Author: Rhys Gregory

Leicester’s Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome have announced the cast of their co-production of acclaimed musical The Color Purple, which will visit Wales Millennium Centre this October while on tour for the first time. Leading the company as the downtrodden but full-hearted heroine Celie is Me’sha Bryan, whose previous roles have included Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic), Caroline, or Change (The Playhouse Theatre) and The Lion King (UK tour). The role of glamorous singer Shug Avery will be played by Bree Smith (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), Aaliyah Zhané (The Comedy of Errors, Mercury Theatre) joins as Celie’s sister Nettie, Harpo…

Dozens of employers and local organisations will be attending the upcoming Bridgend Jobs Fair to offer a whole host of exciting new job vacancies. The free event will return this year to the Bowls Hall at Bridgend Life Centre, Angel Street (CF31 4AH) on Thursday 15 September between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Organised by the council’s Employability Bridgend team in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, both organisations will be on hand to offer advice and support on a range of work, training, and volunteering opportunities. This year, the Jobs Fair will also include a new Training Zone, which will feature various providers…

One of the most innovative housing developments in Cardiff is nearing completion on the site of the former Eastern High School in Rumney. On an elevated site with spectacular views over the Bristol Channel to the south and the Brecon Beacons to the north, the new Aspen Grove development will see more than 200 low carbon homes completed in phases before the summer of 2024. Built through the Cardiff Living programme, a development partnership between Cardiff Council and Wates Residential, the scheme has benefited from more than £4m of Welsh Government Innovative Housing Programme (IHP) funding that will help to…

Pembrokeshire County Council has achieved the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2022. The Authority is among 21 organisations in Wales to have achieved the Ministry of Defence award. The accolade recognises employers who have actively demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces community through implementing practical policies in the workplace. Chief Executive Will Bramble said: “Pembrokeshire County Council are utterly committed to supporting those in the Armed Forces Community.  “As the largest employer in Pembrokeshire and with our historical and ongoing links with 14 Signal Regiment based here in the County, we acknowledge our unique position to make a difference.…

Exciting proposals to transform the old Co-op site in Tonypandy are now approved by Welsh Government – as RHA Housing aims to revitalise the site through a £13m mixed-use development, supported by the Council. The Big Shed scheme will bring the site at Dunraven Street back into use, after it has remained empty for around a decade since the closure of the Co-op store in 2012. RHA Wales acquired the derelict property in 2019 and has since been putting plans in place for its regeneration – to improve the area and provide the community with a vibrant town centre location…

Work to construct a storm water pumping station to alleviate flooding on the A44 in Penybont, mid Powys, is finished ahead of schedule. Completed with a grant from the Welsh Government Resilient Roads Fund, the main purpose of the works was to prevent major routes, such as the A44, from flooding so often during storms. The existing highways drainage system will continue to work in normal weather conditions. However, in storm conditions and when the river is high an automatic sensor will close the valve to the river and direct the water into the newly constructed pumping station which is…

A new Natural Resources Wales report highlights how action to restore the degraded peatland of Wales accelerated at record pace during 2021/22 – even surpassing expectations. Wales’ peatlands – also attractively known as bogs, mires or moors – are an unlikely hero whose health is essential for our water security, as we prepare for a future of hotter summers and wetter winters under climate change. The report says the Welsh Government annual target to restore 650 hectares of peatland was surpassed by restoration action on over 1000 hectares, the equivalent of 1400 football pitches. Given that 70% of UK’s drinking water…

Eligible adults in Wales have begun to be invited for their COVID-19 autumn booster this week. The roll-out will begin at the start of September 2022 to help boost the immunity of those at higher risk from COVID-19, improving their protection against severe illness and to protect the NHS over winter 2022-23. Our winter respiratory vaccination strategy will ensure that people who are eligible are also protected from seasonal flu and we urge people to take up the flu vaccine when offered. A single dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to: Residents in a care home for older adults…

Cwmni Egino has a crucial role to play in realising the potential of the Trawsfynydd site, North Wales Minister Lesley Griffiths has said following a visit to the area. Established in 2021 by the Welsh Government, Cwmni Egino’s work aims to bring forward potential new projects to generate electricity and further options to maximise the opportunities of the site. As part of this, it was recently announced Cwmni Egino is embarking on a programme to bring small scale nuclear technology to Trawsfynydd, with work on site being targeted to begin in 2027. The site also has potential to include a…

Everyone loves shopping. It is natural to want to add some new pieces to your closet with the change in season. Although we love to upgrade our closets, sometimes it is not about what we enjoy. Sometimes it is about the needs of the season.  With every new season, there is something that we need to enjoy that new season comfortably. Summers are about to end, and we are almost about to welcome the autumn season. We all are excited to upgrade our wardrobe and closet, but with the tight budget, it is very much impossible.  Just search for online…