Author: Rhys Gregory

Thanks to the New Theatre, Cardiff  for inviting us along to see the show in exchange for this review. Shrek is another fantastic musical by Cardiff-based production company Orbit, whose performances never fail to impress or entertain. Described as an amateur company, you wouldn’t know it, as Orbit has track record in successful theatre performances, with their first, Oliver, in 1969. Shrek will be their 108th production. [aoa id=”1″]Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical will have you both laughing and singing. We couldn’t help but join in, especially when the famous ‘I’m a Believer’ song rang out. Fair play to Orbit’s…

The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Economic Growth Partnership welcomes Welsh Government’s announcement to double its Foundational Economy Challenge Fund to £3 million. The decision aligns with CCR City Deal’s mission to create a more prosperous and economically inclusive region. [aoa id=”1″]Earlier this year, Frank Holmes, Chair of the Regional Economic Growth Partnership (REGP), unveiled the region’s Economic and Industrial Growth plan together with leaders from the Joint Cabinet in South East Wales, London and MIPIM in France. It incorporates an Investment Framework comprising three priorities; innovation, infrastructure and challenge, aimed at improving GVA performance, creating new jobs and leveraging up…

A unique pub on a dementia ward now has its very own brand of alcohol free beer with a very pertinent name – Sundown. [aoa id=”1″]The Derwen Arms, located within Derwen Ward, a 20-bed, all-male dementia assessment unit in Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Cefn Coed Hospital, hit the headlines when it opened earlier this year.[/aoa] Although a local like any other, serving beers and refreshments and with its own pool table and dart board, the beer is strictly non-alcoholic and the darts are made out of plastic, although that hasn’t stopped the pub from being a hit with its…

CLOGAU GOLD is celebrating 30 years with a landmark range of jewellery and a glittering vision for future growth. [aoa id=”1″] The multi award-winning North Wales business has unveiled the 1854 gold blend to mark the anniversary, a unique metal with a pale rose yellow tone that’s already proving popular with customers the world over. And the world is very much their audience following an unprecedented period of expansion which has seen their workforce grow to almost 170 staff in Wales alone. [/aoa] Now supplying retailers across the globe and international airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa, and…

South Wales Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious injury single vehicle Road Traffic Collision that occurred at approximately 0050 hrs hours on Wednesday 29th May 2019 at A4109 Neath Road Crynant Neath. A silver Peugeot 207 motor vehicle was in collision with a stone bridge support. The male driver was conveyed to Morriston Hospital with serious injuries. The carriageway was closed for approximately 6 hours while Police carried out initial investigations and recovered the vehicle. South Wales Police would like to thank the people affected by the closure for their patience and understanding. South Wales Police would like…

One of Swansea’s most recognisable residents has a new home as the city celebrates its first 50 years as a city. [aoa id=”1″] The Swansea Devil, whose story dates back more than 100 years, is now being cared for by conservation specialists at Swansea Museum. The Swansea Council-run venue has been given the unique item – also known as Old Nick – by the owners of the city centre Quadrant Shopping Centre where it has watched over shoppers since the 1980s. [/aoa] The three foot tall wooden carving remains a quirky part in Swansea folklore. Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet…

Enterprising students earned a major boost for their business ideas, thanks to a Swansea University competition. The Big Pitch saw 42 future entrepreneurs share their proposals and battle it out to win from a number of business support packages including financial investment to get the ideas off the ground. [aoa id=”1″]The event – now in its second year – saw a panel of esteemed judges from industry, Welsh Government and investors consider 25 different ideas and £70,000 worth of seed corn funding requests, before handing out more than £7,350 to seven different student business ideas and start-ups.[/aoa] Ahead of the…

Idris Davies School 3-18, in Abertysswg, Caerphilly, has become the first school in Wales to win the inaugural Tasty Challenge programme – an innovative scheme designed to encourage interest and boost skills currently needed across the food and drink industry in Wales. [aoa id=”1″]In partnership with local schools, the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink (NSAFD), the voice of food and drink careers across Wales, offers a series of education training programmes to change the way students look at jobs in the industry and to increase employability.[/aoa] Tasty Challenge saw Caerphilly students develop a food product they thought would…

South Wales’ Glenside Commercials Limited has opened a new business premises in Newport. The commercial transport firm is celebrating the branch opening alongside the milestone of reaching 25 years trading in the transport industry. [aoa id=”1″]Newport is a sister site for the company’s Caerphilly branch, which has been successfully operating since the early 1990’s. The decision was made to extend to a new location as part of a strategy to manage growing customer demand. It is a smaller version of Caerphilly and boasts a new vehicle showroom, three-lane drive through workshop and modern customer waiting area.[/aoa] In addition to its…

‘Super Saturday’, with challenging special stages in the forests of Mid Wales, remains a centrepiece of this autumn’s Wales Rally GB, from October 3-6. [aoa id=”1″] The rally has promised to be more accessible, more challenging and more exciting than ever before with major innovations adding yet more to one of the UK’s premier sporting events. Round 12 of the prestigious 14-round 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) celebrates its milestone 20th running since the international event moved to Wales at the start of the millennium. [/aoa]A new base within the resort town of Llandudno has already been…