Author: Rhys Gregory

A Denbighshire-based construction firm has reduced its scope one and two carbon emissions by more than half in a bid to reach net zero by 2040, a decade ahead of the Welsh Government’s target. Wynne Construction is progressing its decarbonisation strategy after cutting direct and indirect CO2 production by 55 per cent since 2021. The two scopes consist of emissions controlled by a business and those created as a by-product of purchased energy such as electricity, heat, or steam. Activity by the family-owned company includes investing in an expanding hybrid fleet, including a new commercial van, and introducing hybrid battery-powered…

A drug driver has been sentenced following a road traffic collision which took place in Denbighshire earlier this year. 20-year-old Harry Rigby of Walton Heath Road, Walton, Warrington appeared before Mold Crown Court last week (Thursday) after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and drug driving. Three people were injured following the collision, which happened on the B5104 at Bryneglwys in Denbighshire on May 10th and involved a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by Rigby who overtook on a blind bend and collided with a white BMW car. Rigby was sentenced to 14 months in a Young Offender’s institution which was suspended…

A Swansea shoplifter was caught by plain-clothes officers on patrol in Swansea city centre as part of Operation Viscaria as he tried to make a bicycle getaway. 27-year-old Joshua Hayter, from Ynysforgan, was spotted on Swansea High Street on November 26, trying to sell expensive cosmetics which he’d just stolen from a nearby shop. He tried to make off on his bike when he noticed plain-clothed officers approaching him, but he was soon stopped in his tracks thanks to a well-timed tackle from the officer. Hundreds of pounds of cosmetics and 13 grams of cannabis was recovered, and Hayter was…

Transport for Wales (TfW) and British Transport Police (BTP) are working together to step up safety and customer support across the rail network this festive season, with the return of Operation Genesis and Garland. The initiative will see extra police officers and rail staff deployed across the Wales and Borders rail network to provide visible support, assist anyone who needs help, and offer personal safety advice. There will be an enhanced presence of high‑visibility police patrols across trains and stations, supported by plain‑clothes officers focused on tackling sexual harassment, anti‑social behaviour, and alcohol‑related disorder. Operation Genesis and Garland first launched…

Pontprennau Primary School is proud to mark its tenth anniversary with a year-long celebration of creativity, connection, and achievement. Since opening its doors in 2015, the school has grown into a vibrant hub for families in Pontprennau, living up to its motto: “A Community Learning and Achieving Together.” To kick off the festivities, the school launched a colourful Ten-Year Anniversary Treasure Trail during October Half Term. Inspired by the school’s participation in the 2022 Dogs Trust Trail, the event invited families to embark on a geocache-style hunt across Pontprennau, searching for sixteen painted rocks, each designed and decorated by pupils…

Amazon-owned Welsh tech start-up Veeqo has opened a new headquarters in Swansea, marking continued growth for the homegrown success story which has trebled its global workforce in three years. It’s located at the 71/72 Kingsway office scheme in the city centre developed by Swansea Council and part-funded by the Swansea Bay City Deal. Veeqo produces free shipping and inventory management software for more than 100,000 businesses all over the world. The software makes e-commerce more efficient and scalable by helping businesses fulfil orders across multiple websites and stores, syncing inventory, and automatically providing low-cost shipping rates. Acquired by Amazon in…

Pembrokeshire County Council in partnership with the Henry Tudor Trust has announced a £249,813 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the new Henry Tudor Centre in South Quay, Pembroke. The Henry Tudor Centre will bring to life the largely untold story of Henry Tudor, son of Pembroke, who took the Welsh language to the English court and went on to achieve the greatest prize – the Welsh and English crown.  In doing so he began one of the most influential dynasties in British history, the Tudors. The Henry Tudor Centre will tell this fascinating story, Henry’s Welsh ancestry…

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Arts & Cultural Service is delighted to announce that Clare Potter (artist name clare e. potter) has been appointed as the next Artist in Service until June 2026. Following the success of Artists in Service Harriet Fleuriot and Rhys Slade-Jones, this new phase builds on their learning and continues to champion open-ended, community-rooted artistic engagement. The Artist in Service programme is designed to explore how artists can meaningfully engage with the people and places of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Developed in consultation with The Experience Business as part of the Designing Public Value with Purpose…

A major step toward securing the long-term future of Blackwood Miners’ Institute (BMI) is set to be taken this week. On Wednesday 10 December, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet, meeting in its capacity as Trustee, will consider a detailed progress report outlining the positive work undertaken over recent months to support the venue’s sustainability and development. The report sets out a range of options for BMI’s future operation and recommends that Cabinet endorses a proposal to undertake a market-testing exercise to assess interest from experienced external cultural organisations in managing the day-to-day running of the venue. This would allow the…

Three communities in the Upper Rhymney Valley look set to benefit from a £20million funding boost. The UK government’s ‘Pride in Place’ Programme will see up to £5 billion given to nearly 250 areas across the UK. Each area will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next 10 years to make long-term improvements that residents want. Cabinet approval is being sought to put forward the communities of Bargoed, Aberbargoed and New Tredegar as the combined qualifying neighbourhood to receive the funding within Caerphilly county borough. Leader of Council, Cllr Jamie Pritchard said, “We have monitored…