Author: Rhys Gregory

A community adult learning project in Pembrokeshire that has supported over 1,500 adults to return to education is being recognised nationally for its work by winning a Community Project of the Year Inspire! Award. [aoa id=”1″]‘Launch Adult Learning’ began as a Communities First project in 2006 to encourage engagement with adult learning within the community. Classes are run through Monkton Priory Community Primary School and coordinated by Headteacher Shelley Morris.[/aoa] Demand for the classes grew and, in 2010, Shelley expanded the programme and employed Launch Adult Learning Co-ordinator, Kellie Bellmaine, to manage the growing number of courses and learners. To…

Cardiff-based Cowshed, has today announced a new black and minority ethnic internship, to provide a pipeline of talented communication professionals to the industry. The first marketing and communications internship in Wales for BAME groups, the opportunity is open for applications now. The placement will provide two people with 12 weeks of paid experience in one of the fastest growing agencies in Wales. Candidates will get to work on some of the largest campaigns taking place in Wales right now. Clients include Welsh Government, Public Health Wales, FOR Cardiff, National Adoption Service, National Trust, Comic Relief and The Open University in…

The latest National Survey for Wales results show an increase of 7 per cent to 93 per cent of people satisfied with their standard of GP care. Commenting on the survey, Nesta Lloyd-Jones, Interim Director of the Welsh NHS Confederation said: “It’s positive to see a significant increase in satisfaction rates for GP care in Wales and also an increase in satisfaction rates for hospital treatment in this year’s results. The results emphasise the fact NHS staff at all levels are committed to making sure that all patients receive the high standards of care and deliver the best possible outcomes…

Cardiff Airport is searching for its next Chair to build on recent success and deliver an ambitious strategy for growth. After a hugely successful four-year tenure, Roger Lewis has announced his plan to step down as Chairman of Cardiff Airport on 31st October 2019. The new Chair will step in to head up the Cardiff Airport Board of Directors and play a pioneering role at a strategic level to deliver a thriving, sustainable airport business for Wales. [aoa id=”1″]Since coming under ownership of the Welsh Government in 2013, Cardiff Airport has seen over 60% passenger growth, made significant improvements to…

Experienced equity investor Simon Thelwall-Jones has joined the development bank as Technology Venture Investments Director, following a record year for the specialist team. Simon is based in the development bank’s new headquarters in Wrexham. [aoa id=”1″]Simon takes over from Steve Smith who led the team from its creation until his retirement in April 2019. The new director of technology ventures has moved from MSIF, where he has recently been investing equity funds from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund in to early stage technology businesses in the Liverpool City Region.[/aoa] Simon is a qualified chartered accountant with a degree in Agricultural…

For the first time in over a year, visitors to Castell Coch can now see its iconic fairy-tale turrets free from scaffolding — with major conservation works to Castle exterior reaching completion last week. The scaffold removal, which took place between Monday 3 and Friday 14 June, is part of a wider £800k restoration project to safeguard the south Wales famed monument. The vital work was carried out by Cadw to repair structural weaknesses to the castle’s chimney stacks and stop water penetration through the brickwork, in order to protect its fabric from further water damage. Deterioration to the interior…

A croquet tournament organised by law firm Hutchinson Thomas took place on Friday 14 June at Neath Cricket Club to raise money for Welsh children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan.  Businesses from Neath and Swansea including Willis Legal and Swansea Building Society participated in the inaugural croquet day. 10 teams competed in the event with Rowland Jones winning the tournament. Each team provided a donation to Tŷ Hafan, with a total of £10,000 being raised throughout the year for the charity, and a cheque being presented to Tŷ Hafan’s corporate partnership manager, Natalie Whyatt, at the event. Tŷ Hafan is one of the UK’s…

A DJ and musician is still singing the praises of the Swansea Bay University Health Board urology department that helped save his life seven years ago. [aoa id=”1″]Plastic Sam underwent surgery at Morriston Hospital after being diagnosed with cancer in his kidney and bladder on Valentine’s Day 2012. He went on to recover and has been sharing the love, in the form of fundraising for the department, each year ever since.[/aoa] His latest effort – The 7th annual Valentines Thank You Gig held at the Garage in Uplands, which featured his band, Stargazer – raised £4,200. The money was presented…

A proposed quadrupling of the rate of VAT on renewable energy systems including solar panels could backfire by putting customers off going ‘green’, a leading energy expert has warned. David Jones, whose Denbigh-based Hafod Renewables are specialists in the installation of new ‘green’ technologies, says the increase from five to 20 per cent will have little effect on cost for homeowners but could put many off installing systems. The Government proposal is to increase rates on energy savings materials like domestic solar panels, biomass boilers and battery storage to 20 per cent to bring the UK into line with Europe.…

A creative college learner from the south Wales valleys is set to spend her summer working on the set of a hit Netflix series after impressing industry bosses with her costume creations. [aoa id=”1″]22-year-old Jaye Wakely, from Bridgend, who is currently studying a course in costume construction at Coleg y Cymoedd, has bagged herself a placement working on the second season of popular Netflix teen drama, ‘Sex Education.’[/aoa] Taking place over three months, the placement will see Jaye assist the show’s costume department in sourcing and preparing costumes for cast members. She will also be responsible for making quick alterations…