Author: Rhys Gregory

New life has been breathed into Denbighshire’s natural surroundings thanks to an innovative and forward thinking approach. Denbighshire County Council has helped deliver the planting of over 18,000 trees, the reduction of coastal flooding for 1,650 properties and the enhancement of biodiversity in the County, with 60 sites being managed to create wildflower meadows. The Council’s Corporate Plan 2017-22 included a focus on the preservation of the natural environment and also paid particular attention to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity within the county. Denbighshire County Council also declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to seeking…

Giant LED lighting columns equipped with technology to change colour will soon be pointing the way to Swansea Arena for thousands of residents and visitors to the city. Six of the lighting columns have been installed – three outside the arena and three on the city centre side of the landmark new bridge crossing over Oystermouth Road. The columns, which each stand 12 metres tall, are part of the city’s £135m Copr Bay phase one district being developed by Swansea Council, with Swansea Arena due to open its doors in March. Also forming part of Copr Bay phase one is…

Hodge has partnered with Modulr, a digital payment specialist, which will power Hodge’s savings customers with a payment and accounts infrastructure to deliver a market leading, real-time digital banking experience. Powered by Modulr, Hodge customers will get a digital banking experience and superior customer service, including the ability to see their balance and payments in real-time for increased control and reassurance. Likewise, Hodge’s customers also benefit from Modulr’s Confirmation of Payee service, ensuring when the customer sends funds to their Hodge account number, the sending bank recognises the account as their own. This is the first time Modulr has partnered…

Reducing and eliminating workplace risks and hazards is an integral part of health and safety management. For small and medium-sized (SME) businesses, managing these risks can be particularly challenging due to insufficient resources or access to trusted advisers. Alcumus, the UK’s market-leading business for providing technology-led risk management solutions for small and large businesses world-wide, has partnered with Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid in an effort to extend its network and help more local Welsh businesses to benefit from its trusted advice and long-standing expertise. The Chamber is a leading voice of SMEs in Wales, with a…

Were you born in the Year of the Tiger? If so, your luck is set to change for the better this week, because Love Seafood has teamed up with Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese Restaurant in Pontypridd to offer a discounted or even free seafood meal to celebrate the Lunar New Year. In Chinese culture, “birth years” are considered unlucky, but that’s certainly not the case at Janet’s restaurant as Love Seafood is offering anyone born in the Year of the Tiger 25%, 50% or 100% off their food bill from Thursday 10 February. If ordering a seafood dish, diners will…

A Cycle Ready for Spring campaign – designed to encourage more people to cycle and to get their bikes road-ready in time for Spring – is coming to Cardiff. Run by Cardiff Council and its partners, the family-friendly events will have entertainment, live music and cycle-kit giveaways. Residents can get their bikes checked over by professionals, have small repairs done, and get them security tagged by South Wales Police at four, free events held in Grangetown, Canton, Splott and the city centre. Cllr Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport and Planning, said: “More and more people are cycling in…

Wales will be taking on Scotland on Saturday, February 12that Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 2.15pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.15am until 6.15pm to ensure all ticket holders are able to get into the stadium safely. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city. Road closures From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing fans. The following…

​​​​​​​A stunning new video shows how the former St David’s Shopping Centre site in Swansea will look once a temporary improvement scheme there is finished. The temporary scheme planned for the site includes local pop-up traders, a pop-up park and plenty of green spaces for public use and events. Work is expected to start on the temporary scheme in the coming months, which will better link the city centre with the emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district. Swansea Council is developing the scheme. The video, created for the council by Swansea firm iCreate, can be seen online here -…

Innovative projects are being sought to benefit the Swansea area’s rural residents. Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are being invited to apply for funding to support new and inventive projects with a community benefit. Members of the Swansea Rural Development Partnership’s Local Action Group welcome ideas from community groups and social enterprises. The schemes should increase productivity, diversity and efficiency in the agricultural sector, improve the Welsh environment and promote strong, resilient local communities. Two funds are available. Smaller projects can apply for grants of up to £10,000 using a fast-track process. Applications should be submitted by 5pm, February 24.…

Caerphilly County Borough Council has announced the completion of its Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme. This flagship programme has seen the largest single investment ever made into the council’s housing stock, with over £260 million spent on improvements to tenants’ homes and communities. Caerphilly council currently owns and manages 10,660 homes across the county borough.  Through its WHQS programme tenants’ homes have received internal and external refurbishments, adaptations to ensure homes meet the needs of individual households, and a wide range of environmental improvements to enhance communities. The council’s Leader, Cllr Philippa Marsden, recently visited one of the final…