Author: Rhys Gregory

Enjoying an ice cream on a hot summer day is something most of us take for granted. But for six year old Carmela this simple pleasure was a huge challenge until UWTSD’s Dr Ross Head and the team at the Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) stepped up to help design a prototype ice-cream and lolly holder so that she too can enjoy some summer fun. The Cerebra Innovation Centre (CIC) is a partnership between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) and the Carmarthen-based children’s charity, Cerebra. It is home to a team of product designers based within UWTSD’s Swansea…

Many people feel as if they have been climbing the walls during Lockdown. But now youngsters in Port Talbot will be doing exactly  that – but for fun – thanks to the generosity of Tata Steel. Tata’s subsidiary, UKSE, has donated £2500 to help a local play centre buy a new climbing wall to keep the youngsters entertained. The wall will shortly be delivered to the Playhem centre, and will, says Manager Karen Todd, be an exciting new feature when they reopen and welcome the kids back. “We wanted something super-duper for the kids to use when we reopen after…

Môr Ladron Organic Gower Spiced Rum has scooped a bronze award at the 2020 London Spirits Competition. The prestigious event, which looks to recognise and reward craft spirit brands from across the world, took place at the Worx in London on July 6th and the win was a total shock for the fledgeling Swansea brand. “We launched Môr Ladron on 30th May this year,” said co-founder Dafydd Morris, “so to receive a bronze medal this early on is just amazing and considering the quality of the competition, we are delighted at the result.” Tapping into the booming micro-distillery market; the…

Welsh opera legend Sir Bryn Terfel and comedic star Rob Brydon have formed a duet to support Wales’ vineyards ahead of Welsh Wine Week. Sir Bryn Terfel has recorded duets with some of the world’s most celebrated performers, but when it came to singing the praises of Wales’ wine producers to promote the launch of Welsh Wine Week (27 July-2 August), only Uncle Bryn – aka Rob Brydon – would do. This July, the first ever Welsh Wine Week will see a calendar of virtual events hosted by vineyard owners and friends from the hospitality, food and drink industry, take…

Coomb Farm is a purpose built dairy farm with fantastic infrastructure, cow housing, staff accommodation and land. An AD plant, running mainly on bi-products from the dairy enterprise, generates circa £700k per annum and significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the farm/milk and may give marketing opportunities for the milk. Daniel Rees, head of rural sales at Savills Cardiff, said: “Coomb Farm is an exceptional example of a modern farming operation in the heart of the Welsh countryside, just a short distance from the A40 with road links to all major towns in the area. Close to the Carmarthenshire coastline…

Two people in Cardiff are celebrating after winning £1,000 each thanks to their lucky postcode. The Mill Road neighbours netted the windfall when CF5 4AD was announced as a Daily Prize winner with People’s Postcode Lottery on Tuesday 21st July 2020. People’s Postcode Lottery ambassador Danyl Johnson sent his well-wishes to the winners. He said: “What a fantastic surprise for our winners. Congratulations to them, I’m sure this news has made their day.” A minimum of 32% of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £500 million to date for thousands of…

A member of the public walked into an Abertillery pet shop and handed over a bag, claiming it contained a dead cat – only for the shopkeeper to find a corn snake inside, who was very much alive. RSPCA Cymru has launched an appeal for information in the hope of tracing the individual who dumped the snake on Wednesday (15 July) at the Pawfection Pet Shop on Somerset Street. The orange and brown snake was inside the tied bag, inside a cat food container and wrapped in a towel. He came into the care of the RSPCA before being transferred…

JCP Solicitors has announced the promotion of two Directors to Business Owner Directors. Head of the Lifetime Planning Disputes Team, Richard Howells, and Marketing Director, Amy Seppman, join 12 other Business Owners at the regional law firm which has nine offices across South Wales. Richard Howells joined JCP as an Associate Solicitor in 2006 working in the Commercial Litigation Team specialising in wills, estates, trusts and property. He was appointed salaried Partner, following which he moved to head up the firm’s Carmarthen office where he set up and developed the firm’s Lifetime Planning Disputes Team. Richard is one of just…

The Big Cheese festival is going digital for 2020! While the usual event cannot take place this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the fun still continues with the Virtual Big Cheese Festival! Running Friday July 24 to Sunday July 26, there will be lots of fantastic prizes and giveaways over the weekend. A tasty selection of fun will be filmed and can be viewed online. Traders will display some tempting sights. By logging on, you can enjoy virtual cooking demonstrations, virtual music performances and even a virtual cheese race. You can also watch animal displays, to help get you into…

The Welsh Government has today announced additional funding of more than £50 million for universities and colleges. The support is part of the Welsh Government’s actions to support students and Wales’ major education institutions and provide the skills and learning in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus. £27m will be provided to higher education institutions, with £23m to support students in FE colleges and sixth forms. Higher Education £27m will be provided to universities through a Higher Education Investment and Recovery Fund for Wales, to maintain teaching and research in the 2020-21 academic year. The Recovery Fund will…