Author: Rhys Gregory

A Monmouthshire man is celebrating after guiding the University of Oxford to victory in the men’s Boat Race on the River Thames. Jack Tottem, from Devauden, near Chepstow, coxed Oxford to success in the iconic race for the first time since 2017, on Sunday (3rd April). The Dark Blues clinched the 167th men’s crown with a powerful display against the University of Cambridge in 16 minutes and 47 seconds. Jack, (pictured, front), is a former Captain of Boats, Deputy Head Boy and 1st VIII cox at Monmouth School for Boys. He follows Colin Moynihan and Laurence Harvey in becoming the…

Bellway has welcomed the first residents to a development which will form part of a new community to the north of Cardiff. Longwood Grange, in Lisvane, is a development of 270 homes within the emerging Churchlands community of 1,000 homes. Bellway opened three showhomes at Longwood Grange in November and has already sold 24 homes. Now the first customers have begun to move in. Daniel Shone, Sales Manager for Bellway Wales, said: “Longwood Grange is a development with broad appeal. Our first buyers have included people who already live nearby, along with others who are looking for a home on…

Having made the difficult decision to postpone graduation ceremonies during the coronavirus pandemic, Cardiff Metropolitan University will this month celebrate the successes of the classes of 2020 and 2021 in person at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. While some universities opted for virtual graduation ceremonies during the pandemic, Cardiff Met committed to a return to in-person ceremonies at the earliest, and safest, opportunity. That opportunity has now arrived and, over the course of 11-13 April, five ceremonies will take place for the class of 2020, with six ceremonies for the class of 2021 following on 25-29 April. Traditional summer…

A new study from advisory firm Quantuma reveals a sharp acceleration in the rate of businesses in low performing sectors facing insolvency in the wake of the pandemic, Brexit backdrop and wider economic and political instabilities. If preventative action is not taken now, the research predicts over 500,000 UK jobs are at risk. Quantuma’s ‘The uneven recovery’ report, released today, is driven by the firm’s new and unique data asset, ‘Clarity’. The Clarity model has been created to inform and support the advisory and lending community in developing predictive insight into the health of UK’s SMEs. In addition to identifying…

A sensational entry of more than 140 cars is set to tackle this weekend’s Rallynuts Stages Rally as the Builth Wells based forest event gets underway on Saturday (April 9). Despite running just five months ago, the highly regarded rally returns to the calendar in its more traditional April date after the pandemic forced It to be held in November last year. A big effort from the Midland Manor Motor Club organising team has seen a swift turnaround to offer a bumper entry list of crews from across the UK a chance to contest 44 miles of competitive action, spread…

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has announced the list of finalists for Wales for the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2022. The awards will be presented by journalist and presenter Andrea Byrne at an event on 8th April at voco St. David’s Cardiff Hotel. Speaking about the awards, FSB Wales Chair Ben Francis said: “We received a record number of nominations this year from across Wales that really showcase the brilliant determination, creativity and innovation that is alive and well in Welsh SMEs. Small businesses have overcome unprecedented challenges over the last few years, so it is more important…

Leading bike share operator nextbike is highlighting the importance of its OVO Bikes scheme with a new campaign that sees Cardiffians take a starring role. Nextbike has launched the campaign, which stars OVO Bikes customers and players from Cardiff City FC, to remind people how bike share can benefit the whole community. Nextbike UK MD, Krysia Solheim, said bike share was one of the most accessible and affordable forms of transport available to get around Cardiff and the Vale. “Since its launch in 2018, our OVO Bikes scheme has become an integral part of the local community. When we had…

An eBay trader who sold a toaster with a melted plug was later found to be falsely claiming that his products had appropriate safety testing certification. Andrew Backhouse, of Wartling Close, St Leonards-on-sea, Hastings, was trading as a business seller called ‘deals-are-me’ on eBay, selling mostly refurbished Dualit toasters. Backhouse sold a Pembrokeshire consumer a Dualit toaster for more than £80 plus postage. However, when the item was delivered, the buyer found the plug had been melted and not useable. The consumer complained to the seller but was wrongly accused of trying to scam the trader. Backhouse even told the…

There’s so much to enjoy this Easter at Scolton Manor! From a Spring Fayre to an Easter Egg trail and even Easter bingo, there’s something for everyone! The Spring Fayre will be held on Saturday 9and Sunday 10 April in the Green Barn (next to the Margaret steam engine) between 11am and 4pm. Come and browse through a variety of stalls including art, craft and local produce (entry is free). The family Easter Eggstravaganza will be held between Saturday 9th and Sunday 24th April. Various family-friendly activities will be running including: Easter Egg Trail and Springtime Outdoor Activity Pack. Packs are…

If you’ve been looking for things to do during the upcoming Easter school holidays across Monmouthshire then look no further, MonLife has the answer – a whole programme of activities and events to keep even children of all ages (and their parents) entertained. MonLife Learning has hatched some plans for free family fun between 11am and 3pm at Monmouth’s Shire Hall (Monday11th April), Chepstow Drill Hall (Thursday 21st April) and Abergavenny Museum (Friday 22nd April). The ever-popular Monmouthshire Games (TMG) returns from Monday 11th – Thursday 14th April, and Wednesday 20th – Friday 22nd April. It’s a chance to learn…