Author: Rhys Gregory

An apprenticeship is seen as an important route into a career in civil engineering. From gaining work experience whilst achieving academic qualifications to a requirement to solve different problems with each new project. As National Apprenticeship Week is celebrated throughout Wales, the Institution of Civil Engineers in Wales (ICE Wales Cymru) invites applications for the prestigious annual award – Apprentice of the Year 2022. The competition opens today, Tuesday 8 February with contestants asked to evidence why they should be awarded the title. Applications can be made by the individual, supported by their organisation or nominated by their employers. Over…

A hotel at one of the top visitor destinations and beauty spots in Mid Wales is promising guests ‘The Vyrnwy Cwtch’ when they book a midweek winter break in February and March. The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel and Spa has launched a Spring marketing campaign offering a midweek overnight break for couples from £199 with a second night at half price. Included in the one night stay are luxurious accommodation, a Welsh breakfast, £35 per person towards dinner in the award-winning Tower Restaurant, a bottle of fizz in the room on arrival as well as a cuddly sheep to cwtch on the way home…

Eight young people who are interested in all aspects of film making are being sought for a series of workshops in Mid Wales during February and March. Shakespeare Link, a charity which operates the Willow Globe, a scaled down, living version of the Globe in London, is working with Powys County Council’s Winter of Wellbeing to offer free film making workshops. The workshops, which will be held every Saturday from February 26 to March 19 from 11am till 4pm, are free of charge and open to young people aged 12-18 years with an interest in film making. As there are…

The founding director of Cardiff-based creative agency CREO Interactive Limited has completed a management buy-out, selling 75% of the business to his three co-directors. Creative director Jordan Thorne, strategic director Kat Shaw and technical director Nick Coakley have acquired 75% of CREO from Richard Ward, who retains a 25% share. They become joint owners of the business with a six-figure loan from the Development Bank of Wales secured as finance. From humble beginnings as a two-man company operating from a small bedroom in 1999, CREO is now one of Wales’ most established agencies with a talented team of 12 and…

Wales’ legendary House Music party promoters Time Flies are back on Saturday 26th February for a massive celebration in the Welsh capital. The 1000 capacity Cardiff Tramshed will be rocking to its foundations as the legendary JUDGE JULES, JEREMY HEALY & JOHN KELLY, plus a host of local star DJs, take to the decks for this monster party over two floors of complete mayhem! “Celebrating 28 years of Time Flies makes me and the team immensely proud, but we couldn’t have reached this milestone without the incredible support from our loyal crowd plus the awesome DJs who play for our…

A fully-funded support programme aimed specifically at helping first-language Portuguese speakers to start and grow a business is launching in Wrexham. Wrexham’s Portuguese population is the third largest international community in the town but, as second-language English speakers, find themselves on the back foot when it comes to entrepreneurship with many facing barriers to accessing funding and business support. As a result, the Business Wales Wrexham Enterprise Hub is launching its StartUp Club to bring together like-minded individuals facing the same struggles and offer the Hub as a safe space for internationals to access the essential help they’re missing out…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has expressed extreme concern that the recent Welsh Government Refreshed TB Eradication Programme consultation has been produced without any assessment of the ground-level impacts of the proposals. The consultation, which closes on 8 February 2022, contains significant and costly proposals which, if brought in, could see a significant rise in the number of cattle TB tests conducted, an increase in the number of cattle slaughtered and a reduction in compensation payments of around one third. Dr Hazel Wright, FUW Senior Policy Officer said: “Given the significance of this consultation, it is fair and reasonable for…

Commercial cleaning company Mrs Buckét has employed a new Head of People as it continues its drive to be one of the foremost employers in the cleaning and facilities management industry. Kate Ablett was previously employed by Brains as its Head of People and brings to her new role a wealth of HR experience. As part of her remit Kate will lead an integrated people service that delivers business goals through engaging, people focused activity, utilising best in class practices. Kate will also be responsible for creating a new overarching People Strategy for the ever-evolving organisation. This will include talent…

Following an extensive feasibility study, which assessed the potential opportunities in international football, the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to focus on a bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, the third largest sports event in the world. The feasibility study included an analysis of the economic impact, the political football landscape and likely costs of hosting major international tournaments. On balance, the five associations have decided to focus solely on an official bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, and have agreed not to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.…

Parents have spoken about the damaging and disruptive impact physical punishment can have on children as a new law outlawing the practice is due to come into force in less than two months’ time. As one parent said: “I’ve always found you get further with sugar than you do with salt.” The new law – the Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020 – comes into force on 21 March 2022. It will effectively outlaw physical punishment of children by parents and guardians by removing the outdated legal defence of “reasonable punishment”. Nadia and Sy Joshua from…