Author: Rhys Gregory

70 new homes for social rent are on their way to Llwynhendy, Llanelli thanks to a new development by Beacon Cymru, part-funded by the Welsh Government’s social housing grant scheme (SHG). The site, which is adjacent to the Scarlets’ home ground, is one of the first to enter development stage since Beacon Cymru was formed in January 2025 by the merger of established community landlords, Coastal Housing Group and RHA Wales. Located off Maes ar Ddaffen Road in Llwynhendy, Llanelli. The site was purchased from Tata Steel, who will also supply some key construction materials. The structures will be built…

CORE, a Cardiff-based web and branding agency, has marked its 21st birthday by becoming employee owned. Founded in 2003 by its Managing Director Ceri Richmond, CORE has grown organically with Ceri initially working as a freelancer and in partnership with other creative agencies while growing depth of experience and clients along the way. Working out of offices in Mount Stuart Square in Cardiff, the agency – one of the first digital agencies in Wales to be employee owned – works with clients including Admiral Law, Atradius, MotoNovo Finance and Techniquest. CORE offers everything from brand and web design to technical development to digital marketing for clients all…

A vital community leisure facility has been awarded with £300,000 worth of funding from Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Community Fund. Afan Valley Swimming Pool in Cymmer has become a vital community hub, providing group and one-to-one swimming lessons, family swims, and lane swimming seven days a week, with 36,000 visits recorded annually. The pool is also home to Afan Valley Swimming Club, Welsh Diving, Flying Start, a weekly youth club and Communities For Work. The £300,000 Vision Fund award will finance the pool’s operation for five years, continuing the employment of 13 staff with support from volunteers. Formerly Cymmer…

A former Alun School pupil has successfully earned a place on her dream course after receiving a top science prize for exceptional A-level results. Katy Rushforth, 18, won the Synthite science award after achieving a series of impressive grades in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects at the Mold-based sixth form. Sponsored by the Mold-based chemical firm, the accolade is presented to a student who has demonstrated steadfast commitment towards their education throughout the previous 12 months. Having achieved A* grades in A-level biology and chemistry, alongside an A in physics, Katy is now on a five-year medicine degree at the…

Speaking at an event for industry leaders in Cardiff last night, the BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, announced record-breaking figures for Gavin & Stacey in Wales, saying: “nothing demonstrates the BBC’s ability to bring people together like the extraordinary success of Gavin & Stacey”. 1.8m people in Wales, or 59% of the Welsh population (compared with 20.9m/32% of UK population), have now watched Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, making it the most watched TV moment in Wales since at least 2002, ahead of the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony peak of 1.4m. In Wales you’re twice as likely (than the rest of…

The highly anticipated Cardiff Wine Festival will return for its 4th edition later this year. Taking place on 16th and 17th May, and promising two days of wine tastings across three sittings, the Cardiff Wine Festival is organised by Cardiff Wine Events – a collaboration between WinesnVines (independent wine merchants) and Vinitalia (operators of popular Cardiff Italian restaurant, Casanova). This year, the event will move to a new home at The Hilton for 2025 – embracing a chic blend of classic-meets-contemporary luxury, the new venue will provide an elegant setting to spend the day trying out a variety of delicious and interesting wines and spirits.…

New research from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that, while many businesses expect they will need to secure additional funding to support their growth this year, the majority are currently finding it difficult to access the funding required. The firm’s research* which surveyed 800 businesses in the UK, finds that 70% expect that they’ll need to apply for additional funding this year. The most common amount expected to be needed was between £10million – £25million. The top reasons noted for this extra funding are to ‘invest in new premises or equipment’ and to ‘invest in R&D…

The Celtic Manor Resort has been praised for its strong commitment to sustainability and community engagement after securing golf’s leading environmental certification for its Twenty Ten Course. The renowned golf course has championed sustainability as a key priority since it was designed and built to stage the 2010 Ryder Cup while protecting habitats for dormice, otters, badgers and other indigenous wildlife and plant species. After stepping up its sustainability practices with the appointment of a dedicated Environment and Ecology Stewardship Manager, the Twenty Ten Course has now won GEO (Golf Environment Organisation) Certification, the international benchmark for sustainable golf course…

Conwy Mind is proud to announce the official launch of the ‘Changing Minds’ project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing mental health support across the Conwy region. This project has been made possible through a generous £360,000 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund. The ‘Changing Minds’ project is designed to provide low-level, easy-access mental health checks and to build a community of mental health champions across the county. Our goals are to reduce stigma, encourage early intervention, focus on individual strengths, and normalise conversations about mental health. By focusing on early intervention and community engagement, the project seeks to…

Holiday park operators across Wales are facing huge increases in housekeeping costs when changes to employer National Insurance and the National Living Wage come into effect in April. The Class 1 National Insurance secondary threshold is dropping from £9,100 to £5,000, while the main rate will rise from 13.8% to 15%. The National Living Wage, which currently stands at £11.44 per hour for employees over 21, will rise by 6.7% to £12.21 per hour. Ruthin-based Godfrey Group, the only holiday park housekeeping provider with UK-wide coverage and a strategic partner of Hoseasons, has calculated the impact that the changes will…