Author: Rhys Gregory

A new study by online savings platform BravoVoucher reveals the top countries with the savviest consumers as part of the Smart Shopper Index, a global ranking of the top countries where consumers are the savviest with their spending habits and their savings. Brits amongst least savvy consumers in the Smart Shopper Index The study analysed several consumer habits including household savings and debt, purchase consideration, overall spending relative to cost of living, and food spending relative to cost in all OECD countries for which data was available, and aggregated these in a points-based index to find out which countries have…

From September through to November, National Trust Cymru is excited to be welcoming some very special guests to the Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire. Recent years have seen increasing numbers of the Grey seal population breeding in and around the lagoon and spotting them is an exciting wildlife encounter that many visitors won’t forget. However, the combination of the Blue Lagoons high visitor numbers, and its sheltered nature which makes it so attractive to seals, creates a situation where there is a high potential for disturbance to seals. The time seals spend resting on land is vital to their health and that…

Pembrokeshire County Council’s ambitions to develop a new flagship heritage attraction project at Haverfordwest Castle have moved a step closer following the approval of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the site. Formally adopted by Cabinet, the CMP has undergone consultation with tourism and heritage professionals and the broader public. This plan is a key document that will guide the protection and enhancement of the site’s significance. Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said he was delighted the CMP had been approved. “Haverfordwest Castle is one of the County’s most under-utilised heritage assets despite…

New trees are now being planted at Swansea city centre’s first new park since Victorian times. When complete, the 1.1-acre coastal park at the city’s emerging new £135m Copr Bay phase one district will feature a selection of new trees, including cherries and pines. They’re among over 70 new trees being introduced as part of the district. New trees will also feature on the ramp leading to the new bridge over Oystermouth Road, along with six new elm trees on the central reserve close to Oystermouth Road’s junction with West Way. Water features and bug hotels will also be included…

Proposals worth £750m to further transform Swansea city centre and develop new homes and attractions along the coast and riverfront have taken a major step forward. Swansea Council has now appointed award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash as its preferred development partner for a number of key sites, including the Civic Centre, Swansea Central North and a plot of land running alongside the River Tawe in the St Thomas area of the city. Early ideas for each site have been proposed, which will now be worked up in more detail before plenty of opportunities for local people to give their feedback…

Two Cardiff men who illegally dumped waste in Newport were successfully prosecuted and ordered to pay £1,540 each at the city’s magistrates’ court. Bradley Robert Lynn, aged 23, of Splott, and Connor Anthony Leighton Williams, aged 28, of Trowbridge, both pleaded guilty to an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. CCTV captured Lynn and Williams depositing controlled waste from an unregistered, untaxed commercial vehicle at the access to the former LG site in Coedkernew on two separate occasions. Newport City Council worked with Gwent Police Rural Crime Team and Fly Tipping Action Wales to bring the defendants to court.…

RCT has formally agreed £9m plans to provide Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn-y-Forwyn in Ferndale with a new school building – utilising a new site to deliver improved facilities and expand the local Welsh Medium primary offer. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, September 21, provided the latest progress update on the proposal. Throughout this year, several important landmarks have been achieved to deliver the new school by 2024 – including a public consultation (March to April) which showed local support for the project, and the publication of a Statutory Notice following Cabinet’s approval in June. The Statutory Notice allowed for…

A new app to support jobseekers and those looking to change careers in Cardiff to access real-time information and advice about the Council’s employability services is now available to download. The Into Work Cardiff mobile app provides information on the wide range of employment support services delivered by the Council’s Into Work Advice Services including job clubs, one to one mentoring projects, Adult Learning courses, training, employment event, help accessing funding and more, all at the user’s fingertips on their smartphone or tablet. Developed for Into Work Advice Services by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the app is built on TCS’ DigiGOV™…

Coleg Cambria, North Wales Police, Wrexham Council and other stakeholders have joined forces to construct a three-metre ‘Knife Dragon’ using weapons safely handed in at local police stations as part of regional amnesty campaigns. The sculpture is under construction at the college’s Bersham Road site, where students and staff will spend the next year welding and fabricating submitted items – including blades and knuckle dusters – onto a steel frame. Inspired by the 20ft ‘Knife Angel’ designed by artist Alfie Bradley, unveiled in 2017, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and Site Lead at Bersham Road Karl Jackson said:…

COLEG CAMBRIA will get a world-class skills boost after being selected to join an elite training programme. The north east Wales college is one of 12 institutions to become part of the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in addition to 20 announced last autumn when the three-year pilot project was launched. The Centre of Excellence – partnered and funded by educational charity and awarding body NCFE – will see more than 40,000 young students and apprentices – from all socio-economic groups across the UK – armed with world-class skills. It aims to supercharge the quality and delivery of technical and…