Author: Rhys Gregory

AN INNOVATIVE biofactory will support Welsh farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The striking anaerobic digestion system was unveiled by Biofactory Energy and Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, supported by Ambition North Wales. It is one of three low-carbon initiatives jointly funded by a £500,000 grant from Welsh Government via its Whole System Business Research Innovation for Decarbonisation Challenge (WBRID). The two shipping containers transformed into a prototype plant have been named Neli and Gobaith (Hope) by students at the college and will be painted black and white to resemble dairy cows. The long-term aim of Biofactory Energy, in partnership with lecturers…

A Porthcawl family are currently hiking 160-miles across some of Wales’ most challenging terrain to raise money for British Ukrainian Aid. Michael, David & Richard Hnyda plan on completing the journey from Caernarfon to Porthcawl in just six days, passing through both Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. The journey is in memory of their Ukrainian Grandfather, Wolodymyr – with the 160 miles representing the distance he would have walked from his village in western Ukraine to the nearest safe border with Poland – The Walk to Freedom. They are hoping to reach their destination, Porthcawl Rugby Club at 5pm on…

‘Facilitate new jobs, enhance product creation, deliver improvements in manufacturing processes, enable the transfer of knowledge’, these are just some of the objectives announced by VISTA (Valleys Innovation Showcase for Technological Advancement), a new business support programme launched in Blaenau Gwent, being delivered in partnership by the University of South Wales and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Funded by the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund, VISTA aims to engage at least twenty businesses in Blaenau Gwent over the next four months as part of a pilot programme that will offer a range of support options including, access to grants and…

An addition to a new woodland site is providing a nocturnal education theme. Work Has been carried out at an old primary school field on Llanrhydd Street, Ruthin to establish a new woodland. Denbighshire’s Woodland Creation Project has seen 800 trees planted at the site already this year as part of a continuing effort to reduce carbon emissions and improve biodiversity. This is part of 5,000 trees planted this year to also create new woodlands at Maes Gwilym, Cae Ddol and at Maes Esgob. These new trees are in addition to the planting of over 18,000 across the county as…

Swansea University has honoured sporting greats, Wales rugby star George North and his wife double Olympic cycling medallist Becky James. The couple were both awarded honorary degrees to recognise their achievements in not only their individual disciplines but also in raising the profile of Welsh sport across the globe. George North was just 18 years, 214 days when he first represented Wales in their match against South Africa in 2010. He scored two tries and became the youngest Welsh player ever to score a try on his debut. His 102 Welsh caps saw him taking part in every Six Nations…

Searches for ‘the ultimate guide to throwing a garden party’ have increased by 100% over the last 12 months. There’s a lot of preparation needed to host and entertain guests outdoors, which in the UK especially, includes being ready for whatever weather is on the horizon. It typically rains for approximately 170 out of 365 days per year in Britain, however, the odds of better weather are in Brit’s favour this year with a heatwave predicted to be coming in April. Because of this, VonHaus has revealed their top tips on how to host the ultimate garden. Practical pieces Hosting…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has unveiled a state-of-the-art new station in Cardiff. The £8 million Welsh Government-funded facility on the Avenue Industrial Estate in Pontprennau is the new home of emergency and non-emergency crews previously based at the ageing Blackweir station. The Trust’s Cycle Response Unit is also based in the new facility, which boasts a Wellbeing Suite for staff and a ‘Make Ready Depot’ where dedicated Fleet Assistants clean and re-stock vehicles, enabling clinicians to spend more time with patients. Rob Brunnock, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Locality Manager for Cardiff, said: “This project has been many years in the…

As the Welsh Government continues to develop plans to create a smoke-free Wales by 2030, the public are being called on to join the consultation that will help shape Wales’ approach to creating a smoke-free society. The aim of a smoke-free Wales within the decade requires meeting a target where less than 5% of the population are smokers. Currently, around 14% of people in Wales smoke and there are strong links between smoking and deprivation, with those in more deprived areas more likely to smoke. The consultation to shape Wales’ long-term tobacco strategy is also seeking people’s views on the…

Pioneering environmental science research company, Genesis Biosciences, has unveiled an enhanced formulation of one of its core cleaning products which further increases the product’s sustainability credentials while cutting the company’s carbon footprint. Genesis has amplified the concentration of its General Purpose Sanitiser Concentrate meaning it can now be diluted at one part product to 29 parts water. Containing biodegradable, quat-free anti-microbial and anti-viral ingredients, the product delivers high-performance sanitisation of all types of hard surfaces without the need for harmful bleach. The formulation includes a surfactant that provides highly effective cleaning and is proven to kill a wide spectrum of…

A specialist espresso bar and small batch coffee roastery has been announced for a new development in Swansea city centre. Coaltown Coffee is the latest business to take up a unit at the Cupid Way link that connects the city centre with Swansea Arena and the new bridge over Oystermouth Road. The unit – leased by Swansea Council – will be the second retail premises run by the business, following on from the opening of its Ammanford coffee shop and roastery in 2018. Coaltown Coffee supplies more than 300 independent businesses across the UK. It also has an online coffee…