Author: Rhys Gregory

Wide ranging reforms designed to bear down on kleptocrats, organised criminals and terrorists abusing the UK’s open economy have been introduced to Parliament this week (22 September). The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill will strengthen the UK’s reputation as a place where legitimate businesses can thrive while driving dirty money out of the UK. Through the reforms, anyone who registers a company in the UK will need to verify their identity, tackling the use of companies as a front for crime or foreign kleptocrats. The reforms to Companies House – its biggest upgrade in 170 years – will also see…

This week Green Space Dark Skies marked the end of its journey through some of Wales’ iconic National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a Finale film on Wales’ highest mountain, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).  This will form part of a fifteen-minute film captured through events at the UK’s four highest mountains including Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Slieve Donard and will be broadcast in a BBC Countryfile special and made available free online. Wales’ busiest mountain sees over 600,000 visitors every year, which is why organisers Walk the Plank kept the date and exact location secret, and the…

Savills, on behalf of a private client, has brought to market the well-established Pennant Park Golf Club and Holiday Park in Holywell, Flintshire, for an undisclosed amount. The property extends to approximately c.112 acres (45.29 ha) with the golf course and facilities occupying the majority of the site. The 18 hole golf course extends to 6,059 yards and par 70 from the white tees. There is also a putting green and practice area together with a six-bay driving range. There is significant potential to increase income generation through the planning permission for 73 holiday lodges, of which 58 pitches have…

Other Voices, Ireland’s internationally acclaimed music festival and live music television programme, is returning to Cardigan from November 3-5. The festival will present another inspirational programme of live music and compelling dialogue that champions Ireland and Wales’ longstanding cultural and musical ties both live and online. It’s been three years since the first edition of Other Voices Cardigan took place. Last year saw the event move online to a digital platform, but the organisers are delighted that audiences and artists can finally come together again in person to celebrate the close relationship between Wales and Ireland. This years’ audiences can…

Some of Wales’ best and most renown Chefs and Hospitality professionals are on the judging panel for the upcoming Young Chef Young Waiter Wales (YCYW) competition – a first of its kind for the country – hosted by University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) this autumn. The competition, which is open to any hospitality professional age 26 and under living and working in Wales, aims to uncover talented youngsters and give them a chance to compete on the world stage to bolster their career, build skills and develop networks. A team of judges will assess each stage of the…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement on Wednesday 21 September which outlined plans to help cut energy bills for businesses, but says it might be too little too late for some. Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme which aims to provide help for businesses and other non-domestic customers over the coming winter by setting wholesale prices expected to be £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas. Responding to the announcement, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “Until now, there has been much focus on domestic energy prices and…

To celebrate its 120th anniversary of service, Cardiff Bus is opening its doors to the public as it hosts a Depot open day. The Depot open day this Saturday (24 September) will include a showcase of new and vintage buses, as well as stalls and hot and cold refreshments from local vendors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take a tour around the Cardiff Bus Depot, and view bus displays from the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group. Entry to the open day is free and a complimentary shuttle bus will run from St Mary Street Wyndham Arcade (Stop JE) to…

A MULTI award-winning ice cream maker has launched a new product range and taken over a popular venue after scooping an acclaimed national title. It has been a busy year for Helen Holland and the team at Môn ar Lwy, based in Bodorgan, Anglesey. Having won the prestigious Welsh Food Enterprise Award for Best Food and Drink Producer at the Royal Welsh Show, the family firm went on to unveil a vegan line of ice cream and are now tenants at the Oriel Mon gallery and museum’s café in Llangefni. With chef, trainer and new business partner Lloyd Treadway at…

Learning from indigenous coffee growers protecting themselves from armed violence in Colombia is part of one of the new research projects funded by an international network led by Aberystwyth University. The Creating Safer Space network works with researchers, communities and organisations in conflict-affected regions to enhance and strengthen civilians’ ability to protect themselves and others nonviolently. It aims to create safer spaces in which communities can build sustainable peace and development. The network has announced that it will be supporting 13 collaborative research projects around the world that further understanding of Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and community self-protection. Several of the successful…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed which local roads will be temporarily closed to traffic in order help keep music fans safe during this year’s Porthcawl Elvis Festival. An all-day road closure will be in place along the esplanade between Porthcawl Marina and the Seabank Hotel on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 September. While timings may vary slightly in order to ensure the smooth running of the event, the road closure is planned to last between 6am on Saturday through to midnight on Sunday. Temporary diversions will be in place and drivers are asked to pay close attention to signage…