Author: Rhys Gregory

A 67-year-old man from Somerset has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a stranger rape dating back 42 years. Following an investigation by the South Wales Police Review Unit, Roland Long was arrested on September 15th 2020 at his home address in Somerset. His arrest was the result of enhanced forensic work into an incident that happened on Elm Street in Cardiff, on August 17th 1980. Detective Inspector Patrick Catto, former Head of the Major Crime Review Unit, said: “In 1980, a woman who had recently moved to the Cardiff area got off a bus and whilst on…

Early crop trials are underway in the Vale of Glamorgan ahead of a major UK-wide trial of Sunergy, a low maintenance crop that promises to absorb carbon, provide green energy and boost wildlife populations. Further uses, from human food to cosmetics and packaging, are also being explored. If the trials at Model Farm, near Barry, go well, Sunergy could replace maize as a rotation crop and solve many problems associated with crop rotation, from the use of pesticides to soil erosion. Looking towards a future where carbon credits will be traded and farms will be paid by companies to offset…

Menter Môn’s ambition to realise the potential of renewable energy has been given a boost with a £150K grant to fund research linked to its work on hydrogen. As part of a consortium led by Corre Energy, the funding will be used to complete a feasibility study into the concept of storing hydrogen as a liquid carrier – a world first. It is one of twelve projects supported by the UK Government as part of a two-phase programme to promote net zero innovation. If the first phase of the Corre and Menter Môn scheme is successful, further funding will be…

Acting on behalf of landlord Castleforge, property consultancies Knight Frank and Cooke & Arkwright have secured tenants for four office suites on the 9th Floor of Brunel House, one of the largest office buildings in Cardiff city centre. IT infrastructure recruitment specialist Franklin Fitch Recruitment was the first to take up one of the new Suites and has expanded into the 1,162 sq ft Suite 6, on a two year lease agreement. In addition, procurement and online store systems developer Mercateo UK has signed a five year agreement for the 990 sq ft Suite 3, JCP Solicitors has taken the 1,044 sq…

Following reports that the number of rabbits being taken in by the RSPCA are on the increase – the animal welfare charity is appealing for homes for some special bunnies. In 2020 672 rabbits came into the RSPCA’s care, and during 2021 859 were taken in by the RSPCA – an increase of 28 per cent. By mid-February this year 88 rabbits have already been taken in by the charity across the country. In 2020, despite the country being in lockdown, there were 4,508 incidents relating to rabbits reported to the charity; this rose to 4,741 in 2021. The number…

Two local creative talents, George McDonagh and Mohamad Miah, have been recruited to work on StoryTrails, a unique immersive storytelling experience coming to Newport, as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a ground-breaking nationwide celebration of creativity in 2022. StoryTrails allows local people to experience their town in a completely new way through the magic of augmented and virtual reality. People will be able to use this new technology to travel back in time, experiencing untold local histories from Newport. These stories will be brought to life in the places where they happened, reanimating public spaces and creating a…

FSB Wales has published new research this week on the future of Welsh towns. A Vision for Welsh Towns is a stocktake of the challenges that towns have faced in recent years, informed by FSB members and the public. Previously, FSB research has found the biggest considerations for towns and the SMEs within them are external, such as social and demographic trends, urbanisation of cities and digital transformation that threatens to leave some behind. Our new findings suggest these challenges remain and have been exacerbated by the pandemic and supply chain issues. Only 3% of the people surveyed for our…

Wales’ ‘food capital’ has been revealed as the proposed site of the world’s first carbon neutral alcohol-free brewery. Pioneering craft brewer Drop Bear Beer Co. has submitted plans to build its bespoke brewery on a farm near Abergavenny, an area renowned for food and drink excellence and innovation. If given the go-ahead by the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Celliwig Farm on the outskirts of Abergavenny will become home to Drop Bear’s brewery – a move that would allow the burgeoning business to increase production and create jobs in the locality. The proposed development and growth of the company represents…

Wales will be taking on Italy on Saturday, March 19that Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 2.15pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.15am until 6.15pm to ensure all ticket holders are able to get into and out of the stadium safely. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city. Road closures From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing…

Cardiff Dogs Home is experiencing a surge in the number of dogs needing rehoming as owners who bought dogs during the pandemic return to work and find themselves without the time needed to properly care for their pets. Currently more than 50 dogs are being looked after at the home, a number of dogs are being fostered by volunteers while the kennels are full, and a waiting list is in place for more dogs waiting for space at the home to become available. Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Michael Michael, said: “All the dogs in our care are being well…