Author: Rhys Gregory

New research has revealed that Wales’ Aber Falls is the UK’s most Instagrammable waterfall. A study by creative resource Design Bundles analysed Instagram hashtag data and the Trip Advisor rating and reviews of the UK’s most loved waterfalls to find the ten waterfalls with the highest ‘Wonder Score’. The study reveals Aber Falls, located in Conwy County, Wales, is the most Instagrammable waterfall with a Wonder Score of 21.79. The hidden gem snapped a score of 8.75 with 25,631 posts under the hashtag #aberfalls and had a 3.05 score for the number of ratings – 446. The location boasts a…

Aberystwyth University historian Dr David Ceri Jones has co-authored a new book which documents the story of Christianity in Wales from its origins in Roman times right up to the present day. A History of Christianity in Wales draws on the expertise of four leading historians of the Welsh Christian tradition, and is based on the latest scholarship and study. Specifically designed for a general audience, the volume plots the chronological development of Welsh Christianity, documenting the waxing and waning of Christian practice in Wales over the centuries. Dr David Ceri Jones, Reader in Early Modern History at Aberystwyth University,…

Dreamachine is a powerful new kind of immersive experience exploring the limitless potential of the human mind and is due to land in Cardiff later this year. Created by Collective Act, it brings together Turner Prize-winning artists Assemble, Grammy and Mercury nominated composer Jon Hopkins, and a team of leading technologists, scientists and philosophers. It will be launched in London in May 2022, followed by presentations in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, commissioned and presented as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK. Dreamachine is inspired by an extraordinary but little-known 1959 invention by artist-inventor Brion Gysin. His experimental homemade device used flickering…

Construction has started on an all-new Welsh-medium childcare hub that will serve families in the Garw Valley for generations to come. Part of a £2.8m investment into Welsh-medium childcare which is also establishing facilities at Blackmill, Bridgend and Porthcawl, the Bettws hub is being built on the former Boys and Girls Club site. The work, which had to be postponed after an ecological survey revealed that birds were nesting at the site, is being carried out by Stafford Construction and is expected to be complete by spring 2022. Designed to serve the Garw Valley and surrounding valleys gateway area, the…

Three new local businesses have been announced for Swansea’s emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district. Frozziyo Frozen Yoghurt, Imperial Candy and KoKoDoo Korean Fried Chicken will lease units on Cupid Way – a new link between the city centre and Swansea Arena that leads to the new bridge over Oystermouth Road. Frozziyo Frozen Yoghurt will allow customers to help themselves to a range of flavoured frozen yoghurt from self-service machines and a wide range of toppings and sauces. It will be led by Katharine Partner, who is also managing director of Swansea-based Rock the Dragon – a dance shop…

Its ruling cabinet today recommended to a full council meeting next month that the budget be approved to support this minimum salary proposal of £10 per hour. If approved, it would be implemented from April 1 this year and would be above the UK’s voluntary real living wage rate of £9.90. Council leader Rob Stewart said: “Our staff and key workers have been amazing throughout the pandemic, delivering essential services to the people of Swansea every day – from providing care and support, to ensuring bins are collected, and major projects are delivered. “I’m really proud that we’ve been able to work…

Castle Square Gardens, city schools and community facilities across Swansea are set for major investment in the next 12 months. More than £83m has been earmarked for spending on vital regeneration projects to support Swansea and its communities as they emerge from the pandemic. Millions of pounds of investment in the 71/72 Kingsway digital village project means construction work will be starting soon. And on top of that, £20m has been set aside for projects aimed at giving Swansea a further boost as it emerges from the pandemic. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “Despite the challenges of the…

New greenery, benches, soft play areas and other facilities have now been introduced at Swansea’s emerging coastal park. About the same size as a football pitch, the 1.1-acre park forms part of the £135m Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council. Run by the Secret Hospitality Group, a café restaurant called The Green Room will also be located at the coastal park. Other features of the coastal park include bug hotels, water features and a selection of new trees. Over 70 trees are being introduced as part of the Copr Bay phase one district as a whole.…

RCT Council will undertake ground investigations at A4061 Station Road (near the Parc and Dare Theatre) during half term – to prepare for a second phase of work to strengthen the structures which support the road. The Nant Cwm Parc Cantilever is located on Station Road and supports the road over the stream at the junction with Dyfodwg Street. The Council is carrying out ongoing work to replace the life-expired structure, as well as strengthening Institute Bridge, which both provide support to the main road. The first phase of this scheme took place from summer through to autumn 2021, and…

Conservation work on the Newport Ship is stepping up as the twentieth anniversary of its discovery approaches. The council and partners at Friends of Newport Ship (FONS) recently took delivery of the latest batch of timbers from specialist conservation contractor, Mary Rose Archaeological Services. The latest batch contained a large part of the central mast step, as well as a number of long oak stringers that were used to strengthen the ship. Over ninety per cent of the ship’s timbers have been returned to date. Once the remaining timbers have passed through the conservation stage later this year, we will…