Author: Rhys Gregory

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is on track to significantly grow its exports following a surge in demand for its coaching qualifications in the US, thanks to support from the Welsh Government. The FAW, which employs over 150 coaches across Wales, currently delivers coaching courses in more than seven states across the Unites States including Ohio, California, South Carolina, Kansas, Denver, New York and North Carolina, and is in talks to secure an additional multimillion dollar deal with a US financial institution in the coming months off the back of its success in the region. Since the 2022 FIFA…

THOUSANDS of people have been walking in a Winter wonderland at Bolesworth Castle. The 6,000-acre estate, based in Tattenhall near Wrexham and Chester, has welcomed visitors from across the country for its spectacular festive celebration. Running until December 31 – and with special offers for those who attend between Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve – the incredible yuletide programme of activities has been a huge draw for the region, with families loving the iconic enchanted lights trail, Alpine Lodge, Santa’s Grotto, Rudolph’s Rest, fairground rides and ice-skating experiences. Bolesworth’s Managing Director Nina Barbour says they are thrilled to be…

Two former care homes in Cardiff – Cartref Roath and Cartref Llanishen – which closed earlier this year, have been sold to a nursery provider and a care home operator respectively. The sale of Catref Roath to Peter Reynolds Properties in November, who have leased the premises to Acorns Nurseries, and Cartref Llanishen to Squirrel Wood Properties in December, pave the way for a positive future for the two sites and the communities they serve. The two care homes, which were owned and operated by Cardiff charity, Cartref, closed earlier this year due to unsustainable levels of occupancy. Savills was…

Two generations were singing for joy when a school’s reception class made its first ever visit to a Wrexham care home. The group of 10 pupils aged four and five from Ysgol Bodhyfryd performed Christmas carols and traditional Welsh language songs for elderly residents at Pendine Park’s Hillbury House. Through the medium of music young and old found common ground as many of the tunes were familiar to the residents and re-ignited happy memories. At the finale there was a bumper round of applause from a delighted audience with everyone in the room feeling uplifted by the sweet harmonies. Deputy…

For many people January marks a fresh start. It’s a time to reflect and reset and work out what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. Health and fitness are usually top of the list. However, it’s important that whatever you set yourself it’s something that is achievable and most importantly, enjoyable, so your targets don’t become a distant memory as you look back at the end of the year. Run 4 Wales Race Director, Steve Brace, is a double Olympian having represented Great Britain in the men’s marathon in the 1992 and 1996 summer Olympics. He’s also…

A mix of weather in the run-up to Christmas, including strong winds later this week and then a trend to colder weather at least over northern parts. Low pressure will dominate the weather in the UK through this week. Much of the south will see a spell of rain through Tuesday while frequent showers move into the north of the UK combined with sunny spells. These showers could fall as snow over the hills of Scotland. Through Wednesday, brisk westerlies will bring further rain to most areas, and over the higher hills in Scotland the likelihood of a short spell…

SUSTAINABLE log cabins, glamping pods and creating jobs are among the priorities for a growing family business in 2024. Fresh from the success of their Donkey Dash up and down Moel Famau, Flintshire’s highest peak – which raised more than £1500 for Cherish Wrecsam – G&M Davies Ltd has unveiled big plans for the coming year. The group, which includes Moel Famau Donkeys, The Larch Cladding Company, and JD Logs, has enjoyed a period of significant growth since the pandemic. Based on a 40-acre former dairy farm on Moel Famau, director Mathew Davies and the team have submitted proposals for…

Students at Wrexham University have been given an insight into a new multi-million-pound facility on campus by alumni working on the development. Wynne Construction design managers Richard Beatson and Megan Hughes, both graduates of the university, presented the new £8m Enterprise, Engineering, and Optics Centre (EEOC) to architectural and design technology undergraduates. As part of the North Wales Growth Deal, the Bodelwyddan-based firm is carrying out the pre-construction services agreement of the 2,080m2 facility and has made use of digital transformation methods to map out the build. Richard and Megan, who are co-ordinating the design for the scheme, delivered the presentation,…

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for anyone struggling to cope after a loved one has died with dementia. In the lead up to Christmas, the charity Alzheimer’s Society Cymru offers some tips for coping and adjusting to life after bereavement. 900,000 people are living with dementia in the UK, including 50,000 people in Wales. Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer which means thousands of families in Wales will experience the devastation it causes. Many people will be facing this Christmas without their loved ones. Rachel Nelson from Alzheimer’s Society Cymru offers advice for coping with bereavement at Christmas.…

Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan has become a hugely popular visitor attraction since opening to the public four years ago. Visitors are drawn to its ornamental gardens, dinosaur park, medieval village and the many beautiful walks that can be enjoyed in the grounds. Now it has a new offering: from Spring 2024, couples can tie the knot at Fonmon, celebrating their big day at a unique and hugely romantic location that dates to the 12th Century. Couples can exchange their vows in the Scented Garden, the Watch Tower Folly, or the Grand Library. Fonmon’s wedding manager Zoë Binning…