Author: Rhys Gregory

AN INDEPENDENT care and education business plans for further growth after an excellent Estyn inspection. And Bryn Tirion Hall School has unveiled a new sixth form at its Caergwrle site to meet demand and support vulnerable children with special needs as they prepare for their future careers. Principal Paddy Prendergast revealed they have recruited six new teachers and learning assistants since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic and welcomed five new children in past months. Having started with one pupil when the organisation was launched in 2008, they begin this academic year with 54, now covering two sites, the most…

Cardiff-headquartered utilities firm Arch Drainage Services has expanded its depot network as its growth plans continue apace with the support of Lloyds Bank. The business, which provides advanced diagnostics and drain repair services for businesses and local authorities across Wales and the South West, has opened a new 7,000 sq ft depot on Avonmouth Industrial Estate in Bristol, creating 10 new jobs. Earlier this year, Lloyds Bank backed the business with a new £250k invoice finance facility to support growth and has now provided a further six-figure round of funding to support the acquisition and set-up of the new Bristol…

The British pound has struggled against other major currencies in recent weeks, in part a consequence of a growing lack of confidence that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union with a deal. The transition phase of the UK’s departure from the EU concludes at the end of 2020, with no extension to the deadline expected. By the start of 2021, markets will have a definitive idea of what a post-Brexit British economy will look like. While the shape of that economy will hinge on whether the UK leaves with or without a deal, at the very least there will…

Ford Performance has launched its much-hyped first fully electric dragster prototype, and it’s received a very warm welcome. The all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 has impressed ahead of its debut and looks set to take the dragster market by storm. Drag racing has always been synonymous with being cool since the days of Grease lightning, and it’s an industry that has seen a rapid rise. It has appeared in a number of huge Hollywood movies over the last decade or so. The likes of the Fast and Furious series has done a lot to shine a light on what is…

There is a lot of literature online on the effects of gaming. Recent studies have recognised that the question of whether games are good is not as simple as black and white. There are many shades of grey in between which make it challenging to address. The violent nature of some games is what has received the most disdain. But numerous social benefits of playing games have also been cited. Gaming has been shown to positively impact leadership skills and problem-solving. But did you know you know that gaming also impacts your cognitive and physical health? Dyslexia The NHS estimates…

You may have noticed the surge in popularity of CBD oil in recent years, as its medicinal benefits become more and more widely known and acknowledged. According to a study conducted by Wowcher, sales of CBD oil in the UK surged by 99% in 2019 and that trend certainly hasn’t buckled this year, with more and more products readily available on the market. With interest and sales increasing, anyone purchasing CBD oil must be familiar with the difference in the types of products available. The two main types you should familiarise yourself with are broad and full-spectrum, while it is…

LORD’S Taverners Wales’ free community cricket programme, ‘Wicketz’, is now running twice weekly sessions at its Llanrumney hub to accommodate the increasing demand experienced since restarting at the end of August. Every Tuesday, youngsters can book to attend one of the two sessions that now run after school from 4:00pm-4:45pm or 5:00pm-5:45pm at Llanrumney Hall. By extending the sessions, capacity has increased from 27 to 54 to cope with the surge in youngsters trying to secure places, and all lessons are delivered outside to comply with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and government guidelines. Wicketz was…

Three Swansea communities have been praised for helping the city fight the pandemic in a new way. Penclawdd, Townhill and Penyrheol all have mobile testing units (MTUs) that are giving coronavirus tests to hundreds of Swansea people. They’re being operated to robust controls by experienced contactor Mitie on behalf of the Swansea Bay University Health Board and the Welsh Government. Their staff are trained for this role and wear full protective equipment. A test is taken safely and securely as the member of the public approaches. The venues operate with doors opened so there’s be no surface contact. Everything is…

Caerphilly based food and drink specialists Visionary Group, have announced a number of new appointments, as they prepare for a year of growth.   The new appointments will bolster the staff within the Visionary Food Solutions division, as well as the wider group. The new recruits include Stephen Thomas who joins as Finance Director, Mike Johns as Business Development Manager, and Maria Reed who takes up the post of Food Service Executive.   The business had planned to make the new appointments early in 2020 but as the pandemic took hold, were forced to divert their focus into supporting their…

We live in a world where the cost of living is constantly increasing, no matter where you are in the world. In addition to this the economy is facing the worst downturn in recent memory. You may find yourself paying more for your daily expenses even though you are buying exactly the same products. To combat this more and more people are looking for innovative ways to save on their expenses. If you are saving in a clever way it doesn’t necessarily mean that your standard of living will decrease. Once you start seeing the benefits, such as being able…