Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea-based kidney charity, the Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, has been overwhelmed by the support given to its latest fundraiser ‘Kilometres for Kidneys’, which has raised over £2,500 since it was introduced on World Kidney Day, March 11, 2021. During the pandemic, the charity – like so many others in the sector – has had to adapt its methods of fundraising, due to the impact Covid has had on its usual income streams. The Kilometres for Kidneys challenge invited participants to choose a distance and route, predetermined and measured by the Paul Popham Fund, and to walk or run the…

A £1 million scheme is soon being launched to encourage local shopping by helping local businesses in all communities across Swansea recover from the impact of Covid-19. These include businesses in local towns and villages like Clydach, Gorseinon, Morriston, Llansamlet, St Thomas, Mumbles, Uplands, Penderry, Townhill, Killay, Landore and Penclawdd, as well as smaller local shopping areas throughout the county. Shopfront improvements, awnings, signage and the introduction of more greenery like trees and plants will be covered by the funding, which will be assisted by the Welsh Government’s Tidy Towns initiative. Details on how the funding will be allocated will be…

Organisers are delivering a slightly different event this year. Kim Waters, Chief Executive explains. “We want to keep AFF21 fresh and relevant, to deliver amazing experiences for both our producers and visitors, to bring people together in different ways. We’re keeping it simple by strictly limiting attendance and re-organising the venues to ensure the weekend is safe and enjoyable for everyone.This means all stroller ticket/wristbands and individual event tickets will be pre-sold.” “The huge food community that makes up the Festival really does need support after such a tough time. The team is working really hard to add more value,…

The Little Retreat in Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, has been shortlisted in two categories in the prestigious itravel Staycation Awards. Organised by inews.co.uk, the itravel Staycation Awards 2020/21 celebrate the best of the UK’s holiday experiences in what has been a difficult year for the domestic tourism industry. Opened in summer 2020, the Little Retreat is a magical escape to the UK’s only coastal National Park. A place of restoration, reconnection and relaxation, the Little Retreat offers a sanctuary in the spiritual setting of the historic Lawrenny Park Estate; surrounded by hundreds of acres of ancient woodlands and secret waterways to explore.…

Swansea University’s Oriel Science is back with a new exhibition venue in the heart of Swansea city centre and will open its doors on Saturday 22nd May. Open from 10am-4pm on weekends and during school holidays, visitors of all ages will be able to discover the wonders of the world-class research that takes place at Swansea University. This new venue will build on the success of Oriel Science’s pop-up venue on Princess Way which welcomed almost 16,000 visitors and over a thousand children during its 100 opening days in 2016-17. The theme of that exhibition was ‘Time’, and exhibits included…

Cardiff-based commercial interiors firm Paramount Interiors has won design and fit out contracts worth £15 million during the first three months of 2021. Key contracts awarded in Q1 include large-scale schemes nationwide for The Instant Group, as well as the refurbishment of outdated office building South Plaza, recently rebranded 360 Bristol, and soon to be announced Cardiff city-centre fit out works totalling £5M. In line with this success, Paramount Interiors has expanded its team by almost 20% during this time, taking the team to 55 across two offices in Cardiff and Bristol. Experienced Project Manager Stephen Nash becomes the latest…

Aber Falls Whisky Distillery in Abergwyngregyn, has launched a 100% Welsh, single malt whisky, the first whisky to be distilled in North Wales for more than 100 years.  To mark the launch of the unique single malt, Aber Falls Distillery has partnered with Great British Menu finalist and Ready Steady Cook chef, Ellis Barrie, to create two delectable dishes, one savoury and one sweet, to pair with the distillery’s first ever whisky, and the recipes are now available for whisky lovers to try at home. The ‘Inaugural Release’ of the whisky, consisting of 2,000 bottles, is quintessentially Welsh; milled and…

Three of our city’s popular venues are getting ready to welcome visitors back safely as Welsh Government Covid-19 restrictions continue to ease. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery will be re-opening its doors to socially-distanced visitors from May 26 and the Dylan Thomas Exhibition will follow a day later. Swansea Museum will re-open from June 8 and all three venues will be asking people to book their visits in advance so everyone can follow the rules and stay safe. Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said the council is delighted that visitors will be able to return to the…

A new community pantry has opened in Bridgend County Borough to support residents who may be struggling to get weekly groceries. The pantry at Bryntirion and Laleston Community Centre, Mount Pleasant, opened at the end of April and offers people the chance to buy food at reduced cost. The project, which is organised by Bridgend County Borough Council’s Rural Development team and delivered by Eclipse Wales Services with support from Welsh Government, has made pantries available across the county borough and there is no means-testing so anyone in the community can use them. Food is supplied by charity FareShare Cymru,…

Bridgend County Borough Council has confirmed that the charity and social enterprise, Emmaus South Wales, has been chosen as the operator for Porthcawl’s all-new road train attraction. Designed to operate between Sandy Bay and Rest Bay and connect the town centre with the seafront, the seasonal service will take in key stops such as Coney Pleasure Beach, Porthcawl harbour, the town centre, the Grand Pavilion and the Rest Bay Watersports Centre. The road train will have three carriages, one of which will be wheelchair accessible, and Emmaus will establish a ticket office and waiting area at its store on New…