Author: Rhys Gregory

As thousands of people visit the seafront to enjoy the holiday season, construction teams installing a new sea defence system have ensured access to panoramic sea views. Final work, including widening the prom to a consistent 6m, laying a hard-wearing top surface, creating landscaped beds and play areas and installing smart new energy-efficient lights, is due to be carried out by around Easter time. Project work is around 70% complete. The prom areas open this Christmas, with new wave-return wall and elegant stainless steel safety rails, will include the spans from the George pub-restaurant to Southend Slip and from Oyster…

Having a newborn baby in the house always makes Christmas all the more magical – but for one Swansea couple it so nearly didn’t happen. Aimee Arran and partner Seb Mallows have enjoyed countless cuddles with son Archie since he was born almost two months ago. Yet their happy story could have had a very different outcome were it not for the “exceptional” care provided at the city’s Singleton Hospital. Aimee had to undergo an emergency procedure to try to prevent a late miscarriage, with only a 50 per cent chance of success. But fortunately it worked, and Archie arrived…

Axiom Manufacturing Services has been honoured as one of the UK’s top manufacturers at the prestigious Elektra European Electronics Industry Awards. Competing against leading electronics manufacturers across Europe, including global multinationals, Axiom earned a Highly Commended distinction from Elektra’s panel of judges. This recognition celebrates the company’s significant investments, robust sales growth, and partner acquisitions. Organised by Electronics Weekly magazine, the Elektra Awards highlight achievements in the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of electronics products within the EU and beyond. Commenting on the success, Managing Director Chris Nye, said: “Elektra’s recognition, and the achievements over the past year that led…

Business confidence in Wales fell six points during December to 26%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. While Welsh companies reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up three points at 37%, their optimism in the economy fell 15 points to 15%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 26% (vs. 32% in November). A net balance of 32% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 11 points on last month. Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas…

After two sell out seasons in Geordieland, the North East Adult Pantomime is back – bigger and better than ever in January 2025 – and this time there’s no escape – we’re going on tour and we are coming to a venue near you! It’s time to tell your friends and grab your tickets for Snow White … and the Seven Drag Queens. Join Gogglebox favourite and Queen of the Jungle Scarlett Moffatt who headlines the cast alongside Celebrity Big Brother Winner David Potts, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race icons, Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas. Starring alongside them are Drag…

The recent discovery that one of Stonehenge’s stones originated in Scotland supports a theory that the stone circle was built as a monument to unite Britain’s early farmers nearly 5,000 years ago, according to a new study by researchers at UCL and Aberystwyth University.   In a research article published in the journal Archaeology International, academics analyse the significance of the recent discovery of the Scottish origin of the six-tonne Altar Stone, which confirmed that all of the stones that make up Stonehenge were brought to Salisbury Plain from many miles away.    In their new paper, the researchers say that…

Skateboarders, wheel sports enthusiasts and members of the public can now give online feedback on initial designs for another three improved neighbourhood skate parks in Swansea. These images show the improved facilities being proposed for the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and Coed Bach in Pontarddulais. They’re among the neighbourhood skate park sites that will benefit from a Swansea Council investment worth close to £3m in skateboarding and wheel sports facilities across the city. The council is working closely with local communities and a specialist company called Curve Studio who have made the online consultation available. This…

Students at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) have been benefitting from the use of technology enhanced learning techniques to deepen their understanding of physical education and sports coaching. Dr Dylan Blain, Academic Director for Sport & Healthy Living at UWTSD, is utilising the Immersive Suite at the Carmarthen campus to support student learning in a Competitive Activities module. Dr Blain utilises the space to explore real game scenarios to support students to develop their knowledge of delivering high quality sporting experiences to young people. By visualising real-world sporting scenarios from high level sport, students can identify key…

Swansea Building Society is celebrating the conclusion of its remarkable three-year partnership with cancer charity Maggie’s, during which it served as the Society’s official staff charity. During this time, the collaboration has seen over £90,000 raised and donated, helping to sustain Maggie’s vital work in providing support to people affected by cancer across South West Wales. Since 2022, Swansea Building Society has been unwavering in its commitment to Maggie’s Swansea, undertaking a wide range of fundraising activities that have engaged staff, customers, and the wider community. These efforts have included everything from fire walks and sponsored dog walks (‘mutt struts’) to…

Cardiff Bus, the main operator of bus services in Cardiff and the surrounding area, is leading the charge to become the first net zero public transport company in Wales, bolstering its efforts by investing £29 million into sustainable practices across its fleet. The leading public transport firm that supports in excess of 60,000 daily passengers across Cardiff, Barry and Penarth, has recently deployed a fleet of 55 electric buses – almost a third of its total portfolio of vehicles. This new fleet will provide transport for the majority of passengers across 41 services and is one of multiple investments from…