Author: Rhys Gregory

Rhondda Cynon Taf and councils across South Wales are joining together to promote equality, diversity and support the LGBTQ+ community at Pride Cymru 2019. [aoa id=”1″] ‘Proud Councils’ brings together the majority of councils in South Wales in a visible and unified way, to support and promote equality for LGBTQ+ communities. This year will see Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr, Cardiff, Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent and Bridgend actively taking part in the 2019 event. [/aoa] On Saturday 24th August, Proud Councils will be taking part in the Pride Cymru Parade through Cardiff city centre, which will see LGBTQ+ staff, Allies,…

The Cambrian Line has been selected to feature in two national TV documentaries which showcase the world’s most scenic railway journeys, Transport for Wales has announced. [aoa id=”1″] Broadcaster Channel 5 has confirmed that the Cambrian Line will be given the illustrious title of being named one of the world’s most scenic railways, when it airs an hour-long episode of the railway for its series of the same name.  In addition to this, German broadcaster SWS has filmed a special episode for the long-running series ‘Eisenbahn-Romantik’ along the Cambrian Line, celebrating both the vibrant communities along the route and the…

A new social enterprise, created to deliver community-focused health and wellbeing services for people in and around the Lower Swansea Valley, has launched. [aoa id=”1″] The Cwm Alliance is a Community Interest Company (CIC). CICs help people conduct a business to benefit the community, rather than private shareholders. It is hoped the Cwm Alliance will bid for Lottery funding and other grants to support a wide range of wellbeing services in the Clydach, Morriston and Llansamlet areas. The Cwm Alliance, although a separate entity, is particularly keen to support the Cwmtawe Cluster – a group of three GP practices (Cwmtawe…

South East Wales’ largest independent accountancy firm is urging businesses in the construction sector to take notice and ensure they are well prepared ahead of VAT changes due to take place in October of this year. [aoa id=”1″] Legislation has been introduced in a bid to close a VAT loophole which HMRC say will save them £500m over the next five years. Presently, if a sub-contractor makes a supply of construction services to another VAT registered construction business, the sub-contractor will issue an invoice, which the business settles. The business reclaims the VAT paid as input tax and the sub-contractor…

Barry-based modified timber manufacturer LIGNIA Wood Company® has further expanded its global team with the addition of US Sales Manager Lisa Ayala. [aoa id=”1″] Ayala will lead the development and growth of LIGNIA products throughout North America and brings with her considerable industry experience. Previously with Accsys Technologies, she has been responsible for securing major distribution agreements, creating CPD training for American architects and establishing relationships with global brands. Her other sector experience includes positions at high-profile brands MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. and American Woodmark Corporation, where she worked with distributors, architects, builders and woodworkers. [/aoa]Lisa Ayala is joining…

An unseasonable area of low-pressure brought heavy rain and strong winds battled large swathes of England and Wales on Friday and Saturday. [aoa id=”1″]Most of the UK was affected by periods of heavy rain, which lead to some localised flooding. The yellow rain warning  issued by the Met Office covered most of the UK – except the far north-west and south east of Britain. Communities were warned to expect 40-60mm of rain during the warning period, with 10-15mm of rain expected widely.[/aoa] Incredible images show waves hitting Porthcawl lighthouse Speaking ahead of the wet weather, Neil Armstrong, Chief Meteorologist at…

Savills, on behalf of MVJ Capital, has sold a Starbucks drive thru unit in Swansea to a private buyer for £1.15 million, representing a net initial yield of 5.34%.  [aoa id=”1″] The unit on Fabian Way is let to Magic Bean co. and trades as a 24 hour Starbucks Drive Thru, constructed in 2015. The unit is located on the busy thoroughfare of the A438 just off Fabian Way, one of the main arterial routes into Swansea. Ross Griffin, investment director at Savills Cardiff, comments: “We are pleased to have sold the Starbucks on  Fabian Way on behalf of our…

THE search is on to find a new director to lead the Growth Vision for North Wales onto the next stage in its journey. [aoa id=”1″] With Heads of Terms on the verge of being finalised for the £1billion North Wales Growth Deal, it’s a crucial and exciting time for the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. A Programme Office is being established and the new Programme Director position will be pivotal in taking forward the seven programmes that make up the Deal. Dyfrig Siencyn, chair of the Ambition Board and Leader of Gwynedd Council, said this permanent role will work…

A new Cardiff Council campaign has been launched reminding residents that they are responsible for disposing of their waste correctly, and could face steep fines if waste is fly-tipped by unregistered waste carriers.  The Beware the Waste Cowboys campaign was launched outside Cardiff’s City Hall where four tonnes of fly-tipped waste appeared on Thursday, August 8, sparking a wave of social media enquiries wondering where the waste came from and how it could have been allowed to get dumped in front of one of Cardiff’s most famous buildings. It was later revealed that the rubbish was placed by Cardiff Council…

Biodiversity is getting a boost at Forest Farm following a successful bid for funding that will see a range of habitats at the popular nature reserve enhanced and restored.  [aoa id=”1″] Woodland, scrub, ponds, wetlands, orchard, hedgerow and grassland at the site will all benefit from a £60,000 grant from Network Rail’s Greater West Programme. Working with partner organisations Buglife and Plantlife as well as the Friends of Forest Farm, the project also includes plans to survey the site and train a pool of volunteers to assist with future surveys so that the impact of the work on the flora…