Author: Rhys Gregory

ROCKWOOL has welcomed Nick Wilson as Managing Director to lead the insulation manufacturer across the UK and Irish markets. Wilson brings over 20 years of experience across the industrial, appliance and heating sectors, having held senior positions across commercial, marketing and operations functions. He joins at a critical moment for energy efficiency, with the cost-of-living crisis having tipped an estimated 3.1 million households in England into fuel poverty. Meanwhile the Climate Change Committee’s most recent Progress Report to Parliament called for a “sustained push” on energy efficiency, bringing pressure on the government to accelerate retrofitting rates to reduce bills and…

Pembrokeshire chef Daniel Jones has scooped first prize in the Pub Chef of the Year category at the International Salon Culinaire awards 2023. The finals of the competition took place at ExCel London on 22 March 2023. Executive chef Daniel is co-owner of JT at the Abergwaun Hotel, the hotel and restaurant in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, recently awarded a 4* rating by Visit Wales. His winning dish of Lemon Sole, Spring Vegetables, Bluestone Ale and Pickled Cockle Vinaigrette with ‘Welshman’s caviar’ (handpicked laver seaweed from the Pembrokeshire coast) came first place amongst the seven finalists, and will be introduced to the…

Broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle is about to tackle his latest walk on the wild side with a new tour full of hair-raising and uplifting stories from a life of amazing encounters. Best known from hit shows including Animal Park, Lost Worlds and New Lives In The Wild, the popular presenter will bring his new live tour BEN FOGLE – WILD to 22 towns and cities across the UK in Spring 2023. BEN FOGLE – WILD will see Ben sharing stories of hope, possibility and positivity, all learned from his extraordinary encounters around the world. BEN FOGLE – WILD full…

Welsh heritage jewellers, Clogau is set to launch on April 1st a royal collection to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and his love of gardening. For the first time in seven decades, on 6th May 2023, the British public will be glued to screens to watch King Charles III ascend the 700-year old throne, on which King Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II sat. Engraved with the coronation date and inspired by King Charles III’s favourite purple flowers, the royal Tree of Life Delphinium Collection makes for the perfect wearable keepsake to cherish this special date.…

Four Welsh vineyards have joined in a collaborative project to look at ways of delivering innovative solutions to decarbonisation and improving the efficiency of Welsh Vineyards through reducing the use of synthetic chemicals. Supported by the Welsh Government’s Decarbonisation and Covid Challenge Fund, the project’s objective was to increase knowledge and understanding of disease control and prevention methods in vineyards across Wales. The project’s outputs will help to reduce future use of, and reliance on, synthetic chemicals. Four Welsh vineyards participated, Ancre Hill Estates, Gwinllan Conwy Vineyard, Gwinllan Hebron Vineyard and Sticle Vineyard. All vineyards are different in size and…

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) has strengthened its management board team with the significant appointment of Assistant Chief Constable Jason Davies who joins as a board member. This is a great boost for the WCRCR as Jason brings with him many years of policing across South Wales gaining great knowledge and experience in complex criminal activity from many sections of society. His career began in criminal investigations, from there he progressed to head of intelligence and organised crime roles, spent time heading up the forces Justice Services portfolio and most recently was the Detective Chief Superintendent in the…

Pembrokeshire’s Local Land Charges service has joined the national digital register making buying a property quicker and simpler. Following its launch on 3rd April 2023 anyone wanting to search for Local Land Charges will have instant online access through HM Land Registry’s national LLC Register. Local land charges searches are normally required in the property-buying process and results usually relate to restrictions or prohibitions on the use of the property, such as planning permissions or listed building status. Pembrokeshire County Council has been working with HM Land Registry on this digital transformation of the service with the fast access search…

Caerphilly Council Leader, Cllr Sean Morgan recently visited Transport for Wales’ (TFW’s) train simulator in Cardiff. The visit comes days before the official launch of brand-new South Wales Metro Trains on the Rhymney Valley lines on Wednesday 29 March. The Class 231 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs), built by leading manufacturer Stadler, are part of the £800 million investment Transport for Wales is making in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network. Providing increased capacity with more and improved seating, modern air conditioning, power sockets and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information, the new trains will…

New consumer research has found a majority of people supporting the principle that tourists should contribute towards the costs of maintaining and investing in the destinations they stay in. Rebecca Evans, the Minister for Finance and Local Government, will today confirm plans for a visitor levy in Wales are proceeding and legislation enabling local authorities to introduce a levy in their areas will be put to the Senedd within this government term. The levy will be a small charge paid by people staying in commercially-let overnight visitor accommodation. Similar charges are commonplace around the world, used in more than 40…

People are being urged to check if they can have the mpox vaccine ahead of the busy summer and festival season. Many people across Wales have already been vaccinated against mpox – previously known as monkeypox. The number of mpox cases in Wales has to date been very low. But there have been large numbers of cases across the UK as part of a global outbreak of the disease. Mpox is the new preferred term given by the World Health Organisation to what was previously known as Monkeypox. The new term seeks to move away from the racism, negative connotations and…