Author: Rhys Gregory

Emirates, the world’s largest airline and title sponsor of The FA’s flagship knockout competition is today revealing the names behind this year’s Emirates FA Cup Final mascots. Working with The FA and non-league clubs, Emirates has travelled up and down the country to surprise unsuspecting fans including Wrexham A.F.C. supporter, Mia Matthews, aged 10 from Wrexham. Mia comes from a family of Wrexham fans, including her grandparents who have all enjoyed Wrexham’s journey in the Emirates FA Cup. Her grandfather sadly passed away earlier this season but despite their loss, the family continued to support the club. It is due…

IKEA has today announced a £4.5million investment in a nationwide electric charging infrastructure, which will provide charging points for electric delivery vehicles across the country to enable more emissions-free deliveries. The new infrastructure will source energy entirely through renewable sources. The EV infrastructure forms part of IKEA’s ongoing transformation to become even more affordable, accessible, and sustainable. The retailer aims to reach 100% zero emissions deliveries to customers by 2025. By summer 2023, IKEA plans to achieve 60% zero emission deliveries in the UK and Ireland, demonstrating the significant steps being taken to accelerate moving towards the 2025 goal. This…

Lesley Griffiths, Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd visited Grŵp Llandrillo Menai this week [19 April] to celebrate the announcement of a partnership between Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and AMRC Cymru, aimed at transforming the rural economy by developing skills and exploring new technologies for the agri-food sector. This partnership is linked to the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub, whose purpose is to create a world-class agri-food workforce with the highest levels of environmental standards. Commenting on the opportunity that the agreement will bring to the North Wales economy, Martin Jardine, Director of Agri Food at Grŵp…

A college in the South Wales valleys has become the first in the country to create a dedicated sustainability role as part of a wider strategy to improve its green credentials. Coleg y Cymoedd, which serves learners across the boroughs of Rhondda and Caerphilly, has appointed Rachel Edmonds-Naish as its new Assistant Principal for Sustainable Futures – the first senior leadership position of this type in a Welsh further education college. The unique job will see her implement a range of initiatives and policies designed to reduce the college’s carbon footprint and support learners to make more responsible and sustainable…

The Cabinet of Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed that the council will continue to host the Valleys Regional Park (VRP) project until 2024. With European Social funding coming to an end in June 2023, the Cabinet has also agreed to accept Welsh Government funding of £265,000 to support the project until the end of the 2023/ 2024 financial year. VRP is an environmental vision for the valleys – developed and delivered through a growing partnership of local authorities, government agencies, local health boards, charitable trusts and voluntary organisations that are working closely with private enterprise and local communities. The…

A piece of 17thCentury treasure found by a local metal detectorist has gone on display at the Museum of Cardiff. The rare silver thimble, which is believed to have been intended as a romantic gift due to the inscription around its base which reads ‘I AM YOVRS’ (I am yours) was found buried in Pentyrch, 18cm below the ground. Museum Manager, Alison Tallontire, said: “This is the first piece of treasure to ever go on display at the Museum, so it’s really exciting for us. “These thimbles were once commonly-owned by members of the upper-class nobility, but they’re now a…

Outdoor theatre is set to return to Swansea this summer – with stories from two popular British literary icons. Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Twelfth Night – presented by Immersion Theatre – is due to play in the grounds of Oystermouth Castle on Wednesday, August 9. The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, adapted from stories by Beatrix Potter and presented by Quantum Theatre, will be performed at the same venue the following day. Both performances are being organised by Swansea Council. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Both productions should be thoroughly entertaining and memorable for both visitors and residents…

Pembrokeshire County Council is preparing for the annual Tenby Pedestrianisation scheme. The scheme will start on Monday 3rd July and finish on Friday 8th September and run between 11am – 5.30pm each day. The scheme will again see the Walled Town divided into three ‘zones,’ each of which will have varying degrees of vehicle access. Full details of the scheme and the on-line application form will be available from Monday 2nd May and can be found on the Council’s website. Residents and business within the Walled Town are encouraged to complete the process as soon as possible after the documents…

The main demolition phase for the Castle Inn Bridge in Treforest will start on site from Monday, April 24. The activity over the coming weeks will enable the permanent replacement bridge to be installed during the summer. Castle Inn Bridge is a Listed structure that spans the Afon Taff between River Street in Treforest and Cardiff Road in Glyntaff. It previously provided a local link between the B4595 and A4054 – however, the bridge was severely damaged in Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, and is closed to ensure safety. The Council has received Listed Building Consent to demolish the structure…

Funding to progress exciting plans to extend a flagship special school in Ystrad Mynach have been approved by Caerphilly council’s cabinet this week. The ambitious scheme will see the construction of a colourful new two storey extension within the footprint of the existing Trinity Fields school site to accommodate an additional 80 places, plus extra facilities. Cllr Carol Andrews, CCBC’s Cabinet Member for Education said, “The Cabinet is delighted to give this much-anticipated scheme the green light. The impressive plans for the site signal a new era for this flagship school and I’m sure the whole community will welcome this…