Author: Rhys Gregory

The cryptocurrency market surged in 2021,  where the leading financial indexes of the world saw cryptocurrencies being adopted as legal tender, with Bitcoin reaching an all-time high of $68,000. The year saw some huge cryptocurrency news developments that helped mold new perspectives and paradigms in the domain of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The world witnessed the widespread adoption of cryptocurrency by leading countries, along with active attempts being made by other nations to enforce a structured regulatory infrastructure to keep the industry thriving and profitable in the long run. Keeping in mind the striking growth of the cryptocurrency market in…

A new footpath now open on National Trust Cymru’s Southwood Estate, will give better access to the ancient and beautiful landscape near Newgale Beach, Pembrokeshire. The 2km footpath has been made possible thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, whose support has also meant more could be done to protect and enhance the biodiversity of the 850-acre Estate. Further project work has focused on enhancing the traditionally farmed Folkeston Farm, so wildlife can continue to thrive and people can benefit from being surrounded by nature. For the first time visitors will be able to visit Folkeston Farm via…

Principality Building Society has announced a funding pot of £100,000 for schools and community groups in Wales to deliver financial education qualifications. The funding, which is the largest single investment from the Society in a financial education programme to date, will allow for more secondary school students and community groups across Wales to gain qualifications in financial education from The London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF). The qualifications equip young people with the skills to appreciate and manage their finances effectively, covering topics such as sources and uses of money, personal budgeting, making money management decisions and careers in…

A second-year student at Swansea University has used lockdown to turn her podcast venture into a fully functioning business which helps young people develop their confidence skills. 19-year-old Saadia Abubaker, who studies Psychology and Sociology at Swansea University, developed Saadia Speaks from a podcast of the same name to provide motivational, confidence-building workshops to young people. Through a range of career events, panel discussions and one-on-one consultations hosted in conjunction with organisations and charities including Women After Greatness, Mind and Digilearning, Saadia aims to inspire Wales’ younger generation to pave their own paths. In recent months, Saadia Speaks has seen…

Following the success of an online festive festival of creativity in 2020, Hijinx will once again be bringing together participants from PAWB, its pan-Wales inclusive community programme, to create, perform and engage online in the 12 Days of PAWB. Cardiff based theatre company, Hijinx, makes outstanding theatre productions with learning disabled and/or autistic actors.Due to the pandemic, Hijinx’s 2020 festive Odyssey performance at Wales Millennium Centre had to be postponed until 2021. Instead a reimagined seasonal gathering took place online as part of 12 Days of PAWB. Hijinx will be programming 12 Days of PAWB as predominantly virtual events, which…

A remote Gwynedd campsite named in the top ten in the UK this year by BBC Countryfile Magazine has picked up another accolade at the North Wales Tourism ‘Oscars’. Graig Wen Arthog, on the Mawddach estuary, between Dolgellau and Barmouth, was named Camping/Glamping Site of the Year at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards. The headline sponsor for the glittering event at Venue Cymru in Llandudno was the leading food distribution company, Harlech Foodservice, and it was hosted by acclaimed journalist Sian Lloyd who hails from Wrexham. The occasion was also a 30th anniversary celebration for organiser North Wales Tourism…

A farmer-led Welsh cooperative is on top of the world after scooping its best ever haul of awards at the dairy industry ‘Oscars’. South Caernarfon Creameries (SCC) brought back four gold medals from the International Cheese and Dairy Awards – and two silvers and five bronzes. For the first time in its 120-year history the Awards were not part of the Nantwich Show after moving 30 miles south to Bingley Hall, near Stafford, a venue better known for hosting concerts by the likes of the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. The only gold discs on show this time were made…

Cash seized from criminals has been used to create an outdoor gym in a park in Chirk. The equipment was installed at the Recreation Ground after the grant was given to the town council by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin. The money came from the Your Community Your Choice fund which is used to recycle the ill-gotten gains of criminals for the benefit of communities across the region. The initiative is a partnership between Mr Dunbobbin, the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT) and North Wales Police. Half the money is contributed by the commissioner…

A Welsh-speaking Japanese cook from Conwy teamed up with a TV chef to create a cosmopolitan Christmas feast with an East Asian twist. Noriko Vernon’s recipe for Chicken Karaage, learned from her mum back home in Japan, has been given a Welsh flavour by Caernarfon-based culinary star Chris Roberts for the festive special, Bwyd Byd Epic Chris for S4C. In the shadow of the town’s historic castle, barbecue pit master Chris fired his Yule logs to serve up a four-course gastronomic world tour that as well as Japan, took in exotic recipes from Jamaica, the Philippines and Syria. All the…

One of the first businesses to benefit from the Welsh Government’s town centre entrepreneurship fund being piloted in four North Wales towns is up and running. Bangor brothers Jordan and Nick Williams have opened Bangor’s first Escape Rooms, turning their passion for puzzles into new business venture that will provide hours of fun for local families and tourists. Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths called in to see the business while visiting Bangor. Based in the former Council offices just off the High Street in Bangor, Xscape Rooms Bangor opened in November.  A micro loan of £20,000 from the Development…