Author: Rhys Gregory

A youth football club in South Wales is proudly sporting new kit, thanks to a local housebuilder. The U13s girls’ team at Cascade Youth Club has been given the new kit by Cardiff-based housebuilder Bellway. The club, which plays its home games at Duffryn Park, Penpedairheol, was founded in 1976 and since then has established 14 football teams ranging from U7s up to senior men and women. Ryan Thomas, coach at Cascade YC, said: “This club is run purely by volunteers, so we rely on donations to purchase kit, equipment and pay for training for the coaches. “Bellway’s kind donation…

Dazzling smiles were worn by all of Hafod’s winning Human Resources (HR) team on Friday 15 November during this year’s prestigious CIPD Awards, at Cardiff City Hall. Congratulations to the whole HR department on winning Best-In House team, and to Keisha Walters, Learning and Development Facilitator, on winning the Emerging Practitioner of the Year award. The third annual CIPD Awards hosted by Carol Vorderman, showcased the best people across Wales working in HR and people development. Alison Woodward, Head of HR and Learning and Development at Hafod, has led the team in making huge strides in the way they support…

Transport for Wales have published their Sustainable Development Plan, revealing their ambitious sustainability targets and the actions they will take to ensure these are achieved. Closely aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) 2015 Act, the plan provides clear assurances that the new organisation meets national legislation and policy.  Supporting a more ‘resilient Wales’ TfW stated that electricity for stations and overhead wires on the Core Valley Lines will come from 100% renewable energy, with at least 50% sourced in Wales. Promoting active travel, TfW will offer customers new cycle storage facilities that are safe and will provide well-lit walking routes to encourage people to make healthier choices and reduce…

The Brenig Construction Group, based in Mochdre, near Colwyn Bay, was established by joint managing directors Mark Parry and Howard Vaughan. The duo became lifelong friends after first met as six-year-old boys at their local youth club in Glan Conwy in 1987. They say their friendship has been a crucial ingredient in the company’s success From a standing start in 2012, Brenig now employs 70 people directly and is turning over £11 million a year, with £21 million of work already secured in future contracts. In 2016 at the Fast Growth 50 awards, they were named as the fastest growing…

Swansea-based integrated communications agency, MGB Communications, has announced a trio of new appointments following an exceptionally busy period for the firm. Award-winning marketeer Louisa Harry-Thomas joins as Marketing Account Manager responsible for delivering integrated marketing strategies across the MGB client base. She brings with her over 20 years of experience in marketing across the UK. Stavros Apostolopoulos, who holds two Masters – in Filmmaking and Communications, Media Practice and Public Relations – takes up the role of videographer and digital content creation specialist. Rhi Smith joins as Account Executive supporting the team’s digital activity across the entire client portfolio. As…

Celebrating its 30th year, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair proves to have stood the test of time with another hugely successful two days. At such a milestone anniversary, we are not only delighted to look forward to a prosperous future, but also look back and pay tribute to the past thirty years. First staged in 1990 and originally just a modest one-day event, the Royal Welsh Winter Fair is now widely referred to as the finest prime stock show in Europe and has become well established as one of the most popular attractions on the British agricultural show calendar. The…

A mum has recalled how her husband was preparing to tell their children she would never be coming home after she was hospitalised with flu shortly before Christmas. Anna Spencer, was hallucinating and so desperately unwell that before Swine Flu was formally diagnosed clinicians suspected she had taken a drug overdose or contracted meningitis. The NHS worker was admitted to Neath Port Talbot Hospital in Port Talbot and later quarantined. Only her husband Tim was allowed to visit while dressed in protective clothing and a face mask. She said: “He told me later, ‘I was preparing for Christmas without you.…

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has launched the Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research during an event at its IQ building, part of the University’s new SA1 Swansea Waterfront development. Formerly known as the Wales Institute for Work-based Learning, the newly-launched Wales Academy for Professional Practice and Applied Research (WAPPAR) provides innovative, flexible and bespoke development for organisations and people, and works with clients to provide solutions specific to their needs and context. The Academy’s unique methods of delivery mean that its service is timely and cost-effective and aims to developing employees to optimise their…

RSPCA Llys Nini has created a new wildlife hide at its site in Penllergaer thanks to a £4,000 grant from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme. The new hide at the site’s otter pond provides a quiet setting for local people to spot a variety of wildlife, including rare birds and otters. Sally Hyman, Chair of Trustees at RSPCA Llys Nini Swansea, said: “The Bags of Help funding from Tesco has been a vital boost to our much-loved Llys Nini site, which welcomes in over 20,000 visitors a year. The area encourages the community to care for the local environment. Tesco’s…

Artisan food and drink producers are taking to the high street as part of a new retail initiative to promote local produce this Christmas. Deli Myrddin gan Cywain (Merlin’s Deli by Cywain) will open its doors at a prime location in Carmarthen’s St Catherine’s Walk over two peak festive shopping weekends (December 6th-8th & 13th-15th). More than 20 new and growing Welsh food and drink businesses will be featured in the pop-up shop, which is the creation of Cywain – a business-led programme dedicated to developing new and existing micro-businesses and SMEs in the Welsh food and drink sector. Says…