Author: Rhys Gregory

BUDDING young engineers at an innovative Carmarthenshire school have made a tricycle for a fellow pupil with balance, mobility and learning difficulties. Kind-hearted pupils from year six at Ysgol Gynradd Nantgaredig spent months putting the tricycle together from an Infento kit for seven-year-old Ellie Meaden, who goes to the school’s specialist speech and language unit. From the seat to the handles and the wheels to the frame, the children made the tricycle during their breaks and in-between lessons. Rhydian Evans, year six teacher at Ysgol Gynradd Nantgaredig, said: “The children who assembled the tricycle for Ellie deserve enormous credit because…

House prices in Wales continued to edge upwards according to the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Residential Market Survey for July, and expectations are for prices and activity to increase over the next three months. [aoa id=”1″] A net a balance of 38 percent of Welsh respondents to the latest survey said that house prices had risen since May. Surveyors are also increasingly optimistic about the short-term outlook. A net balance of 18 percent of Welsh respondents expect prices to rise in the next three months, whilst a net balance of 21 percent expects sales activity to increase. This…

The RSPCA has revealed there were 8,098 calls coming through to its cruelty line in Wales last year with concerns for the welfare of cats – which is almost one every HOUR. [aoa id=”1″] Across England and Wales the charity received more than 100,000 calls and rescues more cats than any other animal whether this is moggies stuck in tight spots, to cats that have been abandoned or neglected and abused. In Wales, Cardiff, Swansea and Rhondda Cynon Taff received the most calls. This International Cat Day (8 August) the RSPCA is shining a light on the plight of cats…

A FINANCE director whose early career involved deploying troops to global conflict zones is on a new mission with a Wrexham copy firm. [aoa id=”1″] Gary Ryan has been appointed Finance Director and General Manager for Rawson Digital and has worked in the copy industry for 16 years. The former civil servant who worked for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) at RAF Sealand, Flintshire, and the former army base at Queen’s Park in Chester gained his management accountancy qualifications while working for the UK’s defence department. On leaving the civil service in 2003 with his accountancy qualifications in hand, he…

Families across Monmouthshire are being encouraged to embrace the expected rainfall this week and take advantage of the many activities available across the county. Whether it be splashing in muddy puddles or heading back in time at one of the many museums, there’s plenty on offer for families looking for something to do as the heavens open. So here’s Monmouthshire Council’s top ten things to do on a rainy day… 1. Tea, treats and trains Enjoy a cup of tea and cake while enjoying all the sights and sounds of Tintern Old Station. 2. Make a splash Slip on your…

Sponsored by Valleys to Coast Ltd and supported by Bridgend County Borough Council, the 2019 awards will take place on Friday 13 September at the Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel, Bridgend. The ceremony will be hosted by BBC TV presenter and journalist Sian Lloyd. [aoa id=”1″] Following a rigorous judging process, the panel – consisting of the 2019 sponsors and Bridgend Business Forum representatives – selected finalists from across a range of sectors. The all-important shortlisted businesses and individuals include: Business Student of the Year, sponsored by Graham Paul Chartered Accountants:- Daniel Ralph, Blue Bench Media – nominated by Bridgend College [/aoa] Start-up Business…

Footfall figures in Tonypandy have continued to rise following a major highways scheme to grow passing trade for businesses. There were more than 133,000 visitors to the Town Centre from April to June 2019 – representing a quarterly increase of 19,600 visitors. [aoa id=”1″] Earlier this year, the Council announced a significant increase of around 16,000 visitors to the Town Centre in January-March 2019, in comparison to the 98,462 visitors in the last quarter of 2018 (October-December). In November 2018, the Council completed work at Dunraven Street to remove the 200-metre pedestrian-only zone, which was in place since the 1990s.…

Cardiff Council has announced that Kier has been awarded the contract to design the new home for Fitzalan High School, the latest scheme to be delivered under Cardiff’sBand B, 21st Century Schools and Education Programme.  [aoa id=”1″] The £64m investment will replace the existing school, and will be built on land next to the Leckwith Stadium in the Canton area of the city. It will be 10 form entry, accommodating up to 1,500 students between the age of 11 and 16, plus a sixth form. It will also offer comprehensive sports facilities, including a multi-use games area, 3G pitches and…

Steve Borde joined the Council’s waste management team as a refuse collector on January 8th 1973. Working for the Council since he was 17 years old, Steve worked for the Council for 46 years, before sadly passing away following a short term illness on July 24th this year. Steve was a very popular member of the team at Lamby Way, and although he took short term retirement in 2018, he wanted to continue to work for the council for three days a week as he was dedicated to his job. Cllr Michael Michal, Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Environment and…

North Wales IT specialist Pinacl-GDA has successfully secured the contract on the prestigious Circle Square project in Manchester. [aoa id=”1″] Working alongside Imtech North, Pinacl-GDA will be supplying, installing and commissioning the structured cabling for the development, as well as installing the TV distribution system. Situated in the heart of Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor, Circle Square is a joint venture between Bruntwood SciTech and Vita Group. The project aims to bring forward-thinking people and progressive businesses closer together with plans including 1,700 new homes, 1.2 million sq ft of workspace, over 100,00 sq ft of retail and leisure space, two…