Author: Rhys Gregory

Family Housing Association, an organisation that provides affordable rented housing and a range of support services to people in South and West Wales, has changed its name to Caredig – pronounced Ca-rae-dig. Caredig means ‘Kind’ in Welsh, which reflects the organisation’s core purpose of creating better homes and services for communities, putting the delivery of person-centred services first. Caredig manages over 2,800 affordable homes across the region. Over the years the organisation has diversified and now provides much more than bricks and mortar. With its partners in health, housing and social care, Caredig also contributes to the development of thriving…

A major Welsh food distribution company is fast-tracking drivers through their HGV tests to beat delivery shortages caused by the pandemic and Brexit. Harlech Foodservice has seven drivers at their depots in Gwynedd and Chester on course to complete their HGV Class C tests this January. It will take their total number of Class C drivers up to 38 from 31 and it will mean they are fully staffed for the Spring when the demand from hospitality and tourism starts to step up again. Transport Supervisor Morgan Jones, who joined the company four years ago as a driver and completed…

North Wales’ budding entrepreneurs are being given the opportunity to access a host of business development, guidance and networking sessions free of charge in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week (8 – 12 Nov). Starting on Monday 8th November, the events will be held at the Wrexham Enterprise Hub and the Costigan’s Coworking Space in Rhyl and is open to anyone looking to grow their businesses or get involved and take advantage of the facilities. Town Square Spaces Ltd (TownSq), which operates both hubs, say the event will help individuals to develop their business ideas and introduce them to the types…

Exasperated Anglesey farmers whose land is flooded every year have said ‘enough is enough’ as their land continues to flood because of inaction by National Resources Wales (NRW). The area – deemed an Internal Drainage District – is protected by a dyke and a series of ditches and floodgates which are opened to release floodwater from the river Cefni but closed to protect the land from the ravages of high tides in the winter. But as the first big storms of winter arrived last week, farmers in Cors Malltraeth between Malltraeth and Llangefni were racing to rescue animals and save…

The Rallynuts Stages Rally returns to the British rallying calendar for the first time since 2019 this weekend as the popular gravel event blasts back into life on Saturday. Forced to take a two-year sabbatical due to the pandemic, the Builth Wells based event has seen a one-off move from its traditional April slot in 2021 due to the restrictions imposed earlier this year. The swap has meant that the well-respected event is now the final round of the season for several championships, setting up a thrilling battle in the forests for the hard-fought accolades. More than 42 miles of…

More than £2.8m has been secured in Denbighshire for projects that range from supporting resident well-being to developing skills and employment locally. Established and new community organisations in Denbighshire submitted bids through Denbighshire County Council to the UK Community Renewal Fund and the successful projects have been contacted by the team at Denbighshire to support these organisations as they access the funding and deliver their projects. Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “I would like to congratulate all the community organisations who have been successful in their funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund. “Denbighshire staff…

A Law student from Cardiff University has secured a place on the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme. Arthur Ddamulira, 21, from Kampala in Uganda, is one of 13 students selected for the scheme, which is designed to address the disproportionate under-representation of Black men from less socially mobile backgrounds in large commercial law firms and other careers in the City of London. Launched in 2013 by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, with support from Doreen Lawrence, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, the 15-month development and mentoring programme will see Arthur benefit from a range of opportunities led by lawyers and business…

Dogs Trust is offering primary schools in South Wales free workshops and assemblies to help children learn how they can live happily and safely alongside dogs. The ‘Be Dog Smart’ workshops aimed at 7–11-year-olds focus on helping children understand what safe and appropriate behaviour around their own dogs is, as well as dogs they may come across when they are out and about. Claire Kendrick, Education and Community Officer says:   “I am absolutely delighted to be back in schools helping children learn about dogs. Millions of households in the UK share their home with a dog, so even if a child doesn’t have a pooch in their own family, it’s highly likely that they will come across dogs in their day-to-day life. “The workshops are key to helping children understand dogs as…

An entrepreneurial mother from South Wales has seized the opportunities of the last 18 months to pivot her lifestyle and reignited a former passion for cheerleading into a new profession. Kate Freeman, 37, is a former World Champion cheerleader who took a break from the sport to focus on her career and family. She’s now able to share her love of cheer with other women. Kate is the only person qualified and running CHEERFiT classes in the UK for everyone and says, “I offer face to face, online and on-demand classes for all the busy ladies out there to make it as…

Rugby and football clubs across Swansea are being asked to join the council in marking White Ribbon Day on Thursday November 25. It is a national campaign to tackle male violence against women by asking men and boys to take a stand against violence and to challenge sexist and inappropriate behaviour. Swansea RFC and Loughor RFC have signed-up with their players making short video pledges. Other clubs including grassroots and community clubs are being asked to also join by posting their support on social media ahead of November 25 by using the hashtags #AllMenCan and #SwanseaMenCan. Swansea Council Cabinet Member…