Author: Rhys Gregory

The Health Lottery has this week (Wednesday 22nd May) announced that Health Lottery Wales smashed their target of raising £6 million, which to date, has supported 169 local charities in Wales. To celebrate, Health Lottery Wales hosted a party with local Flintshire charity, RainbowBiz CIC yesterday with a shining guest list ofFlintshire locals including; Social Enterprise Development Lead Officer for Flintshire County Council, Mike Dodd, nearby community groups; Trii Fford, students from Coleg Cambria and Gillian Brockley Chair for Shotton town council. Sarah Way from RainbowBiz CIC led a tour of the allotment to showcase first-hand the amazing work the…

Independent shops are helping to rejuvenate high streets in Wales a new study has found, with small high street businesses and shoppers alike increasingly optimistic about the future of their local high street. [aoa id=”1″] Marking the launch of the Government-run Great British High Street Awards 2019, in proud partnership with Visa, new research commissioned by Visa shows that, across the UK, 34,511 independent high street shops opened for business last year, up 4.5% on 2017. [/aoa] Meanwhile, in Wales, it was found that the high street is the favoured destination for Welsh retailers to expand their business, with more…

The IAD Company is the winner of this year’s Project of the Year Refurbishment title at the Design in Mental Health Awards. The Wales-based architectural consultants took the award at the 2019 event held at Ricoh Arena in Coventry this week (May 21st). The Cardiff company claimed the award in recognition of its work transforming an 800-year-old barn complex in West Wales into a forever home for adults with a diagnosis of autism. Ty Carreg is now a flagship residential care facility for adults with autism based on the South Wales coastline after IAD was tasked with creating a beautiful…

Over 100 bikers have helped provide a thunderous tribute to a much missed friend, while raising money for charity at the same time. Former soldier Richard Thomas, from Gorseinon and known to his many friends as Decky, was just 29-years-old when he died of cardiomyopathy – a disease that affects heart muscle tissue – at Singleton Hospital in June 2017. And after hearing that Richard’s family is raising money in his memory for cardiac care within Swansea Bay NHS, a close friend of Richard’s, Matthew Brown, hit the road with his motorcycle pals. Their aim was to boost what has…

Following reports of anti-social behaviour and concerns for the safety of young people at Swansea Beach front and dunes areas, Swansea Neighbourhood Policing Team will be using section 35 dispersal orders to help deal with the issues. These orders under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 aim to ensure the safety of the public and reduce the risk of any anti-social behaviour or disorder within an area. It gives a Police Constable in uniform the power to exclude a person from an area for a period of up to 48 hours by the issuing of a written notice.…

South Wales-based self-storage specialist, Storage Giant, has been announced as the winner of two national awards for business excellence. [aoa id=”1″]Storage Giant, which has its headquarters in Newport and 11 branches in Wales and England, has won Acquisition International Magazine’s 2019 Awards for Best Small Business of the Year 2019 (South Wales) and Best Commercial & Domestic Self-Storage Facilities 2019 (England & Wales).[/aoa] The winners of the Business Excellence Awards are handpicked by AI Magazine, based on comprehensive analysis and research undertaken by the wider group. The awards recognise the businesses demonstrating innovation, growth and continual improvement. Simon Williams, Owner…

Between 27 May and 1 June, over 10,000 children will be heading to the Red Dragon Centre, where they will use the centre’s facilities for rehearsals and preliminary rounds during the annual Urdd National Eisteddfod. [aoa id=”1″] The Urdd National Eisteddfod has become one of Europe’s most prominent youth touring festivals. Each year the festival in Wales attracts around 90,000 visitors throughout the week. With a focus on families and young talent, the festival will see over 15,000 young people under the age of 25 compete to reach the stage at the Wales Millennium Centre. [/aoa] Situated in the Cardiff…

Traveline Cymru are “delighted” with the success of their Director Jo Foxall, who has won a business award, recognising her as a “dedicated director.” [aoa id=”1″] Managing Director Jo Foxall won the Young Director category at the prestigious Institute of Directors Wales Awards, beating stiff competition from other Directors across Wales. The IoD Wales Awards, which celebrate “the best of Welsh businesses and leadership”, were held on Friday, May 17th in Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground and sponsored by Cardiff Business School. [/aoa] Directors from two ‘leading’ Welsh Tech companies were among 13 Welsh Directors celebrated for their ‘exemplary work’ at…

With the concert due to begin at 7.30pm, over 50,000 fans are expected to come into Cardiff to watch the event, so there will be a full city centre road closure to ensure public safety. [aoa id=”1″] The roads in the city centre will close from 5pm until 11.30pm. Those attending the concert are strongly advised to leave large bags at home and pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales before they travel into the city. [/aoa] Road closures From early in the day, Scott Road and Park Street will be closed as a result of the need…

FEMALE entrepreneurs are leading the pack as part of a new £1.2 million development set to open its doors this summer. [aoa id=”1″] Charitable housing association Grŵp Cynefin and Meliden Residents Action Group are behind a project to transform a dilapidated old railway shed into a thriving community hub. After extensive renovations, work is almost complete on transforming the old building on the walkway at Meliden, near Prestatyn, into a centre with heritage displays, café, meeting space and business units. [/aoa] With the aim of breathing life into the community and supporting up-and-coming companies and creative individuals, the first people…