Author: Rhys Gregory

The Development Bank of Wales has provided a £180,000 Green Business Loan to JJP Services Ltd to support a major on-site renewable energy investment at its headquarters in Llanidloes. The new funding will enable the electrical services business to install a 100kWp solar PV array with battery storage, significantly reducing its reliance on grid electricity while supporting its net zero ambitions. Founded and led by sole director Mike Prior, JJP Services employs 18 full-time and two part-time staff and has more than 20 years’ experience delivering electrical installation and project management services across Wales. The business previously secured £150,000 funding…

A 17-strong team of walkers from Cygnet successfully conquered Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon and raised £10,000 for the Air Ambulances UK in memory of a former colleague. The team were guided on the trek by Group CEO, Professor Tony Romero, who has enjoyed leading this charity challenge for the past three years, raising more than £30,000 for different charities. The chosen charity this year is in memory of a Cygnet colleague, Ann Fox, who passed away whilst on duty at Cygnet’s Tabley House nursing home in Knutsford, Cheshire. Tabley House manager Deb Jones said: “Ann was a much-loved and valued member of…

South Wales Police are appealing for information after a stolen JCB was driven into a business premises in Llanrumney in the early hours of Monday morning. Officers were called to Countisbury Avenue at around 1.45am on Monday, June 8, following reports that a JCB had been driven into a commercial property. Police say the JCB had previously been reported stolen from a farm in St Mellons and enquiries are continuing to establish exactly what happened. An investigation is now underway, with officers urging the public not to speculate about the incident while enquiries continue. Inspector Meg Butler said: “Extensive enquiries…

A spacious end of terrace South Wales valleys home offering five bedrooms and four reception rooms is on offer for the price of a decent second-hand car. The unusual property in the town of Brynmawr, near to the former steel town of Ebbw Vale, is listed for sale with Paul Fosh Auctions for £15,000. Gemma Vaughan, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to acquire an exceptionally spacious property offering extensive accommodation arranged over no less than four floors. “This impressive property, at 103, Worcester Street, Brynmawr, offers accommodation on a considerable scale with the ground…

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Wales has announced its North Wales Small Business Conference 2026, taking place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno, on Wednesday 8 July. Sponsored by the Welsh Government, the Ministry of Defence and Business News Wales, the event will bring together small business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring founders to share practical insights for modern business success. A range of expert speakers and successful entrepreneurs will focus on key areas designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive, including: Using AI tools to improve productivity and save time Building a stronger brand Turning interest into sales and repeat…

Did you know that varying the types of terrain you run on can help to make you a stronger runner? Run 4 Wales Race Director, and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, explains the impact that different surfaces can have. Treadmill Treadmill running is great for situations when you can’t get outdoors – particularly if it’s too hot, it’s dark, stormy or icy. Not only is it kinder on your joints but it allows you to have total control over how fast you’re running and the incline in which you’re running on. Running on a treadmill indoors is easier than an…

Community organisations across Powys are being encouraged to apply for funding to help strengthen food provision, improve access to nutritious meals and tackle poverty. Powys County Council has launched its Food Aid Small Grant Fund, offering grants of up to £9,000 per project to eligible not-for-profit organisations delivering services to residents. The fund aims to support a wide range of initiatives that make a real difference, including food banks, community meal schemes, food parcel services, and projects that build longer-term resilience such as food growing and distribution schemes. Money is available for both revenue costs (up to £4,000) and capital…

More than 140 parents, carers and support staff from across Wales and Scotland attended a recent workshop exploring why some children cope all day at school, then struggle as soon as they get home. The online session, After the Bell: Understanding Emotional Dysregulation, was delivered by Neuropathways and The Exchange, both part of Health is One. The services have come together to support families navigating neurodiversity, in response to growing demand for support. The session focused on what is often described as “after-school restraint collapse”, when children spend the day managing expectations, sensory input and social interaction, then release that…

Wales’ first Fintech Festival brought the Welsh ecosystem together in Swansea on 3 June, with a sold-out event celebrating the innovation, collaboration and growth shaping the nation’s fintech sector. Hosted at the Swansea Building Society Arena, the Wales Fintech Festival welcomed fintech leaders, founders, investors, policymakers, academics and ecosystem partners from across Wales and beyond for a full day of insight, connection and opportunity. Adam Price MS, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, welcomed attendees to the festival, declaring that “Wales isn’t asking if it belongs in global fintech, but is shaping where it goes next”. Alongside appearances from well-known global…

Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) has secured approval of its second Gateway Review, unlocking the release of £134 million in UK Government funding to support economic growth across South East Wales over the next five years. The successful review confirms that CCR has met the requirements set by the UK Government to continue delivering its ambitious City Deal investment programme, recognising strong progress, effective governance and growing economic impact since the first Gateway Review in 2021. CCR was established in 2017 as a partnership of ten local authorities, working with the UK and Welsh Governments to deliver a £1.2bn City Deal…