Author: Rhys Gregory

Liam Llewelyn and Harri Macquire have been working in the city on a scheme that encourages people at the start of their careers to be part of a new generation telling the story of Wales. [aoa id=”1″] As trainees on the Wales-wide Cultural Ambition Project, their places of work have included Swansea Council’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery and Swansea Museum. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “It has been a pleasure to have Liam and Harri on board; they have each made a positive lasting impression as cultural heritage trainees. [/aoa] “Swansea has a…

A TITLE-WINNING rugby team will take to the field in style when they kick off next season in a higher division thanks to a Wrexham finance firm’s £2,000 sponsorship boost. [aoa id=”1″] Chester RUFC 3rd XV will finally be competing in their very own kit for the first time after using cash from sponsors Hadlow Edwards Wealth Management Ltd, based in the former Wrexham Lager brewery building in the heart of the town, to purchase a brand new strip. Usually the team are kitted out in hand-me-downs from the second team but next season the promotion-winning squad will look the…

An ethical food and drink distributor in South Wales has secured a seven-figure finance package from HSBC UK to support its growth strategy and product development. Bravura Foods, which has a portfolio of ten vegan and vegetarian brands which includes two of its own brand products, is using the funding from HSBC UK to streamline its operations process, including facilitating inventory and stock flow, as the company continues its fast growth strategy, which involves two new product launches later this year. [aoa id=”1″]The business, which was founded by Team GB athlete Lisa Gawthorne, and business partner Karl Morris in 2011,…

An internationally acclaimed young piano virtuoso from Wrexham will raise the curtain at a top music festival. [aoa id=”1″] Luke Jones, 23, will star alongside the Only Boys Aloud choir at the opening concert of the North Wales International Music Festival on Saturday, September 14. The festival at St Asaph Cathedral runs until Saturday, September 28, and is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Tŷ Cerdd and Colwinston Charitable Trust. [/aoa] According to Luke, from Gwersyllt, he’s “thrilled and honoured” to have been asked to perform works by Schumann and Ravel at the concert. Luke, whose appearance at the…

Two women from Cardiff have been named in Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling. Victoria Pritchard and Dani Rowe were both included for their work encouraging women to cycle. [aoa id=”1″] They join Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, TV presenter Angellica Bell and triple Olympic medallist, Victoria Pendleton in the cycling charity’s list recognition significant achievements in promoting women’s cycling. The women have all been recognised in celebration of the amazing work they have done to inspire other women to cycle as part of Cycling Women’s Festival of Cycling which runs through July. [/aoa] Other well-known names who have made the…

A cyclist involved in a horror smash with a pick-up truck has praised the team that put her face back together. Rosemary Collins’ sunglasses were “mashed” into her face during the collision leaving her looking “like a horror show”. She feared she would never look the same again. But thanks to experts at Swansea’s Morriston Hospital the university researcher has made a remarkable recovery. She and her wife Sara McAleese are so grateful they posted before and after pictures on social media along with a message thanking the hospital team. “I just thought ‘Oh, what a horror show’,” said Rosemary,…

A specialist Wrexham-based therapy organisation for children who have experienced a history of trauma and victimisation is set to expand its residential offering thanks to a £2.3m funding package from HSBC UK. [aoa id=”1″] Woodlands Ltd, established by Darryl Williams in 1999, offers a highly specialised therapeutic environment for the care, supervision, education and treatment of young people – aged up to 18. The seven-figure funding from HSBC UK will enable Woodlands to purchase another property in Wrexham and adapt it to provide space for three additional children. The new home will complement Woodland’s school and four other Woodlands residencies…

South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 17:45 on Thursday 25 July 2019 on Cathedral Road, Cardiff. A grey Jaguar XKR vehicle which had been travelling along Cathedral Road is believed to have collided with a number of other vehicles. The male driver of this vehicle was declared deceased at scene. A police family liaison officer has been appointed and is supporting the next of kin of the deceased. South Wales Police would like to speak to any person who witnessed the collision, who stopped to provide assistance, or anyone who…

Bingo is one of the most popular forms of gambling in Britain, but how popular is it in Wales? Very popular, judging by the evidence. According to the UK Gambling Commission, there are 650 licenced bingo premises throughout the United Kingdom. In Wales, there are 36. That might not sound like much. However, Wales accounts for just 4.7% of the UK population but 5.5% of all licenced bingo premises. That too might not sound like much, but what it really means is Wales punches about 17% above its relative weight. Anecdotal evidence also suggests bingo is huge in Wales. Consider…

Staff at the Development Bank of Wales have raised £30,400 for their charity of the year, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Employees are asked to nominate charities with which they have a personal connection every year, with fundraising starting in July.  Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting more than 10,500 people in the UK. The gene affected by cystic fibrosis controls the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. People with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system and other organs, causing a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the…