Author: Rhys Gregory

Residents have moved into new energy efficient homes built on the site of the former Cwm Ifor Primary School in Penyrheol, Caerphilly. The 19 homes have all been built to Passivhaus standard; meaning they use high-performance insulation to make a building completely draught free, eliminating heat loss to create homes with very low environmental impact. United Welsh worked in partnership with contractor Kingfisher Developments Ltd and Caerphilly County Borough Council to build the development, which received investment from the Welsh Government Innovative Housing Fund. Lynn Morgan, Director of Development and Regeneration for United Welsh said: “I am delighted to see…

Cyber security consultancy Wolfberry has today (June 1) rebranded as PureCyber as it looks to solidify its recent success and expansion. The multi-award-winning Cardiff headquartered cyber security consultancy has gone from humble beginnings as a one-man-band IT start up in 2011, to the cyber-focused experts they are today. Following a review of existing trademarks in the technology and cyber market, Wolfberry, which has clients across the globe, has decided to set itself apart. It has therefore reinvented itself as PureCyber to reinforce that it is not an IT company, but a business with cyber at its core. The company has…

Age Connects Cardiff and the Vale is marking this Volunteers’ Week (1-7 June) by celebrating all of its amazing volunteers who make an almighty difference to its local work. Hundreds of volunteers support older people living in our communities who are often facing the devastating effects of loneliness and isolation with no family or friends to turn to. A “Volunteer Wall of Recognition has been launched on the charity’s website to share volunteer stories from just a few of those involved, including the charity’s oldest volunteer aged 91 and its youngest aged 18! When asked about her experience with the…

Talyllyn Railway is the world’s first preserved railway, known affectionately as ‘The Railway with a Heart of Gold’. This name comes from the title of a film released in 1965, much of which was shot in 1953 in the early days of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society. A number of Talyllyn railway supporters, who have signed up to make a regular monthly donation to the society, form the membership of the ‘Heart of Gold’ Group. They receive exclusive benefits such as an invitation to travel on the Founders’ Day train and a special edition of the Talyllyn Railway enamel badge.…

The last reception class at a historic former primary school were VIP guests of honour at a celebration of its £5.3 million transformation into showpiece homes. Ysgol Maelgwn, in Broad Street, closed for the last time five years ago but the pupils, now at the new Ysgol Awel y Mynydd, joined residents and staff of leading housing association Cartrefi Conwy, Conwy County Council and developers Brenig Construction at the event. The children have played their part in the flagship redevelopment by Cartrefi Conwy, with their names on the artwork for a mural depicting the herbs, fruit and flowers planted in…

Work has now begun on site to deliver a new 60-bed extra care scheme in Porth – as the Council and Linc Cymru’s (Linc) pre-commencement contractor progresses preliminary work ahead of the main construction phase. The new scheme will transform the former Dan y Mynydd Care Home site into a state-of-the-art four-storey development with 60 extra care apartments and amenities – including a dining area, hair salon, activity room, day care centre and offices. Externally, 33 car park spaces will be provided along with cycle and buggy stores, while the site’s existing access will be slightly reconfigured. The former care…

Men’s Sheds projects in Swansea can once again apply to Swansea Council for funding. Applications are now open for a share of the £25,000 in grants available to existing and emerging groups. Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people from all backgrounds can meet, chat and take part in activities if they wish, to reduce loneliness and isolation. They are part of an expanding network around Swansea and the UK. During the last financial year grants ranging from £2,000 to £7,000 were awarded to seven projects. There were Action Shack, Eagle’s Nest, Summit Good, Swansea Community Workshop (pictured), Swansea Wellbeing Centre, The Old Blacksmiths and Ynystawe Cricket Club…

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has announced new funding to support the re-launch of the Urdd’s national youth theatre, Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid Cymru. The Welsh Government will invest £1 million over a five-year period to support the re-launch of the theatre. Cwmni Theatr Ieuenctid was set up in the 1970s, with the objective of providing opportunities for 14 to 19-year-olds to enjoy and expand their arts experiences through the medium of Welsh, but ceased to operate in 2019. The Urdd celebrates its centenary this year, with the Urdd Eisteddfod returning for the first time since 2019…

Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan has this week (Tuesday 31 May) announced the appointment of Helen Mary Jones to the Social Care Wales Board. Julie Morgan said: “I am delighted to appoint Helen Mary Jones as a new Member of the Social Care Wales Board. She will bring a huge amount of experience and knowledge to the Board. The Board of Social Care Wales is collectively responsible for ensuring that Social Care Wales’ strategic direction is focussed on the well-being goals for Wales, the principles of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the requirements of…

A social housing development in Wales is being heated by wallpaper as part of a trial exploring affordable alternatives to radiators and heat pumps to keep residents warm. The graphene heat system, which looks and feels just like traditional wallpaper, can be plugged into a domestic socket, and is packaged with solar panels and a smart battery, meaning it cuts emissions while vastly lowering fuel costs. Installed on walls, ceilings or under floors, the technology is invisible to residents and provides an innovative method to warm individual rooms much more quickly, offering them the chance to manage their energy budgets…