Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales’ first ever Future Generations Commissioner, Sophie Howe, has joined the Football Association of Wales (FAW) as a sustainability advisor. Sophie will work with the association on the implementation of the FAW’s Sustainability Strategy 2030, ‘Cymru, well-being and the world’, in addition to chairing the newly formed Sustainability Advisory Panel. The FAW’s ‘Cymru, well-being and the world’ strategy was developed in collaboration with the Office of the Future Generations of Wales Commissioner while Sophie was at the helm, using the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act as its cornerstone. The FAW adopted the act’s pioneering spirit with its ambition tobecome…

Cardiff-headquartered Drink and Food Group has acquired the lease on the Old Inn in Somerset which is the second pub in the south west in its portfolio. The acquisition is part of its two-year expansion plan as the business looks to reach a forecasted turnover of £1 million. Speaking of the acquisition, Phil Kent, Head of Operations said: “This is a fantastic acquisition for us as part of our national growth strategy. “The Old Inn is reasonably close to another one of our pubs, The Old Bear Inn in Wiltshire; with both being selected for their rural setting with high-quality…

The British Business Bank today announces changes to the future delivery of its Start Up Loans programme for businesses in Wales. From 24 February 2024, working in partnership with Business in Focus as an affiliate of the Start Up Loans programme, the Bank will be providing pre-loan support directly to Welsh businesses. This initiative brings together Business in Focus’ extensive experience and networks with the Bank’s direct partnerships within the Welsh business support ecosystem. The initiative will combine these relationships with an internal British Business Bank team of Business Advisors who will be dedicated to furthering Wales’ dynamic business economy…

Leisure centres in the UK have been thrown a lifeline thanks to a carbon-cutting scheme which is predicted to save one ‘valued community asset’ £10,000 annually. Babergh District Council and Abbeycroft Leisure have benefitted from a decrease in energy consumption due to the installation of an innovative warm water recovery system at its swimming pool in Sudbury, significantly reducing its bills. Welsh water treatment firm Pwlltec has conserved 2,000 tonnes of water and 47MWh in energy at Kingfisher Leisure Centre during the year-long pilot scheme, the first of its kind worldwide. Instead of disposing of heated wastewater after it passes…

An appeal has been launched to find ex-strikers to invite them to the premiere of a documentary to mark the 20th anniversary of one of Britain’s longest industrial disputes. The hard-hitting film, Y Lein: Streic Friction Dynamics (The Line: Friction Dynamics Strike), has been made by  Dïon  Wyn, the grandson of one of the strikers, Raymond Roberts, who was determined the “historic injustice” should never be forgotten. The strike saw workers picketing the Friction Dynamics factory on the outskirts of Caernarfon for almost 1,000 days between April 2001 and December 2003 but, despite winning an industrial tribunal, they never received damages.…

Chart-topping UK singer/songwriter, James Arthur*, today announces that he’ll be bringing his UK summer show to Swansea next summer, when he comes to Singleton Park on 18 July, with special guests to be announced. Tickets on sale from 8 December. “A night singing my songs out in the open air of Singleton Park, what could be better,” smiles James Arthur, “For an artist, nothing compares to being able to connect with your audience, in the moonlight, it brings that pure festival vibe to the performance.  I can’t wait, Swansea, here I come.” With the magnificent backdrop of Singleton Park as…

ORGANIC growth at a leading farm estate is not limited to its award-winning products. Rhug Estate, based near Corwen in North Wales, is experiencing significant expansion in all aspects of its operations. Home and overseas sales have remained buoyant this year and over past weeks several new faces have joined the Rhug family. Among the recent recruits are Cutting Plant Manager Paulo Santos, and Richard Harris, who will be taking on the role of Procurement and Logistics Manager for the entire Rhug Estate group, including the renowned Wild Beauty range. Additionally, Emily Johnson has been appointed Head of Sales and Marketing,…

Hip hip hooray, three cheers for the staff at Cardiff’s PDSA Pet Hospital as it celebrates its 10thbirthday. The Pet Hospital on Nettlefold Road first opened in December 2013 – since then it has treated tens of thousands of pets. One of 48 PDSA Pet Hospitals in the UK, the talented team provide a vital lifeline for local owners who are struggling to afford vet care and ultimately help keep people and pets together. Student Veterinary Nurse Mike Connor said: “The whole team is absolutely delighted to be celebrating 10 wonderful years treating the pets of Cardiff from our site…

Company bosses are being urged to work together and be “more pirate” to keep the Welsh pound in Wales. Entrepreneur Geraint Hughes, who runs a leading artisan food company and a business consultancy, believes that creating local supply chains can kick-start an economic revolution. Mr Hughes was the keynote guest speaker at the annual Christmas dinner of Wrexham Business Professionals at Wrexham’s Ramada Plaza Hotel. The organisation is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and enterprise and expertise that exist in the region. Mr Hughes established Bwydydd Madryn (Madryn Foods) just…

Schools from every corner of the UK are invited to test their tech skills for the chance to be crowned Cyber Explorer champions, Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has announced. The Cyber Explorers Cup kicked off today (Wednesday 6 December) giving pupils between 11 and 14 years the opportunity to compete in cyber security challenges – boosting their learning in a vital technology, with the chance to win tech-related prizes which could include vouchers for schools to buy new learning materials and equipment, class trips, and opportunities for teachers and students to engage with other learning opportunities. More than…