Author: Rhys Gregory

A North Wales construction firm has volunteered to help to create a welcoming reception space and the perfect atmosphere for a Bangor-based community hub offering essential support to those seeking better mental health. Team members from Wynne Construction donated their time and resources to refurbish two rooms in the Victorian-era building which houses Canolfan Abbey Road, helping give it a much-needed revamp.  Work completed by the company included forming a new doorway between two rooms, fixing the joists in floors, painting using supplies donated by subcontractor Curtis Painting Group, and providing new flooring, donated by subcontractor Idris Contract Flooring. Additional…

Experienced equity investor Duncan Gray has been appointed as Technology Venture Investments Director following a successful period of growth in the Development Bank of Wales’ Technology Venture Investments (TVI) division. Duncan takes over from Simon Thelwall-Jones who led the team from 2019 to December 2021. As the new director of technology ventures, Duncan progresses from his former role as Deputy Fund Manager (Strategic Portfolio) within the TVI team. He is replaced by Mark Bowman who has been promoted from Senior Investment Executive to Deputy Fund Manager. The TVI team has also expanded to include new joiners Oliver Wheatley as an…

Welsh soldiers take their annual St David’s Day celebrations to the next level by walking, running and cycling over nine-thousand miles to raise money for seriously ill children.  The challenge will see members of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards in Cardiff and The Long Range Reconnaissance Group in Mali walk, run and cycle a total of 9,387 miles charting the distance from Cardiff to Mali. Around 1,000 soldiers will participate in this never-done-before challenge, being split into three groups to complete 3,129 miles each. “As a regiment, we celebrate St David’s Day every year, but this year we have been…

Innovative hangers may soon be lining the aisles of retail stores across the globe as a worldwide manufacturing company looks to expand on sustainable designs created alongside Bangor University undergraduates. Global hanger maker Mainetti has worked alongside the university to develop new ideas for hangers for use with some of the world’s largest fashion brands and retailers. The firm, which has more than 6,000 employees across six continents, produces the bulk of its new hanger designs at its factory in Wrexham, where Bangor students had previously undertaken work placements. Following contact from staff from the university’s School of Computer Sciences…

Singer-songwriter supreme Rufus Wainwright has announced a show at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre this summer which is only one of four UK Dates. The singer-songwriter who reached 12 million views on Youtube with Choir! Choir! Choir! Covering Leonard Cohen’s famous Hallelujah, will be coming to Rhyl Pavilion Theatre on 26th June, 2022 as 1 of only 4 UK dates to celebrate his ninth studio LP and first new pop album since 2021. Wainwright’s new album, Unfollow the Rules finds the artist at the peak of his powers, entering artistic maturity with passion, honesty, and a new-found fearlessness while remaining as creative,…

More than half of all eligible Senedd Members have already signed a Statement of Opinion calling for more action in Wales against the illegal ear cropping of dogs – as shocking new figures show calls received by the RSPCA about the mutilation reach record highs. In 2021, RSPCA investigators received 188 reports related to illegal ear cropping across England and Wales – an 86% increase on the 101 reports to the charity in 2020. Since 2015, when record keeping began, reports to the RSPCA have soared 1,243% – with only 14 reports received by the charity in 2015. RSPCA Cymru…

Swansea Building Society has announced that Maggie’s Swansea will be its official charity for 2022, following a vote by its staff. Cancer support charity, Maggie’s, was founded by Maggie Keswick Jencks following her own experience of having cancer. During her diagnosis and treatment, Maggie felt that it was as hard on her family as it was on her, so she set about creating a new type of support: a centre that could make the experience of cancer more manageable for everyone involved. The original Maggie’s was opened in Edinburgh in 1996, shortly after Maggie passed away, and the charity now…

The inaugural Child of Wales Awards, in partnership with Bluestone National Park Resorts, took place at Mercure Holland House, Cardiff on Friday 4th March. A Star-studded uplifting celebration of the heroism, talent and courage of Wales’s young people. The event, which was postponed three times due to Covid, was attended by many famous faces, and was hosted by TV presenter Gethin Jones. The ceremony was brimming with emotions as the audience listened to the incredible stories of the extraordinary feats the winners had achieved. The winners included young fundraisers Emily and Holly Walker who has raised over £170k in memory…

Based on the Oscar nominated classic motion picture Fatal Attraction, James Dearden’s intoxicating new stage production arrives at the New Theatre, Cardiff this week. Fatal Attraction, brings the definitive movie thriller to the UK stage. Starring Footballer’s Wives siren Susie Amy, as the iconic Alex Forrest, soap star favourite Oliver Farnworth (Coronation Street) as Dan Gallagher and celebrated TV talent and performer Louise Redknapp (Eternal, Strictly Come Dancing, Cabaret, 9 to 5) as Beth Gallagher. When happily married New York attorney Dan Gallagher, meets charming editor Alex (Susie Amy) on a night out in the city, they both commit to…

Wales will be taking on France on Friday, March 11th at Principality Stadium. With the kick-off taking place at 8pm – there will be a full city centre road closure from 4.30pm until Midnight to ensure all ticket holders are able to get into and out of the stadium safely. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city. Road closures From 7am, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed because of the need to prepare Gate 5 and protect queuing…