Author: Rhys Gregory

The Edenstone Homes Group has teamed up with energy service and tech company Sero, to pave the way for the delivery of 6,000 zero carbon homes across Wales and the South West of England by 2030. The two companies have come together to form an ambitious Joint Venture, that over coming months will establish a blueprint for the delivery of zero carbon smart homes, underpinning Edenstone’s ambition to be a net zero carbon business by 2025. The South Wales based Edenstone Group has an extensive pipeline of housing projects and is looking to draw on Sero’s expertise in using renewable…

Businesses in Denbighshire are being asked to encourage staff to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of Covid-19. Denbighshire County Council is supporting the Welsh Government’s campaign urging employers to encourage staff to be vaccinated. As part of the campaign businesses are encouraged to be as flexible as possible when it is time for staff to have a vaccine as well as urging employees to be cautious about misinformation and to use trusted sources if they are searching for information or answers to questions about the vaccine. Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer…

Established in 1990, from a single branch in Anglesey, the Huws Gray Group, are now one of the largest independent builders’ merchants in the UK.  The company’s rapid growth is being driven by a determined acquisition strategy and the latest merchant to join the group is Sandysike Builders Merchants Ltd based in Carlisle, Cumbria. The family run business has been serving Cumbria and South West Scotland for over 22 years supplying a large range of high-quality building materials, bathrooms and wood burning stoves.  Family members Melanie Forster, Stephanie Forster and Grant Kelton will remain to manage the business. Matthew Owen,…

A Welsh manufacturer, which is on a mission to tackle the world’s growing personal protective equipment (PPE) waste problem, is set to expand its global presence after securing its first export deals in Australia and Canada. Cardiff-based Thermal Compaction Group (TCG) specialises in the manufacture of innovative technology used to recycle single-use, disposable plastic PPE, including surgical tray wraps, drapes and medical-grade face masks. The company was one of the first in the world to develop the new technology and has seen interest in its recycling solutions soar in light of the pandemic. Earlier this year, it unveiled its patented…

Two apprenticeship hopefuls have started to reap the rewards for choosing the construction site over summer holidays after taking up paid work experience with a leading North Wales-based electrical contractor. Oliver King and Dylan Hough have been brought onboard by Rhyl-headquartered Fred Weston Electrical as the firm works on a number of sites for Wynne Construction. Oliver and Dylan, who are currently busy at the Ysgol Glanrafon scheme in Mold, are hoping to ready themselves for apprenticeships having recently completed their Level 2 diploma at Coleg Cambria Deeside. Oliver, 16, from Holywell, said: “I’m really enjoying picking up new skills.…

With tourist numbers at a high in Pembrokeshire, the county’s Visitor Welcome team has been busy helping and advising holidaymakers at various popular locations along the coast. On a daily basis, ten officers (wearing bright pink hi-vis) are patrolling tourism hotspots throughout the county to advise on any queries visitors might have, from car parking options to coastal bus timetables, dog-friendly beaches, the location of public conveniences, water safety and more. Deployed by Pembrokeshire County Council, the team also reports any issues that need assistance from other sections of the local authority or partner organisations, such as reckless behaviour on…

A former railway line in the north of Swansea is set to be transformed into a new walking and cycling route. Swansea Council is looking to extend its active travel network further by creating a new 1.6km route which follows the path of an old railway line between Grovesend and Pontarddulais. The railway line has long since gone and the route has become overgrown and inaccessible to the public, but the Council has ambitious plans to open up the path with a new shared use walking and cycle route. The Council received more than £3m of Welsh Government ‘Active Travel’…

Men’s Sheds projects in Swansea are being invited to apply for funding. Once again Swansea Council is supporting the network in the city with grant funding of £25,000. Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people from all backgrounds can meet, chat and take part in activities if they wish, to reduce loneliness and isolation. They are part of an expanding network around Swansea and the UK. Applications are now open for the new funding which is available to existing and emerging groups and is also open to groups that have been assisted in the past. In the last financial year…

RCT Council has announced that Loungers will open its new café bar at the Llys Cadwyn development in Pontypridd later this month – bringing the popular ‘Lounge’ brand to Rhondda Cynon Taf for the first time. Building work is currently ongoing within the remaining unit at 3 Llys Cadwyn, ready for the grand opening of Gatto Lounge on August 25. Loungers has more than 120 neighbourhood café bars across the UK – combining elements of a restaurant, British pub and coffee shop culture. It committed to Pontypridd during December 2020, and is almost ready to welcome its first customers. Gatto…

People could be able to elect their local councillors as they finish lessons or as part of their weekly shop, as part of efforts to make voting easier. The Welsh Government is exploring with local authorities whether flexible voting pilots can take place in next year’s local government elections. Voting in different spaces is being considered to provide voters with easier access in familiar environments. Polling stations in secondary schools and colleges would allow young people easy access to democracy, following legislation giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote in Wales. Consideration is also being given to sites such…