Author: Rhys Gregory

Work to protect and renovate Flat Holm island’s historic foghorn station and Victorian cholera hospital is underway. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside investment from the island’s owners Cardiff Council, with in-kind support from partner organisations including the Flat Holm Society and RSPB Cymru, the work has required all materials and machinery to be shipped out to the isolated island, which sits in the Bristol Channel approximately five miles from Cardiff’s coastline. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Flat Holm island is steeped in history and we want to make sure these important…

Cyclists with a passion for adventure can thread their way around 27 kilometres of off-road cycle track around some of Wales’ most picturesque landscapes. Swansea Council has developed an online map, setting out the off-road cycle routes in parts of Gower, including Rhossili and Llanmadoc. The new map can be downloaded to a smartphone and can be used to guide two-wheeled lovers around a network of ancient bridleways that have been in place for centuries. The routes treat cyclists to spectacular views from Rhossili Down and Llanmadoc Hill across Carmarthen Bay to Tenby and the Bristol Channel to north Devon,…

A series of presentations will take place on 30th April 2025 at The Towers Hotel & Spa for the much-anticipated Options Appraisal Report on the Neath and Tennant Canals. Neath Port Talbot Council has secured £113,850 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Places initiative for the development phase of the Canal Connections/ Cysylltiadau Camlesi project. This project aims to regenerate the canal system into an accessible community asset for active recreation and travel. Another of the project’s goals is to establish the canal system as a must-visit heritage destination which connects local communities. While the council does not own…

Important external funding of £4.52 million has been secured for flood alleviation in Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2025/26. This Welsh Government support will complement the Council’s own investment in this priority area over the year ahead – enabling 27 further schemes to be developed and/or delivered. This funding cannot be used by the Council to install main river flood defences as this can only be done by Natural Resources Wales. The funding will focus on improving culverts and drainage systems in areas identified as susceptible to flooding from ordinary watercourses, surface water and groundwater. Each year, the Council benefits from Welsh…

Newport City Council has confirmed that Splash ‘Port at Tredegar Park will officially reopen for the 2025 season on Friday 18 April. Extensive preparations have been taking place in recent weeks to ensure the popular water play area is ready for a fun-filled summer. With work now complete, the iconic tipping water bucket will once again spring into action over the Easter weekend, alongside the much-loved sprinklers. Splash ‘Port will be open daily from 10am to 5pm. From Monday to Friday, the first hour between 10am and 11am will be dedicated to relaxed sessions, followed by general entry from 11am…

The Marches Forward Partnership is set to reach a significant milestone in its development with the establishment of the Marches Forward Partnership Board. The Marches Forward Partnership brings together Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council to reshape the economic landscape of the Marches region by fostering collaboration and innovation. The new Board will comprise Leaders and Chief Executives from the four local authorities, along with key strategic partners, to drive a shared commitment to a high productivity rural and town-based economy, a green economy trailblazer region, and the creation of healthy and connected places. Once…

Get ready for an unforgettable day as DAY FEVER, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, and Arena Projects join forces to bring you the ultimate DAY FEVER SUMMER PARTY in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil Town Centre at Penderyn Square! Presented by the Redhouse Festival, this one-day extravaganza promises all the energy of a summer festival with a few exciting twists. For this exclusive event, DAY FEVER transforms into an epic outdoor celebration, packed with live performances, local flair, and incredible surprises. The lineup is nothing short of legendary: Get ready to groove with 80s icon Tiffany, performing her timeless classic…

A property development company based in Cardiff has secured an investment of £17.5 million from the Development Bank of Wales and £7 million from Welsh Government to fund the build of 114 new homes in Tonyrefail. It is the largest ever investment made by the Development Bank. Work on Parc Eirin, a major low carbon mixed-tenure residential development project by Tirion Homes has begun with contractor Morganstone completing the build by the end of 2027.  All 114 homes will achieve an EPC A-rating and include energy-saving features such as solar panels, communal battery storage and ground source heat pumps. There…

A North Wales warehouse site which fell into disrepair and became a haven for anti-social behaviour has been transformed into a modern businesses park with Welsh Government support. The vandalism hotspot in Prestatyn has been transformed into a first-class space for employment use by James Industrial Limited. Welsh Government awarded them a £1.75m Property Development Grant to support the redevelopment, with 28 high-quality business units created over 75,000 square foot. The Warren Drive site was formerly a base for Kwik Save, but has been vacant since around 1998. Now called Prestatyn Business Park, it is set to become a thriving hub for…

Thousands of people on low incomes across Wales have secured an extra £170m by claiming benefits they didn’t know they were entitled to, thanks to free Welsh Government advice services. The Claim What’s Yours helpline connects people with friendly advisers who help cut through the confusion of the benefits system. For many who call, including working families, new parents and pensioners, it’s their first time claiming benefits, with many surprised to learn they qualify for financial help. With around £2bn in benefits going unclaimed in Wales each year; the Single Advice Fund and Claim What’s Yours services have helped 361,000…