Author: Rhys Gregory

The cream of the crop have been recognised during this year’s celebration of vocational qualifications excellence at the Vocational Qualifications (VQ) Awards 2019. The awards ceremony, the ‘BAFTA’s’ of the VQ world, was held at the National Museum in Cardiff when the names of the winners were revealed. [aoa id=”1″]Now in their 12th year, the coveted VQ Awards celebrate those who use technical, practical and vocational qualifications to achieve success. The award is a symbol of dedication towards a chosen profession. The awards help to celebrate those Welsh learners, trainers and employers who are already going that extra mile when…

Cardiff charity Oasis – a non-profit organisation aiming to help refugees and asylum seekers within their local communities – is gearing up for a debut appearance at this year’s Cowbridge Food & Drink Festival (May 26th-27th) with a host of activities planned to engage with visitors. [aoa id=”1″]Celebrating ‘World Food in Wales’, a number of people currently being supported by the Splott-based charity will be manning a trailer at the festival – demonstrating the cultures influencing everyday food in Wales while championing regional producers, with a twist![/aoa] The trailer forms part of The Plate Project – an initiative designed to…

TRANSPORT for Wales has launched a brand-new Community Rail Strategy, putting the needs of local areas at the forefront of its plans. [aoa id=”1″]The vision, which launched at Llandudno Station on 16 May by Transport Minister Ken Skates AM, will see new Community Rail Partnerships set up across the entire Wales and Borders network to promote and encourage rail use in communities.[/aoa] More than £600,000 will be invested every single year, with 22 new community ambassador roles created alongside marketing roles which will focus on promoting regional tourism and local economic growth. The vision will also target station adoption, with…

The UK’s fifth largest and fastest growing supermarket, Aldi, will open two new stores in Wales this year, creating more than 60 new roles.  The new developments include stores that are currently under construction such as Unit B, Western Avenue Retail Park in Cardiff and one in Ruabon. [aoa id=”1″]The new stores will be in Aldi’s new store layout, which ensures more space for fresh, chilled and food-to-go ranges as well as simpler layouts and brighter, wider aisles. They will stock all grocery essentials and the ‘Specially Selected’ range, as well as products from British suppliers, which means all their…

Llanfyllin Show Committee is appealing for public help to stage a special display to celebrate the event’s 150th anniversary this summer. [aoa id=”1″] The committee, which aims to pull out all the stops to mark the landmark event in the history of Llanfyllin and surrounding area, is hunting old photographs, schedules, medals, trophies and other memorabilia relating to the popular annual event’s history. Anybody that has old photographs and show memorabilia that could be loaned for the display is asked to contact secretary Jill Hollinshead, Newbridge Cottage, Llansantffraid, Powys SY22 6SY, Tel: 01691 654045 or Email: [email protected] [/aoa] “We…

Staff numbers at a Cardiff-based software anti-piracy and compliance specialist have soared from six to 65 in just five years helping experts recover millions for at-risk businesses worldwide. [aoa id=”1″] CJCH Consulting is celebrating after seeing unprecedented growth across its specialist teams, client base, and amount recovered for clients since launching in 2014. The consulting firm, which supports businesses in tackling software and copyright infringement globally, has added a raft of sought-after legal talent to its teams. [/aoa] This includes renowned licence compliance expert Andy Clarkson, who was the former global head of anti-piracy and licence compliance for Dassault Systems,…

The South Wales Law Awards is delighted to announce the winners for the inaugural South Wales Law Awards 2019. The South Wales Law Awards were held at the iconic Bear Hotel in Cowbridge on Wednesday 15th May 2019 and hosted by one of one of Welsh Television and Radio’s most popular presenters – Sara Edwards. The awards have been launched to shine a light on the truly outstanding and inspirational work that the law community in South Wales does. The competition was very closely fought and challenging for the independent judging panel to decide upon. The winners are as follows:…

The Swansea Council-run venue has a number of casual trading pitches and they’re being offered at the bargain rental price to support the UK-wide Love Your Local Market celebration. [aoa id=”1″] Would-be entrepreneurs can apply for a casual pitch to trade on any days Monday-Saturday from May 17-31. Casual trader Lyn Mackay, who specialises in handmade jewellery and gifts, said: “People should give this a go! The market is a great place to be and will offer a strong indication of whether a living can be made with a special idea.” [/aoa] Lyn, an entertainer and former teacher of Sketty,…

South Wales Police can confirm that the five men who were arrested in connection with the cashpoint theft in Treharris on Tuesday (May 14), have all been charged with burglary and theft of motor vehicle. They are appearing at Merthyr Magistrates Court today (16 May, 2019). No further action will be taken against a 25 year-old woman who was arrested in connection with the offence. Individuals charged: Mark Hayter, 32, from York Terrace, Ebbw Vale. John Hearne, 24, from Broach Road, Stourport on Seven. Gareth James, 37, Canning Street, Ebbw Vale. Gavin Jordan, 38, Roundhouse Close, Nantyglo. Tony Smith, 25,…

British-Sri-Lankan human rights documentary filmmaker, turned debut novelist, Guy Gunaratne (35 years old), has been announced as the winner of this year’s Swansea University International Dylan Thomas Prize, with a prize sum of £30,000, at a ceremony held at Swansea University for his debut novel In Our Mad and Furious City (Tinder Press, Headline). [aoa id=”1″]In Our Mad and Furious City burst into our consciousness in 2018 providing an urgent, timely and compelling fictional account of 48 hours in a North West London housing estate after the murder of a British soldier, as told through three narrators. Risky and inventive,…