Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales is leading the UK in the increase in rents being paid for Industrial Outdoor Storage sites, according to a new report from global property consultancy Knight Frank. The report claims that Industrial Outdoor Storage – IOS – is emerging as a vital component of the UK’s industrial landscape, as occupier requirements diversify and business needs change. Its research shows that Swansea, Newport and Cardiff took the first three places in the latest national league table of annual rent increases for this category of land. Swansea showed the strongest national annual growth at 23 per cent, with Newport second at…

Communities are being encouraged to share their views on the proposed Clocaenog Dau Wind Farm. The scheme could accommodate up to 22 turbines and generate 132 MW of clean electricity, equating to the equivalent annual electricity needs of up to 117,500 average Welsh households. As revealed by publicly owned renewable energy developer Trydan Gwyrdd Cymru, the proposed site is located approximately 8km south-west of Ruthin within the 6,000-hectare Clocaenog Forest, which spans both Denbighshire and Conwy County Borough counties. The development forms part of Trydan’s overall aim to deliver up to 1GW of renewable electricity by 2040, enough to power nearly a quarter of the…

Innovative West Wales distillery, In the Welsh Wind, has taken a bold step to expand the Welsh whisky category with what is thought to be the first blended Welsh malt whisky to be brought to market. Brychan is the first of a trilogy of blended Welsh malt whiskies featuring premium single malt whiskies from Welsh distilleries, including liquid from In the Welsh Wind’s own casks. Blended to achieve a specific flavour profile, this first expression combines liquid from red wine, port and bourbon casks. Ellen Wakelam, In the Welsh Wind’s founder and chief executive, said: “Bringing a blended Welsh whisky…

A series of much-loved Christmas events is returning to the Elan Valley this December, promising a touch of festive magic for families across Mid Wales. Elan Valley Visitor Centre will be transformed into a winter haven for all ages. The celebrations begin on Sunday, November 30 with the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On, a heart-warming community gathering that marks the official start of the festive season. Father Christmas will make a grand entrance at 5pm, before leading the countdown to the light switch on at 5.30pm. Throughout December, Father Christmas will be setting up his Winter Woodland Grotto at the visitor…

One of Wales’ leading independent work-based learning providers has delivered in excess of 20,000 apprenticeship programmes in more than 4,500 businesses over the past 30 years. Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company (CTC), which covers the whole of Wales from its network of five offices, is celebrating 30 years of delivering quality apprenticeships to businesses. The innovative company, which held 30th anniversary celebrations today (Tuesday), has run a social media campaign, featuring apprentices, employers, staff and stakeholders, daily throughout September. The company began life as a small subsidiary of Mid Wales Tourism (now MWT Cymru), delivering vocational skills to support the development…

Those looking for a spook-tacular fun thus coming Halloween are being encouraged to checkout ‘Trick or Treat Trains’ at Corris Railway in Mid Wales. Thrills, chills and sweet treats await passengers on the journey along the Dulas Valley this Halloween, with trains running from 1.30pm to 6pm on October 31. Booking is available via the www.corris.co.uk/tickets website. Looking ahead, the railway will be running Santa Special Steam Trains taking passengers to meet Santa and his helpers in their grotto on December 13 and 14 from 11am to 3.30pm. The railway, which is run by volunteers, is a member of MWT…

A historic oak tree in Ruthin is set to have a second chance at life after it was brought down by Storm Darragh. The veteran tree, believed to be over 500 years old, was widely admired by locals and visitors of Cae Ddôl and was a staple at the park for generations. Since then, Denbighshire County Council’s tree team working with Streetscene, have finished works to clear the site of brash and damaged timber and are now in the position to begin the final stage of processing the oak tree. The fallen tree trunk will remain in its historic position…

South Wales Police has confirmed that two men have been arrested following an incident in Pyle earlier this month. On Monday, September 22, two bullets were discovered at a property on Maes Glas, Pyle. Following enquiries, two men aged 20 and 39 from the Bryntirion area of Bridgend were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Both remain in police custody and are being questioned further. For the safety of officers and the local community, firearms officers were deployed during the arrests. A South Wales Police spokesperson said:“We would like to thank the local…

Swansea Council is surging ahead with its work to upgrade roads across the city. Highways teams have completed the resurfacing a main route into North Gower (B4295) between Llanmorlais and Llanrhidian. The resurfacing work will see nearly three kilometres of road resurfaced with the upgrade being completed overnight to avoid major disruption for motorists. The road improvements also follow on from similar work completed in the summer along the same road with 2.4kms of resurfacing being Penclawdd and Llanmorlais and a further 2.6kms completed between Llanrhidian and Oldwalls. Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The road through…

Pembrokeshire County Council is pleased to announce that construction work on the new Gwêl yr Hafan social housing development at the former Motorworld site on Charles Street, Milford Haven, is scheduled to commence next week, Monday, October 6th. The development, which will deliver 24 sheltered accommodation flats, is being constructed by WB Griffiths on behalf of the Council. The build is expected to take approximately 20 months, subject to site conditions and project progress. To ensure residents and stakeholders are kept informed and have the opportunity to engage with the development, Pembrokeshire Housing Services will be hosting a Community Engagement…