Author: Rhys Gregory

The North Wales branch of the Institute of Directors (IoD) welcomed back local business owners and directors to its first in-person event post-pandemic. David Roberts, chair of the North Wales IoD branch, hailed the business lunch event as a success for providing a relaxed setting for leaders to reconnect with their peers after more than two years of remote learning and activities. The event, which took place at Bangor University’s Management Centre, allowed attendees to catch up over a buffet-style lunch while listening to influential speakers share key economic developments, both segmented to Wales and across the UK. IoD chief…

Office take-up in the Cardiff market reached 121,000 sq ft in Q1 2022, the highest Q1 take-up since 2019, and 214% above Q1 2021, according to the international real estate advisor Savills. Grade A take-up accounted for three quarters (74%) of total take-up in Q1, a 150% increase in the number of Grade A deals completed compared to Q1 2021, highlighting the significant demand there is for high quality offices. Total supply increased in the first quarter of 2022 to 1.65 million sq ft which represented a 16% increase from Q4 2021. However, with a limited development pipeline and a…

A green van is set to give local stargazers a glimpse of the night skies. The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) has welcomed a new addition to the team to help promote the Dark Skies initiative. Following a public consultation last year, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is in the process of applying for Dark Sky Community status with the International Dark Sky Association. Dark Skies status provides advice and guidance for developers and others on good lighting design in the AONB with the aim to guarantee astronomers, enthusiasts and casual observers can…

A Welsh Government fully funded research and development scheme entitled “Demonstrating the Potential of Blockchain”, run by Blockchain Connected, attracted such a significant level of interest and high-quality applications that a total of nine projects have successfully received funding. Launched in January this year, the “Blockchain Challenge” is being delivered by Blockchain Connected – part of Technology Connected, the network for the technology industry in Wales. Blockchain Connected invited companies and organisations from across Europe to submit a problem they had around the themes of the circular economy, decarbonisation, supply chain and digital identity and trust. Using the Welsh-based SimplyDo…

Ninja Leisure Limited, a subsidiary of BGL (Burhill Group Limited), has announced the launch of a brand-new Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park in Swansea, with the ITV product set to open in July. Following the successful launch of its site in Milton Keynes in February, the Swansea venue becomes BGL’s fourth official Ninja Warrior UK-licensed site, along with Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Southampton. It represents the second BGL venue in Swansea, with a Bunkers! adventure golf site already open, and there are further plans to develop additional new sites in Wales. Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Parks are multi age and…

Simona Dubas, a mother from Newport, was diagnosed with cancer at 27 years old. Now fully recovered, following a successful stem cell transplant, Simona is urging more young people across Wales to join the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry this World Blood Cancer Day (28 May).   When her son Frank was just four years old, Simona discovered she had a blood cancer known as acute myeloid leukaemia. After three unsuccessful rounds of intensive chemotherapy, Simona underwent a lifesaving stem cell transplant in 2018 after finding a perfectly matched female donor from Germany.  After being diagnosed, Simona said, “I think I…

Celtic Offsite, a new social enterprise in South Wales, has been recognised for its high-quality production and environmental standards. As part of the United Welsh Group, Celtic Offsite will manufacture timber frame structures for low carbon homes and provide employment opportunities from its factory in Caerphilly. The factory has been awarded two prestigious International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications: ISO 9001 for quality management, underlining consistency and excellence in the design, manufacture, and distribution of timber frame structures ISO 14001 for environmental management, showing Celtic Offsite’s dedication to sustainable development. Celtic Offsite has also been certified as a Climate Positive…

The Mindstep Foundation has been working closely with nationwide men’s mental health charity ‘Andy’s Man Club’ to set up a new talking group for men in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, which has now officially opened its doors. Andy’s Man Club was founded in 2016 by the family of Andy Roberts, who died by suicide aged 23, to offer free talking groups for men to come together and discuss issues and concerns they have faced or are facing in a safe and supportive environment. There are now an incredible 69 clubs around the UK which take place every Monday from 7pm to 9pm.…

A unique film project which brought together Swansea University students, staff and the community to showcase the beauty of Gower will be officially launched next month. The Gŵyr documentary series is a collection of films which each capture elements of local history, culture, ecosystems and natural resources. They have been created by a not-for-profit community-driven project which saw residents sharing their experiences while working with students and filmmakers. The project has been led by media and communication lecturer Georgios Dimitropoulos and the films will all be available for free on YouTube following a special premiere at Taliesin Arts Centre on…

The FUW has been at the heart of discussions to bring back a mart to Cowbridge as well as creating a multi-purpose resource which will not only benefit the farming community, but the much wider area as well. It is widely accepted that the heart of our agricultural and rural communities is a livestock market, and Cowbridge was no exception. Known as a market town for 750 years, Cowbridge benefitted from farmers and their families visiting the town to carry out their weekly business-calling in at the feed merchants, doing their grocery shopping as well as the important trip to the…