Author: Rhys Gregory

Landowners are being warned that they not only face potential claims for damage caused to property as a result of Japanese knotweed, but failing to remove or prevent the spreading of the weed could also lead to a claim in nuisance.  The warning follows Waistell v Network Rail Infrastructure Limited [2017], in which the court found in favour of the Claimants and damages were awarded based on the reduction in the market value of their properties.  Network Rail unsuccessfully appealed (Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (Appellant) v Stephen Williams and Robin Waistell (Respondent) [2018])), and the Court again awarded damages to the Claimants although this time on the basis of the loss of their ability to use or enjoy their properties.  The Court of Appeal held that…

Cardiff and Vale College has held its second Graduation Ceremony for students it has re-engaged with into education or training. [aoa id=”1″] The College’s Widening Participation team provides a range of progression opportunities for young people aged 16-19 who have found themselves not in education, employment or training (NEET) and provide them with a second chance. This includes the Fast Forward programme which focuses on personal and social skills development, work related education and essential skills, alongside accessing a range of vocational opportunities, that can lead to a unique ‘Passport to Progression’ which guarantees an interview on a mainstream course…

A Welsh holiday lettings company that is proudly bilingual is celebrating reaching 1,000 holiday cottages in its portfolio. [aoa id=”1″] Original Cottages’ Tîm Cymru (Team Wales) was delighted to invite the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, The Rt Hon, Lord Elis-Thomas, to visit their stand at the Royal Welsh Show at Llanelwedd on Wednesday 25 July. ‘Tîm Cymru’ from Original Cottages incorporates Abersoch Holiday Homes, Best of Wales (Y Gorau o Gymru), Powells Cottages and Wales Cottage Holidays. These home-grown brands aim to provide a fully bilingual service to owners and guests. Part of the Original Cottages group, which…

A CARDIFF nurse who gives hope to patients taking part in cancer trials is urging youngsters to sign up to Cancer Research UK’s new Pretty Muddy Kids event in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] Kay Wilson, a lead research nurse at Velindre Hospital, was joined by her two children along with her niece and nephew to launch the event designed specifically for children. Pretty Muddy Kids is an exciting obstacle course designed just for children – with added mud, thrills and spills. From scramble nets and space hoppers to mud chutes and muddy pools, children will face a range of fun and…

Brits have chosen Britain as their dream holiday destination, preferring vacations in the Great British countryside and seaside to trips to far-flung foreign places, a study into the nation’s holiday habits has revealed. [aoa id=”1″] The research, conducted by holiday home manufacturers Willerby, revealed that a quarter of Brits prefer a long weekend in the British countryside, or a trip to the British seaside (21%), rather than a beach holiday somewhere exotic (14%) or a road trip across America (9%). And it seems the nation loves a Great British staycation so much so that more than a quarter of us…

Swansea Building Society has linked with TBMC to offer its buy-to-let and holiday let products through the buy-to-let specialist’s mortgage panel. Swansea Building Society’s mortgage product range includes products aimed at those looking for a buy-to-let or holiday let mortgage for properties in Wales and the Welsh borders. The mortgages allow up to four applicants on an application, with Airbnb income acceptable. TBMC is a buy-to-let mortgage specialist that provides brokers with back-up and support to maximise opportunities in this niche area of the mortgage market and has operated in the buy-to-let market since 1989. Alun Williams, chief executive of…

The Rhug Estate will take part in a high profile event at London’s Borough Market to celebrate Lamb Day this Wednesday, 1 August. Celebrated on 1 August each year, ‘Lamb Day’ kick starts the Welsh Lamb season and marks the start of the availability of new-season Welsh Lamb. Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales and the Welsh Government have organised the event which will be offering tasters of Welsh products, in the Market Hall at London’s Borough Market from Wednesday until Friday, 1-3 August. On Lamb Day Imran Nathoo, MasterChef 2017 quarter-finalist and food blogger, will be cooking up…

Derrick Barry, Sonique and Gabrielle are amongst this year’s acts who will be performing at Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend on 24 – 26 August 2018. Drag performer, Derrick Barry, is widely known for impersonating Britney Spears, competing in the third season of America’s Got Talent, and the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race. [aoa id=”1″] BRIT Award-winning singer, producer and DJ, Sonique, is best known for her 1998 international hit single It Feels So Good. Gabrielle is an English singer songwriter Gabrielle is best known for her 1990s singles Dreams and Going Nowhere. Other performers include Flip & Fill, The…

Art exhibitions, street performances, and creative hubs will bring colour and fun to the town. And organisers of free arts weekend LLAWN06, have lifted the lid on what visitors and residents can expect with Museum of the Moon set to be a show-stopper. The installation features NASA imagery of the moon’s surface with music composed by award-winning composer Dan Jones who scooped an Ivor Novello award for best TV soundtrack for his score for the BBC’s The Miniaturist. Karine Décorne of Migrations, the organisation behind the moon, said: “LLAWN06 might be one small step for man but our arts activities are…

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Dur, the £19m new Welsh medium secondary school in Sandfields, Port Talbot, has been handed over to Neath Port Talbot Council following completion of building work by contractors Bouygues UK. The development has been jointly funded by Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government, as part of its 21st Century Schools and Education Programme. Bouygues UK staff spent 68 weeks on-site and the building has now been handed over three weeks early. There were 26 weeks spent off-site at pre-construction stage so in 94 weeks the project went from a blank sheet of paper to the…