Author: Rhys Gregory

The World’s last seagoing paddle steamer is returning to South Wales this June to cruise the Bristol Channel for the first time in five years. Waverley will give locals and visitors alike the opportunity to step aboard for a nostalgic trip on the famous steamship from June 2 to 18. The steamer will offer a wide variety of cruises from Penarth, Porthcawl, Swansea, Tenby and Milford Haven. Since Waverley last cruised the Channel in 2018 she has received a multi-million pound refurbishment with new steam boilers installed. Thanks to a recent successful £180,000 public appeal, to meet the annual dry…

Wales is gearing up to celebrate its rising stars in the business world with the launch of the Young Professional Awards Wales. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 5th October 2023 at The Mercure Hotel in Cardiff. The Young Professional Awards Wales aims to recognise and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by young professionals and emerging business leaders in Wales. The award ceremony has been co-created by Lewis Turner, founder of Cardiff & Swansea Young Professionals – two monthly networking groups that help young professionals connect with like-minded individuals across various sectors and Liz Brookes, the Managing Director…

AN INSPIRING skin clinician and cancer survivor is part of a campaign to support people undergoing treatment for the disease.  Sara Cheeney, owner of the award-winning Pure Perfection Clinic in Rossett, is among a group of six volunteers working to develop a new ‘Star Box’. Backed by NHS charity Awyr Las, the care package is for patients using the Shooting Star Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, which cared for the mum-of-two when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34 years of age. Sara, from Llangollen, has also vowed to donate a portion of her company’s profits to the…

New research examining how the foundational economy can be supported in Wales is helping to inform government policy for the future. The foundational economy (FE) provides everyday goods and services on which we all rely to ensure our health and wellbeing. Care and health services, food, housing, energy, construction, tourism and retailers on the high street are all examples of the FE. uThe study, A Scoping and Feasibility Study for a New Foundational Economy Academy in Wales was conducted by Swansea University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Central Lancashire. Its findings were included in the latest cabinet statement…

KWL Architects, one of the UK’s leading care sector architects, has transitioned into an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Its founding Directors, Philip Lewis and Neil Ross, started the company in Stow Hill, Newport in 2001 after working together for over a decade at Philip’s former practice also based in Newport. Now located in Hazell Drive in the city, it has grown from a staff of four to its current team of 19. Philip and Neil have sold their interest in the practice to its employees as part of an EOT but will remain at KWL for the foreseeable future. They…

Pontypridd, South Wales – A 14-year-old boy from Pontypridd is making  his debut in the Spanish karting championship racing with the Jamkart  Team. Jayden, the only racer in his category from Wales, is representing his hometown and his country on the international stage. Despite starting karting relatively late, Jayden is proving to be a formidable competitor, holding his own against some of the best drivers in Spain. On his debut, he scored championship points, and has set himself up perfectly to build on his performance improving with each round this year. Jayden’s dedication and commitment to the sport have been…

Childline staff and volunteers have celebrated the 30th anniversary of the NSPCC-run service opening in South Wales and supporting tens of thousands of children. NSPCC Cymru first opened a Childline base in Swansea in April 1993 before moving to Cardiff in 2011. Childline is a free, confidential service available online, on the phone, anytime for children and young people up to 19-years-old to seek support and advice. As staff and volunteers celebrate the milestone, the NSPCC has revealed that counsellors in South Wales – who now respond to contacts from all over the UK – have delivered more than 220,000…

A new family bakery run by a 17-year-old is enjoying its town centre location in Shufflebotham Lane, Neath. Rosa’s Bakery is located in one of Coastal Housing’s new commercial properties and offers artisan bakes with a Romanian twist, cooked fresh on site. The family business was originally hoping to open on the Coed Darcy estate but are delighted with their new location in Neath town centre. Chris Cundill, Rosa’s dad, said: “This is a new business which had been in planning for quite some time. “Our head baker – and business owner – Rosa is just 17 but she’s wanted…

BOLESWORTH Castle has lined up a series of major events to give the region a post-pandemic boost and achieve its target of 250,000 visitors ahead of a landmark anniversary. Taking place from June 14-18, the always popular Bolesworth International has a brand-new look for 2023. Following significant investment, organisers have packed the 400,000 square metre-site with everything from world class equestrian competitions, entertainment, action sports, shopping and more to create the biggest and best attraction of its kind, in Cheshire and beyond. DJs Trevor Nelson and Phoebe d’Abo, pop outfit the Brand New Heavies, and Rick Parfitt Jr and the…

VISITOR numbers to some of Swansea’s best-known leisure destinations saw big increases as they emerged from the post-pandemic months of 2021 and 2022, a new report has revealed. Freedom Leisure, Wales National Pool Swansea, Plantasia and the National Waterfront Museum all saw a much-needed return of custom after being financially supported through the Covid-19 crisis by Welsh Government and the council. Visitor numbers to the city centre LC and its other community leisure facilities jumped by 84% to 1.42m in the months after re-opening doors to the public. Wales National Pool Swansea visitor numbers rose to 202,000. Plantasia also saw…