Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government has reopened its Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) Development Loan Scheme for 2025/26 and has allocated £36 million to support the delivery of low-carbon homes for rent in the social sector and help improve existing homes. The loans will enable RSLs to develop more affordable housing whilst also addressing the pressing need for energy-efficient homes across Wales. Funding is flexible and can be used for new affordable housing schemes and to improve existing homes to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS 2023). Low-cost loans of between £1 million and £10 million will be available, offering RSLs an…

Wales is in for a mixed few days of weather, with the Met Office warning of scattered showers, breezy conditions and some early morning fog that could cause travel delays for some. Much of Wales starts today on a dry and bright note, especially across eastern areas. Western parts will see more cloud and a few early showers, which are expected to grow heavier and more frequent as the day goes on. Central and eastern areas should stay largely fine. Temperatures will peak around 10°C. A yellow weather warning for fog is also in place this morning, though it only…

Aberglasney has announced the launch of its first ever Gin, produced in collaboration with the Gower Gin Company. Botanicals from around the gardens have been used to create a new smooth and aromatic Aberglasney gin. Aromatic rosemary, thyme and majoram bring a savoury depth to the Aberglasney ‘Gaeaf’ gin while fennel adds warmth, pine tips give a hint of crisp woodland freshness and rosehips give the gin a bright fruity finish. Helen Scutt, Aberglasney Gardens’ Director came up with the idea to have an unique gin using ingredients from the gardens. Helen said, “When I met Andrew and Sian from…

Cleveland Group has continued its rapid national expansion with the opening of a new five-acre depot at the Port of Newport in South Wales – the largest site in the company’s history. The new location strengthens the Group’s presence across the UK and marks a major strategic step in supporting growing customer demand for container, hire and modular solutions. Founded in 2011, Cleveland began as a small family-run shipping container business. Since evolving into Cleveland Group in 2022, the company now operates across three divisions – Cleveland Containers, Cleveland Hire and Cleveland Modular – supplying everything from shipping containers and…

A Torfaen gourmet pickle start-up company is up and running in time for the busy Christmas season thanks to the support of a Welsh Government funded programme. Picklebits, which is the creation of Will York, is trading at Christmas markets across south Wales this winter following technical support from the HELIX Programme. After backpacking across the world, Will started Packed, a street food business selling Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, in 2024. Having competed in the finals of the Welsh Street Foods Awards and received glowing customer feedback for the pickles he used in his sandwiches, Will decided to launch a…

A Swansea hospital is the first in Wales to join a UK-wide clinical trial focusing on the treatment of a common type of skin cancer. Experts at the South West Wales Cancer Institute at Singleton Hospital have already recruited the first three patients from Wales to take part in trial, called SCC-AFTER. Skin SCC, Squamous Cell Cancer, is the UK’s second most common form of non-melanoma skin cancer. There are upwards of 50,000 new cases diagnosed every year and the number is growing. Radiotherapy is routinely given to people with high-risk skin cancer after curative surgery to try to reduce…

Arizona rock icons Jimmy Eat World have announced their live return to the UK with three huge outdoor headline shows taking place in August 2026 including a date in Cardiff. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of their classic fourth studio album Bleed American, the exclusive UK/EU Bleed American show will head to TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle on Saturday August 15. Jimmy Eat World will be joined by special guests Chicago punk quartet Rise Against with support coming from emo band The Get Up Kids, while singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jay Som will open the show. The shows at…

Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter and actor Self Esteem has announced a new headline show in Cardiff next summer.  Hailed as one of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, will play TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle on Friday July 24. Special guest will be songwriter, poet, playwright and recording artist Kae Tempest. Rebecca Lucy Taylor is set to enter 2026 as a bona fide triple threat in music, literature and acting – following this year’s release of her hugely acclaimed third album and debut book, both titled A…

Staff and volunteers at two charities in South Wales are celebrating after their organisations were awarded a £44,000 in grants to expand and evolve programmes that help create career opportunities in the creative industries for local people.   Pathfinders Cymru and Citrus Arts were awarded the grants by the Regional Creatives Fund, launched by Amazon, and plan to use the funding to support hundreds of people from underserved communities in Wales.   Citrus Arts received £30,000 and Pathfinders Cymru secured a £14,400 as part of the Regional Creatives Fund.   The Regional Creatives Fund aims to increase access to careers in the…

Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading port operator, has announced the latest tranche of a major capital investment programme, which secures the long-term future of its five south Wales ports.   The new investment of £42 million includes the delivery of a new deep-water berth at Middle Quay, Newport, the UK’s largest steel-handling port, and will also facilitate upgrades at Swansea and Cardiff. It forms part of a total capital investment programme of £137m for ABP in South Wales, which is designed to strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of South Wales’ port infrastructure.   The announcement coincides with the Welsh Government’s Investment…