Author: Rhys Gregory

To celebrate its 120th anniversary of service, Cardiff Bus is opening its doors to the public as it hosts a Depot open day. The Depot open day this Saturday (24 September) will include a showcase of new and vintage buses, as well as stalls and hot and cold refreshments from local vendors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a tour around the Cardiff Bus Depot, and view bus displays from the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group. Entry to the open day is free and a complimentary shuttle bus will run from St Mary Street Wyndham Arcade (Stop JE) to…

A MULTI award-winning ice cream maker has launched a new product range and taken over a popular venue after scooping an acclaimed national title. It has been a busy year for Helen Holland and the team at Môn ar Lwy, based in Bodorgan, Anglesey. Having won the prestigious Welsh Food Enterprise Award for Best Food and Drink Producer at the Royal Welsh Show, the family firm went on to unveil a vegan line of ice cream and are now tenants at the Oriel Mon gallery and museum’s café in Llangefni. With chef, trainer and new business partner Lloyd Treadway at…

Learning from indigenous coffee growers protecting themselves from armed violence in Colombia is part of one of the new research projects funded by an international network led by Aberystwyth University. The Creating Safer Space network works with researchers, communities and organisations in conflict-affected regions to enhance and strengthen civilians’ ability to protect themselves and others nonviolently. It aims to create safer spaces in which communities can build sustainable peace and development. The network has announced that it will be supporting 13 collaborative research projects around the world that further understanding of Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and community self-protection. Several of the successful…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed which local roads will be temporarily closed to traffic in order help keep music fans safe during this year’s Porthcawl Elvis Festival. An all-day road closure will be in place along the esplanade between Porthcawl Marina and the Seabank Hotel on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September. While timings may vary slightly in order to ensure the smooth running of the event, the road closure is planned to last between 6am on Saturday through to midnight on Sunday. Temporary diversions will be in place and drivers are asked to pay close attention to signage…

Changes to the way Cardiff residents recycle their waste could be rolled out across large parts of the city as they seek to improve recycling rates and act on climate change. The climate crisis is causing cities across the world to change the amount of energy and resources they use, so as well as improving how much we all recycle, the new strategy will also seek to reduce the overall amount of waste we all generate, and re-manufacture our recycled materials so it can be repurposed and used again. The new recycling strategy follows the ‘blueprint’ designed by Welsh Government…

Swansea’s basketball players have been given a boost, with new facilities in Victoria Park. The park court’s two posts have been replaced with new ones – and two additional posts have been installed, extending the basketball area. This is thanks to work by Swansea Council and Basketball Wales using funding from Sport Wales. Players there can now enjoy for free the full-sided game plus the sport’s growing #3×3 version. A second phase of the work in the coming months will see professional-look painted court surfaces. Council cabinet member Robert Francis-Davies said: “Victoria Park is the best used of our outdoor…

Funding is now available to help Swansea businesses save money on their energy bills and improve their online visibility. Ranging from £500 to £1500, the Swansea Council grants are aimed at supporting existing businesses which are looking to grow. Schemes that could be covered by the Green Innovation Grant include investment in measures like LED lighting that reduce energy usage. Energy audits could also be covered, as well as changes in manufacturing processes that deliver a reduced carbon footprint. Creation of a first-time website, development of an existing website or support with online marketing campaigns are among the areas potentially…

Skateboard facilities in Swansea are in line for a revamp as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve play equipment. Swansea Council has announced its plans to review existing skateboarding facilities and are looking to attract a consultant who can work with the Council on the exciting project. An initial assessment has already been completed on a number of sites around the city where some skateboard and BMX facilities are located – including at Parc Melin Mynach, Coed Bach Parc and the Elba Sports Complex. Many of the sites feature ageing half-pipes and ramps which have deteriorated through exposure…

A freeport bid consortium consisting of Associated British Ports, Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven has been launched to explore the case for a green freeport in South-West Wales. Both Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire have exciting, shared opportunities for nationally significant energy infrastructure to support the development of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, hydrogen and sustainable fuels. Combining this potential with the region’s skill base, existing facilities and proximity to key markets offers a compelling argument for a potential freeport bid. A South-West Wales freeport would bring together the ports…

The council’s Community Empowerment Fund is a funding pot that has been created to enable communities to develop and deliver projects aimed at meeting the needs of their residents. The fund has been allocated in order that each of the council’s ward areas can benefit from receiving funding through the Community Empowerment Fund for local community-based projects. Projects will aim to support communities to: Build community capacity and better understand and identify local aspirations and priorities, Make good use of existing assets, with the projects having the support of local residents Develop projects that are capable of becoming sustainable community…