Author: Rhys Gregory

North Wales Police have growing concerns for 33-year-old Rowan, who has been missing from the Bangor area since Sunday evening, December 1st. Multi-agency searches were launched earlier this week on Monday December 2nd, which subsequently led to his car being found near to South Stack lighthouse. Searches by the coastguard and police to locate him are continuing today. Sergeant Maggie Marshall said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the South Stack area on Sunday evening or on Monday, and may have seen Rowan or a turquoise Vauxhaull Astra, to contact us. “Searches to locate him are ongoing today,…

Passengers can now experience First Class for less on selected Transport for Wales (TfW) services thanks to a new partnership with Seatfrog. Seatfrog enables customers to buy or bid for First Class upgrades, meaning they could secure the best in comfort, hospitality and customer service at a fraction of the normal cost. It’s now available on some of TfW’s most popular journeys between Cardiff and Holyhead and Cardiff and Manchester. Johnathan Jones, Head of Network Growth at TfW, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Seatfrog to offer our customers the chance to experience First Class travel at a great…

After six years as Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council, Mark Shephard has confirmed that he intends to step down from the role and retire in 2025. Prior to accepting the position back in May 2019, Mark served as the council’s interim chief executive. Before that, he spent 30 years undertaking increasingly senior local government roles, the most recent of which was acting as a Corporate Director for Communities. By May 2025, I will have spent more than six years at the helm of the authority, and almost four decades working within local government, including both Bridgend County Borough…

Rhiwbina Primary School in North Cardiff are among 49 recipients across the UK to receive a sapling from the felled Sycamore Gap Tree, which stood at Hadrian’s Wall until it was unexpectedly cut down in September 2023. The National Trust made the announcement during National Tree Week after individuals, groups, and organisations across the UK were invited to apply for a sapling, marking the anniversary of the of the felling of the much-loved tree last year. Nearly 500 applications were received for the 49 saplings – one to represent each foot in height that the tree was at the time…

Major plans to create much needed, new and affordable housing in Swansea have taken a leap forward.  A planning application, submitted by Swansea Council, has now been approved for the development of 156 affordable homes in the Bonymaen community. A multidisciplinary team of architects, landscape architects and engineers from BDP, which has a studio in South Wales, is supporting the council in delivering the plans. The housing scheme is set to be developed in four phases along Brokesby Road, providing a mix of homes ranging from 1-bedroom flats, 2-bedroom bungalows, as well and 3 & 4-bedroom houses. The Council will…

The talent, skill and dedication of Pembrokeshire’s fantastic sporting community was celebrated at a glittering awards ceremony last week. The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 were held at Folly Farm on Friday November 29th. For the first time in 17 years, a new compere took charge after renowned sports journalist Bill Carne decided to hang up the microphone in 2023. Ceri Coleman-Phillips of BBC Wales Sport took up the presenting responsibilities with aplomb as the winners were revealed. The judges commented on how difficult their job had been to whittle the high-quality nominations down after 252 entries poured in from across…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has started work on constructing the new Coed Ely Solar Farm, which will provide enough power for around 8,000 homes annually and provide direct power for the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. This important project is set to deliver clean, green energy to the local community and significantly support the Council’s ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2030. Councillor Tina Leyshon, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Youth Participation, and Climate Change, commented: “It’s fantastic to see this project breaking ground as we begin the journey towards completing the Coed Ely Solar Farm. This ambitious project provides a…

A popular visitor attraction in Blackwood town centre has received a funding boost from the Arts Council for Wales. The future of Blackwood Miners Institute has been under consideration over recent months as Caerphilly county borough council explores options for the venue to be run in a different way in the future. The venue was due to close at the end of March 2025, but last month the council applied for funding from the Arts Council for Wales, which means that Blackwood Miners Institute can remain open for an extended period. Cllr Sean Morgan, Leader of Caerphilly Council said, “We…

People at risk of becoming seriously ill from flu and Covid-19 have a short window to protect themselves before the viruses are in wide circulation. One of Wales’s most senior doctors is concerned that many people with health conditions, which can increase the risk of hospitalisation from winter illnesses, have not yet taken up their offer of vaccination this year. The most recent data shows less than 30% of younger adults who are eligible have come forward for a free flu jab; 62% of people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated. Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr. Keith…

A leading civil engineering firm’s commitment to nurturing the future of the industry has taken another giant step forward thanks to eye-catching improvements to its higher apprenticeship scheme. For the first time, the Ruthin-headquartered contractor is running a full degree apprenticeship which includes a BEng (Hons) in civil engineering or a BSc (Hons) in quantity surveying. Nine new faces joined Jones Bros on 1 October for three weeks of work experience before starting their studies at Coleg Cambria, which has partnered with Wrexham University. Seven of the intake are part of the civil engineering programme, with those apprentices attending a…