Author: Rhys Gregory

Deeside-headquartered NES Services Group has acquired Versatile Telephone Marketing (VTM), based in Suffolk, as it looks to build its portfolio of businesses across the UK. NES Services Group, which has five other subsidiaries covering environmental, parking and security enforcement, has added VTM to its table with the telecoms business retaining its branding and safeguarding 15 jobs in the process. VTM joins 3GS, National Enforcement Solutions, HSG Security, Enforcement Pro and Caledonian Enforcement Solutions to the umbrella of companies in the group. NES Services Group Director, Ashley Govier, said: “This is a hugely important acquisition for our business. We want to…

The 60-year-old was found guilty of rape, violence against a child, indecent assault, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, taking an indecent photo of a child, and assaulting a girl under 13 by touching. Burke was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, October 3, to 15 years in prison. He is also subject to a 30-year restraining order and Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). Officer in the case, Detective Constable Victoria Howe, from South Wales Police, said: “I would like to thank everyone who assisted in this case to help secure justice for the victims.…

Techniquest’s role play area has been completely transformed into a brilliant interactive space for under 7s, thanks to the generous support of Transport for Wales (TfW), Siemens Mobility and Balfour Beatty. Pop a bright yellow hard hat on your head, grab a mini high-vis jacket and get set to play! The Mini Metro Play Zone is a place where imaginations can run wild as children get to cater for ‘customers’ in a mini station café, pretend to be rail signallers keeping the tracks clear, sit in the driver’s seat of a train, build walls with bricks, and play with a…

An old countryside management skill is adding a new layer of support for nature at a site in Rhyl. Located next to the playground area at Ffordd Elan, Rhyl, Denbighshire Countryside Services has developed a haven to support local nature on the estate. The space consists of an established nature pond, wildflower areas and a variety of trees and hedgerows. Rangers are already finding many different butterfly and moth species at the site thanks to the habitat work they have carried out. Countryside rangers manage the site during the seasons to make sure it offers support to local nature from…

Work to transform a former high school site in the east of the city into more than 200 new homes for Cardiff is now complete.   All 214 homes at Aspen Grove, the largest site in phase 2 of the Council’s Cardiff Living programme with national developer Wates Group, have now been built, creating an attractive and modern new community for residents at the development off Newport Road, Rumney.   The highly-innovative development, that has scooped national awards for its sustainability, climate resilience and low carbon footprint, is a mix of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, including 65…

Locals in Dale, Pembrokeshire successfully use UK Government’s Project Gigabit voucher scheme to connect the village with high-speed internet Dale, a small rural community on the coast of Pembrokeshire has long endured poor internet connectivity that has plagued its residents with little to no ability to use the internet for work, communication or entertainment.  With the movement of most services and day-to-day tasks to online, having limited internet access was having a detrimental effect on residents who were experiencing firsthand the digital divide. However, after being told about a UK Government funded project by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Digital Champions, this…

A rogue trader who conned a customer out of over £18,000 has pleaded guilty to Trading Standards offences at Merthyr Magistrates Court. Elegant Driveways and Landscaping Ltd. of Hazell Drive, Newport, has been ordered to pay £5,317 in fines and costs, along with £18,200 in compensation to a resident who received a sub-standard driveway. On Wednesday 2 October 2024, the Court heard how the business failed to provide a UV resin driveway as promised, did not carry out the work to a professional standard, did not provide products specified in the contract, as well as giving inaccurate business details. These…

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, has visited Aberaeron to see the progress of a £31.5m flood defence scheme. The Welsh Government has provided 85 per cent of the funding for the ambitious scheme which will reduce coastal flooding risk to more than 124 residential properties and 42 non-residential properties in Aberaeron. Speaking from Aberaeron, the Deputy First Minister said: “The scale of the work here in Aberaeron is a real eye opener – and is essential for Aberaeron and its community to be protected for generations to come. “I am incredibly grateful to the community…

A new Community Support Centre opens in Aberafan Shopping Centre today to provide support, guidance and retraining advice to individuals and businesses impacted by the decision by Tata Steel UK to transition to greener steelmaking at Port Talbot. The facility, being opened by the union Community with funding support from Welsh Government, will support and provide bespoke advice to Tata and supply chain workers, their families and affected businesses with bespoke advice and a single, physical point of contact. This will include directing people towards the help that’s available from the Employment Support Fund. This fund is backed by the…

James Douglas is eyeing up future growth after an incredibly successful period following its previous acquisition of Nuttall Parker in Newport. For the last nine months, the business has been co-branded which has enabled a seamless transition for clients, partners and the general public alike. From this autumn, the business is known simply as James Douglas to align with its branches in Cardiff and Pontypridd. Douglas Haig, Managing Director of James Douglas, said: “Our expansion into Newport is a significant step forward. The success of the co-branding phase has demonstrated the strength and synergy of our teams. “Newport is an…