Author: Rhys Gregory

The RSPCA has launched an appeal for information after two ponies were found on common land at Gelligaer with serious welfare problems. Officers from the animal welfare charity worked in partnership with Caerphilly Council, Redwings, World Horse Welfare and The British Horse Society to help the horses on Friday (27 November). A grey stallion pony and a bay orphaned foal were identified on the land with serious welfare problems – and had to be taken from Gelligaer Common, with the equines seized by the local authority on veterinary advice. Sadly, a very serious eye condition affecting the grey stallion had…

Two local companies from Powys are in the running to be named one of the best rural businesses in the UK after being shortlisted in the 2020/21 final of the Amazon-backed Rural Business Awards. PM Training and Assessing Ltd from Brecon has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Innovation category and Llanwrtyd Wells Community Transport Ltd from Builth Wells has been shortlisted in the Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project category in the 2020/21 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon. The Rural Business Awards 2020/21 will mark the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the…

Nando’s is turning up the heat in south Wales, having announced the opening of its new Bridgend restaurant, opening its doors to local Welsh PERi-PERi fans from 8th December 2020. Nando’s Bridgend will seat 56 hungry customers at launch, with social distancing measures in place (79 at full capacity), as well as an additional 8 seats on the restaurant’s ‘Treehouse’ mezzanine (16 at full capacity). The new opening will also create up to 26 new jobs in the area. Regional Managing Director, Samantha Neal, said: “We’re very excited to unveil Nando’s new Bridgend site, which has been built using mostly…

The North West regional chair of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)  is to focus on continuing to deliver value for members as the industry looks to bounce back for 2021. Anthony Bullick, who is managing director of North Wales-based Outwrite PR, leads the CIPR North West’s team of volunteers to support the PR community with events, training and professional development. With much of 2020 taken up with responding to the impact of Covid-19, Anthony plans to use the final year of his three-year term ensuring the body is in good shape for the future. He said: “When I…

The Federation of Small Businesses Cymru have joined forces with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales and are urging Welsh shoppers to enjoy locally sourced meat this Christmas. In the current uncertain climate for many businesses and farmers, and with the growing fears about the catastrophic consequences of a ‘no deal’ Brexit looming over the red meat industry, the importance of supporting local businesses has never been more apparent with research showing that for every pound spent locally up to 70p circulates back into the local economy. Speaking of the importance of the whole supply chain, be they farmers…

The lack of diversity on sporting boards and organisations in Wales has been described as “shocking” and “shameful”. It comes as exclusive figures show there are only 19 people from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background out of 765 employees across some of Wales’ biggest sports governing bodies. Of Wales’ two biggest sports, rugby and football, neither have any board members from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background. We asked the Football Association of Wales to comment but they declined. The Welsh Rugby Union say they have made progress in increasing opportunities for disability rugby and for women…

The leaders of three major Welsh councils are calling for a comprehensive and significant support package to help cities through the pandemic. Those who head Cardiff Council, Newport City Council and Swansea Council say that, although direct action continues to be taken by local authorities and major investment made, cities are being particularly badly impacted by the crisis. The challenge has been brought into sharp focus this week by the troubles of high street retail giants Arcadia and Debenhams. Cardiff, Newport and Swansea together employ tens of thousands of people in retail and hospitality. In a joint statement, Councillors Huw…

Ahead of Small Business Saturday [5th December], the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government has announced a £10m funding boost for town centres, under the £90m Transforming Towns programme, to support businesses and increase vibrancy and footfall in towns across Wales. The loan scheme will support local authorities to reduce the number of vacant, under-utilised and redundant sites and premises in town centres by providing interest free loans to redevelop or refurbish sites. The properties will be redeveloped as shops, homes and leisure facilities, with loans being recycled up to three times over a 15 year period. Once repaid…

An eight-week consultation, launched today in England and Wales, is seeking views on ending the export of live animals for slaughter and fattening where the journeys begin or transit through either country. Live animals commonly have to endure excessively long journeys during exports, causing distress and injury. Leaving the EU has enabled the UK Government to pursue these proposals which would prevent unnecessary suffering of animals during transport and see us become the first country in Europe to end this practice. We are also consulting on proposals to further improve animal welfare in transport more generally, such as: reduced maximum…

Against the backdrop of COVID-19, Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn has announced a new campaign to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities. The Welsh Government has teamed up with Social Partners, the Wales TUC, FSB, CBI, Chambers Wales and other key partners, Acas and Citizens Advice, to launch a campaign to increase awareness of the expert workforce support available for both workers and businesses. The campaign highlights the importance of employers, workers and trade unions collectively working together to make workplaces a better, safer and fairer place for all. As well as…