Author: Rhys Gregory

Even though most of the industries were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, some, like iGaming, benefited from the pandemic. The Portuguese gambling industry was one of the winners as it generated €139m, in 2020 a 44% rise from the previous year.  Most of the land-based casinos were closed and only allowed to resume operations under new social distancing rules and other health protocols. On the other hand, physical sporting activities were suspended and only resumed with new measures in place.  The casino gambling industry has been growing as well in 2021. What are some of the factors that have…

Amateur and professional runners across Wales are being called upon to become lifesaving blood donors through a new campaign from the Welsh Blood Service, Welsh Athletics and Run 4 Wales.   Through the ‘Giving Runs in Your Blood’ campaign, runners across Wales are being urged to support blood donation as part of their training programme and make a lifesaving difference to patients in need. The new partnership will see blood, platelets and bone marrow donation promoted at a host of iconic events, including Run 4 Wales’ road running races and Welsh Athletics’ upcoming national championships. Blood donations play a vital role…

In a true David versus Goliath moment, a small Monmouthshire vineyard has taken on the world’s most established winemaking regions, to secure a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. White Castle Vineyard’s Pinot Noir Reserve 2018, a red wine priced at £25.50 a bottle, is the first Welsh vintage to be presented with a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards. This was also the first year that White Castle Vineyard has entered the international renowned awards, which sees judges blind taste entries to ensure each is appraised purely on its quality, regardless of where it originates.…

The headline NatWest Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – registered 64.7 in June, down slightly from 65.5 in May. Although slower than May’s series high, the rate of output growth was the second-fastest since data collection began in January 2001. In fact, the pace of expansion was one of the quickest of the 12 monitored UK areas. Companies stated that greater business activity stemmed from stronger client demand and the further reopening of the economy following the relaxation of COVID-19…

A Llangollen community group has graduated from holding coffee mornings to playing a vital role in the fight against pandemic hardship by feeding up to 40 households a week. Llangollen Foodshare, which began 18 months ago in the Pengwern Community Centre as a project to prevent food waste going into landfill, has moved into new premises in the heart of the town and is reaching out to even more people. Supported by South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), an additional £20,000 in funding has been secured from Community Foundation Wales and the National Lottery Community Fund. This has allowed the fitting…

A surprising number of UK motorists could be unknowingly breaking the law, risking hefty fines and points in the process. Over half (52%) of British drivers are unaware that road rage, including swearing and displaying rude or offensive gestures to other drivers, is a crime and can result in potential fines of up to £1,000. It’s estimated that over two fifths (43%) of drivers have been victims of road rage1. The study, conducted by CarParts4Less, also found that a similar number (54%) did not know that playing loud music deemed to be alarming, distressing or annoying can result in a £100…

A North Wales military college is to go on manoeuvres – to a new location within an army barracks. The Wrexham Military Preparation College – one of 35 across England and Wales – is to move from its existing site, at Wrexham Technology Park, to the town’s Hightown Barracks. And the move will not only provide a superior teaching and learning environment but also a greater emphasis on military training. Military Preparation Colleges provide a range of academic, functional and health and fitness courses along with training in physical fitness, public speaking and communication. They are unique in that all…

A Cardiff coffee shop owner has expanded into new premises in Cardiff Bay to serve office and government workers in the area. Laura Wiltshire has opened her second branch of MooMoo’s Coffee Shop in Discovery House at Brittania Quay, which is part of the Parmer Cardiff Waterside development. It will cater for staff in the 400,000 sq ft of office space across seven office buildings, including 3 Assembly Square, Caspian Point and Scott Harbour, which are home to a number of high-profile private and public sector tenants. MooMoo’s has taken a five year lease on the premises at an annual…

From Saturday (July 17) one ticket will be valid on buses all across North Wales. Once passengers have bought their 1bws ticket from the bus driver on their first journey of the day, the ticket will then be valid for travel on busses across North Wales. An adult ticket will cost £5.70, a child (or young person with a My Travel Pass) will pay £3.70 and holders of English and Scottish concessionary bus passes will also pay £3.70. A family ticket is available for just £12. One of the reasons non-bus users are reluctant to give the bus a try…

FLINTSHIRE based Anwyl Group has donated more than £50,000 to food banks across North Wales and the North West of England with support from its suppliers and contractors. The family business, based at St David’s Park, Ewloe, has marked its 90th anniversary by boosting the coffers of 16 local food banks within the Trussell Trust network, helping families in need across its operational areas of North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire. Half of the money was raised through ticket sales for Anwyl’s anniversary celebration event, which sadly had to be cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. Fortunately, many of the…