Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales has long relied on small builders, specialist trades and local contractors to deliver the work that keeps communities moving: homes, schools, healthcare buildings, transport links and the steady repair and maintenance of older properties. Now, as the construction skills shortage continues to put pressure on the sector, the question is not only whether Wales can attract more people into construction, but whether firms can manage that growth properly once new workers arrive on site. Why the Construction Skills Shortage Matters The recent announcement of new Level 2 construction apprenticeship pathways is an important step in responding to the construction…

Welcome to our live coverage of the Senedd 2026 election results as counting gets under way across Wales following one of the most significant votes in the nation’s political history. Voters headed to the polls on Thursday in the first Senedd election to use Wales’ new fully proportional voting system, with 96 Members of the Senedd set to be elected across 16 new super constituencies. The first results are expected from around 2pm, with declarations due throughout the afternoon and evening as the political future of Wales begins to take shape. We’ll bring you the latest results, reaction, key moments…

Counts are set to begin from 9am today following the 2026 Senedd Election, after voters across Wales headed to the polls in what could become one of the most important elections in Welsh political history. Polling stations closed at 10pm on Thursday 7 May, with sealed ballot boxes transported overnight to counting centres across the country ahead of Friday’s count. Unlike some previous elections, votes were not counted overnight. Instead, counting will take place throughout Friday 8 May, with the first declarations expected from around 2pm and further results announced during the afternoon and evening. For many voters, this election…

Law firm JCP Solicitors is expanding its Lifetime Planning team in Carmarthen, appointing India Ford as an Associate Solicitor. Based in the firm’s Parc Pensarn office, India Ford takes on the role to support clients with complex Will drafts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, probate, deeds of variation and Court of Protection applications. Following her studies at Swansea University and volunteer roles with Age Cymru, India completed her training contract at Thomas and Thomas Solicitors in 2026. Now joining JCP Solicitors during the firm’s 35th anniversary year, India’s appointment represents the firm’s continued growth and development across the region. India joins Alice…

Caroline Morgan has been appointed as Monmouthshire Building Society’s new Business Development Manager for south Wales. Caroline, who lives in Bridgend, will work with mortgage brokers and intermediary partners across the region, promoting the Society’s products and driving new business. Caroline has extensive experience in the financial services sector, having worked at the Principality Building Society, Loan.co.uk and Legal and General, before she moved in to education with a role as a Business Development Manager at Cardiff and Vale College. During her time at Cardiff and Vale College, Caroline said she couldn’t shake her interest and passion for financials services,…

The Big Banquet rolls into Caldicot Castle for the late May bank holiday weekend (22 – 25 May) promising a weekend of feasting, fun, and a full-on festival atmosphere Street Food Circus’ travelling caravan of award-winning street food chefs will be cooking dishes from across the world, all served banquet-style around huge communal tables. Returning to Street Food Circus this year are Sam and Shauna, authors and TV presenters, but best known as Hang Fire BBQ. They started out alongside Street Food Circus as the street food scene started to grow in Wales 12 years ago and are returning with…

The Welsh Mountain Zoo has welcomed a capybara, the world’s largest rodent and the public is being invited to help name him as part of a special fundraising campaign. The campaign is now live with all naming suggestions welcomed for the seven month old male, who is settling comfortably into his new home. The Zoo has also revealed that there are plans in place to grow the capybara family further in the future. Nick Roden, Marketing Manager at the Welsh Mountain Zoo commented: “We’re so excited to welcome our new capybara resident, a much loved species that will represent a…

Cardiff and Vale College’s Rugby Academy Development team has been crowned WRU Development cup champions. The Academy travelled to Rodney Parade in Newport for the league final against Coleg Gwent. The team was predominantly made up of first year learners, but there were also some second year learners getting once last outing in their CAVC jersey before finishing with the Academy. After a cagey first half with both sides making plenty of errors and struggling to get into the opposition’s 22 zone the score stood at 0-0. But things picked up in the second half with CAVC asserting themselves and…

Comedy fans in Cardiff are set for a nostalgic treat this summer as Fawlty Towers makes its way to the stage at the Wales Millennium Centre. Fawlty Towers – The Play will run at the venue from June 23 to June 27, 2026, as part of a major UK and Ireland tour following two sold out West End seasons. Written and adapted by comedy legend John Cleese, the stage production brings together three classic episodes from the original sitcom, including “The Hotel Inspector”, “The Germans” and “Communication Problems”, alongside a brand new finale. The show stars Danny Bayne as the…

Hutchinson Thomas Solicitors has strengthened its team with a number of new starters and newly qualified solicitors across key practice areas. The appointments reflect continued growth at the firm and an ongoing focus on developing talent to meet client demand across both individual and business services. In the Dispute Resolution team, Adam Mahoney has recently qualified as a Solicitor, while Aimee Richards joins the department as a new Solicitor, further increasing capacity in this busy area of practice. Chantelle Ware has qualified into the firm’s Childcare team, supporting clients on a range of sensitive and complex matters. Stan Burgess-Brown joins…