Author: Rhys Gregory

Afro funk, hip-hop, and folk are just some of the genres recognised in this year’s Welsh Music Prize – an annual award celebrating the best new music created in Wales. Previous editions have revered past winners such as Gruff Rhys, Gwenno, Boy Azooga and last year’s winner Deyah. The shortlisted albums have been whittled down from a longlist of 129 albums by the 100+ Welsh Music Prize jurors. Next month a panel of music industry judges will then have the difficult task of choosing one of the 12 nominated albums for the coveted prize. The 2021 winner will follow in…

A go-ahead warehouse and distribution company has recruited an industry “legend” to drive ambitious expansion plans that will create 30 new jobs. Julian Richards, 60, has been appointed commercial director at Wrexham-based McCarthy Distribution and he is also aiming to increase turnover to more than £15 million over the next three years. The strategy to take the company to the “next level” will include increasing warehouse capacity and securing contract packing work. The ambitious firm, headed by managing director Mike McCarthy, opened a new £3 million headquarters and 42,000 sq ft warehouse on Wrexham Industrial Estate in 2019. It also…

Several Holiday Parks in Wales have been presented with top regional tourism awards by UK holiday giant Hoseasons. Talacre Beach Resort in Flintshire, owned by Darwin Escapes, took home Best Large Relax and Explore destination in Wales at the staycation specialist’s 15th annual Awards – a celebration of the holiday parks, lodge resorts and boating locations in the company’s UK portfolio that have achieved the highest scores in independent customer satisfaction surveys and delighted guests through exceptional holiday experiences throughout the 2021 season. Other award-winning Holiday Parks in Wales include: Quay West was crowned Best Family Fun destination Celtic Escapes…

New data released by CarShop, which has a large store on Penarth Road in Cardiff serving customers across South Wales, has revealed how trade-in prices for some cars have increased by almost a third this summer (June – August) due to a shortage of supply and increased customer demand. The UK’s leading used car retailer has had another busy summer with UK-wide sales increasing by 18% on last year’s figures. But this is good news for the owners of some of the most sought-after models, with trade-in prices higher than ever before. For example, CarShop’s in-house team of analysts recently…

New dates to see Wales’ biggest ever Christmas lights trail have been introduced as demand for tickets to the magical new festive experience remains extremely high. Visits to Christmas at Bute Park will now take place during timed intervals on every night of the week throughout November and December, as the majority of existing dates have almost sold-out. Christmas at Bute Park opens next month and will take visitors on a breath-taking tour of festive delight around one of Cardiff’s most beloved landmarks. From November 25th, Bute Park will be taken over by laser shows, an enchanting fairy tree avenue,…

Business leaders in Wales are giving their backing to the £1.7bn Blue Eden project that’s been announced for Swansea. Katherine Bennett, Western Gateway Chair, and Ian Price, CBI Wales Director, say the project will create opportunities for sustainable growth, while helping accelerate a green recovery from the Covid pandemic in Wales. The Blue Eden project, which includes a tidal lagoon, is being led by Bridgend-based DST Innovations and their business partners, with support from Swansea Council and Associated British Ports. Made possible by funding from the private sector, Blue Eden will be delivered in three phases over 12 years. The…

A simple exercise programme could spare people chronic pain and even disability after they have suffered a chest injury. Researchers will recruit hundreds of patients during a two-year study being carried out across four Welsh hospitals and one in England. It will be led by Dr Ceri Battle, a consultant physiotherapist in Morriston Hospital who has carried out extensive research into blunt wall chest trauma – usually caused by falls, road accidents or assaults. Dr Battle’s earlier research focused on people who have been sent home from emergency departments after injuring their ribs. While the chest injuries themselves can be…

An insightful and moving tribute to musicians of the silent era is promised when notable musician, dramatist, TV presenter and composer Neil Brand pays a visit to Mid Wales on Saturday, November 6. Gregynog Hall at Tregynon, near Newtown will host a day – from 2pm-9.30pm – with Brand, regarded as one of the finest exponents of improvised silent film accompaniment in the world. He will introduce the audience to the world of early cinema through a performance of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Lodger’ (1927) along with a selection of other classics. Brand performs regularly at the National Film Theatre and…

voco® St David’s Cardiff has announced its charity partner for the year ahead. This year the hotel will be partnering with BulliesOut, to inspire change and make a difference in the lives of those affected by bullying. BulliesOut provides much needed help, training, support and information to individuals, schools, youth and community settings affected by bullying. In addition, they deliver empowering youth engagement programmes that encourage young people to take a stand against bullying and Make a Difference in their communities. The team work closely with parents, professionals, and educators to understand the different dynamics of bullying behaviour and how…

More than 65 homes in Neath Port Talbot have now benefited from a free gas central heating system thanks to the Warm Homes Fund. Since launching in June 2020, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Warm Homes Fund has funded more than £280,000 worth of installations and energy saving measures across 66 homes in the county borough. The Fund is available to eligible homeowners to help save money on energy bills through installing a first time gas central heating system (boiler, radiators, pipework) and energy saving measures (loft insulation, draught proofing, low energy light bulbs etc.) to ensure households are heated efficiently.…