Author: Rhys Gregory

Finance Ministers across the UK met in Cardiff this week, with how to support people and businesses with soaring bills dominating discussion. The price of food, fuel, energy, clothes, travel costs and rent continue to go up as inflation rises. And OFGEM has warned energy bills are set to rise again by around £800 per year in October. This is against the backdrop of increasing concerns about the impact of the crisis on individuals’ health and wellbeing. The UK’s Finance Ministers discussed what more can be done to help people cope with this crisis at a joint Committee which considers…

Here’s how the former Oceana nightclub site in Swansea now looks as early construction works continue on a new office development there that will provide space for 600 jobs. The first of two tower cranes is now on site at The Kingsway, with foundations being laid ahead of work starting to construct the building’s concrete frame. Developed by Swansea Council with Bouygues UK as main contractor, the five-storey scheme is due for completion in the summer of 2023.  The new development will be carbon zero in operation and worth £32.6 million a year to Swansea’s economy. It will include 114,000 square…

Cardiff Bay will be buzzing with excitement this weekend (18 – 19 June) with several World class Urban Games champions taking part in Wales’ first Urban Games event, organised by Welsh youth organisation, Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Roald Dahl Plass will be completely transformed, offering a feast of BMX, Skateboarding, Wheelchair Basketball, Scootering and Breakin’ competitions. Children, young people and pros will be competing and taking part in different categories. Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis said: “Without a doubt, our Sports Department provides children and young people with invaluable opportunities, with 11,000 participating in 300 of our weekly sports clubs. Urban…

A festival celebrating local businesses in Swansea, Denbighshire and the Vale of Glamorgan has marked the growth of an innovative project that brings flexible workspace to high streets, community spaces and venues across the regions. As part of the Cowork Local Project, the three-day Festival will run from 21 – 23 June and sees venues open their doors to coworking, whilst showcasing local role models with a series of lunchtime talks from founders and leaders including Tiny Rebel’s Chief Financial Officer, Hannah Williams. The festival offers free access to the Cowork Local spaces for its duration, with catering by a…

Phillipp Schofield, Professor of Medieval History and Head of the Department of History and Welsh History at Aberystwyth University, has been elected as the President of the Economic History Society. Established in 1926, the Economic History Society is the leading learned society for economic and social history. Its primary purpose is to support research and teaching in economic and social history. The Society publishes The Economic History Review: a Journal of Economic and Social History, one of the world’s highest-rated social science and history journals. The organisation also runs a major annual international conference, sponsors a variety of scholarly publications, promotes…

Vodafone today switched on the UK’s first live wind and solar-powered mobile phone mast in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The mast will provide 4G coverage to the community of Eglwyswrw. The specially designed mast, which potentially removes the need for a connection to the national electricity grid, could provide connectivity to ‘not-spots’ in the UK’s most remote and inaccessible locations – helping the industry achieve 95% of UK landmass coverage by 2025.  It will also help Vodafone reduce carbon emissions and support its target of reaching net zero UK operations by 2027. The ‘self-powering’ mast incorporates a unique Crossflow Energy wind turbine…

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water is to use artificial intelligence (AI) systems built by Aberystwyth University to monitor the effectiveness of its water treatment processes. Water passes through banks of filters and other treatment processes before it is safe to drink. At each stage, it is measured for its amount of solid material, acidity, flow rate, chlorine, and how clear it is. The filters are equipped with sensors that alert operators if any problems occur or they need maintenance. The information from these sensors currently acts as an alarm rather than giving early warnings about problems or giving the reason for…

Members of the public are invited to share their views on works associated with the establishment of a new joint education campus to be located in the Fairwater area of the city. The consultation marks the next stage in development for the pioneering education provision which, if progressed, will be the largest in scale and investment of Cardiff’s education developments delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Governments Band B Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. Three new build schools would be located on one site, becoming home to Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands School. The joint campus would also…

Volunteers who help look after one of Wales’ finest castles and proudly showcase it to visitors are looking to add to their ranks. An open day is being held on Thursday, June 16, when anyone interested in joining the Friends of Oystermouth Castle can meet existing volunteers. They can find out more about becoming involved, what roles there are and how they might be able to help. Marie Hughes, from the Friends Group, said: “Whether someone is newly retired, a student looking for work experience or someone who has a few hours to spare – there are many volunteering opportunities…

Port Talbot’s Central Primary School is the latest in Wales to open its own ‘pay as you can’ shop aimed at helping not only pupils but members of the surrounding community. The Welsh Government funded Big Bocs Bwyd project in the Valleys Taskforce area helps children develop an early understanding of healthy food choices while providing affordable priced food to families in the local community who may be in need of support. The scheme originally started at Cadoxton and Oak Field primary schools in Barry and has now spread to a number of schools in Wales including Ynysfach Primary in…