Author: Rhys Gregory

A LEADING architectural practice has laid the foundation for further growth after taking on new staff and unveiling plans for expansion into the north west. [aoa id=”1″] Lawray Architects, which has studios in Wrexham, Cardiff and London, has been at the forefront of advances in the design and construction sector for almost half a century. Directors Keith O’Hanlon and David Hughes lead the North Wales team and have an impressive list of buildings in their portfolio. Among them are the Centre for the Creative Industries at nearby Glyndwr University, the new Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust headquarters in St Asaph,…

The Football Association of Wales in partnership with Literature Wales, have released a poem written by school children supporting Wales’ UEFA Women’s Euro 2021 qualifying campaign. [aoa id=”1″] The inspirational Welsh-language poem, written by Year 6 pupils from Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon in Newport, is the result of a unique partnership between the two organisations, formed through the Bardd Plant Cymru scheme. The Bardd Plant Cymru scheme (Welsh-language Children’s Laureate) introduces literature to children in an energetic, dynamic and exciting way through workshops, performances and activities. Through working in partnership, FAW and Literature Wales have been able to introduce both…

Newly opened café bar Cakes & Ale will host a fundraiser for Team GB star Millie Rees on Sunday 1st September. [aoa id=”1″] The event will be the culmination of Millie’s 3 Bay Iron Woman Challenge, which will see her put her skills to the test across three disciplines. Millie will begin her challenge in Murton at 5pm with a 1.5K run. She will then swim from Brandy Cove to Caswell Bay, before paddle boarding to Langland and ski paddling to Mumbles. She’ll finish with a get-together at Cakes & Ale in Mumbles at 8pm, where supporters can enjoy the…

The UK’s top young students & apprentices (and former apprentices) – fly home from Russia today (Wednesday August 28th) covered in gold and glory. [aoa id=”1″] The 37 women and men, the best in their nations, won a total of 19 medals – 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal and 15 medallions of excellence (achieving world class standard) at the ‘Skills Olympics’. The impressive results represent an amazing success for WorldSkills UK, which selects and trains the team and works to mainstream excellence in education and industry. They were testament to the remarkable breadth and depth of skills…

Top 100 Insurance Brokerage, constructaquote.com, is collaborating with Cardiff University to help drive students’ futures by welcoming interns studying IT, Human Resources, and Business into the Caerphilly-based company for 6-12 month stints. [aoa id=”1″] At the end of the university course and placement, exceptional students will be offered the opportunity to implement what they’ve learnt as full-time employees at constructaquote.com Linda Haggett, Director of Customer Services at Constructaquote, said: “Working in partnership with Cardiff University, one of the top universities in the UK, to help provide young, vibrant, individuals with the opportunity to share ideas and to develop their skills…

The UK’s leading feline welfare charity is renewing its call for air gun licensing in England and Wales after caring for two cats that needed surgery to remove air gun pellets. In the last two months Cats Protection’s Bridgend Adoption Centre took in two stray cats from different areas of Wales who had both sadly been shot. Jewels, a one-year-old black-and-white female, and five-year-old male Mr Bojangles were both un-neutered. They are both very sweet-natured despite their ordeal. These attacks have prompted Cats Protection to renew calls for air guns to be licensed in England and Wales, in line with…

Welsh Lady Preserves have been making award winning sweet preserves and savoury condiments for over 50 years, not only filling the shelves here in the UK but reaching supermarkets as far as Japan. After a recent trade visit co-ordinated by the Welsh Government, Welsh Lady Preserves owner Carol Jones has seen the business go from strength to strength and reaching the culinary delights of East Asia has been an exciting time, as Carol explains, “We are already being stocked by five different supermarkets in Japan and appear in many of their branches. Our first client was Takashimaya and now they…

Monmouthshire farming couple, Guy and Cath Parry of Pentre Farm, Llansoy, Usk, have discussed the most critical #farmingmatters including Brexit, environmental issues, future farm policy and the rural economy, with Mohammad Asghar, Conservative Regional AM for S.E Wales. [aoa id=”1″] During a farm visit, the family showed Mr Asghar around the typical Monmouthshire grass farm on which the main enterprise is the fattening of store cattle and lambs. Guy and Cath hope that their children might take over the farm business one day, but Guy said: “We are very concerned about the future of our own farm and also the…

Local dads project Dads Can Cymru recently organised a succession of Mountain Walk Mondays that were well attended by fathers from the local area. The Dads climbed Sugarloaf and Pen Y Fan over the course of the two weeks and the event was used as an opportunity for them to get out and mix with peers whilst supporting men’s mental health and exploring the outdoors. Dads Can Cymru’s development worker, Shane Hatherall, was delighted with how well the walks were received: “The families have benefitted so much from participating in these walks. We try to push that plenty of fresh…

In July 2019 the England Men’s cricket team won the World Cup, and on Sunday 25th August 2019 Ben Stokes steered the team to a record run-chase to delivery victory against Australia in the 3rd Ashes Test Match. [aoa id=”1″] Ground-breaking individualised training programmes are helping the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to prepare theirplayers to face the pressure of performing on the pitch, and were a key factor in the England Mens teams’ recent world cup success. Researchers at Bangor University have been working with the ECB to ensure that the physical and mental preparation all of…