Author: Rhys Gregory

These drone shots show how far things have come at the new Parc Mawr housing development near Swansea. The images of the Bellway scheme in the village of Penllergaer show rows of finished houses and work well advanced on many more properties. The housebuilder is constructing 184 new homes at the site off Brynrhos Crescent to the south of the village. Work began at the end of 2021 and now the first residents have settled into their homes. Rhodri Davies, Sales Manager for Bellway Wales, said: “Seeing Parc Mawr from the air in these photographs demonstrates the excellent progress we’ve…

When you think of ‘fly-tipping’, images of abandoned sofas, tyres and unwanted bulky household items are likely come to mind.  But a growing problem — dubbed “unintentional fly-tipping” — is also affecting Wales’ countryside and coast. And according to Fly-tipping Action Wales (FtAW), incidents of unintentional fly-tipping — when members of the public leave their waste next to overflowing bins or abandon the likes of barbecues and camping equipment at beauty spots —have risen over the summer months   causing real harm to Wales’ environment. Neil Harrison, Project Manager at Fly-tipping Action Wales, said: “We’re seeing a concerning increase in what…

United Welsh has ranked second in the UK for the Top 10 housing associations building the most homes rated EPC-A in the last 12 months. The annual Inside Housing Biggest Builders survey collects data about the development outputs of housing associations; including most homes built for social rent, the number of EPC-A homes built, and more. After completing 137 new homes in the 2022/23 period, of which 103 were rated EPC-A, United Welsh ranked second among UK housing associations for building the most EPC-A homes, and the highest in Wales. The Caerphilly-based not-for-profit community landlord also placed third for the number of…

The success of a fast-growing bakery is attracting worldwide interest as it heads for record sales of £100 million. The Jones Village Bakery in Wrexham is now getting enquiries from potential customers as far afield as Australia, several Asian countries and the United States of America. Managing director Robin Jones will be sharing the secrets of the rise and rise of the bakery at a meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals on Thursday, September 14. The group is made up of successful businesses and skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and shine a light on the enterprise and expertise…

A North Wales port has unveiled multi-million pound plans to construct a new generation of floating windfarms. The Port of Mostyn is embarking on a consultation programme before submitting a planning application to Flintshire County Council for a change of use to set up a manufacturing plant on site. The port’s managing director, Jim O’Toole, said the scheme to make concrete gravity bases and steel structures for offshore wind turbines will create a “significant number of jobs”. The development would also involve building new modular offices and workshops. In the meantime, the port has also applied to Natural Resources Wales…

Iconic folk singer Dafydd Iwan was touched when care home residents burst into song to wish him a happy 80thbirthday. The rousing rendition of Penblwydd Hapus (Happy Birthday) took place during a fun day at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home in Caernarfon where Dafydd was the star attraction. Two songs into his set the gig was interrupted for an “announcement”  by Pendine’s creative practitioner, Emyr Gibson, and musician in residence Nia Davies Williams, whose husband Pwyll ap Sion was accompanying Dafydd on the keyboards. Staff and relatives then joined the residents with musical congratulations for Dafydd on reaching…

An equestrian sport international from the Vale of Clwyd is riding high after gaining eight A-star grades at GCSE. Isabella Stone, from Efenechtyd, near Ruthin, a student at Myddelton College, Denbigh, represented Wales at Under-16 level last month at polocrosse – a combination of polo and lacrosse – to relax after the stress of exam time. The 16-year-old is returning to the school’s sixth form next month to study Chemistry, Biology, Geography and Business but is keeping her options open for the future. She said: “I’m quite happy with the results but I’ve not really made my mind up for…

It might be back to school soon but that doesn’t mean that summer fun is over.  Postponed from its original date in July due to unseasonally high winds and driving rain, Tŷ Hafan’s annual Family Fun Day will now take place on Saturday 9th September and promises to be a great day out.  Activities will run between 12 noon and 5pm in the beautiful grounds of Tŷ Hafan’s  hospice on Hayes Road, CF64 5XX with the day kindly sponsored by Cabot.  Admission is just £2 per person with under-twos free of charge making Tŷ Hafan’s Family Fun Day a very affordable day out.  Attractions will include:  Vintage cars and supercars   Live music  Hog…

12-year-old tennis ace from Cardiff, Niall Pickerd-Barua, took home the boys under-14 cup at the Lexus Junior National Championships last week (16 August). The win marks a second year of victory for Niall, following the under-12 Championship title he earned at last year’s tournament — demonstrating his potential as a future star of British tennis. The 2023 Championships, delivered by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), saw 32 players take part in the boy’s under-14’s tournament, with Niall facing five matches to win his first GB title against Eric Lorimer from Devon in the final. Having played tennis since age three…

SIX colleagues from Specsavers in Haverfordwest have completed a five kilometre mud run and obstacle course to raise money for a local hospice charity. The team from the Bridge Street store took on the Tough Mudder challenge to raise some much-needed funds for Paul Sartori Foundation, a charity that provides free, specialised, supportive care and advice to those in the later stages of any life-limiting illness. They completed the 17 obstacle Tough Mudder course in two hours. Chris Rosser, optical assistant at Specsavers Haverfordwest, says: “The amazing team at Paul Sartori were a tremendous help when my mum was diagnosed…