Author: Rhys Gregory

A major £12 million transformation of Gnoll Country Park in Neath has been officially unveiled, marking a new chapter for one of the area’s most well-loved green spaces. The extensive redevelopment introduces a range of new and improved facilities designed to enhance visitor experience while preserving the park’s rich heritage, which dates back to the 16th Century. At the heart of the investment is a fully accessible, two-storey visitor centre featuring a modern café, flexible event and meeting spaces, and a south-facing balcony offering panoramic views across the lake. Families will also benefit from a dedicated indoor soft play area…

Talented learners from across Wales are celebrating outstanding success at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards, with hundreds recognised for their technical excellence, commitment and future‑focused skills. Held at Rhyl Pavilion on Wednesday 18th March, the ceremony awarded 287 competitors with 97 gold, 94 silver and 95 bronze medals, following months of regional competitions held across the country. This year’s programme continued to evolve to reflect the changing needs of the Welsh economy, with 65 competitions delivered – six more than last year – including new categories aligned to sustainability, enterprise and inclusive skills development. Participation also continued to grow…

Usk, Monmouthshire has been named the best place to live in Wales in the annual Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. The Sunday Times judges picked Usk because of its attractive setting, convenient location and, above all, an impressive sense of community. Volunteers are involved in everything in the “Town of Flowers” from planting the 2,500 plants to secure its latest Britain in Bloom gold award to running the annual Usk Show. It’s a place where nesting boxes are provided for swifts, where wild swimmers campaigned for a £10 million wastewater upgrade to combat river pollution and where more than 60 community groups – covering subjects such as…

MORE than 150 guests celebrated North Wales’ success as a powerhouse for sustainable economic growth at the CBI Business Dinner in Llandudno on Thursday 19 March. Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales, and Tracy Black, CBI Chief Commercial Officer, were keynote speakers at the black-tie dinner, sponsored by Wrexham University, at Venue Cymru. Speaking about the boundless ambition of the region, the First Minister told business leaders that North Wales is a hotbed for new opportunities, from clean energy to advanced manufacturing and innovation. She said: “Our most precious resource is our people – we will always protect them…

A simple, non-invasive home test kit could soon transform early breast cancer detection, thanks to pioneering research underway at Aberystwyth University. Scientists at the University are developing a prototype lateral flow device – similar to a pregnancy or COVID19 test – that can detect early biochemical signs of breast cancer from a single urine sample. If successful, the test could support faster diagnosis, reduce reliance on invasive procedures, and improve outcomes for thousands of women. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally and continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in more than 100…

A Cardiff-based entrepreneur who traded medicine for specialist software development is launching a new health-tech startup, Scalantis, to transform the digital environment for laboratories. Research suggests that up to 94% of spreadsheets included manual entry or formula errors (Frontiers of Computer Science (Poon et al, 2024), an ongoing issue that impacts positive, reliable outcomes for researchers, scientists, and patients alike. Impact of this technology for laboratories and scientists in Wales, and beyond: Faster Results and data analysis: Speed up data processing for patients and research. Data Analysis and Research: Automating quality control and improving data reliability and reproducibility Reducing Risk:…

Looking for ways to keep the family entertained this Easter? From hidden garden gems and countryside trails to chocolate experiences and seaside favourites, South Wales is packed with days out to make the most of the spring break. Whether you’re planning a relaxed walk, a fun-filled adventure with the kids or simply somewhere new to explore, there’s plenty happening across the region to suit all ages and interests. 1. Easter adventures at Dyffryn Gardens, named as one of the UK’s best hidden gem attractions Within a new report by the National Lottery, Dyffryn Gardens has recently been highlighted by Gavin…

Hugh James has continued its support for its charity partner, Velindre Cancer Service, by raising £27,632 at the firm’s annual Rugby Lunch fundraiser. Hosted once again at the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff, the event brought together clients, colleagues and supporters from across the Welsh business community, united by a shared passion for rugby to support the life-changing work Velindre carries out. Since launching over a decade ago, the Rugby Lunch has helped raise more than £300,000 for charitable causes. Among the special guests in this year’s line-up were former international rugby union referee Nigel Owens MBE and former England and…

Tiger Yard will officially reopen its doors on Friday 27th March, marking the start of its fourth successful year in Cardiff Bay. After a routine closure for the winter months, the popular indoor-outdoor food court is set to return with a fresh new line-up of guest traders for the year ahead; Tiger Yard’s new ‘Street Food Social’ will tie together the venue’s core mix of street food, drinks and social atmosphere with more than 20 guest traders already confirmed. Over the last four years, Tiger Yard has built a loyal following by bringing together some of the region’s most exciting…

Long-term options are being explored by Bridgend County Borough Council to secure the future of the Garw Valley Community Route following its part closure by Network Rail in 2024. The route currently forms part of the council’s active travel network but the land is owned by Network Rail, who closed the path due to safety concerns including unstable structures and excessive vegetation. The council has previously used Welsh Government grant funding to carry out repairs to the route, but more significant work is now required. As the land is not under council control, specialist engineers have been appointed also using…