Author: Rhys Gregory

The fundraising appeal to save paddle steamer Waverley has reached its £2.3 million target just seven months after it was announced that the famous steamship would not operate in 2019. The Boiler Refit Appeal has attracted donations from over 8,000 individuals with support from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, several trusts and £1 million from the Scottish Government. Arnold Clark and the Swire Charitable Trust have both just confirmed their support taking the appeal to its target. The Boiler Refit of Waverley will get fully underway this month with work due to take around 4 months. This will allow Waverley…

Welsh international rugby star Rhys Webb is set to become an ambassador for Oil 4 Wales when he makes his “highly anticipated” return to the Ospreys this year. The scrum half, who played for the British and Irish Lions in 2017, has been appointed to the prestigious role at the independent family-run oil distributor to coincide with his return to Welsh rugby. The 31-year-old confirmed that he will be returning to play for his former side from next season, after being released from his contract with French side Toulon. On his return the player will join a host of iconic…

Proud dad Peter James was not going to let a brain tumour stop him walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day. The council officer from Swansea was a patient in the city’s Singleton Hospital after suffering a seizure that paralysed his right side just 10 days before the ceremony. But with the support of his family and a specialist hospital team, he got to enjoy the big day – and was back on the ward the following morning. The 59-year-old from Sketty was diagnosed with a brain tumour on 1st August 2019. His wife, retired nurse Sue…

Welsh film star Michael Sheen has been handed a new role – as the subject for dozens of Swansea portrait artists. The resulting 140-plus images of Port Talbot-raised Sheen went on show in the GS Artists Gallery on High Street, Swansea. Pictures were submitted from a range of exhibitors from schools, colleges, support groups and adult learning groups. Organisers of the 9to90 Creative Community Exhibition were GS Artists who worked with the Fusion Programme, a Welsh Government-funded initiative managed in the city by Swansea Council’s cultural services team. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The…

A business born out of a twelve-hour hackathon has been awarded £100k to turn its pitch into a prototype. SWAPP is a Community Interest Company designed to bridge the gap between community and business by creating a time and skill sharing app that encourages collaboration. It will essentially allow users to bank good-will, such as providing a service or support and then allow them to exchange that credit for something that they need from a fellow user. The concept was created during the Welsh ICE Hackathon, where the SWAPP team of Francesca Irving, Alexis Charkiw, Adam Sadler and Claire Vokes…

In 2020, GLL – the UK’s largest charitable leisure social enterprise that manages Better Cardiff Leisure Centres – is set to support local athletes through its athlete support programme, the GLL Sport Foundation. Eligible athletes can benefit from award packages that include financial grants of up to £1,250, free training memberships to use Cardiff leisure centres’ facilities and across 300 GLL and partner operated sporting venues. They can also benefit from access to sports science, medical support and employment opportunities all focussed towards supporting their athlete journey. Applications for the programme are open until February 20th 2020 and athletes from…

A spell of very strong winds is expected to spread from the south-west across Wales and many parts of England through Thursday morning. Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible for many areas, with gusts of 70 mph in places. Winds will begin to ease across Wales through late morning, and across the rest of the area by evening. What to expect There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs There is a small chance of longer journey times…

One lucky Neath bingo player at Castle Bingo received an unexpected boost to her Boxing Day afternoon bingo, when she called ‘house’ on a life changing £50,000 Jackpot on the National Bingo Game.   Lilian Hale, 72, was playing bingo on Boxing Day afternoon with her regular bingo buddy, sister Barbara, when all her numbers came up on the National Bingo Game!  Shouting ‘house’ Lilian thought she had won the club prize and both she and her sister were in shock when the caller announced that she had won a £50,000 Jackpot Prize, as well as the club prize. Lilian and Barbara are regulars…

An ambitious Welsh utility business is planning expansion across the South of the UK following loan support from UKSE. Arch Utility Services of Porth has just opened a base in Plymouth, and is aiming to increase turnover to £3.5 million in three years, with around 20 new jobs created in that period. “We plan to open more bases in Southern England and the Midlands as we increase our presence along the M4 and M5 corridors,” said Managing Director Damian Tranter. Arch was the subject of a Management Buy Out in 2019, and is now executing its business plan underpinned by…

GlobalWelsh, Wales’ independent not-for-profit diaspora organisation, announces that David Wright has become a GlobalWelsh Founding Patron. The globally renowned pharma executive is the latest individual to invest in the organisation and support its mission to find and connect the Welsh diaspora around the world for economic benefit to Wales. David was born and raised in Machen. As a young man he led a successful rugby career, playing at first class level for Cardiff, Pontypool, Leicester and Nottingham. Today, David is CEO and shareholder of Paris-based HRA Pharma (owner of brands such as Compeed , ellaOne and Mederma), and is recognised…