle at 7,891 points, having previously reached a new high of 7,926. The CAC 40 (FCHI) in Paris concluded flatly at 7,162 points, while the DAX (GDAXI) in Germany rose 0.51% to 15,397. FTSE 100 Hits Record Highs As traders remain upbeat about the slowing of inflation and the prospect of borrowing costs peaking soon, the FTSE 100 touched a fresh intraday high of 7,934 points. The National Institute of Economic…

Investors will get many crypto investment opportunities in 2023. Most cryptos have experienced a value hit in 2022. But now is the right time to begin investing in crypto. The prices are low and are expected to rise. Developers are building new crypto projects with high potential. For instance, crypto casino projects are doing well. Players are using digital currencies in these crypto casinos. The casinos offer security. Also, crypto casino players can access amazing features such as free bonuses. Cryptocurrencies are virtual assets. They are also known as cryptos, an alternative form of online payment. People use them as…

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An awards ceremony honouring and recognising businesses and entrepreneurs within Torfaen & Monmouthshire has officially been launched. Businesses and entrepreneurs across the two counties are encouraged to enter the awards to gain recognition for their achievements over the last 12 months. The winners will be announced at a black-tie celebration in Abergavenny Market Hall on the 8th June 2023. The owners of Mamhilad Park Estate, a thriving business community on the border of Torfaen and Monmouthshire, Johnsey Estates UK, are supporting the awards as headline sponsor. Andrew Wilkinson, Chair of Johnsey Estates UK said: “2023 sees us celebrate the 75th anniversary…

The waiting is over for anxious chefs as the finalists are today announced for the National and Junior Chef of Wales competitions, the country’s two most prestigious culinary competitions. The National Chef of Wales final will contested by nine chefs, including four finalists from last year’s competition. Robert Cave, head chefs at Rookery Hall Hotel, Crewe, Matthew Smith, chef lecturer at Cheshire South & West College and Wayne Barnard, senior chef de partie at Holm House Hotel, Penarth, will again contest the final. Up against them in a high quality contest will be Dan Andree, head chef at Beach House…