Author: Rhys Gregory

Following a rigorous recruitment process, the Commissioners for South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority are pleased to announce the appointment of Air Vice-Marshal Fin Monahan OBE DFC PhD as the new Chief Fire Officer. Commissioner Carl Foulkes, chair of the appointment panel, said: “Throughout this recruitment process, the Commissioners were acutely aware of the importance of finding an exceptional leader to guide the Service through the cultural and organisational changes it faces. “The Morris Review published in January called on the Service to broaden its approach to recruitment for senior level posts, which is why we extended the search outside…

Bangor University and Menai Science Park (M-SParc) unveil plans for the second building on the M-SParc site designed to solidify North Wales as a powerhouse for low carbon innovation. The plan to build a second building has taken a step forward as designs for the new building are unveiled for the first time. This project aims to leverage Bangor University’s academic strength and M-SParc’s business expertise to create a diverse and thriving economic base, supporting the region’s transition to a low-carbon future. With a focus on creating high-quality jobs and upskilling opportunities, the project, known as the Egni Project, will drive…

A TALENTED creative added a splash of colour to the leadership of a pioneering sports, advertising, exhibitions and signage business. Rowan Freeman is now a director of the award-winning Dragon Group, based in Cardiff and Radstock, near Bath. The company – which has clients across the UK and beyond – includes Dragon Signs, Dragon Digital, Route Media, Sportin Wales and Colour Studios, the exhibition and display arm of the Group that Rowan will head-up as part of her wider remit. Employing more than 80 people, the organisation is led by Managing Director Rhys Harrington and has poured significant investment into…

Visitors to Newport can now enjoy their own private mini-cinema experience, thanks to a new luxury pod business which has opened in Newport city centre. Cosy Cinema was started by former Newport RFC player John Colderley and his wife Sian when they opened a cinema pod at their home in Dinas Powys in 2020. They went on to open to a multi-pod site at a caravan park in Pontcanna, Cardiff in 2022. The new venue in Newport is their third location. Their venues offer customers access to glamping-style luxury pods fitted with large screens, allowing them to watch streams or…

Aberystwyth University is the top university in Wales for student satisfaction for the ninth year in a row according to the latest survey of students’ opinions on the quality of their courses. The 2024 edition of the National Student Survey (NSS), which is published today Wednesday 10 July, has been compiled using over 345,000 student responses from across the UK. Based on the higher education institutions featured in the latest edition of The Times / Sunday Times Good University Guide, Aberystwyth features in the UK top 5 for ‘Organisation and Management’ and ‘Learning Resources’ and in the top 10 in…

Monmouthshire Building Society (MBS) has announced the launch of its MBS Community Academy, a groundbreaking pilot programme aimed at creating real career opportunities for individuals in our communities. The MBS Community Academy will offer up to six paid entry-level placements for a duration of 12 months, providing candidates with the necessary skills and knowledge to kickstart their careers. At the end of the placement candidates will have the opportunity to apply for any permanent roles available at the Society. The academy will be open to anyone aged over 16, with no upper age limit. The Society have also removed any…

A 49-year-old man has been jailed after walking into a woman’s home uninvited and sexually assaulting her while she slept. Ian Wynne Williams, of Mount Road, Llanfairfechan intruded into the woman’s home and took off his clothes before getting into her bed. He appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Monday July 8th, after he was found guilty of sexual assault and knowingly trespassing with intent to commit a sex offence. The incident happened in December 2022 when the woman was suddenly awoken to someone cuddling her from behind. She screamed, alerting her son, who forced Williams out of the house.…

A popular local bus service is to reinstate its evening journeys next month following a successful bid by Bridgend County Borough Council for Welsh Government funding. The council will use part of a £1.6m Bus Network Grant to support First Cymru in offering additional journeys on the Number 70 Bridgend to Cymmer service. Starting on Monday 5 August 2024, the service, which already travels from Bridgend town centre to Cymmer and back up to 10 times a day, will operate three extra evening journeys between Monday and Saturday, and one additional journey in the morning from Cymmer to Bridgend at…

Every primary pupil in Swansea will be offered free school meals when children return from the summer holidays in September. It means Swansea will have hit the target set by Welsh Government for all primary aged children to receive the offer in 2024. Currently all pupils up to and including Year Five are eligible but from September it will be extended to Year Six as well, helping all families with the cost of living. It means that more than 18,000 pupils will be able to eat for free during term time in Swansea. More than £4m has been invested in…

The handover of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke has been completed, with Gareth Rees, Project Manager with Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd handing the keys to the new school to Executive Headteacher Dafydd Hughes on July 8th. Following the award of the contract for the design and build of the new school, Morgan Sindall commenced work on the site in March 2023. Rob Williams, Operations Director for Morgan Sindall said that it had been a privilege to work on such a landmark project, the school being the first in Pembrokeshire to be delivered meeting stringent Net…