Author: Rhys Gregory

The first conference and exhibition to take place in the new Swansea Arena has been announced. Businesses, campaigners, employers and anyone interested in Swansea’s future are invited to attend the Swansea City Centre Conference & Exhibition, which takes place in the Arena on March 17, 2022. The event, which launched in 2019 but was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19, is an opportunity for city centre retailers, regional businesses, community projects and not-for-profit organisations to raise their profile and make connections. Exhibitors and attendees will be able to find out about the exciting projects currently underway in the…

Sonovate was revealed as ‘Fintech Company of the Year’ at the Fintech Award Wales at the Tramshed Cardiff, attended by Wales’ leading innovators and digital experts. Six companies were shortlisted for the award, sponsored by Cardiff Capital Region, with Sonovate recognised as the winner. The award recognises Sonovate’s achievements as one of the UK’s most established and scalable fintechs. Sonovate, which provides finance and tech solutions to recruitment agencies, consultancies and labour marketplaces that engage contractors and freelancers, was also recently crowned winner of the ‘Talent Tech Scale Up Award’, supported by Deloitte, at the 2021 TIARA Talent Tech Star…

Wales & West Utilities has announced the appointment of Matt Hindle as Head of Net Zero & Sustainability. Matt, 35, joins from the Energy Networks Association, where he spent five years as the organisation’s Head of Gas. He has a wealth of experience within the biogas industry and prior to joining the ENA, he spent six years working on green gas, energy policy and environmental regulation for the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association. Matt is the latest recruit as Wales & West Utilities looks to invest £400m to deliver a Net Zero ready gas network by 2035, while looking after…

An RSPCA Cymru appeal for information has been launched after a young peregrine falcon was found dead hanging by its tether from a television aerial in Pentre. A member of the public spotted the deceased juvenile bird on 11 September and sounded the alarm to the RSPCA. The falcon was found atop of a two-story property in Treharne Street tangled by a long but torn tether still attached to his legs. A tethered bird is fastened by a line to a post or anchor so as to confine the animal to a particular area. The RSPCA has serious concerns regarding…

Lights, music, action…at long last the show is about to go on. After 18 months of being closed, the curtain will once again rise on Swansea Grand Theatre’s stage and theatre lovers can return to this much loved venue from next week (Oct 4). Audiences will be ‘All Shook Up’ with our first performance fit for a king when Ben Portsmouth returns with his award winning tribute to Elvis on 6 October. Other autumn highlights include In the Night Garden on 13 & 14 October, The Bootleg Beatles on 23 October, Al Murray’s brand new show, Landlord of Hope and…

Swansea Council’s Tip Treasures in Llansamlet has been extended and refurbished to include new sections for re-used wood products and designer clothing. The extension has been funded by Welsh Government grants aimed at encouraging repair and reuse of items that would have normally ended up in the recycling system or landfill It means shoppers heading for the popular venue at Llansamlet Recycling Centre will be able to find brand name pre-loved clothing that’s been carefully restored among heaps of other bargains to choose from. Featured brands include Kailio, Next, M&S, Monsoon, Jasper Conran Junior, Made in Italy and Quicksilver. Mark…

People are being asked to have their say on how the waters around Porthcawl Harbour should be used in the future. A consultation currently underway invites views on the issues arising at the harbour and whether local byelaws which date back to 1953 should be updated for modern use. If updated or new byelaws are adopted, they would cover the following areas:- Berthing Navigation Fishing Parking Bathing and diving Lock gates Slipway Shoreline restrictions Waste Safety Security Penalties This is a busy, hugely popular part of Porthcawl, with not only the main approach in and out of the marina and…

10 awards have been won by the various Caerphilly Basin voluntary groups at the Wales in Bloom awards in Anglesey. Wales in Bloom is the regional element of the National Britain in Bloom Competition supported by the Royal Horticultural Society. Their message is ‘Helping Communities Grow’ to encourage voluntary support that improves individuals’ local environment. This message falls in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Campaign in Wales. The results of the Competition are as follows: Main Competition: Friends of Morgan Jones Park Community Allotments won a Gold Award in the allotment category with community volunteer, Elizabeth…

Newbridge Leisure Centre has seen a £90,000 investment to install a new interactive play equipment in the pool. The new play features include high and low level water jets, water bowls, water sprays and tipping buckets which can be used by children of all ages and abilities. The interactive sensory play explores new ways to build confidence in all children allowing them to explore the water environment and challenge children’s visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Children can engage all their senses through the new water play. Ross Whiting, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Learning and Leisure, said “It is a…

Applications for September 2022 secondary school places open this week (Monday 27, September) and families are encouraged to ‘give us five’ school preferences, to increase their chance of getting a place at a school of their choice. Providing five schools in the first application form is one of 7 tips from Cardiff Council’s Admissions Team, which aims to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff. Simple step-by-step advice and guidance is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain the 7 tips including how the admissions process works and the…