Author: Rhys Gregory

Funding announced today by the Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, will ensure security for businesses, communities and wildlife that depend on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. The funding will support a vital water supply agreement between Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water. The Welsh Government will provide cover for up to £400,000 every year, for the next five years. The Canal & River Trust will also contribute up to £100,000 annually, while discussions will continue with other partners to secure further contributions over the long-term. The move follows a short-term…

This story is also available in Welsh – click here to read it. Significant public and private sector collaboration leads to single-use endoscopy innovation that can meet global healthcare needs. A six-figure investment by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has acted as the catalyst for a multi-million-pound healthcare breakthrough by Chepstow-based IQ Endoscopes, developing a single-use device set to transform patient care and cut NHS waiting times. Through its Challenge Fund, CCR awarded £750,000 to Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (CAVUHB) to explore how innovation could speed up endoscopy procedures in Wales, with £374,000 of that sum provided to IQ Endoscopes. That…

The new ‘Believe Memorial Garden’, created to honour those who donated organs, officially opened at Cardiff Crematorium in Thornhill, on December 1st. The garden, which is the passion project of Anna-Louise Bates, founder of the charity Believe Organ Donation Support (Believe ODS), will provide a space to pay tribute to organ donors and offer their loved ones a place to remember them. Throughout the garden, handprints of inspirational people and celebrities who have worked with Believe ODS are on display, including British adventurer Bear Grylls, Welsh footballer Sophie Ingle, and actress Ruth Jones. The garden will also be a place…

A unique collection of energy-efficient new homes, delivered by Acorn Property Group, within the historic parkland grounds of Hensol Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been brought to the market by Savills. Interest in the scheme has been high, with several reservations already secured. Nestled in picturesque countryside, Hensol Grove is set within the 650-acre grounds of The Vale Resort, a private estate and luxury hotel – also home to the Grade I listed Gothic-style mansion, Hensol Castle. The Vale Resort is renowned for its two championship golf courses and premium amenities, including a tennis court and luxury spa.…

Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has been instructed to market The Lemon Tree hotel and restaurant on Rhosddu Road in Wrexham city centre. The Lemon Tree is an 18-bedroom hotel and 70-cover restaurant known for serving high-quality modern British food. The hotel is a popular choice for visitors to the area, with accommodation occupancy exceeding 91% in 2024 and consistently being voted as the number one hotel in Wrexham on TripAdvisor. The venue has also received the AA Rosette Award for its restaurant for the last six years, and the AA 3 Star Gold Award for its accommodation,…

Residents of Canada Road, in the Gabalfa area of Cardiff, are using their Christmas decorations to raise funds for Cardiff Foodbank. This community-led project, supported by local businesses and St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School, will create a walk-through Advent calendar using the street’s front windows. The first window of the project, created by pupils from St Monica’s Church in Wales Primary School and Morgans Consult, was unveiled this week at the company’s offices at the corner of Canada Road and North Road. Organisers and representatives from Cardiff Foodbank then walked the length of Canada Road to see pupils…

Radnor Hills has signed a two-year partnership deal with Cardiff City FC. The agreement will see Radnor Hills provide its natural mineral water and a range of its other soft drinks to players, coaching staff and fans at the Cardiff City Stadium and their Vale training base, as well as to their soccer school program. Radnor Hills, based in Knighton, Powys, is one of the UK’s leading soft drinks producers. The family-owned company has been producing drinks for over 35 years, using exceptionally pure Welsh spring water drawn from boreholes on the family farm, just minutes from their production site.…

Tesco is inviting Cardiff residents to embrace the magic of imperfection this Christmas by giving away free Perfectly Imperfect Christmas trees at Tesco Cardiff Extra on Saturday 6th December from 10am. From unevenly spaced branches, to leaning ever-so-slightly to the side, these wonky Christmas trees wouldn’t normally make the cut to go on sale in Tesco stores but are perfectly imperfect in their own way. With Christmas being the time of giving, Tesco is giving these Christmas trees a second chance at fulfilling their Christmas destiny. And with new research from Tesco revealing that almost a quarter (24%) of Brits pencil in…

A family-run café rooted in the legacy of historic Welsh uprisings has taken a bold step forward, relocating to a larger, modern space with the backing of £260,000 from the Development Bank of Wales. Caffi Beca, in Efailwen, Carmarthenshire, has been run by current owner Robert James since 1993. It provides home cooking-styled food and view of the West Wales countryside. The business has now completed a major redevelopment, following the demolition of its former building and the construction of a newer, large café. It recently received a £50,000 micro loan from the Development Bank to support its growth after…

The owner of a dog who was abandoned at a Barry property and was rescued by the RSPCA has been sentenced. Staffordshire bull terrier type dog Gucci was left for a number of days at a Hanover Court property where her needs were not met. Due to concerns about her welfare, entry was gained with police on 10 July 2024 and Gucci was seized by police and placed into the care of the RSPCA. Jamie Stephen Colburn of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act and was sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on 21…