Author: Rhys Gregory

Major plans for a new £132m life science, well-being and sports campuses project in Swansea that’s expected create over 1,000 jobs are gathering pace. The project is one of nine forming part of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal investment across the Swansea Bay City Region. Estimated to be worth more than £150m to the regional economy, the two-site, phased project includes: The creation of a 700 square metre Institute of Life Science space at the Morriston Hospital site, which will include commercial and academic collaboration alongside clinical research and development Planning for a new access road from the M4…

An ‘ninja-style’ children’s activity centre is going from strength to strength in Blaenau Gwent. Developed by former police Sergeant Roy Bell, EGNI in Tredegar offers an obstacle course to challenge youngsters who may have outgrown traditional soft-play centres. “Our Ninja-style wall presents a physical challenge for the children – and  often parents joining in with them,” said Roy. “EGNI means Energy in Welsh, and that is what you will use in abundance on our course.” The project received a £1000 Business Support grant administered by Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, which has been used to help…

Social media influencers like footballer Marcus Rashford and other celebrities from music, TV and film could have a vital role to play in persuading the public to wear masks to combat Covid according to a leading Bangor University academic. That’s the message from Professor Nathan Abrams who heads a ten-strong team from the university who have just been awarded £426,000 to explore the influence of media messaging on people’s mask-wearing choices in the pandemic. The experts have been drawn from departments as diverse as Media, Linguistics, Law and Biocomposites and will examine not just mask-wearing but their disposal and impact…

A care home was forced to draft in staff who have Covid-19 because it had nobody else to care for its 12 residents. The nightmare scenario happened at the Caledonia home in Holyhead where 11 of the residents have Coronavirus themselves. Owner Ann Bedford said the 15-bed home which specialises in dementia care only survived the weekend because two members of staff who had tested positive for Covid agreed to man the night shift, caring for the residents who also have the virus. She took the desperate step after being told by the Isle of Anglesey Council that they did…

Huws Gray Group announce the completion of their fifth deal of 2021 with the acquisition of TBS Building Supplies based in Towcester and Daventry, Northamptonshire. Established in 1978, TBS Building Supplies are a mixed merchant servicing both trade and retail customers.  Matthew Owen, Head of Acquisitions for Huws Gray Group commented: “The acquisition of TBS marks our commitment to grow Huws Gray in Northamptonshire and beyond.  We are truly optimistic for what the future holds and excited to acquire a company whose local reputation and great customer service is at the forefront of what they do.  We look forward to…

A BELOVED village pub and restaurant is doing a roaring trade after being forced to close due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Just weeks after taking over the Red Lion in Northop, leaseholders Amanda Chitty and Elaine Hughes had to shut its doors and furlough staff as Covid-19 took hold in the UK. Now, more than 18 months later, they have a clear vision for the venue, including a new website, menu, and further expansion. Supported by local businesses – including Flint-based NorthWales Media – and independent food and drink producers, Amanda is delighted to finally be able to move forward…

CatKind, a multi-agency partnership focused on improving cat health and welfare through research and neutering initiatives, is looking for cat owners in Llanelli and Swansea to take part in a one hour online focus group.  The focus group will help provide information for a multi charity initiative – called CatKind – to help better advise and inform the public about how to care for their cats. The 10 charities, made up of the RSPCA, PDSA, Cats Protection, Celia Hammond, Blue Cross, International Cat Care, Battersea, WoodGreen, Scottish SPCA and Mayhew, have joined together to understand general views on cat health…

Pembrokeshire County Council Housing team has thanked everyone who attended the recent community litter-pick and vaccination drop-in event held at the Garth, Haverfordwest. Tenants assisted with a litter pick of the local area throughout the morning and collected 15 bags of rubbish from the estate on Thursday 26th August. All litter-picking volunteers were thanked with a free lunch for their efforts. Under the supervision of the Darwin Experience, children enjoyed looking at different creepy crawlies through a microscope, asking questions and exploring different insect habitats. In the afternoon a member of staff from Pembrokeshire Leisure gave children the opportunity to…

Future phases of Swansea city centre developments and investments have been unveiled as a mixed-use destination with investment in lifestyle, family experiences and retail to help increase the number of visitors. Aimed at helping create a more vibrant and sustainable city centre in coming years, a number of proposals have been put forward to build on a multi-million pound investment programme that’s already under way. Led by Swansea Council, the investment programme includes the £135m Copr Bay phase one development, the £12m transformation of The Kingsway and the on-going £3m Wind Street improvement project. Further supporting this investment, the new…

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has agreed to back a proposal to bid for city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year. At this evening’s (Wednesday, 8 September 2021) meeting of the full Council, members heard how becoming a city would help attract inward investment, new businesses and skilled employees, boosting economic and social development in Merthyr Tydfil and surrounding areas. The bid will have the support of Lord Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan Peter Vaughan and High Sheriff for Mid Glamorgan Jeff Edwards, who are also Merthyr residents, as well as Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP…