Author: Rhys Gregory

Plans to make Swansea one of the best cities in the UK for skateboarding, BMX bikes and similar sports are to be given a £2m boost. Swansea Council has pledged to invest an extra £1m on top of £1m already committed into developing state-of-the-art facilities across the city, providing better opportunities for skateboarders, scooter riders, BMX lovers and inline skaters. Following a wide procurement process, international skate park experts – Curve Studio –  were appointed to map existing facilities, assess conditions and opportunities, and help deliver consultation to shape the ambitious plans. Now the council is committing further funding to the…

Swansea’s first-ever Arts Weekend is set to make a cultural splash early next month in a combination of live music, comedy, dance, immersive exhibitions and performances and interactive art workshops. Swansea Arts Weekend will offer lots of free arts workshops, performances and exhibitions alongside ticketed live music events for visitors to enjoy. Two new, free events have been curated for the festival: We Are All Artists, taking place across five galleries in Swansea, and Olympic Fusion, an immersive dance performance at Swansea’s Museum Park. The third headline event is the ever-popular Swansea Fringe festival of music, comedy, and theatre also…

Neath Port Talbot Council in partnership with Tai Tarian and Cardiff University’s Welsh School of Architecture has secured £250,000 from the UK Governments Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to create Swansea Bay’s first Homes As Power Stations’ (HAPS) demonstration houses that will inform and inspire the wider industry and local residents to support the acceleration in the use of technology to create cleaner, greener, more energy efficient homes. The Homes As Power Stations (HAPS) project, led by Neath Port Talbot council is one of Swansea Bay City Deal’s initiatives to accelerate the decarbonisation of homes in the Swansea Bay area. The…

School leaders from Pakistan have visited two schools in Wales to learn about Community Focused Schools, family engagement and school governance. Community Focused Schools aim to tackle the impact poverty has on educational attainment. They offer support to children by creating a strong link between the school, families and local community through collaboration. Engagement with families has been shown to improve the attendance, attainment and the behaviour and wellbeing of children and learners. Community engagement also provides benefits for learners and their families and create empowered and connected communities. The Welsh Government’s ambition is for all schools in Wales to…

A project celebrating the rich heritage of cricket in Wales is one of six cultural schemes to receive funding from the Welsh Government. More than £246,000 will support the Museum of Welsh Cricket, based in Sophia Gardens, for their project ‘Cricket has been, and still is, a game for everyone’. The exhibition celebrates the deep culture and history of cricket, highlighting the contributions of women, LGBTQ+ people and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. The funding is being used to improve the collections’ care, add new technology and create public art murals. The Cultural Transformation Capital Grant Programme helps organisations…

Measures to reform the local tax system in Wales, including non-domestic rates and council tax, have become law following the official sealing of the Local Government Finance (Wales) Act. The new legislation, which was passed by the Senedd in July, establishes a series of changes to improve the tax systems. It will make them fairer and work better for the future needs of Wales, by ensuring local taxes reflect economic circumstances more regularly. It has introduced important changes to the local tax system and created a framework for a modern Wales, providing the necessary levers to adapt local taxation in the…

Though entertaining may be a joy, it’s important to ensure your house is as free of allergens as is practicable for people who suffer from allergies. Cultivating a relaxed ecosystem for each guest is vital, no matter whether you are organizing an intimate amassing or an intimate get-together. These are five practical suggestions that can help you maintain an allergy-free house and guarantee that your visitors enjoy a comfortable visit. 1. Upgrade to the Best Air Filters for Allergies Acquiring quality air filters is one of the most essential actions to maintaining your home clean and free of allergens. Allergens…

Framed prints have been a cornerstone of interior design for centuries, evolving from revered art pieces in grand palaces to accessible decor items that grace everyday homes. This transformation reflects broader changes in art, culture, and design trends. Understanding the journey of framed prints offers insight into their enduring appeal and their current role in modern interiors. The Origins: Framed Art in Classical and Renaissance Periods The earliest use of framed art dates back to the classical and Renaissance periods when artworks were commissioned to adorn the walls of churches, palaces, and noble homes. These framed pieces were often religious…

A former bakery may prove to have ingredients for a new business venture as long as you bear in mind the oven hasn’t baked for thirty years and a car included in the sale doesn’t have a key The link detached house in Llanelli, where bread was once baked is being sold by South Wales-based Paul Fosh Auctions With a Citroen car coming as part of the deal, three bedroom 13, Black Lion Road, Gorslas, Llanelli, is listed with a guide price of £163,000. Angie Davey, of Paul Fosh Auctions, said: “It’s not often we sell former bakeries and even…

Alesi Surgical – a Cardiff-based company with a novel technology to manage smoke created by surgical tools in operating theatres – has raised £5m in a funding round led by Mercia Ventures and including existing investors IP Group and Panakès Partners. The latest funding, which brings the total raised by the company to date to over £21m, comes as Alesi has secured FDA clearance in the US for the IonPencil, the first surgical tool to incorporate its technology for use in routine surgery, which represents approximately 80% of all surgical procedures. The hazards of smoke generated by electronic surgical tools…