Author: Rhys Gregory

Newport City Council’s cabinet will next week consider how it will change the services it provides in the face of a major financial challenge. With a budget gap of £27.6 million, there will be many difficult decisions to be made. Last month, Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of the council set out the scale of the challenge in a video address and since then, the authority has been looking at every option to limit the impact of the inevitable changes on the people of Newport. https://youtu.be/Fp8gLuQmhWE At the meeting on Wednesday 14 December, 29 proposals will be considered in detail before the…

In the first fortnight of Monmouthshire County Council’s Christmas Wishes appeal, presents and donations of money have been coming in from generous residents and businesses, including the construction firms working on the new through-school in Abergavenny, across the county. The annual appeal delivers some Christmas joy to vulnerable children and young people who might otherwise not receive gifts over the festive period. This year’s appeal is running until 18th December and despite the challenges so many people are facing due to the Cost of Living Crisis, the community have been digging deep to help. Cllr. Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Education,…

This autumn at the annual Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership Board meeting, Emma Thomas was announced as the new Chair of the Board. The Chair of the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership plays a key role in helping the region to drive its vision for learning and skills, represent the voice of the private sector, to influence and support decision-making and to champion the Mid Wales region at a national level. Emma Thomas is currently the HR Manager at ABER Instruments, a Life Science Manufacturer, and has been with the company for the last seven and a half years. With…

Welsh farms will receive a share of £62.5 million as Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022 full or balance payments are made today (Friday 9 December). Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said payments are being made to over 14,400 farm businesses across Wales, which is 90% of claimants. This is in addition to the £161m BPS advance payments made to 97% of claimants in October. This was the second year Rural Payments Wales (RPW) made automatic BPS advance payments in October following simplification of the BPS requirements. Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “I am pleased we are yet again making…

Welsh homebuilder, Persimmon Homes has announced exciting changes to Community Champions, the company’s generous charitable scheme which has supported hundreds of charities, sports clubs and local organisations. Through the scheme, Persimmon Homes’ regional businesses in East and West Wales previously provided grants of £1,000 to a range of worthy cause throughout the year. The company has today announced that the two regions will be providing grants of up to £6,000 to community groups and charities every three months, at least £24,000 per year. Previous beneficiaries of Community Champions donations in Wales include organisations such as Welsh Hearts, Cefn Fforest Miners…

World Rally Championship star Elfyn Evans this week launched a series of walking routes in his home village which offer spectacular views of the famous UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere in Mid Wales. The Llwybrau Cerdded – Mawddwy – Walking Paths are based in Dinas Mawddwy, an unspoilt, hidden area between Machynlleth and Dolgellau which is steeped in history. The paths comprise eight, waymarked, circular walking routes, ranging from one-and-a-half to 12 miles, covering a total distance of 46 miles. They have been developed by Cwmni Nod Glas Cyf, a social enterprise formed by an industrious group of volunteers. This area has…

Activity in the Welsh housing market continues to weaken, with higher interest rates and a difficult macroeconomic outlook both taking their toll on buyer sentiment, according to the November 2022 RICS UK Residential Market Survey. For the seventh month in a row, buyer demand in Wales continued to fall, with the net balance coming in at -34%. Whilst this is less negative than the -65% reported in the previous month, the market remains in a firmly downward trend with indications that this will continue in the near term. For agreed sales, a net balance of -48% was reported over this…

One of Swansea’s most recognised businesses has new owners thanks to an acquisition deal that sees the future of Elite Aerials secured for many years to come. Founded by Alan Polverino in 1977, Elite Aerials have been involved in TV Aerials, Satellite Dishes, Fibre and more for over 45 years and recently held a Saphirre celebration at the Swansea.com Stadium. “I have been managing director of Elite Aerial Services Ltd for 45 years,” reflected Alan, “and over that time, we’ve installed everything from simple aerial rigging to the design and installation of today’s complex electronic distribution systems, however, the time…

New street art celebrating prominent Black British artists has appeared in Swansea city centre.    The installation in King’s Lane off Swansea High Street is a collaboration between Coastal Housing and local artists Melissa Rodrigues and Joel Morris, both graduates of UWTSD.    Commissioned by Coastal for Black History Month in October, the installation showcases prominent black British artists including Sonia Boyce, Chris Ofili and Yinka Shonibare.    It is a first foray into producing street art for either of the artists involved, although both have been influenced by the discipline.     “Street art was a great influence on me”…

A Christmas cavalcade will be revving up the Vale of Glamorgan when a bikers dressed as Santa, Elves and Snowmen get festive at an annual charity ride. More than 100 riders are expected to take part in the ‘Santa Run’ on Sunday, December 11, which starts at the Llandow Race Circuit Café at 10.15am sharp and finishes in Cowbridge at noon. The procession will be turning heads for 20 miles through Llantwit Major, Boverton, Eglwys Brewis, St Athan, Aberthaw, Rhoose, Barry through to the Island (where there is a tea break), Dinas Powys, Penarth, outskirts of Cardiff, St Nicholas and…