Author: Rhys Gregory

Officers investigating a series of incidents of right-wing graffiti in Cardiff have charged a man with 11 offences relating to inciting racial hatred. Elliott Richards-Good, from Cheltenham, was arrested in September 2018 following the incidents between October 2017 and April 2018. The 19-year-old was charged today (Friday, June 21) following an investigation by the Wales Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU), supported by South Wales Police. He faces five counts of possessing threatening written material to stir up racial hatred; two counts of displaying abusive or insulting material with the intent to stir up racial hatred; two counts of possessing…

Vehicle lease contracts are becoming increasingly popular with everyday buyers, and while it was common for many businesses to lease vehicles before, we are seeing a clear trend towards even more businesses going for this option. There are many factors fuelling this growth, including tax incentives and the growing influence of start-ups on the market. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers behind this trend and reasons why car leases seem so attractive to new businesses. The Numbers It has been estimated that about 300,000 vehicles in total were leased to businesses in 2017. Another surprising statistic was…

The people of an historic neighbourhood are gearing up for a free street party celebrating 50 years of Swansea – and residents from across the city are invited! Residents of Sandfields will get together with friends from across Swansea on June 27 to help mark half a century of city status. Starting at 3.30pm – convenient for those towards the end of their school and work day, it will feature live music, other performances, street food and free activities. There will be art, poetry, drumming, a pop-up skate park, rides and games. Also being planned are a 50 years pop-up…

HELPING transform South West Wales into an environment where local young people can stay to follow their dreams is among the reasons why a leading businessman is backing the £1.3 billion Swansea Bay City Deal. [aoa id=”1″] Ed Tomp, Chairman of the City Deal’s Economic Strategy Board, says the City Deal could be a catalyst for even further investment in future that will combine to help retain the Swansea Bay City Region’s young talent. Vice-President and General Manager of Valero UK in Pembrokeshire, Mr Tomp also thinks the City Deal can move the region’s economy to a more even…

Odgers Berndtson, the only blue-chip international search firm with a dedicated team based in Wales, has appointed Emma Walton to the position of Consultant. Emma joins the Cardiff-based Odgers team with over 20 years’ search and interim management experience delivering Executive, Non-Executive and senior management assignments across all functions. [aoa id=”1″]In her time with Finlay Gardener in Bristol, as Regional Managing Director, she was responsible for launching and establishing their regional division for Executive Search and building strong relationships with many clients based in the South West and Wales. She is proud to now return to her home country to…

FRESH from tackling the Three Welsh Peaks, staff from the Edenstone Group are planning a new challenge – creating an outdoor space for children with special educational needs. A group of 15 walkers from the Magor-based business scaled Pen Y Fan, Skirrid and then Sugar Loaf in aid of Birchgrove Comprehensive School, in the Vale of Swansea. Their efforts have so far raised around three quarters of their £5,000 target, to be used towards materials for the DIY SOS-style project at the school. The school was nominated for the fundraiser by Edenstone’s build director Mike Huddleston as his son Callum…

Technology developed in a Welsh university by a undergraduate student has the potential to help thousands of diabetics patients suffering diabetic foot ulcerations. [aoa id=”1″] David Barton, who lives in Swansea is co-founder and director of Kaydiar, was studying podiatry medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University when he came up with his device, which has now won the backing of a multinational firm. It is hoped the device, which fits into a patient’s shoe, will aid healing for tens of thousands of people with diabetic foot ulcerations by offloading pressure. [/aoa] David, 24, says the product has “been his life”…

Rhian Whiting, specialist in children’s law at Cardiff-based law firm Robertsons is preparing to raise £5,000 for Cancer Research Wales by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2021. One of the seven summits, Mount Kilimanjaro is the world’s tallest free-standing mountain and is the highest peak in Africa. After a trek of around 9 days, Rhian and her guided group will reach the summit at 19,341 ft above sea level having approached from the south trekking through savannah, cloud forest, moorland and alpine desert before reaching the top. One of the most daunting aspects of the challenge will be the risk…

Work has started on a multi-million pound project to revamp some of Swansea’s most high-profile leisure facilities. [aoa id=”1″] £5.1m is being invested by Swansea Council to bring new life and vitality to the LC Swansea and the city’s five community leisure centres. The partnership approach will see a further £600,000 invested by Freedom Leisure, the not-for-profit leisure trust that runs the facilities for the council. [/aoa] The overhaul and works programme, which will benefit tens of thousands of customers, is being managed by experienced project management business Clarkson Alliance. Energy efficiency measures are being installed by Leisure Energy, an…

A pensioner who ran a donkey sanctuary had a “wonderful surprise” when two special visitors trotted into the care home where she now lives. Peggy Morris, 87, was thrilled when donkeys Jenny and Winnie arrived at Bryn Seiont Newydd, Pendine Park’s centre of excellence for dementia care in Caernarfon. The four-legged duo were there as part of an intergenerational art and craft project to make postcards with pupils from Ysgol Bontnewydd. According to Bryn Seiont Newydd’s musician in residence, Nia Davies Williams, the residents always enjoy seeing and working with children and having donkeys along was an exciting bonus. She said:…