Author: Rhys Gregory

New data released by CarShop, which has a large store on Penarth Road in Cardiff serving customers across South Wales, has revealed how trade-in prices for some cars have increased by almost a third this summer (June – August) due to a shortage of supply and increased customer demand. The UK’s leading used car retailer has had another busy summer with UK-wide sales increasing by 18% on last year’s figures. But this is good news for the owners of some of the most sought-after models, with trade-in prices higher than ever before. For example, CarShop’s in-house team of analysts recently…

New dates to see Wales’ biggest ever Christmas lights trail have been introduced as demand for tickets to the magical new festive experience remains extremely high. Visits to Christmas at Bute Park will now take place during timed intervals on every night of the week throughout November and December, as the majority of existing dates have almost sold-out. Christmas at Bute Park opens next month and will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delight around one of Cardiff’s most beloved landmarks. From November 25th, Bute Park will be taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue,…

Business leaders in Wales are giving their backing to the £1.7bn Blue Eden project that’s been announced for Swansea. Katherine Bennett, Western Gateway Chair, and Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, say the project will create opportunities for sustainable growth, while helping accelerate a green recovery from the Covid pandemic in Wales. The Blue Eden project, which includes a tidal lagoon, is being led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and their business partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports. Made possible by funding from the private sector, Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years. The…

A simple exercise programme could spare people chronic pain and even disability after they have suffered a chest injury. Researchers will recruit hundreds of patients during a two-year study being carried out across four Welsh hospitals and one in England. It will be led by Dr Ceri Battle, a consultant physiotherapist in Morriston Hospital who has carried out extensive research into blunt wall chest trauma – usually caused by falls, road accidents or assaults. Dr Battle’s earlier research focused on people who have been sent home from emergency departments after injuring their ribs. While the chest injuries themselves can be…

An insightful and moving tribute to musicians of the silent era is promised when notable musician, dramatist, TV presenter and composer Neil Brand pays a visit to Mid Wales on Saturday, November 6. Gregynog Hall at Tregynon, near Newtown will host a day – from 2pm-9.30pm – with Brand, regarded as one of the finest exponents of improvised silent film accompaniment in the world. He will introduce the audience to the world of early cinema through a performance of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Lodger’ (1927) along with a selection of other classics. Brand performs regularly at the National Film Theatre and…

voco® St David’s Cardiff has announced its charity partner for the year ahead. This year the hotel will be partnering with BulliesOut, to inspire change and make a difference in the lives of those affected by bullying. BulliesOut provides much needed help, training, support and information to individuals, schools, youth and community settings affected by bullying. In addition, they deliver empowering youth engagement programmes that encourage young people to take a stand against bullying and Make a Difference in their communities. The team work closely with parents, professionals, and educators to understand the different dynamics of bullying behaviour and how…

More than 65 homes in Neath Port Talbot have now benefited from a free gas central heating system thanks to the Warm Homes Fund. Since launching in June 2020, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Warm Homes Fund has funded more than £280,000 worth of installations and energy saving measures across 66 homes in the county borough. The Fund is available to eligible homeowners to help save money on energy bills through installing a first time gas central heating system (boiler, radiators, pipework) and energy saving measures (loft insulation, draught proofing, low energy light bulbs etc.) to ensure households are heated efficiently.…

Bridgend County Borough Council is working in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board on an innovative approach to support the health and social care system. At a Bridgend County Borough Council Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 19 October, Cabinet Members approved plans for a pilot scheme which would see a closer integration with the health board. It will see a number of health care support workers within the health board’s community resource team being funded by the local authority for work within the social care sector. The sector continues to be severely impacted by Covid-19 with demands for care…

Powys contact tracers had their busiest month to date during September, when they dealt with 2,664 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and 10,698 of their close contacts. The county’s Test, Trace, Protect (TTP) Team also dealt with 4,700 incoming calls, about its contact tracing work and Powys Teaching Health Board’s mass vaccination programme; and distributed 8,806 lateral flow device (LFD) test kits, which were collected from libraries and supermarkets. During September, the Powys County Council (PCC) team reached 93% of its positive cases and 94% of their close contacts. Cllr Beverley Baynham, PCC’s Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance…

An initiative to bring new life to community facilities is inviting owners and organisers to access a wide range of support and advice. Officers from Monmouthshire’s Rural Development Programme are offering the opportunity to participate in the Halls Together Project to give people the chance to work together, while sharing ideas and experiences to help ensure the sustainability of their facilities. There are approximately 80 community facilities in Monmouthshire and 15 within the rural wards of Newport.  Each tends to work in isolation, so they rarely take advantage of opportunities to share their experiences, and contribute to the benefit of…