Author: Rhys Gregory

The first plots at the low-carbon Maes Maendu development in Brecon have been formally handed over to Powys County Council, by contractor, J.G. Hale Construction. Powys County Council began building the development – its first affordable housing development for social rent in over 40 years – in February 2020, as part of their wider target to build 250 low-carbon homes over the next five years, in line with Vision 2025. J.G. Hale Construction’s contracts manager, Andrew Collins, was joined by project manager for Powys County Council, Simone Hodges to mark the important milestone at the Brecon site. The £5.1m development is…

A new scheme has been launched to provide a fresh start for 30 unemployed young people who have suffered most during the pandemic. In North Wales the Gateway Kickstart programme will provide six-month job placements for 16 to 25-year-olds via a new partnership. It includes Mochdre-based Creating Enterprise who are working with housing associations Cartrefi Conwy and ClwydAlyn alongside North Wales builders Brenig Construction and Anglesey-based electrical contractors PF&S. The placements  will cover a range of skills including construction but also environmental and administrative roles. The aim is to help participants develop the skills and experience they need to find…

A 100-bedroom hotel being built as part of the Milford Waterfront development in Milford Haven will be managed and operated by the team responsible for the iconic Celtic Manor Resort, as part of its expanding Celtic Collection of properties. Celtic Manor, which made global headlines when it staged the 2010 Ryder Cup and the 2014 NATO Summit, brings its knowledge and expertise to operating the new hotel in partnership with the Port of Milford Haven, the venue’s owner. Forming part of the Celtic Collection’s new portfolio of Tŷ Hotels, the 46,000 sq ft property will be located at the entrance…

rganisers behind four headline gigs planned to take place in South Wales this summer have announced rescheduled dates as a result of ongoing Coronavirus restrictions. In both Cardiff and Swansea, Depot Live have rescheduled gigs with FOALS, Olly Murs and indie rockers The Kaiser Chiefs – the latter are due to headline DEPOT’s one day festival, DEPOT in the Castle. New dates confirmed FOALS at Cardiff Castle will now take place on Thursday 12th August (instead of 5thJune 2021). FOALS at Singleton Park will now take place on Saturday 14th August (instead of 4th June 2021). DEPOT in the Castle headlined by the Kaiser Chiefs…

Higher Apprentice Ciara Lynch is making a name for herself in the construction and civil engineering sector, thanks to her outstanding work as an assistant technician with Swansea Council. Ciara, 22, from Morriston, Swansea, has achieved a HNC in Construction and the Built Environment and a Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 in Construction Site Supervision at Bridgend College. She has now begun a Degree in Civil Engineering. Having received an Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Quest Scholarship, she aims to develop a professional accreditation at technician level and ultimately become a  Chartered Civil Engineer. A science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)…

A valleys learner is one step closer to achieving his dreams of becoming a professional footballer after landing a scholarship to train and study at a leading college in the US. Owain Jones, 19, from Tonypandy, is set to head stateside this summer after securing a place at New York-based Jamestown Community College. The talented player, who is currently completing a Level 3 qualification in Sport at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, will train with the college’s acclaimed athletics department to advance his skills in football and help kickstart his dream career of playing professionally. Owain was presented with the…

Cardiff Bus customers are being alerted to service changes taking place across its network from this weekend. The operator is set to alter services from Sunday March 21st to reflect the current ‘stay local’ Welsh Government rule. With this new guidance, the operator recognises that more customers will be returning to work and school, so in response will be increasing journey frequencies and running busses on more routes. Timetable changes will affect services 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9,  11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23, 23, 25, 27, 28, 28A, 28B, 30, 35, 44, 44B, 45, 45B, 49, 50,…

A Welsh rugby fan from Tredegar has won a competition to have his story on a seat at the nation’s home of rugby, Principality Stadium. Paul Higgins, 58, from Tredegar, was awarded the prize in a competition run by Principality Building Society after sharing an emotional memory from inside the Stadium. As a cancer survivor, Paul considers this particular day as the turning point in his life when overcoming his diagnosis, while watching Wales play at home. As proud partners of the Stadium, Wales’ largest building society launched the competition to find Welsh rugby fans’ best memories and unique stories…

Detectives investigating an attempted robbery from a dog owner in Pentwyn, Cardiff, have released e-fits of the three suspects. The incident happened lunchtime on Thursday, February 25 on the wooded trail that runs between Eastern Avenue and the Rumney River near Pentwyn. A 30-year-old man was walking his two dogs near the Rumney River when three men, one armed with a craft knife, tried to steal his eight-year-old Labrador. As he is fought off the suspects, a dog poo bag he was carrying split and the contents burst over one of the men who all fled empty handed. A member…

Newport City Council will begin introducing new 20mph speed limits across a number of residential streets in six city wards. The measures are being introduced to help improve safety within residential streets, with evidence showing that lower speeds lead to fewer collisions, and also reduce the severity of any collisions and injuries that may occur. The measures will also help ensure safety within residential streets while coronavirus-related social distancing regulations remain in force. The new speed limits will be introduced into streets across the following six wards: Allt-yr-Yn Bettws Lliswerry Malpas Ringland Victoria The measures, which will be phased in…