Author: Rhys Gregory

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has installed its third Rainbow Bench ahead of the Barry Pride festival this summer. Featuring an arcing prism of colours across its width, the bench is in Central Park, near the town centre, where the LGBTQ+ celebration event begins on June 15. This will be the third seat of its kind in the Vale, with others already in place on Cowbridge High St and Barry Island Promenade. Another is also due to be unveiled at another Vale location in the near future. Cllr Ruba Sivagnanam, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Equalities…

A project that ran through 2024 will provide stronger support for an under-threat bird returning to Denbighshire this year. Denbighshire County Council’s Biodiversity Team last year launched a project to provide better protection for swifts nesting across the county. Swifts visit the UK during the summer, flying nearly 3,400 miles from spending the winter in Africa to breed in the UK. They pair for life returning to the same site each time. They like to nest in homes and churches, using small gaps in the roofs. However, as older buildings are renovated, roof gaps closed and new builds designed differently,…

A Resilient Roads scheme will begin at the pictured section of the A4059 near Mountain Ash, to reduce flooding at this key location. The majority of work can be undertaken while maintaining two-way traffic flow. The Council has secured an 90% Welsh Government funding contribution for this scheme – with the first phase of work, lasting around three weeks, starting from Wednesday, January 15. The remaining funding has been met within the Council’s Highways and Transportation Capital Programme for 2024/25. Phase one of the scheme will install a new culvert, along with associated inspection chambers. The culvert will direct rainwater…

The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10K and 2K Run are set to return on Sunday 11th May 2025, offering runners of all abilities the chance to take part in one of South Wales’ most exciting and scenic running events. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, entering your first race, or simply want to enjoy the thrill of running in a vibrant community atmosphere, this event is for you. Starting and finishing on Crescent Road, the 10K route takes runners through the heart of Caerphilly town, with the stunning Caerphilly Castle as a constant backdrop. The course is mostly flat with some…

Caerphilly Council has appointed agents Avison Young to help deliver a bright new future for Llancaiach Fawr Manor House. The council took the difficult decision to temporarily close the site at the end of December while options are explored to run the venue in a different way in future. Interest has already been received from potential third party operators, who could take on the site and run it in a commercial capacity, without significant council subsidy. The agents will now progress discussions with interested parties as part of the formal marketing of the site. Deputy Leader Cllr. Jamie Pritchard, said,…

Monmouthshire County Council has published its draft budget for the 2025/26 financial year, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged residents. With a proposed net revenue budget of £216million, an 8% increase from the 2024/25 budget. The draft budget prioritises essential neighbourhood services which are critical for maintaining the quality of life in the communities and preserving our environment for future generations. In a commitment to enhancing frontline services, Social Care and Health funding is set to rise by 10.6%, while Education funding will increase by 10.7%. Additionally, more than £2million will be allocated for capital investment in crucial infrastructure,…

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, visited Cardiff University to see how a £12.2m investment is accelerating their progress towards carbon reduction. The investment is part of a wider £20m loan funding for universities to help the reach their low carbon emissions. It has helped the University improve older building by installing energy efficient lighting, new windows and heat pumps. This is part of the university’s wider sustainability journey, where it provides electric vehicle charging and is working to electrify its fleet. Funding has come from the Welsh Government’s Digarbon programme for…

An award-winning logistics company has developed an innovative emissions management tool that has saved enough carbon emissions for a HGV to travel around the world 120 times, thanks to Welsh Government support. The state-of-the-art software, which has been pioneered by Freight Logistics Solutions (FLS), has so far cut 600,000kg of carbon emissions – enough to cover 3.3 million miles. Pontypool-based firm FLS, which delivers technology-driven logistics services across the UK, Europe and internationally, received in SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) funding from Welsh Government to develop its bespoke Emissions Manager. The software eliminates empty mileage by connecting customers to FLS’…

In the world of manufacturing, where durability and precision are very important, the industry of rubber metal parts stands out as a testament to engineering excellence. From train components to industrial machinery, rubber metal parts play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and longevity of countless products. But what goes on behind the scenes in the creation of these vital components? Let’s delve into the fascinating world of rubber metal parts manufacturing.  The Art of Fusion: Combining Rubber and Metal At the heart of rubber metal parts manufacturing lies the intricate process of combining two seemingly disparate materials: rubber…

In a highly competitive retail landscape, stores need to be strategic about how they promote products in order to maximise profits. One of the most effective ways for retailers to create profitable promotions is through the use of data analytics. By leveraging customer and sales data, retailers can gain valuable insights to develop targeted promotions that will resonate with shoppers and drive higher sales. Analyse Customer Demographics and Preferences The first step is to analyse customer demographics and purchase preferences. Retailers can examine data from loyalty programmes, website traffic, social media, and point-of-sale transactions to build profiles of their best…