Author: Rhys Gregory

Newport City Council’s leader has announced a £10 million project to replace St Andrew’s key stage two building. The primary school building was closed in the spring of 2021 after significant structural issues were found. Pupils and staff were moved out and all are currently based at Newport Live’s Connect Centre. Councillor Jane Mudd told cabinet that Welsh Government has now approved a request to change the scope of its Band B schools improvement programme. “A new £10 million project will be added to the programme to support the replacement of the key stage two building. “This is great news…

The swimming pool at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre is set to reopen later this year, following a request for support of redevelopment costs from Welsh Government. The County Borough Council is working with international leisure facilities developer Alliance Leisure and Capita to redesign the pool, with decarbonisation plans at the forefront of the application for a financial package towards the £3.2m refurbishment. Contractors will soon be on site to start preparatory work, with the new facility scheduled for reopening in the winter. The design will incorporate the retention of both the main and learner pools, provision of a new leisure…

An innovative feasibility study has been exploring the future hydrogen potential for Mid Wales. Growing Mid Wales, supported by the Cynnal Yr Cardi and Arwain Local Action Groups, and Powys and Ceredigion County Councils commissioned consultants Radical Innovations Group to undertake the study, following regional stakeholders declaring an interest in Green Hydrogen as a zero-emission solution. For many, hydrogen is seen as a key component to support national and regional transitions to net zero. Hydrogen could provide significant opportunity to decarbonise whole sectors of the economy, moving away from reliance on fossil fuels. As the UK and Welsh Governments increase…

Safer streets save lives and improves our quality of life was the message from the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters today as he welcomed the rollout of Wales’s largest 20mph pilot in Cardiff North. Cardiff North is one of eight pilots that is being rolled out in communities across Wales to help test the process of reducing Wales’ national default speed limit on residential roads and busy pedestrian streets from 30mph to 20mph by 2023. The pilots are part of wider consultation work that the Welsh Government is undertaking to understand public feedback on the change. Online focus…

If you’re like me, then you take your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team drafting seriously. So serious, in fact, that you’ve probably spent hours poring over player stats and formations trying to determine the best strategy for your squad. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself this question: is there one specific formation that is unequivocally the best to use? It turns out the answer is a little more complicated than yes or no. FPL is a game of many variables. Which formation you choose, which players you select, and when you make your substitutions can all make the…

The Wanted returned to Cardiff last night after a seven-year hiatus, with their Greatest Hits tour taking place across the country this March. Separating in 2014 to pursue solo projects, the band reunited in 2021 for a charity concert to raise money for cancer charities, after member Tom Parker was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2020. Releasing Most Wanted: The Greatest Hits last year meant that the boys were back on stage, with their adoring fans all reuniting to see them once more. Straight from the USA, support act Harper Starling, who is performing in the UK for the…

THE importance of mental health in the workplace has never been more prevalent. But with more and more people based at home or operating in hybrid conditions because of the Covid-19 pandemic, that workplace is now often the kitchen table or a spare room. This has raised widespread issues, from isolation to anxiety, which is why Coleg Cambria’s Northop Business School unveiled a suite of programmes to support managers, directors, HR staff and employees dealing with these issues every day. Level 2 and Level 3 courses include Highfields Introduction to Mental Health Awareness; Introduction to First Aid for Mental Health;…

The UK’s most vibrant Halal burger chain is set to bring its unique menu to Cardiff. Since launching back in 2016 Mak Halal has opened four branches in Birmingham. In 2021 they began to take their product further afield with new restaurants in Walsall and Bradford. Now they’re getting set to take their first step out of England with a new outlet in Cardiff. This is the next part of their plan to open 10 stores by the end of 2022. This will be their 8th branch and will open at 31 Albany Road on the 28th of March. Mak…

Businesses are being invited to a free Tourism Forum this April. With a strong line-up of guest speakers, it promises to be key event for everyone involved in the tourism sector. The Denbighshire Tourism Forum takes place on Wednesday, 6th April at the Oriel House, St Asaph, 10.30am-1.30pm. After 2 years of being held virtually, it returns to a face-to-face event. The Forum provides a great opportunity for delegates to hear about the latest developments and meet other like-minded businesses and share experiences. The Wales Coast Path is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Delegates will learn how their business…

The RSPCA has backed a new petition calling for an end to blanket bans on keeping pets in Wales’ private rented sector. Sam Swash’s petition, entitled ‘Ban the use of ‘no pet clauses’ in tenancy agreements in Wales’, is collecting signatures until late April; and has already passed the first threshold required to be considered by the Senedd’s Petitions Committee. RSPCA Cymru is now urging others in Wales to follow suit and sign the petition to support those with pets looking for a home in the private rented sector. This July, the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 comes into force…