Author: Rhys Gregory

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environmental Health team has issued advice to residents, following confirmation of potentially harmful blue-green algae in Pen y Fan Pond. The algae produces toxins which can be harmful to both humans and animals. Residents are advised to ensure pets, particularly dogs, do not enter the water of the Pond – should pets come in contact with the water, owners are advised to thoroughly wash the animal with clean water and seek precautionary advice from a qualified vet. In humans, the toxins can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed. More information about the blue-green…

Business leaders and economic experts are being sought by the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) to express an interest to become Chair of the RSP Board. The RSP Annual Meeting is to be held on Monday 12 September where the new Chair will be announced. Co-chairs of Growing Mid Wales, which the RSP sits under, Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council and Councillor James Gibson-Watts, Leader of Powys County Council said: “It is an exciting time for Learning and Skills in Mid Wales. The Regional Skills Partnership works with business leaders and stakeholders across the region to…

COLEG CAMBRIA has unveiled a wide range of part-time courses to be delivered across north east Wales from September. Flexible professional and training qualifications are available at Cambria sites in Wrexham, Deeside, Northop and Llysfasi, in addition to community facilities in the region. Designed to improve and enhance work skills and career development, applicants can study anything from printmaking and first aid at work, to cocktail making, floristry and dog grooming. Among the accrediting organisations working in partnership with the college are IOSH, Welsh Government, City and Guids, Lantra, CIPD, Prince2, and Learn Welsh. Principal Sue Price encouraged people in…

The Ivy Asia, Cardiff is set to open the doors to its first Asian-inspired concept in Wales on Tuesday, 20 September, with ribbon and dragon dancers performing in front of Cardiff Castle as reservations go live from today. Located within the heart of Cardiff on The Hayes at St David’s Cardiff, and catering for 166 guests for both indoor dining and across its beautiful terrace, the restaurant will be open seven days a week, offering everything from lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, late-night cocktails, and weekend brunch. Serving theatrical drinks and cocktails alongside a delicious menu of tantalising dishes and DJ…

PRS for Music, the UK-headquartered organisation that represents the rights of over 160,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers around the world, announces beloved Carmarthen grassroots music bar CWRW (pronounced koo-roo) as the winner of its Back to Live Music Venue Prize of £10 000 for the Welsh region. The recovery-focussed nationwide competition was launched by PRS for Music to give independent live music venues across the UK the chance to win one of six regional prizes of up to £10,000 and inject much-needed financial support into venues who are dedicated to improving live music experiences in their local communities. Community…

A new fast-track training programme launched by FinTech Wales and Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) has already helped 28 people to become front or back-end developers, and ex-PGA Golfer, Richard King, is the first of four programme graduates to be offered a job opportunity with Principality Building Society. The 10-week Coding Academy was created and delivered by Cardiff and Vale College, iungo Solutions, The Knowledge Academy, risual Limited and Gaia Ines Fassò, based on the skills identified by FinTech Wales’ members and endorsed by Admiral, Principality, Deloitte and Hodge Bank. Fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Community…

New data from the CIPD shows that almost half of organisations support extending statutory paternity/partner leave and pay, with 29% of those backing an extension to either six weeks or more. In response, the CIPD is urging the Government to increase statutory paternity/partner leave to six weeks, either at or near the full rate of pay, to help families balance caring responsibilities and provide more financial support for working parents. Currently, under statutory paternity leave, employees can choose to take either one or two consecutive weeks’ leave if they have been employed for at least 26 weeks. Statutory paternity pay…

A top chef who has cooked for sporting royalty has worked his magic on a new sausage for Wales’s best-known butcher. James Williams, 28, joint head chef at Llandudno’s award-winning Imperial Hotel has been working with the development team at Edwards the Welsh Butcher on their new range of gluten-free sausages. They reckon they’ve come up with a winner thanks to input from James who has cooked for some of the world’s best snooker players including current and seven-time world champion, Ronnie O’Sullivan. He and other top snooker stars have stayed at the four-star Imperial on the town’s historic seafront…

The management team at S&G, specialist Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning mechanical services provider, has announced the successful completion of an MBO, in a deal advised on by GS Verde Group. Paul Copner and Nic Roberts, who have been with the company for 15 and 13 years respectively, have taken full ownership from founders Steve and Gemma Howell. S&G, based in Barry, South Wales and with offices in the Midlands and London, specialises in the full spectrum of HVAC mechanical services, including design, installation, commissioning, and after-care. Established in 1999, the company has built a solid reputation within the market,…

Three new archways are now open to better link Swansea city centre with the marina and seafront. The archways – which have replaced a narrow tunnel that was in place beforehand – are located close to the LC, between the maritime quarter and the city’s £135m new Copr Bay district. The district also includes Swansea Arena, the 1.1-acre coastal park and the new bridge over Oystermouth Road Copr Bay has been developed by Swansea Council and development managed by RivingtonHark. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council leader, said: “Swansea’s waterfront has always been the city’s crown jewel, but Oystermouth Road had…