Author: Rhys Gregory

Eligible private households in the Caerphilly borough can now apply for grants to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Caerphilly County Borough Council is encouraging residents whose homes have solid fuel (coal) fires, back boilers or single glazed windows to apply for help to make their home warmer. To be eligible for an energy crisis grant: Applicants must be an owner occupier or private sector contract holder (tenant), living in the property for at least 12 months. Has a household combined gross income of £31,000 or less, or A person in the property is vulnerable to the effects of living…

On Tuesday 10th June, Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) Trading Standards, in collaboration with Regional Trading Standards officers under Operation Cece, Gwent Police, and the Home Office, carried out a targeted operation in Risca. The enforcement team searched several commercial properties suspected of selling illegal tobacco and vape products. During the operation, officers seized a significant quantity of non-compliant vapes as well as cigarettes and tobacco products believed to be counterfeit. Cllr Philippa Leonard, Cabinet Member for Planning and Public Protection said: “Illegal tobacco and vaping products pose serious health risks to consumers and undermine legitimate businesses. This operation demonstrates…

People across Wales will benefit from increased access to nature as ten new woodland sites join the National Forest for Wales network. Communities and wildlife are set to benefit as 389 hectares of woodland are added to the growing forest network. The sites include Wales’ first agroforestry National Forest location and woodlands delivering green prescription programmes through local health boards. The ten sites are as follows: • Llys y Fran, Pembrokeshire • Coed Parc y Moch, Gwynedd • Penpont, Powys • Pembrey Country Park, Carmarthenshire • Halkyn Castle Wood, Flintshire • Lower Lliedi Reservoir, Carmarthenshire • Coed Uno, Pembrokeshire •…

Two of South Wales’ best construction site managers — both recipients of the prestigious NHBC Pride in the Job Award— are set to bring their award-winning standards to Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales’ newest Cardiff development, Afon Las. Widely regarded as the ‘Oscars of the housebuilding industry’, the Pride in the Job Awards celebrate the very best site managers across the UK — recognising those who consistently go above and beyond to deliver homes of the highest quality. Fewer than 5% of site managers nationwide receive the award. Now, buyers considering a move to Afon Las — located within…

A care group that championed a music festival and the premiere of an opera about the Gresford Colliery Disaster is in the running for a major award. Pendine Park, which has nine care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon has been named as a finalist at the annual Arts and Business Cymru Awards because of its support for the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph. The arts-loving care organisation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is on the shortlist in the Arts, Business and the Community category. As well as being the headline sponsor of the festival,…

Getting shoppers to complete their purchase isn’t always about lowering your prices. It’s about understanding what motivates them and giving a reason to stay, not just visit. That’s why matching the right incentive to the right person makes a real difference in eCommerce.  When your offer feels personal, relevant, and well-timed, it doesn’t just attract attention, but also earns trust and action. Keep reading to learn how you can make every offer count. Why Targeted Incentives Matter People shop for all sorts of reasons. Some want the best deal, while others care more about fast delivery or brand trust. Sending…

TikTok moves at lightning speed. A post that gets traction in the first hour can rack up thousands of views. But if it doesn’t catch on right away, it’ll probably get buried. That’s why speed matters on the app. Creators, businesses, and even news outlets are trying to find ways to grab attention quickly. Getting fast TikTok views can be a game-changer—but only if the content can keep up. Why Speed Is Everything on TikTok TikTok’s algorithm is all about quick reactions. If a video gets views, likes, and comments right away, TikTok starts pushing it to more people. It’s…

Older homes have a unique charm that modern houses often can’t replicate. Whether it’s the detailed trim, vintage light fixtures, or solid wood doors, these elements tell a story. But while the character is cherished, the lack of modern convenience, efficiency, and layout can pose challenges. The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice personality to enjoy updated living. Here’s how you can modernize an older home while preserving its timeless appeal.  1. Preserve Architectural Details The first rule of modernizing an older home is: don’t strip away its soul. Crown molding, original hardwood floors, built-in shelves, and vintage…

For UK retail investors, it is important to have foundational principles to diversify your stock portfolio and grow wealth. This will help you build resilient investment strategies that align with your financial goals in the dynamic 2025 market landscape. This post will outline five essential rules to help you diversify your portfolio and achieve your goals over the long term. Interested? Keep reading to find out more. Embrace Sector & Industry Diversification First, you want to make sure that you invest across various sectors – such as tech, healthcare, and energy – to mitigate risks associated with industry-specific downturns. Diversification…

The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has formally launched a legal challenge in an attempt to block the Welsh Government’s proposed ban on greyhound racing, a move that could spark a far-reaching legal and political standoff over the future of the sport. The legal action follows an announcement made on 18th February 2025 by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, in which he outlined plans to prohibit greyhound racing “as soon as practicably possible.” The decision came in the wake of a public consultation that reportedly attracted over 35,000 signatures in favour of a ban, many of them backed by…