Author: Rhys Gregory

North Wales businesspeople have been invited to hear a fresh economic outlook to help ensure they blossom in the year ahead. This spring, the North Wales branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) will bring company leaders together to learn the potential opportunities for growth and development, using trends both segmented to the region and across the UK. As part of its first event of the year, the IoD lunch will welcome Alwen Williams, portfolio director of Ambition North Wales to discuss the latest Growth Deal plans, and financial economist and Bangor University senior lecturer Professor Ed Jones for an…

BRIDGEND-based housing association Valleys to Coast has appointed former Pobl Group Chief Executive Amanda Davies as the new Chair of its Board. Amanda will join Valleys to Coast in April, bringing with her a wealth of experience from her career in housing, care and support services alongside board positions at the heart of Welsh regeneration and charitable causes. She will step into the shoes of retiring Chair Anthony Whittaker, who bids farewell to Valleys to Coast after five years at the helm. Amanda will work closely with the association’s Group Chief Executive Joanne Oak and the Executive Team providing strategic…

The world-renowned Welsh chocolatier behind the fantastical chocolate creations in the new Timothée Chalamet Wonkafilm has visited learners at a valleys college to shed light on what it takes to turn passions into a dream profession. Cardiff-born Gabriella Cugno, who has been referred to as the real-life Willy Wonka, joined creative and catering learners at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw campus to talk through her illustrious career and share advice to budding chocolatiers and prop makers. During her visit, Gabriella spoke to 50 learners studying prop making, arts, special effects and catering courses, giving them an insight into her career journey,…

Bangor University’s Science Festival returns again this year to coincide with British Science Week! Once again, the highly popular Hidden Worlds of Science will give young and old an opportunity for some hands-on science on Saturday 9 March between 10.30 and 3.00pm. From botanical painting for children to interactive displays by the BioComposites Centre and Treborth Botanic Garden, from the ‘spot the skull’ activity to a handwashing demo, there’ll be something for everyone! All the interactive exhibitions including the University’s famous Natural History Museum are at the free event in the Brambell Building. All you need to do to discover more…

Runners, spectators, and well-wishers descended to Llanelli today to participate and witness the return of the hugely popular Llanelli Half Marathon and brand new 10K. Sponsored by Tata Steel and supported by a volunteer team from the Trostre site, the event was a great success and a joyous event for all. Tash Smith, Race Director said: “It was fantastic to see such a wonderful turnout for the event, especially for the 10k race that allowed more to dip their toe into their first race. Being one of the first races in the calendar for the region makes this event an attractive…

Platinum-selling artist Eric Prydz will headline Cardiff Castle on Saturday, June 29th. The legendary artist, renowned for over two decades of ground-breaking electronic music, will be joined by Enrico Sangiuliano, Anna, Layla Benitez, Cristoph, and James Organ, for one unforgettable night in the Welsh capital. Eric Prydz has consistently delivered immaculately produced and unique electronic music, and his innovative and technically impressive live shows have captivated audiences globally. Prydz has headlined prestigious venues/ festivals such as Coachella, Madison Square Garden, Brixton Academy, and Alexandra Palace, earning multiple Grammy nominations and dominating charts with alter-egos Pryda and Cirez D. Prydz’s dedication…

Comedian Rob Brydon and bands 10cc and OMD are among the performers during an action-packed month of events taking place at Swansea Arena in March. Other stars taking to the stage at the venue next month include comedians Leigh Francis, Tom Allen and Romesh Ranganathan. Also heading for the arena in March is a Queen Extravaganza show produced by Brian May and Roger Taylor, as well as a music from the movies event featuring music from films including Lord of The Rings, Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean. The March shows follow hot on the heels…

If the worst happens and you need a defibrillator to help save a life, a network of 650 machines means one is never far away Swansea’s become the UK’s first defib-friendly city and you can find your nearest one with this interactive map here. The charity Heartbeat Trust UK partnered with Swansea Council with the aim of achieving the accolade and saving lives. The council has contributed £175,000 over a three year period, and many other organisations and individuals have also supported this drive by purchasing defibrillators for their communities. These include town and community councils, sports clubs, charities, grassroots…

A Caerphilly shop owner has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for selling counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco. Amanj Mawlod Tawfik, aged 36 of Bwlch Road, Cardiff was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment at Newport Crown Court on 26 January 2024. His associates, Dana Nadir Kadir, 38 of Talywaun was sentenced to 18 weeks imprisonment suspended for 2 years, ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work, and attend 6 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and pay Caerphilly Council £1200 costs. Arshad Ahmad Rashid aged 46 of Cardiff Road, Caerphilly was ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and pay Caerphilly…

Allelys, the haulage company responsible for transporting the abnormal load vehicle has said the third and final transportation is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 28 February 2024, between the hours of 00.30am and 05.45am. A rolling road closure under police escort will be in place while the vehicles are in transit and sections of the road will be reopened as soon as the vehicles have passed through. A number of pedestrian traffic light signals, street lighting columns, road signs and other street furniture will be temporarily removed as the transportation will overhang the footpaths along the route. These will…