Author: Rhys Gregory

IT and communications firm SA1 Solutions has appointed two new members of staff as the company seeks to further enhance its support team and develop new talent. The Swansea-based company recently hired Alex Abraham and Ryan John as IT engineers. Their appointments add to SA1 Solutions’ recent recruitment surge, with the company having hired four new members of staff within the last six months. [aoa id=”1″]Abraham, from Swansea, approached SA1 Solutions seeking a job due to his interest in IT and desire to work in the industry. Impressed with his ambition, the company put him in touch with training company…

Software development company Big Lemon has seen a rapid rise in growth following an increasing demand for digital solutions. [aoa id=”1″] The Caerphilly-based business has seen a 42% increase in revenue in the last two years and is expected to double its turnover this year after winning several high-profile contracts and increasing its team to five. Big Lemon helps organisations realise their ambitions through original creativity and clever technology, bringing a sense of fun and innovation to everything they do, collaboratively solving problems by designing and building bespoke software, apps and bots. [/aoa] The business has grown rapidly since launching…

Cardiff-based second charge mortgage provider, Optimum Credit, is relocating to new premises within the new Capital Quarter development. The move supports planned company growth and job creation following acquisition in 2018 by Australian-owned finance company, Pepper Money. [aoa id=”1″]The new office premises at 4 Capital Quarter offer 18,500 sq ft of accommodation with room to grow the current headcount of 130 to around 250. This will give the company scope to achieve its expansion plans, both for the existing Optimum second charge mortgage business and the wider Pepper Money strategy, which includes the launch of new product lines with teams…

Stroke patients at University Hospital Llandough received a surprise visit from Welsh actor Owen Teale who treated them to readings of his favourite poems, short stories and authors. The actor, famed for his role’s in Game of Thrones and Stella attended the Stroke Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) at University Hospital Llandough as part of the work UK charity InterAct Stroke Support are doing at the SRC. InterAct Stroke Support is a charity dedicated to supporting stroke recovery by using professional actors to deliver a stimulating and rich variety of reading material selected to suit the needs of stroke patients.  The charity…

A hedgehog found herself in a sticky situation after falling down a storm drain in Mumbles, Swansea. [aoa id=”1″] The hedgehog was unable to escape after falling around a foot down. Luckily she was spotted by a member of the public on 25 July near Overland Road with the RSPCA being contacted. RSPCA inspector Holly Brown said: “We tried to reach down and get her but she curled up tight and couldn’t fit back through the grate. She understandably was very frightened. [/aoa] “We called the local fire crew from Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service and they came…

Finance specialists, Bathgate Business Finance have helped a Flintshire-based family-run vehicle service centre achieve ambitious growth with a funding deal worth £45k.   [aoa id=”1″] The Wirral-based finance company was introduced to Tip Top Service Centre by the Development Bank of Wales, which has supported husband and wife team, Paul and Pam Worley, since the business was established in 2012.   The deal, brokered by Ian Adams of Bathgate Business Finance, comprised a £20k loan from Boost Capital to support Tip Top Service Centre’s existing business growth and a £25k invoice finance facility with Chester-based Zodeq. [/aoa]   The business offers MOT, servicing, repairs and bodywork,…

The actions of a Barry Police Youth Volunteer during a robbery have been commended by the head of policing for the area. Cameron-Lee Coles, aged 14, has been awarded a certificate for his bravery by Chief Superintendent Alun Morgan, Divisional Commander for Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. Thanks to the teenager’s training with the Barry Police Youth Volunteers, Cameron was able to keep calm during an incident which he witnessed on Everard Street, Barry, on May 15, 2019. Three men were jailed for a combined total of 14-and-a-half years in June for the robbery of a 39-year-old man. One…

CARDIFF Met Ladies FC have secured themselves a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League after another outstanding year for Cardiff Met Football. [aoa id=”1″] The hard work of Cardiff Met Ladies FC has led them straight to Slovenia where they will play in group matches between Saturday and August 13. This follows on from a successful year for Cardiff Met football after the men’s team made it to Luxemburg for the UEFA Europa League in June. The ladies’ first step in their journey to the Champions League took place in June as they came out on top in matches…

The extensive and unprecedented outbreak of wildfires in the arctic and the vast amounts of CO2 they are emitting have been hitting the headlines across the world. [aoa id=”1″] Decades of satellite observations show that in an average year, wildfires around the world burn an area equivalent to the size of India and emit more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than global road, rail, shipping and air transport combined. As vegetation in burned areas regrows, it draws CO2 back out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis. This is part of the normal fire-recovery cycle, which can take less than a year…

The family of a woman who died after what is believed to be a medical episode which resulted in her car leaving the road have paid tribute to her. The incident happened at about 11.45am on 31 July on Eastern Avenue, Cardiff. The family of Judith Evans, aged 48 of Rhydyfelin have issued the following tribute: “Jude was a loving partner to Paul, caring mother to Robert, Michaela, Ashley & Sam and a doting nanny to Aaliyah & Ayesha. Jude had a heart of gold as shown by her job as a care assistant, nothing was ever too much trouble…