Author: Rhys Gregory

One of the most prestigious craft producers in the UK, the Dyfi Distillery based at Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth, has released its first new gin for two years. [aoa id=”1″] Navigation Gin – the distillery owns this trademark for gin, along with its Pollination and Hibernation labels – has been bottled at 57% alcohol. This was traditionally the strength at which the Navy could test that their barrels hadn’t been tampered with, because gunpowder could still be ignited when immersed in something so strong. Before the days of accurate testing, this was proof of strength and is also…

The Size of Wales Mbale programme passes its 10 million milestone as climate change activist Leah Namugerwa and First Minister Mark Drakeford plant trees on two continents. The ambitious Mbale tree planting scheme, which is funded by the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa programme, plants trees in the heavily-deforested region of Mount Elgon region in eastern Uganda. It is also supported by the Welsh Government’s Plant! scheme, which plants two trees for every child born or adopted in Wales – one in Wales and one in Uganda. Leah Namugerwa, 15, also planted the 10 millionth tree in a special ceremony…

The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is proud to announce that it has purchased the Welsh iconic painting ‘Salem’ on behalf of the nation, to protect and cherish it forever. Painted in 1909 by the artist Curnow Vosper, it depicts a scene at Salem Chapel, Cefncymerau, Llanbedr near Harlech, with Siân Owen the central character. ‘Salem’ is an iconic record of Welsh life and the noncomformist tradition in Wales and increasingly became a talking-point due to the fact that some viewed an image of the devil in the fold of Sian Owen’s shawl. The work purchased by the library is one of…

The woman charged with running a pioneering scheme to help vulnerable people break away from a life of crime knows what it’s like to live under the shadow of addiction. Anna Baker is the manager of the Checkpoint Cymru programme a new initiative by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones which aims to help keep minor offenders out of trouble and out of the courts. The 44-year-old was brought up with a grandmother who was addicted to prescription drugs while her sister, Anna’s great aunt, who was alcohol dependent ran a pub in Hampshire. Anna, who has worked…

According to the latest NatWest Wales PMI® data, private sector firms registered only a fractional expansion in business activity, following a sharper contraction in new orders during September. Subsequently, employment and backlogs fell further and at faster rates. Nonetheless, business confidence picked up slightly and was modest overall, as firms hoped for a resolution to ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Although input prices rose at the joint-slowest rate since July 2016, and client demand weakened, firms were able to raise output charges at a solid and quicker pace. The headline Wales Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index that measures the…

Paperwork has long been the bane of many a farmer’s life, but a new record-keeping phone app has been launched for Welsh beef and sheep producers which saves time and ensures accuracy.   Exclusively created for farmer controlled co-operative Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP), the app simplifies and standardises livestock record keeping and eliminates errors when entering vital medicinal information.   The easy-to-use WLBP Stockmove Express app, for Android or IOS phones, enables farmers to instantly record important livestock medicine information – including purchases and treatments. The QR barcode scanning facility records the product name, batch number and…

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) in Mid Wales, a world-leading Eco Centre that demonstrates and showcases practical solutions for a sustainable future, has developed new group travel packages. Having delivered quality courses on a huge range of sustainability topics for more than 40 years, CAT’s group travel packages are perfect for groups looking for something a little different. Expert tutors guide visitors through experiences ranging from traditional crafts and sustainable building to ecology and organic gardening. Favourites include clay oven building, nature connection walks and building pallet wood furniture. A Zero Carbon Britain workshop explores the radical changes needed…

RSPCA Cymru rescued and rehomed more cats than any other animal in 2018 – but needs to find more FUR-ever homes for cat companions as the month-long Adoptober rehoming drive continues. More than 1,300 cats were rehomed in 2018 – forming the bulk of more than 2,000 animals rehomed by the RSPCA in Wales over the year. Pets found homes from RSPCA animal centres and via the charity’s network of independent branches across the country. That means the RSPCA – over the year – rehomed more than one cat in Wales every seven hours, underlining the vast efforts undertaken to…

This autumn, Asda is marking the spookiest time of the year with one of its BIGGEST launches yet; the Monster Pumpkin. [aoa id=”1″] The ultimate Halloween icon, pumpkins are loved by an increasing number of households all over the UK. As the trend for grander Halloween decorations grows families are now celebrating the day over an increased period, with homes across the country upgrading to bigger decorations as the love of Halloween flourishes. Up to twice the size of an average pumpkin*, Asda’s Monster Pumpkins are available in select stores from the 15th October for £5.00. Grown in the picturesque…

A CARDIFF Devils coach – who combines his successful career on the ice with his role as a cancer scientist – enjoyed a different end to a training session when his players wore orange tutus and colourful socks to launch the Stand Up To Cancer campaign in Wales. The players swapped their traditional red, black and white kit for orange and twirled on the ice for this video to support Stand Up To Cancer’s ‘unpredictable dress up’ challenge – where supporters pay or get sponsored to wear something completely unexpected for a day at work, school or home. Stand Up to Cancer,…