Author: Rhys Gregory

Both Openreach and Carmarthenshire Council are urging people to get behind bids to bring ultrafast, ultra-reliable Full Fibre broadband to nearly 6000 local homes and businesses across the county. The call was made during a recent visit to Ferryside where Carmarthenshire Councillors and officials were shown how residents of the rural village are now enjoying some of the fastest and most reliable broadband speeds available in the UK. During the tour Cllr Linda Evans; Deputy Leader of Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Crish Davies & Cllr Lewis Davies, both of Kidwelly & St Ishmael visited Carmarthen exchange to see up close the art…

With only a week remaining until the Llanelwedd showground fills once more with visitors, exhibitors, and outstanding livestock, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is excited to welcome returning Winter Fair enthusiasts back to the Royal Welsh Showground. This year’s Winter Fair will be officially opened by Steffan and Elin Rattray on the first day of the event (25thNovember). Steffan and Elin are a 23 and 22 year old brother and sister who were brought up on a small farm, Ffosyfuwch, in the Ystwyth Valley, around 5 miles from Aberystwyth. The family run a butchery business, Rattray’s Butchers, in the middle…

As COP 29 continues this week, new research from leading business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP finds that less than half (43%) of UK mid-sized businesses have sustainability targets, such as for net zero, in place. This is according to data from the Grant Thornton International Business Report*, which surveyed 301 mid-sized businesses in the UK (3,748 businesses globally). While it finds that only 43% of UK businesses have sustainability targets in place, this is found to be higher than the global average (39%). In fact, while many of the UK businesses surveyed have still not implemented core…

The latest Language Trends Wales report from British Council Wales reveals that entries for French and German GCSEs have more than halved over the past decade, highlighting that interventions are needed at crucial points during secondary school to protect International Language learning in Welsh schools. This year’s report emphasises the need to protect the pipeline of International Language learners to ensure that Wales is able to remain outward looking and competitive on the world stage. Language Trends Wales, now in its 10th year, highlights the steep decline in the uptake of International Languages at secondary level. GCSE entries in French,…

Gower Unearthed CIC has announced the launch of an exciting new project, funded by the UK Government, to preserve and celebrate Gower’s rich farming history. This initiative captures stories, photographs, and historical insights from the farming communities of Mumbles, Bishopston, Murton, and Manselfield—communities that have been instrumental in shaping Gower’s heritage. The project includes the reprint of two important local history documents: Gower Farm Trail, by Roscoe Howells, and The Farms and Families of Manselfield, by Carolyn Llewellyn. These limited-edition reprints, available through Gower Unearthed, give new generations the chance to reconnect with the area’s agricultural roots and understand the…

A 50-year-old man has been jailed after stealing over £50,000 worth of jewellery from a Bangor shop. Iain Butterworth, of Plas Marchogion, Maesgeirchen, Bangor, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday, November 15th after admitting to theft and criminal damage. On March 25th 2023, Butterworth trespassed into the Deiniol Centre on Bangor High Street whilst it was closed, using a tool to break the glass doors of a and antique shop to break in. On gaining entry, Butterworth stole a large quantity of jewellery worth around £56,100 from the antique shop, putting it all in a plastic bag before fleeing…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that the all-new Porthcawl Metrolink opened its doors yesterday (Monday 18 November 2024). Located on land at the heart of the regeneration area alongside the Portway and Salt Lake, the new Metrolink forms part of the wider Metro Plus programme, which seeks to improve public transport links across south-east Wales. It will be used by all bus services currently operating within Porthcawl, including: The First Cymru X2 service between Porthcawl, Bridgend and Cardiff (Monday to Sunday). The First Cymru 63 service between Bridgend and Porthcawl (Monday to Sunday). The Peyton Travel 861 service to…

Councillors and Officers from Denbighshire County Council were delighted to attend the official opening of the new police station in Prestatyn on Monday, 18 November. The new station, which is based at Llys Llên, Denbighshire Housing’s latest development on Nant Hall Road, will be the new base for response officers and the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Prestatyn. North Wales Police have agreed terms with Denbighshire County Council for a 15-year lease at Llys Llên which also comprises 14 one bedroomed energy efficient apartments on the upper floors and another commercial space on the ground level. Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member…

Following a tender process, Graham Group has been awarded the contract for the Detail Design and Build for the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail. This follows the news that both Welsh Government and the UK Government have confirmed their financial contributions for the project – £50m from the UK Government, with Welsh Government match funding a further £50m for the scheme. Graham Group has been appointed under an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) Contract, which will allow the Council and TfW to work with them during the early stages of the contract to manage the cost of the design and…

FRANCES O’BRIEN HAS started her role as the new Chief Executive Officer of Neath Port Talbot Council, taking over from outgoing Chief Executive Karen Jones who has retired. The new Chief Executive, formerly Monmouthshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Communities and Place, was formally appointed earlier this year. Speaking on her first day, Monday, November 18th, 2024, she said: “Taking up the post of Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council is truly an honour and the greatest opportunity of my working life. “It’s also a homecoming for me and my family. Growing up in the area, my love and…