Author: Rhys Gregory

Churchill Way has been transformed into a burst of colour and creativity thanks to FOR Cardiff’s latest public art commission. FOR Cardiff is the Business Improvement District (BID) of Cardiff city centre – a private, not-for-profit membership organisation voted for by the businesses of Cardiff city centre in June 2016. The vibrant new ground mural in the city centre – complete with swirling patterns, blooming flowers, and a classic game of hopscotch – has been designed to bring joy, play, and family fun to the area throughout the summer. Created by designer Suzanne Carpenter of Patternistas and brought to life with the support of Bethan Richards Illustration, the installation turns an…

A PORTHCAWL optician is marking 20 years of serving the community by launching a specialist clinic to support local residents with sight loss as part of the NHS funded Low Vision Service. According to the UK’s leading sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, around two million people are currently living with sight loss in the UK. The charity also predicts that by 2050, one person will lose their sight every three minutes. The low vision assessment service is funded by the NHS and will be overseen in Porthcawl by Specsavers director, Louise Whiffin. The service aims…

A Newport man has transformed the setback of redundancy into a fresh start, launching an independent coffee shop with help from Business Wales. The Rich Bean Coffee, founded by Richard Collins, is now open at Caerleon RFC Club and is already showing strong signs of growth. Formerly a sales manager, Richard Collins turned his long-standing passion for coffee into a business venture in 2024. Motivated by a desire to take control of his future, he used the opportunity to create a welcoming, community-focused space that offers sustainably sourced coffee and locally produced goods. With guidance from Ian Harvey, a Business…

South Wales Police received a report from the ambulance service stating that they had encountered an unconscious man who appeared to be suffering from an overdose. Upon administration of Naloxone, 28-year-old Jordan Wright from Treherbert woke up and became volatile towards paramedics and members of the public and it appeared that he was in possession of a knife. When officers arrived, they were made aware that Wright had threatened to kill two members of the public. Officers have removed Wright from the ambulance and arrested him on suspicion of threats to kill and being in possession of offensive weapon. A…

Work on the former North Wales Hospital in Denbigh has hit a key milestone, with the contract awarded for initial ecology activity. Denbighshire County Council, who own the site, has appointed Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK for the early phase of ecology protection work, including the construction of two bat barns. It’s a crucial step in the project timeline, which will allow for the demolition of existing buildings, a move that will enhance health and safety on site and support the next phase of the development. The former North Wales Hospital scheme aims to deliver a programme of regeneration improvements…

Scolton Manor was buzzing with excitement on Play Day 25 as a record-breaking 2,266 children and adults came together to celebrate play, community, and creativity. Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council, this year’s Play Day was the biggest yet, bringing families from across the county to enjoy a vibrant mix of activities, entertainment, and outdoor fun. The event, held in the beautiful grounds of Scolton Manor on August 6th, marked a joyful celebration of the importance of play in children’s lives and the power of community connection. From face painting and messy play to sensory corners and nature trails, every corner…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is making it easier than ever to go electric. As part of its goal to become a Carbon Neutral Local Authority by 2030, the Council has recently installed new rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers in three of its town centre car parks, as part of the latest round of investment in this area. The Council has supported the installation of 76 EV chargers at 65 community locations since the first installations were completed in May 2022 – working closely with the Cardiff Capital Region, the UK Government, and the Welsh Government. Now, on top of this,…

Newport City Council has confirmed its decision on introducing new 30mph speed limits into a number of streets or parts of streets in the city. This decision has concluded our 20mph listening exercise, which started last year with a public consultation. Following that consultation and taking into account revised guidance on applying the new national default speed limit from Welsh government, we identified 16 streets, or parts of streets, which were potentially suitable for an increased speed limit. This increase is from the national default of 20mph, up to 30mph. In March of this year, we published a traffic regulation…

The Marches Real Food and Farming Convergence 2025 will be hosted in Monmouthshire this year, as the event visits Square Farm, Monmouth. In its third year running and its first visit to Monmouthshire, the convergence will explore the future of local food while fostering collaboration on the 3 and 4 October 2025. Focusing on key themes such as agroecology, regenerative farming, and the development of strong local supply chains, the event seeks to address critical issues of food resilience and the interconnectedness of soil, plant, animal, and human health. Those attending can engage in meaningful discussions and share innovative practices with…

Young people aged between 16 – 21 are reminded to sign up for a free mytravelpass to make sure they can take full advantage of the £1 bus fare when the pilot scheme begins on September 1. In two weeks’ time single fares will cost just £1 and there will be £3 day tickets available too, allowing young people to access unlimited travel with any participating bus services. The free mytravelpass will need to be presented to the driver as proof of age and is available from mytravelpass | Home Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said:…