Author: Rhys Gregory

Buying or renovating an older property in Wales often means peeling back decades of history. Under the carpet and lino, you may find hard, square tiles that have sat quietly since the 1960s or 1970s. Many of these are harmless. Some are not. Asbestos was mixed into millions of floor tiles across Britain before it was banned in 1999. If your home predates 1980, there is a real chance the flooring contains it. Learning about the different types of asbestos floor tiles, and how they behave, helps you plan work that keeps your family safe. Why Were Asbestos Floor Tiles…

UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed Paul Duggan as a partner in its Cardiff office as it continues to expand its legal services in Wales. Paul will lead the firm’s Welsh-based Banking and Finance team, strengthening its full-service offering in the capital. The appointment follows a period of significant growth for Browne Jacobson’s Cardiff operation, which relocated to a permanent 9,500 sq ft office at One Central Square in January. The team has expanded from seven to more than 50 people during the past three years. Paul joins nine partners and three legal directors already based in…

Across Wales today, thousands of young people will be opening their GCSE results and wondering what comes next – I remember feeling exactly the same. A few years ago, I was struggling with my mental health, withdrawing from education and unsure what my future looked like. Today, I’ve completed my first year at the London School of Economics studying History and Politics with a 2:1, I’m a Young Ambassador for The King’s Trust and I’m more excited about the future than ever. During the pandemic, my family moved home, I lost contact with school and friends, and my mental health…

City finance professional  Diana Rogers has joined the investment team at Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE in Wales. Diana brings extensive experience in financial markets, having worked across asset finance and private credit. Most recently, as a Portfolio Manager at Triple Point, a leading UK investment manager, she managed and monitored revolving credit facilities, supporting property bridging lenders and SME finance providers. She studied Business and Finance in Riga, Latvia, before moving to the UK and taking up the roles in the City of London. Diana, who now lives in Abergavenny, said she was delighted to have joined UKSE and was looking…

A free two-day celebration of grassroots music will return to Swansea’s amphitheatre this weekend. Amplitude will take place on August 22 and 23, bringing together local and national performers spanning funk, blues, post-punk, rock, indie and soul. Now in its third year, the event will be held at the revamped amphitheatre, which recently benefited from investment through the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics scheme. Improvements to the venue include a more sustainable power supply and the installation of a new sail roof, allowing audiences to enjoy the performances whatever the weather. Welsh soul-pop artist M0LI will headline Saturday’s programme with her…

An innovative council-led small tourism grant scheme is making a big difference across Swansea and Gower, helping businesses invest in their future and attract more visitors. Funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the Tourism Support Fund provided grants of up to £10,000 to small accommodation operators looking to improve their offer. Andrew Williams, Swansea Cabinet Member for Development has been finding out for himself the difference the fund is making for business owners who have used it to transform what they do, attracting new visitors to the area as a result. One of those businesses was Pitton Cross…

Pupils across Neath Port Talbot are celebrating after receiving their GCSE and vocational qualification results. Results for 2026 show that the majority of pupils in the county borough achieved at least five GCSE grades between A* and C, or the equivalent. The results recognise the commitment, resilience and determination shown by young people throughout their studies. Overall, the standards reached by the 2026 Year 11 cohort have been described as strong, reflecting the hard work demonstrated by pupils during their school careers. Councillor Nia Jenkins, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years, said: “I would like…

Learners across Pembrokeshire are celebrating their achievements as GCSE and vocational qualification results are released today. Pembrokeshire County Council has praised students for the commitment, resilience and determination they have demonstrated throughout their studies. The council said their achievements reflect not only their own hard work and ambition, but also the dedication of the teachers, support staff, parents, carers and communities who have supported them. Congratulating learners on their achievements, Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Education, said: “Today is an important milestone for many young people across Pembrokeshire. We are immensely proud of everything they have accomplished…

Visitors to the Park & Dare Theatre are being advised of temporary changes to access arrangements while improvement works are carried out at the venue. Scaffolding has been installed at the front of the building as part of work to ensure the much-loved community theatre remains in good condition for the future. The project began on Monday, August 10, and is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete. The improvements form part of the ongoing TransformingRCT investment programme, which aims to maintain and improve community venues across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Temporary access arrangements will remain in place throughout the…

Some of the world’s leading female cyclists will race through Powys this weekend as the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women heads to Mid Wales. The race, which forms part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, began on Wednesday, August 19, with its penultimate stage taking place on Saturday, August 22. Stage Four will begin in Llanidloes at 11am before riders tackle a demanding 138.3km route through the Mid Wales countryside. The stage will finish in Hay-on-Wye at around 2.50pm and includes a series of challenging climbs through areas including the Elan Valley. With 2,280 metres of ascent, it will be the…