Author: Rhys Gregory

A HEARTWARMING project supporting elderly care home residents will be rolled out across North Wales. Driven by the community interest company Book of You, based in Ruthin, the Care Home Buddy scheme has been extended to include Wrexham, Flintshire, Anglesey, and Gwynedd following a successful pilot programme in Denbighshire, Conwy, and Pembrokeshire. Volunteers attend residential care homes weekly after being paired up as a ‘buddy’ with a resident who may feel isolated, lonely, and anxious, without friends or family to visit them regularly. Post-pandemic this has been a significant issue, according to project manager Danielle Jones, who is leading a…

Close to 200 city centre businesses are now featured in a free new app that Swansea residents are being encouraged to install. Created and run by the Swansea Business Improvement District (BID), the residents rewards progressive web app is funded by an initial grant from Swansea Council. Replacing the old Big Heart of Swansea app, residents can benefit from the new one by visiting app.bigheartofswansea.co.uk and installing it on their mobile devices. The progressive web app includes access to offers in shops and restaurants in the city centre and a directory of city centre businesses showing information like opening times, their…

A leading local housebuilder has submitted its plans to Swansea Council for a new zero-carbon ready housing development in Pontarddulais. Persimmon Homes West Wales plans to construct 504 zero-carbon ready homes for local people on land south of Glanffrwd Road. The no-gas site will feature one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom houses, which will be powered by air-source heat pumps and solar panels. A number of properties will also be transferred to a housing association partner as part of the housebuilder’s commitment to the local community. As part of the proposed scheme, Persimmon also plans to deliver a new primary school, community…

Leading business figure Alison Orrells is the new Chair of CBI Wales. As Chief Executive Officer of Neath-based The Safety Letterbox Company, Alison has overseen the company’s rise to become the UK’s leading manufacturer of mailboxes and parcel boxes with the products sold worldwide. Alison has also worked in senior management roles for major UK retail groups, is a founding board member of Manufacturing Wales and chairs Sketty Hall Business School’s advisory board. She succeeded Lance Burn in the role. Alison Orrells, CBI Wales Chair, CEO, The Safety Letterbox Company, said: “I’m excited to Chair CBI Wales. I am acutely…

Cymru will kick off the new year with a friendly against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin. The game, which will take place at Shamrock Rovers’ Tallaght Stadium, will kick off at 7:30pm on Tuesday 27th February 2024 and aid Cymru’s preparations for the upcoming UEFA Women’s European 2025 qualifying campaign. Following the departure of Gemma Grainger, interim head coach Jon Grey will oversee proceedings for the fixture against Ireland, who sit 24th in the world rankings and reached the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals last summer. Grey said: “The Republic of Ireland are eight places above us in the…

One of the world’s greenest adventure parks is going to be even greener after drilling down 250 feet to find its own water supply deep under the foothills of Eryri. Crystal clear water from the bore hole at GreenWood Family Park, in Felinheli, in Gwynedd, is due to be coming on stream by Easter – just in time for the main tourism season. The discovery coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Green Dragon, the planet’s only zero carbon rollercoaster which goes on a 250 metre loop through the park’s woods. It’s one of more than 30 rides and attractions…

Swansea Building Society has announced the appointment of Lynn Pamment CBE as a Non-Executive Director (NED), further enhancing the depth and breadth of experience within the Society’s board. Pamment brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as a Non-Executive Director. A first-class honours graduate from University College Cardiff and an ICAEW prize-winning Chartered Accountant, Pamment has demonstrated outstanding leadership throughout her career. She is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Pamment currently serves as the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of the States of Jersey, a prestigious seven-year fixed-term, part-time appointment…

Betting plays various roles in our lives and many bettors approach the activity in different ways. To some, it is a simple pastime, a way to make certain sporting events more interesting. For others, it’s more involved and every tool at one’s disposal is constantly used to ensure maximum success in betting. Others still sit somewhere between these two extremes. But whoever you are, the question of if, and how, you can guarantee returns with betting is a common one—so today we’re going to examine that question. Let’s get started. Profiting from betting Firstly, to give a simple answer to…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Williamston Nursing Home in Houghton, Pembrokeshire. Williamston Nursing Home is a reputable care facility that is registered with the CIW to care for up to 34 adults who require nursing and personal support. In recognition of its success, in both 2020 and 2021, Williamston was named as one of the top 20 rated care homes in Wales by carehomes.co.uk. The business occupies an imposing period-built, extended country manor house that is set on over five acres of gardens and grounds in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, just off Burton Road,…

Unite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed statements made by the Labour Party during an opposition day debate today in the Commons confirming its commitment to Port Talbot and calling on Tata not to make any “irreversible decisions” prior to the general election. Labour has further pledged to use a £3 billion green steel fund to develop an alternative plan for the entire sector. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Labour should be congratulated for their intervention today to invest in UK steel. Following our detailed discussions, it’s clear Labour has listened. “The number one priority for Port Talbot has always been to maintain…