Author: Rhys Gregory

Two recent graduates from Aberystwyth University have used their passion for cycling to launch a tourism business helping mountain bikers plan riding holidays in the Dyfi Valley and Snowdonia. 22 year old Tom Lancaster and 25 year old Emily Stratton’s online travel agency, Ride Dyfi, is a one stop shop for mountain bikers to find suitable accommodation with facilities to store bikes, places to ride, and other things to do around the biking hotspots in north west Wales. Meeting at university where Tom studied Business Management and Emily studied Geography, the duo started their business with the help of Big…

A new super bakery is up and running less than two years after the one it’s replaced was destroyed by a devastating fire. Champagne corks popped after bread started rolling off the production line at the Jones Village Bakery’s new 140,000 sq ft plant on Wrexham Industrial Estate. The jubilant mood was in stark contrast to the heartbreak when fire ripped through the original bakery on August 19, 2019. According to the family firm, the most important thing was that everybody evacuated the building unhurt which meant they were able to turn their attention immediately to a recovery plan. The…

Wales’s best-known butcher is doubling its capacity and creating 20 new jobs in a £2.6 million expansion. Edwards of Conwy, has redeveloped its headquarters on the Morfa Conwy Business Park in Conwy, adding a fourth production line with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. The revamp also includes additional chilled storage, upgraded staff amenities, new offices, and a new product development kitchen. The project will enable the growing company to ramp up production of its popular range of sausages, beefburgers, meatballs, bacon and gammon to more than 80 tons a week. The investment has been self-funded by the company with additional support…

This autumn the Snowdonia National Park Authority and the Woodland Trust will work in collaboration to implement a special new project with the aim of planting more trees and hedgerows within a designated area of the National Park.  As well as helping to combat climate change and mitigating flooding, trees and hedgerows form an essential part of the countryside ecosystem. Hedgerows play an important role in connecting habitats in a fragmented landscape. Small tree clusters and hedgerows that form boundaries around agricultural fields are also characteristic of Snowdonia’s landscape, and is one of the qualities that makes the area so…

In celebration of releasing his 41st studio album ‘Surrounded by Time’, Sir Tom Jones is returning to North Wales for an exclusive outdoor concert at the Rhyl Events Arena on Wednesday September 1. With the gates opening at 5pm, an expected sell-out crowd of 7,000 concert goers are planning to attend the live standing concert on Rhyl’s waterfront to enjoy a magical night of music from Sir Tom Jones and support act Megan McKenna. If you are attending the concert here is a run-down of the essential things you need to know ahead of the event: Covid Safety If you…

Monmouthshire Building Society are marking a milestone birthday as their Charitable Foundation celebrates 21 years of supporting local causes. Since it was formed in 2000, the Monmouthshire Building Society Charitable Foundation has contributed over £300,000 to 513 local community groups, organisations and good causes across south Wales and the south west of England. The Foundation, which is funded by the Newport-based building society, aims to provide modest donations that have a positive impact on the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the communities they serve. Carmarthen-based charity, Cerebra, are just one of the groups who have been supported by…

Rhug Estate’s educational farm tours have been shortlisted in the Education Initiative category of the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2021, with the winners being announced next month. The Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Education Initiative Award recognises the positive work of companies with schools and colleges to encourage interest in food and drink manufacturing and help to facilitate employment opportunities for young people. Nominations could be for one-off events, ongoing contributions to lessons, schemes to experience the world of work or develop employability skills. Amongst those shortlisted for the Education Initiative Award, with Rhug Estate’s farm tours, are Britvic…

Colleagues at Tesco Extra in Cardiff have raised £2,300.55 for the British Heart Foundation by completing a horse-trekking challenge. The 15-strong team saddled up to tackle a challenging trek across the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons, covering 60 miles between them on Sunday 25th July. Led by Clare Ollin, Tesco community champion at the store, the ambitious team of trekkers was supported by trek leader Sarah Griffiths and the rest of the crew at the Grange Pony Trekking Centre in Capel-Y-Fin, near Abergavenny. For some, the fundraising expedition proved particularly challenging as this was their first time on horseback,…

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding parents and carers they have until 31 August 2021 to confirm whether their teenagers are staying in full-time education or training beyond 16. Last week, teenagers across the UK received their GSCE or Scottish National Certificate results and many are now considering their future. If they decide to continue their full-time education or training, parents or carers will be eligible to continue receiving Child Benefit payments for their child. HMRC has sent reminder letters to families receiving Child Benefit for their child in the last year of school or home education. If their…

The Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales (WCRC) is delighted to welcome its newest member to its board line-up. Adrian Jones is a Director at The Alacrity Foundation and strengthens the WCRC board even further, joining fellow members John Davies, Managing Director of Pervade Software and Phil Larratt public sector operations specialist at Chainalysis. The Alacrity Foundation, which is based in Newport, provides graduates with practical business training and mentorship, so they can develop as entrepreneurs and launch their own UK based, demand-driven technology company. As director, Adrian heads-up the division which sources challenges from the public sector to build new…