Author: Rhys Gregory

By looking at the number of publicly available electric car charging points in every town and city, as well as the number of electric car drivers in those areas, MINI’s latest report highlights where the UK’s electric vehicle market is strongest, where its growing the fastest, and how this is shaping government legislation, alongside growth projections from 2022 onwards. The report highlights that progress is moving in the right direction. The UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is improving year on year, from 15,116 charging stations in October 2019 to 25,927 in October 2021 – that’s a 72% increase and one…

Open Newtown’s new community and visitor centre has been named Hafan Yr Afon, which translates to River Haven or Haven on the River. The new centre, located on the banks of the River Severn alongside Back Lane car park, forms an attractive gateway to Newtown’s green and blue spaces. Owen Durbridge, chairman of community focused development trust Open Newtown, said: “This exciting and environmentally sustainable building will continue to deliver Open Newtown’s ongoing ethos of well-being, kindness, sanctuary, inclusiveness and biodiversity, whilst promoting outdoor activities. “A welcome break, an attraction, a new experience, encouraging people to explore our river walks…

Immersive digital experiences will soon have a new home in Wales’ national arts centre, as Wales Millennium Centre launches a full season of extended reality arts in a purpose-built space. The first space of its kind in a Welsh arts centre, Bocs (Welsh for ‘box’) will present a programme of 360° films and projections as well as extended reality (XR) experiences – including augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality (VR). Bocs will open on 27 August with the return of Ripples of Kindness, a Wales Millennium Centre and All Seeing Eye Production which has received international recognition. Designed to…

Athletes from Swansea and other parts of South Wales have been busy preparing for a great sporting week now underway in the city. Hundreds of them will be among the thousands who come from across Europe to take part in a number of top quality events. Like the week’s organisers and partners, they want local people to be inspired by the big week, to compete in and to enjoy sport. August 1-7 will see Swansea host the free international spectator events IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea, Volvo 2022 World Triathlon Para Series Swansea and the Para Sport Festival. The week is being…

Swansea library staff are at the forefront of a unique new storytelling experience coming to the city on August 10 and 11. Teams from around Swansea Council’s libraries service are playing their own unique roles in immersive experience StoryTrails. It’s part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a ground-breaking UK-wide celebration of creativity in 2022 and is led by the National Centre for Immersive Storytelling: StoryFutures Academy. Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “Our library staff provide the Swansea public with a great service day in day out. “It’s great that they’re using their talent, skills and dedication to help…

The tabby cat was found inside the box – which was taped up – at around 1pm on Tuesday 26 July in a field off Goat Mill Road. Food and drink were found inside the box. The kindhearted member of the public then took the cat to RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil veterinary clinic. RSPCA inspector Sophie Daniels, who is investigating the incident, said: “The caller came across this cat after their dog barked and found the box – and we are really thankful to them for bringing this cat to us. “After an examination it was found he has viral mouth…

National and award-winning housebuilder, St. Modwen Homes, has officially launched its latest development, Hendrefoilan Park, in Killay, a popular suburb in Swansea. The stunning development, located on Hendrefoilan Drive, will boast a variety of 3, 4, and 5-bed homes with prices starting at just £398,995 – and the first housetypes available will be The Melrose, The Gregory, and The Eustace. The Eustace is a spacious 3-bed terraced home which guarantees plenty of space for flexible living. This home benefits from a garage and parking space, making it ideal for families. The home benefits from a spacious layout, meaning quality time…

Zest, a leading supplier of award-winning timber garden products based in Flintshire and a division of the P&A Group, has continued its award-winning streak and won two top awards at leading trade industry shows. Fresh from winning best Garden Leisure and Entertaining product at the Glee trade show with its new Garden Bar and Two Stool Set, Zest also won the Best Furniture Product at SOLEX trade show again with the popular set. Designed by the in-house design team, The Garden Bar and Two Stool Set was deemed to be ‘multi-functional’ with a ‘clever use of material’ and at ‘a…

A woman from Wales who lost her mum to a deadly brain tumour is taking on a month-long swimming challenge to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. Gill Hoare died almost 12 months after she was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) at the age of 71. After days of vomiting, a collapse at home saw her rushed to Kingston Hospital where a CT scan revealed a mass on her brain. Throughout August, her daughter Beth Phillips, a primary school teacher from Cardiff will be taking on a 2.5k swim to help raise awareness and fund research in to brain tumours.…

The Wales Coast Path has launched a nation-wide walking challenge — encouraging the people of Wales and beyond to collectively walk the length of the 870-mile Path this summer. It comes as part of the Wales Coast Path’s tenth anniversary celebrations, encouraging leisurely strollers, hikers and dog-walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, horse-riders, and community groups, families, residents and visitors alike to get outdoors and enjoy the Path. To get involved, Wales Coast Path is encouraging participants to pledge the number of miles they wish to contribute to the challenge — no matter how big or small, along any sections of…