Author: Rhys Gregory

Rare wildflowers are thriving in Denbighshire thanks to the results of a biodiversity project. Denbighshire’s biodiversity team behind the Wildflower Meadow project has revealed that a total of 268 different wildflower species have been recorded across the project sites over the last two years. Amongst the wildflowers recorded, nearly a quarter were classified as a scarce and/or rare species within the Denbighshire. As part of Denbighshire County Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity across the county, nearly 60 sites, including highway verges, footpath edges, cycleways and amenity grasslands, are being managed to create wildflower meadows. These sites, along with the…

Investment in full fibre and mobile connectivity in Wales could unlock 24,000 jobs, boost the economy by more than £2.46 billion by 2026 and help tackle inequality according to new research from Virgin Media O2 and economic modelling experts Oxford Analytica. The research reveals investment could provide a multi-million-pound economic boost to regions across Wales, with the Cardiff Capital Region (£896m), North Wales (£407m) and Mid Wales (£99m) all set to see sizable economic uplifts. The findings are revealed in the first ever Digital Connectivity Index which uses thousands of OECD datapoints to measure how individuals and organisations can connect…

A FLIGHT attendant who was made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic has landed a new job at the Welsh Ambulance Service. Sarah Goulding, of Connah’s Quay, Flintshire, has joined the Trust as an Ambulance Care Assistant after an illustrious 32-year career with British Airways. The mother-of-two was one of 10,000 British Airways workers to have lost their jobs at the height of the pandemic. Sarah, 54, was inspired to re-train for the ambulance service having given life-saving first aid to dozens of passengers over the years. She said: “I had an amazing career with British Airways and was fortunate to…

The Original Factory Shop, the UK’s leading local, value brand retailer, has partnered with the Co-op to open a new concession inside their Lampeter store, creating seven new jobs in the local community. The brand new concession, which occupies 3,467 square feet, will see the retailer bring its range of bargain-based clothing, pet products, electricals, homewares, a party shop service and reserve and collect to the local community in a shop within a shop concept. As a result of the move, The Original Factory Shop will be creating seven jobs. The Original Factory Shop area manager Nigel Elliot says: “We’ve got a fantastic…

A new Welsh start-up company is to develop a novel cancer therapy, targeting a rare bone cancer and other cancers, more common in Wales, such as lung, colorectal, breast and prostate cancers. Ceridwen Oncology, based at MS-Parc, Bangor University’s science park on Anglesey, is to develop and transform medical discoveries by Bangor and Cardiff Universities into useable medical treatments. The new company has been selected against stiff competition, to join the Alderley Park Oncology Development programme (APODP), a globally leading commercial accelerator programme, created by UK Government Innovate UK and Cancer Research UK in partnership with some of the world’s…

A sparrowhawk has been rescued from beneath netting atop a building society in the centre of Cardiff. RSPCA Cymru came to the aid of the bird of prey after a member of the public reported his plight. The bird had flown into the netted area via an open wooden door – but was then unable to find an exit back into the open despite attempts to guide him out by kind-hearted staff at the building. Inspector Sophie Daniels raced to the scene and – after half-an-hour of trying to confine the bird – was able to safely secure him in…

In 2019, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet responded to the extensive public consultation on the location of a new area school in the Aeron Valley. Since then, the Council has been in the process of acquiring land for the new area school and can confirm that land has been purchased for this purpose at the location below: There was a strong view that stakeholders wished to see the school located on a new site, and not on the Felinfach Theatre campus as per one of the original proposed options. Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Dihewyd primary schools will all close in order…

An award-winning company appointed to lead a £750m redevelopment of several sites in Swansea has been described as ‘synonymous’ with Manchester’s success. Urban Splash have now been appointed by Swansea Council as its preferred development partner for a number of sites in the city, including the Civic Centre, Swansea Central North on the former St David’s Shopping Centre site, and a plot of land along the riverside in St Thomas. The company has developed over 60 regeneration projects across the UK in the last 25 years, including several in Manchester. These include the regeneration of the New Islington part of…

A minority of householders in Neath Port Talbot who leave additional bin bags at the side of their wheelie bins (excess waste) are being warned they could face enforcement action. The Excess Waste Restriction Scheme has been in effect since April 2019 whereby if householders leave extra waste alongside their wheelie bin it will not be collected by crews and a recycling awareness visit will be carried out by one of the council’s excess waste enforcement team. There are however a small minority of residents who continue to persistently present excess waste including recyclables, or do not participate at all…

RCT Council has secured £3.5m external funding towards the delivery of the new modern Porth Transport Hub – and the project will shortly be entering its construction phase following the appointment of a contractor. The new funding was announced by the UK Government on October 27 within its Levelling Up Fund, following a successful funding bid by the Council. The Transport Hub will create an integrated bus and rail interchange for Porth, located at the existing railway station. It will be a modern and attractive hub at the heart of the Town Centre, providing seamless travel across bus and rail.…