Robert Andrews

Bookish town opens new chapter

Robert Andrews — Fri, 27 Jun 2003 06:08:08 +0000

It worked for Hay. Now a run-down industrial town is looking to become south Wales’ literary capital.

Blaenavon is trying to reverse its declining fortunes by becoming an unlikely Mecca for book-lovers, and this Saturday will declare itself “Booktown”.

Ten new bookstores have just opened behind boarded-up shopfronts in the Torfaen town afflicted by industrial decline and a shrinking population in recent years.

It is already pulling in tourists from across the world, say backers, who are betting that book power will prove a money-spinning draw to revitalise the town.

Hain denies axe of his post

Robert Andrews — Fri, 13 Jun 2003 06:35:47 +0000

Peter Hain has insisted his Welsh Secretary post and the Wales Office were not scrapped in Tony Blair’s cabinet reshuffle.

Critics rounded on the prime minister on Thursday after he appeared to move Wales’ and Scotland’s Westminster voices to a new Department for Constitutional Affairs in London.

Valleywood could switch location

Robert Andrews — Thu, 12 Jun 2003 22:40:51 +0000

Movie chiefs could switch the site of their planned “Valleywood” film studio from a site near Bridgend to the former LG plant in Newport.

Dragon International Studios was due to open a studio complex - bigger than those at Pinewood and Shepperton - at an opencast mine at Llanilid in 2004.

Busy buyers dial a home

Robert Andrews — Tue, 10 Jun 2003 17:34:38 +0000

Mobile phones could soon revolutionise homebuying for busy workers.

A new service sends details and photos to passers-by and prospective buyers from numbers printed on the For Sale sign outside properties.

The Mac that Lego Built

Robert Andrews — Fri, 16 May 2003 20:32:45 +0000

It has to be one of the quirkiest computers on the block.

Daniele Procida could not bear to see a dead Mac thrown away - so he reconstructed it using Lego bricks pinched from his sons.

Rather than bin the Powerbook laptop, he refurbished it using hundreds of colourful pieces, set on mottled artificial green grass.

But now the Cardiff Apple consultant is selling his unique creation on auction site eBay, where the cool computer is proving a big hit.

‘Phonics album pirated online

Robert Andrews — Wed, 14 May 2003 22:22:26 +0000

tereophonics’ record label bosses are threatening legal action after fans got their hands on the band’s next album - weeks before its official release.

The Cwmaman trio’s fourth album, You Gotta Go There To Come Back, is not released until June 2.

But a copy of the 13-track recording is already available for free on some websites.

The band is just the latest to fall prey to illegal internet downloaders, joining Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Madonna and many others.

Multimedia backer pulls plug

Robert Andrews — Thu, 08 May 2003 14:14:24 +0000

The Welsh Development Agency is trying to save its high-profile, £9.7m multimedia business incubator for west Wales.

MediaTechnium is based at a listed mansion house near Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire and helps innovative new media and technology firms start up.

But its private sector backer has pulled out, citing the downbeat economic climate.

Plaid Cymru lose Llanelli

Robert Andrews — Fri, 02 May 2003 02:25:34 +0000

Labour claimed traditional red seat Llanelli from Plaid Cymru by the narrowest of margins in the Welsh assembly elections.

Sitting AM Helen Mary Jones lost by just 21 votes to Catherine Thomas after a dramatic recount in the town.

She was defending a majority of just 688 from the inaugural 1999 election, when Plaid gained the seat, traditionally held in Westminster by Labour.

Her constituency gone, Plaid leading light Ms Jones - who appeared nervous for much of the night - had to rely on her place on the regional list to make a return to the assembly in Cardiff Bay.

Valleys back in Labour hands

Robert Andrews — Fri, 02 May 2003 01:36:43 +0000

A huge turnaround in fortunes saw Labour reclaim two symbolic south Wales valleys seats in the Welsh assembly elections.

The party won back Rhondda and Islwyn, both traditional red heartlands pinched by Plaid Cymru at the inaugural 1999 poll.

Leighton Andrews ousted Geraint Davies from Rhondda while Irene James took Islwyn from Brian Hancock - with a 19.1% swing.

Mr Andrews vowed Labour “will never again take the Rhondda for granted”.

Labour keep hold of Caerphilly

Robert Andrews — Thu, 01 May 2003 23:21:51 +0000

Fallen Labour leading light Ron Davies’ successor has held the Caerphilly constituency for the party in the Welsh Assembly election.

Jeff Cuthbert was picked by local party bosses after the former Welsh Secretary chose not to stand just seven weeks ago, amid renewed tabloid reports about his private life.

Despite fears the crisis could have benefited rivals, Mr Cuthbert took 46.85% of the vote, extending Labour’s 1999 majority over Plaid Cymru with a 4.78% swing.

The loss of Caerphilly - one of the heartland seats dramatically stolen by Plaid at the inaugural election - would have proved a blow to Labour’s efforts to regain influence and build a majority in the assembly.