Author: Rhys Gregory

Thackeray Group has secured planning consent for two further phases of the £100 million regeneration of the landmark Howells building in the centre of Cardiff into a mixed-use destination. Thackeray has been granted permission by Cardiff Council for phases two and three, which include 61 apartments, the restoration of Bethany Chapel and Sunday School, additional storeys to the Percy Thomas Wharton Street block as well as partial demolition of the centre of the site to create new public realm, linking through to Cardiff Market. The first phase, which also has consent, relates to  The Percy building within the former Percy…

Founders of Cardiff-based craft brewery and taproom, Flowerhorn Brewery, are expanding production and making plans to open a new bar following a second injection of cash from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme. Long time friends Andrew Traynor (30) and Arran McHugh (28) set up Flowerhorn Brewery in 2019 with a homebrew kit in their garage following a number of years working in the industry together at Tiny Rebel. Using only the best, real ingredients they can source, the guys produce a range of craft beers with a twist at the brewery, from the core favourites of Yawn…

Careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) shape the curriculum at Bryntirion Comprehensive School, offering pupils a wide range of authentic learning experiences that focus on the development of cross curricular skills – one careers project, in particular, has been supported by former British and Irish Lions and Wales Captain, Sam Warburton. The school’s CWRE project, Victory for Velindre Challenge, supported by the WJEC and Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, challenged Year 9 pupils to develop a new product or service to assist the Velindre Cancer Charity. In a Dragons’ Den style set up, learners had to pitch their idea to employers.  Selected…

Every primary school in Cardiff is to receive an illustrated storybook which focuses on supporting children to overcome trauma. Written and painted by Welsh art psychotherapist, Lilith Gough, ‘Helping the Hare who hurts’ is a small volume that will be a useful resource for schools in the city to read with children who have experienced any kind of trauma. The Council has paid for the books with donations received as part of its White Ribbon campaign to raise awareness of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence. The book, which will also be available in every library across the…

A Skewen trader has received a six-month jail sentence for selling an unsafe vehicle after a complaint was made to Neath Port Talbot Council’s Trading Standards team via Citizens Advice. Alan Peter LEWIS, of APL Cars, Skewen, had previously been found guilty of the charge, under the General Product Safety Regulations, in December 2023. At a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on January 25th, 2024, Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Mr Lewis to six months in prison. Judge Walters also ordered the defendant to pay £2,000 compensation in relation to the sale of the vehicle. The court heard the female complainant…

ONE of the main roads between Risca and Crosskeys is due to be closed to traffic for a period next week. Part of the A467 dual carriageway between the two communities will be closed for four consecutive nights from Monday, February 12, to Thursday, February 15, to allow for planned maintenance work to be carried out. The closure is to allow renewing the cats’ eyes on the dual carriageway and some line refreshing on both the north and south bound carriageways. The closures will only be in place overnight from 9pm to 6am on each of these days, with the…

A man from Swansea has been jailed for 12 years for rape. Kalvin Davies, 33,  of New Road, Treboeth, pleaded guilty to assault before a jury found him guilty of rape during his subsequent trial. Davies assaulted the victim by hitting her repeatedly and attempting to strangle her during an incident at his home address. He then proceeded to rape the victim. Later, he locked the victim in his house, with the victim only managing to escape whilst he was asleep. Detective Constable Sian Evans, the investigator on the case, said: “Due to the bravery of the victim, Kalvin Davies,…

On the evening of Friday 26th January, pupils across Merthyr Tydfil attended the Cardiff Eisteddfod for an evening full of competitions, Welsh Language and culture. A total of 44 medals were awarded to pupils from Ysgol y Graig, Ysgol Pen y Dre and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Rhyd y Grug for literacy, individual recitation, instrumental competitions and group recitation competitions. Competing in Welsh learner and first language competitions, pupils represented their schools and local community superbly, receiving standing ovations at the end of the evening for their contributions to the Eisteddfod. The Results: Year 4 and younger Individual Recitation 3rd: Freya…

The Economy Minister has welcomed a unanimous Senedd vote arguing that there is a viable future for blast furnace steelmaking in Wales as part of a just transition. All four political parties represented in the Senedd have now supported a Welsh Government motion calling for further talks that allow for a longer transition to protect jobs across Tata facilities in Wales. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Tonight’s vote sends a strong message from the entire Senedd.  There is a viable future for blast furnace steel making in Wales and a better deal could and should be struck for an industry…

Commissioners are being appointed by the Welsh Government to run South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Their appointment follows the publication of a ‘damning’ independent report which exposed a culture of sexism and misogyny and wider failings in management and leadership at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn said she had no confidence the Service has the internal capacity or capability needed to oversee its own recovery and that management at all levels has been implicated in the failings highlighted by the KC-led review. She said the South Wales Fire and Rescue Authority…