Author: Rhys Gregory

Wales’s best-known butcher has gone global – their ever-popular pork sausages now stretch round the world. Sales of Edwards’ bangers have surpassed the 340 million sausages mark – strung together enough to reach over 24,000 miles around the equator, and they have released new packaging in celebration of the milestone. They are in supermarkets all over the UK as well as in village and corner shops across Wales and the colourful new branding for their range of premium products has the silhouette of Conwy Castle standing proudly on it. The firm’s founder, Ieuan Edwards began his business in 1984 on…

Major developments in the city centre helped influence a businessman’s decision to set up a new venture in Swansea. Llyr Roberts, the owner of Cwtsh Hostel on Castle Street, says projects like the emerging £135m Copr Bay phase one district are making Swansea an attractive proposition for private sector investment. Llyr, who is also behind the Breakout Swansea business on The Kingsway, opened up the Cwtch Hostel in November last year. It’s made up of both pod and private accommodation, a communal area and other facilities including a communal kitchen, a small coffee shop, games and a projector for a…

Across the UK, 20,000 people are being recruited to create large-scale outdoor artworks, including in four of Wales’ most outstanding landscapes, for Green Space Dark Skies, part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, from April to September 2022. The creative project is the first of its kind in Wales and will be taking place in Gower AONB (13 May), Brecon Beacons National Park (July) and Ynys Mon Anglesey (date to be announced). The Green Space Dark Skies artworks will be created at dusk by participants, referred to as Lumenators. They will be guided along pathways or waterways carrying smart lights…

Swansea Building Society, with offices in Swansea, Mumbles, Carmarthen and Cowbridge, has strengthened its senior management team with two promotions in key roles. Jane Parker becomes Area Manager, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, and Nick Longar becomes Head of IT, as the building society experiences continued growth, investment and expansion. Prior to her promotion, Parker was the Society’s Branch Manager based at its Portland Street Branch, serving Swansea City Centre and the surrounding areas of the Swansea Valley and Neath Port Talbot. Parker started her career in financial Services with Midland Bank PLC in 1984 and continued to develop her…

A couple from Conwy are taking on a double-ultra running challenge to raise money for medical research in memory of a much-loved father.   43-year-old Sarah Ferguson and her husband, Ben Hudson, 44, will compete in the Chester 50 and 100 mile ultra events in March and May this year, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. James Ian Ferguson, known as Jim, was due to celebrate his 80th birthday on 23rd of February this year. The former chemical engineer was a pioneer who built a mail order music company. Sarah says, “Dad ran the business with his best friend…

Monmouthshire County Council is wanting to hear from people who may have an idea for a project in their community that will bring people together and help build thriving and inclusive communities. ‘You decide, Monmouthshire’ is a small grant programme offering funding of up to £4,500 for community projects in and around each of the county’s five towns to help make these projects a reality.  Using funding received from Welsh Government, Monmouthshire County Council and partners will be running a series of events during February and March in which community members will get to decide how best to spend the money…

Investment to build new and affordable council homes while continuing to maintain the existing stock will need to be supported by a modest rent increase, the county council has said. Powys County Council is currently finalising its housing business plans to ensure that they are viable and sustainable. As part of its plans, a council house rent increase of 3.1 per cent is being considered. The increase, which equates to an average of £2.55 per week, is necessary to fund the service as well as allow the council to continue with its maintenance investment plans for the existing 5,446 council…

A number of schools across Caerphilly county borough have been designing their very own Snoopy Sculptures as part of ‘A Dog’s Trail’ in aid of Dogs Trust. A Dog’s Trail is a special event that will promote health and wellbeing, bring businesses and communities together and help boost the regional economy. The trail’s aim is to raise significant funding for Dogs Trust so that they can continue to provide their services for those who need them the most. The event is presented by Dogs Trust in partnership with Wild in Art. Dogs Trust offered a learning programme to schools and youth…

A proposal by one of Newport’s most prestigious businesses to expand on a new site in the city was given the green light by the council’s planning committee. SPTS Technologies, a KLA Company, is currently based at its Welsh headquarters, just off Ringland Way, but plans to move to a new location on the other side of Newport in Imperial Park. Planning permission was granted, subject to the signing of a 106 agreement and conditions, for new headquarters which would include facilities for manufacturing, research and development as well as offices. The company, which manufactures and sells next-generation technology for…

A team of dedicated Cardiff Council Park Rangers have reunited a 2-year old boy with his beloved lost teddy bear today – 10 days after it fell into Roath Park Lake. Arthur, from Llanishen and his teddy bear best friend named “Teddy”, had visited Roath Park on January 17 with family when tragedy struck – Arthur accidently dropped Teddy into the water as they walked around the lake and watched helplessly as he appeared to sink to the bottom. The teddy bear is very important to Arthur and the family for poignant reasons. Teddy was given to Arthur by his…