Author: Rhys Gregory

The Play in the Park summer programme has been hailed a success, with events running from 1st August at Welfare Park, Senghenydd, and concluding on 27th August at Blackwood Showfield. Despite the unpredictable British summer weather, only one out of the eight scheduled sessions had to be cancelled, allowing children and families to enjoy a summer filled with play and community spirit. The series provided children and families with the opportunity to engage in low-cost or no-cost, easy-to-replicate activities within local green spaces throughout the Caerphilly County Borough. These sessions, delivered by Caerphilly Early Years and Childcare Service alongside Caerphilly…

A county council and town council by-election for Machynlleth is to be held, Powys County Council has confirmed. The by-election is taking place to fill the county council and town council vacancy following the death of Michael Williams in July. The notice of election has been published and anyone considering standing as a candidate have until 4pm on Thursday, September 12, 2024 to submit their nomination paper to the Returning Officer. If an election is contested, it will take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote have until Monday, September 23, 2024 in order to…

Health Secretary Mark Drakeford has today confirmed £7.7m to upgrade the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery as it marks its 30th anniversary. The funding will improve facilities at the centre of excellence at Morriston Hospital, in Swansea, which supports a population of 10m people from Aberystwyth to Oxford. The centre provides specialist care to more than 1,000 people every year – half of whom are children – including people who have suffered the most severe burns. People with complex burns from further afield are also referred to Swansea for treatment and care. The £7.7m will create three burns…

As children return for the new school year, the Welsh Government has confirmed that all pupils in maintained primary schools across Wales are now able to receive a free school meal from this week. The roll-out of the programme has now been completed across Wales, meaning every child up to and including Year 6 is now able to receive a free school meal every school day. The Welsh Government set out the commitment in 2021 as part of its efforts to tackle child poverty. Since its launch, nearly 30 million meals have been served and this new rollout entitles 176,000…

Leading price comparison website Go.Compare is the latest blue-chip company to move its head office to the refurbished Hodge House office building in central Cardiff. Legal General Investment Management (LGIM), on behalf of its Legal & General Property Fund, recently invested £20 million to refurbish and transform the 110,000 sq ft eight-storey office building in St Mary Street. Earlier this year, the L&G UK Property Fund successfully passed an investor resolution to adopt a hybrid strategy combining direct UK property with an indirect global exposure via listed REITs. This offers investors a market-leading solution via an open-ended vehicle; allowing for…

A food distribution company that’s aiming to create 150 new jobs as part of a £6 million expansion has clinched two major schools contracts worth over £2 million – including a first ever education deal in South Wales. Harlech Foodservice has a new £1.5 million contract to provide schools in Gwynedd with a range of products including Welsh beef – following up it’s first Gwynedd contract which was signed in 2022 – as well as landing a £700,000, 12-month agreement to supply schools and care homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Harlech, which has its headquarters near Criccieth, in Gwynedd, and…

Students are invited to sweep up at St David’s Cardiff to kick off the new academic year in style. Supermarket Sweep-inspired dashes will be given away as prizes to students at the city shopping destination as part of a one-day in-mall game. Winners will receive a 10-minute £100 shopping dash at their choice of amazing participating brands, with their spree followed by cameras to broadcast their experience on the centre’s social channels. The Student Shopper Sweep event will be held between 11am-6pm on Thursday 26th September, located on the upper level of the Grand Arcade – between Victoria’s Secret and…

Records tumbled as the owners of one of Wales’ leading country house hotels invested nearly £100,000 to start a flock of rare breed Valais Blacknose sheep. Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, owners of the five-star Palé Hall, Llandderfel, Bala, bought five top quality sheep at the ‘Blacknose Beauties’ national show and sale at Carlisle. Included in their purchases was female champion, Ayrshire Ingrid, which set a breed record as she sold for 30,000 guineas. In fact, the breed record was broken four times in 12 minutes before the hammer finally fell. Sold by Tom Blackwood of Stewarton, the ewe, in-lamb to…

Life Sciences Hub Wales is excited to announce the appointment of Dr Meinir Jones to its Board of Directors, following a public appointments process completed in June 2024, approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care. Dr Meinir Jones’ appointment represents a significant enhancement in Life Sciences Hub Wales’ capacity to drive innovation and excellence in healthcare. A Welsh-speaking GP from Swansea, Meinir boasts over 25 years of system-wide clinical experience. Her global career includes nearly five years in Australia, four years in rural and remote practices in the Republic of Ireland, and numerous senior roles across the…

There’s a spectrum of different designs and materials for internal doors, and it’s always exceptionally surprising to see new innovations that have been made. With that said, though, there are four main materials that doors are made from, and they each have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Here, let’s talk about these main kinds of doors, and how they can boost your home in more ways than just aesthetic! Hardwood and Solid Wood This won’t be terribly surprising, but sometimes it’s important to state the obvious to ensure that everyone is on the same page: both hardwood doors and solid…