Author: Rhys Gregory

The creative sector in South West Wales is thriving, thanks to a combination of world class facilities, talent and training. At its heart, Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, based on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David campus in Carmarthen, inspires creativity and imagination, fostering talent for the future. Carys Owens, Whisper Cymru’s newly-appointed Managing Director, says the recent merger of her company Lens 360 with Whisper – a global network of production, post-production and broadcast specialists – is a further example of an ongoing success story for the creative industries throughout the Swansea Bay City Region. Carys said: “I am from…

Hywel Dda Health Charities has thanked epic fundraiser Annette Smith from Talybont, Aberystwyth who has raised £710 so far walking over 100 miles in 21 days, around her local area to raise money for Bronglais Chemotherapy Day Unit. Annette normally walks at the most 60 miles a month, so the 63 year old had really pushed her limits. She started on 10th February and finished mile 100 on Tuesday 2nd March, ten days before her 64th birthday on 12th March, when she’ll celebrate her achievement with some well-deserved cake! Annette has walked every day, trying to get to walk done…

Visitors to Swansea Market will be able to socialise while enjoying fresh produce and tasty food and drink bought on-site in a newly created centrepiece at the award winning destination. Hundreds of residents along with traders have taken part in a consultation to have their say on design options to improve the existing central area. They have backed plans for a pergola themed area for people to meet, eat and spend quality time as part of an overall £1m investment in improved facilities and COVID rent concession support for traders. Following feedback some amendments will be made to the original…

Neath Port Talbot Council has entered into an agreement with Persimmon Homes West Wales to build almost 140 houses on the site of the former Afan Lido leisure centre on the Aberavon Seafront. Under the provisional agreement, Persimmon will be the council’s preferred development partner in the project to transform the prime site. Persimmon Homes West Wales is currently preparing a planning application to create 137 homes on the site with the proposed development including two, three and four-bedroom houses, as well as a range of two-bedroom flats. If planning permission is granted, work is expected to start on the…

Work has begun on a social housing scheme that will provide permanent accommodation within North Cornelly. The four one-bedroom homes are being built on a site where uninhabitable flats were demolished at the Ffordd Yr Eglwys development, which is being delivered by Bridgend County Borough Council in partnership with Valleys to Coast Housing Association (V2C) and Welsh Government. The houses, which are due to be completed in May 2021, are based on a modular method of construction. This uses structural insulated panels instead of traditional brick or timber frames, enabling them to be constructed much faster and more efficiently. Funded…

Caerphilly Council is working to support businesses to operate within the new guidance and taking action against those who are found to be non-compliant. Three businesses in Caerphilly county borough have been issued with a £1,000 Fixed Penalty Notice after breaching Covid Regulations. Two of the businesses were situated in the Lower Rhymney Valley area; the first was a hand car wash business who was found to be operating normally, allowing customers to turn up without pre-booking. The second was a Public House, allowed to open to provide take away food and alcohol for consumption off the premises only. However,…

Sixty-two new dual electric vehicle 22kw fast charging units have been installed at thirty-four sites across Gwent. The project has been delivered in partnership between the five Gwent local authorities: Caerphilly County Borough Council, Torfaen County Borough Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Newport City Council and Monmouthshire County Council. A grant of £465,000 was provided for the project from the UK Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), with match funding provided by each local authority.  The installation was undertaken by Welsh company Silverstone Green Energy, who will also manage and maintain the charge points until 2025. Welsh Government…

With so many binge-worthy home renovation series available on streaming services right now, it seems like we’re all taking intensive home & décor classes. A few seasons in and you’re already feeling like a professional ready to take on the most difficult home improvements projects you can think of. It’s no wonder so many people are gearing up for big renovations around the house, confident they’ll do a great job, regardless of the challenges. But the truth is, there’s a big difference between feeling like an expert and actually being one. Revamping your bathroom or giving your kitchen a face-lift…

People from all over the world love gambling, but not all of them pay the same taxes after winning. Different countries have different tax regulations, so it’s not the same whether you play the game and win in Toronto or in London. After all, every government understands that gambling has the potential to become a major source of income and they tend to keep the balance between attracting casino companies with affordable rates and taxing them as much as possible. Now, players who gamble in Canada and plan to visit the UK – or vice versa – are probably wondering…

Wales boasts a proud heritage in architecture and is the home to some iconic traditional designs. In recent times, there have been increasing numbers of new builds, leaving potential buyers with plenty of choice. The variety now available poses an interesting question: are traditional houses more popular in Wales than new builds or vice versa? Let’s compare the two and consider the pros and cons of each housing type. The Importance of Upkeep to Preserve Welsh Property History According to StatsWales, between October 2019 and December 2020, 1,329 total new dwellings emerged across Wales. Of those, 1,059 were houses. Unlike traditional…