Author: Rhys Gregory

RSPCA Cymru was briefly tasked with rescuing a baby alligator in Rhyl – but immediately identified that the stricken reptile was in fact a toy!  A report was received by the charity, after Rhyl resident Clare Kelly was tricked into believing a baby alligator had been found in a bush in the North Wales town, before being placed in the bath of their home on Tuesday (30 June). However, it was actually a toy alligator – with the whole incident a prank by her family! Suspicions were immediately arisen in RSPCA inspector Andrew Broadbent, who asked the panicked caller to…

95,000 sq ft distribution facility in Cardiff has been placed on the market by Associated British Ports (ABP). The facility, constructed in 2014, sits on a 2.80-hectare (6.93 acre) site within the Port of Cardiff and was formerly occupied by Travis Perkins who have recently vacated. The Cardiff office of Cushman & Wakefield is marketing the site on a leasehold basis on behalf of ABP. The purpose-built premises, which benefit from a specification including 7m minimum eaves, under canopy level access loading and fully fitted office / ancillary accommodation, is in close proximity to both Cardiff city centre and the…

Swansea based recruitment firm, Work Wales, is set to play an important role in helping to get the Welsh economy back up and running post lockdown, with the announcement that they have secured a significant contract with one of Wales’ most prestigious automotive parts manufacturers to supply all of their temporary workers. Work Wales, with offices in Swansea, Cardiff and Llanelli, was formed in 2007 by working mums Christina Allen and Sophie Benyamin, and has grown rapidly ever since, winning multiple awards along the way. The news that it has secured such a prestigious contract with Pullmaflex UK runs against…

Many people prefer making improvements to their homes instead of moving altogether and, in fact, this number increased five-fold in 2018. With rising property prices, it’s no wonder people would choose to keep living where they’re living. Home improvements add value to your property, so they’re worth looking into. Investing your time, effort, and money into a home project is an exciting time for homeowners. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to unleash your creativity and make any space part of the home of your dreams. However, while you can explore creative ways to revamp your house, not paying attention…

A man who admitted exposing himself to two young girls and possessing indecent images of children, has been jailed for 5 years after he was also convicted of sexually assaulting a child. Jamie Harris, from Dinas Powys in the Vale of Glamorgan, came to the attention of police in March 2019 after a seven-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, made a disclosure that the 40-year-old had touched her inappropriately. Specialist officers began investigating the child’s claims, and soon discovered the abuse had happened on a number of occasions. During the investigation, officers were able to link Harris…

A new construction forum to help Wales build back better from the coronavirus pandemic will meet for the first time today. The forum, chaired by Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters and attended by Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James, brings together leading figures from the public and private sectors across Wales’ construction industry. At today’s meeting, members of the forum will discuss a way forward for the industry as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Many construction sites in Wales have remained operational during the pandemic with the industry following strict working practices to ensure…

The Welsh Government will suspend school categorisation for the 2020/21 academic year, as part of its measures to reduce pressure on schools during the Covid-19 pandemic. Every year, primary and secondary schools are measured against a range of factors and placed into one of four colour-coded categories. The system helps identify schools that need the most support and guidance, those doing well but could be doing better and those that are highly effective and can act as support to other schools. The updated categories are published every January on the My Local School website. A review of guidance on school improvement…

The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford has ordered an urgent audit of statues, street and building names to address Wales’ connections with the slave trade. The announcement follows a month of action by the Black Lives Matter movement, which has shone a light on racial inequalities around the world. The audit, which will span the length and breadth of the country, will be spearheaded by Gaynor Legall, a powerful advocate for ethnic minority women across Wales. Cardiff-born Legall, will lead the task and finish group selected for their expert knowledge of the slave trade, British Empire and history of…

Schroder UK Real Estate Fund (‘SREF’) has signed a deal to bring Coffi Co’s ‘Gin & Bake’ concept to Mermaid Quay, a popular 150,000 sq ft mixed-use destination on Cardiff Bay’s waterfront. With lockdown restrictions in Wales beginning to be relaxed, work has already started on fitting out the 4,157 sq ft waterfront unit – previously occupied by Carluccio’s – which also features a 732 sq ft external seating area. Gin & Bake Mermaid Quay opened for takeaway afternoon tea picnic boxes and freshly baked cakes alongside takeaway gins and alcohol from the bar, on Saturday 4 July 2020.  All…

Swansea Council has confirmed that one of its flagship annual events, the Wales Airshow, will be back next year.  The biggest free event in Wales, which has one of the most spectacular backdrops of any UK Airshow and which attracts audiences from across the UK, will return on Saturday and Sunday July 3 and 4, 2021. Despite this year’s event not taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the council’s cultural services marketing and events teams staged a digital celebration last Saturday (note: July 4) on Facebook. The day featured question and answer sessions from the pilots including Red Arrow…