Author: Rhys Gregory

Carmarthenshire-based accountancy firm Wynne & Co, which has offices in Carmarthen and Cross Hands, is set for further growth following the promotion of accountant Catrin Burt to the role of Director. Catrin has been with the firm for 6 years and has now gained her ACA Practising Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). This qualifies her to take a more senior role within the company, so she has been appointed Director alongside the company’s founder and Managing Director, Sarah Wynne. Having two directors will enable the company to continue the steady growth it has pursued since…

An RSPCA inspector who rescued an injured red kite who was found beside a road unable to fly has filmed the magical moment she released the majestic bird back into the wild after a month of rehabilitation. RSPCA Inspector Suzi Smith had been called to rescue the bird after a concerned member of the public found the red kite unable to take off because of an injured wing Found at the side of the A470 in Builth Wells on March 16, the bird was safely captured by Suzi before being taken to Vale Wildlife Hospital & Rehabilitation Centre to be…

A grant scheme is helping property owners and first-time buyers to get empty properties in the Valleys Task Force area of Bridgend County Borough back into use. The Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant, which was launched in September 2019, allowed homeowners or prospective owners to apply for grants of up to £20,000 for renovations and up to £5,000 towards energy measures. During the first phase of the scheme, which ran until March 2020, £76,820.42 of funding was paid out with works completed at eight properties in valleys communities like Maesteg, Pontycymer, Brynmenyn, Blaengarw and Tondu. Under phase two, which ran…

Following the Welsh Government announcement this week (Wednesday 14th April, 2021) that anyone who is unable to work from home – and members of their households – will be offered free regular asymptomatic tests from Friday 16th April. 1 in 3 people with coronavirus do not show any symptoms so these rapid lateral flow tests enable us to find these cases and prevent the spread of the infection. They are easy to use and can give results in 30 minutes. In Merthyr Tydfil, tests can be collected from the walk-through centre at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre car park between 8am…

The Leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Cllr. Philippa Marsden has called for the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K to be postponed in the interest of public safety. The Leader commented, “We have been monitoring the easing of coronavirus restrictions over the past few months. Although these restrictions have begun to ease in the past few weeks – Sunday 16th May 2021 has arrived too soon to allow the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K to go ahead. In the interest of public safety, we have taken the decision to postpone the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K/2K until Sunday 12th September 2021. We fully appreciate…

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will operate a mobile Covid-19 testing unit at Ringland Labour Club from today (Friday 16th April) until Monday 10th May. If you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of taste and/or smell please book a test as soon as possible. Some walk-up tests are available or to book a slot call 119 or visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test If you have symptoms, you and any household members should isolate immediately. Your whole household should continue to isolate until the test result is received. If the test is positive, all household…

Important work to repair the remaining section of damaged river wall at Blaen-y-Cwm Road, following storm damage, will get underway from next week. RCT Council last month provided a progress update on the repair scheme, having appointed Centregreat as the contractor responsible for delivering the work – which includes preliminary activity this month and full repairs from May, when seasonal restrictions on working within the river come to an end. The structure, which supports the highway at Blaen-y-Cwm Road, was damaged by Storm Dennis in February 2020. One lane has been brought out of use for motorists to ensure safety,…

An outdoor table tennis table has been installed in Bute Park in memory of a former Cardiff University student who died suddenly in his sleep at just 29 years old, after going to bed with a fever. MJ, as he was known to his friends, had spent three years at Cardiff University, graduating with a first class honours degree in Engineering as well as captaining and coaching the University Table Tennis team. Although he was living with his family in New Zealand at the time of his death in July 2019, Cardiff remains a centre point for many of his…

The proposed plans of a ‘game-changing’ Snow Centre and holiday resort in the South Wales Valleys gains a further endorsement and a “trophy win” for the Valleys region and Wales which could make it a training hub of UK Olympic and elite athletes and the UK National Centre of Excellence for snow sports. Rhydycar West is submitting a planning application this summer, after collaborating with international operators GB Snowsports and Snowsport Cymru Wales. The intention is to create a facility that will become the home for British snow sports, and a National Centre of Excellence and ongoing development. GB Snowsports…

Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling introduces its loft design concept to Cardiff’s largest shopping centre, the St David’s Centre, with the opening of its latest boutique, strengthening the brands presence in the South West as it continues to expand its reach across the UK. A contemporary urban interpretation of an industrial loft, Breitling’s signature cool and informal aesthetic is in bold contrast to classical luxury retail brand environments. The boutique is to be managed by The Watches of Switzerland Group, the UK’s largest luxury retailer of brands including Watches of Switzerland, Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb. Gavin Murphy Breitling UK Managing…