Author: Rhys Gregory

Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Cardiff on Thursday (4th April) received a much-deserved pampering session from local barbers, hairdressers and beauticians. The families all have children receiving specialist medical care in Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital, just opposite the House. The event was supported by local barber Alun Reynolds, who organised other local businesses to join him and provide haircuts and beauty treatments for families. Having a child in hospital often means that parents often don’t have the time or the opportunity to take time for themselves. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK has been providing free accommodation at…

One of Wales’ leading boarding and day independent schools has appointed a new Director of Performing Arts to support the school’s growing drama programme. [aoa id=”1″] Christ College Brecon has announced Lucy Richards as their new Director of Performing Arts. Mrs Richards, who completed her NQT year at Christ College Brecon, will now lead the drama department fostering pupils’ interest in drama and developing their confidence. With the new appointment, Christ College Brecon will also introduce a BTEC in Performing Arts in the next academic year. The new qualification will be led by Mrs Richards and takes a more…

The GE Aviation Dragons were joined by Wales lock Cory Hill at the team’s kitting out session, which took place on site at Nantgarw (Friday 5 April). [aoa id=”1″]The Dragons include employees from across the aviation maintenance facility and are overseen by Jamie Edwards, a member of the company’s Senior Leadership Team and the Team Manager. The kitting out session comes after the Dragons’ first outing in November against a team from the Welsh Government. The Dragons came home with a 24 – 19 win, after turning it round in the second half.[/aoa] The Nantgarw-based company is the Welsh arm…

As the warm weather slowly makes a return, households in Wales are being urged to ‘spring clean’ their heating system to avoid missing out on potential savings to their fuel bills. Following a cold start to the year, many homes still have their heating set to cope with freezing conditions. However, by making a few simple adjustments and routine checks, households can reduce their energy usage and potentially enjoy cheaper fuel bills. In support, OFTEC, which represents the oil heating industry, has produced a ‘spring cleaning’ guide which outlines the key things to look out for: Adjust your heating timers.…

Half of over-45s in Wales say they are saving for unforeseen future events, new research has revealed. [aoa id=”1″] As well as a ‘rainy day’ fund, a third of those surveyed said they are saving for their old age and healthcare. Principality Building Society’s survey of Welsh savers, carried out by Beaufort Research, also revealed six out of 10 people in Wales have previously given financial help to their children or grandchildren for major life events. However, only around a fifth of savers (22%) told the biggest building society in Wales they are currently providing financial help to their children…

The Pencoed-based facility has unveiled its new Sony Refurbished business, providing customers with an opportunity to acquire HD equipment which is refurbished to factory standards. [aoa id=”1″] This is part of the brand’s wider “ground-breaking” ‘Go 4K Now!’ programme which aims to encourage and facilitate customers’ access to 4K broadcast technology. As part of the project, which is in collaboration with Sony Professional Solutions Europe (PSE), customers can trade in their used equipment, which will support them purchasing the latest Sony 4K cameras and kit. The used equipment is then fully refurbished by Sony UK TEC’s professional Service and Repair…

Improved connectivity for Cardiff is the key message behind a new report that has been released by real estate advisor, Savills. [aoa id=”1″] The report titled ‘Cardiff: Connecting the City’, examines the future potential of the city in relation to residential and commercial property, and the impact of capital projects that are underway. The creation of vibrant new mixed used schemes, and new infrastructure to connect them to the traditional city centre, will be imperative to Cardiff’s future prosperity says the report. Cardiff punches above its weight compared to other regional cities, according to Savills. The sixth biggest retail centre…

Simon Crockford, the Wales National Chef of the Year in 2017, has been serving hungry shoppers from his pop-up restaurant as part of a British Fair in a major department store. [aoa id=”1″] Crockford welcomed hundreds of diners over a six-day celebration of British cuisine and culture at the JR Takashimaya department store in the city of Nagoya. Originally from Pembrokeshire, Crockford oversees all seven restaurants as the executive restaurant chef at Celtic Manor and enjoyed taking a taste of Wales to Japan – including the ever-popular Welsh cakes. [/aoa] He said: “It was a fantastic week joining other British…

The IoD Wales awards, which celebrate the best of Welsh businesses and leadership, will be held on Friday, May 17th and are sponsored by Cardiff Business School. [aoa id=”1″] Finalists for seven categories have been announced, with a further four being announced on the day. The Judges’, Inclusivity, International (sponsored by Qatar Airways) and Non-Exec Awards will be awarded at the lunchtime award ceremony at Sophia Gardens. Robert Lloyd Griffiths, Director of the Institute of Directors in Wales said: “Despite really challenging times and the uncertainty of Brexit’s impact on business; Directors across Wales are really making their mark in guiding…

Four Fine Art students from Cardiff Met’s Cardiff School of Art and Design have been selected to create a graffiti-style mural, which will frame one of this year’s competition gardens at this weekend’s prestigious RHS Flower Show Cardiff. Trader turned gardener Brent Purtell swapped finance for flowers after 15 years and will exhibit for the first time this weekend in the ‘New Designers’ category, after graduating from Art School at the Inchbald School of Design, himself last summer. [aoa id=”1″] He was keen to offer student opportunities and, having viewed their work, selected and commissioned students Jamie Walton, Rose Kate…