Author: Rhys Gregory

Finance Ministers from across the UK met yesterday in Cardiff, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to dominate talks. Topics for discussion included inflation, energy security and public spending pressures – each set against the backdrop of a cost-of-living crisis which continues to affect many aspects of people’s everyday lives. Welsh Government Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans chaired the meeting, and said: “We know that households’ disposable incomes are continuing to fall, and additional support is still required, and will continue to be required. I have asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury today to look into additional…

A new Toys“R”Us shop-in-shop is set to open at WHSmith in The Mall, Cwmbran, today. The new Toys“R”Us shop-in-shop in Cwmbran will open its doors to customers on Thursday 22nd June, and will follow this with a grand opening event on Saturday 8th July from 8.30am to 13.00pm, which customers are invited to come along to and celebrate the launch. At the event on Saturday 8th July, Geoffrey the Giraffe will be joining the WHSmith team for an official ribbon cutting when the store opens, before greeting visitors to the store throughout the morning. The first 30 children visiting the…

A new study reveals Cardiff has seen an uptick in photography services, bakeries, and garden centres which have all been identified as the city’s fastest growing businesses between 2017 and 2022. In particular, the number of businesses specialising in photography grew by 419%, showing that people are increasingly looking for gear that goes beyond what our smartphones are capable of. Also making their mark on the city’s economy, the number of businesses specialising in physical wellbeing has increased by 294% increase, propelling the popularity of fitness through alternative means such as yoga or dance as people look to maintain a…

Ysgol Treferthyr learners have etched their names into history during a visit to the site of their new school building, as the development hits a major milestone.  Year six pupils along with the school’s board of governors were invited by Bodelwyddan-based contractor Wynne Construction to see the shape and size of the building, with its steel beams now installed.  To mark the end of this significant stage in construction, one of the final beams was signed by the children before it was lifted into place, followed by a tour of the site, led by Wynne Construction project manager Andy Lea…

Billed as ‘the antidote to modern living’, a new camping and wellness experience launches this July among the trees at Candleston Woods. Called This Must Be The Place, the temporary campground will pop up for three weeks this summer, bringing a mix of 20 luxury bell tents and 14 campervan pitches to the site at Merthyr Mawr, Vale of Glamorgan. The experience will focus on allowing people to disconnect from their devices and ‘rewild themselves’ in the forest, among the nearby dunes and on the beach. Campers can enjoy a two hour forest sauna, dawn sea swims, communal campfires, yoga,…

There are just a few weeks left to enter the 2023 Wales STEM Awards with entries closing on 7th July. The 2023 Wales STEM Awards will shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals making a difference to the STEM agenda in Wales. Following the success of last year’s awards, the 2023 ceremony will take place on 13th October at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff. The awards will celebrate those leading the sector in Wales, those businesses creating an impact on the Welsh economy, those addressing the STEM diversity gap and skills shortage, and those inspiring and raising…

Young people with additional learning needs are being given a platform to showcase their skills in a competitive environment to help secure placements in the working world. King, Morgan and Cecily, from Pembrokeshire, are just one group of learners whose performance at Skills Competition Wales and WorldSkills UK has helped them land paid work experience. They are currently on a supported internship programme with major Welsh employer, Bluestone National Park Resort, having impressed the award-winning resort destination after their triumph in skills competitions. The trio, who started out at Pembrokeshire College’s Life Skills Academy, are now gaining real work experience…

Coleg y Cymoedd has unveiled its new Ystrad Mynach campus at an official launch event following a multi-million-pound revamp. The South Wales college has invested more than £9m into the campus over the last year, including renovations to over 20 classrooms, a new restaurant, the development of VR and robotic provisions, a painting and decorating workshop, as well as the creation of a dedicated sports facility. Attended by local employers, industry partners and school representatives, the event saw invitees tour the recently refurbished classrooms and new facilities before enjoying a three-course seated meal at the campus’ new and improved ‘Scholars’…

The forward end of HMS Cardiff, the second Type 26 City Class frigate, has emerged from BAE Systems’ ship build hall at Govan for the first time in an important moment for the programme to deliver the most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability available to the Royal Navy. The aft section will follow in the coming days as the company’s engineers prepare to join the whole ship together on the hardstand at the Glasgow shipyard on the river Clyde. HMS Cardiff will undergo further structural work on the hardstand before being floated off and transported along the Clyde to BAE Systems’…

Welsh Government funding is supporting the phased roll out of Flying Start provision across the county borough. Key areas within the county borough have been targeted according to need, with areas in Pyle, Kenfig Hill and Maesteg benefitting from phase one of the initiative. Phase two of the expansion programme is currently underway, with eligible two-year-olds receiving funded childcare provision in areas including Blaengarw, Pontycymmer, Nantyffyllon and parts of Ynysawdre.  Further areas, including the Ogmore Valley, are planned for September 2023. Funding is marked for a variety of projects including classroom adaptations, building refurbishments, as well as new builds –…