Author: Rhys Gregory

The stage is set, and the excitement is building—the 2025 Welsh Fitness Awards are officially open for applications! Mark your calendars for Thursday, 1st May, as we gear up for the seventh annual celebration of Wales’ thriving fitness community. This year’s prestigious black-tie gala will be hosted by none other than Jonathan Millard, one of the UK’s leading boxing MCs, at the iconic Hilton Hotel, Cardiff. It promises to be an unforgettable night, spotlighting the stars, innovators, and game-changers shaping Welsh fitness today. This year’s award categories include: Personal Trainer of the Year Fitness Club of the Year (Single Facility)…

The people of Swansea can celebrate and salute ‘their’ Sailors on St David’s Day, when the men and women of HMS Cambria march proudly through the city’s streets. For the first time in more than six years, the Royal Navy Reservists will celebrate their historic right of Freedom of the City. The city is home to the Tawe Division of the Royal Naval Reserve, a satellite of the Royal Navy’s home in Wales, HMS Cambria, which occupies a prime location on the Cardiff waterfront thanks to its new multi-million-pound headquarters. They’ll be forming up in front of civic and  regional…

People are being asked for their views on Neath Port Talbot Council’s draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Plan (LFRMSP). The responsibility for the council to develop this “local strategy” is set out in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. As Lead Local Flood Authority the council must develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for local flood risk management. The local strategy will only deal with local flood risk which is defined in the act as being a flood risk from: Surface runoff Groundwater, and Ordinary watercourses. Legislation means the council must now review its LFRMSP and…

Caerphilly County Borough Council was pleased to welcome Lauren Price back to her hometown of Ystrad Mynach on Saturday 15th February, as she met with supporters at the Centre of Sporting Excellence ahead of her highly anticipated world title unification bout at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 7th March. The event provided an opportunity for local residents to meet Lauren, collect tickets for the upcoming fight, take part in a Q&A session, and purchase official merchandise. The strong turnout reflected the pride and admiration the Ystrad Mynach community has for one of its most successful sporting figures, reinforcing her role…

A Powys company backed last year by the county council with a growth grant, has now picked up some extra investors on BBC ONE’s Dragons’ Den. Stashed Products, makers of space-saving bike storage systems, was successful in securing £25,000 from the council towards the cost of making improvements at its base in Abermule and for staff training, with the aim of creating three full-time jobs in 2024. Now, owner Elliot Tanner has got the offer of investment from a Dragon too. Elliot said: “Stepping into the Den was one of the most intense experiences of my life. My mind went…

A peer support service for people struggling with eating disorders has been hailed as a ‘game changer’ by Minister Sarah Murphy. Aneurin Bevan University Health Board’s Specialist Eating Disorders Service (SEDS) is providing early intervention support, including innovative peer support from those with lived experience of eating disorders. The programme, expanded with Welsh Government funding, accepts primary care referrals and supports people across all risk levels. It includes peer support for both individuals and their carers. It is hoped the successful model can be expanded across Wales. Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy, who has previously spoken about…

Significant progress is being made on the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone, as business FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) invests in growth. The Investment Zone is a collaborative project expected to attract £1bn of private sector investment and create 6000 new jobs. It’s backed by £160m in funding from the Welsh Government and UK Government and will focus primarily on advanced manufacturing, with the Investment Zone targeting 5.5 million square feet of new capacity for the sector. There will be a particular emphasis on innovation skills and transport challenges, delivering new opportunities and investment for communities and growing both local…

Wales’ publishing sector will see a significant increase in Welsh Government funding compared to last year, bringing the sector’s overall funding for 2025 – 2026 back in line to 2023 – 2024 levels. The Welsh Government has today revealed an additional £272,000 is being made available to the publishing sector via the Books Council for Wales in its Final Budget. Published last week and including an additional uplift for the wider arts and culture sectors, the new funding allocation for publishing is in addition the uplift already announced in the recent draft budget for 2025 – 2026, bringing the total…

The Welsh Estate Agency Awards has announced the signing of four major sponsorship deals for 2025. In its inaugural year, the Welsh Estate Agency Awards has secured the sponsorship of key industry brands, including feature sponsor Key Home Staging with JCP Solicitors, One Stop Searches and Swansea Building Society joining as event sponsors. Founder of the Welsh Estate Agency Awards – Wesley Skene said, “We’re delighted to have brought so many major players in the Welsh estate agency and property sector on board for 2025. These signings show that the Welsh Estate Agency Awards is on course to become one…

A grade II listed cottage dating back to the 1600’s is a property jewel at the heart of one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. With a magnificent rear garden, the delightful cottage, that dates back hundreds of years, does now require some upgrading to reach its full potential. But Paul Fosh Auction’s Sean Roper believes the delightful cottage, in the centre of historic Usk, in rural Monmouthshire, has huge scope to become create a stunning home. Sean said: “The property, in a town recognised as being among the most sought-after locations in which to live…