Author: Rhys Gregory

A state-of-the-art horse and rider rehabilitation centre has opened in North Wales. Elite Equine Therapies has opened the purpose-built specialist centre in Bryneglwys, near Corwen. The facility is the brainchild of Emma Phillips, a highly experienced therapist who was previously part of the emergency medical team at the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. Emma had originally planned to open the centre a year ago but her preparations were delayed by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Elite Equine Therapies’ focus is treatment-led rehabilitation, meeting the needs of both veterinary referral and private clients for 24-hour onsite professional care. Facilities…

Three Swansea cyclists who completed a fundraising cycle ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End have raised more than £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The 900-mile journey took friends Declan Cahill, Dorian Thomas and Alex Chadd just twelve days to complete. Speaking about the reasons for taking on their mammoth bike-ride challenge, Declan Cahill, said: “We decided to take on the challenge two years ago when we had a quick off-the-cuff chat at a rugby match about doing something significant to mark our approaching 50th birthdays. “We agreed that we wanted to raise money for Macmillan as every one of us…

A group of GP surgeries in Swansea is now offering yoga classes in a bid to improve patients’ symptoms. The project, which has been introduced by the Llwchwr Cluster (Estuary Group Practice, Princess Street Surgery, Talybont Surgery and Ty’r Felin Surgery), will offer an alternative form of rehabilitation in the hope of potentially preventing further treatment in the future. It will be aimed at treating those with mental health concerns (including stress, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety), suffering with musculoskeletal issues (including chronic back, neck and shoulder pain), needing pre-operation conditioning and those suffering with post-COVID or long-COVID symptoms. The yoga…

The Royal Mint has today posted the mintage figures for the calendar year of 2020, providing the official guide to the rarest coins in circulation. In 2020, over 330 million coins were released into circulation, including new 50 pence designs commemorating ‘Diversity Built Britain’ and the UK’s Withdrawal from the European Union. Ten million of each design were released into circulation, making them widely accessible. The 50 pence is Britain’s most collectable coin and provides the ideal canvas for commemorative designs – with more than 50 different versions released into circulation since 1969. The famous 2009 Kew Gardens 50p remains…

Green Man Festival, Wales’ largest music festival today announces the first details of next year’s 20th anniversary edition, taking place from 18th-21st August 2022. Last month’s triumphant return reminded festival goers why Green Man is one of the UK’s most beloved festivals and 2022 will see the festival return for an incredibly special weekend packed with celebration and surprises. Today Green Man name Mercury Prize winning, BRIT and Grammy award nominated Michael Kiwanuka as the festival’s first 2022 headliner. Kiwanuka will play a set of beloved tracks from his acclaimed 2019 album KIWANUKA, as well as his breakthrough records Love…

Gas emergency and pipeline service, Wales & West Utilities, has been recognised for the eighth consecutive year by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The company has received its eighth gold award in recognition of its outstanding and exemplary health and safety record, whilst it has also been highly commended in the Oil & Gas Industry Sector. Wales & West Utilities is the company that look after the pipes that keep the gas flowing to heat the homes and power businesses of 7.5m people across Wales and south west England. They operate the gas emergency service, connect…

Welsh fitness company AFLUENCR, led by Founder and CEO Gareth Manger, today announced a multi-million-dollar (NZ) acquisition by New Zealand based MacroActive, the transactional SaaS platform powering many of the world’s most influential online health and fitness professionals. A former junior Welsh judo champion, Manger established AFLUENCR through his passion for fitness and desire to help other fitness entrepreneurs successfully scale their online businesses.  Launched in 2019, AFLUENCR is a full-service agency offering management, strategic planning, digital advertising and bespoke design services on top of the white labelled MacroActive fitness, mindset and nutrition platform. Manger will now join the executive…

AN EMPLOYMENT and training service is targeting new candidates to help meet unprecedented demand for workers in the social care sector. Conwy Employment Hub is holding virtual sessions that will introduce would-be recruits to roles within the industry, held over four days later this month. In partnership with the Welsh Government and WeCare Wales, the Hub – which oversees the Communities for Work, Communities for Work Plus, and PaCE initiatives – is hoping to attract people who are currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training). With the UK facing a care jobs crisis – Brexit and mandatory vaccinations are…

Market leading Health, Safety and ESG risk management provider Alcumus today announces the acquisition of UK-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider Simple Compliance. Complementing Alcumus’ existing technology solutions, Simple Compliance streamlines EHSQ (Environment, Health, Safety, Quality) processes providing employees and contractors quick and simple access to data. Developed by health and safety experts across the private and public sectors, Simple Compliance allows organisations to manage their regulatory and contractual compliance obligations. The acquisition will provide existing customers of Simple Compliance access to wider EHSQ capabilities, as well as the full range of Alcumus’ risk management products and advisory services. The acquisition forms…

Hay Festival has today unveiled its free autumn Programme for Schools including two days of in-person events at Hay Festival Winter Weekend, 24-25 November, alongside in-person Beacons Project and Welsh Scribblers Tour events across Wales. Welsh language Scribblers Tour events take place in-person on 3 November at Bangor University and on 4 November at Aberystwyth University, bringing creative inspiration direct to transition-year pupils (Years 6 and 7). Welsh poets Gruffudd Owen and Rufus Mufasa will lead the workshops alongside host Aneirin Karadog at both universities, with writers Mererid Hopwood, Eurig Salisbury and Hywel Griffiths adding to the programme at Aberystwyth, while Osian Owen joins at Bangor. A free in-person Programme for Schools…