Author: Rhys Gregory

Cardiff and Vale College’s Rugby Academy has celebrated a successful, championship-winning season by welcoming English champions Hartpury College for a training session. The 2021-22 Rugby Academy performance programme has been the most successful one since the Academy gained its A License five years ago. The players have seen success in the Association of Colleges RFU premier league and were crowned Welsh Schools and Colleges League and Cup champions. Eight Rugby Academy players contested national squad representation: Harrison James and Mackenzie Martin at U20 level, while Harrison Bellamy, Ethan Rudyj, Saul Hurley, Lucas De La Rua and Gabe Lacey played at…

Checks Direct is breaking into new areas of the UK screening market in 2022 with the introduction of its new Employment Referencing and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) checking services. As an umbrella body of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Checks Direct works with public, private and not-for-profit clients from a range of industries, who will now benefit from additional safeguarding solutions. Employment Referencing Checks confirm an applicant’s employment history and current employment status, and employers can choose to cover a period of one year, three years, or five years. DVLA Checks confirm a person’s driving background, including…

With Cymru Men’s National Team one game away from a first World Cup finals since 1958, the Women’s National Team well placed to qualify for a first ever World Cup, Football Association of Wales CEO Noel Mooney is marking Volunteers Week by thanking the more than 17,000 volunteers involved in Welsh grassroots football. He is also calling on football lovers across Wales to volunteer in the beautiful game and ensure the wait for the biggest stage isn’t so long next time around. Noel Mooney said: “With football’s growth at many levels all over Wales and our national teams being more…

The energy in the stadium will be high ahead of Wales’ World Cup play-off final on 5 June, and many supporters will be relying on their usual food and drink traditions to settle their nerves. A game day pie is the usual for many football fans, and those lucky enough to be in hospitality will be anticipating a multi-course meal before kick-off. But behind the scenes, making and serving all of those meals is a massive undertaking. In the lead up to the big match, we talk to Andrew Draper, head chef at Cardiff City stadium, from catering partner Compass…

Leading Welsh wine producers are preparing for a week-long series of in-person events at this year’s Welsh Wine Week which kicks off on Saturday (4th June). From this weekend until Sunday 12th June, Welsh vineyards will invite crowds of wine enthusiasts to explore the country’s leading vineyards and sample the growing collection of award-winning vintages that have put Wales on the map as a leading wine producer for the annual Welsh Wine Week. Since its launch two years ago, Welsh Wine Week has supported Welsh vineyards in withstanding the effects of the coronavirus pandemic by inviting wine connoisseurs from across…

The Royal Mint has today unveiled a giant portrait of Her Majesty The Queen made entirely out of coins. Working in partnership with Welsh artist Nathan Wyburn, The Royal Mint commissioned the piece in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee. Taking over four days to complete, Nathan helped create the 3m x 3m masterpiece using over 5000 coins including a mixture of £5, £1, 50p, 5p, 2p and 1p coins. Employees at The Royal Mint were given the opportunity to lay coins to mark their time working at the site in Llantrisant during this historic occasion. Using the current official effigy…

This week (Wednesday, 1 June), it was announced that Osian Wynn Davies from Llanfairpwll, Anglesey is the winner of the 2022 Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod Drama Medal. This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Llinos Geraint and Siân Naiomi, 12 short plays were received and the competition standard “makes it clear that the future of playwriting in Wales is secure.” Originally from Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, Osian has lived in Cardiff since moving to the capital…

As excitement builds for the FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final against Ukraine at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday, 5 June (KO 5:00pm), it’s important for The Red Wall to have a high-quality spectator experience. To ensure this, the Football Association of Wales would like to remind fans of some important details that will aid their experience so that they can enjoy what is hoped will be another memorable occasion at Cardiff City Stadium. Sold Out The FIFA World Cup Play-Off Final is completely sold out. There are no tickets available to purchase at Cardiff City Stadium. Access to the stadium…

Twins from Merthyr Tydfil are gearing up to exhibit their photographic work at Llandough Hospital. Rhodri and Lewys Watkins, 20, live with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, sometimes shortened to DMD or just Duchenne. It is a rare genetic disease that primarily affects males, and causes the muscles in the body to become weak and damaged over time, and is eventually fatal. They said: “We are really excited that our work will be shared in this way as it raises awareness of the difficulties that people living with a disability face on a daily basis.” The photographs, which were taken in public…

Businesses across Bridgend County Borough have been invited to attend an upcoming Business Support Fair that will be running later this month. The free event will be taking place on Thursday 16 June between 4pm and 6pm at the Halo Leisure Centre in Bridgend. Businesses from all industries and types are invited to attend, with support and guidance available to help run a business effectively. A number of partners across Bridgend County Borough will be in attendance at the fair which include Employability Bridgend, Business Support Wales, Welsh Government, Bridgend College, Cwmpas and many more. The event is free for…