Author: Rhys Gregory

An international festival dedicated to the importance of photography will be hosted in Newport in May. The Eye International Photography Festival will take place at venues across the city from 15-17 May. It will be the first time that Newport, famous throughout the photography world for the legendary Documentary Photography course started in the 1970s by Magnum photographer David Hurn, has hosted the festival. The festival was established in 2012 by ex-Newport student photojournalist Glenn Edwards with a promise to bring the world’s best photographers to Wales. Previous editions, which have been held in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre, have featured…

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s flagship Ty Darran later living scheme in Risca has been officially opened. Residents and guests were entertained by Risca Male Voice Choir before the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by the Council’s Leader, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, and Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Shayne Cook. Ty Darran is an innovative development, unlike anything the Council has delivered before, and built to the highest levels of energy efficiency. The scheme, delivered by construction expert Willmott Dixon, provides 45 high-quality later living apartments, each with its own private outdoor space, alongside a range of multi-purpose indoor…

Blaenau Gwent Council has this week approved its budget which continues to protect key services, support vulnerable residents, and keeps the Council Tax rise as low as possible at 3.75%. With constructive working between members of the Labour and Independent groups, the Council Tax increase is lower than originally planned, demonstrating a shared commitment from political leaders to minimise the impact on households in Blaenau Gwent. An improved funding settlement from Welsh Government, together with a range of efficiencies. The revenue budget, alongside the capital programme, will deliver increased investment for schools, environmental services, and highways, while maintaining support for…

A defence sector company has purchased Welsh Government land in Powys to develop and test new military equipment for defence clients. BANAIR has purchased two plots at Wyeside Enterprise Park, in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, and has started testing its own-design lightweight aluminium vehicle bridging system at the site. Spanning up to 30 metres, the equipment is being developed to enable military operations to cross water or gaps over dry land, and BANAIR is developing this capability with direct innovation support grant funding. BANAIR – which is headquartered in the West Midlands and operates from multiple sites, including manufacturing facilities in…

A new collection will provide learners with greater opportunities to learn about their local area and the diverse history of Wales. Launched by Adnodd, the national body for educational resources for the Curriculum for Wales, the collection resources cover eras of Welsh history from the Celtic and Roman times through to the modern day. They will help schools tell a range of stories, like the history of Wales’s coal and slate mining industries, the drowning of Cwm Tryweryn and the Aberfan disaster. The Hanes Cymru collection also includes tips for teachers and learners to discover their Cynefin – their own…

The second phase of work on the Menai Suspension Bridge is continuing to progress as it reaches a further stage next week. The further work on the crossbeams has been successfully completed, and the next stage will see the lifting of the scaffold, known as the Aerotruss, to the underdeck. To allow this to happen a tidal flow traffic management system, will be in place from March 9th for a period of approximately six days, to facilitate the preparation and installation of equipment required for underdeck painting and bearing maintenance operations. From 7am – 1pm traffic will be able to…

Welsh Mountain Zoo has confirmed that one of its chimpanzees, Mellony, has experienced the loss of a stillborn infant. In a statement on Facebook, the zoo said Mellony is currently holding onto her baby, which is a natural and instinctive behaviour commonly observed in chimpanzees following such a loss. Staff have placed warning signs at the entrances to the chimpanzee viewing areas to alert visitors that the situation may be upsetting, and keepers are available to answer any questions from the public. Zoo officials said their priority is the wellbeing of the entire chimpanzee troop and that Mellony and her…

AN INCLUSIVE member support specialist has secured a flagship national contract to provide services for a groundbreaking arts access scheme for disabled people. The win marks the launch of The People Connective, a specialist member support business appointed by Arts Council England to deliver the accessible helpdesk for its flagship All In programme. Based in Sandycroft, Deeside, the firm is part of The Card Network, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is entering a major growth phase following new ownership. Marketing Director Suzi Peake said: “This is a hugely proud moment for our whole team. Accessibility has always…

Bathgate Business Finance, the West Kirby-based business finance specialist, has expanded its operations with the launch of a base at M-SParc in Garwen, Wales. Officially opened in 2018 and part of the University of Bangor network, M-SParc is a hub for knowledge-based businesses, innovation, and digital growth in North Wales. As part of its partnership, Bathgate will provide dedicated support with business finance for tenants, as well as businesses operating across North Wales. The initiative is led by Bathgate Director and business development manager (BDM), Ian Adams, who lives in North Wales, and BDM, Gary Beggs, who will offer free…

This summer at TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion just got even hotter – with more special guests announced.   Joining this year’s sizzling line up are 80s inspired contemporary pop band Deco, and Welsh rising DJ star Katie Owen, adding even more excitement to a blockbuster run of shows in the heart of North Wales.  Kicking off the summer in style – and opening the very first show of the season ahead of beloved pop icon Rick Astley’s debut headline performance at the pavilion on Wednesday June 24 – will be retro-loving party starters Deco.   Then Wales’ very own…