Author: Rhys Gregory

A £14 million project to restore the Montgomery Canal has been granted an 11-month extension by the UK Government. It was due to be finished by the end of March this year, but Powys County Council and Glandŵr Cymru (the Canal and River Trust in Wales), who are delivering the scheme in partnership, now have until the end of February 2026 to complete it. The finished work: Refurbishment of the canalside cottages, next to Y Lanfa, in Welshpool, which are currently being used as a temporary home for the town’s library. Restoration of the Grade II listed Aberbechan Aqueduct, near…

Close to £34m of investment to deliver safety works at more than 130 coal tip sites throughout Wales represents the largest safety programme to date. The funding was confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Cabinet Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford on a visit to Dyffryn Rhondda Colliery in the Afan Valley today. The funding is part of the Welsh Government’s Coal Tip Safety Grant Scheme. Now 10 local authorities and Natural Resources Wales will carry out work at sites, including Cwmtillery, which suffered a landslide in November last year, and Tylorstown which slipped following unprecedented levels of rain…

WELSH fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium is celebrating the completion of its latest innovative project. In December 2023, the firm announced it would be returning to Milton Park in Oxfordshire to work with Barnwood Limited on the Nebula scheme. Nebula is a new development of seven properties across three buildings, providing high tech research and development workspace with offices. The office areas are of a Cat A standard, with raised access floors, an open ceiling and LED lighting together with heating and cooling provided by fan coil units with fresh air ventilation. The scheme was built to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ sustainability standards…

If you’re struggling with low mood and a lack of motivation, adding another responsibility into your life might sound counterintuitive.  However, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that owning a cat or a dog could provide you with the sense of fulfilment that you’ve been lacking.  From affectionate moments to energising play, pet ownership comes with so many wonderful opportunities to spend quality time together. Here’s how owning an animal could help you become the best version of yourself. Increased activity levels Research proves that exercise makes us more resilient to stress and can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and…

The Cheltenham Festival is now consigned to the memory bank but racing fans don’t have long to wait for the next instalment of major spring festival action in Britain. The Grand National Festival at Aintree takes place from Thursday April 3rd until Saturday April 5th, with the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl amongst the key prizes on day one. A number of irish betting sites are offering betting on the Day 1 feature. Will we see any of the beaten Gold Cup runners on Merseyside, or will it be a fresh horse that takes this prize? The Real Whacker heads for…

In recent years, achieving a good work-life balance has become a significant goal for many people in Wales. As work demands evolve, more people are recognising the importance of integrating personal interests and hobbies into their daily routines. Across the country, from the bustling cities of Cardiff and Swansea to the quieter, scenic areas of Snowdonia and Pembrokeshire, Welsh residents are embracing a lifestyle that allows them to thrive both professionally and personally. This increasing emphasis on balance is reshaping how people approach their careers, leisure activities, and overall well-being. Flexible Working and Remote Opportunities The growing availability of flexible…

Dunelm, the UK’s leading homewares retailer, has reached the exciting milestone of 200 stores having opened the doors of its brand-new store in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. Based in the Dowlais Top Retail Park, the 30,000 square foot store creates around 40 new jobs in the local area. The store hosts an extensive range of homewares and furniture, including heritage brand Dorma and the recently launched Sophie Robinson x Dunelm collection, for those who love to embrace colour and pattern. There is also a dedicated Made to Measure department – enabling customers to create bespoke, expertly crafted curtains and blinds in…

Diane Greening, an Airport Duty Manager at Cardiff Airport, has thanked her colleagues for donating £667 to UCAN Productions, a charity that supports her son. Ethan Greening was born with rare generic condition called MPS1. The symptoms mean he has faced many difficulties. Diane and her family have been raising awareness of UCAN Productions, a Welsh performance and creative arts charity for blind and partially sighted children, young people, adults and their friends. Ethan’s story has been featured on the BBC’s The One Show and performed the ‘Greatest Showman’ on Children in Need, as part of the Challenge Squad, in…

The Development Bank of Wales has invested £35,000 in Brynrefail-based RAW Adventures, a mountain activity company run by husband and wife Kate and Ross Worthington. The micro-loan is the second investment by the Development Bank in the company, having previously supported the business during the Covid-19 pandemic. The office team of five are all qualified leaders and instructors. They regularly work with individuals as well as charity and corporate groups of all ages and abilities, operating Climb Snowdon days, guiding on Welsh 3000s challenges and offering bespoke mountain adventures in Eryri and throughout the UK. RAW also supports all aspects…

An entrepreneur from North Wales is on a mission to introduce festivalgoers, families, and corporate teams to the excitement of airsoft, thanks to a £15,000 Start Up Loan from the British Business Bank. Within Range Airsoft is a mobile interactive airsoft target range, bringing competitive, skill-based shooting experiences to events across the UK. Using cutting-edge AttackSense electronic targets, the range offers multiple game modes, allowing players to test their reflexes, accuracy, and speed in an engaging and safe environment. “I’ve been passionate about airsoft for over a decade, but I noticed there was a gap in the market for something…