Author: Rhys Gregory

Five immediate actions to tackle behaviour in schools and support teachers have been announced following a behaviour summit in Cardiff. This week’s behaviour summit, brought together Welsh Government, unions, local authorities and Headteachers to discuss concerns around behaviour and what can be done to tackle these issues. Speaking as she closed the summit, the Education Secretary Lynne Neagle, outlined her commitment to a sustained focus on behaviour and a continued dialogue with teachers, parents and young people. Ms Neagle said: “I have been delighted to host today’s summit and to see such positive engagement from across the sector on these…

Ambitious transport plan to drive economic growth unveiled An ambitious vision to deliver an integrated, high-frequency public transport network for North Wales, with frequent metro services at its heart, has been unveiled. Network North Wales is a bold passenger-focussed programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration. It aims to maximise opportunity and unlock the economic potential of North Wales and the cross-border region. Unveiled by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, Network North Wales will see metro style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches…

As the allure of marriage increasingly takes a backseat for many, a new survey from Zoopla has revealed that the ambition of homeownership is a key financial driver for 48 per cent of UK renters in a relationship, dwarfing the eight per cent prioritising saving for a wedding. Just over half of all Gen Z (57 per cent) are now projected to marry, a considerable decline when compared to Gen X (72 per cent) and boomers (87 per cent)2. This aligns with the fact that 59 per cent of Gen Z cite homeownership savings as their main financial goal, while…

Katrina Seaton, a graduate of a Film, Media and Animation programme at UWTSD has taken her first steps into the film industry adding two major screen credits to her name – Netflix’s latest releases, Havoc, and independent Welsh horror feature, The Mill Killers Katrina’s professional journey began while still a student in her third year when she was offered the opportunity to work as a Crowd Third Assistant Director on Havoc, a Netflix production starring actor, Tom Hardy. Filmed entirely in Wales, Havoc is the largest feature production ever shot exclusively in the country, with post-production completed in Cardiff. “Havoc was very different from a lot of…

The Development Bank of Wales has backed Cardiff-based QTS Industrial Supplies Ltd with a micro loan, allowing the business to set its sights on growth with improved machinery and stock. Established in 1984, and now led by current owner Andrew Harrison, QTS provides all aspects of industrial supplies and machining equipment to business customers, including cutting tools, precision engineering equipment and hand and power tools. It also offers maintenance, repair and overhaul services and uniforms and textiles equipment including PPE, with clients including Transport for Wales, Caerdav, Dow Silicones and Ryanair. The micro loan, from the Wales Flexible Investment Fund,…

The National Library of Wales revealed its bold new strategy for 2025–2030 this week (20 May) — at a launch event which also previewed a new ‘Clip Corner’ at the Wales Millennium Centre. The Library’s new strategy underpins the Welsh Government’s newly publishedPriorities for Culture — which aim to make Wales’ rich cultural legacy more accessible for future generations. The new space — known as a ‘Clip Corner’ — will officially open in June, providingfree access to digitised film, video, and audio from the Wales Broadcast Archive and the Library’s Screen and Sound Archive. With support from the National Lottery Heritage…

A NEW craft lodge, café and wellbeing hub is attracting even more families to one of the country’s most popular holiday parks. Darwin Escapes’ Talacre Beach Resort – which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary – opened the child-friendly facility to meet demand from visitors and owners. The move increases the 44-acre site’s all-weather offering and is proving a big hit, according to Entertainment Supervisor Rychard Martinez. He says activities including pottery painting, yoga and mindfulness, fabric and jewellery craft, tasty creations and ‘Stuffed with Fluff’ teddy factory workshops have attracted people of all ages. “The lodge is brand new but…

A North Wales precision engineering company is targeting major sales growth in Eastern Europe after launching its first sales force in Poland. Leading the team is Mariusz Kowalski, the new Sales Manager for Poland, who will lead a drive for new orders for fast-growing Continental Diamond Tool (CDT) who are based in Kinmel Bay. The business, which supplies Tier 1 aerospace and automotive companies, specialises in designing and producing high spec grinding wheels for advanced manufacturing processes. The product range includes diamond-encrusted rotary dressers, accurate to 1,000th of a millimetre. The company has also ramped up the manufacture of new…

An entrepreneur running mindfulness craft workshops is expanding into larger premises at Ffos Caerffili after a successful first year at the town’s container market. Joy House Creations, managed by Bethan Davies, 29, has been a staple of creativity at Ffos Caerffili since it opened its doors in April 2024. Through guided workshops featuring activities such as pottery painting, knitting, or needle felting, Bethan encourages her guests to slow down, have conversations, and take a break from the busy world. During its first year in a permanent home at Ffos Caerffili, Bethan has welcomed hundreds of people into Joy House Creations…

With just days to go until the foodie favourite that is the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, details of the much-loved food demos have been set with so much to entertain festival goers across this Spring Bank Holiday weekend. Masterchef finalist and Steps singing star Ian ‘H’ Watkins will be taking to the stage to cook up a festival street food special inspired by his time on the show last year; part of a jam-packed schedule across both days (May 25th-26th) with something to tempt all tastes at the Cowbridge Town Hall. ‘H’ is also busy preparing for another great…