Author: Rhys Gregory

Presenter Andrea Byrne returns to our screens on Monday 20th August in a new series of the ITV Wales true crime series, ‘Crime Files’. Andrea will reveal the evidence from more of Wales’ most intriguing criminal cases and get exclusive access to police files and interviews with suspects. [aoa id=”1″] The third series features cases from around Wales including the killing of Flintshire 15 year old Janet Commins. Andrea reveals how remarkable DNA evidence led police to reopen the case over 40 years after the schoolgirl was killed. Other cases include the murder of Barry teenager Conner Marshall in Porthcawl’s…

Kier has revealed the success of its skills initiative that aims to provide training and career opportunities within the built environment as it looks to tackle the skills shortage facing the construction industry. [aoa id=”1″] Over the past 12 months, the company has helped 45 individuals into full time employment, organised work experience placements for 56 young people, taken on 42 apprentices across five projects in the area and Kier colleagues have volunteered almost 1,400 hours working in the community. Working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Kier has also launched an Education and Engagement Programme and held a…

Children at Ysgol Bae Baglan were proud to welcome Hollywood star Michael Sheen to hear about the school holiday scheme they attend. [aoa id=”1″] The visit was an opportunity for Michael to hear about how the School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP) uses school facilities during the summer holidays to encourage children between the ages of 9 to 11 to become more active, eat healthily and develop friendships. Everyone who attends the programme is given a healthy breakfast and lunch, and takes part in a number of physical, educational and enrichment sessions throughout the day. During the visit, Michael sat…

Good weather and calm seas have helped Porthcawl’s all-new sea defences to make great progress during the summer heatwave. More than 116 of the 185 new terraces have been set in place and the £3m project is running according to schedule. Intended to protect 260 seafront properties and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion, the £3m initiative is replacing ageing sea defences at the town’s famous ‘tarmac beach’. When complete, the terraces will be joined by a sand-coloured hard surface to create an attractive, all-new look for the popular location. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Residents and visitors will be able to find…

Newport City Council’s annual Jobs Fair takes place this year on Thursday 23 August at Pill Millennium Centre, from 10am to 1pm. Many jobs will be on offer once again from a wide range of businesses. Organised by the council’s Work Based Learning Academy (WBLA), it is run in partnership with Jobcentre Plus. [aoa id=”1″] Last year businesses were delighted with the number of people who attended and the quality of potential candidates. Companies looking for recruits this time include Dean Close Nurseries, Amberport/PortSec Security, The Gym Group, United Living, Newport Norse, Allied Healthcare, Q Care, Liberty Steel, Wastesavers, Cordant…

Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s Planning and Development Committee has approved a planning application for the new HQ of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Treforest – which will bring more than 1,500 jobs to the area. [aoa id=”1″] At the Committee meeting on Thursday, August 16, Members considered two separate applications relating to the scheme. The first was for a 14,844sq/m Class B1 office building development which includes 252 car parking spaces and 170 cycle parking spaces. The second was for a change of use of land to a car park, to provide an extra 192 car parking spaces to…

Talented Welsh chefs eager to make a name for themselves are being encouraged to put their skills to the test in two prestigious competitions. [aoa id=”1″] The quest to find the best chefs in Wales has begun with the launch of the National and Junior Chef of Wales contests. Chefs must get their entries in to the Culinary Association of Wales (CAW) by the September 30 deadline. Entry forms may be downloaded at: http://www.welshculinaryassociation.com/index.php/competitions/ From the entries, which must include the chef’s own creative menu, a panel of judges will select regional finalists who will be given three hours to…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has completed on the freehold sale of the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel, situated in a prominent town centre position in Carmarthen, to Compass Hospitality Holdings (UK) Limited. [aoa id=”1″] The traditional period property dates from the 18th century, with later modern additions providing substantial letting accommodation with 70 en suite guest rooms. Sitting in 1.5 acres, the hotel also includes a range of bar, restaurant and private function spaces, ideal for weddings as the venue is registered for civil ceremonies, plus leisure facilities such as a gym and sauna. The outdoor space comprises…

To mark the start of its Big Weekend celebrations, Pride Cymru will be proudly hanging flags on and around Cardiff Castle. [aoa id=”1″] The iconic rainbow flags are a staple over the weekend, but this year, transgender flags will be included on the castle for the very first time. Taking place on 24 – 26 August 2018, the Big Weekend is a celebration of equality and diversity in Wales, and this year, it looks to be bigger and better than ever before. With 40,000 attendees expected over the 3 days, one of the many highlights includes a public parade (Saturday…

Aberystwyth University is one of the main sponsors for Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend which takes place in Cardiff on 24 – 26 August 2018. [aoa id=”1″] Voted one of the UK’s top 100 employers for inclusivity in the workplace according to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, Aberystwyth University is sponsoring the event for the third year. The University’s presence at Pride Cymru comes as part of a full programme of events involving its LGBTA network Enfys Aber over the summer. Working with community group SpringOut, Enfys Aber have been taking Aberration, which stages LGBTA arts events, on tour. With support from…