Author: Rhys Gregory

A leading civil engineering firm has been appointed to help transform a sustainable energy park into one of the largest battery energy storage systems (BESS) sites in the UK. Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is the principal contractor on the multi-million-pound development of Uskmouth Sustainable Energy Park, which will support the transition to net zero. Afon Wysg 1, known as AW1, is a flagship 240MWh battery storage project led by owners Ampeak Energy that is key to unlocking an economic, environmental, and social revival around Newport. With the ability to increase to 480MWh, AW1 has a grid connection date of…

Three experienced female estate agents have completed a management buyout (MBO)of estate agency Bidmead Cook, securing the future of the Ebbw Vale business with the backing of a micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales. The new owners – Melissa Price, Laura Robinson, and Sara Williams – bring a combined 30+ years’ experience with the company, having worked for founders Alan Bidmead and Jeffrey Cook who first set-up Bidmead Cook more than 20 years ago . With the founding directors stepping back, the MBO ensures continuity for clients and the local property market. The all-female trio, who will continue…

FLORAL designer Kate Jordan is celebrating a summer of growth with her flourishing business and a diverse portfolio of creative work spanning TV, fashion, and large-scale installations. Kate, from Tremeirchion near St Asaph – creative force behind The Craft Shed Flowers – is no stranger to the spotlight. A former student at Coleg Cambria, she created the winner’s crown for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! when it was filmed at Gwrych Castle in Abergele, and her floral artistry has appeared on a range of TV programmes including Hollyoaks, The Responder, Songs of Praise and S4C drama Rownd a Rownd. This summer,…

Lloyds Banking Group has appointed Louisa King as its new Group Ambassador for Wales. Louisa will work closely with local policymakers, business leaders, communities, and charities to champion Wales’s economic potential and growth. Alongside experts across the business, she will help drive forward efforts to improve access to affordable housing across Wales and support the nation’s transition to a low-carbon economy. Based in Cardiff, Louisa brings extensive financial services experience. Alongside her new responsibilities as Group Ambassador, she will continue in her role as a Director in Lloyds Banking Group’s Risk team, supporting its Insurance, Pensions and Investments business. Louisa…

Throughout September, Menter Môn’s Cylchol project is running a campaign to encourage people in Gwynedd and Ynys Môn (Anglesey) to make small practical changes that will boost the circular economy.  From repairing furniture, jewellery or clothes, to creating an ottoman out of recycled bottles the aim is to encourage people to re-use and recycle. During the month, 70+ events will be held across both counties, giving children and people of all ages the opportunity to learn a new skill and make the most of what they have. Cylchol also funds Ffiws maker spaces established across Gwynedd and Ynys Môn which…

It is estimated that 98% of households in the UK own at least one freezer, and with the rise of trends such as meal prepping, it’s important to know how to safely and effectively clean and defrost this common household appliance. Here, the team at food hygiene and safety experts High Speed Training share some top tips to keep your freezer running smoothly. Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development, at High Speed Training said: “Typically, you should aim to defrost your freezer at least once a year. However, you may need to do this more often if your…

Mario’s Luxury Dairy Ice Cream has been awarded the Great Taste Golden Fork from Wales 2025 for its Blackcurrant and Cassis Sorbet, one of the highest accolades in the world of fine food. The award was announced at the Great Taste Golden Forks ceremony held recently. Praised for its vibrant fruit profile and velvety texture, the winning sorbet was selected from over 14,000 entries submitted to the Great Taste Awards, the world’s largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation scheme. Judged by a panel of more than 500 experts, including chefs, buyers, food writers and retailers, the sorbet first…

An organised crime group who hatched an audacious plan to smuggle 600 kilos of cocaine on a yacht participating in a transatlantic sailing race, and imported more than half a tonne of cannabis, have been jailed for a total of more than 111 years. Lee McClenaghan, 57, from Chelmsford, and his close associate, 55-year-old Lea Talbot from Chadwell St Mary, were investigated by the Organised Crime Partnership – a joint National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service unit. McClenaghan and Talbot used the encrypted communications platform EncroChat to discuss their offending, under the handles ‘catwithninelives’ and ‘legitimateyak’ respectively. McClenaghan instigated…

A £7 million transformation that’s creating 60 new jobs has just been completed at a care home that came within 48 hours of closure. The Caron Group, which also operates 16 other care homes across South Wales, came to the rescue with a dramatic last-minute intervention when the former Ely Court Care Home in St Fagan’s, near Cardiff, was on the verge of closure. Before they stepped in the home’s future had been under threat  because of fears over the safety of the 32 vulnerable residents under the old regime. Industry champions Care Forum Wales say Caron Group’s actions at…

Schools across Wales could be missing out on thousands of pounds in essential funding as eligible families overlook the School Essentials Grant. At Ysgol Hamadryad in Butetown, Headteacher Mrs Morgan and Deputy Headteacher, Mr Jones are urging parents to check their eligibility this September. Mrs Morgan has experienced firsthand the positive impacts the funding can have not just on families and pupils, but for the wider school community too. Mrs Morgan said: “The School Essentials Grant is vital for our families, especially with the continuing rise of living costs. It offers up to £200 per child to help with key…