Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh Government has launched an ambitious new tobacco control strategy for Wales, which seeks to secure a smoke-free society, less than 5% of the adult population smoking, by 2030.  The strategy lays out firm actions and polices with the aim of finally ending the tobacco epidemic in Wales. The smoking addiction has gripped the nation for over 100 years, and despite the known risks, still kills 5,600 people in Wales every year. Smoking is the leading cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in the country and is estimated to cost the Welsh NHS £302 million each year. The National…

Pugh’s Garden Village is supporting the award-winning Forever Flowers campaign this year. Pugh’s Garden Village offers extensive horticultural expertise and a unique shopping experience at its family-run centres in Radyr, Wenvoe and Rogerstone. Pugh’s has been helping gardeners across South Wales for over 65 years and has expanded its business to include regular gardening events, concession stores, restaurants and food halls across South Wales. Organised by Cardiff charity City Hospice, Forever Flowers invites supporters to purchase a limited-edition flower to remember cherished family members, friends and loved ones. The unique, lasting tributes, which this year are sunflowers, will form a…

Welsh racing star Matthew Rees endured a tough trip to the fabled Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium at the weekend (July 22-24) as power issues hampered his performance in the GB3 Championship. Finding himself up against a steep learning curve, the 17-year-old travelled to the circuit the week prior to familiarise himself in a sportscar race, though his Radical suffered mechanical woes which didn’t help his learning. Trying to get to grips with the circuit and a change of tyre cambers which unsettled the set-up of the car, the youngster found himself within the top eight through Friday’s test sessions, but a late red…

Aldi is giving store colleagues in Wales a pay increase for the second time this year, maintaining its position as the UK’s best-paying supermarket. From September, all hourly paid colleagues at its Welsh stores will receive an increase of 40p an hour on their current hourly rate, taking Aldi’s minimum pay rates for Store Assistants to a sector-leading £10.50 an hour nationally and £11.95 for those inside the M25. Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is now worth more than £830 a year. The new rates far exceed the Living…

Wales’ largest coworking community, Welsh ICE, has celebrated a decade of enterprise as it looks back on the impact it has made in the last 10 years. Since launching in 2012, the Campus has generated a net GVA benefit of £63.1m to the Welsh economy, created 800 full-time-equivalent (FTE) Jobs and has supported thousands of individuals into starting businesses. Through its 5-9 Club, an after-hours programme to help people start a business from scratch, the team have supported 698 individuals from across the Valleys regions since 2019. 85% of those potential founders are female, a stark contrast to the fact…

265 parks and green spaces in Wales have received the prestigious Green Flag Award and Green Flag Community Award. They include a diverse range of sites, from country parks and formal gardens, to allotments, woodlands and churchyards.  Now in its third decade, the international Green Flag Award is a sign to the public that a park or green space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.  Wales still holds more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites, which are maintained and run by volunteers.   Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change,…

A new concept called the ‘mediverse’ is being developed with the help of tech specialists at the University of South Wales (USW). Medical training business Goggleminds has come up with the idea – which continues the notion of the ‘metaverse’ – as it develops virtual reality technology for training medics and students. Goggleminds is run by Cardiff-based entrepreneur Azize Naji. The holder of two degrees – in law and environmental risk management – and a Masters in  occupational health, safety and wellbeing, he has previously worked for the NHS as a health, safety and wellbeing practitioner. The Goggleminds concept mirrors…

The July 31 closing date is fast approaching as companies, social enterprises and charities of all sizes are reminded to submit their entries for this year’s Powys Business Awards. 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. This year, there are nine categories. The categories are: Start up Business Award sponsored by EvaBuild, Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Welsh Government, Micro Business Award (fewer than 10 employees) sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group, Growth Award sponsored by The County Times, Small Business Award (under 30…

The latest outputs from Project HELIX, an initiative developed to boost innovation and efficiency in the Welsh food and drink industry, show it has delivered over £235 million of impact, since it launched in 2016. The Welsh Government and EU-funded Project HELIX is a pan-Wales strategic initiative, delivered by Food Innovation Wales, which is a partnership of three food centres based in north, mid/west and south Wales. Eligible companies have access to a range of expertise to help them grow and succeed through developing innovative new products, increasing their efficiency and adopting a strategic approach to business. To date Project…

Nerys Smithwick has not let dyslexia stop her from achieving her career goals at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport where she is being promoted through the ranks. Now 35-year-old Nerys, who lives in Blaenavon, has been recognised for her dedication to learning by being named Higher Apprentice of the Year at Cambrian Training Company’s annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Award. There was double delight as The Celtic Collection, which includes the Celtic Manor Resort, was named Large Employer of the Year. Achieving a series of apprenticeships, which have improved Nerys’ skills, knowledge and confidence in the past seven years,…