Author: Rhys Gregory

Inspiring Welsh SME businesses gathered to celebrate their successes over the last year, at a glittering awards ceremony held on Wednesday 30th October at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff. The Welsh SME Business Awards were a celebration of the SME entrepreneurs and thriving businesses that service all industries across Wales. It celebrated the tenacity of individuals with enough grit and business acumen to drive their businesses to success in often challenging sectors. Accolades included Unique Business of the Year, Growth Business of the Year and SME Business of the Year. Bengo Media was delighted to be awarded the South East…

When Belinda Gardiner saw a derelict blacksmith’s forge in the Swansea Valley, she thought that it would make an ideal home for a local branch of the growing Men’s Shed movement and so she bought it. Men’s Sheds are places for the community to enjoy craftwork and social interaction, whilst helping to improve the health and wellbeing of its members. Situated between the Mond corner and the canal lock in Clydach, the group has been meeting on Wednesday mornings since June and is going from strength to strength with growing support from the community. Mrs Gardiner said: “It’s taken off…

The alarm was raised after the horse – thought to have been spooked by fireworks – was found on Saturday 2 November, impaled on a fence post in a hedge at Bryn Celyn, Holywell.  The owner and a vet, among others, were at the location, with the RSPCA being called for assistance. RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: “After some time and great difficulty the owner and the vet eventually managed to rescue the horse – named Harry – and myself and RSPCA animal collection officer Ann Lloyd Williams were there as an extra pair of hands. “The horse must have…

Santa Claus will be landing at St Tydfil Shopping Centre on Saturday 16th November to open his grotto and settle in to listen to children’s Christmas wishes throughout the festive season. Arriving at 11am, Father Christmas will be getting the whole town ready for Merthyr’s Christmas lights switch-on extravaganza which will take place later in the day. The free grotto will be open until 4pm, then from 11am to 4pm every Friday and Saturday between 22nd November and 21st December. Every child who visits will receive a goody bag. A balloon modeler will also be entertaining young visitors on the…

UWTSD Master’s student John Hughes is demonstrating that innovation is the future of the engineering industry. John, is combining his studies for an MSc in Motorsport Engineering by working in collaboration with SBD Motorsport Ltd, making aerodynamic upgrades on a Formula 3 car as part of a major live project. SBD race the car in the British Sprint Championship and have recently secured top 3 positions overall. It’s this pursuit of fresh ideas that makes participants in student projects highly attractive to engineering companies, naturally eager to employ the most innovative minds universities can offer to ensure their future competitiveness.…

South Wales Police is appealing for witnesses following a collision involving a car and a cyclist, which occurred at approximately 1.55pm on Sunday, October 20 on Tremains Road at its junction with Minerva Street, Bridgend. The 85-year-old cyclist was taken to Princess of Wales Hospital following the collision with a grey Citroen C2 for treatment, but has since died. Anyone who witnessed the incident, or the manner in which either vehicle was travelling in the moments prior to the collision, is asked to contact Roads Policing Unit  via 101, quoting occurrence 1900387960. Anyone with any dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone…

Pupils from a range of schools across south Wales are on the steps of the Senedd this afternoon (6 November) to highlight the opportunities available to us if we all take positive action to tackle the climate emergency facing the planet. This is part of the Into Film Cymru Festival launch, taking place across Wales and the UK between 6 and 22 November, and follows a pupil premiere of award winning, climate change documentary 2040. Politicians greeting the children are Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn; Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas;  Welsh Conservative Nick Ramsay AM; Chair of the Climate Change,…

Plant-based food and fashion enthusiasts are in for a treat following the opening of the latest businesses supported by Merthyr Tydfil’s ‘Meanwhile’ scheme. [aoa id=”1″] St Tydfil Shopping Centre is the venue for the two new ventures, a boutique and art gallery – and the county borough’s first plant-based and vegan/gluten-free friendly store and café. Plantbased Natural Foods is a newly refurbished unit upstairs in the indoor market run by local couple Mark Evan Oakley and Natalia De Celis.  Mark, 41, who has suffered from mental health problems, says he is a walking advert for the lifestyle. “I’d had multiple…

The magical winter event returns in just one week’s time to Swansea’s Museum Gardens from 15th November 2019 until 6th January 2020 – providing visitors with the ultimate winter experience they most definitely won’t forget. Those looking for a festive day out can count on Swansea’s Waterfront Winterland to provide fun for all the family with a range of funfair attractions, food & drink stalls, and the much-loved ice rink. Admission to Waterfront Winterland is FREE, but tickets must be bought if visitors wish to use the ice rink. The rink will remain undercover this year – a popular choice…

THE Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Regional Cabinet has announced the appointment of a Chief Operating Officer. Rhys Thomas, who is a member of the Innovation Advisory Council for Wales and a member of the Strategic Advisory Panel for FinTech Wales, has been appointed to the new role. As Chief Operating Officer, Rhys will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight of the City Deal Office, as well as the operation of the City Deal investment programme, in line with the agreed strategy, aims and direction. He will work closely with Kellie Bierne, Director of the CCR City Deal. Prior…