Author: Rhys Gregory

A record breaking 293 talented young people from Wales have been awarded medals for their successes at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards. The announcement follows a series of competitions that took place across Wales, in skills categories including Health and Social Care, Industrial Economics, Carpentry and the newly launched Inclusive Skills: Independent Living Skills. Throughout January and February 1,242 representatives from each Welsh region battled it out to be named the best in the country at their chosen skill, securing a total of 101 gold, 104 silver and 88 bronze medals. A well-deserved awards ceremony took place virtually last…

M&S in Culverhouse Cross is wishing five fabulous female employees a very happy anniversary as they celebrate more than a century in combined years working for the retailer. For Rachel Harrington (celebrating 25 years), Kim Green (celebrating 28 years), Tracey Mooney (celebrating 23 years), Alison Azzopardi (celebrating 40 Years) and Sue Ball (celebrating 23 years) M&S has been a part of their life for a collective 139 years and has seen them build solid careers across a variety of stores and departments. Alison joined the M&S Cardiff store as a part time Christmas temp in Oct 1982 at the age…

Coleg Gwent students have competed against hundreds across the country as part of Skills Competition Wales. This year, 113 students demonstrated their ability, competence and knowledge, bringing home a combined total of 17 medals in gold, silver and bronze categories. Skills Competition Wales offers students, trainees and apprentices a chance to challenge, benchmark and raise their skills by taking part in competitions across a range of sectors. Funded by the Welsh Government and run by a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations, it consists of a series of local skills competitions, aligned to WorldSkills and the…

Swansea-based kidney charity, Popham Kidney Support, recently unveiled a new charity patron: Swansea City FC legend, Lee Trundle. Trundle played for Swansea City FC between 2003 and 2007, and now serves as club ambassador and youth team coach. A supporter of the charity since its inception, he even hosted its very first event – Wally’s 5-a-side football tournament, in July 2013. Ten years on, Trundle has continued to be a consistent supporter, presenting at a number of its Supporters’ Thank You Events. Trundle has now been officially named as a patron for the charity, joining its other charity ambassadors, TV…

A chef from Pembrokeshire has been named one of the best pizza makers in the world after winning big at the Campionato del Mondo di Pizza, the Pizza World Championships, held in Rimini, Italy last month. Giovanni Recchia, 36, a chef at Top Joe’s Pizzeria in Narberth, entered the three-day event at the end of February, competing against hundreds of other pizza makers to be crowned the best in the world in the ‘Mystery Box’ category. In this category, 89 competitors from around the globe were given a box of mystery ingredients and asked to make a pizza of their…

A unique partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and two National Park Authorities in Wales will see the best-selling book Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words brought to life in two fully bilingual exhibitions for the first time this summer. Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words explores the relationship between language and the living world, and of nature’s power to spark the imagination. The touring exhibition, which is organised by Compton Verney, with Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books, will bring together, for the first time the original artwork by Jackie Morris alongside the English language poems by Robert Macfarlane…

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 50.7 in February, up from 47.7 in January. Welsh firms signalled a renewed rise in output midway through the first quarter following a solid fall at the start of the year. Some companies noted there were signs of stronger demand conditions as new business fell at a softer pace. The rate of expansion was only marginal overall, however, and slower than the UK average. Welsh private sector firms signalled a…

The foodie favourite that is the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival is back with a bang again this year with a whole host of tasty treats to tempt festival goers across the end of May Bank Holiday Weekend (Sun 28 – Mon 29 May). With something to suit all diets, ages and interests – moreish meats, vegan varieties, curries, cheeses, chutneys; scrumptious ciders, great gins, sweet treats and so much more – it promises to be a real highlight in this year’s calendar. New to this year’s festival include the award-winning Keralan Karavan, bringing a taste of stunning Southern Indian…

Georgia Chapman, 27 years old from Rumney Cardiff, was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer in 2021. Whilst getting ready for her 26th birthday party, Georgia discovered a lump in her breast, and started treatment for breast cancer which would lead to chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and fertility treatment. Georgia is now waiting for breast reconstruction surgery. Through Georgia’s treatment, her mother Debbie discovered she carries a hereditary altered BRCA gene, meaning her likelihood of developing breast cancer is also increased, and has since decided to also undergo a double mastectomy too. This Mother’s Day, Asda, Breast Cancer…

FAMILIES looking for a fun and free way to celebrate Easter need look no further than Cardiff city centre’s Morgan Quarter, who will be hosting a Easter Trail throughout half term, along with a family-friendly celebration on Saturday 8 April, with special guest the Easter Bunny! This Easter (1 – 16 April), families are invited to enjoy a free egg-tastic Easter trail through the Royal and Morgan arcades. Families can collect trail maps from participating retailers; receiving a stamp in-store for every egg they find nestled in the shop windows and a special chocolate treat on completion of the trail!…