Author: Rhys Gregory

Visitors to Newport Transporter Bridge will be able to walk over the top of the iconic structure from April. [aoa id=”1″] However the motors on the Victorian Gondola which have been in constant operation since 1906, were found to need extensive repair after a routine maintenance inspection uncovered some worn out parts. Because of the age of the components, parts have to be specially made. Newport City Council is hoping the gondola will be operational by the end of May. A spokesperson said: “Visitors can still come and see the bridge and take the walk to the top to catch…

1,350 barks were witnessed in a 45 minute period – which is one bark every two seconds. This gave rise to numerous complaints, which led to the owners of the ‘barking dog’ being prosecuted at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 28th. Ms Linda Hill and Mr Jason Badham from Amherst Street in Grangetown didn’t attend court and the case was proved in their absence. They were both fined £1,320, ordered to pay costs of £110 as well as a victim surcharge of £44 each. The complaints began in December 2017, when a neighbour phoned the Shared Regulatory Service to…

Cardiff commercial law firm, Darwin Gray, has acknowledged the contribution of 6 members of its team with promotions taking effect in April 2019. Three Senior Associates have been made Partners, while Tegen Quinn, an Associate from the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team has become a Senior Associate. Two solicitors, Rachel Ford-Evans and Patrick Murphy, have been promoted to Associate level. [aoa id=”1″] All of the newly appointed partners have been with Darwin Gray for more than ten years. Working closely with the firm’s founding partner Donald Gray, Catherine Burke and Gareth Wedge specialise in Commercial Property, with broad experience…

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and Cardiff & Vale Health Charity are delighted to announce that they are participating in the RHS Cardiff’s Blossoming Beds competition on 12-14 April 2019. The Blossoming Beds Competition is brand new to the RHS Flower Show Cardiff in 2019 and aims to encourage those with a passion for plants and an eye for beautiful blossoms. The objective of the competition is to create a pocket of spring colour and interest that will inspire visitors and could be recreated at home. Entries for the Blossoming Bed Competition will be colourful, seasonal and fun, showcasing…

Bridgend’s Sam Scothern is gearing up to take part at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games which comes to Newport from 25-28 July 2019. The 24-year old has certainly been through more than most, having had two kidney transplants, more than 16 seizures and eight bouts of pneumonia. But he is putting that all behind him as he gears up to play golf at the Westfield Health British Transplant Games which takes place at The Celtic Manor’s Montgomerie Course. With more than 1,000 competitors taking part in over 25 different sports and events, the Games promise to be a festival…

Over 20 thrill-seekers joined Bridgend-based Bushcraft Adventures last weekend for the launch of its unique axe throwing activity. [aoa id=”1″] Based near Laleston, the adventure company which already offers archery and bushcraft activities, is giving the people of South Wales the opportunity to get back to their Celtic roots and immerse themselves in one of the hottest growing trends in group activities.  From children’s parties (11+), hen/stag activities, social get-togethers and taster events, to team away days, axe throwing is certainly a ‘different’ way to have some fun and try something new by taking a step back in time and…

The current Brexit deadlock continues to have repercussions for the Welsh housing market, affecting surveyor, buyer and vendor confidence according to the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Residential Market Survey. [aoa id=”1″] While the latest survey results do indicate that an increase in prices has been experienced in the last three months in Wales, the other survey indicators are all either flat or in negative territory. New instructions to sell and newly agreed sales both fell back sharply last month, according to respondents, and surveyors expect prices and sales to be broadly flat over the next three months.…

FRANK Holmes, Chair of the Cardiff Capital Region’s Economic Growth Partnership, has been honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Finance in Wales award at the Finance Awards Wales 2019, hosted by Recruit 121 Finance & Accounting. [aoa id=”1″] Frank Holmes’ leadership skills, financial expertise and his focus on the wider community made him stand out to this year’s judges’ panel. He was particularly celebrated for his contribution to South East Wales, taking on a key role as Chair of the CCR’s Economic Growth Partnership in November 2017. Frank oversees the £1.2bn City Deal investment programme, looking for investment opportunities from…

A REVOLUTIONARY pet store and park complex is helping an international detection dog company in the war against drugs and terrorism. [aoa id=”1″] Award-winning Flintshire firm Wagtail UK Ltd has joined forces with PetPlace, the leading chain of pet outlets in North Wales. Specialist instructor David Scott and his team use the company’s new-look Abergele facility – including the popular park, coffee bar and cinema – to train the canines and provide them with myriad distractions during the search process. [/aoa] A former member of the RAF police, David has worked in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq, Kuwait and other war-torn…

A window cleaner from Ferndale has been jailed for stealing money from an 86 year-old woman who suffers from Dementia. Mathew Benjamin Lewis, 33, was sentenced to five years at Merthyr Crown Court on Wednesday, 10th April, 2019, after he pleading guilty to two counts of burglary. He was caught red handed by family members who had installed CCTV in their elderly mother’s house after becoming suspicious of Lewis’ visits. The victim who is 86 years-old, was a Dementia sufferer who had no concept of money or time. A year before his arrest, Lewis was told by the family not…