Author: Rhys Gregory

There is something about autumn that feels different. It is undoubtedly the best season of the year for people looking for dates. The season is full of fun, and there are numerous creative date activities you can enjoy with your partner. With that in mind, below are five reasons why autumn is considered the go-to season for dating. Love Is in the Air – The Weather Is Perfect for the First Date in Wales  Many people love autumn because of the changing colors of leaves. You’ll find that trees that used to be green explode into stunning hues of orange,…

Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out his Budget and the results of his Spending Review today, Wednesday 27th October 2021. H M Treasury also published the Final Report of the Government’s Business Rates Review, some conclusions of which were announced in the Budget. Responding specifically to the £130 million fund for small businesses, Paul Slevin, President of Chambers Wales, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of Welsh business and play a vital role in the growth of our economy. This multi-million-pound commitment to specifically support small and medium sized businesses in Wales is a welcome investment to enable future growth, particularly after the…

Welsh speakers face injustice if they want to sit their driving tests through the medium of Welsh, according to the Welsh Language Commissioner. In a new investigation report into the implementation of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) Welsh Language Scheme, the Commissioner concludes that the agency is acting contrary to its commitment to treat Welsh and English on a basis of equality. The DVSA failed on the following three issues: The percentage of Welsh-medium driving tests cancelled was almost three times higher than the percentage of English-medium tests cancelled. Applicants had to wait five to six weeks longer…

The Football Association of Wales has announced their women and girls’ strategy for 2021-2026, with a mission to create the best environment, support structures and opportunities to accelerate the growth of women’s football, to make it reach its full potential. Titled “Our Wales: For Her, Ein Cymru: Amdani Hi”, the six-year strategy details a vision to inspire confidence in women & girls to be their best self and can be viewed here. Ahead of Cymru’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Estonia at Cardiff City Stadium, the FAW shared its specific targets for women and girls’ football in Wales, which are…

Film fans can get into the Halloween spirit as a replica of the iconic Ecto-1 car pulls into St. David’s Cardiff to celebrate the launch of Sony Pictures’ highly anticipated Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which can be seen exclusively in cinemas from November 18th. Visitors can snap a selfie with the vehicle and stand inside a super-sized ‘ghost trap’ on October 30th and 31st, ahead of the film’s UK release on November 18th. Screens will also show snippets of the new movie and Lego™ Ecto-1 models will be on display, with a special competition for a chance to win a private screening of the movie and Ghostbusters-themed goodies via social media. James Waugh, Centre Director at St. David’s Dewi Sant, said: “Film fans of all ages are excited to see the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie, so we’re helping to get them in the…

The Welsh Government is being challenged to prioritise the compulsory education system in Wales to provide the foundation for the future skilled workforce needed by employers. Arwyn Watkins, OBE, managing director of Cambrian Training Company, the leading apprenticeships provider to the hospitality industry in Wales, will make the call when addressing delegates at the Mid Wales Tourism and Hospitality Conference at The Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells on November 9. Referring specifically to the recruitment crisis in the hospitality industry caused by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Watkins will warn that there are no quick fixes and that there is…

Orbis Education and Care has appointed Lyndsey Price as its new Managing Director for Adult Services. The organisation runs 16 schools, residential homes and day facilities for children and adults with complex needs associated with autism and is one of the UK’s leading specialist providers. Previously, Lyndsey worked in administration, various home management roles and as Regional Manager for West Wales with Orbis. Having originally worked as a carer herself, she also went on to fulfil ‘every role available’ within the care home setting and brings these experiences with her to the new position. Lyndsey will now play a significant…

Harry Potter fans, dressed in their best robes and Hogwarts scarves, gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone releasing in UK & Irish cinemas, by witnessing the launch of the iconic Platform 9 ¾ Trolley at Cardiff Central. The installation allows fans to recreate the moment when Harry first made it on to Platform 9 ¾, by running through a magical brick wall in London’s King’s Cross station, before taking the 11 o’clock  train to Hogwarts, which it did every year on September 1st . The trolley, a symbol of the gateway between the ‘Muggle’ and wizarding…

A North Wales-based electronics distributor has pushed turnover to record levels by implementing a new strategy developed with the input of fellow business leaders. Phil, 67, and Tom Kneale, 34, run Graphtec GB, which distributes computer controlled cutting equipment from Wrexham, increased sales past £4m for the first time, up from £3.2m. After considering their options and taking advice from David Roberts, who runs peer-to-peer business coaching service The Alternative Board (TAB) in North East Wales, the company expanded its product line and re-examined its pricing structure. The decision was aided by the pair taking the chance to re-acquaint themselves…

Creative technologies (CreaTech) start-up, iungo Solutions, took home the Best New Business award at a sparkling ceremony in the Cardiff City Hall on September 30th, 2021. The Cardiff Life Awards recognise businesses across a range of industries who have made a positive impact within the region over the past 12 months. Founded just before the global pandemic, iungo rapidly pivoted it’s business model in March 2020 to develop an Upskilling Platform for people at risk of unemployment. Starting out with just two voluntary software engineers, iungo has grown to employ 15 people across the UK and released its first product…