Author: Rhys Gregory

Leading yogurt-maker Llaeth y Llan has clinched a new deal to supply 54 Morrisons stores in the South West of England, more than doubling their contract with the supermarket giant. Their popular creamy products are already on the shelves of over 40 Morrisons outlets across Wales as well as at the UK’s biggest supermarkets like Tesco, Asda, and the Co-Op. The good news for the award-winning North Wales family firm based at Llannefydd, near St Asaph, comes hot on the heels of a major re-design aimed at increasing sales and modernising the brand. Director Gruff Roberts said: “We’re delighted to…

RSPCA rescuers in Wales will continue to respond to emergencies and cruelty calls during the upcoming ‘firebreak’ lockdown – which starts today (Friday 23 October) at 6pm.  The animal welfare charity has reassured animal lovers they will still be dealing with emergency calls made to their helpline as usual in Wales despite the new restrictions. The RSPCA frontline rescuers – along with staff who work in animal centres/clinics – are classed as critical (key) workers. However the new ‘firebreak’ lockdown restrictions will impact rehoming procedures at RSPCA animal centres in Newport, and Bryn-Y-Maen in Upper Colwyn Bay. These two centres…

Pobl Group’s Ty Mawr development in Croespenmaen, Caerphilly county borough, is providing a fantastic learning and development opportunity for local carpentry apprentice Liam Baker. Liam has been on site for seven months, under the wing of Concept Carpentry, following a successful previous placement. Liam is undertaking his apprenticeship at Coleg Gwent, Newport Campus and has recently started his third year. Liam commented: “I really enjoy the hands-on experience of working and study once a week. I especially enjoyed being part of the Jehu and Concept team. The team at Concept have been extremely supportive in helping me to progress in…

RCT Council has announced that car park charges in Aberdare and Pontypridd town centres will be FREE after 10am each day from this Saturday morning (October 24) – for the remainder of 2020. The announcement has been made following the ‘firebreak’ lockdown implemented by Welsh Government (from October 23-November 9), which will help prevent the spread of Covid-19 following a steep rise in cases in Wales. Council-run car parks in Aberdare and Pontypridd will be FREE after 10am each day from Saturday, October 24, up until December 31, 2020. They remain free all day on Sundays and Bank Holidays during…

In the face of dramatic falls in passenger numbers the Welsh Government has decided to bring the Wales and Borders rail franchise under public control. Transport Minister Ken Skates said the move will help secure the future of passenger services in Wales and the Borders area, protect jobs and maintain the Welsh Government’s ambitious plans for Metro. The move comes after a challenging period in which Covid-19 has significantly impacted passenger numbers and rail revenue across Wales. The new arrangements will see day to day rail services become the responsibility of a new publicly owned subsidiary of Transport for Wales,…

Leading Welsh transport provider NAT Group has been awarded the UK Business Heroes stamp by the South and Mid Wales Chambers of Commerce for going the extra mile during the Coronavirus outbreak.

PROGRESS on the Growth Vision for North Wales and major investment in the region will be the focus of a virtual conference. Organised by North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, in partnership with North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB), the online event takes place on Wednesday November 4. Presented by Business Council chair and North Wales Tourism CEO Jim Jones, the event will feature updates from the NWEAB Programme Office on transformative projects set to begin in 2021. Among the speakers are Programme Director Alwen Williams, Digital Programme Manager Stuart Whitfield, Energy Programme Manager Henry Aron, Land and Property Manager…

Home hearing test specialist Hearfocus has moved its UK headquarters to the Cambrian Buildings office building in Cardiff Bay. The rapidly expanding independent company has taken a five year lease on the 4,747 sq ft first floor of the multi-let building. Landlord Longmead Capital was represented in the transaction by the Cardiff office of property consultancy Knight Frank. Hearfocus offers free home hearing tests from its nationwide team of fully qualified and registered hearing aid audiologists, and the latest digital hearing systems from leading manufacturers. Managing director of Hearfocus, Russell Borland, said: “We outgrew our former offices in Cowbridge Road East, and Cambrian…

AN OFF-duty paramedic who gave CPR to his own wife after her sudden cardiac arrest has recounted the extraordinary ordeal. Phil Wilkins gave chest compressions and rescue breaths to his wife of 20 years, Cerys, after she collapsed without warning at their Pentrebach home the Friday before last. The couple’s teenage daughter called 999 and summoned Phil’s Welsh Ambulance Service colleagues, who helped to resuscitate the 48-year-old nurse. The mum-of-two is now on the road to recovery, and the family are urging everyone to learn life-saving CPR. Phil, a paramedic of 16 years, said: “At not one point through the…

At 4.50pm on Tuesday, October 20 a report was received of a stabbing in Pant Glas, Pentwyn. Armed officers were deployed as a precaution to ensure the safety of the public and officers. A 31-year-old man from Penarth sustained significant injuries which are described as non-life threatening. He remains at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff. Extensive enquiries are being carried out in the area and detectives are appealing for information. There have been no arrests but a number of items have been recovered for forensic examination. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact South Wales Police on…