Author: Rhys Gregory

A bold initiative to make Blaenau Gwent the first ‘Credit Union County’ in Wales is underway. The plan is to encourage residents to make more use of their local Community Bank as the main financial institutions continue to close their doors and retreat from communities. With that in mind, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) and Smart Money Cymru Community Bank have teamed up to spread the word that high quality banking is available to everyone in the area. Smart Money already has a strong presence in the County with 1600 members, and Chief Executive Mark White is confident this…

You may have heard many runners talk about hitting the dreaded wall while racing and wondered what it meant. Rather than bumping into a stack of bricks, it refers to a point in a race where it feels really difficult and as if your body can’t continue. It’s important to understand why this happens and the steps you can take to prevent it, so you can run at your best. Run 4 Wales Race Director, Steve Brace, who is a double Olympic marathoner, shares his advice: What does hitting the wall actually mean? Hitting the wall is a result of…

A technology company has chosen West Wales as the centre of operations for its global customer base, helping to strengthen the Welsh tech sector and opening up opportunities for local people in Ceredigion. Delineate, a research technology company pioneering new ways of gathering consumer insights – and whose customers include major food and drink brands, will be based in Ceredigion. Transforming Towns, a Welsh Government initiative administrated by Cynnal y Cardi in Ceredigion County Council, helped support capital investment to regenerate a number of towns across Mid Wales including Delineate to secure their new office buildings. The office in Llandysul…

South Wales-born, London-trained hairstylist Byron Suart has teamed up with a popular Cardiff hostel to open the city’s first ‘cocktail barber’ Byron Suart Barbers is based in the recently revamped BunkHouse Hostel and Bar on St Mary’s Street and launched on 12th April 2024. As a fully licenced venue, guests can enjoy a beer or signature cocktail with their beard trim and fade. Byron made his name cutting for Rush, Sassoon and HOB in Camden. He was part of the international art team for Select Professional in Madrid and Florence and is currently lead hairstylist for sustainable fashion brand Vin and…

A depression will move east just to the north of Scotland through Monday and will bring a swath of strong winds to Northern Ireland, Wales and much of England. Gusts of between 40 and 45 mph are expected widely inland with isolated gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph on exposed coasts and near to heavier showers. This is likely to lead to some disruption and longer journey times. Winds will slowly ease through the evening and first part of Monday night. What to expect Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely Some short term loss…

Transport for Wales (TfW) has completed its future timetable review following a change in rail travel demands post-covid. Following a comprehensive review of current rail demand and predicted future growth, TfW has developed a new long-term strategy to better align with the new travel habits and requirements of customers, whilst becoming a truly multimodal operator. As a result of the review some rail routes will see more services and longer trains with more seats, particularly during seasonal peaks.  Other routes will see slightly different calling patterns better targeted to current needs. However, TfW has had to make some tough decisions to ensure it…

A new wildlife campaign to help protect seals on the Swansea and Gower coastline has received support from Swansea Council. The Council is backing the ‘Give Seals Space’ campaign, which has been developed by the Gower Seal Group and aims to provide advice to visitors to the many Gower beaches about what to do if they spot seals. Rocky coastal spots such as Limeslade and Bracelet Bay, as well as Port Eynon and Langland Bay have all been known to provide resting spots for groups of seals as well as thousands of visiting public every year. Colourful new information panels…

The first permanent Chief Executive of the Celtic Freeport, Luciana Ciubotariu, has paid a visit to Neath Port Talbot before officially taking up her new role in May. Luciana, formerly part of the senior management team of the Thames Freeport, was welcomed to Port Talbot Civic Centre on April 10th, 2024, by Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Steve Hunt and the council’s Chief Executive, Karen Jones. Cllr Hunt said: “I was delighted to welcome Luciana to Neath Port Talbot and look forward to collaborating with her and the rest of the Celtic Freeport team in building a green energy…

On January 8, 2024, the Cardiff Organised Crime Team executed a warrant in Ely. Levi Robson 22 years old from Ely, was detained at the address. In his jacket pocket were 21 x prepared deals of crack cocaine, and on his bed were 17 x prepared deals of heroin.  The total value of the drugs seized was between £2070 – £2620. £3000 cash was also seized from Robson along with a Sur-Ron electric motorbike. Robson when interviewed took ownership of the illicit items seized but answered no comment to any further questions surrounding the investigation. He was subsequently charged and…

Caerphilly’s Youth Service has achieved a Gold Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales from the Welsh Government and Education Workforce Council. The award was celebrated at the official opening of the Virginia Park Youth Centre in Caerphilly this week. The achievement recognises improving standards in the provision and performance of youth work services enabling young people to learn and develop personal and social skills as well as focusing on the strength of partnership working. The award also recognises achievements and celebrates young people’s development. Caerphilly’s Youth Service had already obtained the Bronze and Silver Quality Mark in 2022 and…