Author: Rhys Gregory

An entrepreneur has raised £1,800 in aid of Parkinson’s UK Cymru, with an epic climb up Machu Picchu, in the Peruvian Andes. Founder of Sizzle Marketing, Sam Williams, from Pontypool, whose dad has the condition, trekked for four days to get to the iconic 15th-century Inca citadel. The 27-year-old marketing consultant said the journey, to what is often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, which is located on a 2,430-metre mountain ridge was “tough”, especially when the high altitude made it “harder to breathe”. His dad, Mark Williams, 60, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 16 years ago, and…

The Great Gardens of West Wales, a six-strong group of beautiful venues in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, are encouraging visitors to take a walk on the wild side this spring. Tailored lawned grass is known to have little environmental and ecological benefit so the teams of gardeners at all six of the collection of Great Gardens of West Wales, have individually created unique wild meadow areas which are more supportive in maintaining healthy ecosystems.  Your passport to a wildflower spectacular is the Great Gardens of West Wales (GGWW) leaflet which can be found in most leaflet holders around south and…

Tax-Free Childcare has saved 23,765 families in Wales on their childcare costs during the 2022 to 2023 tax year, an increase of nearly 6,000 from the previous year according to the latest statistics released by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today (24 May 2023). With thousands more families benefitting from the UK Government top up year on year, HMRC is reminding eligible working families of the financial support available to pay for approved childcare including holiday clubs, breakfast and after school clubs, child minders and nurseries. Last year, £533 million in government cash was shared by families across the UK…

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced that Craig Revel Horwood will star as Miss Hannigan in their smash hit production of the musical Annie, visiting Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre in July 2023 on a UK and Ireland tour. Craig Revel Horwood is probably best known as a judge on all 20 series of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing. He returns to the part of Miss Hannigan having played the role to critical acclaim in this production in both the West End and on tour. His other West End Theatre credits include Munkustrap in Cats, Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal,…

The much-anticipated North Wales Means Business Conference and Trade Show returns to Venue Cymru in Llandudno from 9am-4pm on Thursday (June 1). The event was held online during the Covid-19 pandemic, so organisers at Bangor Business School are thrilled to be able to bring people back together under one roof for a stellar series of talks, breakout sessions, and an exhibition featuring some of the region’s top companies. Among the special guests are David Roberts from The Alternative Board (TAB), chair of the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) and of the Institute of Directors in North Wales; best-selling author…

The Cult are delighted to announce The Alarm, The Mission and Lili Refrain will be joining them at their Cardiff Castle show on July 4th. Described by U2’s Bono as “The second greatest rock and roll band in the world”, The Alarm have sold more than six million albums around the world since forming in North Wales in the early 1980s. Global hits such as 1983’s The Stand – which recently triggered more than three million Spotify hits after featuring in the Netflix’ TV series 13 Reasons Why – the evergreen Sixty Eight Guns, 45 RPM, Under Attack and Superchannel…

Specialist business property advisor, Christie & Co has announced Manorbier Nisa & Post Office in Tenby, Wales has been sold for the first time in 24 years, with funding for the new owner’s purchase secured through Christie Finance. Located on Tenby’s main road, just less than one mile from the beach, Manorbier PO benefits from both local trade and the areas’ thriving tourist market. The store provides a varied selection of convenience products, as well as a Post Office service which is heavily relied upon by the residents. The business has been owned and run by Anne Rossiter since 1999,…

Aberystwyth University’s Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) has received a funding boost of £9.8 million for its work on resilient crops. IBERS, which is based in Gogerddan near Aberystwyth, conducts research designed to address global challenges such as food security, bioenergy and sustainability, and the impacts of climate change. The research centre’s work addresses the challenge of climate change by studying what is needed for future agricultural resilience and understanding how to produce sustainable biomass to achieve net zero targets. The new resilient crops funding will support studies on perennial ryegrass, clover, oats and the energy grass,…

SJ Roberts has been appointed by Barcud, one of the leading housing associations in Wales, to deliver phase 2 of its Maes Dulais development in Newtown. The second phase will be comprised of 31 properties, with a mix of 1-, 2-, 3- and 4- bedroom homes. The homes will be available for social rent, with some available for shared ownership. SJ Roberts has previously worked with Barcud on phase 1 of the development, as well as on a 36-home project in Presteigne, Powys. The new homes are much needed in Newtown, where there is high demand for affordable, quality housing.…

An inspirational volunteer was chosen to open a new Cancer Research UK store dedicated to saving lives. Leigh Hughes cut the ribbon at the ceremony to officially open the store in Abergavenny on Thursday May 25. The new store at 6 High Street is just a few doors down from the original CRUK shop but is five times bigger, offering more stock just in time for summer. It was a special day for Leigh, 36, who has volunteered in the Cancer Research UK shop in Abergavenny for the past six years. Leigh, who has Down’s Syndrome, scooped the charity’s Flame…