Author: Rhys Gregory

At lunchtime yesterday (15th April 2020), we received reports of a large grass fire at the rear of Black Vein Industrial Estate, Wattsville. Upon arrival, the crews were faced with a fire spreading quickly to affect 80 hectors of grassland and forestry. Over the duration of the incident South Wales Fire and Rescue Service deployed six fire engines, two specialist wildfire vehicles and a helicopter to the scene and worked in partnership with Gwent Police, Natural Resources Wales and the local authority. This was another difficult and challenging incident undertaken by partners over many hours to bring this fire under…

The dangers fishing litter pose to Wales’ wildlife has again come under the spotlight, after the RSPCA raced to the rescue of a troubled swan at Pen-Y-Fan Pond in Crumlin. RSPCA Cymru was alerted after a member of the public spotted the swan with fishing line caught around their legs and back. Officers from the charity continue to respond to animal welfare emergencies amid the coronavirus outbreak. The RSPCA says the incident acts as another reminder as to the dangers fishing litter pose to Wales’ animals. Animal collection officer (ACO) Stephanie Davidson was able to attend the Crumlin pond, reach…

Faced with the challenge of conducting physical valuations of properties during the COVID-19 crisis, Swansea Building Society is now allowing “drive-by valuations” by surveyors on properties where the mortgage has a loan-to-value ratio of 60 percent or less (excluding self-build and renovation mortgages). While these cases will still require a physical valuation at a later date, this will allow for cases to proceed to offer stage where an initial satisfactory valuation report is received pending a satisfactory physical valuation report being done prior to completion. All cases with a loan-to-value of above 60 percent will still require a physical valuation.…

Lockdown is a challenge for us all – but just imagine how one of Swansea’s most famous sons would have felt! Dylan Thomas took inspiration from the world and people around him, and was also affected by international events. He spent much of World War Two in London, and wrote about the Three Nights’ Blitz of Swansea in his broadcast Return Journey. His exposure to Wales’ natural environment, people and travel led to world-class poetry such as Fern Hill and stories such as A Child’s Christmas in Wales. Swansea Council’s Dylan Thomas Exhibition – run by the council’s cultural services…

South Wales Police is appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision at about 2pm yesterday (April 15) on the A4241 Afan Way, Baglan between the junctions of Southdown Road and Seaway Parade. The collision involved a silver coloured Ford Fiesta and a blue pedal cycle. Despite the best efforts of attending medical services the cyclist, a 67 year old man died at scene. We would like to speak with any witnesses to the collision, any person who may have dash cam footage of the incident or anyone who witnessed the manner of driving of the Ford Fiesta or…

GAP Insurance is an add-on product when someone purchases a vehicle and can provide financial shortfall in the event of a write-off by covering the difference between an insurance payout (the current market value) and the amount originally paid or left on the finance agreement. Previous Issues with GAP Insurance GAP insurance can be a smart purchase for a motorist and save them a fortune, but the FCA decided to increase regulation in this field following a report published in 2014 which discovered that the lack of competition throughout the industry was leading to inflated prices at the point of…

Staycations in the UK provide individuals with the opportunity to explore more of their country, take a break from their hectic day-to-day lives, and of course, make lots of fantastic new memories. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, eager holidaymakers will be unable to head off on any exciting trips in the next few weeks – but that doesn’t mean individuals can’t start planning for them. From the city to the countryside, now is the perfect time to do some research on what trip would suit you best. If you’re looking for the ideal vehicle to get you from location to…

Deliveroo has today announced that tens of thousands of NHS staff will now be able to order a free meal on the app or website after the company’s campaign to feed the country’s heroic healthcare workers raised more than £1.5million. Deliveroo has pledged to make 500,000 meals available to NHS workers in hospitals across the UK for free and announced that customers could donate towards this on the food delivery company’s app. Now, after a staggering show of support from customers and corporate partners donating to the campaign, Deliveroo is extending the offer, allowing tens of thousands of NHS workers…

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters has revealed that crucial work to produce much needed medical scrubs for the NHS is under way at three sites across Wales. When the Welsh Government was notified that the Far East and sub-continent would be partially closing down production at the end of March as a result of coronavirus, it took immediate action to secure a large amount of fabric from within the UK market so that it could be used to produce up to 2500 scrubs per week in Wales . The Welsh Government passed the fabric it has purchased…

The coronavirus lockdown has cost tourism in North Wales £100 million in lost takings over the Easter bank holiday weekend, it’s been revealed. Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, says many tourism businesses were telling them they may not survive the economic carnage caused by the pandemic. Traditionally, Easter marked the beginning of the main tourism season where operators reaped the rewards of their investment. The Covid-19 crisis hit at a time when the visitor economy was booming. There were record levels of private and public sector investment while the annual level of spending by tourists had…