Author: Rhys Gregory

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 -…

Leicester’s Curve theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome have announced the cast of their co-production of acclaimed musical The Color Purple, which will visit Wales Millennium Centre this October while on tour for the first time. Leading the company as the downtrodden but full-hearted heroine Celie is Me’sha Bryan, whose previous roles have included Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic), Caroline, or Change (The Playhouse Theatre) and The Lion King (UK tour). The role of glamorous singer Shug Avery will be played by Bree Smith (The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre), Aaliyah Zhané (The Comedy of Errors, Mercury Theatre) joins as Celie’s sister Nettie, Harpo…

Dozens of employers and local organisations will be attending the upcoming Bridgend Jobs Fair to offer a whole host of exciting new job vacancies. The free event will return this year to the Bowls Hall at Bridgend Life Centre, Angel Street (CF31 4AH) on Thursday 15 September between 9.30am and 2.30pm. Organised by the council’s Employability Bridgend team in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, both organisations will be on hand to offer advice and support on a range of work, training, and volunteering opportunities. This year, the Jobs Fair will also include a new Training Zone, which will feature various providers…