Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff residents are being urged to take part in a budget consultation that will help shape the future of essential council services in the city. Thanks to a better-than-expected settlement from Welsh Government, Cardiff Council has seen a projected £60 million budget gap reduce to £23.4 million for 2025/26. Despite this improved financial outlook, several factors, including inflation and rising demand for services, mean the cost of delivering essential services like education, social care and dealing with the housing emergency, continue to rise. To address the £23.4 million budget shortfall, the council is proposing a combination of measures including efficiency…

The second phase of work to repair damage to the Aberdare Park boundary wall will start this week, with a local footway closure needed. A section of the structure opposite Broniestyn Terrace in Trecynon collapsed following Storm Bert in November 2024, and an initial phase of work to rebuild it was completed before Christmas. Council contractor Hammonds Ltd will now return to the site in the week commencing Monday, January 6, to repair several smaller nearby sections of the wall. The works location will be opposite Aberdare Park Primary School, just north of the section that was rebuilt in phase…

Working Wales, in partnership with EE, is hosting a recruitment event for individuals looking to kickstart their careers through exciting apprenticeship opportunities. The event will take place at the Careers Wales centre in Merthyr Tydfil, where attendees can learn more about the apprenticeship roles available at EE’s Merthyr Tydfil call centre. Event Details: Date: Thursday 9 January 2025 Time: There are 3 sessions available: 10am – 11am, 12pm – 1pm, 2pm – 3pm Location: Merthyr Tydfil Careers Wales Centre, 27 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8DP There are 42 Customer Service Apprentice roles on offer, which come with a starting…

An international engineering firm is the first company to sign a lease at Rhyd y Blew, the Welsh Government’s ‘Grade A’ industrial site in Blaenau Gwent, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, has announced. Halton Flamgard will lease the newly completed RYB1 unit at the site in Ebbw Vale, following an £8.9m investment by Welsh Government in the 52,582 sq ft low carbon facility. It will see the company, which manufactures damper units for clients in specialised industrial sectors, relocate its current operation in Pontypool to the larger modern premises. Part of a planned expansion, it will…

ITALIAN jobs will inspire students on the road to their chosen careers. Twenty-five learners from Coleg Cambria Deeside journeyed to Tuscany and Florence for a two-week education and employment visit. The groups – from Childcare, and Health and Social Care courses – spent time with organisations, schools and businesses while also taking in the sights and sounds of the country. A cohort from Sports also spent time in Italy over the summer. Health and Social Care tutor Steph Garrett said the trip broadened the horizons of learners and gave a flavour of Italian systems, while encouraging professional development. “The experience…

When it comes to slots, there is a bucket full of options. With the rollout of modern slots with amazing themes, features, and payouts, very few iconic slots have made it to the hearts of the players. Big Bass Splash is one of them. In this crowded market, if you ask us for one game that’s wildly popular, and the players go gaga over it, our answer will be the Big Bass Splash game. Thanks to its amazing features, vibrant visuals, and high pay scale, the game is ruling the slots market with a cult following. But there are tons…

An amber weather warning for snow in Northern England has been extended until January 6, 2025 (Monday) morning. This warning comes after a great amount of snow has already fallen, causing problems for travel in the area. The Met Office has said that areas such as Lancashire, Cumbria, and the Lake District will continue to experience snow until 6 a.m. Monday.  They also warned that higher areas could receive up to 15 cm more snow. This could cause even more travel delays and power outages and make it difficult for some rural areas to stay connected. Other weather warnings issued…

When it comes to venturing outside of Wales, it’s not every day that we find ourselves travelling for a pub experience. However, for fans of Jeremy Clarkson and his hit Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm, the lure of his Diddly Squat Farm and its now-famous pub proved too tempting to resist. So, we packed our bags and headed off from Cardiff to see what all the fuss is about. Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, just a short drive from the Welsh border, the Diddly Squat Farm and its pub have become something of a cult destination for enthusiasts of…

Business leaders in Wales have been urged to make 2025 a landmark year to ramp up the introduction of green technologies. Darryl Shaw, who is the Group Operations Director of the Everbright Hotels group, advised companies not to be daunted by the thought of joining the eco-revolution. Mr Shaw was the keynote guest speaker at the annual Christmas dinner of Wrexham Business Professionals at city’s Ramada Plaza Hotel. Already a trailblazer in the drive to achieve net zero, he said Everbright will continue to lead the way in North Wales. He said the award-winning company plans to roll out its…

For many the New Year marks a fresh start, which means it’s a time to look at want you want to achieve over the next 12 months, make new habits or break those that aren’t serving you well. For those who want to make running a part of their daily life, it can be difficult to know what to do to keep it up, particularly if it’s been an activity that hasn’t lasted longer than a few weeks in the past. That’s why Run 4 Wales Race Director, and double Olympic marathoner, Steve Brace, is here to share his advice…