Author: Rhys Gregory

Hot on the heels of being crowned the UK’s Tree of the Year at the end of last year, a 480-year old Sweet Chestnut tree in Wrexham’s Acton Park is in the running to be crowned European Tree of the Year – with public votes open from today. The stately tree is well loved by locals for its history, value and beauty – and is often used as the centrepiece of picnics and local tree parties. It previously secured 17% of the overall votes for the Woodland Trust’s 2023 UK ‘Tree of the Year’ competition, which focused on celebrating ancient…

Producers from across the Welsh beer and spirits sectors have gathered to launch their respective strategies to improve sector collaboration and drive growth moving forward. Held at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay, the Welsh Beer Strategy and Welsh Spirits Strategy will help the drinks industry meet current challenges, including the cost of living crisis and spiralling energy, supply chain and raw material costs. The drinks industry remains integral to the Welsh economy, with a turnover last year of just over £820m. Beer and cider accounted for £212m of this, with spirits being £241m. This makes drinks the fourth biggest…

Hay Festival Foundation Ltd Chair Caroline Michel has this week announced the appointment of seven new members to the charity’s Board of Trustees following an open recruitment process. Based in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Hay Festival is one of the world’s best-known arts charities, running events and projects that widen access to culture in eight countries across three continents. Joining the Board are farmer, ceramicist and film producer Corisande Albert; economist Nick Butler; arts leader and digital specialist Tony Followell; tech investor Suhair Khan; historian, writer and broadcaster David Olusoga; business leader Ed Shedd; and digital content specialist Shakia Stewart. Each new…

North Wales is the place to develop low carbon energy skills – this is the clear message this week as the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) launches a new toolkit for employers. At a time marked with increasing environmental challenges and a global shift towards greener practices, the RSP is keen to redefine how employers and education providers collaborate to develop skills. The new toolkit focuses on low carbon energy, which includes a prospectus and a film highlighting success stories across the region to provide insight into the opportunities available in North Wales. Universities and Colleges in the region…

Valleys college Coleg y Cymoedd is celebrating a string of Oxbridge offers. The college, which serves learners from across Caerphilly and Rhondda Cynon Taf, has seen three learners secure offers from the University of Oxford.  Eighteen-year-old Seth Olner from Pontyclun, who is currently studying A levels in History, English Literature, and Government and Politics at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus, is one of the learners to have been offered a place. After achieving 5As in his History, English Lit, Law, French and Politics AS levels, and being predicted top grades in his current studies, Seth is on track to study…

Wales senior men’s head coach Warren Gatland has named his team to face Scotland at a sold out Principality Stadium in the opening round of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations on Saturday 3 February (KO 4.45pm live on BBC and S4C). Cameron Winnett will win his first senior international cap for Wales having been named at full-back. Rio Dyer and Josh Adams are selected on the wings. At 21 years and 60 days old on Saturday, Dafydd Jenkins will become the second youngest man to captain Wales after Sir Gareth Edwards. Adam Beard partners Jenkins in the second row. Owen…

A man caught with thousands of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and cash in his car in Swansea, has been jailed. Swansea Council’s Trading Standards brought charges against Swansea resident – Adnan Mohamed Abdulla, following a routine stop by police in the city. During the traffic stop on Gors Avenue on December 10 2023, police discovered more than 45,000 cigarettes, 70 packs of tobacco and nearly £16,000 in cash. Once Trading Standards were contacted, a number of charges were brought against 36 year-old Mr Abdulla of 12 Harrington Place, Swansea, for fraud and trading standards offences. The offences were also a follow-up…

Transport for Wales has this week launched a new partnership with refugee and asylum seeker charity Oasis to donate equipment and provide employment support. Oasis is a charity that welcomes people who are seeking sanctuary and provides support to roughly 100-150 visitors each day from around the globe. A range of activities, support and classes are offered to help refugees and asylum seekers to integrate within their local community. The partnership with Oasis is part of Transport for Wales’ commitment to anti-racism, providing greater career opportunities to under-represented groups, with the aim of diversifying the workforce operating and delivering Wales’…

Leisure Lifestyle proudly announces that Ellie Welsh, a member of the Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre team, has been honoured with the prestigious title of Swim Wales Swim Teacher of the Year 2024. Ellie received this esteemed recognition at the awards ceremony held on Saturday, 20th January, in Cardiff. The award is a testament to Ellie’s unwavering commitment to providing unparalleled swim lessons week after week. Her motivation to elevate standards and dedication to delivering a superior learning experience has set her apart. The recognition highlights Ellie’s exceptional ability to go the extra mile, ensuring her pupils receive the best possible…

The well-known and much-loved Porters in Cardiff has recently had a new lease of life following a move to a new premises in the city centre. The Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden has announced during Independent Venues Week that £718,000 has been offered to 17 Grass Roots Music Venues across Wales, from the Creative Wales Music Capital Fund Porters is one of 17 venues to benefit from the fund which has helped with the recent development and move. Dan Porter, said: “I cannot overstate how difficult it is for Grassroots venues at the moment- everything is…