Author: Rhys Gregory

ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection have joined independent industry body, isla, as a venue member, cementing the portfolio’s commitment to being environmentally responsible and continuing to develop an environmentally sustainable business. As a member of isla the portfolio will have access to sector-specific action groups which provide a voice for members to help drive change within the industry, policy and planning templates, and a progression pathway review and action plan with three bespoke training modules. The ICC Wales and The Celtic Collection teams will also have the opportunity to attend isla-run educational and networking events. Commenting on ICC Wales…

A Brunel University tech spinout specialising in Counter Current Chromatography has relocated to Mamhilad Park Estate as the company scales-up to meet growing demand from major multinational pharmaceutical companies. Dynamic Extractions Limited was first established to commercialise the unique and world leading Hydrodynamic Counter Current Chromatography (HdCCC) technology developed by the Brunel Institute of Bioengineering (BIB) team led by Professor Ian Sutherland. In addition to offering a range of hydrodynamic HPCCC processors, the team of five now specialises in the  extraction, separation, purification and provision of high purity target compounds. With a client list that includes Pfizer, Unilever and Roche,…

A six-week public consultation on a new on-street parking scheme for Cardiff has been given the go-ahead and will launch early this year, following Cardiff Council’s Cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 18th. The proposals – to introduce ‘parking zones’ within Parking Management Areas – could give residents a better chance to park on their street, or on adjoining roads close to their home – while reducing opportunities for commuter parking. As well as increasing the number of parking spaces available to residents, blue badge holders, cycle & car clubs, and local businesses could also benefit from the plan. Under the…

Wales will be taking on Scotland on Saturday 3 February at Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 4.45pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 12.45pm until 8.45pm to ensure all ticket holders can get into and out of the stadium safely. The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy – please plan ahead – and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at Toy’s R Us car park in the Sports Village. Gates open at 2.30pm, those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to plan their journey…

A new safe walking and cycling route could be created along a main route into Swansea city centre. Swansea Council previously received funding from the Welsh Government’s Active Travel programme to help design a walking and cycling route, linking Sketty and Uplands to the city centre. The Council has now come up with a design option which would see pavements and pedestrian crossings upgraded along Walter Road and Sketty Road as well as in Uplands. The proposed scheme would also include a continuous segregated two-way cycle path along the route, making it easier for people to cycle between the city…

Ben Taylor, 32, from Horton near Swansea, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday, January 16, to 40 months’ imprisonment for offences including: Fraud by false representation Fraud by abuse of position Make off without payment Breach of suspended sentence The court heard that between October 2019 and October 2021, whilst working as a car salesman, Taylor fraudulently obtained over £80,000 from a victim by falsely advertising a vehicle for sale. In February 2023, Taylor made off without payment from a hotel in London after accumulating a bill of over £11,000. This put Taylor in breach of a previous…

A Cardiff man has been jailed for more than four years for terrorism offences after sharing extreme right-wing propaganda videos. Kristen Persen, 22, from Fairwater in Cardiff, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday January 18, where he was handed a four years and eight months sentence, he was ordered to serve a minimum of two thirds of the sentence. Persen had previously appeared at court last month where he pleaded guilty to 10 charges; six counts of Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (sharing terrorism material) and four counts under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (collecting…

The prestigious UK-wide Poet Laureate Library Tour will stop in Pembrokeshire this Spring with a reading by Simon Armitage included. The Riverside Library, Haverfordwest is delighted to be welcoming the tour and Poet Laureate Mr Armitage to an event on March 8th at 6pm. He will be joined by special guests BAFTA and Grierson-nominated Welsh poet, novelist and playwright Owen Sheers and one of the Representing Wales poets, Bethany Handley. The evening will also open the new gallery exhibition that celebrates the life and work of Dylan Thomas, with a particular focus on his poetry and iconic play for voices,…

RCT Council has been advised that the first abnormal load movement near Llwydcoed and Hirwaun has been rearranged to take place on Saturday, January 20. Plant for an electrical power station is being transported by a specialist haulage company from the County Borough’s northern boundary with Merthyr Tydfil, to Hirwaun. This will now take place across three day-time journeys on consecutive Saturdays – January 27 and February 3. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated. The convoy will depart from the A465 (near Baverstock) and onto Crematorium Road in the morning, before pausing at Croesbychan and then continuing back…

Green spaces in the Caerphilly borough will continue to flourish this year, after its Cabinet agreed grass cutting regimes which promote biodiversity. Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet members agreed to continue keeping mowing to a minimum on highway verges and bypass routes, in accordance with Traffic Wales guidance. Visibility splays and sight lines on highways, margins and access on footways/cycle routes, sports grounds, urban areas such as housing estates, municipal parks, older person accommodation, cemeteries, play/recreational public open spaces, will be maintained at the current cutting frequencies. They also gave a commitment to continue supporting the ‘Nature Isn’t Neat’ project…