Author: Rhys Gregory

Nine neighbourhoods at the heart of Welsh life, including in Caerphilly, have been named as the recipients of up to £20 million each in UK Government funding to restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities. In September last year the UK Government announced that the Pride in Place Programme would see £180 million shared among nine local authorities over 10 years to target areas which can benefit most from a wide range of regeneration projects. This money will empower local people to tackle the issues that are blighting their communities – whether that’s cleaning up graffiti,…

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens was in Blaenau Gwent this week as the Sirhowy Valley was officially named as one of the nine areas to benefit from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme. A total of £20million will be available over 10 years to regenerate the area, focusing on the needs and wants of local residents and businesses. Communities will be empowered to help make the decisions on projects through a new Neighbourhood Board, which will be set up shortly. The Secretary of State visited Fresh Active Gym & Café in Tredegar town centre to speak to…

From 5 February 2026 until May 2026, the junction at Comins Coch, joining the A487, will be fully closed as a new cycle path will be delivered as part of ongoing active travel improvements. Throughout this period, TfW and Lloyds Coaches are committed to maintaining reliable travel options for residents, students, and commuters who rely on local bus services. To minimise disruption and ensure continued access to key destinations, the following arrangements will be in place: A dedicated temporary roadworks shuttle service, CC2, will operate between: Comins Coch (Brongwinau Bus Shelter) Lluest for Coleg Ceredigion Waunfawr Aberystwyth Bus Station (Stand…

New tram-trains that will revolutionise transport in South Wales are now in their final phase of testing before being introduced into service on some of the Core Valleys Lines this spring. The Class 398 Tram-Trains, which are part of the Welsh Government’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales and the Borders, have the unique ability to run on both rail and tram lines, offering more frequent and faster journeys, level boarding, modern air conditioning, power sockets, improved passenger information screens and multi-use areas for bikes and wheelchairs. The 36 brand-new trains will run on the Merthyr, Aberdare and…

New all Wales resources to support current guidance for schools to deal with incidents of weapons in schools and education settings are being developed. An action from the National Behaviour Summit in 2025, the all Wales approach will build on the guidance Cardiff Council launched in autumn 2025 to provide simple and practical advice to Cardiff schools. Cardiff Council will lead work with local authorities and partners to develop a consistent approach for schools across Wales to manage incidents where children take weapons onto school premises, or are reasonably suspected of being in possession of a weapon on school premises.…

There’s only one chance to give someone the best possible end of life, which is why Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity, is calling on people in South Wales support its 40th Great Daffodil Appeal by joining a family-friendly daffodil trail. To help highlight the charity’s work and celebrate the flagship fundraiser, which takes place throughout February and March, families and supporters are encouraged to join the Daffodil Trail at Morgan Quarter this February half term, in exchange for a donation – collecting jigsaw pieces across the site to create a daffodil image made by local artist Bethan…

Kitchens often look tired long before the cabinets themselves wear out. Solid carcasses can last for decades, while doors that shape the room’s appearance may lose their appeal after only a few years. Many homeowners now recognise that replacing only the doors can refresh the entire kitchen without the cost of a full renovation. While complete kitchen overhauls remain popular, they often involve high expense and significant disruption. For households seeking a simpler update, changing the doors offers a practical way to modernise the space without extensive building work or unnecessary waste. Today’s door designs range from clean handleless styles…

Digital tech is now woven into the punter’s experience, showing its influence, especially in places where reaching a track isn’t exactly easy. Rural Wales, with its scattered villages and long distances between racecourses, has felt the impact of mobile apps, smarter data, and live event streaming. Thanks to these tools, people who might have once watched from the sidelines, if at all, are taking part from their own living rooms. According to the 2023 Racing Guide report, about 89% of UK punters now gamble online sometimes, up from 57% in 2017. Smartphones have flattened some serious barriers, pulling Welsh residents…

Business growth is rarely linear. As companies expand, they often experience uneven cash flow caused by seasonal demand, changing customer behaviour, or the need to invest ahead of revenue. This is why solutions such as a cash advance for merchants have become increasingly relevant for businesses that need funding to reflect how they actually trade. Even profitable companies can face short-term funding gaps when expenses arrive before income does. Traditional banking products are not always designed to adapt to these realities. Many funding options rely on fixed repayments and rigid terms that remain the same regardless of how a business…

Do you want predictability or flexibility? Fixed-rate personal loans typically give you a stable payment schedule you can plan around, while variable-rate borrowing (most commonly through lines of credit) can offer convenience and sometimes lower starting costs, but with less certainty as rates change. Either option can be sensible; the key is matching the product to the purpose and your risk tolerance. Just as importantly, the lender experience matters. Many Canadians value relationship-based guidance, especially when comparing products with different rate structures. If you’re discussing a personal loan in Canada, Innovation CU is an example of the kind of credit-union…