Author: Rhys Gregory

Christ College Brecon is celebrating after receiving offers to study at Oxford University for two of its students. Faye Fallon has received an offer to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Brasenose College while Sam Kang received an offer to read Physics for a four-year Masters course at Corpus Christi College. Competition for the coveted places is strong with over seven applications received for each available place in 2019. As long as they meet the conditions of their offer, Faye and Sam will join 3,300 undergraduates from across the globe starting their university life at Oxford this September. …

Domino’s, the UK’s best loved pizza company, has made it even easier to snap up special collection-only deals, with their latest In Car Collection innovation. The pizza giant has rolled out a new hassle-free way to collect piping-hot orders in eleven more stores across Wales, so you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own car. In Car Collection has already been trialled in a handful of stores in Wales in late 2020 and after some great customer feedback, the technology is now being rolled out in another eleven stores – Cardiff Llandaff, Cardiff Cathays, Cardiff Penarth, Barry, Bridgend…

Swansea Council has started the search for an experienced contractor to transform the city centre’s historic Palace Theatre building. It is expected that the business selected will have a track record of working with heritage buildings. The flatiron-shaped 133-year-old Palace is a grade two listed building that once staged performances with the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Sir Anthony Hopkins. The council acquired the six-storey High Street building from private owners around a year ago. Although sound on the outside, it is dilapidated inside. It is to be transformed sensitively into a home to tech, start-up and creative businesses. Planning…

The exploits of British Armed forces veterans from Wales during National Service 60 years ago are front and centre of an innovative new heritage project. Elwyn Davies, 83, from Hollywell (originally from Conwy), who served in Egypt and was stationed at Caterham in Surrey, is one of 18 former servicemen included in a National Lottery-funded project called National Service Remembered. It’ s 60 years since National Service ended in the UK and the campaign, run by the not-for-profit organisation Same but Different, captures an important period of the country’s cultural history through the eyes of the men who served. Ceridwen…

A disciplinary hearing was held yesterday (Tuesday 2nd February), in respect of allegations concerning the conduct of Police Constable David Kingdom. The hearing, held at Police Headquarters in Bridgend, considered breaches of professional standards by PC Kingdom after he failed a drugs test. The officer, who resigned prior to the hearing, was accused of discreditable conduct arising from a positive substance misuse test conducted during November 2020. Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, who chaired the hearing, was presented with the facts of the case by the force’s Professional Standards Department. The hearing found that the officer’s actions amounted to gross misconduct…

Denbighshire County Council used £312,000 of funding through the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Government to create the office accommodation at the semi-derelict Costigan’s building on Bodfor Street, Rhyl. Accommodation for around 20 business start-ups in flexible accommodation has been created with space to host events and a coffee shop on site. Startup and coworking experts, TownSq has been chosen by Denbighshire County Council to take on the building which is expected to be used to support businesses, create jobs and grow the local economy. Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are pleased…

The Welsh Government has today announced a new funding package for the National Library of Wales and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. The package includes £6.2m over financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22, providing the Library with £2.25m and the Museum with £3.95m to safeguard jobs and deliver new strategic priorities. The funding for the Library also includes £0.75m to accelerate the implementation of the findings of the recent Tailored Review. Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas said: “I am pleased to announce this funding which will safeguard and support two of our most important cultural institutions…

Mobile catering and coffee company Handlebar Barista has been awarded a contract to operate catering concessions in Bute Park, Cardiff. Proud to call themselves Cardiff’s most eco-friendly coffee company, they will soon be serving up their top-secret blend of artisan coffee from a newly refurbished solar powered tuk-tuk, or one of their vintage pedal-powered coffee trikes. Chris Garrett, Co-Owner at Handlebar Barista: “We can’t wait to bring our coffee to Bute Park. Our eco-friendly vehicles and company ethos of sustainability fit perfectly with its wildlife and natural setting, and it’s going to be a real honour to be able to…

RCT Council has provided an update on the state-of-the-art Cwrt yr Orsaf Extra Care development in Pontypridd – with the building’s roof and façade now complete and the scheme progressing towards delivery later this year. Cwrt yr Orsaf is being built on the former Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court site at Union Street in Graig, in a joint scheme between the Council and Linc Cymru (Linc). The development will comprise 60 new apartments (56 one-bed and 4 two-beds) and also include dining and lounge areas, communal kitchen, hair salon, 31-space car park, communal landscaped gardens and a day care unit – while…

A new shuttle bus service has been set up to help residents without easy access to cars to get to the Bay hospital for their vaccinations or blood tests. From February 1 a new 51 service will be running between the Swansea bus station and selected stops along the way to the mass vaccination centre at the Bay hospital on Fabian Way. It’s being paid for by Swansea Council so it will be free for those attending the hospital. It will operate only on those days when experts from Swansea Bay NHS are delivering vaccinations or taking blood tests at…