Author: Rhys Gregory

Welsh Cybersecurity software firm, Enclave Networks, has closed a $1M funding round led by existing investors Next Big Thing together with new US-based cyber investors Gula Tech Adventures (GTA). Enclave Networks has developed proprietary technology to improve the security and resilience of computer networks, whilst simultaneously making them more straightforward to set up and manage. The investment will support Enclave’s go-to-market strategy and expansion into new markets, including the USA. In 2021, four in ten businesses (39%) identified breaches or attacks on their networks, according to the Government’s Cyber Security Breach Survey. Enclave, a Zero Trust software-as-a-service (SaaS*) product, makes connectivity within businesses and their supply…

From ‘WalkShops’ to Maxilla Men’s Shed, the shortlist is announced for the £150,000 Award for Civic Arts Organisations by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and King’s College London, showing emphasis on co-creation and partnership Today, 26 January, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch), in partnership with King’s College London, announce the shortlist for the second Award for Civic Arts Organisations. Each arts organisation was chosen for its outstanding capacity to adapt to the pandemic and for how they have all deepened their commitment to their communities over the past two years. What shines through is the way that the pandemic has accelerated…

Work continues on the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site that’s due to become a new visitor attraction for Penderyn Whisky this year. The council scheme will bring new life to the historic site’s powerhouse and outbuildings. A distillery will add to the Wales-based company’s existing facilities. Main contractor John Weaver Contractors, based in Swansea, has forged ahead with work in line with government restrictions throughout the pandemic. Fellow Welsh firm Hayes Engineering & Cladding has fabricated – and is putting up – the steel framework that will recreate the powerhouse’s original clock tower. The shell of a new-build Penderyn visitor centre is…

Flint-headquartered sustainable wet-wipe manufacturer Nice-Pak has received a top global award for providing excellent employee conditions. Top Employer showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work and exhibits this through excellent HR policies and people practices. It is the ninth year running that the Aber Park company has been certified as a Top Employer, recognised amongst employers such as the NHS, Pfizer and Harrods. The Nice-Pak group, which celebrates 30 years manufacturing later this year, employs more than 850 across operations in Flint, Wigan and Osterweddingen, Germany. Nice-Pak also boasts an above industry-average tenure among employees, with more…

Japanese cherry trees, or ‘sakura’, gifted to Cardiff Council’s Heath Park and Bute Park have been planted at two special ceremonies this week. The trees planted today were six of the 120 trees kindly gifted as part of The Sakura Cherry Tree Project which was created to celebrate 150 years of friendship between Wales and Japan. They will form an avenue of cherry blossom trees in the parks when in full bloom. The 20 trees for Bute Park have been donated in response to the vandalism and several thousand pounds worth of damage caused to trees, planters, stonework, manhole covers…

The number of pop-up youth clubs in Swansea is continuing to expand with another opening in Penlan next week. It will be the ninth to launch as Swansea Council’s youth services, called Evolve, reaches more and more young people. Evolve has teamed up with Freedom Leisure, who run Penlan Leisure Centre, for the initiative. It will be held between 7pm and 9pm every Thursday from February 3 at the centre and is for 11 to 17-year-olds. Places need to be booked in advance and activities are set to include table tennis, basketball, Nintendo and PlayStation, arts and crafts, access to…

Caerphilly-born Alisha Thomas has triumphed after winning gold at WorldSkills UK. The bright 18-year-old competed in the Health and Social Care Foundation Skillscategory and delivered a healthy-eating talk, aimed at raising awareness to patients who are recovering from a stroke. WorldSkills competitions raise the profile and recognition of skilled people and show how important skills are in achieving personal and professional success. Foundation Skills Competitions are designed for students who have a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or disabilities. The 10 specially designed competitions allow students to showcase skills, knowledge and behaviours that highlight their independence and employability skills.…

Eligible households are reminded to apply to the Winter Fuel Support Scheme for support towards paying winter fuel bills. As part of a support package of over £50m to address immediate pressures on living costs in Wales, the Welsh Government has made available over £38 million through a Winter Fuel Support Scheme. To date Ceredigion County Council has assisted over 1,800 households with these payments, and paid out in excess of £180,000. So if you are facing increased fuel bills and think that you may qualify please submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that the scheme closes…

The Waterproof and Wellies Project, part of The Outdoor Guide Foundation, is raising £5m to provide State Primary Schools with outdoor clothing & welly boots to enable children to learn about and enjoy the outdoors. The pupils of Lansdowne Primary School were delighted to benefit from the Waterproof & Wellies Project, devised by founder Gina Bradbury Fox. The project was launched by TV presenter Gemma Hunt from CBeebies in Bristol last year. So far, 140 schools across the UK have received 1400 outdoor kits. Government figures show there are over 20,000 primary schools in the UK in which a number of families do…

Aircraft emergency exit marking and cabin lighting systems manufacturer, STG Aerospace, begins 2022 on a high note, thanks to a focus on adding more value to customers. Despite another tough year for the global aerospace industry, STG Aerospace witnessed good recovery through 2021. It expanded the team, secured launch customer KLM for its latest generation emergency exit system (saf-Tglo® SSUL-X) and introduced a business wide, cross functional Kaizen Council to drive its continuous improvement journey. Additionally, STG was among the first UK manufacturers to bring its products to life using the ADS Digital Cabin. The digital cabin is an interactive virtual environment which allows potential customers to visualise STG’s solutions within the cabin. “When the pandemic hit, our industry collapsed,” STG Aerospace CEO, Grant Bennett, said. “90 per…