Author: Rhys Gregory

A new trial has been launched in Aberystwyth as part of the Caru Aber campaign, to help keep the town centre clean on waste collection days. [aoa id=”1″] Heavy duty sacks will be placed on Aberystwyth streets on Monday afternoons before the black bag collection on Tuesdays in the following streets; Portland Street, Portland Road, Queen Street, Corporation Street, Eastgate Street, New Street and Cambrian Place. Black bags should be put in the sacks by 8am on Tuesday mornings for collection. The intention is that the sacks contain the waste until it is collected. The sacks will be retrieved after the…

Traveline Cymru has introduced a number of improvements to its cycle planner to give cyclists more information about their journeys. [aoa id=”1″] Making the announcement to coincide with Cycle to Work Day, an initiative aimed at encouraging people to cycle to their place of work, the public transport information service for Wales has introduced new information to its journey planner specifically for cyclists. The cycle planner has been updated to include information about danger points on routes such as road crossings and traffic lights; route elevations; congestion predictions; and a CO2 calculator to help cyclists plan their journey and be…

A campaign to tackle violence against women has moved up a gear with special window stickers being put in all 250 police vehicles in North Wales. The move has been championed by PC Mike Taggart, 37, whose mother was stabbed to death by his brutal stepfather when he was just 15 year of age. The traumatic experience inspired PC Taggart to join North Wales Police and he is now the force’s Strategic Domestic Abuse Officer. The White Ribbon stickers are part of an international initiative established by men to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The first…

A badger has been rescued by the RSPCA after getting himself trapped in the precarious surroundings of a military live firing range in Caldicot. RSPCA Cymru was alerted after the badger fell some five-foot down a concrete pit at the Rogiet Moor Range, on Tuesday (7 August). The pits are usually used for military personnel to fire from. The alarm was sounded by the warden for the military firing range, who has been thanked by the RSPCA. An officer from the animal welfare charity attended, and was able to reach the badger with a grasper, before releasing him to the…

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…