Author: Rhys Gregory

Caryl Jones from Maesybont in the Gwendraeth Valley, is the new Manager of Yr Atom, Carmarthen’s Welsh language Centre. Caryl graduated from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in 2017 with a BA Addysg Gynradd (Welsh-medium BA Primary Education) degree with QTS.  During her final year at university, Caryl was the Treasurer of the Welsh Society, and was also the winner of the Norah Isaac Memorial Award for her contribution to Welsh life at the University. Therefore, it is very appropriate that she is returning to the University as Manager of Yr Atom and is sure to lead the…

Work is underway to build new homes at the site of the former Brynmawr Clinic in Blaenau Gwent. The small, supported housing scheme will be built by Celtic Offsite, a new social enterprise within the United Welsh Group. The development will be highly insulated and energy efficient, comprising of three apartments with communal areas and a staff office on the ground floor, with a further two apartments, staff space and storage on the first floor. Celtic Offsite will manufacture the timber frame structures for the building, with fitted insulation and windows, from their new factory in Caerphilly. The homes will…

Ruthin Festival have struck Welsh gold for its popular Top of Town event with the announcement that leading jewellers Clogau are confirmed as sponsors for the traditional climax on St Peter’s Square on Saturday, July 2. It marks the return of the week-long Festival after a three-year Covid absence and up to 4,000 spectators are expected once again to enjoy an impressive line-up headlined by legendary Welsh folk artist Dafydd Iwan. Also back are festival favourites the Pantonic All Stars Steel Drummers to bring some Caribbean sunshine and calypso rhythms to the day in an impressive line-up which includes Denbigh-based…

Swansea BID (Business Improvement District) are nearing the halfway mark of the £14,000 target on their Crowdfunder campaign thanks to a generous pledge of £5000 from Swansea Council. The Crowdfunding campaign was launched with the aim of funding a feasibility study to see if Swansea city centre is a viable site for solar panels. “We want to create a more sustainable city, and we’re grateful to the Council for pledging their support,” said Russell Greenslade, Swansea BID Chief Executive. “Why not utilise unused space? We believe there’s so many good reasons to push forward with this idea, especially given the…

An exhibition depicting the impacts of climate change upon the fragile coastal heritage of Wales and Ireland has been launched at the Senedd in Cardiff. The exhibition highlights the work of the EU-funded CHERISH (Climate, Heritage and Environments of Reefs, Islands and Headlands) project which brings together archaeologists, geographers and geologists in a cross-disciplinary study to examine the effects of climate change, storminess and extreme weather on coastal and maritime heritage in Wales and Ireland. An exhibition of artwork by Dr Julian Ruddock, Lecturer in Fine Art at Aberystwyth University, and fellow artist Pete Monaghan is on display in the Oriel…

Tilhill, the UK’s leading forest management, timber harvesting and landscaping company, and Foresight Sustainable Forestry Company Plc, the UK’s first listed natural capital investment company, are proud to be launching the Foresight Sustainable Forestry Skills Training Programme, an exciting opportunity for potential candidates based in South Wales. Working in partnership with Coleg Cambria Llysfasi to deliver the programme, local people in South Wales will receive fully-funded three-weekly training sessions in August, September and October which will include forestry-related activities such as tree planting, PA1 and PA6, Quad bike, Basic Chainsaw skills, First Aid training and much more. Over the last…

Bridgend County Borough Council declared its own climate emergency in June 2020 and set up a Climate Emergency Response programme to commit to the Net Zero 2030 target as an organisation. The Bridgend 2030 Net Zero Carbon Strategy, or ‘Bridgend 2030 Strategy’ is the initial strategic step in achieving this commitment. The strategy will also remain an integral part of the council’s Corporate Plan and Wellbeing Plan. Councillor John Spanswick, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “The council’s target of Net Zero Carbon by 2030 aims to balance the greenhouse gas emissions we produce with the number of gases we are…

20,000 new trees have been planted in the first 6 months of an ambitious ten-year project to create an urban forest in Cardiff. The Coed Caerdydd project forms part of Cardiff Council’s response to the climate emergency aims to increase tree canopy coverage in Cardiff from 18.9% to 25%. Working with local communities, the first season of planting has seen new community orchards planted, important species restored, new hedgerows created, hundreds of trees donated to households, community groups and schools. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events Cllr Jennifer Burke-Davies said: “Trees are vital to the health of our city…

The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is confirmed to visit Swansea during its final journey before handing over to England this summer. The relay is set to travel through Wales over five days, before returning to England and culminating at the Opening Ceremony for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on July 28. It’s set to arrive in Swansea on July 3 during the Wales Airshow. The airshow is organised by the council and is due to take place on July 2 and 3. The planned Swansea activity on July 3 includes: Arrival via parachute drop with the Tigers Army Parachute…

Work is due to start in July 2022 on the Tudor Place development site in Tiers Cross. Following the previous contractor going into administration in July 2021, the Council is pleased to confirm the contract has now been awarded to Tycroes Group Ltd, and the new builds should be ready for occupation in June 2023. In total, 11 affordable homes will be constructed on the site and will provide much needed social housing. Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member for Planning & Housing Delivery said: “As the Cabinet Member responsible for new housing delivery, I am delighted that the Tycroes Group has…