Author: Rhys Gregory

A visitor centre has been opened to offer better views of a colony of rare birds. Seasonal viewing structures and a visitor centre have been built at the UK’s largest little tern colony on Gronant beach, which is managed by Denbighshire County Council. The structures are put up when the terns are nesting, offering the public closer views of the birds without disturbing them. The visitor centre offers shelter in bad weather along with reference material, images beamed live from nests and a space to learn more about the project. Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s lead member for Housing, Regulation and…

COLEG CAMBRIA is ploughing a furrow as one of the UK’s number one centres for agriculture after joining forces with a global leader in farm machinery. The north east Wales institution has teamed up with AGCO, a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, to train the next generation of farm and machine workers. Apprentices joining AGCO in the UK will be placed on the Technical Advanced Extended Diploma in Agriculture at Coleg Llysfasi – part of Cambria – and trained to use the company’s top-of-the-range farm equipment brands including Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra. The course is designed to…

We might be experiencing a sweltering summer but an exciting new project called Warm & Safe Homes is all set to get Rhondda Cynon Taf residents ready for the colder months.  The project, managed by Community Interest Company Warm Wales in partnership with RCT Council and Wales & West Utilities, has already saved householders in Cardiff more than £200,000 and is looking to achieve the same great results for people in RCT. Warm & Safe Homes is a street-level project delivered by a team of Community Energy Champions, they will be visiting households in the county to offer a range…

Cyclists are being encouraged to get in the saddle and explore the magical Lon Las Cymru national cycle route in Mid Wales on an electric bike. The bike’s electric battery provides a gentle boost to cyclists when they most need it, ensuring that there are no more mad dashes to catch up with stronger cycling partners. Most importantly, it brings a smile to tackling the Welsh hills! The route takes in idyllic country lanes before crossing the River Lugg into Wales and stopping in Presteigne, home to the unique Judge’s Lodging Museum and many arts events, including a classical music festival…

Work has started on a £10 million affordable housing scheme for older people in one of Cardiff’s most popular suburbs, Llanishen. The Wales & West Housing development will create a community of 82 apartments aimed at predominantly over 55s. Built in five, three-storey blocks, the apartments will be a mix of one and two bedrooms with communal balconies and social areas, where residents can meet up and make friends. They will be modern, energy efficient and easy-to-maintain. The development is the first new-build affordable housing scheme for older people that Wales & West Housing has built in the capital. The…

A fast-growing South Wales fintech company has closed a £1.25million funding round backed by Mercia Fund Managers, Development Bank of Wales and TTI Angels. W2 Global Data, which is based in Newport and has doubled in size since the beginning of the year, is now planning to recruit a further 20 staff. The latest funding round follows an initial investment by Mercia and the development bank in 2017 and brings the total amount raised by the company to over £3.0million. W2 provides identity verification services to help prevent fraud and money laundering. With access to thousands of government and commercial…

Terminal illness charity, Marie Curie, are holding a series of collections throughout the summer holidays to raise funds for its nurses across Carmarthenshire, in what the charity is calling a ‘Trostre Takeover’. Marie Curie says that the appeal is urgently needed as one in four people currently don’t receive the care and support they need at the end of their life*, and with the population getting older, demand on the charity’s services is set to increase. The money raised will help Marie Curie Nurses be there for more people living with a terminal illness, providing them with vital one-to-one nursing…

The Gwent Branch of the Farmers’ Union of Wales recently organised a “Wooden Horse Race Night” to raise funds for the President’s charities Alzheimer’s Society Wales and Farming Community Network. The event attracted over 200 people and raised in excess of £4,100 with donations still being received.  The horses were auctioned off for the 6 races, with the winners going forward to a Grand Final, which was very keenly contested. Musical entertainment was then provided by Ricky Jenkins A.K.A Elvis, which kept everyone going well into the night. The event was held at Ty Oakley Farm, Hafodyrynys, and CEO Glyn…

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething, has announced £1.2m to improve the renal dialysis unit at University Hospital for Wales (UHW), Cardiff. During a visit to the unit today (Thursday, 19 July), Mr Gething saw how the money will be used to upgrade the unit to deal with patients in a more clinically appropriate environment and improving their overall experience. He said: “Chronic kidney disease is estimated to affect 6‐8% of the general population. With many of the contributing factors, age, obesity‐related diabetes and coronary heart disease, expected to increase, the demand for renal services is set to grow. Our renal services…

Dedicated Sony UK Technology Centre staff who have worked a combined total of almost 800 years have been recognised at a prestigious awards night. Thirty nine members of the Pencoed factory have been honoured at Sony UK TEC’s annual Long Service Awards’ event thanks to their continuous devotion. The awards night, held at Pencoed House, in Pentrych, recognised staff who have reached significant career milestones of between 10 and 35 years. On the night staff and their partners were treated to a three-course meal, entertainment from a magician, along with a live performance from the Ipop band. They were then…