Author: Rhys Gregory

A top trailer maker has come to the aid of TV presenter Matt Baker and his dad as they restore a classic car to its former glory. Viewers can see Matt working on the American Plymouth car in the third series of the popular family show, Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales, to be screened on More 4 this autumn. Having bought a livestock trailer last year from Ifor Williams Trailers – which has factories in Denbighshire and Flintshire – Matt enlisted them to help transport the shell of the old Plymouth car which he had arranged to be…

Cornerstone International has unveiled a package of financial and non-financial support to help Welsh SME’s break into and further their growth in international markets. Since launching to the market late last year, Cardiff-based Cornerstone Finance Group, has been building a family of international solution providers to benefit Welsh SME’s with access to both investment and expertise to support them to trade internationally. The group includes Institute of Export, UK Export Finance, Department for International Trade, Equals Group PLC, Ultimate Finance, CFP International and UK subsidiaries of international banks, including Sonali Bank, Zenith Bank UK, and State Bank of India. The…

The Lion Hotel, Treorchy has been named the winner of Community Hero at the Great British Pub Awards 2022. The awards, that recognise pubs that have succeeded in building a successful business and is at the centre of its community, attracted entrants from all over the country, with Licensee Adrian Emmett scooping the top award. Adrian has built up a huge community presence, supports numerous local causes and is always finding ways to help and make a positive impact within the local community. The pub has long been the centre point for successful high street initiatives such as the Christmas…

This World Mental Health Day, Towergate Insurance Brokers is calling for health and wellbeing support in businesses to evolve to address the 45% of workers now hybrid working. Louis Britton, Employee Benefits Consultant at Towergate Insurance Brokers, wants businesses to acknowledge the changing nature of the workplace and how that affects the delivery of health and wellbeing support. Louise said: “After the pandemic, many businesses have changed the way that they work, moving away from the traditional workplace and into either a hybrid or completely remote structure. “Without the daily office environment, there is no hub for the delivery of…

Supermarket retailer, Asda, has held its first conference focussing on Welsh food and drink and the value of Welsh produce. Jointly organised by Asda and the Welsh Government Trade Development Programme, the supplier conference included more than 40 Welsh food and drink producers – including existing and potential Asda suppliers. The event featured well-known Welsh brands and producers of all sizes and gave them a valuable opportunity to meet with Asda representatives, including the Wales Buyer, Head of Local Buying, and the Vice President of Stores. The conference was held at Hensol Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan, where suppliers…

Changing a single setting to make your combination boiler work more efficiently can save around £112 a year in energy bills for a typical household, making it one of the most effective free energy saving measures, according to new research published today by the innovation charity Nesta. Nesta is launching a new simple step-by-step online tool to help guide people through quickly and easily turning down their combi boiler flow temperature. The tool is supported by campaign partners Which?, Energy UK, EDF, E.ON Next and Octopus Energy. If just over half a million Welsh households with combi boilers reset their…

A charity running aid convoys to Poland and Ukraine says it has been asked to supply 3,000 body bags to the war-torn nation . The grim request was revealed on GB News during a live interview with Nikki Turnbull and Lauren Barclay of Giving to Ukraine, who are currently in a horse box crammed with supplies and heading for Poland. Nikki said: “I’m heading into Germany, we need to get through Germany by the end of today (SATURDAY), so we’re hoping to get to the Polish border tonight. Lauren added: “We’ve got a lot of warm clothes and blankets, bedding…

New insights from Wales’ most influential think tank, the Bevan Foundation, reveals that the holiday let industry is having a dramatic effect on homes for rent The growth of the holiday let industry in Wales is having a dramatic effect on homes for rent as well as homes to buy in many communities in Wales. In a unique analysis, the Bevan Foundation reveals that the number of properties listed on one major lettings platform, Airbnb, has increased from 13,800 in 2018 to 21,718 listings in May this year. Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Powys have the largest number of properties listed. The…

Preparations are well underway for the Royal Welsh Winter Fair at Llanelwedd on November 28 and 29. As one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe, the winter fair draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two-days packed full of competitions, festivities, food and drink, and shopping. Livestock schedules are available at www.rwas.wales/winter-fair/ and exhibitors can enter competitions online until  October 19. This year’s event will be officially opened at 10am on November 28, following which  there will be presentations of the John Gittins Memorial Award 2022, the RWAS Oxford Farming Conference Bursary 2023 and the Nuffield Farming…

FOOD and drink companies in Wales can access free one-to-one support to capitalise on major procurement opportunities in the public sector. As part of its innovative Larder Cymru project, Menter Môn is targeting up to 50 producers and processors from across the country and rolling out mentoring and guidance sessions for successful applicants. Funded by Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the scheme is focused on coordinating and strengthening relations within local supply chains to position regionally produced food and drink as a compelling proposal for large contracts nationwide. Larder Cymru Project Manager Dafydd Jones…