Author: Rhys Gregory

A new website has been launched by The Open University in Wales and Wales TUC to support more people into lifelong learning. unionlearning.wales gives information on OU degrees and free courses, as well as funding available for all workers in Wales. The new site contains descriptions of OU courses which are popular with people looking to upskill or change their career. These include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as Access courses which can help people take a step into higher education for the first time. Users can also find out about the Wales Union Learning Fund (WULF), which has…

MWT Cymru, an advocate for tourism businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Meirionnydd, has announced a leadership change with the appointment of Zoe Hawkins as new chief executive. With 14 years of dedicated service within the organisation, coupled with her first-hand experience as a business owner, Zoe has a wealth of experience and a keen understanding of the complexities faced by tourism businesses. Zoe, who lives in Newtown, is looking forward to leading MWT Cymru, also known as Mid Wales Tourism,  into a new era of growth and collaboration. She takes up her new post next month. “I am immensely proud…

Chocolate fans are in for a cocoa powered treat as Hotel Chocolat, the luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier, announces the opening of its latest out-of-town concept store located at Newport Retail Park. Opening 21st March 2024, this latest store from Hotel Chocolat is home to a Velvetiser Café, serving iconic Velvetised™ drinking chocolate and other hot drinks. Guests can select from thousands of combinations to personalize their drink including 18 flavours served hot, over ice or as a Choc Shake with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative, plus a variety of toppings. The team can also help customers find…

The Charity regulator for England and Wales has opened an inquiry into the Al-Manar Centre Trust following serious concerns about a video post on the charity’s Facebook page. The Al-Manar Centre Trust was established in 2009 to advance and support Islamic education, strengthen community relationships and religious harmony in Cardiff, and to educate the public about the Islamic faith. The video was posted on the charity’s Facebook account in November 2023 and has raised concerns around the charity’s social media controls. The video, which was not created by the charity but posted on one of its social media channels, could…

The World’s last seagoing paddle steamer is returning to cruise the Bristol Channel this June for an extended period building on the exceptional success of her 2023 visit. Waverley will give locals and visitors alike the opportunity to step aboard for a nostalgic trip on the famous steamship from Saturday 1st to Sunday 23rd June. The steamer will offer a wide variety of cruises from Penarth, Porthcawl, Swansea, Tenby and Milford Haven. This year marks the 45th anniversary since Waverley first visited the Bristol Channel and South Wales back in 1979, sailing in the wake of the famous White Funnel…

Cardiff Bus has announced service changes from March 31st 2024, in response to the conclusion of the Welsh Government’s Bus Transition Fund (BTF) support scheme. The scheme, which provided stability during and post pandemic by funding the bus network Wales-wide for all operators, will come to its planned end.  Like all operators, Cardiff Bus will now need to return to the pre-Pandemic business model which sees the vast majority of its services operating based on the level of use by its customers. However, Welsh Government has made some additional funding available to Local Authorities across the Country to support services…

Street Food Circus has launched its 2024 programme with two new events joining its regular line up across south Wales. The first new venture, Fantastic Fête, will take over the grounds of St Donat’s Castle on the Vale of Glamorgan coast for the first weekend in August [Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th]. Street Food Circus is reimagining the classic summer fête – remixing folk traditions with the unexpected – from magical morris dancing to the world’s biggest bouncy castle. Food and feasting will take centre stage at the event, with a street food line-up bringing cuisines from around the world…

Some of the hottest tickets in live comedy are coming to Sherman Theatre this Spring and Summer, including brand new shows by Miles Jupp, Punt and Dennis, Rosie Holt, Bilal Zafar, Griff Rhys Jones, Phil Ellis, Steve Bugeja and Sofie Hagen. With shows from Lucy Beaumont and All Killa No Filla already sold out, the Sherman has added several new shows to its programme, in both its Studio and Main House, including: Phil Ellis’s Excellent Comedy Show, 6 April One of the top 20 best-reviewed shows of last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this is an hour of hilarious stand-up and…

A vet has warned people buying flowers for Mother’s Day this Sunday to ensure they purchase pet-friendly florals to avoid poisoning much-loved pets. RSPCA Head Vet Vanessa Howie has issued the warning ahead of Mothering Sunday to help pet owners avoid an unexpected trip to the vets this weekend. Vanessa says: “Flowers are a lovely gift for Mother’s Day, and I, like many people, love receiving flowers whatever the occasion. But sadly some flowers and plants can be toxic to our pets so it’s important to avoid these. “Lilies are by far the worst culprit because they are so popular…

The Football Association of Wales has released its first grassroots football strategy – Enhancing Lives Through Football. The new six-year strategy will grow and develop the game, focusing on the people who deliver community football on and off the pitch, increasing participation at all levels, improving behaviours, and enhancing accessibility to the game. In developing Enhancing Lives Through Football, the FAW has consulted with the public and key stakeholders to gain insight into the current challenges across grassroots football. The FAW will use the power of football to enhance lives in every community, supporting clubs to become sustainable, adaptable and community focused; improving the…