Author: Rhys Gregory

A Welsh machinery manufacturer is celebrating its expansion into the United States with the opening of a dedicated American office, following a surge in demand for its products across the globe. RM Group, which employs 62 people at its base in Newtown, Powys, designs and builds both manual and automated machinery used to process and package items for industries like food and drink, construction, energy, utilities and general industry. The company now exports its products to more than 15 countries from its factory in Wales, including Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Iraq and the USA, just 20 years after it was…

A scheme providing people with training and knowledge about tourism in North Wales is proving popular. With over 2,000 people signed up, there are over 1,350 who have become Ambassadors for at least one of the regions in Wales, including Denbighshire Tourism Ambassadors – and this continues to grow. The Denbighshire scheme offers 12 online training modules on a variety of themes including walking, cycling, towns, history, arts, coast, Welsh language and food tourism. There are 3 levels of awards – bronze, silver and gold, depending on the number of modules completed. Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans…

The redeveloped Fitness Suite at Newbridge Leisure Centre has reopened its doors following a significant investment by Caerphilly County Borough Council. The new state of the art, air-conditioned fitness suite has been designed with a contemporary style supported by an extensive range of industry leading equipment, offering cardiovascular, strength and digital based solutions. The new fitness suite includes the latest, high quality equipment including curve treadmills, Air cycle, SkiErg’s and the exciting eGym concept, complemented by industry leading racks, benches and lifting platforms. The newly designed group cycle studio and dance studio will be home to a varied programme of…

Four million customers are yet to submit their completed Self Assessment tax return and pay any tax owed ahead of the deadline on 31 January, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned. More than 12.2 million customers are expected to complete a tax return for the 2020/21 tax year. HMRC is urging the millions of customers still to file their tax return, pay any outstanding liabilities or set up a payment plan, to do so ahead of the deadline as interest will be applied to all outstanding balances from 1 February. However, earlier this month, HMRC announced they would waive…

The score was 4-3 but everyone involved in a football match in Wrexham agreed that it was a win-win result. The final whistle of the game at the Football Association of Wales’ Colliers Park complex marked a milestone in community relations as the match was between teams of local police officers and Bellevue FC, a community-based side comprised of players from a variety of backgrounds. And not only did the fixture succeed in its aim of helping to break down barriers between the police and the public but it also provided a boost to Wrexham’s City of Culture bid for 2025.…

Taking a lateral flow rapid test has become the norm for most of us, but if you’re feeling fine, you might be wondering why it is still necessary to take a test. There are many reasons why testing is still important, from helping scientists track the spread of the virus to protecting those around you. We’ll cover these reasons, and more, in greater detail below, so read on to learn why lateral flow testing is still important even as restrictions continue to be eased across the country. Works in Those With No Symptoms One of the main reasons that regular…

The minimum electrical safety standards (ESS) came into force for rented properties in June 2020. These new rules require landlords to have all electrical installations within their properties inspected by a qualified electrician every five years. The regulations were introduced to ensure that electrics in rented properties are safe and maintained. Here are five ways that landlords can ensure the electrical safety of their tenants: 1. Obtain a new EICR Obtaining a new EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the easiest way to get an overview of the safety and overall condition of the electrical fittings and installations within your…

THE stunning Vale of Clwyd landscape inspired a school pupil to victory in a college competition. Catrin Wynne was among local children to come up with names for rooms at the £1.2m Hwb Cymunedol (Community Hub) rural education centre at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi. Catrin, from Ysgol Pentrecelyn, looked to the fields and farms around Llysfasi and decided upon these four titles – Cricor, Y Gelli, Y Waun and Y Accre. The talented nine year-old said: “I am really happy my names were chosen and honoured that our village and school will always be represented in the new building. “I looked…

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is sponsoring this year’s IRONKIDS Wales event on September 10 as part of its collaborative partnership with IRONMAN Wales. The partnership, which also includes sponsorship of the IRONMAN Wales volunteer programme, will provide opportunities for students and staff to collaborate with IRONMAN on areas related to the University’s portfolio including sports, health and wellbeing, tourism, hospitality, events management as well as film and media.  It will also provide opportunities for applied research including the possibility of undertaking impact studies and reports to inform IRONMAN Wales in its business planning and future strategy.…

The number of electric car charging points for public use went up by 9% from 1 October 2021 to 1 January 2022, according to Department for Transport figures. There are now 2,448 more available charging devices across the country. Publicly accessible rapid charging devices increased by 233, a 5% rise in three months. This brings the total of publicly accessible charging points nationwide to 28,375, of which 5,156 are rapid charging devices. Over the course of 2021, the number of publicly accessible charging points increased by 37%, an additional 7,600 devices. The number of rapid devices increased by 33% adding…