Author: Rhys Gregory

Wade Building Services Ltd has completed the acquisition of Westline, bringing together two well-established construction supply businesses with complementary expertise across structural steelwork, lintels, site fencing and specialist construction products. The acquisition represents a significant step in Wade’s continued expansion and further strengthens its position as one of the UK’s leading suppliers to housebuilders, contractors, developers, merchants and construction professionals. Headquartered in Tipton, Wade has built a strong reputation for its extensive lintel stockholding, technical support and broad construction product offer. Westline, operating from County Durham and Nottinghamshire, adds further regional strength, specialist steel expertise and additional distribution capability. Together,…

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh will visit the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. The Duchess, who previously attended the Royal Welsh Show in 2003 and the Winter Fair in 2018, will make her first visit in her capacity as Patron of the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO), a role she has held since 2012. ASAO is the representative body for the UK’s agricultural, horticultural, equine and countryside events, and The Duchess is a regular supporter of agricultural shows across the country. Nicola Davies, Chair of Council at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said:…

Work has started on an exciting new development of 40 homes in Aberbargoed, which will help to meet strong demand from local homebuyers. Housebuilder Llanmoor Homes has begun work on the site south of Bedwellty Road earlier than anticipated, following the exceptional success of its nearby St Sannans Field development, where homes have proved extremely popular with buyers. The new development, which has not yet been named, will be built on grassland below Y Ffordd Wen, from where access to this exciting development is to be gained. It will provide a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, creating a range…

Oakwood Care Group has completed the acquisition of Forest Gate Healthcare, adding three care homes and 105 bedrooms to its portfolio following a multi-million-pound funding package from the Development Bank of Wales. The funding has been provided through the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund. It means that Oakwood Care Group takes ownership of Oakdale Manor, a 31-bed care home in Blackwood; Ty Ross Care Home, a 38-bed care home in Treorchy; and Woffington House, a 36-bed care home in Tredegar. The deal significantly expands the group’s presence in Wales, increasing its workforce to approximately 200 people from around 70.…

The Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council has welcomed news that two business parks in the county borough are set to benefit from a share of £13.5 million to support the construction of new industrial developments. The funding, announced by the UK Government, will support proposed developments at: Nant y Cafn Business Park, Seven Sisters – a 45,000 sq ft industrial development, subject to site purchase later this summer and planning approval Vale of Neath Business Park, Resolven – a 30,000 sq ft industrial development, subject to site purchase later this summer and planning approval The investment is part of…

The former Marks & Spencer site in Pontypridd town centre has officially opened to the public today (Thursday, 25 June), transforming the long vacant site into a new riverside plaza. The development has removed the large unused buildings that may otherwise have fallen into disrepair, replacing them with a vibrant public space featuring seating, greenery and views across the river and Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. For the first time in more than 100 years, the town has been opened up towards the river, creating a central space that can also be used to support town centre events. The site has…

Wales will build stronger economic, academic and cultural ties with Ireland, after First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth made his first overseas visit to Dublin this week. The First Minister has been attending the sixth Ireland-Wales Ministerial Forum, hosted by Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee TD. At the Forum, both governments agreed to advance cooperation across clean energy, education, trade and collaborative working around sports diplomacy. This afternoon, an event focused on sports diplomacy brought together well-known public figures including the FAW’s Chief Executive Noel Mooney, former Ireland international rugby star Tommy Bowe and Chair of Netball…

Regulations have been laid to allow for the roll out of Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) across Wales in time for the 2027 Local Government elections, following the success of pilot programmes in Carmarthenshire, Gwynedd, Newport and Powys. An independent evaluation by the Electoral Commission confirmed the pilots’ success, paving the way for the Welsh Government to lay the regulations. These are expected to come into force this Autumn. Under the new system, local authorities will use data-matching to identify potential electors, notify them of the process and their right to opt out, and add eligible individuals to the local government electoral register. The change is designed to improve both…

South Wales Police is continuing to investigate a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on A48, at 12:22pm on May 6, 2026. The collision occurred on the A48 Margam Road between Groeswen Park and the junction with Rhanallt Street and involved four vehicles: a Vauxhall Agila, Citroen Picasso, Rover 45 and a MG3. The driver of the Vauxhall Agila was taken to hospital but later died as a result of in his injuries. We can confirm his name is Brian William Bodenham, aged 80, from Margam. His family have issued the following tribute: “Brian peacefully passed away on the 18th of…

Six people have been jailed for the murder of a woman in Talbot Green, in the largest murder sentencing ever seen in Wales. In total, the group were jailed for a minimum of 157 years and 146 days, following a three-day sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court. The court heard how, on March 9, 2025, at 6.10pm, Police were called to an address at Llys Illtyd, Talbot Green, where a woman – 40-year-old Joanne Penney – was seriously injured having been shot to the chest. Despite the best efforts of emergency services, she died at the scene. During the subsequent investigation,…