Author: Rhys Gregory

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden has announced the appointment of Maggie Russell as the new Chair of the Council of the Arts Council of Wales. Maggie Russell has over thirty-five years of experience as an arts professional, has occupied several senior roles at BBC Wales and been a constant advocate for the arts in Wales for over four decades. As Chair of Arts Council of Wales, Maggie Russell will be accountable to the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport and is responsible for ensuring the Council’s policies and actions support the Welsh Government’s wider strategic policies. Announcing…

US fried chicken restaurant Popeyes® is opening the doors to its first restaurant in Cardiff on Thursday. This will be the chain’s 14th UK restaurant in less than two years and they have plans to open even more this year. The restaurant will officially open its doors in Cardiff at 11am Thursday 23rd March. Popeyes can be found on Saint John Street, next to the city’s iconic castle. Fried chicken fans are advised to come along early, as queues for the famed chicken-restaurant are expected from the early hours. Early queuers will even have the chance to win a year’s…

Cardiff Council has published its Workforce Strategy for the next five years which details its commitment to employing ‘the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and at the right cost’. The strategy, which is closely linked to the Council’s ‘Stronger, Fairer, Greener’ approach to how it delivers services to its residents and communities, covers the period from 2023-2027 and includes a host of initiatives and innovations intended to: Establish a more diverse workforce reflecting the diversity of Cardiff’s communities Identify innovative mechanisms for recruiting and retaining staff in areas of national shortage…

Easter is just around the corner, so if you’re looking ahead to the brighter, warmer days of spring, there is plenty of fun to be had in gardens across Wales with National Trust Cymru’s adventure-packed Easter trails. Keep your little explorers entertained throughout the Easter holidays with a range of different trails that celebrate nature, history, and beauty. Wherever you choose to visit for an Easter adventure, every trail ends with a chocolate egg. North Wales Bodnant Garden, Conwy Little explorers can join the Easter adventure trail at Bodnant Garden from 7-10 April. Make your way along the trail to…

“We are a government committed to our rivers.” Those were the words of First Minister Mark Drakeford as he confirmed details of a new action plan agreed at the latest River Pollution Summit. The summit, held in Cardiff on Wednesday, March 8, brought together senior representatives from regulators, water companies, developers, local government, farming unions, academia and environmental sectors. The aim was to develop a ‘strategic, joined-up approach to tackling phosphorus pollution’ and after a few hours, all organisations agreed to implement a new action plan. First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We said we would bring people together and we…

Newport’s oldest independent school marks the appointment of its first-ever female Head. Pontypool-born Lisa Pritchard, 51, begins her headship this April at Rougemont School which is ranked top 5 in the country.  Mrs Pritchard will become the first-ever female head in the school’s 100-year history. Rougemont was founded in 1924 and has been led by seven Headmasters during its 100-years.  Today, the school ushers in a new era with Lisa Pritchard taking the helm. “I am honoured to be appointed Head of Rougemont and moreover, becoming the school’s first-ever female head is a true privilege.  As leaders in the community…

The Managing Director and owner of the company behind the Green Man Festival, Fiona Stewart, set out her vision for Gilestone Farm to a meeting of community representatives. The vision aims to help boost the Mid-Wales rural economy providing jobs and opportunities for young people and support new and existing rural focussed businesses. The emerging plans look to create a new sustainable rural enterprise that would generate £23m for the local economy, provide at least 38 new full-time jobs and support 300 local jobs through its supply chain. The Gilestone Farm plan address five key issues for the local area:…

A major new report outlining how Cardiff is tackling the challenges facing society has revealed greater collaboration and teamwork by public bodies in the area. The Cardiff Local Well-Being Plan 2023-28 has been put together by the Cardiff Public Services Board (PSB), which brings together leaders and decision makers from groups including Cardiff Council, The Cardiff and Vale Health Board, Welsh Government, charities, and the fire, police and probation services. Its aim is to improve the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Cardiff by strengthening joint working across the city’s public services. The new plan sets out the PSB’s…

The Startup Academy has supported 84 tech startups in the last 18 months and registration is now open for the Spring 2023 cohort. Tramshed Tech’s flagship Startup Academy is a free 10-week tri-annual programme designed to support early-stage startups and aspiring entrepreneurs in tech, digital and creative industries. The academy provides sequential learning over a 10-week period, and the next starts Friday 21st April with registration closing Friday 7th April. Previously, the programme covered a range of topics to include sales, finance and forecasting, but the latest edition focuses on idea validation, product market fit, MVP and building waiting lists…

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co is delighted to offer for sale a new lease on the famous Miskin Manor Hotel, Pontyclun, with a guide price of £700,000 and an annual rent of £300,000. Set in the heart of the Welsh countryside, within 18-acres of award-winning grounds, Miskin Manor Hotel boasts a rich history dating back to the 10th century. The Grade II listed manor has been home to numerous owners over the years, including the Prince of Glamorgan’s daughter and Judge Gwilym Williams, a statue of whom stands outside the national law courts in Cardiff. In 1985, the…