Author: Rhys Gregory

Site clearance work has begun off Darran Road in Mountain Ash after a contractor was appointed to prepare the land for development. Construction of a brand new, modern care accommodation for older people will get underway later this year, in a joint project between Linc Cymru (Linc) and the Council. Planning consent for the old pavilion site was granted in August 2024, for a development that includes 25 Extra Care apartments, 15 dementia residential care beds, and eight ‘Later Living’ bungalows. A new three-storey block will be built on the western part of the site (below Bryn Ifor) while the…

Plans submitted by Landsec for a new city square at St David’s Cardiff have been approved by Cardiff City Council, marking the next step towards creating an open, safe, and inviting new space in the city centre. Located on the site of the former Debenhams store, where demolition is underway, the plans and £17 million investment from Landsec will create a vibrant, cultural place for residents and visitors to St David’s and the city, aiming to open by 2026. The proposal follows extensive engagement with more than 5,000 people across the local community, including recent research by Landsec which revealed…

BUSINESS is bubbling at a luxurious spa complex following a healthy start to the year. Iâl Spa was launched by Coleg Cambria in November, the focal point of its £14m Health and Wellbeing Centre at Yale in Wrexham. An “incredibly busy” Winter has seen the state-of-the-art facility – which features a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and health food bar – far surpass expectations and targets within the first three months of trading. Cambria’s Head of Commercial Operations Maria Stevens revealed they will now look to recruit more industry-qualified staff and an apprentice to keep up with demand for commercial services…

Acuity Law, one of the UK’s leading law firms, is sponsoring a team of four Pembrokeshire women, as they embark on a sailing challenge to raise funds and awareness for cystic fibrosis and hospice care. As part of the ‘Cruising Free’ challenge, Sophie Pierce (32), Polly Zipperlen (50), Janine Williams (70), and Miyah Periam (24) are undertaking a 3,200-mile sail from Lanzarote to Antigua, with the goal of breaking several world records along the way. Sophie is set to become the first person with Cystic Fibrosis to row across an ocean, and Janine hopes to be the oldest woman to…

Following its success as a project at Swansea University, Oriel Science is entering an exciting new phase as an independent charity, unlocking fresh opportunities for growth and innovation. Since beginning as a public engagement project in 2016, Oriel Science has helped bring Swansea University’s cutting-edge research to the heart of the community through interactive and engaging exhibits. Professor Chris Allton, Former Director of Oriel Science and current Trustee, said: “It’s wonderful to see Oriel Science grow from strength to strength. We have engaged with over 150,000 people since we began in 2016 in our Pop-Up venue, and we now have…

Young people today face significant challenges, making emotional skills more important than ever. Emotional intelligence helps individuals handle difficulties, build resilience, and develop healthier relationships. Strengthening these skills benefits students beyond the classroom, improving overall well-being and mental health. The Importance of Emotional Intelligence Understanding emotions is foundational for personal and interpersonal growth. Emotional intelligence encompasses the ability to recognise, understand, and manage one’s emotions while also empathising with the feelings of others. Studies indicate that individuals with high emotional intelligence are often better equipped to handle stress, conflict, and challenges. Engaging young people in activities promoting emotional awareness can…

Wales’ brightest entrepreneurial minds are being urged to seize an opportunity to fast-track their business ideas. The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme is now accepting applications for its innovative 10-week immersive Start-Up Accelerator Programme, which will launch on Tuesday 13 May 2025 and conclude on Friday 18 July 2025. This entirely virtual programme offers tailored support to help participants turn their ideas into fully operational businesses. Through targeted coaching and masterclasses, participants will learn how to develop a sustainable business model and secure their first paying customers. Sessions will explore new AI applications that boost creativity, streamline market research and enhance efficiency. These applications will equip participants with the skills to compete in a rapidly changing marketplace. The accelerator is open to aspiring Welsh entrepreneurs with pre-revenue business ideas.…

A man who was told he had just a ‘30% chance of survival’ after a serious car accident is now getting ready to run the ABP Newport Marathon. In June 2022 Ethan Brown suffered severe injuries after his Ford Fiesta crashed on the A470 near Brecon. The 24-year-old Mechanic from Swansea said: “I don’t remember anything about the accident apart from waking up in hospital after being in a coma for two weeks.” Ethan later learned that an off-duty police officer was driving past and saw what happened. They phoned the emergency services and the Welsh Air Ambulance arrived soon…

The go-ahead has been given for a major expansion at a North Wales port that will create 300 new jobs. The Port of Mostyn is pressing ahead with its plan to build a new berth to cater for the next generation of much larger floating offshore wind turbines It was made possible after Natural Resources Wales granted a Marine Works Licence to build a new 350 metre quay and reclaim 13 acres of land behind it. The new quay has been designed to enable the world’s largest jack-up crane barges to berth and load the turbines. Meanwhile, the port has…

A pair of bidders battled it out to buy a stunning cottage in a gorgeous West Wales setting at auction. The cottage, Dinorwic, in the hamlet of Cnwch Coch in the stunning Vale of Ystwyth, near the coastal university town of Aberystwyth, was for sale with a guide price of £68,000. The head-turning property, blending traditional and modern, soon created interest when it was posted for sale by Paul Fosh Auctions. In the end two bidders went head-to-head to secure the one-of-a-kind bungalow before it sold for £83,000 after seven bids. Sean Roper, of South Wales Based Paul Fosh Auctions,…