Author: Alice Gregory

Plantasia Tropical Zoo, operated by Parkwood Leisure, is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest attraction, ‘Giants of the Past,’ set to debut on July 1st, 2024. Parkwood Leisure is proving its commitment to outdoor sites as well as its catalogue of leisure centres with a £90k investment into this new project. This innovative exhibition will transport visitors back in time to the era of prehistoric giants while highlighting the fascinating connections between ancient species and their modern-day relatives. What sets this exhibition apart is the incorporation of cutting-edge Augmented Reality (AR) technology by Magic Memories. Each installation will…

Despite the rain, hundreds of walkers lit up the streets of Wrexham city centre this weekend to raise vital funds for Nightingale House Hospice. Brightly dressed walkers gathered to participate in the Midnight Walk, a sponsored 5k or 10k route in Wrexham starting from Llwyn Isaf. The night was full of fun, laughter, flashing bunny ears and memories of people who have been touched by the services the Wrexham hospice provides to the local community. The community rallied together, with numerous local businesses throwing their weight behind the event, volunteers stepping up, staff from the hospice, and over 600 participants.…

The College Merthyr Tydfil and Prince Charles Hospital are thrilled to announce the successful completion of their highly acclaimed Supported Internship Programme for the second year running. The initiative, in partnership with Project SEARCH, provides an invaluable opportunity for young individuals with autism and/or learning difficulties to gain real-life work experience, develop employability skills, and enhance their independence, ultimately facilitating their transition into productive adult lives. Over the past year, 8 interns, namely, Abigail, Stephan, William, Nathan, Sam, Morgan, Mathew and Liam have demonstrated tremendous dedication and resilience as they undertook rotations through various departments within Prince Charles Hospital. The…

Stuart Bowen is living proof that dreams really do come true for those dedicated to developing their skills and career. The former Llandrindod Wells student is now the globetrotting technical director of a Mid Wales company which is making waves in the luxury yacht market. Stuart, 43 and managing director Jack Miller head up Custom Marine Developments (CMD) which provides bespoke engineering solutions for clients in the very high end of the luxury marine market. With a workforce of 17, the company is based on Abermule Business Park, a few miles from Newtown, where parent company Makefast has its headquarters.…

UK-born and US-based melodic and progressive house sensation Tom Marsh, known as Marsh. chose the historic Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways (FfWHR) for a fully filmed DJ set to launch his new single. The epic set, filmed by Marsh’s friend and long-standing collaborator, Sam, in May, is exceptionally cinematic and showcases breathtaking views of the Welsh countryside. This outing on the ‘Snowdonia Star’ service was particularly special for Marsh, as his parents, Andrew and Jacqui, had previously volunteered and worked for the Ffestiniog Railway. “I have been coming here to the railway for years – my dad volunteered here in…

The reinstatement of Schoolhouse Bridge on the Montgomery Canal was marked on Friday when Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner unveiled a plaque. The ceremony celebrated the culmination of years of planning and fundraising by local canal charities working together as Restore the Montgomery Canal! Guests included High Sheriff of Shropshire Brian Welti, Councillor Lezley Picton, leader of Shropshire Council, other councillors and senior officers of the Canal & River Trust, the canal owner. Also there were a director of Shrewsbury contractors Beaver Bridges, who constructed the new bridge, Mike Wills, national chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, which contributed…

Coleg Glynllifon students have been awarded certificates in recognition of their work experience on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. As a group, the students have completed an outstanding 800 hours of work experience from last November to May this year. The railways’ work placement officer, Erfyl Williams said: “It is our second year working with Coleg Glynllifon and it has been great to see the group’s confidence growing each week. “They have been able to develop their social skills and team building as well as learning some practical line side and track work skills. All of these things help…

The family of a much loved dad, husband, bampy and uncle from Caerphilly will be supporting City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign this summer. Forever Flowers is an award-winning, annual campaign which invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and loved ones with a unique and lasting tribute. The limited edition flowers will feature in a special display in the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 3 to Sunday 11 August. This year’s choice of flower is a rose, symbolising love, affection and respect while also paying tribute to the charity which is marking its ruby anniversary this year.…

Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, and colleague Carl Roberts, Director for Curriculum – Engineering, completed the Skye is the Limit Challenge in aid of Hope House/Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices. Over recent years Karl and the team have taken on the Welsh Three Peaks and the Crazy 7 for Stepping Stones North Wales and collected more than £1,000 for Menstrual Health Project (MHP) by completing the Cairngorm 4000s, a three-day hike across 4,000ft+ mountains in Scotland’s eastern highlands. He and lecturer Paul Standring also conquered the four-day Freezing Fingers expedition in bleak,…

A young mum from Gwynedd who bravely battled a rare cancer has thanked the hospital that treated her by raising thousands of pounds in a sponsored walk. Family and friends joined Jemma Jones in the four-mile walk in aid of the specialist Christie Hospital in Manchester, the largest single site cancer centre in Europe. After the cancerous Sarcoma was diagnosed early last year, mother-of-two Jemma underwent months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and an operation to remove the tumour Among those who took part in the walk on the Lon Las Peris cycle path alongside Llyn Padarn was her mum Karen who…