Author: Rhys Gregory

Work has been completed on five new energy-efficient bungalows on the site of the former ambulance station in Nelson, Caerphilly. Not-for-profit housing association United Welsh worked with Caerphilly County Borough Council and Welsh Government to bring these high quality, energy-efficient homes to the community. The two-bedroom bungalows have been built with high insulation and have achieved the top energy efficiency rating of EPC-A. Air source heat pumps supply heating and hot water instead of gas, and solar panels on the rooves convert sunlight into electricity to power the homes, reducing the impact on the environment and lowering energy bills for…

A mum-of-four is a key part of the team in the build of a local school, just months after fearing she would struggle to get back into the construction industry. Sarah Morgan followed her passion of working in construction after a career in retail, and she progressed rapidly including gaining her qualifications to operate site machinery. However, the 34-year-old faced an uphill battle to re-enter the industry she loves after being let go by her former employer when she lost her driving licence. Finding a role that was commutable and fitted in with family life proved challenging and coupled with Sarah’s…

Swansea University will play a key role in new healthcare and data science partnership between the UK and Singapore. SeRP (Secure eResearch Platform) and SAIL Databank, based in Population Data Science at Swansea University Medical School, are a pivotal part of a groundbreaking collaboration between Health Data Research UK (HDR UK) and the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF). A Memorandum of Understanding has just been signed to formalise this partnership, strengthening ties between the UK and Singapore as well as setting the stage for globally impactful health data research. The partnership will explore innovative ways to harness data for improving patient outcomes through secure and…

A Cardiff drug dealer caught with cocaine and cash has been jailed. Kamil Ernest, 19, of Grangetown, Cardiff wasn’t at his family home in Fairwater when police officers turned up unannounced on July 9. But officers located him in a nearby park where they searched him and found hundreds of pounds in cash and wraps of crack cocaine. Ernest was carrying a mobile phone which seized by officers and found to contain evidence of bulk messaging linked to the supply of cocaine and heroin. Ernest pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and possessing crack cocaine…

Barry Island is seeing a proper tidy rise in customers as new trains and the return of some old favourites give the area a welcome boost. More than 100,000 people caught the train to the Island in July and August, a huge rise from 57,000 the previous year. The increase follows the June timetable change where the brand new four carriage Class 231 trains began running to Barry and Barry Island. It was also confirmed in May that much loved BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey would return to screens for one final time this Christmas, sparking a fresh wave of…

s part of a master planning programme aiming to regenerate Bridgend town centre over the next ten years, the proposed Bridgend College development will be built on the former South Wales Police Station and Brackla One multi storey car park at Cheapside. Set to open in September 2026, the campus will encompass two new buildings at Cheapside that will provide exceptional teaching and learning facilities, including a theatre, hair and beauty salons, recording and dance studios, design workshops and more. The demolition of the police station took place in June last year, and the removal of the multi storey car…

One of Cardiff’s finest buildings could be brought back to life after lying empty over a year, if a financial loans package to cover refurbishment costs is agreed by Cardiff Council. On Thursday, October 17, the council’s Cabinet will be asked to accept a recommendation to authorise an additional loan of £1,630,000 under the Welsh Government’s Town Centre Regeneration scheme to help deal with the increased cost of refurbishing Park House to meet heritage requirements, extending the original loan of £950,000. Park House, a Grade 1 listed building designed by the renowned Victorian architect William Burges for Lord Bute, has…

The popular Spooks in the City event makes a welcome return to Swansea on Saturday, October 26. This free annual event forms part of Swansea Council’s ongoing efforts, to offer families high-quality fun days which are either free or low cost. For the second year, the spooktacular fun day will be held at St David’s Place, near the former Iceland store and just across the Copr Bay bridge from Swansea Arena. Supported by Childcare Offer for Wales. As part of the calendar of events run by Swansea Council, the promises to be ghoulishly good fun with Halloween-themed entertainment, interactive activities…

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) has announced a £900,030 grant for historic Margam Castle as part of £30m given to 15 UK projects marking 30 years since the charity’s inception. Reimagining Margam Castle, Port Talbot receives the money to fund much-needed capital works to restore the building, ensuring sustainability and accessibility are at the fore, and facilitating enhanced community engagement through the construction of mixed-use public spaces. The exciting and ambitious project is aimed at ensuring the future of the iconic castle building itself while also bringing in new uses to attract new audiences and greater income. Rooms that…

RCT Council has provided an update on the Riverside Footbridge replacement in Llwydcoed – with the new structure having recently been assembled on site and lifted into place, ahead of its planned opening to the public in November. The former footbridge provided a key link for pedestrians and cyclists between the community of Llwydcoed and the Cynon Trail, but the structure was in a poor condition and needed to be replaced. A significant replacement scheme started in July, and it will install a new structure that is wider and more suitable for the community. The scheme is being delivered using…