Author: Rhys Gregory

The ever-popular Santa’s Toy Mine has returned to Rhondda Heritage Park for 2021. It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Welsh Coal Mining Experience, Rhondda Heritage Park, as Santa Claus transforms the former Lewis Merthyr Colliery into a magical grotto for the season. Tickets went on sale this morning (Tuesday, 19 October) at 9am and many dates are already showing limited availability as people book online. Guests will once again be able to enjoy a magical Christmas tour, the chance to speak to Father Christmas himself and get a sELFie with him and, of course, an age-appropriate…

New figures released by the British Chambers of Commerce have revealed that the number of businesses struggling to recruit staff is rising significantly, with issues in the service and manufacturing sectors in particular at record levels. The data, which found that 9 in 10 hospitality firms in the UK struggle to find staff, was drawn from the British Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook. Paul Slevin, President of Chambers Wales, said: “Our own Quarterly Economic Survey results in Wales echo the wider national concerns regarding recruitment in the UK. Over half of Welsh businesses have attempted to recruit over the…

After an 18-month wait, it was revealed yesterday evening (Monday, 18 October 2021) that the winner of the Urdd Eisteddfod Crown 2020-21 is author Megan Angharad Hunter from Penygroes, Gwynedd. The Urdd is also pleased to announce that Osian Wyn Owen from Y Felinheli came not only second but also third place in the competition. Osian won the Main Poetry Award at the Urdd’s digital Eisteddfod T in 2020, and Chair at the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2018. Throughout this week, the Urdd Eisteddfod is awarding composition and creation work that was submitted in 2020, before having to postpone the national…

The flu virus is already circulating and has led to people being hospitalised. Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Director of Public Health, Dr Keith Reid, said the cases, although small in number, should be a timely reminder that everyone eligible for a free flu vaccination should take up the offer. “Flu was non-existent in autumn and winter 2020 as lockdowns, mask wearing and increased hand hygiene stopped it and other winter bugs from spreading from person to person,” he said. “But we have been expecting to see flu come back this year and potentially at levels up to twice as…

Teenager Abby Griffiths has followed in the tyre tracks of her father and brother to become one of the youngest women in the country to qualify as a bus and coach driver, a career traditionally dominated by men. Inspired by her father, Abby, 19, from Llanrwst, has realised a childhood ambition to drive buses after being inspired by her father, Anthony, who is a part-time driver for Llew Jones Coaches. The Llanrwst-based company, which has a workforce of 70, provides services ranging from school transport and local bus services to National Express and international tours. Abby has joined her brother…

Cardiff based Pelican Healthcare Ltd, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of disposable stoma products in the UK healthcare market, is celebrating the success of its carbon offsetting initiative with the announcement it has saved in CO² emissions the equivalent impact of planting one thousand trees. In direct response to Cardiff Council’s One Planet strategy, which aims for Cardiff to be a carbon neutral city by 2030, Pelican Healthcare invested approximately £500k in new solar panels to ensure its manufacturing processes are delivered via sustainable, green energy, with subsequent CO² savings of 102.54t. Its switch to solar panels has also…

Anwyl has donated £20,000 to Ty Gobaith & Hope House Children’s Hospices, raised through the housebuilder’s pledge to donate £90 for every home sold to charity in its 90th anniversary year. The funds will assist the hospices to continue their vital work in caring for children and their families in Shropshire, Cheshire, Mid and North Wales with life-threatening conditions. Ewloe-based Anwyl Homes has a long-standing relationship with the charity, which includes Ty Gobaith in Conwy and Hope House in Oswestry, having donated more than £130,000 since the hospices were built. Beverley Bradley, corporate fundraiser at Ty Gobaith & Hope House,…

Pembrokeshire Lamb Ltd has received the highest accolade in the Great Taste Golden Fork awards 2021. From the eleven Welsh products that received the top honour of 3 gold stars in the Great Taste awards 2021, the Golden Fork from Wales was awarded to Pembrokeshire Lamb Ltd for their Hogget Shoulder. Pembrokeshire Lamb produce lamb, hogget and mutton on their small family farm in North Pembrokeshire. Steve and Kara Lewis set up the company in 2019, with the aim of creating sustainable meat boxes with the mantra ‘fresh is best’. Commenting on the 3-star product Pembrokeshire Lamb’s Steve Lewis said:…

A partnership is progressing with a makeover for a Denbighshire wetland to help protect and support local wildlife. Denbighshire County Council has worked in partnership with Balfour Beatty to create a new water feature at the Morfa, a 35-acre wetland in Prestatyn. Balfour Beatty, who are developing the Rhyl East Flood Defence Scheme, provided the work as part of their commitment with Denbighshire County Council in providing local community benefits. A viewing platform was recently installed as part of the wetland restoration after the Council secured Welsh Government funding to protect its status as a natural wetland resource. Welsh Government…

Visitors at McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Bridgend will now be greeted by a unique street-art installation is unveiled in the centre today.  The graffiti-style artwork – created by local organisation Peaceful Progress – depicts the informal Welsh greeting “Shwmae” against a backdrop of autumnal colours, vibrant flower motifs and abstract wave pattern reflecting Ogmore by Sea and the Merthyr Mawr area. Welcoming visitors into the centre, the community-led mural will offer a fantastic background for creative selfies and other family-fun photo opportunities while celebrating the Welsh language and local heritage through an artistic medium.  Welsh-born and raised artist Bryce Davies, AKA Peaceful Progress, attributes his 20-year-long fascination with the rich history and culture Wales has to offer as an endless source of inspiration.   The work that Bryce typically produces focuses on creating large-scale murals that depict the true essence of Welsh culture. Driven by his own interest in Welsh ‘history and…