Author: Rhys Gregory

A florist from Llanelli who was unexpectedly made redundant has turned adversity into success after pursuing her dream of launching her own business thanks to Welsh Government support and funding. Eiry, 48, has credited the ReAct+ programme and Working Wales for giving her the confidence, skills, and support to kickstart her own floristry business after more than two decades in the industry. The ReAct+ programme offers those who are out of work or under formal notice of redundancy personalised support tailored to their individual needs. The help could not have come at a better time for Eiry, who had struggled…

Adnodd, a new arm’s-length body which will oversee the provision of educational resources in Wales, has appointed Emyr George as its first new chief executive. Established earlier this year, Adnodd will be the one-stop shop for bilingual education resources. It will oversee the commissioning and provision of high-quality teaching and learning materials to support the Curriculum for Wales, and the roll-out of new qualifications for learners aged 14-16. Emyr will be joining Adnodd in early 2024 from his current role as Qualifications Policy and Reform Director with Qualifications Wales. He brings a wealth of experience from across the education sector,…

An inspiring new photography exhibition celebrating the achievements of some of the UK’s most inspiring educators will feature David Jones from Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest, recognising the impressive contributions they have made for their students and the wider school community. The exhibition entitled ‘The Gallery of Greats’ was created by the charity The Teaching Awards Trust to celebrate its 25th anniversary. It is being delivered in collaboration with photographer and part-time teacher, Donna Bridgewater, and Pearson, the world’s leading learning company. The exhibition will take place at All is Joy Gallery, 75 Dean Street, London on 13 November 2023 for…

As we approach the winter months, Age Cymru is urging older people in Wales to maximise their income by claiming all their benefits and entitlements.    Last year the Age Cymru Partnership helped older people across the country claim more than £7.5m, but it wants to do so much more.   Sadly, millions of pounds worth of support, including £200m worth of Pension Credit, go unclaimed in Wales each year.  Gavin Thomas, Head of Programmes and Services says, “It’s such a shame that so many older people are missing out on financial support to which they are entitled.  This is money that…

The second International Media Festival of Wales (IMFW) took place at University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Yr Egin building in Carmarthen last week, to celebrate and elevate local and international media talent. The festival, only in its second year and run by UWTSD Filmmaking Lecturer Brett Aggersberg, included a variety of submission categories, including Drone, Adventure, Animation, and Virtual Reality, among others. The Festival received submissions from countries including France, the United States, Kuwait, China, and New Zealand, as well as a large amount of films by UWTSD students and members of the local south Wales media industry.…

LORD NEWBOROUGH has again been nominated for one of the most prestigious entrepreneurship titles in the country. The owner of the sprawling 12,500-acre Rhug Estate, located near Corwen in Denbighshire, has made it to the final of the Unretirement Entrepreneur of the Year category at The Great British Entrepreneur Awards. This accolade specifically recognises individuals who have surpassed conventional expectations and pursued their entrepreneurial passions during what is typically considered retirement. Last year, Lord Newborough received a prize at the ceremony for the remarkable success of Rhug’s sought-after organic Wild Beauty collection, which is crafted from natural ingredients sourced on-site.…

A well-known women’s fashion shop on Mumbles seafront has been able to develop an online presence, thanks to a funding boost. Helen Bowden, the new owner of Solo on Mumbles Road, successfully applied to Swansea Council for a business growth grant being funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Helen took over the ownership of the business in the summer following the retirement of her friend and Solo founder Lynne Kettles, who had run the business for 40 years. The funding from the council has now helped Solo invest in an online retail shop and live…

A priceless collection of photos showing Swansea more than half a century ago is now in the safekeeping of Swansea Museum. The evocative images show the area in the 1960s and 1970s – around the time it became a city. They were all taken by celebrated artist George Little who died in 2017, aged 89. His widow Carolyn, of Caswell, has gifted them the Swansea Council-run museum for the good of people across the city. Council cabinet member Elliott King said: “George Little’s photo archive is a beautiful collection of important imagery. “It’ll be valuable to local people now and…

Swansea is once again coming together to spread some festive cheer to people in need at a very special Christmas event. JR Events and Catering, with support from Swansea Council, is throwing open the doors of the Brangwyn Hall on Tuesday December 5 to dish up a free two-course Christmas dinner for people in Swansea who are vulnerable, feel isolated or may be homeless. Lasting from noon until 3pm, the Together at Christmas event will also see representatives from a range of services and charities providing information on assistance available. It comes as more support than ever is in place…

St David’s Dewi Sant Cardiff has appointed City Hospice as its charity of the year for 2023/2024, supporting the vital palliative care and counselling services that City Hospice provides to the local community. City Hospice, Cardiff’s local hospice, is the only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital. In addition to providing care and services including welfare advice and complementary therapies to patients with terminal or life limiting illnesses, the charity offers counselling and support services for their families. The charity needs to raise £2million each year to provide their services free of charge and the work would…