Author: Rhys Gregory

Aldi has transitioned its owned lorry fleet in Cardiff to operate on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuels. The move is taking place on all 73 of its HGVs based at its Cardiff distribution centre, with similar numbers converted in two other regions. Together, the move is expected to reduce the supermarket’s carbon footprint by approximately 15,432 tonnes of CO2e per year. HVO is a diesel alternative that significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional diesel. If implemented across Aldi’s entire UK fleet of more than 550 HGVs, the change could eliminate an estimated 55,130 tonnes of CO2e per year. Liz Fox, National Sustainability Director…

Regimental Cleaning Services, a South Wales based provider of commercial and industrial cleaning solutions, has been awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award by the UK Government. This honour places the company among an elite group of organisations nationwide that have received this accolade for their outstanding support of the Armed Forces community. The award was officially presented to Regimental Cleaning Services at a ceremony held at HMS Cambria in Cardiff on September 26, 2024. This accolade is the highest badge of honour given to organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting defence personnel and inspiring others to…

A STUNNED engineer is one of 11 people from a Welsh village to win a £1 million lottery prize and now he’ll get his first passport and take his first-ever flight IN FIRST CLASS . Grant Williams, 52, is dreaming of adventures abroad with wife Katrina after bagging £83,333 with People’s Postcode Lottery. Born and bred in Nantymoel, Bridgend, Grant has never wandered too far from his beloved home, but now he’s set to see the world. And the dad-of-two, who was born in the front room of his family house, thanked his late mum for ‘playing a part’ in…

Business confidence in Wales rose one point during September to 36%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in Wales reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up one point at 36%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down one point to 27%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 36% (vs. 35% in August). Looking ahead to the next six months, Welsh businesses identified their top target areas for growth as evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products or services (56%), investing in their team, for example by…

Green Man Festival, Wales’ largest independent music, science and arts festival, has sold out in record time with all tickets for its 2025 edition sold in just 60 minutes. Without announcing its line-up and 11 months prior to the festival, Green Man is the first festival in the UK to completely sell out. Entering its 23rd year, tickets went on sale for the festival at 10am on Saturday (28th September) and sold out by 11am. The 25,000 capacity a day festival is set to return to the Black Mountains in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park in Wales from the 14th…

This convicted drug dealer has been ordered to pay back more than £80K of ill-gotten gains. John Kear, from Sandfields, Port Talbot, was handed a seven-year and two-month jail term in March this year, after he was found with more than four kilos of cocaine stashed at his self-storage unit in Baglan. During the sentencing hearing, the court was told businessman Kear was “pressured” in to storing the drugs for other criminals, and was paid for doing so. But our financial investigators told a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing this week that the 57-year-old had benefitted from his criminal…

Swansea’s historic Albert Hall was officially reopened on Friday September 27. Led by Welsh firm LoftCo, the development includes a food court, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, accommodation and a children’s play area. Supported by the Welsh Government through the Transforming Towns initiative, the restoration and transformation of the 160-year-old building is one part of a £1bn regeneration programme that’s unfolding across Swansea. Schemes led by Swansea Council include work to restore and transform the historic Palace Theatre building on High Street, which is soon due to reopen. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “It’s great to have the Albert…

A TOP FEMALE choir whose commitment to music and friendship has made them a cherished part of the local cultural scene will be taking part in the Mayor of Neath Port Talbot’s Remembrance Concert this year. This is the first time an all-female choir has taken part in the popular annual event which will once again be hosted by singer songwriter and radio and TV personality Mal Pope. A sell-out at their shows, the Valley Rock Voices choir has supported the likes of Max Boyce and tenor Wynne Evans who is currently appearing in Strictly Come Dancing. Choir founder and…

Santa Claus is packing up his grotto and flying into our town centres this year and he’s bringing a Santa sack full of fun with him! Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s events team will be assisting Santa as always and are pleased to deliver Christmas Events in the following town centres: 29th November 3pm – 6.30pm Ferndale, Lime Street Car Park 30th November 12pm – 5pm Tonypandy, De-Winton Street Car Park 5th December 3pm – 6.30pm Porth, Porth Plaza Car Park 6th December 3pm – 6.30pm Llantrisant, Gwaunruperra Road Car Park 7th December 12pm – 5pm Mountain Ash, Henry Street Car…

On Thursday, 26 September 2024, Monmouthshire County Council announced the launch of Wales’s first Autism in Schools and Setting Programme. The primary goal of this new programme is to improve education for autistic children and young people in Monmouthshire, contributing to the development of a truly inclusive educational system in the county and beyond This pioneering initiative will ensure that all autistic learners can access an education that meets their needs, enabling them to participate in, benefit from, and enjoy learning. The programme’s vision is to provide all autistic children and young people in Monmouthshire with a positive and inclusive education that supports their…