Author: Rhys Gregory

The award-winning producer Ellen Kent returns with the Italian tragedy, Madama Butterfly. Ellen returns to Swansea Grand Theatre on 7 March and as always, she is making the production a community affair. Ellen has invited local stage school Dance Academy Wales to nominate one of their shining stars to play the child of the titular Madama Butterfly, Sorrow. The youngest cast member will get to experience the joy of treading the boards in this exquisite production of Puccini’s masterpiece in a production featuring international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra. Lois Parrington aged 6 from Pennard Primary School will appear…

Principality Building Society has appointed Vicky Wales to lead its customer services team. Vicky brings with her extensive experience in customer-focused operations and business transformation in financial services. Having begun her career on the HSBC Executive Trainee programme, Vicky progressed into a number of senior leadership roles across the retail, strategy and operations divisions at HSBC. Her most recent role was as Head of Wealth and Insurance Operations, leading teams across UK & Europe. In her role, Vicky will lead the Society’s customer services teams, ensuring that Principality’s award winning customer experience continues to be delivered. Vicky Wales, Head of…

A volunteer from the north-east of Cardiff has put her best foot forward for health research as the world’s largest imaging study opens a new assessment. Mrs Rita Clements is the first person to attend the centre from Cardiff. The resource hopes that many more UK Biobank participants from the city will follow in her footsteps. Mrs Clements, 76, a Lisvane resident said: “My husband died in 2018 and it made me aware of how precious life is. If research done with UK Biobank influences people to take better care of themselves, and to find new treatments for illness, what…

Cardiff-based medical technology company Bond Digital Health has joined the global effort to tackle the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, which has so far claimed more than 1,700 lives. Bond has joined an international consortium led by Canadian nanotechnology company Sona Nanotech Inc. to add its digital connectivity and data capture technology to Sona’s rapid screening test, which is currently in development. Sona’s test is based on lateral flow technology, similar to home pregnancy tests that can be administered without skilled technicians or additional laboratory equipment. When completed, the test can be used as a screening tool to help triage individuals suspected…

Naim Ahmed, a Vehicle Refinishing learner at Cardiff and Vale College, has made it to the shortlist for a prestigious Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) Award. Out of entries from across the UK, Naim has made it to the final three in the shortlist for the IMI’s Full-time Student of the Year Award. The winner will be announced at the Institute’s Centenary Dinner next month. Naim said: “I was surprised to make it through over so many people and I’m little bit nervous about the actual ceremony but I’m really excited and happy as well. I’ve never achieved anything…

Wales’s leading oil distributor is starting its tenth year of trading on a high after a record year of growth. Family-run Oil 4 Wales, which will later this year celebrate a decade in business, has announced its best year of trading. In 2019, the Carmarthenshire-headquartered company has seen its turnover soar to over £121 million up from £114 million, customer numbers grow from 70,000 to 90,000, headcount increase from 98 to 111, and its volume of fuel surge to 160 million litres per annum. The impressive results come after Oil 4 Wales acquired the Pwllheli depot of Rix Petroleum and…

Talented junior chefs from the Culinary Association of Wales have completed their first ever IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany by adding a bronze medal to the silver they won at the weekend. Encouraged by their success in the Restaurant of Nations on Saturday, the Junior Culinary Team Wales, which has an average age of 19, were looking for another medal in the chefs table edible buffet on Monday. The team secured a creditable bronze medal, winning warm praise from Arwyn Watkins, Culinary Association of Wales president. “It was an outstanding performance by a very young junior team who are competing…

Wales has been hit with major flooding and slides as a result of the weekend weather. The most severe impact was upon Rhondda Cynon Taff, and more specifically the Taff valley, which experienced multiple floods and landslides. These incredible pictures show the major shift in the mountain side in Tylorstown. Inspections of old coal tips on the mountains in the Rhondda are underway following a landslide during Storm Dennis. Water levels are subsiding, but South Wales Police continues to liaise with organisations such as the Met Office and Natural Resources Wales to monitor the ongoing situation. Although the severe weather…

Cefn Mably Farm Park on the outskirts of Cardiff has been devastated by the rising flood water in the wake of Storm Dennis. The family-run farm park is popular with young families and those looking to get up close with the great outdoors. The farm has a number of outdoor activities for children, including a climbing area and real ‘diggers’. Visitors can also get up close with the animals. However, the farm park has had to close suddenly due to the damaged caused to its grounds as a result of the bad weather South Wales experienced at the weekend. The…

With Storm Dennis causing devastating damage across the UK last weekend, Towergate Insurance Brokers are advising on what steps to take if your business has been affected, most importantly taking photos and not to dispose of any damaged items until you have sourced advice from your insurers. Storm Dennis brought strong winds and heavy rainfall this weekend, leaving thousands of homes and businesses damaged in its wake. As of 23:45 GMT on Sunday, more than 700 flood warnings and alerts have been put in place across the UK, with eight severe flood warnings outlining a threat to life. 54 flood…