Author: Rhys Gregory

The Mid Wales tourism industry has been urged to grasp the air of staycation positivity that is engulfing the region to make it one of the UK’s most desirable leisure destinations. The message of optimism was delivered at the 13th Mid Wales Tourism & Business Conference, held at the Metropole Hotel & Spa, Llandrindod Wells, by a number of prominent speakers representing the breadth of the industry. “The industry is bouncing back and this summer has been one of the best, if not the best ever, for a large number of us,” said Rowland Rees-Evans, chairman of MWT Cymru, who…

Workplace expert, Acas, published evidence on the use of fire and rehire practices at work in June. In response, the Government asked Acas to produce guidance to help employers explore all other options first before considering fire and rehire to change employee contracts. This new advice has been published today and can help employers maintain good employment relations and reach agreement with staff if they are thinking about making changes to their contracts. Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said: “Our new advice is clear that fire and rehire is an extreme step that can seriously damage working relations and has…

A new one-stop-shop for stock film footage and photography of Wales has been launched to showcase the country’s best creative talent to customers around the globe. Aberystwyth-based Cymru Creative Group has created two digital platforms to promote and sell the services of talented Welsh film makers and photographers. The new venture was launched at the Mid Wales Tourism and Hospitality Conference at The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells on Tuesday. CymruStock offers Welsh stock film, footage and production services which link broadcasters, advertising, marketing companies and businesses in any sector, especially tourism, to the best content creators covering the whole of…

This Christmas, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend welcomes back its Winter Woodland, launching on Thursday 11th November alongside an abundance of musical entertainment provided by local choirs throughout December. Guests are invited to get into the Christmas spirit with the new walk-through Giant Bauble, a festive selfie with the Giant Wreath & Nutcrackers and Storytime with Santa. Bridgend Designer Outlet offers up to 60% off your favourite Christmas gifts, from family favourite brands such as Molton Brown, The Cosmetics Store, Le Creuset and Tommy Hilfiger.   Winter Woodland McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend hosts a Woodland featuring a magnificent display full of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, a striking Giant Wreath and traditional Nutcrackers. This year, the Winter Woodland will also offer a giant walk through Bauble, perfect place for families to capture their signature Festive Selfie.     Storytime with Santa Further spreading the festive joy, the Centre welcomes guests to Storytime…

In village halls, libraries, rural arts centres and urban community spaces across Wales, community and volunteer run cinema events are reuniting local people safely through big screen experiences.  The 120 plus community run cinema groups in Wales are often lifelines for audiences who have to travel over half an hour by car, or far greater distances by public transport, to reach their local multiplex or arts centre.   To support these crucial community services, Film Hub Wales (FHW) is working with venues to offer programme and marketing support. They have also awarded a series of small grants through the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) Film Exhibition Fund, awarding National Lottery funding, to Welsh community led cinemas and film societies as they reopen post COVID-19.   Funds…

One of North Wales’ leading criminal lawyers has been selected for a prestigious global legal network. Rhyl-based Dafydd Roberts, a director and head of the criminal law department at Gamlins Law, has been appointed to LexisNexis. LexisNexis is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business expertise. Dafydd has been selected for the Welsh Panel where he will play a part in ensuring the Welsh legal offering is of the highest possible standard, improving coverage of Welsh law through practical guidance and research. He will also provide expertise in his specialist area of criminal law. He joins fellow Gamlins…

Denbighshire County Council has given the green light for the development of a state-of-the art Engineering Centre of Excellence at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhyl Campus. Planning permission was granted yesterday (10 November), meaning that work will soon start on the new £11.2m centre which will become a hub for delivering world-class education and training for the engineering sector. The centre will enable learners to develop skills supporting the future needs of industry, including those critical to the renewable energy sector, additive manufacturing and the digital transformation of industry. A new Institute for Renewable Energy Technology will be part of the new…

Visitors heading for this year’s Christmas parade on November 21 will be able to get there by bus for free as #FreeRideSwansea returns for the festive season.   Starting on the Saturday 20 November, the hugely-popular public transport initiative pioneered in the city is back every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in the countdown to Christmas and for the whole week of December 18 – 24 and December 27 – 31. Passenger numbers soared again over the half-term break following on from the school summer holidays which saw passenger numbers jump by more than 50%. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said:…

Swansea’s armed forces veterans are being urged to take advantage of a Veterans’ Fund set up by the Council. The £25,000 fund was agreed by the Council as part of its budget for 2021/22 and armed forces veterans can apply to the fund for help. The fund is among a range of support available to veterans or serving members of the armed forces under the council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant. Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “On Remembrance Day we should never forget that support for the armed forces is a year-round duty for us all. “The veterans’ budget…

News that Milford Haven School has been removed from Estyn’s list of schools requiring significant improvement has been welcomed. The school was visited in October by a team from Estyn, which found that it had made sufficient progress with the recommendations from its core inspection that Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector for Education and Training in Wales was able to remove the school from the list. Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Guy Woodham, said it was an excellent step in the right direction. “I am pleased that Estyn have been able to recognise the wide…