Author: Rhys Gregory

The Welsh Government will be investing £1m to create a network of car clubs to connect rural communities, Deputy Climate Change Minister Lee Waters announced today. The move comes as part of plans to meet ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions with aims for public transport, walking and cycling trips to account for 45% of journeys by 2040. Today’s announcement builds on steps the Welsh Government has already taken to improve accessibility in rural communities, such as the response led Fflecsi bus service. The car club schemes, which provide an easy and affordable way for people to share the benefits of…

A memorial garden in Senghenydd, which commemorates those who died in the worst disaster in the history of British mining, has been given the “recognition it deserves” and formally acknowledged by the Welsh Government as the National Mining Disaster Memorial Garden of Wales. The village’s garden of remembrance was officially opened on the 100th anniversary of the 1913 disaster when 439 miners were killed after an explosion tore through the Universal Colliery. Now, it has been added to the Statutory Register of Historic Parks and Gardens for Wales and received endorsement from First Minister, Mark Drakeford and the Deputy Minister…

Landmark legal proposals to increase the proportion of women standing as candidates in future Senedd elections were published yesterday (11 March). The Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists) Bill aims to make the Senedd more effective by being more representative of Wales. The Bill delivers on recommendations made by the Special Purpose Committee on Senedd Reform, which were subsequently endorsed by a majority of Senedd Members in June 2022 and reflects the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru. If the Bill becomes law, political parties putting forward more than one candidate in a constituency at a Senedd election…

Britain’s Got Talent fans are in for a treat this month as singing sensation, Tom Ball takes to the stage at Llanelli’s Ffwrnes on Friday 22nd March at 7:30pm; the only Welsh date of his Curtain Call: ‘Featuring Songs from Stage & Screen’ Tour. Tom has transformed from the humble teacher who first appeared on our TV screens on Britain’s Got Talent to the global performer he’s fast becoming. His eagerly awaited debut album, Curtain Call will be released in May 2024. The album promises a fantastic mix of self-penned songs and classic covers, showcasing Tom’s powerful vocals as he celebrates his…

One of the star attractions at this year’s Wonderwool Wales, the award-winning show that celebrates all that’s great about Welsh wool and natural fibres, will be an engaging display of felted birds. The ‘Flock2Flight’ display, which measures 10 metres by three metres, is the creation of fibre artist Janna Turner and two friends, Alex Johnstone and Deborah Taylor Dyer. Wonderwool Wales is being held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on April 27 and 28, with 220 exhibitors. Both Shepton Mallet based Janna, who runs Flocks2Felts, and Alex are no strangers to Wonderwool Wales. Janna was project lead…

Despite a barely recognisable South Wales valleys bungalow being overgrown and derelict and attracting a guide price of £nil, buyers flocked to bid. Sean Roper, of Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions, says although undergrowth has enveloped the building bidders flocked to bid on the dilapidated property in the Upper Dulais Valley, in South Wales. “Bidders looked beyond the state of the building and the guide price of £nil and could see the potential for the former bungalow in its enviable location near to a national park. “Viewing did prove to be a challenge as an access path had to be cut…

Thousands of UK students will be trained to be the next Alan Turing as part of a landmark investment in science degrees announced by the Science Secretary in a speech today (Tuesday 12 March). A £1 billion package will create 65 Centres for Doctoral Training – spanning universities from Edinburgh to Bristol. They will pick out more than 4,000 of the brightest and best science students over the next 10 years to hold on to our best talents. The majority of opportunities will be led from outside the South-East of England, with more than 350 places for students in Glasgow,…

Thirteen of Wales’ most impressive recent building projects have been revealed as finalists in the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards, Wales 2024. The projects, which include residential apartments, a visitor hub and a health centre will be judged by an expert judging panel. The RICS Awards showcase the most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. They recognise outstanding achievement, teamwork and companies. Amongst the shortlisted entries in Wales are Fitzalan High School, Ogmore-by-Sea Village Hall and Carmarthen Urban Mobility Hub.  The entries are shortlisted across five categories – Residential Development, Community Benefit, Heritage,…

Craig Maxwell completed his mammoth Wales Coast Path Cancer Challenge Sunday afternoon after 26 days walking the length of Wales. The dad of two, who was diagnosed with incurable and inoperable EGFR+ lung cancer in September 2022, walked the Wales v France match ball, which he had carried on his back throughout the challenge, onto the pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd of over 71,000 fans. He was joined by his wife Tracey, daughter Isla and son Zach. With £877,000 already raised, the former WRU commercial director is aiming to raise a monumental £1m for the Maxwell Family…

Businesses soon have the chance to find out more about major City Deal investment that’s helping transform Swansea. A free ‘Meet the City Deal’ event is taking place at Swansea Arena on Wednesday March 20, giving updates on key regeneration schemes like 71/72 Kingsway and the Innovation Matrix that’s taking shape at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s SA1 waterfront campus. Lasting from 9am to 12.30pm, the event is being organised by the Swansea Bay City Deal in partnership with Swansea Council. Information about council business grants funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity fund will…