Author: Rhys Gregory

Following the installation of drainage infrastructure, the main work to create 52 car park spaces at Treorchy Railway Station will get underway shortly – with minimal local disruption expected, as the facility is being built on unused land. RCT Council is supporting Transport for Wales to create the new Park and Ride facility on land off Clos Ystradfechan. This site is located south of Cae Mawr football pitch and south-east of the railway station – beyond the small existing car park which is pictured. The site is owned by Transport for Wales and was most-recently used as a compound for…

The Caerphilly 2035 Placemaking Plan outlines bold and ambitious plans to enhance and regenerate the area of Caerphilly and Caerphilly County Borough Council has received significant investment from the Welsh Government to identify opportunities encourage growth and improve their town centre offer. More than £350,000 has been provided from the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme to support the commissioning of the Caerphilly Vision 2035 Placemaking Plan and bring together the necessary skills and expertise to help deliver a range of projects. Transforming Towns provides support to revitalise town and city centres across Wales, creating a sense of place and community…

A man has been jailed for 24 years for sexual offences dating back to the 1970s. Peter David Long, 66, pleaded guilty on August 21, 2024, to six counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years and 13 counts of indecent assault. The 19 offences were against four girls who were all aged between seven and 14 at the time of the offending. On Friday, October 25, Long was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to 24 years’ imprisonment with one year on licence, a life-time restraining order for all complainants. Officer in the case, Detective Constable Georgia Davies,…

We recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Vale of Rheidol Railway’s historic steam train journey from Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge, and here’s our take. The UK, and Wales in particular, has a rich heritage of steam-powered travel, yet opportunities to enjoy this unique mode of transport are becoming increasingly rare. While Wales offers several spots where visitors can ride a steam train, these journeys are often reserved for festive or special occasions. However, for those interested in exploring Mid Wales from a fresh perspective, the Vale of Rheidol Railway is well worth considering. Spanning over 12 scenic miles, the…

Brains Brewery’s CEO Jon Bridge has announced he will be stepping down in December following four years in post, where he has successfully led the business from its perilous position during the Covid pandemic to the debt-free brewery and brands business it is today. He will be handing over to newly appointed Managing Director (MD) Nick Payne, who will take the helm of the iconic Welsh brewer in January 2025. As part of a long-term succession plan, Jon will leave his role after navigating Brains through some of its most challenging times, including the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw the…

Business confidence in Wales rose three points during October to 39%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up three points at 49%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up three points to 30%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 39% (vs. 36% in September). Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (41%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (36%) and…

Bangor University’s Brambell Natural History Museum will participate in this year’s Welsh Museums Festival, celebrating Wales’ rich history and Halloween traditions, with free, family-friendly events the length and breadth of Wales during the autumn half-term week. As part of this year’s festival, Bangor University’s Brambell Natural History Museum will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 2 November 11:00am to 3:00pm. This will be an opportunity to visit the Museum, which is not usually accessible to the public, to learn more about the specimens on display. Students will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be an…

A PRINTING business is top of the class after taking on a major new contract. PersonaliseMe Print Ltd – which relocated to larger premises on Erw Wen Road in Colwyn Bay during the summer – will now supply uniform for more than 20 schools in Conwy county. The business secured the deal following the announcement that much-loved retail outlet Boppers is to close for the final time later this month, having traded for more than 47 years. Boppers’ Joan Rossington made the decision with “a heavy heart” but is proud of her legacy and confident the schools are in safe…

Pettigrew Bakeries has been named ‘Craft Bakery of the Year’ at this year’s UK Baking Industry Awards, sponsored by Dawn Foods. The UK Baking Industry Awards, which were presented by radio personality Scott Mills, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on the 24th October – celebrating the people, products, and businesses that make the UK bakery sector so interesting and diverse. Over the last few months, judges for the awards visited bakeries across Britain as part of the deciding process for the ‘Craft Bakery of the Year’ award; they praised Pettigrew Bakeries for their deep understanding of the craft bakery market, and “the passion of…

A 52-year-old man who threatened to set a woman on fire and burn down a petrol station has been jailed. Steven Johnson, of no fixed abode but from Caernarfon, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court last week (Friday October 25th) after admitting to threats to damage property. On August 8th, Johnson was busking at a petrol station forecourt in Pentraeth, Anglesey, when he was asked to leave. Johnson then began to shout at the manager that he would ‘set this place on fire’ as he held a lighter in his hand. He lifted the nozzle of a petrol pump shouting ‘I’m…