Author: Rhys Gregory

Neath Port Talbot Council is holding drop-in events to give town centre business operators valuable information on grants, business support and other resources to help their ventures thrive. The Town Centre Business Engagement events will give operators the chance of face-to-face meetings with council officers and key services such as Town Centre Support, Safer NPT and the Business and Economic Development team. The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, will also be at the three events discussing the challenges faced by those running our town centre shops, cafes, pubs and other vital businesses – and the opportunities…

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Julie James, has visited the Grade II listed building, Yr Hen Farchnad (The Old Market), in Llandeilo. The market was a key part of Llandeilo’s history before becoming disused and falling into a state of disrepair. It was then placed on the ‘buildings at risk register’ having been classified as vulnerable in 2007. Now, there is no longer a trace of that ‘vulnerable’ building as the iconic market space has been completely renovated and revitalised, by Carmarthenshire County Council, bringing employment opportunities and event space to the heart of the town.…

AN historic multi award winning south Wales valleys pub at the centre of its community for decades which has hosted stars of screen and politics has a new starring role. Treorchy’s imposing Pencelli Hotel, reputed to have been a favoured haunt of Hollywood megastars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, could have a glittering future after being sold at auction. The  Rhondda valley pub, which can trace its history back to the eighteenth century, listed with guide price of £173,000 sold for £180,000 after attracting a total of five bids from three bidders. The former hostelry, on Pencai Terrace, next to…

Two South Wales businesses enjoyed double success at a leading Welsh work-based learning provider’s annual awards dinner. The Celtic Collection, a group of business and leisure brands including the iconic Celtic Manor Resort in Newport and The Green Giraffe Nursery, Cardiff collected two awards each. In addition to winning the Large Employer of the Year accolade, The Celtic Collectioncelebrated employee Kieran Ray, who works at the Celtic Manor Resort, being named Apprentice of the Year at Cambrian Training Company’s annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards. John Eagle, The Celtic Collection’s learning development manager, said: “We are very proud to win…

Dame Shirley Bassey returned home to Cardiff last week to attend the premiere of the Royal Welsh College’s Musical Theatre students’ production of ‘Sweet Charity’. The show features the song Dame Shirley made her own, ‘Hey Big Spender,’ and after seeing the show she ‘spent a little time’ with the students backstage, chatting to the cast and crew. ‘It was a fabulous show and I want to congratulate everyone involved,’ said Dame Shirley.  ‘Whenever I see the Royal Welsh College students perform, I feel happy that I can support training that was not available to me when I was young.…

St David’s Cardiff is hosting what it hopes will be the city’s biggest friendship bracelet kit giveaway on 8th June, ahead of Taylor Swift’s visit to the capital on the 18th. Swifties visiting the city shopping destination during the day will be gifted one of 2,000 free friendship bracelet-making kits in the St David’s Friendship Bracelet Lucky Dip to celebrate The Eras Tour coming to Cardiff. The bracelet kits have been designed and commissioned by St David’s and feature Taylor Swift’s song titles from her 11 studio albums. A select number of the kits also feature song titles translated into…

The 12th Montgomery Canal Triathlon has been declared a success, having attracted 175 entrants from across Britain and as far away as France and Holland. The entrants covered the 27 miles from Newtown to Crickheath, near Oswestry by cycle, canoe and on foot, with most of them attempting all three sections. The event is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal to raise money for the restoration of the canal and is supported by the Canal & River Trust. Councillor Mike Childs, deputy mayor of Newtown, set the entrants on their way on bicycles and they changed to canoes…

Jane Byrd, Managing Director of Compass Cymru has been announced as a 2024 Role Model by WiHTL as part of their groundbreaking ‘2024 Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail Index.’ WiHTL & Diversity in Retail is the only Collaboration Community dedicated to advancing EDI in the Hospitality, Travel, Leisure, and Retail sectors. Produced in partnership with The MBS Group, the Index shines a spotlight on champions from across the industry. Jane was among 75 champions from around the UK, recognised for their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.  Jane is a strong advocate for equity, diversity…

We understand that divorce is a difficult and emotional time. However, for those navigating this process, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits of reaching a divorce settlement. A divorce settlement is a formal agreement that outlines how you and your ex-spouse will divide your finances and property and, if you have children, how you will co-parent moving forward. While emotions may be running high, having a clear and fair settlement in place can provide much-needed security and clarity as you deal with your separation. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the benefits of agreeing to the terms of…

South West Wales Connected and Severnside Community Rail Partnership recently launched a new poetry collection on the theme of rail ‘Train of Thought: A Poetry Anthology Inspired by Rail Routes from Taunton to West Wales.’ The anthology was funded thanks to our Community Rail Challenge fund with the two community rail partnerships working with established poetry groups across their regions, to deliver a series of poetry workshops followed by the invitation to write and submit poems in response to the question: What does the railway mean to you? More than 100 submissions were received after the workshops, and from these…