Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea University students claimed the honours at a unique challenge designed to celebrate the talents of aerospace engineers of the future. This year’s IT FLIES competition was hosted for a fourth year by Swansea University and the two home teams ended up as joint winners after a gruelling day in front of industry experts. IT FLIES is a student aircraft design and handling competition run each year in the USA and the UK and organised by Merlin Flight Simulation Group. The Swansea teams, from the Faculty of Science and Engineering  designed an aerial firefighting aircraft capable of carrying and dropping…

Estyn, the Inspectorate for education and training in Wales, has found Whitchurch Primary School to be a thriving learning community where pupils feel safe and valued. Following a recent visit, the report highlights the compassionate leadership of the headteacher, supported by two highly effective deputy headteachers, dedicated governors, and an extensive leadership team, has fostered an inclusive ethos that encourages pupils to develop as creative and independent thinkers. Inspectors noted the school has made significant strides in refining its curriculum, offering a rich array of stimulating learning experiences tailored to individual pupil needs. This has resulted in nearly all pupils,…

Working together, Brecon Town Council and Powys County Council are making sure that the small electric road sweeper in Brecon is kept busy keeping the town clean and tidy. When not being used by Powys, the zero-emissions sweeper is made available to the town council, whereby their caretaker, Alex Jones, uses it to do extra cleaning within the town. “We are really grateful to be working collaboratively with Powys County Council in this way.” Says Fiona Williams, clerk of Brecon Town Council. “By allowing us to use the small electric road sweeper, our councillors have noted an immediate improvement to…

The Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Bill, which was first introduced to the Senedd in October 2023, has this week been passed by the Welsh Parliament. The Bill will remove barriers to democratic engagement and create a system of electoral administration fit for the 21st century, by: introducing new pilots leading to the automatic registration of voters for Senedd and local government elections in Wales  – with 400,000 people potentially set to be added to the register; establishing a new all-Wales body responsible for co-ordinating the effective administration of Welsh elections; creating a new online voter information platform; introducing measures…

The First Minister, Vaughan Gething, has this week set out his legislative priorities saying he wants to ensure the Welsh Government is building “an ambitious future for a fairer, stronger, greener Wales.” Legislation to be introduced in the remainder of this Senedd term includes measures to improve transport links across the country, protect people and communities, and tackle the climate emergency. The programme includes: A Bus Bill, which will enable all levels of government in Wales to work together to design one joined up bus network that puts passengers before profit and helps people move away from using cars for…

The Welsh Government has teamed up with three universities to launch new degree apprenticeships in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, and Real Estate. With the construction sector alone needing an extra 11,000 workers by 2028, the new degree apprenticeships come at a crucial time. Starting in September 2024, these four-year programmes, fully funded by the Welsh Government, will offer students the chance to earn a degree while gaining hands-on experience in employment. The courses will be offered at Wrexham University, the University of South Wales, and the University of Wales Trinity St David. The Cabinet Secretary for…

A terraced cottage in the south Wales valleys village of less than 1000 people is crying out for some TLC. The stone built end terrace house in the village of Blaenllechau, nestling in the Rhondda Fach valley, is surrounded by breathtaking views in Rhondda Cynon Taff. And with a guide price of just £19,000-plus, 20 Aberdare Road, is being sold by Newport-based Paul Fosh Auctions. Angie Davey, of Paul Fosh Auctions,  said: “Although the three bedroom house does require full renovation once complete the new owner will be rewarded with a really lovely home in a gorgeous location. Once renovated…

The free guide joins hundreds of cultural institutions around the globe on the Bloomberg Connects app. Glynn Vivian has launched a new, digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Bloomberg Connects app, available for download from Google Play or the App Store, makes Glynn Vivian accessible for either onsite or offsite visits through photo, audio and video features offering insights into exhibitions, collections, and programme. Exclusive content on the app includes an audio introduction by Peter Wakelin, son of Swansea-based artists Richard and Rosemary Wakelin, to the Wakelin at 25 exhibition,…

Dynamic private sector experts are wanted to help ensure South West Wales becomes a more prosperous, greener and better connected region in the coming years. The Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) for South West Wales is looking for applications from specialists in sectors including transport, planning, land use, energy, business and the economy to join a new private sector advisory board. Once in place, the advisory board will provide expert guidance to members of the committee, which includes senior representatives from the Swansea Bay City Region’s four local authorities, as well as the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire National Park authorities. Strong…

Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) is celebrating the completion of the Tudor Place, Tiers Cross housing development built by Tycroes Group. This is an import and positive move for tenants, offering significant change, by delivering high quality, thermally efficient properties that meets tenant’s greater need, now and into the future. The allocation of the Tudor Place properties required that tenants were able to demonstrate a local connection to Tiers Cross and surrounding areas. Completion of this site sees the replacement of ten pre-fabricated houses with 11 sustainable and affordable council homes, which will be used to house social tenants and help…