Author: Rhys Gregory

Water purification from crustacean shells and new fibres from apple cores – Welsh sustainable technology firm Pennotec is leading the way in stopping what was once industrial food waste being sent to landfill. The firm – Pennog Limited, which trades as Pennotec, based in Y Ffôr near Pwllheli in Gwynedd – is helping to develop the circular economy in Wales by identifying materials in what might have been classed as waste in the past, which can be extracted and reused in other products. With much of what we produce being sent to landfill and diminishing reserves of fossil fuels, Pennotec…

Ceredigion County Council has won the 2019 Local Authority Award for its exceptional support of Community Sponsorship, a government-backed programme enabling ordinary people to support a refugee family to rebuild their lives in the UK. Ceredigion was recognised for being an excellent collaborator and providing outstanding support to its local Sponsor Groups. Speaking at last night’s award, a spokesperson for Ceredigion Council said: “It’s great. We were working hard on supporting community sponsorship groups, and we were one of the first in Wales to have the scheme take off. It shows that it does work to have the local authority…

The South Wales Law Awards is delighted to announce that TSR Legal Recruitment has agreed a multi-year feature sponsorship deal from 2020. The inaugural South Wales Law Awards in May 2019 recognised the very best of the Welsh legal community, with JCP Solicitors being crowned South Wales Law Awards Champions 2019. TSR Legal Recruitment now celebrating its 15th anniversary is Wales’s leading legal recruitment agency, and is rapidly moving towards becoming the UK’s leading legal recruitment agency. Karen Jones, Director at TSR Legal Recruitment said: “I’m delighted that we are feature sponsors of the South Wales Law Awards for the…

Healthcare professionals from across Wales will come together in Cardiff in October to attend the Together for Mental Health 2019 conference organised by GovConnect, which aims to improve mental health and wellbeing in Wales through partnership working. With the overall cost of mental health issues in Wales estimated at £7.2 billion a year, the conference will consider the progress of Together for Mental Health – the Welsh Government’s cross portfolio strategic response to mental health – and examine options for future improvements and innovations. Following a keynote address from Ken Skates AM, whose policy interests include mental health, the conference’s…

Lynn Matthews knows more than most about the levels of support that many learners require. Dyslexia meant that Lynn struggled in school, but she refused to let that hold her back and has carved out a successful career by providing the level of guidance that she craved as a young learner. The 57-year-old – originally from Bangor but now living in Gorseinon – has been employed by PeoplePlus Cymru since 2013, firstly as a tutor coach and, since September 2018, as the lead tutor. In both roles, she has managed a caseload of between 30-40 learners aged 16-19 with a…

A top divorce lawyer has been appointed a director at North Wales’ leading law firm. Rachel Wynn Jones takes on the role at Gamlins Law after joining the firm last year to head up its Matrimonial department. Rachel, who qualified as a solicitor in 1995, has previously worked for some of North Wales and Cheshire’s leading law firms. For the past 20 years, Rachel has specialised in divorce, relationship breakdown and the associated financial consequences with a strong background working within the farming community. She also prepares pre-nuptial agreements for clients to protect against the financial uncertainty that can occur…

A North Wales micro-brewery with a range of vegan beers has bagged a top taste award at the British food and drink ‘Oscars’. Dovecote Brewery in Denbigh produces exclusively vegan-friendly beers at its Denbigh headquarters on Colomendy industrial estate. Among them is Dove Down Under, a 4.8 per cent strength ale made with New Zealand hops, which has just been awarded Two Stars at the Great Taste Awards, dubbed the British food and drink Oscars by the Daily Telegraph. All Dovecote’s ten regular beers are vegan and so are the 16 seasonal specials they also brew which distinguish them from…

A DERELICT old railway shed destined to be consigned to history has opened its doors after a £1.2 million revamp.  In its heyday, Meliden’s goods shed was a key stopping place on the Dyserth to Prestatyn railway line serving both the mining and tourist trades. The shed, on the Dyserth and Prestatyn walkway, eventually closed in 1957 and reopened briefly over the years, notably as an undertaker and a taxi rank. But now it has been brought back to life, putting the Grade II building firmly back into the heart of the village community. Spearheaded by charitable housing association Grŵp…

A new 31-mile ultra trail race planned for next spring will tackle the steep ascent of the iconic Devil’s Staircase near Llanwrtyd Wells in Mid Wales. Llanwrtyd Wells is renowned for hosting a series of wacky and wonderful competitions, including the World Bog Snorkelling Championship, Man versus Horse Race and the World Alternative Games, to name but a few. Now Green Events, organiser of most of these competitions, has come up with the Trailhead Get Jerky Devil’s Staircase Ultra Trail Race, which will cover 50 km (31 miles) and has a total ascent and descent of 5,714ft (1,741m). Most of…

The family-owned group behind one of Swansea’s oldest restaurants has appointed a Head of Operations to oversee the ongoing evolution of their four venues in the city. Darren Cox will take the role at the group which owns the iconic La Braseria restaurant and La Prensa tapas and cocktail bar on Wind Street and the popular La Parrilla restaurants in SA1 and Mumbles. Swansea born Mr Cox has returned to his hometown following 25 years’ experience in senior hospitality and customer service positions in the UK and overseas. He was most recently part of the management team at Bistrot Pierre.…