Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh Food and Drink exports were worth £797 million in 2022, the highest recorded yearly value, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. With the Royal Welsh Show in full swing and crowds enjoying some of Wales’ best food and drink products, the Minister has revealed the industry’s exports increased by £157m between 2021 and 2022, representing a 24.5% rise. This is a larger percentage increase than the UK as a whole, which grew by 21.6%. The highest value export categories for Welsh Food and Drink in 2022 were Meat and Meat Products at £265m, a 42% increase from 2021,…

Leading timber supplier Premier Forest Products has rebranded its Crumlin location to bring it under the Mon Timber banner. The decision to rebrand was taken because of the strong brand recognition that Mon Timber enjoys across south Wales. On a practical level it also enables Mon Timber’s existing customers to use their accounts across a wider selection of sites more easily. The Crumlin branch will continue to sell its current range, which will be extended to incorporate Mon Timber’s offering which includes hardwoods, flooring, doors, joinery and engineered timber. The rebrand coincides with the launch of the new Mon Timber…

Christ College Brecon has announced a new partnership with Ebbw Vale RFC as it looks to strengthen ties with local rugby clubs. The collaboration will see the co-educational independent school and the club work together to develop opportunity pathways for players across all age groups from senior, youth and junior rugby, and coincides with two Upper Sixth players being selected to play for Ebbw Vale next season. Pupils Owen Conquer and Ewan McIntyre will begin squad training with the experienced ‘Steelmen’ team and have the opportunity to develop their rugby skills further by playing at competition level. The partnership is…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has appointed a new Director of Digital.Jonny Sammut has been appointed to oversee an ambitious digital services strategy which will support the delivery of patient care and improve the experience of staff. Jonny joins the Trust from North West Ambulance Service, where he is currently the Chief of Digital and Innovation. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in the private sector, including as a Business Intelligence Director at Health Management Ltd and Client Intelligence Manager at Capita. Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service has undergone significant transformation over the last couple years…

South Wales housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has announced the grand total figure raised for its 2022-23 Charity of the Year, Young Lives vs Cancer — an impressive £65,300. Fundraising activity included golf days, bake sales and a 42-kilometre team hike along the Wales Coast Path — all in aid of the charity supporting children, young people and their families facing a cancer diagnosis. Now, Barratt will continue its support for those living with a terminal illness in Wales — confirming Marie Curie as its 2023-24 Charity of the Year, as chosen by the housebuilder’s employees. Appointing Marie Curie was deeply personal for…

When choir singer Kristina Wishart had investigations for suspected endometriosis, she was shocked to be diagnosed with a large cancerous tumour in her kidney. After beating kidney cancer in 2003 Kristina was then diagnosed with a rare eye cancer in 2013. Now cancer free, the mum-of-two is preparing to help mark 30 years of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life by joining the hundreds of women, men and children at the events on 29 July at Singleton Park and 30 July at Museum Green. And to celebrate the milestone she’ll be joined by fellow members of the DVLA choir have…

The Welsh Fitness Awards is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 2023 Welsh Fitness Awards. September 22nd sees the sixth annual Welsh Fitness Awards taking place. Hosted by one of the UK’s leading boxing broadcasters Ali Drew at the iconic Hilton Hotel in Cardiff. The black tie gala awards ceremony will celebrate the very best of Welsh Fitness. Categories for this year’s awards are as follows: Personal Trainer of the year Fitness Club of the year (Single Facility) Fitness Club of the year (Multiple Facility) Fitness Entrepreneur of the year Trainee/Member of the year Athlete of…

A new film by Play Wales – the national charity for children’s play in Wales – captures why play is vital to children’s development, mental health, wellbeing, and happiness. Narrated by actor Matthew Rhys, the documentary was filmed over two years across Wales. It includes interviews with both children and adults talking candidly about the benefits of play, including a cameo from another Welsh film star, Michael Sheen. Play Wales commissioned the film to highlight to parents, carers, and adults working with children and families the importance of play in children’s lives in Wales, and how they can support it.…

The Cardi Bach (552) service resumed in Ceredigion on Thursday, 20 July 2023. The service operates along a spectacular section of the Ceredigion coastline serving settlements between New Quay and Cardigan. The attached timetable has been submitted to the Traffic Commissioner and once this is registered, which is anticipated to happen on 01 August 2023, this timetable will apply. Until the service is registered the service will operate as per the timetable on the Traveline website with the Friday and Saturday timetable also operating on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Timetables can be viewed on their website: Timetable (traveline.cymru) Timetable (traveline.cymru)…

Here is all you need to know about The GWCT Welsh Game Fair, the family-friendly two-day event which takes place Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September at Vaynol Park in Gwynedd. A is for airguns shooting – presented by The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC) and sponsored by BSA Guns, this attraction will give visitors the chance to enjoy a 10-shot airgun experience under the watchful eye of qualified coaches. The safe and encouraging environment will encourage more people to try airgun shooting and share information about the competitions, clubs and tuition available. BSA Guns will have a…