Author: Rhys Gregory

Rhondda based UPVC Direct has completed the acquisition of family owned Principality Plastics Warehouse in a deal part-funded with a significant loan and equity investment by the Development Bank of Wales that will see the business retained in Wales. Established in 1992 by John Peters, Principality Plastics Warehouse is a family-run business with warehouses in Cardiff, Gloucester and Swansea. Supplying plastic building supplies to the trade and DIY markets, Principality has  a turnover of £9 million. All 40 staff will be retained by UPVC Direct, the building and maintenance supply company established by entrepreneurs Paul Ragan and Matthew Epps in…

The FAW is delighted to confirm that Chris Gunter will join the Cymru coaching staff as a National Team Development Coach following his playing retirement at the end of this season. The part-time role will provide support for Cymru’s young players as they transition into senior team football and will also support the FAW’s work in securing talent in the National Team pathway. Gunter has announced his retirement from professional football and says he is looking forward to the new role, commenting: “I feel incredibly fortunate and blessed to have enjoyed the highs and lows of the past 17/18 years.…

Welsh freelancers and SMEs are to benefit from seed funding to carry out early-stage research, development and innovation (RD&I). Media Cymru has awarded funding to 18 projects exploring a range of new ideas, including in the fields of virtual production (VP), immersive technologies and interactive experiences. Launched in 2022, Media Cymru offers a series of funding rounds, training, research and opportunities to help develop innovation capacity within businesses and individuals in the media sector. Led by Cardiff University, its aim is to turn Cardiff and the surrounding capital region’s media sector into a global hub for media innovation with a…

An award-winning yogurt maker from Conwy took centre stage in a TV show that transforms people’s lives. The Llaeth y Llan dairy in Llannefydd, near Denbigh and St Asaph,  was the location for one of the tasks during the filming of the popular S4C programme, FFIT Cymru. The programme is made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da and presented by Lisa Gwilym, who hails from nearby Henllan, with the programme being shown at 9pm on Tuesday evenings. Over a two-month period five participants from all over Wales are aiming to improve their health by following bespoke fitness and food plans…

A care organisation has crowned its own King and Queen in the run up to a bumper weekend of Coronation celebrations. While the nation parties as King Charles III officially accedes to the throne, there will be loud cheers at Pendine Park in Wrexham and Caernarfon. Joyous residents, their families and staff will have an extra reason to celebrate as two members of staff will mark their birthdays on Coronation Day, May 6, and have been proclaimed as Pendine’s own right royal duo! Ben Beleno will reach his milestone 50th birthday while fellow staff member Sara Williams will be 37…

The one-off grant is being targeted at those who have not already received help through the scheme set up last year where discounts were paid by the UK government direct to householders’ energy suppliers. People eligible to get the grants have to apply direct to a UK Government website which will be administered locally by Swansea Council. Since the start of 2022, 145,500 grants worth in excess of £21m have been paid through the council to city households facing the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills. The latest grant is worth a potential £1.2m. Rob Stewart, Leader of…

Neath Port Talbot (NPT) Youth Service have become the latest recipients of the Quality Mark for Youth Work (QMYW) in Wales, receiving their Silver award at a special presentation event last week. Administered by the Education Workforce Council (EWC), the QMYW is a national award which supports and recognises improving standards in the provision, practice, and performance of organisations that deliver youth services. In order to receive the accreditation, youth work organisations must self-assess against a set of quality standards and pass an external assessment. In their assessment, NPT Youth Services demonstrated to assessors how their service recognised and promoted…

The important scheme to repair and refurbish Imperial Bridge in Porth will resume on site from Tuesday, May 9. Announced last year, this is the second scheduled phase of work that is required to protect the structure for the future. The first phase of work was carried out throughout 2022, pausing during November to comply with Natural Resources Wales’ seasonal restrictions for working within the river. The overall scheme will carry out steelwork repairs to structural elements of the bridge, repaint all steelwork and parapets, install expansion joints and complete carriageway resurfacing at Pontypridd Road. Contractor Centregreat Ltd made good…

Wales National Armed Forces Day Newport, on Saturday 24 June, promises to be a spectacular event as we can reveal some more exciting participants. It is due to include a fly past by the Red Arrows, Army and RAF parachutists “dropping in” and a performance by the Cardiff Military Wives Choir. The very special day will begin with a military parade, with both serving members of the forces and veterans taking part, through the city centre. Services vehicles and stalls will be along the riverfront while charities and voluntary organisations that support the armed forces will be inside the Riverfront…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet recently approved plans to amend grass cutting regimes, with the aim of promoting biodiversity. Cabinet members approved adopting the approach used during 2021/22 as the future standard for grass cutting in the county borough. They also gave a commitment to support the UK wide ‘No Mow May’ Campaign. This means formal grass cutting does not commence until June, with the exceptions: To maintain visibility for road users; Keep traffic signage and sight lines clear; Maintain margins and access on footways and cycle routes; Maintain parks, sports grounds, cemeteries, housing estates, play and recreational green open spaces.…