Author: Rhys Gregory

The long-awaited 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod was the first and largest national cultural event held for the young people of Wales since the beginning of the pandemic. Access to the festival in Denbighshire was free this year, which resulted in 118,000 visiting the site. Thousands of competitors from across Wales had the opportunity to perform on stage in one of the three pavilions as the Urdd offered ‘a stage for everyone’ for the very first time, an experiment which was a “major success” according to event organisers. Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “We are extremely grateful to…

TWO high profile Welsh rugby players and an entrepreneur have completed a successful round of investment to support the relaunch of a fitness app that will revolutionise the way people access exercise and leisure services in Wales. Fitap is an innovative search platform connecting gym owners, personal trainers, sports clubs and health and fitness providers with consumers at the touch of a button. Founded by Wales rugby union internationals Alex Cuthbert and Gareth Anscombe, in partnership with Welsh CEO and entrepreneur Dean Jones, the app is unique and will enable users to search for services in their area, saving time…

David Ian in association with Barry and Fran Weissler are pleased to announce much-loved performer and TV personality Brenda Edwards will return to the stage as Mama Morton in the UK and Ireland tour of the international smash hit musical CHICAGO, the role in which she made her West End debut. Brenda joins the cast at Cardiff New Theatre (20 – 25 June). Brenda stars alongside the previously announced Lee Mead as Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart and B.E. Wong as Mary Sunshine. The cast is completed by Ishmail…

HSBC UK has launched a £15bn lending fund today for small and medium sized businesses with £750m ring-fenced for businesses in Wales. Supporting local economies, employment opportunities and driving growth across the country. Whilst concerns about the broader market remain, HSBC’s customers are thinking about growth viainvestment, acquisitions and capital expenditure. Businesses have told us that they are ready to invest for growth and are confident about the prospects for their own businesses. They point to the biggest areas of opportunity are in sustainability (12%) and digitisation (11%)*. The Fund is a key part of HSBC’s commitment to help British…

A music loving 92-year-old great-grandmother is spearheading an appeal to find veterans of the first ever Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 1947. Retired teacher Moira Humphreys was a member of the Coedpoeth Youth Choir who took to the stage at the inaugural festival which was established to promote peace in the aftermath of the Second World War. Organisers are planning to present Moira and surviving fellow competitors from the historic first eisteddfod with commemorative medals to mark the 75th anniversary of the event. The popular festival which helped launch the careers of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Sir Bryn Terfel…

Ever wanted to meet your favourite author? Monty Lit Fest 2022 might just be your chance. Over the weekend June of 10-12, the festival will showcase more than 20 brilliant writers with a range of sessions that offer something for everyone. The festival will celebrate writing from Wales, the Borders and beyond, bringing together a stellar line-up of literary talent for book-lovers to enjoy. Hear from bestselling crime authors, Sophie Hannah and Janice Hallett, explore historical fiction with Hope Adams and Alix Nathan and discover the challenges of writing sequels in Welsh with Bethan Gwanas, Sioned Wiliam and Myfanwy Alexander.…

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is paying tribute to its hundreds of volunteers as part of national Volunteers’ Week. Volunteers’ Week (01-07 June) is an annual celebration of the contribution that millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. Almost 600 volunteers give up their time to support the ambulance service in Wales, including 460 Community First Responders and 110 Volunteer Car Service Drivers. Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Executive Director of Operations, said: “As an ambulance service, we place high value on the contribution of our volunteers, come rain or shine. “The commitment from volunteers through the Covid-19 pandemic in…

Cornerstone Finance Group has opened a new, larger office in Cardiff as part of its growth plans to further expand the business across the UK. The move to the new 3,500 sq ft premises in Cardiff Gate Business Park comes after the business has seen substantial growth during the past three years. Since its launch in 2016, the Group has expanded its offering – launching four new brands, whilst broadening its client-base and increasing its employee headcount by approximately 50 per cent. The office will now act as a central hub, bringing together all Cornerstone businesses, as well as the…

Professor Glyn Hewinson FLSW has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Animal Health and Welfare. Professor Hewinson is an internationally recognised scientist in the field of bovine tuberculosis and has published over 250 peer-reviewed publications on the topic. He led bovine tuberculosis research at the Animal and Plant Health Agency for more than twenty years.  Over this time his team introduced many of the disease control tools used today including diagnostic tests and vaccines for badgers and cattle and genetic techniques to better understand the spread of…

Cardiff’s Children’s Services is on the look-out for volunteers to become positive role models for children and young people in the city. The Volunteer Befriending Scheme matches individuals with some spare time and the desire to give something back to their community with 7 to 18-year-olds involved with Children’s Services, who would benefit for an external positive influence in their lives. Volunteer befrienders work with a young person on a one-to-one basis, providing support and encouragement. This could involve regularly engaging a young person in leisure or sports activities, encouraging them to develop their interests and hobbies or helping to…