Author: Rhys Gregory

A 40-day fiesta of food-filled experiences will this autumn celebrate the fantastic range of produce from the north east corner of Wales. [aoa id=”1″] Taste North East Wales will run through September, October and into November with 30 events showcasing ways for visitors and local residents to savour the region’s rich culinary tradition. The programme is backed by rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd along with the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB and the Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham local authorities. [/aoa] The money is from a pot of almost £8 million of funding administered by Corwen-based Cadwyn Clwyd from the…

Swansea based Gin Company, Cygnet Gin Distillery, are now proud owners of a prestigious ‘Bronze’ award from the International Wine & Spirit Competition.  [aoa id=”1″]The IWSC awards are internationally recognised and known by trade and consumers who actively seek out the winners from this competition; it really does set the benchmark for international wine and spirits quality. The competition was established in 1969 and is one of the longest running award competitions for wines and spirits across ninety countries. The Swansea Gin Distillery are over the moon to receive such accolade, with Master Distiller Dai Wakely positively beaming over the news:[/aoa] “We…

£460,000 over two years has been pledged towards the restoration of Cardigan Market Hall. [aoa id=”1″] Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet made the decision to provide the money to the Cardigan Building Preservation Trust on 30 July 2019. Cardigan Market Hall is a Grade II listed building in the centre of Cardigan. It houses the indoor market with space for 49 market stalls. It is owned by the council and is managed by Menter Aberteifi under a three year management agreement. [/aoa] Recent work to the building has shown that the work needed to restore the hall will cost almost £1.5m.…

The Amazon fulfilment centre in Swansea has recently made donations to two community sports clubs in the local area.  Skewen Rugby and Sports Club and Llangyfelach Football Club have each received delivery of a £500 donation from the local Amazon team. Chris Law, Site Leader at Amazon in Swansea, said: “It’s great that we can support the local community with these donations. I would like to wish Skewen RFC and Llangyfelach FC all the best with their future endeavours.” Scott Pickin from Skewen RFC added: “We are over the moon to receive this donation from the Amazon team in Swansea.…

South Wales Police is appealing for information concerning the whereabouts of a missing young boy called Ciaran Carmody. Ciaran is 14 years old and was last seen on Saturday 27th July 2019 at 12.50 hours in Cymmer, Neath Port Talbot. Officers believe he could be in the Cardiff or Newport areas. He is described as having brown hair, approx. 5ft 1″ in height, and last seen wearing Nike grey tracksuit bottoms, a Nike Black hoody top and black trainers. If anyone has any information, they are asked to contact officers urgently on 101 quoting ref: 1900274961 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man re-arrested in connection with the death of Lauren Griffiths in Cathays, Cardiff, has been released on bail pending further enquiries. Lauren, 21, was found at a flat in Glynrhondda Street at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, April 30. A 22-year-old man, known to Lauren, was re-arrested at his home address in Wrexham yesterday morning on suspicion of Lauren’s murder. Lauren’s family, who live in the Oswestry area, have been updated and continue to be supported by family liaison officers. Detective Inspector Stuart Wales, from South Wales Police Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We continue to receive information from the…

Actor Michael Sheen has personally congratulated refugees and asylum seekers graduating from an innovative summer school. [aoa id=”1″] The six-week ASPIRE programme – organised by Cardiff University and First Campus – supports refugees, asylum seekers and forced migrants into UK higher education. The students are given intensive English classes, academic taster courses, confidence-building experiences and advice on how to apply to university. [/aoa] The summer school graduates met Sheen at the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff’s Bute Park, Cardiff, ahead of their graduation ceremony at Cardiff University. Hamza Abdallah Ssewankambo, a teacher from Uganda who came to Wales in 2018,…

TOP South Wales ska band Skalet will be performing ‘a night of the greatest ska hits’ at a charity gig for the City Hospice. The charity night will be held on October 18 at the Earl Haig, Whitchurch, Cardiff, and tickets can be bought direct from the Earl Haig, or by contacting Alastair Milburn on 07813 857382 or emailing [email protected] City Hospice is Cardiff’s local hospice, looking after people with incurable and life limiting conditions, such as Cancer, Dementia, Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). To meet the increasing need for hospice care, the charity has…

One of Swansea city centre’s biggest ever building transformations is due to be completed in the next few weeks. [aoa id=”1″] Once open for the new university year, the £45m Oldway Centre, on High Street, will be home to more than 550 students. The development of the 13-storey landmark block reflects Swansea Council regeneration plans which will see many more people living in the city centre. [/aoa] It was developed by Oldway Centre Swansea, part of the Midos Group, physically transformed by WRW Construction and is being managed by Omnia Space. Council leader Rob Stewart was given a tour of…

The ethical lending sector in Wales needs more financial fire-power if it is to continue to grow, says Robert Owen Community Banking Fund (ROCBF). [aoa id=”1″] The Newtown-based lender works with Welsh organisations to help keep investment within local communities, and has just welcomed a renewed investment of £50,000 by Powys charity Cae Post. Local authorities and councils also invest their reserve funds to strengthen ROCBF’s balance sheet, helping it offer fair finance to small businesses and individuals who may be looking for alternatives to the High Street Banks and traditional lenders. [/aoa]This lending takes many forms, including…