Author: Rhys Gregory

As part of the biggest assessment of UK walking, wheeling and cycling, a new report has shown that women and people on lower incomes are less likely to engage in active travel in Cardiff. Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index has found several notable differences in the levels of walking and cycling among certain demographic groups. The study, the first of its kind for national urban areas, confirms that only 16% of women in Cardiff cycle at least once a week compared to 30% of men. While people in Cardiff walk or wheel more frequently than any other form of transport…

A SIMPLE blood test that detects bowel cancer earlier – and improves the chances of survival for thousands of patients is one step closer to being available on the NHS, after showing excellent results in a primary care trial. The Raman Spectrometry (RS) blood test has been developed by researchers at Swansea University led by Professors Dean Harris and Peter Dunstan, with funding from Cancer Research Wales and Health and Care Research Wales. Support from Life Sciences Hub Wales has now enabled Welsh start-up business ‘CanSense’ to secure an additional £1.2 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to further develop the blood test to use…

Live Under The Stars is offering five lucky Wales 247 readers and their families the chance to join the biggest party of the year on the bank holiday weekend. The Platinum Jubilee Concert on Saturday 4 June will see Wales’ finest singers and entertainers live on stage at the iconic Cardiff Castle. The afternoon, hosted by Aled Jones and Shan Cothi, will be a mix of everyone’s favourite tunes, fun and laughter. Confirmed artistes include Bonnie Tyler, West End and Broadway star John Owen Jones, everyone’s favourite drumming weatherman Owain Wyn Evans and comedian Mike Doyle. Other performers starring in…

The world famous musical, Rock of Ages returns to theatres across the UK with a brand new cast for 2022. Now a global smash hit with seasons on Broadway, London’s West End and Las Vegas, Rock of Ages have rocked up to Cardiff’s New Theatre and promises you the best party night out around. Whether you live or die by rock music, this show is jam packed with 25 of the best known tunes that will get you up on your feet, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes. In true rock band style, they kept the audience waiting…

A North Wales company that champions the motto “Life without Limits” is expanding rapidly. Mavericks Motorcycles started out five years ago as a specialist motorcycle repair and restoration business but has now grown into a 12,000 sq. ft. venue at Mostyn Road Business Park in Holywell with plans to double in size over the next year. The venue, known as Mavericks Wales, now regularly holds events not just for motorcycle enthusiasts, but also for classic car lovers. There is even a 1000-strong Mavericks Women group and Mini Mavericks for younger enthusiasts. The rapid expansion is also creating a significant number…

Hay Festival and the BBC have today unveiled the full line-up for the BBC Marquee at Hay Festival 2022 along with broader coverage for the Festival, 26 May-5 June. Returning for its first in-person spring event since 2019, Hay Festival is the world’s leading festival of ideas, bringing readers and writers together in sustainable events to inspire, examine and entertain. Across BBC TV, radio, podcasts and online, 28 BBC shows will be recorded on site or broadcast live from the event in front of a Festival audience, including: • BBC Radio 4 offers a swathe of top-rated podcasts and programmes…

Savills, on behalf of a private client, has completed the sale of Cenarth Falls Holiday Park in Cenarth, Newcastle Emlyn, Wales, to Boutique Resorts Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The holiday park is set on an attractively landscaped site extending approximately 11.52 acres (4.66 ha) which includes 1.92 acres of woodland. The holiday park has planning permission for 89 static caravan pitches and 30 mixed touring caravan pitches. At the entrance of the park there is a reception, sales office and games room. The property also provides a high quality fitness, hospitality and entertaining space including indoor swimming pool, gym,…

Vale of Glamorgan Council has worked in partnership with DEF Software, the specialist provider of planning and building control solutions for local authorities, in order to create and implement a new housing module that will streamline the management of housing grants in the local area. The module, which is first of its type, enables the housing team to manage the grants application process from start to finish, beginning with the initial application all the way through to monitoring the works, inspecting the site, and performing regular checks. The data from these different stages is stored on an internal database which…

Welsh rugby star and HIV campaigner Gareth Thomas has been named this year’s Postcode Hero at the annual People’s Postcode Lottery Charity Gala. The Postcode Hero award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to society through their charitable and campaigning work. The prestigious prize was presented to Bridgend born Gareth in recognition of his work to tackle the stigma around HIV. During the ceremony at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Gareth also received a cheque for £250,000 on behalf of Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. The money was raised by the…

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has shared its vision for The Innovation Matrix, the next phase in the University’s Innovation Quarter, part of the transformational SA1 Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter which includes the IQ and Y Fforwm buildings.  The aim is to create a vibrant neighbourhood where the University can collocate and collaborate with innovative businesses and research centres. The Innovation Matrix is central to the University’s ambition and will provide a new platform for UWTSD’s research and knowledge exchange to connect with, and support, cross-sector MNEs, SMEs, micro-enterprises, entrepreneurs, and investors to stimulate commercial growth for…