Author: Rhys Gregory

Conservation areas are distinct areas of special architectural or historic merit. Ceredigion County Council is required, from time to time, to review conservation areas in the County and formulate proposals for their preservation and enhancement. The Council is preparing or updating our Conservation Area Appraisals in order to identify the things that make these areas special and any opportunities or problems that may exist. The Appraisals form the basis for more detailed Management Plans. The Management Plans set out appropriate responses to address any opportunities and issues. Draft Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans have been prepared for the following…

RUGBY LEGEND, Sir Gareth Edwards, had his sights set on helping Specsavers in Porthcawl to officially launch its new look store this week [Monday 27 January], following a £50,000 refurbishment. The former Wales international was on hand to cut the ribbon and unveil the store’s upgraded facilities, as part of a launch event to mark the completion of the first phase in the store’s modernisation programme. The refurbishment includes the addition of upgraded store displays to create a brighter and more welcoming environment for customers. It complements the new test room, which was added just last year, to accommodate the…

An ability to focus on the bigger picture is needed for an investor willing to grab the challenge to revitalise an end of terrace South Wales House with a £35,000 price tag. The cost of buying the three-bedroom property at auction may well be low but the effort and imagination needed to transform the place could well be quite high. Sean Roper, of South Wales-based Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “This end terrace property in the South Wales valleys village of Treherbert is ideal for those looking for a solid project to renovate for themselves or to resell. “Having previously been…

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced after smuggling hundreds of endangered European eels into Holyhead from Ireland. Kevin Forbes, of Rossa Court, Dungannon in Northern Ireland, had 37 boxes of eels hidden in a pallet locker beneath the trailer of an HGV he had driven from Dublin. They were discovered by Border Force officers at Holyhead Port in the early hours of January 3rd, 2024, who were carrying out checks on the paperwork for the goods he was carrying in. Forbes had no documentation for the eels, which can no longer be exported legally due to being critically endangered. They were…

In a major boost for passengers, integrated ticketing and affordable bus fares are being introduced across the TrawsCymru T6 route and local services 62 and 64 from 2 February. These updates aim to make travel more convenient and cost-effective, with passengers now able to move seamlessly between routes using a single ticket. Working in partnership, Transport for Wales, Powys County Council and Adventure Travel are introducing this new fare structure which includes through fares from the local bus services (62 and 64) onto the T6 route, providing passengers with easier travel options to destinations including Brecon, Neath, Swansea, and beyond.…

A vital piece of life-saving kit has been reinstalled at a countryside car park after the original was stolen in 2023. Run by the Clwydian Range Runners, a successful fundraiser has seen a replacement defibrillator installed at Coed Moel Famau toilet block after the original was believed to have been taken by thieves. The Clwydian Runners funded the original equipment in 2018 and presented to countryside rangers looking after the location. Following the alleged theft group member Gareth Jaggard started a GoFund Me fundraiser which raised £420 towards a new defibrillator. The Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley…

In 2025, Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales is celebrating its bicentenary. Built in 1825 as a majestic family home for the Ironmaster William Crawshay II, Cyfarthfa Castle is the jewel in the crown of Merthyr Tydfil. Every year thousands of people enjoy a visit to the castle and its expansive gardens, lake, play area and other activities. During 2025, Cyfarthfa200, a bumper programme of fun, exciting and informative events and exhibitions will be taking place to highlight the national and international importance of the Cyfarthfa site, and to celebrate the history of the people and communities that made it.…

Small and medium size businesses in Wales have secured export deals worth over £320m as a direct result of Welsh Government support since the launch of the Export Action Plan in December 2020. Welsh Government export support for SMEs ranges from detailed market research on new market opportunities, finding new customers and getting out to market to strengthen relationships and win new business. It follows a fruitful 2024 for trade missions led by the Welsh Government, helping introduce more than 150 businesses across Wales to potential customers in a range of strategic export markets. These included supporting businesses in the…

Set-jetting – holidays inspired by well-known film and TV locations – is the latest trend cementing Wales on people’s ‘top places to visit’ lists in 2025. Following the success over Christmas of the now most-watched episode of TV in the last century, and with 2024 having also showcased countless on-screen Welsh locations to a global audience, the positive effects of this phenomenon on Welsh tourism are growing. Gavin and Stacey’s influence on tourism has spanned 17 years, but the first week of January 2025 saw tens of thousands of fans heading to the Visit Wales website for information on visiting…

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has opened entries for the highly anticipated Wales Business Awards 2025. The awards, organised by the Chamber, provide businesses across the country with the opportunity to compete for Wales’ most prestigious accolades. There are 12 revamped categories for businesses to enter this year, with new categories including ‘Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year’, ‘Emerging Exporter of the Year’, ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ and ‘Professional Services Firm of the Year’. The Chamber will also present the ‘Wales Business of the Year’ award at the ceremony hosted by Andrea Byrne on 12 June at Mercure…