Author: Rhys Gregory

A leading wet wipe manufacturer has seen carbon dioxide emissions drop by more than a third in the first half of the year as its Flintshire and Greater Manchester factories remain on track for carbon neutrality by 2030. Nice-Pak International has reported a reduction of 38 per cent in CO₂ emissions in the first six months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, according to figures released from the company’s global environment and social impact report. Improvements to the Flint factory have played a part in the wider decrease in emissions that forms a significant highlight of the…

The chief executive of an independent Mid Wales tourism organisation has congratulated three Snowdonia railways for being named in the top 10 most scenic European rail journeys. In a survey by consumer advice magazine Which?, 1,400 rail passengers were asked to rate their favourite rail journeys, scoring each for scenery, comfort, facilities, cleanliness, food and drink, service and value. Ffestiniog Railway, which runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog, came out top, scoring 91% and Talyllyn Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway from Porthmadog to Caernarfon shared sixth place with 86%. Val Hawkins, chief executive of Mid Wales Tourism (MWT Cymru), congratulated all…

Energy company Vattenfall has revealed the Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund has helped to catalyse £20.1 million of community investment in the Welsh valleys, supporting more than 450 local projects and businesses in its first five years of operation. The fund, launched in 2017 in the Afan, Rhondda, Cynon and Neath Valleys, has supported some major success stories across the area with grants, business loans and direct investment, creating or safeguarding almost 200 local jobs within the community. In addition to the £11.2million in funding directly from Vattenfall, a further £8.8 million has been leveraged in match funding…

For the first time since records began in 1845, babies born to mothers that are not married or in a civil partnership outnumbered those born to married mums. According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there were a total of 624,828 live births across England and Wales during 2021 (28,781 in Wales), of which 304,706 were born within a marriage or civil partnership. Meanwhile, there were 320,713 live births outside of a marriage or civil partnership, representing an interesting cultural shift and one that could have legal implications for a newborn’s parents. Ultimately, this burgeoning…

A Vale of Clwyd village hall has moved closer to achieving a net zero target – making it one of the most carbon neutral public buildings in Wales. Llanbedr DC’s First World War village hall has just had its latest renewable energy refit thanks to almost £29,000 from rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd’s Green Communities Fund. It puts them well ahead of the Government’s 2050 net zero target and the £1.3 million fund is still very much open for business, according to Cadwyn Clwyd Green Communities Lead Haf Roberts who said: “This is probably one of the first carbon-neutral village…

Cardiff-based consultancy Auditel has released a nine-point plan to help businesses mitigate the impact of rising base costs in their supply chain. Commodity based products like plastics, food and chemicals alongside utilities have seen their pricing increase exponentially this year, and across multiple industries there are supply issues which make obtaining tender pricing a struggle. The impact of commodity product and utility cost increases is generally having a devasting effect on a company’s financial health, particularly in instances where they are limited in passing these increases onto their customer base. Margins are squeezed and traditionally strong businesses are being forced…

A brand new, state-of-the-art air source heat pump showroom is opening in Newport this Wednesday (28th) to help people across Wales make a confident and successful transition to sustainable home heating. The Daikin Sustainable Home Centre located on Corporation Road in Newport is being launched by Robert Price, the largest independent builders’ merchants in South East Wales with over 170 years of industry experience, together with world-leading heat pump manufacturer, Daikin. The official launch event runs from 9:00am – 3:00pm on Wednesday 28th September and is open to anyone with an interest in heat pumps, from homeowners and housebuilders to…

The construction of social housing on the former site of Prestatyn’s library has been highlighted for its commitment to health and safety, the community and environment by a UK-wide constructors scheme.   Bodelwyddan-based Wynne Construction is carrying out the development, Llys LIên, on behalf of Denbighshire County Council.   The accessible and adaptable one-bedroom energy-efficient apartments will be let by Denbighshire Housing and can accommodate older persons with limited mobility and the development will feature two commercial units on the ground floor.   Due for completion in spring 2023, Wynne Construction is progressing well with the structural works.   As…

Fancy a bargain trip to the cinema? Showcase Cinemas is offering half price cinema tickets to celebrate its first ever ‘Insider Weekend’ event. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October, Showcase Insider members can enjoy half price cinema tickets at all Showcase Cinema and Showcase Cinema de Lux locations nationwide. The special offer is available exclusively to members of Showcase Cinemas’ Insider programme, which is completely free to join and has no ongoing fees. Along with half price cinema tickets, members will also be able to claim 50% off selected snacks and drinks to enjoy during the film, making it…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has commented on the newly laid Agriculture (Wales) Bill, saying that the overarching piece of legislation is half way there in providing a stable footing for the future of agriculture in Wales. The first draft of the Bill along with its supporting documentation was laid in front of the Senedd yesterday, 26 September, by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, ahead of a debate in the Senedd this afternoon. Speaking after its publication, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The first ever Agriculture Bill for Wales has been laid, giving us…