Author: Rhys Gregory

Castellana is back by popular demand following its debut last year and you’re in for a real treat. Yes there is naughty, but there is also nice… very very nice in fact. So sit back, relax and let us tell you what to expect from Castellana, narna, narna this year. Returning to the stage is Ian Stroughair with sensational alter ego Velma Celli as the master of ceremonies. Velma of course is no stranger to the magic of the Spiegeltent, having starred in Castellana in 2022. So, expect more cheek than chic with knockout vocals and pure drag artistry. It…

Careers Wales announced the eight winners of their Valued Partner Awards 2023 at an awards ceremony in Cardiff on Wednesday 22 November. The winners of each category were announced live by the event host, Sian Lloyd, at the Pierhead building on the Senedd estate in Cardiff. Coinciding with Careers Wales’ ten-year anniversary as an all-Wales company, the awards were sponsored by Minister for the Economy, Vaughan Gething. These highly anticipated awards are a chance for Careers Wales to recognise employers who have delivered impactful and engaging careers experiences to pupils in Wales over the last twelve months. To celebrate the…

The Vale Resort in Hensol, along with the stunning Grade-I listed Hensol Castle, both in the Vale of Glamorgan, have appointed a new Hotel Manager to oversee daily operations and facilities. Brian Gamble is stepping into the new role, leaving his previous position as Operations Director at The Coal Exchange hotel in Cardiff and bringing with him more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality sector. The new Hotel Manager for both Vale Resort and Hensol Castle, Brian Gamble, takes the baton from his predecessor after more than six years as Operations Director at The Coal Exchange hotel in Cardiff, where he oversaw a £40million renovation…

The RSPCA is urging people not to abandon their pets and to seek support after a dog was left abandoned outside RSPCA Newport Animal Centre. The bull breed – aged only a year or two – was left tied to the gates at the centre in the early hours of  Tuesday morning at around 12.30am. The person who left the dog was caught on the centre’s CCTV – with the charity issuing an appeal for information. RSPCA inspector Sophie Daniels said: “We are very saddened that this poor dog has been dumped at one of our centre’s gates. “He has…

Network Rail is launching its masterplanning process around Cardiff Central Station, which will see the comprehensive design and redevelopment of over 10 acres of railway land and the delivery of new homes. Cardiff Central currently attracts 13 million passengers a year and the station is a vital gateway to the city centre. The masterplanning process, led by Network Rail, working alongside Cardiff Council, Transport for Wales and Rightacres, aims to regenerate and open up the site, improve connectivity and deliver homes within a new mixed-use neighbourhood creating a new entrance gateway for the Welsh capital. One of the last parcels…

Llandovery Sheep Festival will be back – bigger and better next September – ewe herd it here first! Next year’s event wool take place over the weekend of the 14 and 15 September 2024. The festival will be a huge celebration of rural crafts, food and entertainment, held in Llandovery town centre. The weekend-long event will also celebrate old drovers’ trails, sheep farming and the wool industry. Rachel Everett, the Chairman of the Llandovery Sheep Festival would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s Sheep Festival a terrific success. “Thank you to all the…

Evans, whose business success led her to buy Llansteffan Castle, has designed the new offering to cultivate wellbeing alongside business skills. Marian Evans, the business leader, entrepreneur and executive coach who famously bought Llansteffan Castle in West Wales, has launched a new membership platform designed to equip its members with the key ingredients for personal and business success. A new offering from Marian’s Elevate consultancy business, the membership platform is built on Marian’s belief that success is not just about developing hard business skills in areas such as leadership, negotiation and management. Personal development – working on everything from imposter…

Taff Ely Foodbank has scooped a massive £20,000 award from insurance provider Aviva, thanks to the help of Caerphilly-headquartered Thomas Carroll Group. Thomas Carroll has supported various Foodbanks for many years, helping raise funds as well as collecting donated goods and food for those in need. This year, as part of that ongoing support, Thomas Carroll Group applied for the Aviva Broker Community Fund Award on behalf of Taff Ely Food Bank. Aviva’s Community Fund invites insurance brokers from around the UK to apply for a financial grant to help a cause that will benefit the local community, with climate action…

Inspiring Skills Wales, a leading organisation dedicated to raising the standards of skills in Wales for now and for future generations, is pleased to announce the appointment of a dedicated officer to spearhead a ‘Net Zero Skills project’—an initiative focused on showcasing net zero skills within Further Education across Wales. The initiative, funded by the Welsh Government and delivered by Coleg Sir Gar, forms part of the Inspiring Skills Wales project, secured by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations. This appointment falls during Wales Climate Week 2023, a pivotal event dedicated to the exploration of…

A bakery pioneer said that being presented with his MBE at Buckingham Palace was the “biggest honour” of his life. Alan Jones, 80, a founder of the Wrexham-based Jones Village Bakery, was being recognised for his contribution to the food industry and the economy of Wales. The medal was presented in the ornate Throne Room by Princess Anne and Mr Jones was accompanied by his wife, Wendy, sister Susan and son Robin, who is the company’s managing director. He also has two other sons, Christien, the bakery’s projects director, and Tim, who has a successful career in the property industry.…