Author: Rhys Gregory

The Arts Council of Wales has announced that the ongoing regeneration and transformation of Porthcawl’s much-loved Grand Pavilion is to receive an extra £1.4m boost in funding. The Grade II listed venue has been confirmed as one of 40 sites located throughout Wales that will benefit from a share of an £8 million new investment programme into building and regeneration works. Announcing the funding, Minister of Culture Jack Sergeant described the Grand Pavilion as a ‘community treasure’ and said it was “…One of 40 organisations who represent the beating heart of cultural life across every corner of Wales.” “We are…

A new community facility that will be used by all ages has been officially opened in Penclawdd. The Community Shed at Graig y Coed playing fields has been built by volunteers with funding support from Swansea Council and the ward member’s allowance, as well as a contribution from Llanrhidian Higher Community Council. It complements the Graig y Coed Woodland Project which has seen land nearby transformed into a community woodland. There are two new units to the rear of the playing field changing rooms that make up the hub. One has been fitted out as a workshop and has joined…

A 56-year-old Port Talbot based trader who carried out poor electrical and plumbing work, has pleaded guilty to undertaking a fraudulent business at Swansea Crown Court after an investigation by Neath Port Talbot Trading Standards. Between April 2021 and December 2023, Wayne John Phillips of WJP Electrical of Lingfield Avenue, Port Talbot, was approached by homeowners looking to refurbish and rewire their homes. Mr Phillips contracted with each of the homeowners to undertake various electrical, plumbing and building work to a value of around £14,000. Mr Phillips provided written quotations which bore the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation…

Wattsville Community Group, a registered charity established by Wattsville FC, is proud to have completed a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) for the Wattsville Recreational Field and Pavilion. The transfer includes the pavilion clubhouse and recreation area, which features two football pitches. The move strengthens the group’s ability to secure vital funding, while also giving them greater control over operations, enabling structured opening times and improved event scheduling. The club has also partnered with local business, Deez Pizza, who are based on-site. The facility hosts an array of events, such as coffee mornings, comedy and music nights, bingo evenings, firework displays,…

Plans to build a replacement A494 River Dee Bridge have reached the next milestone with publication of the draft Orders. The Orders are a key legal document that set out in detail the proposals for the bridge, including the route it will take, the land that will need to be purchased and changes to existing roads. The public will be invited to give their view on the Orders and have the option to formally support or object to the plans or suggest an alternative. The consultation period starts today (Tuesday 30 September) and is open until Tuesday 11 November 2025.…

The public are being asked to help safeguard Welsh language place names, as part of new plans to protect our linguistic heritage. A new website means anyone can record Welsh and historic names missing from online maps. Whether it’s the name your grandfather used for a local field, the Welsh name for a hill near you, or the historic name of your street or home, you can help preserve these for future generations. The public are also being encouraged to contribute to online resources like Wikipedia by recording sound clips showing how place names should be pronounced and providing phonetic…

Ending greyhound racing in Wales has taken a significant step forward following the introduction of The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill to the Senedd. The Bill follows extensive public engagement, including a petition signed by over 35,000 people calling for an end to greyhound racing in Wales. A subsequent public consultation received over 1,100 responses, with evidence highlighting injuries and fatalities among racing greyhounds at tracks. If passed, the legislation will create two new offences, for: operating a stadium or venue in Wales and knowingly permitting its use for greyhound racing, and organising a greyhound race anywhere in Wales.…

Aberystwyth is set to get a major new storage hub after a fast-growing firm announced plans to open in the town. Lock Stock Self Storage, the UK’s largest container-based storage company, will launch the new site near Rheidol Retail Park in the heart of the town within weeks. It will offer more than 100 storage units in a range of sizes which can be used for everything from household clear-outs and student belongings to tools, equipment and stock for small businesses. The company says its model is already helping thousands of tradespeople and entrepreneurs cut costs and save time. Around…

North Wales  lawyer has teamed up with a global singing superstar to build a state-of-the-art  medical centre in Kenya. Gareth Kelly, a director of law firm Gittins McDonald, in Wrexham, is working on the project with Kenyan musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist Esther Akoth, better known to her millions of fans by her stage name Akothee. Esther, who has 3.6 million followers on Instagram and 3.1 million Facebook followers, hopes her huge influence will ensure plans for the life-changing medical centre come to fruition. Also earning the moniker “Madam Boss” because of her business and brand success, afro-beat star Esther has…

If you want to enjoy a happy, prosperous life, then having a clear plan to deal with your finances is essential. Or, to put it another way, if you don’t have control over your money, then your money might well end up controlling you. Getting to grips with finance isn’t always easy. For some, it can seem arcane and intimidating. But there do exist a few simple principles and strategies that can help to make money manageable. Automate Your Savings If you have to consciously think about saving money, then you might not remember to do it. Or, you might…