Author: Rhys Gregory

A new vision to increase high tech food production in Wales which also has a positive impact on climate change has been launched by the Welsh Government. The new Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) prospectus aims to see growth in the number of businesses using technology to provide sustainable systems of growing food where parameters and conditions such as water and light are tightly controlled. Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths visited CEA established business S&A Produce in Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan to launch the prospectus and see the work they do to produce soft fruit, including strawberries, all year…

Over £1.9m of funding is being awarded to organisations across Wales to help tackle food poverty and addressing food insecurity within local communities. They will also focus on addressing food issues in a more sustainable way, working with local and regional partners to meet the specific needs of their communities. Valley Pantries, run by housing association Linc Cymru, has been awarded over £31,000 to further their work in Bridgend. Karen Jeffreys, Community Engagement Manager at Linc Cymru, said: “The coronavirus pandemic shone a light on the financial hardship many people are experiencing. At Linc, we work closely with the local…

Registered child care premises in Wales will benefit from 100% non-domestic rates relief for an additional three years, the Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan has announced. The extension of the rates relief, until 31 March 2025, will provide £9.7m of additional support for registered childcare premises. This will help those who are facing financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic and secure the level of provision that children and parents need and rely on. The Small Business Rates Relief scheme was enhanced in April 2019 to provide 100% relief to all registered childcare premises in Wales for…

Cardiff Business Club is hosting a free launch event to commence its 2021/22 season of networking dinners. Chairman of Cardiff Business Club, Scott Waddington, will host the reception at the Hilton Hotel on Monday 13th September 2021 which will be the first in-person event the club has hosted since March 2020. The speaker line-up for the start of the new season will be announced while guests are served drinks and canapes. During the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, Cardiff Business Club hosted monthly Zoom seminars featuring high profile guest speakers addressing an online audience of both members and non-members. Free to…

With a singing crowd, Sir Tom Jones wowed concert goes with a selection of songs from his new album ‘Surrounded by Time’ without forgetting the favourites ‘Delilah’ and ‘Green Green Grass of Home’. The gates opened at 5pm and welcomed over 7000 people into the outdoor arena to enjoy an evening of top class talent. The excitement was building from early in the morning, with one excited fan who came the whole way from Scotland to see her favourite singer. Tom Jones’ first concert in Wales of 2021 was organised by Orchard Live in partnership with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd and…

Leading IT specialists Jellyfish Business Solutions have signed a new sponsorship deal with Cardiff Rugby. The agreement, which will see the IT firm become part of the club’s business networking group, includes a host of other benefits and builds on an established relationship between the two organisations. “We already look after the managed print needs of the club,” said Jellyfish Sales Director Jack Walsh, “so when the opportunity arose to become a sponsor, we jumped at the chance.” Starting immediately, the deal will run for the duration of the 2021/22 season with an option to extend for future seasons. “We…

This Saturday, 4th September, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd will be showing its support for a world-wide cause by lighting up its attractions. Rhyl Sky Tower, Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, 1891 restaurant and bar, the Events Arena waterfall, coastal bus shelters and The Ruthin Craft Centre, will all be lit up in red this weekend in support of World Leukaemia Day. World Leukaemia Day is the one day of the year that people from all over the world come together to help raise awareness of leukaemia.  The non-specific signs and symptoms of leukaemia sometimes make it difficult to spot and the survival rates…

More than 300 schoolchildren across Neath Port Talbot attended a ‘Food and Fun’ School Holiday Enrichment Programme during the summer holidays to encourage them to keep healthy and active. Pupils from Melin Primary School, Awel Y Mor Primary School, Upper Afan Valley Federation of Schools, Ysgol Cwm Brombil and Ysgol Bae Baglan attended the scheme which was organised by Neath Port Talbot Council’s Youth Service. Everyone who attended had the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of physical and fun activities as well as learning about the importance of healthy eating. Plus, each day everyone got a healthy breakfast and…

Four apprentices have joined the Knights Brown team to work on continuing refurbishment works at Porthcawl’s iconic Western Breakwater. Work got underway earlier this year on the £6.4m scheme that will help defend Porthcawl from flooding and any potential future rise in sea levels. The first phase is focusing on the Western Breakwater and will see extensive restoration and refurbishment of the 200-year-old structure to ensure that it can continue to stand up to the tides and tough maritime weather conditions. A temporary causeway is currently under construction at the base of the breakwater which is made up of 6,000…

The latest figures from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board have revealed that over 100,000 people are now fully vaccinated against coronavirus in Bridgend county borough. A total of 100,165 people have received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine with more than 205,000 doses (first and second) administered in total. Anyone aged 16 and over who has not had their first dose can walk into a Covid-19 Vaccination Centre to receive it. With no prior booking required, the walk-in appointments are available at community vaccination centres within the region. Anyone who wishes to take advantage of the first dose…