Author: Rhys Gregory

A family-run holiday park beat off stiff competition to win a top award. The Commonwood Caravan and Glamping site, in Holt, near Wrexham, was crowned North Wales’s  Best Holiday Park at the prestigious Go North Wales Tourism Awards. The headline sponsor for the glittering event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno was the leading food distribution company Harlech Foodservice, that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it was hosted by acclaimed journalist Sian Lloyd who hails from Wrexham. After starting out as a fishery, Commonwood Leisure has been transformed by brothers Tom and Josh Dunn. The dynamic duo developed the…

Customers at YO! will be offered Finger Lickin’ Gloves with their fried chicken this Christmas, as the Japanese restaurant looks to help the 26% of Brits put off finger food due to a fear of messy fingers. New research from YO! has found messy and noisy eating is British bugbear with 82% of Brits admitting they prefer not to invite a loud eater for dinner this Christmas than have a slurper or chomper in their company. It’s considered respectful in Japan, but slurping your gravy in the UK is risky, as 64% of Brits say noisy eating is the most…

A HYPNOTHERAPIST and wellbeing coach has drawn on her own experiences to help people create positive change in their own lives. Jackie Thomson is focused on helping others overcome mental and physical anguish, anxiety, and emotional pain after battling her own demons in past years. Celebrating 12 months in Deganwy and eight years in business, Jackie – who has a background in musical theatre – brings different solutions together using her expertise as a clinical and spiritual hypnotherapist, wellbeing coach and Reiki master. The mum-of-three previously ran an audio transcription company and revealed personal challenges in her early life inspired…

On Sunday night, Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden starred in a one-off special performance at Cardiff’s new, free, light and sound installation ‘The Light of Winter / Goleuni’r Gaeaf’ – a free family-friendly experience, from FOR Cardiff, in the heart of the city. Dancing to Elin Fflur’s version of Welsh folksong Ar Lan y Mor and dressed in a gown from Morgan Quarter’s Pretty Perfect Boutique – Amy, along with partner Lloyd, performed under the spectacular installation in St John’s Garden at dusk. A special video has been created, showcasing the installation in all its glory with Amy’s performance at its…

A leading civil engineering firm has started work on Benbrack Onshore Wind Farm.  Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK is managing the balance of plant activity of the 15-turbine wind farm between Dalmellington and Carsphairn on the A713 in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.  Contracted by Red Rock Power, Jones Bros’ activity will include the construction of access roads, turbine foundations, and electrical infrastructure, including an onsite substation.  The wind farm project will provide work for 32 Jones Bros employees at the company’s Bellshill base, including four apprentices and trainee engineers.  Jones Bros project manager, Jonathan Maitland, said: “It’s wonderful to start work…

Voluntary youth groups and organisations in Ceredigion can apply for a grant to spend on suitable Youth Work activity. In September 2021, the Wales Interim Youth Work Board’s final report made 14 recommendations to enhance and improve the Youth Work offer in Wales. Ceredigion County Council along with other local authorities in Wales have received additional funding from Welsh Government through the Youth Support Grant in support of Recommendation 12 which was ‘Welsh Government should increase the availability of youth work services through the medium of Welsh’. Voluntary youth groups and organisations in Ceredigion can apply for up to £20,000…

Tesco shoppers in Pontypridd have chosen the Friends of Ysgol Ty Coch charity to give a £10k grant to as part of a celebratory Community Grant one-off funding campaign. Shoppers across selected Tesco stores were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find specially created gold versions of its iconic blue voting token. The total amount being given away in gold tokens was worth £1 million in grants to local good causes. Friends of Ysgol Ty Coch was one of three local charities available to vote for in the Tesco Pontypridd Extra store to receive one…

An innovative new material, made from mussel shells, that protects homes is one step closer to being available on the market, thanks to collaboration between sustainable product company Pennotec (Pennog Ltd) and material research scientists at Bangor University’s BioComposites Centre, supported by Innovate UK funding. Through their research, Pennotec discovered that mussel shells have an ability to bind and release copper. Gradual release of copper from Pennotec’s mussel shell-based composite material prevents the growth of green algae that cause unsightly staining of building surfaces. The product will also prevent the growth of moss on roofs and slime on wet surfaces,…

The MISSION Group plc continues to invest in sports marketing and social media through the acquisition of Influence Sports & Media and Populate Social by its leading entertainment, sports, lifestyle and marketing agency Mongoose Group. Influence Sports & Media and Populate Social will retain their brands and identities, and form an integral part of the newly created Mongoose Group, joining Mongoose Sports & Entertainment and ALIVE Brand Experience. This marks the latest step in the Mongoose Group’s growth strategy, expanding its integrated communications offering, and scaling its social media and marketing capabilities across the sports and entertainment markets. Influence Sports…

Cardiff Metropolitan University has been ranked as the best university in the UK for sustainability in People and Planet’s Green League 2022/23. People & Planet’s Green League is the only comprehensive and independent league table of all UK universities ranked by environmental and ethical performance. To add to this accolade, Cardiff Met has just been ranked as a gold tier university in Uswitch’s Green Universities Report 2022, which highlights UK universities’ commitment to sustainability. Cardiff Met has undertaken extensive work in a number of areas which has brought huge benefits to students, staff and community members. The University has renewable…