Author: Rhys Gregory

A much loved Swansea park has a new attraction that will help visitors discover more about nature and celebrate the natural world The addition of its new nature trail makes Morriston Park even more appealing to local people. The trail – officially opened on July 25 during Wales Nature Week – was created by Swansea Council, local councillors and the Friends of Morriston Park volunteer group. It has been funded by a grant through the Welsh Government Enabling Natural Resources and Well-being (ENRaW) scheme and delivered as part of a partnership known as Connecting Green Infrastructure Southwest Wales which improves…

Newport City Council will shortly begin work on a series of improvements to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The improvements will see the council clear silt and vegetation in the canal from the Fourteen Locks site up to the city boundary with Caerphilly county. This stretch will also be relined. The desilting and relining will improve water flow and retention, as well as improving the water environment for biodiversity purposes. The Fourteen Locks site will also benefit from a new bridge over the pond, and new lock gates above the pond to replace the existing ones. The bridge, which will…

Exciting plans to create new community facilities on a former secondary school site in Pontllanfraith will start to take shape next month. Demolition of the old Pontllanfraith Comprehensive School buildings will commence in August to make way for a new education hub along with a 4 court sports hall and multi-use games area (MUGA) with 3G surface. The preparatory works involve demolition and the movement of plant and machinery within a constrained site. Unfortunately, this means that the adjacent leisure centre and existing 3G sports pitch will be closed to the public throughout August to allow the first phase of…

A Merthyr Tydfil Indoor Market trader has progressed to the national final of a prestigious competition for young entrepreneurs after impressing the judges at the Wales regional final in Swansea. David White, owner of Scentury Scents based in St Tydfil Shopping Centre market, was highly commended and awarded a place in the final of the National Market Traders Federation contest in Stratford-upon-Avon this August. Stallholders at the Young Traders Market campaign 2023 were judged on criteria including customer engagement, cleanliness of stall and area, stall decoration, product knowledge, unique selling point and quality of product. More than 300 traders UK-wide…

Failing to correctly dispose of 17 sheep carcasses has cost a Powys farmer over £1,300 after they were prosecuted by the county council’s Animal Health Team. Terry Martin Griffiths of Cartref, Trecastle, Brecon, who pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations 2014, appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 19 July. He was fined £340 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a £34 victim surcharge. The court heard that in December 2021, animal health officers visited Cartref and found 11 sheep carcasses that had not been disposed of correctly. Less than three…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how suspected prostate and breast cancer is being diagnosed in Wales. Following successful trials analysing prostate biopsies, which saw a 13% increase in cancer detection, the IBEX Galen AI platform is now being trialled in suspected breast cancer cases at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board. Funded through the Welsh Government’s Innovation Fund and supported through the work of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, the AI tool automatically analyses digital images of pathology samples, classifying them through a traffic light system, as having a higher or lower likelihood of cancer, prior to a…

AN INTERNATIONAL shipping company will install revolutionary solar cells on its vessels to manage and store renewable energy following successful trials in Equatorial waters. Carisbrooke Shipping Ltd, which operates a fleet of multi-purpose vessels from offices in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, signed a letter of intent with Anglesey and Manchester-based Grafmarine to utilise the cutting-edge NanoDeck AI Solar tile management solution. The companies have worked in partnership over the last 12 months, providing Grafmarine with a marine vessel to test their NanoDeck technology, a solution which can be attached to any flat surface – in this case, a…

Business confidence in Wales has improved beyond pre-pandemic levels though challenges remain, a survey of chartered accountants has found. Sentiment tracked by ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) for Wales for Q2 2023, published today (Wednesday 26 July 2023), found confidence rose again this quarter to 12.4, ahead of both the UK average (+6.1) and the average for Wales in the decade before the pandemic too. However, confidence remains fragile and businesses face a number of challenges including rising interest rates and inflation. Input price inflation in Wales reached its highest point since the survey began, outstripping other UK nations and…

Imagitech, a Swansea-based software and app development company, has transitioned into employee ownership. The company works with UK and international clients to develop training and revision aids, as well as management and assessment systems for driving theory tests and health and safety qualifications, alongside custom-built applications and software for other businesses too. Founded by Mike Bews and Gerhard Manogg in 1995, it works with driving theory test companies in the UK, Ireland and South Africa, as well as with the Construction Industry Training Board here in the UK. Now, the 17 members of staff who work for Imagitech will own…

South Wales Police is carrying out a forensic review of the murders of Harry and Megan Tooze 30 years ago. The couple were found dead with gunshot wounds at their Ty Ar y Waun farmhouse in Llanharry on 26th July 1993. South Wales Police has now commenced a forensic review of the case working alongside forensic scientist Dr Angela Gallop. The latest forensic techniques will be used to assist detectives who are working to find a breakthrough in the undetected murders of Harry, aged 64, and Megan 67. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Mark Lewis, said: “This week marks the…