Author: Rhys Gregory

A combination of clever tech and common sense will enable an eco-friendly hotel in North Wales to be “close to off-grid” during the summer months. As well as achieving a massive reduction in carbon emissions, the energy bills at the  historic seafront Llandudno Bay Hotel have been slashed by £90,000 year. The news was revealed when the second phase of the green revolution at the award-winning hotel – part of the Everbright Group – was unveiled. As well as saving money, the measures will cut the hotel’s CO2 emissions by 85 per cent leading to an annual reduction of 95…

Latest Cymru Growth Tracker data from NatWest noted a stronger uptick in business activity midway through the opening quarter. The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose to 51.5 in February, up from 50.7 in the month prior. Expansions have now been seen for a second straight month, with the latest uptick in activity the most marked in six months. However, February data indicated that Welsh firms faced challenges in securing new business, with the latest decline stretching the…

South Wales Police is continuing the investigation into the death of a 40-year-old woman in the Talbot Green area on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Officers were called on Sunday at 6.10pm with a report of a shooting in Llys Illtyd. Officers and Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics attended the scene. A 40-year-old woman was found suffering serious injuries – despite the efforts of the emergency services she was pronounced dead at the scene. Although formal identification has yet to take place, South Wales Police believe the victim to be 40-year-old Joanne Penney.  Her next of kin has been informed and are…

A paedophile who worked at a popular fairground groomed girls as young as 11, buying them food, alcohol, cigarettes and soft toys. Carl Lintern, 42, worked at Barry Island Pleasure Park in the summer of 2023. He first came to the attention of South Wales Police after the parents of one of his victims confronted him in person where he worked. Describing him as ‘unbothered’ following their accusations, they took a photograph of Carl Lintern and presented it to a police officer. The Child Exploitation Team at South Wales Police launched an investigation and learned how Lintern groomed his victim,…

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has approved the principle of charging at four coastal car parks with tariffs and opening times in line with the others it manages. Traffic Regulation Order proposals will now be published, which are subject to a 21-day statutory public consultation period. The car parks in question are Portabello and Westfarm in Ogmore, the Knap and Bryn Y Mor in Barry and Penarth Cliff Walk, with resurfacing work to be carried out at the last two locations before charges come into effect. Alongside this, the Council’s Cabinet has asked for further survey work in relation to…

Next month, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will gain more control over Llangollen Pavilion as new arrangements are forged for the management of the iconic site. This will allow it to open opportunities for year-round entertainment and other activities in the town. Under current arrangements overall management and responsibility of the Pavilion site in Llangollen, home to the world-renowned International Musical Eisteddfod, rests with Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL). This responsibility will convert to the Eisteddfod, with a lease from Denbighshire County Council granted subject to agreed terms. This will allow the Eisteddfod, as owners of the site, greater flexibility to…

Groups involved include Swansea Libraries and Swansea Asylum Seekers Support plus users of the council’s services for lifelong learning and for young adults with additional learning needs or learning disability. Thanks too to South Wales-based artist Natalie Hemingway who helped them – and to Y Storfa contractors Kier who funded the art project. The artwork is inspired by the heritage, humanity and diversity of Swansea city centre. It’s part of the Your Store, Your Story project, telling stories of the building – once a BHS – and the immediate area. Your Store, Your Story is being managed by the council’s…

Alex Norris MP, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, announced this week an extra £1.5bn in investment for 75 communities across the UK, with Merthyr Tydfil being one of the chosen towns. Alex Norris MP, Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, said; “Through the Plan for Neighbourhoods, 75 communities will receive up to an additional £20 million each in investment. This money could go towards anything from revitalising high streets and local parks to supporting the creation of new youth clubs, arts venues or co-operatives. But most importantly, the choice of how that money is spent is up to communities themselves, who will decide through new Neighbourhood Boards. In response to…

Over 48,500 young people across Wales have been helped through employability and skills programmes since the launch of a key Welsh Government commitment. The Young Person’s Guarantee helps 16–24-year-olds by bringing together a variety of programmes to provide the right support at the right time – whether they are looking to enhance their skills, start a business, find employment or continue in education. Speaking in the Senedd today, the Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant, will say the programme is not just delivering for the young people of today, but inspiring the young people of tomorrow and…

The Welsh and UK Government have today announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye. The Welsh Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, and UK Government’s Water Minister, Emma Hardy, made the announcement during a roundtable meeting in Monmouth with key stakeholders from both sides of the border. The comprehensive cross-border research programme will: Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management Develop and test new ways to improve water quality Examine what’s driving wildlife decline and water flow…