Author: Rhys Gregory

Proud dad Peter James was not going to let a brain tumour stop him walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. The council officer from Swansea was a patient in the city’s Singleton Hospital after suffering a seizure that paralysed his right side just 10 days before the ceremony. But with the support of his family and a specialist hospital team, he got to enjoy the big day – and was back on the ward the following morning. The 59-year-old from Sketty was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 1st August 2019. His wife, retired nurse Sue…

Welsh film star Michael Sheen has been handed a new role – as the subject for dozens of Swansea portrait artists. The resulting 140-plus images of Port Talbot-raised Sheen went on show in the GS Artists Gallery on High Street, Swansea. Pictures were submitted from a range of exhibitors from schools, colleges, support groups and adult learning groups. Organisers of the 9to90 Creative Community Exhibition were GS Artists who worked with the Fusion Programme, a Welsh Government-funded initiative managed in the city by Swansea Council’s cultural services team. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The…

A business born out of a twelve-hour hackathon has been awarded £100k to turn its pitch into a prototype. SWAPP is a Community Interest Company designed to bridge the gap between community and business by creating a time and skill sharing app that encourages collaboration. It will essentially allow users to bank good-will, such as providing a service or support and then allow them to exchange that credit for something that they need from a fellow user. The concept was created during the Welsh ICE Hackathon, where the SWAPP team of Francesca Irving, Alexis Charkiw, Adam Sadler and Claire Vokes…

In 2020, GLL – the UK’s largest charitable leisure social enterprise that manages Better Cardiff Leisure Centres – is set to support local athletes through its athlete support programme, the GLL Sport Foundation. Eligible athletes can benefit from award packages that include financial grants of up to £1,250, free training memberships to use Cardiff leisure centres’ facilities and across 300 GLL and partner operated sporting venues. They can also benefit from access to sports science, medical support and employment opportunities all focussed towards supporting their athlete journey. Applications for the programme are open until February 20th 2020 and athletes from…

A spell of very strong winds is expected to spread from the south-west across Wales and many parts of England through Thursday morning. Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible for many areas, with gusts of 70 mph in places. Winds will begin to ease across Wales through late morning, and across the rest of the area by evening. What to expect There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs There is a small chance of longer journey times…

One lucky Neath bingo player at Castle Bingo received an unexpected boost to her Boxing Day afternoon bingo, when she called ‘house’ on a life changing £50,000 Jackpot on the National Bingo Game.   Lilian Hale, 72, was playing bingo on Boxing Day afternoon with her regular bingo buddy, sister Barbara, when all her numbers came up on the National Bingo Game!  Shouting ‘house’ Lilian thought she had won the club prize and both she and her sister were in shock when the caller announced that she had won a £50,000 Jackpot Prize, as well as the club prize. Lilian and Barbara are regulars…

An ambitious Welsh utility business is planning expansion across the South of the UK following loan support from UKSE. Arch Utility Services of Porth has just opened a base in Plymouth, and is aiming to increase turnover to £3.5 million in three years, with around 20 new jobs created in that period. “We plan to open more bases in Southern England and the Midlands as we increase our presence along the M4 and M5 corridors,” said Managing Director Damian Tranter. Arch was the subject of a Management Buy Out in 2019, and is now executing its business plan underpinned by…

GlobalWelsh, Wales’ independent not-for-profit diaspora organisation, announces that David Wright has become a GlobalWelsh Founding Patron. The globally renowned pharma executive is the latest individual to invest in the organisation and support its mission to find and connect the Welsh diaspora around the world for economic benefit to Wales. David was born and raised in Machen. As a young man he led a successful rugby career, playing at first class level for Cardiff, Pontypool, Leicester and Nottingham. Today, David is CEO and shareholder of Paris-based HRA Pharma (owner of brands such as Compeed , ellaOne and Mederma), and is recognised…

Hodge has welcomed a national account manager for the south of England, and two new business development managers to work with its intermediary partners in the Midlands and north Wales and the north and south of England. The company has appointed Jason Newsway as national account manager for the south of England. Donna Spence, who takes on the role of business development manager for the north of England and James Enos as business development manager for the midlands and north Wales. James Enos has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, specialising in mortgages. James has previously worked for…

Simon Whiting has been appointed the new Centre Manager at Mermaid Quay, the 150,000 sq ft leisure destination on the waterfront in the heart of Cardiff Bay. Simon has a background in property, facilities and shopping centre management.  He started off as a security guard, literally working on the “shop floor” and, through a dedicated and entrepreneurial approach, has risen up the ladder.  He joins Mermaid Quay from the Maylord Shopping Centre in Hereford, where he was centre manager. Simon replaces Justin Patel, who was the Centre Manager at Mermaid Quay for five  successful years.  Justin has now taken up a new role at BAE Systems. Simon is looking forward to getting his teeth into his new role at Mermaid Quay.  Commenting on his appointment, Simon said: “This a fantastic opportunity to work in one of the most important…