Author: Rhys Gregory

Moving stories of life-limited children and their families are at the heart of a Newport business networking group’s fundraising efforts.  The Action Business Club, which meets every Thursday in Rogerstone, has chosen Ty Hafan children’s hospice as its charity of the year. The group invited senior fundraising executive Kelly Dibble to one of its meetings in the Tiny Rebel Brewery to find out more about the organisation’s work and to make a donation of £250 from club funds. In addition, more than £1,500 was raised for Ty Hafan by ABC chair Wayne Evans, member Rebecca Lees and four teammates who…

A city centre nursery has been saved from closure thanks to its new owner Chris Baker. The Learning Tree Nursery provides dedicated childcare to more than 50 children in Cardiff, South Wales, but in October 2018 the previous owners of the nursery, Busy Bees, announced that it was being forced to close. Mr Baker, whose two children attended the nursery, decided to see if he could secure the future of the nursery and ensure the continuity of the childcare provided by acquiring the lease for the purpose-built nursery and establishing The Learning Tree.  Mr Baker was also keen to secure the jobs of over ten excellent…

A sex offender who was on the run for nearly two years has been jailed for three years and four months. Ian Campbell, 40, of Fernhill, Mountain Ash, was found thanks to a Facebook appeal which led police to the seaside city of Brighton. He was arrested at his hideout on 24th April, 2019 – an old double decker bus which had been converted into a homeless shelter. Campbell was one of South Wales Police’s most wanted paedophiles, absconding after he was released by the courts on probation in June, 2017. Through their investigative work, officers suspected he may be…

Entries are now open for the 22nd annual Deloitte UK Technology Fast 50 awards and Deloitte is looking for entries from companies all over Wales that use a proprietary technology in their business. [aoa id=”1″] The awards rank and recognise the 50 fastest growing technology companies in the UK, based on the last four years of revenue growth. Supporting Deloitte’s initiative for the UK’s fastest growing companies are the award sponsors DLA Piper, Oracle NetSuite and SVB. Since 1998, the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards have showcased an increasingly innovative and diverse range of UK-based technology companies and some of…

Experienced lawyer Mandie Sewa has been appointed as Head of Business Immigration at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, where she joins as a partner. [aoa id=”1″] With over 19 years’ experience in UK immigration and nationality law, Mandie will be heading the Business Immigration team at Clarke Willmott, working across all of the firm’s seven regional offices. Mandie, who has been ranked as a leading Immigration lawyer by Legal 500, will assist individuals with a variety of personal immigration matters but will be concentrating on corporate issues including employing non-EU nationals, Brexit implications and the prevention of illegal working.…

Unseasonably strong southwesterly winds are expected to cause some disruption, with gusts over 40 mph possible quite widely inland. Gusts over 50 mph are possible along some coasts of the Bristol Channel, English Channel and through the Strait of Dover. What to expect It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities affected by spray and/or large waves Some short term loss of power and other services is possible Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer Some delays to road, rail, air and…

A top dairy farm is using green energy to power a major expansion of its herd and cut its huge electricity costs – and he plans to be able to show visiting farmers how well it works. [aoa id=”1″] Farmer Aled Morris milks 420 Holstein cows on almost 700 acres on the Denbighshire-Flintshire border at Marian Mawr, near Cwm, Dyserth, and sells it to the Co-op. He has just had a £20,000 twin-solar system specially designed and installed by local energy experts Hafod Renewables to help cut the massive £400 a week electricity bills run up by the power needed…

A ground breaking ceremony has signalled the start of a new housing development in Pencoed which will deliver 40 much-needed affordable homes on the site of the former Pencoed Primary School. [aoa id=”1″] Hafod, Bridgend County Borough Council and Bridgend based contractor, Jehu Group are working in partnership to redevelop the site which will help to meet a high demand for homes in the area. Hafod has invested over £20m in building new homes in the county borough in the past five years and is pleased to see this latest development underway. Jas Bains, Hafod Chief Executive, said: “The site…

Rusty – a gorgeous six-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier – arrived at RSPCA Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre back in June but he entered into RSPCA care back in April. [aoa id=”1″] RSPCA animal centre manager Victoria Williams said: “Rusty is such a sweetheart – but unfortunately he has struggled adjusting to kennel life. “At the moment he spends his time residing in the office, keeping a watchful eye on the staff at the centre. Rusty loves sleeping and can often be heard snoring in the office! We just love him – but we’d love nothing more to find a forever home for…

Grey Trees Brewery, based in Aberdare in South Wales, has won silver in the Champion Beer of Britain competition, one of the most prestigious and well-recognised beer awards. Hosted by CAMRA, judging takes place on the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival (6-10 August, Olympia London). [aoa id=”1″] Afghan IPA was a previous winner of the Strong Bitters category, taking first place in 2017. Made from Cascade, Citra and Simcoe hops, the ale has a tropical hop aroma and a crisp taste. The Champion Beer of Britain is the culmination of almost a year of local tasting panels…