Author: Rhys Gregory

A formal worldwide search for a developer to help power Swansea city centre into a confident post-Covid future starts this week. The specialist high-quality investor or developer will work with Swansea Council to regenerate a number of major sites as part of the city’s £1bn regeneration story. The Shaping Swansea initiative is expected to trigger new business opportunities for those already in the city or looking to play a part in the city’s bright future. It could include projects such as a public sector hub in Swansea Central North, a mixed-use development on the existing Civic Centre site overlooking Swansea…

Catrin Davies, currently studying for a Level 3 in Health and Social Care at Coleg Cambria, is set to receive a COVID-19 Volunteer Award from AVOW, the Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham. The 20 year-old, from Penycae, has been supporting the vulnerable and elderly in the village – alongside the community council – over past months. She also created the successful Penycae Rocks Facebook group and co-founded the Penycae Scarecrow competition. Both projects have united residents and given families a much-needed escape during lockdown. “When everyone went into self-isolation I was concerned for the more elderly members of our…

Route Konnect, Sero and Surple have been selected to join Tech Nation’s Net Zero programme. The programme has been designed to support 30 of the UK’s most promising scaleups that are contributing to the UK reaching its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The cohort includes companies that are building electric vehicles, creating vertical farms and animal-free dairy products, measuring environemntal footprints, and improving manufacturing and recycling supply chains. These companies represent the most promising UK scaleups contributing to the UK reaching its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In a new report, published…

Over the last few weeks, warm weather has seen the public head out in droves to enjoy the sunshine with friends and family. But this has also created a huge increase in littering across Wales – blighting streets, parks and beaches alike. Discarded plastic bottles, cups and other single-use items have become a common sight in popular Welsh beauty spots and public spaces like Cardiff Bay’s Oval Basin, Swansea’s Langland Bay and Llandudno Beach. Today, Welsh residents and tourists are being encouraged to ‘choose to reuse’ this Autumn, by opting for a reusable water bottle and filling up on the…

Neath-based construction firm J.G. Hale Construction has donated £500 worth of provisions and vouchers to Brecon Foodbank – at a time the service has seen an unprecedented increase in demand. The donation was raised as a result of an onsite initiative which included all of J.G. Hale Construction’s personnel, along with members of the construction company’s supply chain, working at the 32-unit development on Powys County Council’s land north of Heol Ffynnon in Brecon. The innovative project is Powys County Council’s first affordable housing development for social rent in over 40 years. It comprises a mix of flats and houses and…

Aberystwyth University has launched five ‘community promises’ as part of its plans to ensure the safety of students, staff and the wider community as it prepares to welcome students back later this month. The ‘community promises’ outline five pledges for students, staff and the wider town community. The five points are: Maintain good hygiene – wash hands regularly Keep our distance – follow guidelines Know who we are with – test and trace saves lives Protect those around us – wear a face covering where advised Respect each other – be kind The pledges come on top of the comprehensive…

Tennis Wales, the national governing body for tennis in Wales has appointed Bethan Lewis to join its Board, as the organisation continues to work towards its 2020 – 2024 vision for tennis opened up across Wales. Bethan is currently director of Brandrocker Limited, as well as a freelance sports reporter who has served as a communications director and consultant for numerous agencies and organisations in the last 10 years. Simon Johnson, CEO of Tennis Wales said: “We were searching for a director to join our Board with extensive knowledge of marketing, communication and public relations to help bring our strategy…

Welsh Government has announced a range of new measures which come into force within Caerphilly County Borough from 6pm yesterday evening, Tuesday 8th September. The measures are in response to the alarming increase in the number of new cases of the virus in an effort to contain the spread. The measures include; People will not be allowed to enter or leave the Caerphilly County Borough Council area without a reasonable excuse; Everyone over 11 will be required to wear face coverings in indoor areas; People will only be able to meet outdoors – meetings with other people indoors and extended…

Due to the recent rise in the number of cases of Coronavirus in the Lower Rhondda area, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, working in partnership with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board will be setting up a temporary testing centre at Oldway House car park, Porth, CF39 9ST from Thursday 10 September.   The testing facility is intended for people living in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area only. It is important that you only attend if you have Covid symptoms: New continuous cough High temperature Loss of or change to your normal sense of smell or taste Symptom checker Check for Coronavirus symptoms…

A plan has been published detailing how Cardiff and Vale University Heath Board, Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council will continue to work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The plan sets out how any rise in local cases and clusters will be identified, the nature of the local response, and how decisions will be agreed and action taken in the event of an outbreak. Twenty-one separate measures are being monitored by the Cardiff and Vale Test, Trace, Protect service in a bid to identify early warning signs of a spike in cases. If concerning trends or…