Author: Rhys Gregory

Indeed, most people are not financially literate. Some studies show that as much as 80% of the population has little or no understanding of basic financial principles. And it’s easy to see why: there are so many different concepts and terms to master, and they change all the time – sometimes even overnight! It can seem like a hopeless task just to get started. But you don’t have to be one of those people who never give their finances more than a passing thought. You can start improving your understanding of financial matters today, and in doing so, lay the…

The Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, has praised the work of early years settings as they prepare to support the roll out of the new Curriculum for Wales. At a visit to Llandogo Early Years day nursery in Monmouthshire, the Minister met early years practitioners who have worked with the Welsh Government to develop a curriculum specifically for non-maintained settings. The curriculum for funded non-maintained nursery settings was published earlier this year.  It has been developed to support the roll-out of the new Curriculum for Wales in September and ensure those children who receive early education in a non-maintained setting are…

The Welsh Government is making £227m available over the next three years to support the resilience of Wales’ rural economy and our natural environment, Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced. Wales’ rural areas are rich in natural resources supporting communities and livelihoods, and will play an important role in building a new, green economy responding to the climate and nature emergencies we are facing. This funding is designed to support the pace and scale of change needed as part of our 10 years of action on climate change, to enable a just transition to a stronger, greener, fairer Wales.…

Manic Street Preachers played an intimate, exclusive gig last tonight at Cardiff’s famous Clwb Ifor Bach to kick off BBC Radio 6 Music Festival. One of Wales’s biggest rock bands, they had never performed at the venue before, despite having been originally slated to play it back in 1990. The band’s set contained hits from across their career, plus some tracks they’ve never performed before, including a cover of Borderline by Madonna, His Last Painting from the 2001 album Know Your Enemy, and their song Blank Diary Entry. Originally recorded as a duet with Mark Lanegan on their latest album…

Millions of UK workers will receive a pay rise from today (Friday 1 April), as the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rise comes into effect. The uplift in wages, which will benefit around 2.5 million people, includes the largest ever increase to the National Living Wage. It will put £1,000 a year more into full-time workers’ pay packets, helping to ease cost of living pressures. With today’s rise, the yearly earnings of a full-time worker on the National Living Wage will have increased by over £5,000 since the introduction of the National Living Wage by the Government in…

A leading Welsh Community Bank is rewarding its Members by tripling its dividend for savers. Smart Money Cymru Community Bank (SMCCB) has declared a 0.75% dividend for 2021 (up from 0.25% the previous year) – one of the market-leading interest rates on offer to savers in the UK. CEO Mark White said the dividend was the result of the Community Bank’s strong performance in the last year. “We have consistently paid a good dividend to savers in the last 20 years, and we want to thank people for their support and confidence in us,” he said. “We spent Lockdown refocussing…

Street Food Warehouse are delighted to announce Festival of Fire, a new concept bringing a spark to the picturesque seaside town of Milford Haven! Festival of Fire is a family friendly street food festival focusing on quality chefs cooking wonderful dishes with the theatrical use of fire. Adding to the fiery spectacle, the internationally renowned, fire production company Walk The Plank will be exhibiting their spectacular, flaming orange fire garden to accompany the sizzling traders! Plus live fire performances and music will be entertaining audiences across the weekend. In partnership with the Celtic Collection’s Tŷ Hotels, the three day festival…

AN innovative new scheme delivering affordable office space and free business support to home workers and start-up companies in rural areas has been launched. Led by Antur Cymru Enterprise, the DeskSpace initiative is being piloted at Antur Teifi Business Park in Newcastle Emlyn, providing a platform for post-pandemic recovery and a well-timed boost for the economy in north Carmarthenshire. The long-term vision is to roll the concept out across small towns and villages in Wales, helping entrepreneurs who launched a venture during the pandemic – or those who want to move from the kitchen table or spare room to a…

Milford Haven-headquartered hospitality network NetLet UK has a new managing director. Emma Taylor, who joined the company three and a half years ago, has stepped into the role while the company’s founders Penny and Paul Hows stay on as active members of the board. NetLet provides fully managed holiday accommodation and laundry and housekeeping facilities for the hospitality sector across Pembrokeshire. The company saw 47% growth last year and is currently seeking to recruit two managers, three housekeepers and 10-20 seasonal staff to support further growth. Emma Taylor grew up in Pembrokeshire and gained a degree in equine studies from…

Visitors to Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan will be transported back to medieval times this Easter. Activities on April 16, 17 and 18 include dramatic medieval jousting and fighting displays, medieval surgery talks, archery sessions, and the chance to explore medieval lords and ladies’ encampments and learn more about this fascinating and bloody historical period. The horseback displays will be led by renowned horse specialist team The Knights of Albion, who perform all over the world. There will be two high energy horse shows a day, packed with daredevil equine skills. The Plymouth Medieval Society will be providing…