Author: Rhys Gregory

Following the recent UK Government announcement on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the regional investment plan for Mid Wales has received formal approval. A report, setting out the strategy on the Mid Wales UKSPF was presented to both Ceredigion and Powys County Council’s Cabinets where members approved the governance and management arrangements for the Mid Wales allocation of the fund. Confirmation has since been received from UK Government that the investment plan has been approved. This now leaves the authorities to review, finalise and agree the terms and conditions of funding – before looking to implement it with local…

The Welsh Government has published its new Budget to help protect public services and the most vulnerable in the face of a “perfect storm of financial pressures”. Announcing the Draft Budget for 2023-24, the Minister for Finance and Local Government Rebecca Evans said it has been one of the hardest since the start of devolution. This year’s Draft Budget builds on the spending plans set out in the three-year Budget published last year. Difficult decisions have been made to reprioritise funding from within Welsh Government budgets to maximise support for public services and for people and businesses most affected by the…

Although the pandemic undoubtedly made it much harder for many budding entrepreneurs and small businesses to get off the ground and survive, the number of entrepreneurs willing and brave enough to take that leap soared. The pandemic seemingly created just the right conditions for entrepreneurship to flourish. With many people working from home and taking time to reflect on the big questions, answers came in the form of innovation, passion and drive. Twill’s ‘Breaking free from the 9-5’ interview series sheds light on some of the important steps needed to start a new business. 1. Be open to learning There…

Christmas in Cardiff was in full swing last night, as the Definitive Rat Pack brought its sell-out set to St David’s Hall. Audience members were treated to a little taste of Vegas on a cold winter’s evening in Cardiff. It may sound a little cheesy, but with the frosty weather outside, it gave the perfect backdrop to some very iconic Christmas tunes performed by the Rat Pack trio. On stage, you will have find the very charming and talented Stephen Triffitt as Frank Sinatra, Mark Adams as Dean Martin, bringing his own camaraderie to the role, and the witty tiptoeing…

As temperatures plummet, and with snow, ice and fog in many UK areas, RSPCA Cymru is urging people across Wales to follow its urgent advice and 15 top tips to keep pets, livestock and wildlife happy and healthy this winter. With a Met Office yellow warning for snow, ice and fog in many parts of the UK until Thursday (15 December) – and temperatures having recently plummeted across Wales – the animal welfare charity is calling on people to do their bit to help animals. RSPCA pet welfare specialist Dr Sam Gaines said: “It’s really important we help our animal…

Businesses in Wales have welcomed the news that the Welsh Government has responded to FSB’s calls and announced a new package of support to ease business rates over the course of the next two years.     The upcoming draft Welsh Government Budget will see the non-domestic rates multiplier frozen for 2023-24 to combat inflationary pressures on firms, in addition to a transitional relief for all ratepayers whose bills increase by more than £300 following the UK-wide rates revaluation in April.    The Welsh Government also announced that those within the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors will receive 75% non-domestic rates relief for…

Orbis Education and Care has appointed Lisa Cowles in a new role for the organisation as its Head of Clinical Services. Orbis is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist schools and homes, supporting children and adults with complex needs associated with autism. Lisa’s new role will see her manage all aspects of Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support, Psychiatry and complimentary therapies. Lisa, from Caerphilly, originally joined Orbis Education and Care in 2012 as an Occupational Therapist herself. She was promoted to Head of Therapies in 2018 and was given oversight of a multi-disciplinary clinical…

Allens Caravans is expanding its footprint of caravan parks across England and Wales, after securing a £12.5million funding package from Lloyds Bank. Allens Caravans provide a wide range of luxury holiday home and permanent residential accommodation at eight highly sought-after countryside and coastal locations. In the latest phase of its expansion, the business has widened its presence using the seven-figure loan from Lloyds Bank to complete the acquisition and development of two new flagship sites in Aber Bay in Wales and Bredon View in Worcestershire. Since the site developments began, the business has expanded its workforce, adding eight people to…

Tickets are now on sale for The 2023 Senior Open Presented by Rolex, which takes place from July 27-30, 2023, at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Wales. Europe’s Senior Major Championship returns to Royal Porthcawl for the first time since 2017 and fans can now take advantage of Early Bird tickets to see some of the biggest names in over-50s golf in Mid Glamorgan. Tickets start at £15 for adults, £10 for juniors aged 12-17, while tickets for under 12s are completely free. Fans are urged to act now to avoid disappointment there are only a limited number of Early Bird…

New research reveals just 1 in 3 pregnant women in Wales would have Covid-19 vaccination A new study led by researchers at Swansea University has revealed that potentially only one in three pregnant women in Wales would actually have the Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy, even though two in three said they would have the jab. Vaccine hesitancy is an important consideration among vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women especially during the pandemic.  The study, led by the Born in Wales team at the National Centre for Population Health & Wellbeing Research in collaboration with Bristol Medical School and Public Health…