Author: Rhys Gregory

A landscape architect turned liqueur maker from Skewen has established an artisanal liqueur business inspired by the slow food movement, linking the pleasure of using traditional methods, sustainable ingredients and slow consumption for maximum taste. Emily Richards, 32, launched Caru Spirits in April 2022. The company makes sustainably-produced brandy liqueur for distribution to local markets, online alcohol retailers including Amazon, and independent shops in Wales such as the Loafley Bakery and Deli in Tenby. Sense of place, and the ability to create a connection with a place, has always been important to Emily, thanks in part to her job as…

Fit-out, design and build specialists Paramount has today announced the appointment of Richard Jones as Chief Executive Officer in a move that will accelerate the company’s growth. Richard has been elevated from his role as Managing Director, which he had held since November 2017, into a newly-created post that reflects the Cardiff-headquartered firm’s growth since he joined the business 15 years ago, before acquiring Paramount in a 2018 management buyout. Helen Bartlett, who joined the company as a receptionist in 1998 with a degree in Interior Architecture, has been appointed as his successor, having previously operated as Design Manager for 11 years…

A spooky augmented reality Halloween Trail around some of Cardiff’s most popular parks and green spaces has launched on the new Love Exploring App. The free App, which is available to download from the Apple App Store and via Google Play, includes a range of informative trails, and fun augmented reality games around Roath Park, City Hall Lawns, Bute Park, Forest Farm, Parc Cefn Onn, and Cardiff Bay. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke-Davies, said: “The Love Exploring app is a great way for people to get to know Cardiff’s parks and green spaces better and…

One of the UK’s biggest surveys of young people, the 2022 School Sport Survey by Sport Wales, has shown that Neath Port Talbot is number one in Wales in three key areas. These are the number of children who take part in sport three or more times per week (46%); those participating in community club sport outside of school (71.6%); and those participating in community sport at least once a week (62.3%). Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Wellbeing said: “This is a credit to our Physical Activity and Sports Team (PASS) team,…

Work has started this week on major upgrades to the Public Convenience at Whitesands Beach, St Davids. The project will redesign the existing facility to create a Changing Places Toilet and a Family Room. This project has been awarded funding from Welsh Government as part of the Brilliant Basics Fund to improve visitor experiences across Wales. This will improve inclusivity at this popular Blue Flag beach by adding additional facilities for those who may not otherwise be able to visit. The installation of the Changing Places Toilet will be Pembrokeshire’s first beach-side facility. It will serve visitors with complex or…

RCT Council has started a community consultation asking residents for their views about new proposals, to introduce road safety measures and improved active travel routes at Crown Hill in Llantwit Fardre. Important funding has been secured from Welsh Government for the future Maesybryn Safer Routes in the Community scheme. It will develop and introduce measures along Crown Hill, including upgrades to existing pedestrian facilities. The scheme is in an area where many pupils and families cross the main road while walking to the local primary school. Proposals for the scheme include introducing a raised zebra crossing near Crown Hill’s junction…

This Halloween and Bonfire Night, RCT Council is urging all residents to stay safe and be considerate to others while having fun. Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November, and those individuals who constantly live with PTSD. Many people in our communities need extra support at this time of year, and animals need extra love and attention. While many of us look forward to these occasions, others are filled with anxiety in the lead-up to October 31 and November 5. This includes many of our veterans who live daily with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Councillor Maureen Webber, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Deputy…

A giant angel sculpture, made from more than 100,000 knives, is coming to Gwent in November as part of a national anti-violence tour. The 27ft Knife Angel will be installed at Friars Walk in Newport and will stand tall as a prominent reminder of the devastating effects of violence and aggression. Commissioned by the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, and created by artist Alfie Bradley, the iconic sculpture has been visiting towns and cities across the country. It will be on display at Friars Walk throughout November. Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “The Knife Angel is a reminder…

A recent report highlights the efforts made by Caerphilly County Borough Council to implement a ‘Green Infrastructure Strategy’. The Council’s Environment and Sustainability Scrutiny Committee endorsed the update report at a meeting held on 25th October. Included within the report are several initiatives successfully delivered by the Council, since the implementation of its Green Infrastructure Strategy in November 2020.  These projects include community tree planting at Sirhowy Valley Country Park, which saw volunteers plant around 4,500 trees in the area.  As well as offering mental and physical health benefits to volunteers during the planting, it will create woodland spaces for…

Caldicot’s TogetherWORKS celebrated its first birthday on Friday (21st October). This safe, friendly, community space welcomes groups such as Bore Coffee, Disability and Dementia Art and Craft, Stitched Together, Armchair Aerobics, Makers Space and Parents Breastfeeding Support to name a few. Guests were encouraged to share new ideas for the continuation of TogetherWORKS and enjoyed live music from Ben the Hat and Cam Martin. Over the last year, TogetherWORKS has been a space for local people to share, reuse, repair, refurbish and recycle existing materials and products. Its Library of Things allows residents to borrow items and tools, or donate things they…