Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Police will be highlighting the dangers and consequences of drink and drug driving by supporting the NPCC national campaign this week until Sunday 28th August 2022. The campaign will involve high visibility patrols, engagement activities and an operational week of action targeting dangerous drivers and protecting road users from harm. Across Wales last year, 11.7% of all roadside breath tests either tested positive, failed to be provided or were refused, with 57.2% of all drug tests following suit. Head of Specialist Operations, Superintendent Marc Lamerton said: “Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is extremely dangerous. It’s…

Specialist Wales-wide training provider, Itec, has opened additional premises in Cardiff City Centre to accommodate growth as the organisation celebrates 40 years in business.   The organisation, which is headquartered on Penarth Road in the Welsh capital, has taken on 7,500sq.ft at Eastgate House on Newport Road as a new Cardiff learning centre to offer space for learners to learn new skills, gain qualifications and employment opportunities.   The new centre will help facilitate Itec’s delivery of part of Welsh Government’s £200m Jobs Growth Wales+ scheme which aims to get thousands of young people aged 16-18 reach their full potential and take…

Thousands of plants have been grown locally to boost a Council biodiversity project. Denbighshire County Council’s local provenance tree nursery at Green Gates Farm, St Asaph, has produced nearly 8,000 plants during its first growing season. The nursery has been funded by the welsh Government, through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW project and Local Places for Nature grant. And following the Council’s declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019, the project is part of an ongoing commitment to enhancing biodiversity across the county. Thirty types of wildflower plants have been grown at the nursery, including bristly oxtongue,…

Twenty-three companies, social enterprises and charities have been shortlisted for  the coveted Powys Business Awards 2022, as the organisers reported another year of strong entries. Showcasing the diverse range of successful enterprises in the county, Powys Business Awards are organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG) with support from sponsors. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony to be held at Dering Lines, Brecon on Friday, October 7. The finalists in nine categories are: Start-up Business Award sponsored by EvaBuild: Bryndu Caravan and Camping, Brecon; Mesh Telematics Limited, Machynlleth and Nomadic Washrooms, Welshpool. Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Welsh…

A brand new opera about one of Wales’s best known legends and written by royal composer Paul Mealor will be given its world premiere at a top music festival. There will be two performances of the community opera, Gelert, at the North Wales International Music Festival that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. While the music has been composed by St Asaph-born Professor Mealor, who was raised in Connah’s Quay, the words have been written by his regular collaborator, the eminent poet, Dr Grahame Davies, who hails from Coedpoeth, near Wrexham. In another first, the opera has been written especially…

Help for Heroes is having to support veterans in Wales with grants to help pay energy and food bills as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. And, with interest rates continuing to rise and, seemingly, no solution on the economic horizon, the Armed Forces charity is increasing the funds available – to support immediate needs – in order to meet the anticipated increase in requests for help. Nationally, the Charity has already paid out grants worth more than £12,500, in the period from April to June, and has helped support almost 100 individuals this year, who would otherwise…

Independent commercial finance advisors, Go Commercial Finance is pledging support for businesses, helping them to get back on the road following the extreme economic challenges of recent years. Since the business was founded almost 10 years ago, Go Commercial has delivered the widest range of commercial financial products and services in the UK, offering impartial advice and bespoke agreements to clients. The team of specialists, which already boasts a combined 80 years’ experience in commercial property lending and business finance experience, is now joined by Leighton Davies as Go Commercial’s new Head of Asset Finance. Commenting on his appointment, Leighton…

The recently established Savills Economics team in Wales is expanding with the appointment of two economists, both with senior international insight and experience. Daniel Vargas, a Cardiff resident, originally from Peru, holds an Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Bristol. A former economic analyst with the Ministry of Production of Peru, his recent experience includes economic impact analysis of science investments for UK Research and Innovation. Prior to this, Daniel was an economist for Wavehill, an economics consulting agency based in England and Wales. His expertise includes SME policy, financial inclusion, policy evaluation and innovation topics and he…

A living wall has recently been erected on the Rhyl City Strategy (RCS) Hub building on the corner of Wellington Road and Elwy Street. Denbighshire County Council has been working with Rhyl City Strategy in Rhyl to secure a living wall to the exterior wall of the building. The development includes twelve metres square of vertical planting in a modular system, has an irrigation system which will provide water and feed to the plants automatically.  A tank beneath the living wall will also allow for the water to be recycled. This project supports the delivery of the Councils wider Rhyl…

Forest Feastival has announced its full line up for its forthcoming events in September. The street food festival returns to its unique location – in a woodland, by a castle, near the sea – at Merthyr Mawr for four weekends, starting on Friday 2nd September. The line up includes a chance for diners to eat dishes from chefs who are new to street food and some making a welcome return after opening bricks and mortar restaurants. Visitors will be able to eat dishes from two restaurant menus before they’ve even opened – Tukka Tuk Canteen and Rock & Scallop -…