Author: Rhys Gregory

Two creative writing learners from the South Wales Valleys are set to learn from some of the UK’s best creative industry professionals, including award-winning novelists, journalists and broadcasters, after securing a place on an exclusive writing course at this year’s internationally renowned Hay-on-Wye Literature Festival. [aoa id=”1″]Lilianna Williams, 17, and Josie Lee, 17, who both study at Coleg y Cymoedd, have beaten off stiff competition from across the country to bag themselves a place on this year’s Hay Festival Beacons Project – a prestigious, workshop residency held during Hay Festival Wales for 16-18-year-olds interested in writing.[/aoa] Aimed at encouraging creativity among young…

Hundreds of people came to the Montgomery Canal on Saturday 18 May for the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal. This annual event supports the restoration of the canal and involves: a 17-mile cycling section from Newtown to Pool Quay, including five road crossings where the canal was blocked after it was closed 11 miles on foot to Morton, south of Oswestry, with two more road crossings at blockages on the A483 and three more at minor roads and a final 7 mile section by canoe to finish near the junction with the Llangollen…

A TRUCK driver who wanted to repay the NHS for helping save his partner’s life after she was twice diagnosed with breast cancer has put his motoring skills to good use by becoming a ‘blood biker’. [aoa id=”1″] Phil Sharrock, 53, who works for Wrexham-based McCarthy Distribution, is a volunteer rider for the charity Blood Bikes Wales, which transports life-saving blood supplies, plasma, breast milk and documents between hospitals free of charge. His partner Ruth Gallop, 56, who is also a keen motorcyclist and looks after merchandising for the charity, has twice battled breast cancer and unfortunately doctors have warned…

Circle IT has made key appointments which has seen its Board team restructure as the company looks to double its revenues over the next three years. [aoa id=”1″] The restructure has seen founder, Roger Harry, move from CEO to focus on strategy and alliances, whilst David Jones has been appointed CEO and Ben Marnham as Chairman. Both David and Ben bring a wealth of experience in leadership and advisory roles and will work with Roger to drive revenues in excess of £30m over the next three years. [/aoa] Circle IT’s Founder, Roger Harry, explains: “This is the start of an…

The nominees for this year’s Wales Technology Awards have been announced, with the calibre of finalists reflecting the strength in depth that the Welsh technology industry can boast in 2019. An eclectic range of companies and individuals have had their efforts recognised. Society can often take the accessibility and creativity of technology for granted, so it is encouraging to see the Wales Technology Awards continue to celebrate innovation for its seventh year. The Wales Technology Awards does not only champion established names. The Sir Michael Moritz Tech Start-up Award is a prestigious honour for new companies making their way in the world…

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Dianne Rees, has presented The Noah’s Ark Charity with a cheque for over £200k as a result of money raised during her year in office, the most raised for a Lord Mayor’s charity by any other Lord Mayor of Cardiff. Fundraising activities have included the Big Give which saw all donations doubled and raised £69,850, a Salmon lunch, a series of events held at Mansion House, a cricket match where Council staff took on councillors, a golf day and The Great Welsh Walk- a six day challenge starting in Machynlleth and…

Renowned for the fastest wetsuits in triathlon, Huub has been announced as the official sponsor of a new endurance race series launching this month. [aoa id=”1″]The Huub Track Attaque is a series of cycling endurance team challenges with events taking place across Britain’s leading indoor and outdoor velodromes and race circuits. Each event is team based, and either 12 or 24 hours in duration, a real test of endurance, often gruelling, mentally testing, but instantly addictive![/aoa] The event series is being organised by Attaque Cycling Events, headed up by Zoe Westerman, who was named in the ‘100 Women in Cycling’…

Mark Kirkham from Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire won’t be taking things easy now he’s turned fifty, instead he is taking on a year-long, weekly running-challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. Mark wants to thank the cancer charity for the help and support that it gave to his parents and plans to fundraise by running fifty,10K races between May 2019 and April 2020. The charity runner hopes to raise £50,000 for Macmillan to help people living with cancer but is looking for local businesses and organisations to help him realise his goal. Speaking about the fundraising challenge, Mark said: “I’ve…

Cardiff and Vale College has joined forces with Newport-headquartered comparison site GoCompare to launch the first Applied Neuroscience and Neuromarketing training programme in Wales. [aoa id=”1″]The GoCompare Applied Neuroscience and Neuromarketing programme takes an innovative approach to staff development training. Created as a bespoke course for GoCompare’s marketing team, and delivered in partnership with RW Learning, it covers areas including applying neuroscience to management and memory, and neuromarketing.[/aoa] Nathan Hopkins, Talent Acquisition Manager at GoCompare, said: “We are firm believers that innovation comes from attracting the very best talent and ensuring that we provide the best development opportunities to our…

A SOCIAL enterprise is the driving force behind a sensational new stage at this year’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). [aoa id=”1″] And Colwyn BID (Business Improvement District) leaders are confident it will have a positive impact on the coastal economy, bringing thousands of visitors to the resort and raising its profile across the UK and internationally. The two-mile speed test takes place on the promenade and is a dramatic addition to Wales Rally GB, making its debut on the evening of Saturday October 5. [/aoa] Colwyn BID has funded the stage, with support from the town council and Conwy…