Author: Rhys Gregory

Fancy a bargain trip to the cinema? Showcase Cinemas is offering half price cinema tickets to celebrate its first ever ‘Insider Weekend’ event. On Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd October, Showcase Insider members can enjoy half price cinema tickets at all Showcase Cinema and Showcase Cinema de Lux locations nationwide. The special offer is available exclusively to members of Showcase Cinemas’ Insider programme, which is completely free to join and has no ongoing fees. Along with half price cinema tickets, members will also be able to claim 50% off selected snacks and drinks to enjoy during the film, making it…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has commented on the newly laid Agriculture (Wales) Bill, saying that the overarching piece of legislation is half way there in providing a stable footing for the future of agriculture in Wales. The first draft of the Bill along with its supporting documentation was laid in front of the Senedd yesterday, 26 September, by Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, ahead of a debate in the Senedd this afternoon. Speaking after its publication, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The first ever Agriculture Bill for Wales has been laid, giving us…

Wales Millennium Centre’s main foyer will soon have a new welcoming look, with the first stages of the biggest refurbishment in the arts centre’s 18-year history now underway. A brand new welcome hub will fill the centre’s main entrance foyer. Featuring a versatile bar serving refreshments throughout the day as well as answering ticketing queries, the vast lounge area will display artwork and serve as a space for anyone to work, meet and relax. A vibrant refurbished cabaret space, seating up to 140, will play host to a daring programme of the very best drag, comedy, burlesque, live music and…

TV favourite Paul Potts has spoken about how his new double album is based on performances he did during the Covid-19 lockdowns. The tenor said: “This album came out of lockdown performances I did back in 2020. Mother’s Day that year, I just started to do a performance every day for four months. “Some of the performances I did outside as an hour-long concert on Sundays and so I decided, let’s see about recording some of those and I did think about doing maybe 12 to 16. I ended up recording 41 tracks, so it ended up being a double…

Environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy is giving away the last 70 free garden packages to communities across the country. Community groups and organisations are being urged to apply now for a free garden package from Keep Wales Tidy to avoid missing out. Since ‘Local Places for Nature’ scheme launched in 2020, more than 900 gardens have been created, restored and enhanced across Wales. Now, with only 70 packages left and this year’s application deadline approaching, time is running out for communities to get involved. BBC presenter and Keep Wales Tidy Ambassador, Will Millard said: “It’s incredible to see organisations of…

The artistic director of an international music festival who led the “world’s oldest boy band” to global fame has been awarded a top honour. Ann Atkinson, who runs the North Wales International Music Festival, has been made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in London,  the oldest and most prestigious conservatoire in the UK. The accolade for her contribution to the world of music was also, she said, a birthday present for the St Asaph-based festival that’s celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. This year’s festival started on September 17 and carries on until October, culminating with the…

An Anglesey construction firm has recently been awarded a £2m contract by Morlais main contractor, Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, to build the structures associated with the landfall substation for the Holy Island tidal energy scheme. With the appointment of Llangefni-based OBR Construction, Morlais, a Menter Môn project, is again delivering on its pledge to benefit local communities, businesses, and the economy. Securing local benefit has been an important driver of this project for Menter Môn since its inception over seven years ago. Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive Officer at Morlais said: “This is more good news for the local economy…

Smart Money Cymru is the first Credit Union in Wales to join an influential body to promote technological development in financial services.  FinTech Wales exists to champion the financial services industry and give it an independent, global voice. The organisation has a large number of Members across the industry in Wales including banks, insurers, accountancy firms, universities and utility companies.  As well as nurturing and supporting FinTech companies, the aim is to create a culture to help new entrants launch and scale-up to maximise the huge potential of this sector for Wales.  “FinTech Wales is a key part of the…

Volunteer lifesavers in a remote rural area of North Wales are appealing for new recruits after being equipped with vital Wi-Fi radios to keep in touch thanks to cash from Brenig Wind Ltd. The Uwchaled First Responders, who cover the upper reaches of the Conwy Valley around Cerrigydrudion, have just received a grant of £835 from from the Brenig Wind Farm Fund to keep them on air with a new radio licence. The Fund, administered by rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd, is releasing a further £80,000 which will take the amount distributed in three years to over half a million…

A New Zealand farming couple, who over 40 years hosted more than 200 UK agricultural students and visitors, is inviting them to a special ‘friendship reunion’. Geoff and Ailsa Neilson farmed near Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, and plan to travel to Wales in the new year to meet up with the many friends they have made through their long association with the Welsh Agricultural College in Aberystwyth (now the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences). Between 1977 and 2019, the Neilsons opened their home and their sheep and beef farm to students – offering them the valuable…