Author: Rhys Gregory

Almost half of Welsh businesses support the pace of easing of lockdown restrictions, according to the latest data from Lloyds Bank Commercial banking research, with two thirds ready to operate at close to full capacity when COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease in the weeks ahead. When asked whether their business would have preferred or benefitted from a different pace of easing, 49% said they preferred neither a faster nor slower easing of restrictions. However, a net balance of 33% of firms said they would have preferred a faster route out of lockdown and 18% said they would have preferred a…

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show ev registrations hit a record and hybrid sales last month were higher than September 2020, the previous best for the dual fuel vehicles. There are signs that companies have started to buy more hybrids and BEVs and are ditching diesel models. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said, “Despite the ongoing effect of the pandemic, when it comes to electric car sales March was a remarkable month – it was the best single month for sales of new zero-emission electric cars on record, beating last December by less than 100 sales. “Plug-in…

A family-owned ice-cream parlour and pizzeria is planning an exciting move into home-made chocolates and wholesale – and a delayed 50th birthday celebration. Bonnie Rowley is the third generation of her family to run the Glaslyn Ice Cream Parlour and Pizzeria in Beddgelert where Italy meets Wales in the heart of Snowdonia. While lockdown put the anniversary party on hold, it has also given the business an opportunity to become more flexible and innovative. Among them are wholesale pots of their best-selling, award-winning ice-cream for restaurants, cafes and shops in Snowdonia and across North Wales, click and collect pizza and…

One of the UK’s leading independent insurance brokers, Towergate Insurance Brokers, has acquired the assets from Swansea-based Murton Alexander Insurance Services Ltd in a bid to boost its Welsh offering. Founded in 1972 by Robin Pountney and now run by his son, Managing Director Rob Pountney, Murton Alexander is one of the longest serving independent insurance brokers in Wales, and one of the only companies to specialise in taxi cover. This acquisition will bolster Towergate’s local footprint, expertise and reach. Murton Alexander’s taxi insurance offering, headed up by Lynne Thomas, has been hugely successful over the last 20 years and…

Dog owners are being reminded to act responsibly and keep their pets on leads when walking through the countryside. Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are issuing the advice as lambing season continues. Dog owners can be prosecuted if their pet disturbs or chases a sheep. Huw Rees, the Council’s Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, said: “The vast majority of dog owners respect the countryside when walking their pets and I would like to thank them for their efforts. “We are reminding all dog owners, including those who have a dog for the first time,…

A hospital choir is going from strength to strength after appearing on TV as part of the BBC’s coverage of the first national Covid Memorial Day. Morriston Hospital’s Emergency Department Choir  was formed around three years ago to give  the ED team a social outlet to relax and rebuild their wellbeing, away from the pressures of work. But it really came into its own after the start of the pandemic when members faced the most testing challenges of their careers. One of their first offerings, following the outbreak in March 2020, was a rendition of the Jackson Five hit I’ll…

Rhug Estate has introduced sustainable packaging for the majority of its organic meat products. The introduction of new cardboard meat trays, which can be disposed of in a standard recycling bin, is the latest victory in Rhug’s war against the use of single use plastic. As well as being made of recyclable card, the new meat cardboard trays improve the shelf life of Rhug’s organic meat and gives the consumer an extra two days on the use-by date – that means a Rhug Organic Steak will stay fresh for 12 days. Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, said, “I have…

An ambassadorial role is nothing new to Urdd Gobaith Cymru apprentice Llio Bryn Jones who loves coaching sports and is proud of her Welsh language and farming background. Llio, 18, from Henllan, near Denbigh, has been appointed an Apprenticeship Ambassador by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (CCC) and the National Training Federation of Wales (NTfW). Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol leads the development of Welsh medium and bilingual education and training in the post-compulsory sector in Wales and the NTfW represents work-based learning providers across Wales. Her role involves promoting bilingual apprenticeships and encouraging more people to speak the Welsh language, especially in the workplace. Llio…

Cardiff Council’s Planning Department have approved plans to build a new primary school at the St Ederyn’s developmentto serve parts of Pontprennau and Old St Mellons, located east of the Pontprennau link road. The new build school will be a 1 form of entry, accommodating 210 pupils including a 48 place part-time nursery, with the opportunity to expand to a 2 form entry (420 place) in the future. There will be a community centre linked to the school with private entrance and interconnecting entrance providing benefits to the wider community. In March 2019, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet agreed a recommendation toput…

The second phase of the community testing programme in Bridgend county borough gets underway tomorrow (Wednesday 7 April). Over the next three weeks, residents will be able to take advantage of the free community testing facilities at three different centres. Anyone who lives, works or studies in the county borough can now get tested at the centres. This also includes anyone visiting the county borough. The community testing, which is designed to identify people who may have coronavirus without knowing it, is aimed at people aged 11 and over who are not already exhibiting symptoms of the virus. It is…