Author: Rhys Gregory

Castell Howell Foods is collaborating with Wales’ largest independent contract caterer, Just Perfect Catering Ltd, to devise a lower carbon menu – and create a sustainability blueprint for suppliers and customers. Working with Castell Howell suppliers – Authentic Curry, Llaeth Y Llan, Radnor Hills and Celtic Pride Premium Beef – the initiatve will also focus on other elements of sustainability in the supply chain, such as biodiversity and nature stewardship, community engagement and reduction of plastics. The need to rise to these challenges has been recognised by the Welsh Government, which in 2020 launched the Food & Drink Wales Sustainability…

The Willow Globe Company is taking a production of William Shakespeare’s pastoral comedy ‘As You Like It’ on tour to the fantastic setting of Gregynog Hall at Tregynon, near Newtown on Saturday, July 2. The company, which has its base at Llanwrthwl, near Llandrindod Wells, will be welcoming the audience to the Forest of Arden with “love, laughter, music and philosophy under the greenwood tree”. The outdoor production, from 7pm to 10pm with interval, is the climax of a day of activities at Gregynog Hall, former home of famous art-loving sisters Margaret and Gwendoline Davies. In the event of rain,…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has warned Prime Minister Boris Johnson that unilaterally changing the Northern Ireland Protocol risks adding to the extreme economic pressures already being felt by UK businesses and consumers. In a letter to Mr Johnson, FUW President Glyn Roberts said that while it is accepted that there is scope to improve the protocol,  it was extremely concerning that the UK Government appeared to have shown a reluctance to negotiate changes on the basis of the numerous improvements proposed by the EU in October 2021. “…given the international dismay in response to the UK Government’s publication…

Two veteran cyclists are proving that age is just a number by cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). Sisters Sue Gotley, aged 78, and Pam Mann, who will turn 80 in July, took on the iconic challenge to help fund the charity’s lifesaving science into heart and circulatory diseases. Former Abergavenny head teacher Sue, and her sister Pam, set off on 20 May and completed the 1,074 mile trip from the bottom of South-West England all the way to the tip of Scotland on 8 June, covering more than 50…

Bridgend County Borough Council has agreed to explore ambitious new plans for how household waste and recycling could be collected and dealt with in future. Among the various options under consideration are increasing the types of different materials that households can recycle, improving methods of collection, introducing a new fleet of cleaner, greener ultra-low emission collection vehicles and more. The authority will also explore issues such as whether the new service should be outsourced, provided in-house or possibly provided as part of a partnership with neighbouring local authorities. The service, which is currently contracted to Kier Services Limited, has been…

Pond-dipping, bug-hunting and bird-spotting are just some of the nature-based activities on offer at Forest Farm this weekend as its annual Summer Open Day returns to introduce families to some of the wildlife at the 150-acre local nature reserve. Home to Cardiff’s team of Community Rangers, the free event on Saturday 18th June (10am-3pm) is centred around the Forest Farm Conservation Centre, and will also include a free to enter dog show, and the chance to try your hand at fly casting for fish or pick up some wildlife photography tips. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer…

PAVS, together with their partners, Hywel Dda Health Board, Pembrokeshire County Council, Public Health Wales, PLANED, Volunteering Matters and West Wales Action for Mental Health are pleased to announce the re-launch of Pembrokeshire Community Hub following a successful a Community Activity and Wellbeing Day, hosted recently at Scolton Manor Country Park. Over 35 organisations attended and shared their information with over 120 visitors throughout the day. Pembrokeshire Community Hub started life as a Covid response for the County, based in County Hall and co-ordinating help for those shielding or isolating; the Hub ensured that citizens could access the food, prescriptions…

Work has been completed on the first new homes being developed by Caerphilly County Borough Council, as part of an innovative housing pilot programme. The six new one-bedroom apartments, developed on the site of the former 49 Club in Trecenydd, are the first homes to be built by the Council in almost 20 years. All homes on the development have been constructed to Passivhaus standard, consisting of very high levels of insulation, extremely high-performance windows with insulated frames, airtight building fabric and a mechanical heat ventilation system.  As well as helping to lower carbon emissions, these buildings will result in…

On Tuesday 14th June, Monmouthshire County Council and Arup Group launched a public consultation on the future of transport in Chepstow, with the aim of getting constructive feedback from the residents and businesses. Focused on a Transport Hub and Active Travel measures, the consultation seeking residents’ views on the provision of increased sustainable transport modes in and around the Chepstow area. This includes methods such as improvements to the existing bus network, demand responsive transport, electric vehicle infrastructure and park and ride facilities. The consultation follows on from a previous study in 2020, when Monmouthshire County Council and strategic partners…

In a keynote speech to the Bevan Foundation later today (16th June), the Education Minister will outline measures to tackle the impact of poverty on educational attainment and set high standards for all. Some of the actions outlined will include: Exploring ways to incentivise teachers to the most disadvantaged areas, to tackle issues many schools face in recruiting and retraining teachers in challenging areas. The aim will be to pilot different approaches initially. Introducing a programme to provide peer-to-peer support for senior leaders working in the most disadvantaged areas. As part of this programme, they would receive mentoring from colleagues…