Author: Rhys Gregory

Management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be included in the Universal Baseline Payment for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies has confirmed this week. The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs made the announcement after a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) round table at the Royal Welsh Show. He said: “While final decisions on Scheme design will not be taken until the current work with stakeholders has concluded, the overwhelming feedback we have had, including through the consultation, is that SSSIs should be included in the Universal Baseline Payment. “Having further determined that habitat maintenance…

The long-anticipated refurbishment and repair of the children’s play area in Glyncoed, Ebbw Vale have been completed, much to the delight of the local community. The Council’s Street Scene team, in collaboration with specialist contractors Touchline, have successfully transformed the play area, which is now open for the public to enjoy. The newly refurbished play area boasts innovative floor designs, including a vibrant snakes and ladders game, alongside significant upgrades to the existing equipment. The sports area, frequently used for football and netball, has also seen extensive improvements. The before and after pictures show a dramatic transformation, with the play…

Following the appointment as Chair of the Council, Cllr Su McConnel has been busy visiting a number of organisations and events across the county and speaking to residents. Cllr Su McConnel was elected as Chair of Council on the 16th of May and will be in post for the Civic Year 2024/25. Cllr McConnell is a member of the council for the Croesonen ward. Over the last week, Cllr McConnel has visited schools and the Youth Service conference to learn more about topics that are important to children and young people right across Monmouthshire and share her experiences working for the…

Although it may sound like a small thing, the disassembly and reassembly of office furniture are actually annoying steps in any relocation process. Probably, doing anything in an orderly manner requires planning, organization, and orchestration. Therefore, this article will serve as a detailed guide to disassembling and reassembling office furniture in an orderly manner. It will cover all the essential aspects to make your move hassle-free. Plаnning аnԁ Preраrаtion First of all, plan and prepare well before you start dismantling the furniture. This means taking inventory of everything that will be moved and deciding what will be disassembled and what…

Bangor-based Snowdon Timber Products is eyeing up expansion of sales into Europe after experiencing vast growth during the past year. The Llandygai Industrial Estate-based business, which was established towards the end of 2019, has experienced a fluctuation in sales following Covid but following a £100,000 finance package it has unlocked a stream of potential business avenues and is optimistic about the future. Director of Snowdon Timber Products, Jody Goode, explains: “There have been so many market variations that we’ve had to navigate since Covid and Brexit. Not only have we had to work our way through fluctuating market prices, whilst…

An artisan brownie bakery in North Wales is looking to grow after an investment by Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE. Grazed Bakery in Wrexham, run by husband and wife Mark and Renee Thompson, aims to create five jobs following the £50,000 investment by business-backers UKSE. The couple have turned what started as a small-scale baking operation into an expanding commercial business, retaining its family-run values and artisan approach and always with an eye on sustainability. Having set up the business as Covid hit the UK, they battled through relying on the quality of their products and personal service, posting small orders to…

The owners of one of Wales’ leading luxury country house hotels have added a neighbouring country pub to their estate, assuring existing customers that it will remain their ‘local’. Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, from Palé Hall, at Llandderfel, near Bala in April, have now purchased The Bryntirion Inn, which is situated at the bottom of the hotel’s drive. The pub is now closed for refurbishment until late August. Recruited to run the pub is Dan Tustain who discovered by chance that he’s following in the footsteps of his grandfather, John, who was also landlord of The Bryntirion Inn more than…

A group of young artists have been inspired by the dazzling dementia-friendly  gardens at a care organisation. Pupils from  Gwersyllt CP Primary School joined residents for an alfresco art class amid the multi-coloured blooms in the11-acre grounds of Pendine Park in Wrexham. The glorious displays are the work of head gardener Andrew Jones and his team and are much admired for their wonderful colours and for their therapeutic value as well. When the sun is out especially residents don’t just sit out among the blossoms but can walk among them, according to award-winning Bodlondeb home manager Ann Chapman who said: “The…

A celebration of the first two years of nursing education at Aberystwyth University will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground today. The first cohort of nursing students began their studies at Aberystwyth University in early September 2022. The University has created a suite of high-quality clinical practice rooms within its new Healthcare Education Centre, which is located opposite Bronglais Hospital in the town. The £1.7 million development was supported by a grant of £500,000 from the Welsh Government. Nursing education at Aberystwyth University has been developed with the support of several partners, including Hywel Dda, Betsi Cadwaladr and Powys…

Leading partnerships developer Lovell and its partner Newport City Homes have officially commenced construction on the latest stage of the Ringland Regeneration project in Newport. The large-scale transformation programme will bring a new lease of life to the Ringland area of Newport and has been developed in close consultation with the local community. It will involve the delivery of 158 new homes and the relocation of the Ringland shopping centre, ensuring that residents can continue to take pride in their community. The £47 million project is set to be delivered over four phases, with construction work due to complete in…