Author: Rhys Gregory

IT was snip and tuck but talented students managed to complete a stunning countertop in time for the opening of a popular Wrexham barbershop. Learners from Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site constructed the wooden piece for Matt and Kat Whitfield, owners of Holdfast Barbers in Ty Pawb, Market Street. Owen Haycocks, Zoe Booth, Liam Jones, Sam Edwards-Jones, James Lee, and Arran Brearey from the college’s Joinery Level 1 course created the centrepiece, before the final touches were put to it by Painting and Decorating cohort Amber Stanhope and Morgan Sides, supported by tutor Mike Wade. Lecturer Stuart Kennedy said: “The…

New Directions has been recognised for promoting excellence in its environmentally friendly business operations and Quality Management processes after renewing internationally renowned certifications in both areas. After an audit of its support services for recruitment in Cardiff, the specialist provider has been awarded the ISO14001:2015 certification for minimising its environmental impact, and a ISO9001:2015 certification in recognition of its Quality Management principles. ISO14001, awarded to New Directions’ head office in Cardiff, recognises an increase in the proportion of recyclable waste, a reduction of general waste and paper usage, and the exchange of standard products for more sustainable options. ISO9001 is…

As part of the Caru Cymru initiative, Keep Wales Tidy is launching the Litter Free Zone campaign in January, designed to encourage businesses to keep their communities litter-free and to raise public awareness. The initiative has been funded by the Welsh Government Rural Communities, Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. The campaign is reaching out to businesses across Wales to adopt an area local to them and help keep it clean through regular Litter Picks. Interested businesses are being asking them to register their interest on the…

Future Welsh pop stars are being given the chance to show off their song writing talents for a school pop competition launched for Welsh Language Music Day – Dydd Miwsig Cymru. Primary school children can take part in Ysgol Pop, a competition which asks individuals or groups to write the verse and chorus of a pop song using as much Welsh as possible. Children are encouraged to practice at home with their parents where non-Welsh speaking parents could benefit from learning the words too, helping to bridge the gap between school and home. The seventh annual Dydd Miwsig Cymru will…

Leading law firm Geldards has welcomed in the new year with a round of promotions across the Cardiff and Midlands offices. Five Senior Associates have been promoted to Partner across different practice areas with effect from 1st January, bringing the total number of partners at the firm to 61. The Partner promotions include: Elizabeth Bray – Best Practice & Risk, Cardiff Joga Singh – Employment/Immigration, Cardiff Helen Snow – Employment and Data Protection & Information Law, Cardiff Stuart Walters – Commercial Property, Nottingham Gemma Wrighton – Commercial Property, Derby Six Associates have been promoted to Senior Associate: Sarah Bailey –…

A new, Welsh Government funded project working with young people in Newtown to explore issues around climate change has been launched this week. The One Planet Generation Project is being co-ordinated by Open Newtown, an independent development trust and social enterprise which manages 130 acres of green spaces in Newtown. The two-year project has already started working with young people in developing ideas on how people can reduce their environmental impact. The Newtown Police Cadets have been investigating the carbon footprint of different foods and looking at solutions to lessen the impact. Meanwhile, learners studying art and design at NPTC…

The man who turned one of the UK’s biggest pub chains green is backing the country’s campaign to cut carbon by turning his Anglesey home into a renewables paradise. Martin Schwaller slashed the multi-million pound annual electricity bills at hospitality giants Mitchell and Butler’s 1800 pubs and restaurants – and now he’s doing the same at his retirement home on Anglesey. Award-winning Hafod Renewables are about to carry out their third installation for Yorkshire couple Martin and his wife, Caroline, who fell in love with the island on a holiday and moved there when they retired. Vale of Clwyd-based Hafod…

Sony UK Technology Centre (UK TEC) reflects on 2021, the challenges thrown their way and the adaptations required during an ongoing global pandemic, along with the responsibility to support those in the local and wider community who have been hit hardest by Covid-19. Over the past 12 months, the Pencoed-based facility worked closely with local schools, businesses, and charities to make a tangible difference. The manufacturing centre has worked with their nominated charity, the Princess of Wales Hospital, for several years, and during 2021, they continued to support the hospital’s vital work with the donation of breast pumps, hot cots,…

A world-wide study of the impacts of bottom trawling has found that seabeds are in good health where trawl fisheries are sustainably managed. The first study of its kind, by Bangor University with collaborating research institutes, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS w/c 3.1.22) builds on recent international collaboration. It brings together data from 24 large marine regions around the world to establish a relationship between distribution and intensity of trawling activities and the health of seafloor communities. Researchers assessed life on the seabed ascribing a status score between 0-1, where 0 is impacted…

Cardiff Bus customers are being advised that the operator will be temporarily adopting Saturday timetables across its services on weekdays from Monday 10 January 2022. This decision has been made to ensure the stability and reliability of the network, as the operator navigates the impact of the Omicron strain of Covid-19 with increasing levels of sickness and self-isolation amongst staff. Saturday timetables will be in place across services, with exceptions as follows: School services: All school services will follow normal weekday timetables from Thursday 7 January Service 15: The Monday to Friday departures at 05:59 (from Westgate Street) and at…