Author: Rhys Gregory

The new chief executive officer of the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) near Machynlleth says he is joining the educational charity at “a pivotal time for our planet”. [aoa id=”1″] Currently CEO at the Bradgate Park Trust, a conservation charity, Peter Tyldesley has substantial experience in leadership and management, both directly and through his non-executive roles on charity and partnership boards. His previous roles include a range of appointments in Wales, including with Brecon Beacons National Park. He takes up his new role in early September and brings to CAT a strong personal commitment to sustainability and the environment, as…

Blue Sky Digital, one of the capital’s leading managed print services specialist, has expanded its business offering through a new service centre, based in Llantrisant. This £100,000 investment, will allow the company to provide its customers with a strengthened service package. [aoa id=”1″] The 6,000 square foot service centre, which is situated on Llantrisant Business Park, will mean that customers will receive parts, toner and support within 8-hours, as the company has established auto-processing system which allows for direct deliveries as well as investing in customer premise customer liaison personnel. Blue Sky Digital have found that its customers spend over…

The gambling industry is thriving in Europe, and nowhere more so than in the United Kingdom. Last year the industry declared a gross gambling yield of £14.5 billion, with £5.6 billion coming from the remote gambling sector – online casinos, bingo and betting. This is just the latest step in a rapid growth that has seen profits increasing consistently year after year. Because of the size of the market, you can imagine how eager companies are to get a slice of the action. However, regulations are tough, ensuring that any proposed casinos, even the online variety, must past rigorous scrutiny…

Cardiff are among the favourites to secure promotion to the Premier League this season after battling to a 2-1 victory over Luton at the weekend. The Bluebirds suffered a shock defeat away at Wigan in their first game of the campaign, but they steadied the nerves somewhat by vanquishing Luton. Top bookmakers like Heritage Sports reckon they have a better chance of going up than rivals Swansea this season, as Steve Cooper’s men are 10/1 outsiders in the promotion market. Yet the Swans will be encouraged by their start to the season and they could emerge as dark horses in…

The Welsh rental market is set to change on September 1, 2019, but what does that mean for landlords? In general, the Renting Homes Fees Welsh Act will make it so that fees for certain services cannot be charged to tenants by landlords and letting agents. Specifically, the law only allows fees to be charged for the following: Security Deposits Rent Holding Deposits Communication Services Utilities Default Fees Council Tax Any agent or landlord found charging fees for anything other than the above can be subject to a £1,000 fine. Those that ignore a fixed penalty notice will liable for prosecution…

A familiar Swansea brand is returning to help strengthen the city centre’s burgeoning café culture. [aoa id=”1″] Café TwoCann, which operated in SA1’s J-Shed for many years, has now launched its new café in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Swansea Council’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. The menu includes breakfast, lunch and light bites, plus cakes, afternoon teas, speciality coffees and smoothies. The council has been looking for a specialist partner to run the catering facility in the gallery which has a busy, high-profile Alexandra Road location due to benefit further from the ongoing city centre regeneration. [/aoa] Robert Francis-Davies,…

Kevin Machent hated school and often played truant. His mother’s solution was to give her teenage son a case of beer each time he spent a full week in the classroom, a reward that gave him a taste for alcohol that would almost destroy his life. By the time he was in his late teens, Kevin was drinking 20 cans of lager a day – more if he was upset by something. Then his brother Lee died and he shut out the pain by consuming even more booze. “I’d drink myself into oblivion,” says the 33-year-old. “I’d become a professional…

Radio Cardiff has teamed up with local talent to raise funds for Welsh LGBT+ charity Pride Cymru and bring a diverse entertainment programme to listeners over 27 hours. [aoa id=”1″] The 27-hour-long marathon will hit off on Wednesday 14 August and be hosted by Matthew Cole. The presenter who introduced the Pride Cymru Hour to the radio station is known for updating listeners with all the relevant LGBT+ news, will take the lead of the takeover. Matthew said: “As someone who identifies as LGBT+ I am thrilled that Radio Cardiff has agreed to host this fundraiser takeover in aid…

Wales will be taking on England on Saturday August 17th as part of the Autumn Summer Series. [aoa id=”1″] With the kick off taking place at 2.15pm, there will be a full city centre road closure from 10.45am until 5.15pm on grounds of public safety. Those attending the rugby match are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listedat principalitystadium.wales  before they travel into the city. Road closures [/aoa]From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need to prepare Gate 5 and…

A group of employees from ERS, the UK’s largest specialist motor insurer, recently took part in a charity trek challenge, raising thousands of pounds for London and Wales Air Ambulance. A total of 25 ERS employees took on the TrekFest challenge, which sees participants enduring tough climbs and steep descents along a 50k route within the Brecon Beacons. The event, which took place on Saturday 6th July, saw ERS raise over £6000 for London and Wales Air Ambulance. The endurance event saw the team burn a combined total of 175,000 calories as they completed the 50k course with 1,140m assents…