Author: Rhys Gregory

Sustainable organisations and communities across Wales are vying for public votes in the inaugural Sustainable Academy Wales Awards which celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in the sustainability and green energy sectors in Wales.  [aoa id=”1″] Twenty-four finalists across eight categories have been shortlisted by a panel of judges for the public to vote for their favourites.  People can cast their votes at www.sustainableacademy.wales until Wednesday 31 October.  Winners will be announced at an awards lunch on Thursday 29 November in the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. The finalists include a cider project in Anglesey, which was set up to make use of…

Conwy County Borough Council recently approved plans to build 83 homes on Sychnant Pass, Conwy. [aoa id=”1″] Award-winning homebuilder Beech Developments have waited for over 38 months for the plans to be approved to create new homes and fulfil a portion of the housing target, to meet local demand. Despite a series of setbacks and delays, due to conditions attached to the planning permission (which was first submitted in August 2015) at Sychnant Pass Road, the plans were approved following agreement on matters by the council’s most recent planning committee. The 83 homes will be made up of 2, 3,…

A Wales-wide charity has launched an appeal to increase the number of public access defibrillators in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] To mark the launch two defibrillators have been donated by the charity Welsh Hearts with the first one located outside the Capitol Shopping Centre. They were donated in memory of Liam John Humphreys after his family raised money for the appeal. The defibrillator appeal by Welsh Hearts is supported by Cardiff Council. [/aoa] Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “We are pleased to support Welsh Hearts’ appeal for more defibrillators to be placed across the city because they really…

People who live and work in one of West Wales’ most famous and historic communities are the stars of a new series on ITV Cymru Wales.   [aoa id=”1″] ‘St Davids – Britain’s Smallest City’ tells the story of how locals cope with the busy tourist season during one of the driest summers in decades The six-part series goes on air at 8.30pm on Thursday 1st November and will then be available at itv.com/walesprogrammes. [/aoa] Episode one introduces a wide range of characters from across the city with fewer than two thousand residents. Fisherman Jono Voyce is featured fishing for…

The new Real Voices, Real Trauma report projects the voices of 30 young people who have experienced homelessness across Wales. [aoa id=”1″] 100 per cent of the study’s participants cited at least one form of trauma from their childhood. The report analyses how many of the participants have had to deal with mental health, substance misuse or family issues and whether these were a factor of their homelessness. The report was commissioned by leading homelessness charity, The Wallich, and was carried out by Nia Rees, who acted as a Research Consultant to the organisation. The Wallich has produced a comprehensive…

Popular US brand Slim Chickens is winging its way to Cardiff for the launch of its first regional restaurant outside of London. [aoa id=”1″]Fans of American cuisine will be able to get their hands on Slim Chicken’s signature buttermilk marinated, hand-breaded chicken tenders, which are freshly prepared to order. The menu will also feature chicken sandwiches and chicken wings, as well as quintessential Southern sides, including 13 dipping sauces, mac and cheese, fried pickles and Texas toast. For those with a sweet tooth, there will be milkshakes, fried pies and jar desserts.[/aoa] The ambience and hospitality of the Cardiff restaurant…

Retail expert Helen Hodgkinson has been working with shop and business owners alongside the County Council’s Economic and Business Development Team on how to make the most of the festive season. [aoa id=”1″] Helen, a former fashion retailer and college lecturer herself, has been holding one-on-one sessions with businesses and is keen to get out the message that the county’s shops have plenty to offer shoppers for Christmas. It’s part of Denbighshire County Council’s #LoveLiveLocal campaign to encourage people to use their local shops and services and for businesses to promote themselves and for everyone to use social media platforms…

On Thursday 1 November, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend will host a special, late night shopping event, with the centre’s opening hours extended from 10am to 10pm for one day only. [aoa id=”1″] Arriving at the perfect time for those looking to purchase their new season wardrobe or tackle Christmas shopping before the festive frenzy begins, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend’s late night shopping event will include an array of exclusive discounts up to 70% off RRP.   Some of the centre’s best loved brands will also host special deals, including Jack Wills, Superdry and Levis. In addition to this, centre staff will be…

Cardiff-based sock subscription service, FUTT, has recently been shortlisted as a finalist in the online retailer of the year category at the 2018 Digital Entrepreneur Awards (DEAs). The Welsh brand which officially launched in July 2018 has already been recognised for its inclusive online sock subscription service in the Wales Start-up awards. Created out of a passion for celebrating the little things in life, FUTT works across a range of industries including architecture and typography to deliver its unique designs. With its goal being to deliver great socks right to your front door with its subscription service, the brand has earned its place…

Representatives from partnership homes developer Lovell, Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council celebrated the start of construction on a major home development, Ymyl Yr Afon, near Merthyr Tydfil. The breaking-ground ceremony on Monday, 22 October marked the beginning of work to reinvigorate the site of the former Merthyr Vale Colliery with 153 brand-new homes. The £25 million development will create 110 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes for open market sale and 43 one-, two-, three- and four-bed affordable houses and apartments on the land which lies close to the River Taff at Merthyr Vale, between Merthyr…