Author: Rhys Gregory

It has been confirmed, during the first meeting of the new Council, that Councillor Bryan Davies from Plaid Cymru group will be the new Leader for Ceredigion County Council. The meeting was held on Friday, 13 May 2022, in the Council Chamber and this was the first meeting of the Council in its new administration following the Local Elections held on 05 May 2022. The Leader of Ceredigion County Council, Councillor Bryan Davies, said as he accepted the role: “I would like to thank everyone for their support, and I promise to do my best for the people of Ceredigion…

Tickets go on sale today (Monday 16 May) for this year’s Fishguard and West Wales International Music Festival concerts. The festival features the largest number of performances in the Festival’s history extending over three weeks in August and September. The events will be staged at thirteen venues across Pembrokeshire from 20 August to 10 September, with a launch concert by the National Youth Brass Band of Wales at St David’s Cathedral on 5th August. Artists performing at this year’s festival include Dame Sarah Conolly who appears as soloist with the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera, and Welsh pianist Llŷr Williams.…

Organisers of the Wales STEM Awards have launched the 2022 awards for entries in a bid to highlight the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) in Wales. Following the success of the inaugural awards, the Wales STEM Awards 2022 will shine a spotlight on the organisations and individuals making a difference to the STEM agenda in Wales. With the ceremony taking place on 28th October 2022 at City Hall in Cardiff, entries are open until 9th September. The awards will celebrate those leading the sector in Wales, those businesses creating an impact on the Welsh economy, those addressing the…

One of the UK’s fastest growing logistics operators, Europa Worldwide Group, has opened its first brand-new sales branch in Wales. It is located in the Pontprennau area of Cardiff, at the Regus Cardiff Gate Business House. At the start of the year, Europa Worldwide Group announced it was investing half a million pounds in increasing its UK European road freight sales network at its Europa Roaddivision. This provides road freight services for import and export to and from Europe. In its 50 plus year history, the business has never had a presence in Wales. It chose Cardiff after a substantial…

The number of complaints against Senedd Members in the past year fell from 216 to 44, a decrease of 79% according to the annual report of the Senedd Commissioner for Standards which was published today (16 May 2022). Of the 44 complaints received between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, 36% were about standards of service (16 complaints), 16% about failure to register or declare an interest (8 complaints) and 14% about conduct on social media (6 complaints). 38 (86%) of the 44 complaints received were found to be inadmissible, mainly due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The…

The Big Plastic Count, the UK’s biggest ever investigation into household plastic waste, kicks off today. Over 140,000 are planning to take part across the country, including schools, Westminster  MPs, community groups, businesses, families and individuals. 6,804 people in Wales have signed up, including nine MPs and 80 teachers who will be taking part with their classes. The Big Plastic Count is a collaboration between Everyday Plastic and Greenpeace UK. Celebrities including Chris Packham, Joanna Lumley and Bonnie Wright are also taking part.  94 cross-party Westminster MPs, including 9 from Wales,  3,500 school classes from all over the UK and People’s Postcode Lottery have also…

The University of South Wales (USW) and Newport City Homes (NCH) have been helping the housing association’s customers stay safe online during a series of specialist events. USW’s Newport Campus hosted Cyber Community Clinic drop-in advice sessions on May 9, 10 and 11, as well as workshops explaining the dangers of online scams and ensuring passwords are safe and secure. USW has been named Cyber University of the Year for the past three years, and Newport Campus is home to the National Cyber Security Academy (NCSA), where students work closely with a number of external companies to ensure they are…

Four thousand square kilometres of the world’s tidal wetlands have been lost over twenty years, but ecosystem restoration and natural processes are helping reduce total losses, according to Aberystwyth University researchers. An international group’s analysis of more than one-million satellite images shows that global change and human actions are driving rapid changes of tidal wetlands. The global intertidal change data indicates that 13,700 square kilometres of tidal wetlands — tidal marshes, mangroves and tidal flats – were lost around the world, offset by gains of 9,700 square kilometres. This meant there was a net loss of 4,000 square kilometres over…

It’s only a matter of days now until the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd will once again be bustling with activity as we welcome visitors back to the Smallholding and Countryside Festival. Taking place next weekend (21st and 22nd May) the springtime event is a celebration of rural life and country living with smallholding pursuits at its heart. Tickets are available online and selling fast, so make sure to grab yours now to avoid disappointment! The Festival is a showcase of the real diversity of the Welsh countryside and a great day out for young families, countryside dwellers and anyone…

One of the three successful candidates who stood for the Bridgend Central ward in the recent 2022 local government election has confirmed that he will not be taking up his new role as a county borough councillor. Stuart Baldwin has confirmed to Bridgend County Borough Council that he no longer intends to act as an elected member, and is stepping down from local politics. This means that a new by-election will need to be held for the vacant seat in the Bridgend Central ward. Bridgend County Borough Council is currently seeking advice on the timing for a by-election, and will…