Author: Rhys Gregory

An animal bedding company has unveiled ambitious expansion plans after a multi-million pound investment to buy a new eight-acre site. Platts Agriculture, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is aiming to more than double annual sales to £20 million as part of a new three-year growth strategy. The news was revealed during a visit by Welsh Government Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths to their headquarters and manufacturing plant on Llay Industrial Estate. According to managing director Caroline Platt, the Welsh Government has played a key role in the company’s growth in recent years. The family firm was founded…

The spectacular pageant of the Parade of Nations has made its long-awaited return to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. The colourful cavalcade, sponsored by Everbright, included competitors from 19 countries on five different continents who were given a joyous welcome by delighted spectators who lined the streets in the picturesque town where Wales meets the world. It was the first time parade has been held since 2019 with Covid taking its toll on the event for three years before this its triumphant return. Nisha Guy, from Trinidad and Tobago, a cultural ambassador with the Soul Oasis group among a party…

Participation figures released by Tennis Wales, the National Governing Body for tennis & padel in Wales, show an increase in adult and junior participation.   The Lawn Tennis Association for Britain (LTA) published GB participation figures for 2022 in February that showed sustained success in getting more people playing tennis, more often; with growth across all demographics, regions and nations of Great Britain, particularly amongst 16-34 year-olds and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.  The latest LTA participation figures or Wales have shown that trend continuing in the country. It found that in the year to May 2023, 176,000* adults in Wales…

A tenor from China who quit playing clarinet to focus on his voice has been crowned the world’s best young singer. Zihua Zhang, 28, outshone competitors from all around the globe to win this year’s Pendine International Voice of the Future title at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Following a thrilling competition, he was presented with the Pendine Trophy – a solid silver salver – and a £3,000 cheque  jointly by musician in residence Nia Davies Williams and artist in residence Sarah Edwards from the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, who sponsor the competition. The prize came from the Pendine Arts…

People aged 18-30, with a passion for leading Wales into a brighter future, are invited to apply for a place on the Future Generations Leadership Academy.  The Academy, which is run by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Derek Walker, is seeking young leaders for its seven-month programme designed to bring about lasting social change under the Well-being of Future Generations Act.  Participants on the office’s third annual academy will get the chance to learn more about Wales’ world-leading well-being legislation – which protects the interests of people today, those born in the future, and our planet – while putting its well-being goals into action and influencing existing leaders and organisations.   This year, Principality Building Society has provided £40,000 to support the academy to recruit young people…

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy from Neath has undergone crucial eye surgery after a Specsavers optician identified a sight-threatening condition during an eye test. In March 2023, Carter Evans was booked in for a routine eye test at Specsavers Port Talbot after experiencing headaches. He was seen by Raf Islam, a 25-year-old ophthalmic optician, who quickly identified a huge retinal detachment in Carter’s left eye. The discovery came as a big shock for Carter’s mum, Louisa Evans. Mr Islam immediately referred Carter to Singleton Hospital in Swansea for further investigations. He was then referred to Bristol Eye Hospital for emergency surgery, a…

Have you got a smell or taste disorder? This summer a free tasting and educational session designed to spark the enjoyment of food again is up for grabs! Popular family restaurant Harvester has partnered with Fifth Sense, the charity for people affected by smell and taste disorders, on a ‘Big Flavour Favour’ mission as part of its 40th birthday to support those affected to enjoy the experience of eating out again. As part of this, Harvester and Fifth Sense are inviting 10 people with smell and taste disorders to take part in a unique dining experience at a Harvester restaurant…

A new hazardous waste transfer station has been officially unveiled in East Moors Road, Cardiff, as part of an ambitious growth strategy by Welsh environmental services specialist Forward Waste Management. The new facility, which serves many of the manufacturing giants across South Wales and the rest of the UK, is authorised to receive hazardous waste in both solid and liquid form, whether that be drummed or packaged, and has been opened to help meet significant demand for the service. Forward delivers total waste management solutions specifically within the manufacturing industry, with services including collection, recycling and disposal and was established…

The search has begun for the next candidates to join the growing number of gardeners working in some of Cardiff’s most prestigious and much-loved parks who have graduated from traineeships. Five successful candidates will be recruited to the traineeship schemes currently advertised on the Cardiff Council website, and will spend the next four years with Bute Park, Roath Park and Victoria Park as well as hundred of other parks and green spaces across Cardiff as their office. Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “Joining the award-winning Cardiff Parks Traineeship scheme really can be life-changing. Not…

Pupils from two primary schools in Swansea recently took over the council chamber to debate issues that are important to them. Members of the school councils at St Thomas and Danygraig primaries spoke with their local councillors asking if they could have a tour of the Guildhall and use of the chamber. The council’s Partnership & Involvement team made the arrangements and Cabinet Member for Community Support, Hayley Gwilliam, whose portfolio includes young people, took part. The subjects chosen by the pupils for discussion were school uniforms, three day weekends and the use of single plastic and the role this…