Author: Rhys Gregory

A SCAFFOLDING company plans to double in size and continue making its name in the European offshore windfarm industry. [aoa id=”1″] That’s the vision of Ben Badham, Managing Director of record-breaking North Wales firm, BGB Scaffolding. Previously a roofer and tower crane operator, Ben later became a trainee scaffolder and was named in the top three Apprentices of the Year at CITB National Construction College in Birmingham, before deciding to set up on his own in 2007. It was just Ben, a labourer and a van, with a shipping container for storage, yet he grew and grew the organisation through…

Through freezing rain, glorious sunshine and even high winds, people have flocked to the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, in their thousands over the summer holidays. [aoa id=”1″] The total number of visitors to the beautiful attraction, set in the heart of Pontypridd in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, currently stands at 60,000 for the 2019 season. This means that nearly 20,000 people have visited Lido Ponty since the school summer holidays began at the end of July alone. Many have visited for relaxing early morning swims and the chance to relax in heated outdoor pools, while others have loved…

Once again, hundreds of jobs and training opportunities will be on offer at the event, organised by Newport City Council and Jobcentre Plus. [aoa id=”1″] Employers and organisations taking part this year include: Wilko; Adecco (Recruiting on behalf of Amazon); Celtic Manor; ABUHB; HMRC; Newport Norse; Tesco ;Q Care; Coleg Gwent; MOD; Vibe Recruitment; Pure Gym; Newport Transport; Avon; Prince’s Trust; GAVO; Utility Warehouse; Marriot Hotel. In 2018, more than 2700 people visited the jobs fair and, as in previous years, the feedback from those looking for jobs, businesses and training providers was extremely positive. [/aoa] Councillor Gail Giles, Newport…

Talyllyn Railway has had a close connection with Abergynolwyn ever since the village was first developed to provide homes for slate quarry workers in the 19th century. The railway was originally built to carry slate down to the coast for shipment onwards by sea or by mainline railway, but additionally it has always been an important part of the local transport infrastructure. Links between the railway and the village have been strengthened over the years. Recently, the annual Abergynolwyn Show was hosted on a field owned by the railway next to the station car park. Abergynolwyn Show chairman, Jennie Evans,…

As the aluminium window makes a comeback, a Newport company is aiming to make the most of the trend. [aoa id=”1″] Fentrade Limited manufactures and supplies aluminium windows, doors and commercial shopfronts from its base in Maesglas Industrial Estate, and Director Chris Reeks is confident the move to aluminium is here to stay. “More and more people are having aluminium windows, inline patio doors and bi-fold doors in their homes and demand is increasing hugely,” said Chris. This resurgence was partly due, he said, to the unlimited range of colours now available for the products, as well as strength and…

As concerns are being raised about how social media influences young people’s perceptions of their body image, sports scientists at Bangor University as asking whether and how social media affects our participation in physical exercise, and who and what are the motivators? [aoa id=”1″] Surprisingly little research has been published on how social media affects participation in exercise, and yet there are numerous influencers, coaches and participants sharing their tips and triumphs to be found on various social media platforms. Could social media also be acting as a positive influencer, encouraging some to participate in physical exercise or to…

Road Safety Designs have signed a contract which could be worth as much as a quarter of a million pounds a year with Australian distributor Dometic following their meeting in Sydney in April and now the lives of Australian drivers, passengers and other road users will be saved as a result. [aoa id=”1″] The BriteAngle LED warning triangle makes the motorist much more visible in the event of an unexpected stop, using flashing, high-intensity LEDs to warn drivers of hazards up to 300 metres away. The demand in Australia is driven by the many RV and truck drivers who journey…

Pregnant women across North Wales are giving up smoking thanks to a ground- breaking specialist service which is delivered in their own homes. As part of the NHS Help Me Quit for Baby project, run by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, a dedicated team of smoking cessation advisors, who work solely with pregnant smokers, see women in their own homes for as many appointments as takes for them to quit. They also offer support to family members or partners who want to quit. Across Wales, around 16% of mums-to-be smoke throughout their pregnancy and 11,864 unborn babies are exposed…

Robert Page, the current Wales under 21 manager will join Ryan Giggs’ coaching staff for the duration of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign. Page will join Giggs and his assistant, Albert Stuivenberg, as a coach for the senior men’s national side, starting with the matches against Azerbaijan and Belarus next month. Paul Bodin has been promoted to under 21’s manager as the team begin their Under-21 EURO qualifying campaign next month. The under 21’s face Belgium and Germany in a home double header at the Racecourse on the 6th and 10th of September respectively. Tickets for both matches are available…

Principality Commercial has been named ‘gold standard’ in the commercial lending market, following a survey conducted by independent research company Savanta. [aoa id=”1″] The research surveyed 29 housing developers, housing associations and investment clients of Principality Commercial across the UK between 7th June and 18thJuly 2019. The Society scored 9.1 out of 10 for overall customer satisfaction; with its supportive relationship with clients, speed of service and ethos as a mutual building society being key contributors towards high levels of satisfaction. When asked which lender is the gold standard in the market for relationship management, all housing developers and close…