Author: Rhys Gregory

The college, near Ruthin, will host a sheep shearing and wool handling event on Saturday June 8. [aoa id=”1″] On the same day the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Open Farm Day will be held from 10am-4pm. Both activities are designed to promote careers in farming and attract prospective students, as well as shining a light on the diverse range of skills needed to work in the sector. [/aoa] The Llysfasi shearing and wool handling competition will include qualifying for the Welsh Open Circuit. Among the categories are Novice Blade Shearing, British Wool Junior, and the Heiniger Open. Agriculture lecturer…

Sustrans Cymru, the walking and cycling charity, has this week (14 May 2019) welcomed an announcement from Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters AM that there will be an increase in active travel funding in Wales.  Sustrans have been calling for a long term investment plan in active travel and welcome today’s announcement.   The charity has previously warned that Wales was under investing in walking and cycle, and compared the slow pace of progress in Wales against spending in Scotland where £16 per person per year is invested.  However, last year, Welsh Government announced an extra £60million over…

Leading national law firm Blake Morgan has announced the appointment of Guide Dogs Cymru as their charity of the year in Wales. [aoa id=”1″]Guide Dogs Cymru provides life-changing mobility services to adults, children and young people with sight loss throughout Wales. As well as providing guide dogs, the charity also provides a wide range of other community-based support services to people with sight loss. Their purpose is to provide life-changing services for the independence of people living with sight loss and their friends and family.[/aoa] The charity has been selected as Blake Morgan’s charity for the next two years, following…

Along with the firm celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Ystrad Mynach-headquartered business has been named as the Best Small Company in Wales to work for at the annual Sunday Times Best Companies Awards, as well as acquiring a competitor and nearly doubling its staff numbers in the process. [aoa id=”1″] Founded in 2004 by chairman Colin Tucker, the business has operations across Wales and England, with the ambitious company acquiring Bridgend-based ISA Training as recently as January. Educ8 topped the Welsh contingent in the Best Small Business To Work For category, coming sixth overall across the UK; the fifth year…

A Cardiff-based start-up providing an eco-friendly toothbrush subscription service has secured more than £770,000 investment in its latest funding round, exceeding its target by over £250,000 from nearly 300 investors. Founded by former Deloitte advisor, Mike Donovan, Brushbox aims to be the world’s largest subscription brand for eco-friendly, cruelty-free and sustainable personal toothbrush, toothpaste and oral care products. [aoa id=”1″]During the funding round, Brushbox has also strengthened its board and investor base with the addition of founder, former CEO and now vice chair of Cloudreach, Pontus Noren. A senior advisor to The Blackstone Group, he brings with him 24 years’…

A centre that helps victims of crime has reported a worrying increase in the number of cases of sexual blackmail involving teenagers. Sioned Jacobsen, the operations manager at the North Wales Victim Help Centre, says youngsters are being targeted by online extortionists. She revealed her concerns to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones who funds the centre. Mr Jones, a former police inspector, heard demand for the centre’s services has increased every year since it was established in 2015 and last year they made contact with 34,500 victims of all sorts of crimes. Most people are referred to…

A family-run animal and pet supplies business in Monmouth, South Wales, has secured a six-figure finance package from HSBC UK to expand its operation with a second retail store in Chepstow. [aoa id=”1″] Wye Valley Country Store, run by husband and wife duo Barbara and Alan Griffiths and their son Josh Griffiths, caters for pet, poultry and equine owners, offering animal feed and farm supplies as well as bulk feed for farms and equestrian events. The family, who started the business in 1996, have used the HSBC UK funding to build and fit out the new 7,000 sq. ft. store…

A SOLICITOR with a budding triathlon career is targeting success on the world stage thanks to support from a Wrexham-based copier firm. [aoa id=”1″] Stephanie King, from Saltney, who is aiming for a best ever top 20 finish at the ITU World Triathlon Series in Switzerland in September, has been handed an ‘invaluable’ sponsorship boost by Rawson Digital, which is enabling her to compete at the highest level. The 26-year-old real estate solicitor, who works for Chester law firm Aaron and Partners, is also competing in her second Ironman in Hamburg, Germany, this summer, which is the most gruelling type…

A host of new food and drink producers are gearing up to meet the public at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Smallholding and Countryside Festival at Llanelwedd this weekend (May 18 & 19). [aoa id=”1″] Formerly known as the Spring Festival, the event draws thousands of visitors from Wales and beyond – eager to see the array of rural attractions, and sample some Welsh food and drink! The Food Hall is always among the main features, and nine producers will be exhibiting there under the auspices of Cywain – a Menter a Busnes delivered project that supports the development of…

New temporary accommodation made from shipping containers will soon offer innovative high quality living for homeless families in Cardiff. [aoa id=”1″] The 13 new homes will be built on the former PDSA site in Bute Street, owned by Cardiff Council, and will provide temporary accommodation for families until a more permanent suitable housing solution can be found. The scheme is jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government’s Innovative Housing Programme.  Work is due to start on the site in May, with Cadwyn Housing Association developing the scheme on behalf of Cardiff Council and working alongside Tony King Architects, Willis…