Author: Rhys Gregory

A programme led by Mental Health UK and supported by Lloyds Banking Group has helped more than 23,000 young people in Wales to manage new pressures and responsibilities as they enrol into university or step onto the career ladder. The Bloom initiative is delivered for free in schools to 14–18-year-olds across the UK. With three quarters (75%) of mental illnesses starting before a person’s 18th birthday, one in six young adults are now likely to suffer from issues, up from one in nine before the pandemic, according to Mental Health First Aid. The Bloom initiative gives young adults the tools…

Three new brands and four independents have opened at St David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff in the run up to Christmas, offering even more choice for shoppers. Rituals, Hobbs, and Phase Eight have launched brand new stores at the city shopping destination which has also welcomed four new independent pop-ups to its stellar line up. Making its debut in Wales, wellness and lifestyle brand Rituals has launched its flagship new store at St David’s. Located adjacent to Pandora, the store will feature Rituals’ full range of luxurious yet affordable home, bath, and body products, designed to turn everyday routines into meaningful…

​​​​​​​City centre shoppers are enjoying a sociable and relaxing new experience in Swansea Market. The iconic venue has just become yet more welcoming. The Market Garden – a new area at the heart of the venue – is a new place where people can eat, work and enjoy themselves. They take food and drink there having bought it from nearby market stalls. Its launch was welcomed on Saturday, December 4, with a visit by Lord Mayor of Swansea Cllr Mary Jones. Gwaun Cae Gurwen Brass Band helped usher in the new era, there was more music from singer-songwriter Ailie Kenna…

A greener, more welcoming future for a major Swansea focal point could move a big step closer next week. Swansea Council’s cabinet is set to discuss a smart new concept for the city centre Castle Square Gardens – one that introduces more greenery, fun and reasons to visit. Public consultation this year saw 95% of people back a council concept for a space with more trees, grass and other greenery. A detailed design has since been drawn up – and this will be presented to the cabinet on December 16. Members will be asked to commit capital finance funds to…

Plans to create a new Welsh-medium childcare facility on land off the Isfryn Industrial Estate in Blackmill are back on track after the original contractor went into administration. Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that it has sourced an alternative contractor, and that the work will now be carried out by local business Stafford Construction Ltd. The work was originally intended to begin at the site in the summer. A new schedule is currently being finalised, and construction is expected to begin in the New Year. The hub will be one of four all-new Welsh medium childcare facilities planned for…

The Caerphilly Homes team, responsible for delivering housing services at Caerphilly County Borough Council, has announced it will be formally submitting proposals for the development of an ambitious new mixed tenure housing development on the site of the former Oakdale Comprehensive School. The council has already carried out feasibility studies to assess the suitability of the brownfield site.  If planning proposals are approved, the development would be the first of its kind for the council in offering open market sales, alongside affordable and social housing. A pre-application consultation has been undertaken and the council has responded to comments raised by…

Caerphilly County Borough Council is asking members of the public to give their views on its proposals to introduce a low cost home ownership policy. A recent local housing market assessment undertaken by the council demonstrated a high requirement throughout the county borough for a range of good quality, affordable homes, including social rented accommodation and low cost home ownership. In response, the council has revealed ambitious plans to develop mixed and sustainable communities where people want to live, and which promote health and wellbeing.  It plans to do this through the provision of a range of good quality, affordable…

The first-ever New Year’s Day Swim at the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will be held on Saturday, January 1. The 2021 season was an incredible success for the Lido, with over 98,500 visitors being welcomed – making it the busiest season since re-opening in 2015, despite the limitations on visitor numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, the Council announced the return of the hugely-popular Boxing Day Swim, and tickets sold out within minutes. In order to give residents another opportunity to enjoy a festive swim, the Council will now be hosting the inaugural New Year’s…

The First Minister is urging everyone to have their Covid-19 booster vaccine as he warned Wales is facing a new wave of infections caused by the omicron variant. More than a million people have already received their booster vaccine in Wales but the programme is being speeded up following the emergence of the fast-moving variant. The First Minister will say, at his regular 21-day review press conference, to be held on Friday (December 10), that even though only a handful of cases of omicron have so far been confirmed in Wales, we must be prepared for cases to rise quickly…

Not all builders merchants supply building products to the public, some specialise in supplying only trade whilst others equally assist DIY clients.  Builders merchants play an important role in the construction industry supplying a wide range of building materials, anything that you might need to build a house, decorating materials, garden and fencing products, concrete blocks and building bricks. The builders merchant companies vary in the product range, some specialise in supplying a broader range, whereas others might choose to specialise only in bricks, timber and joinery for instance. Some builder’s warehouses serve trade only and others are open to the…