Author: Rhys Gregory

Swansea singer songwriters Steve Balsamo and Andy Collins are among those heading up a new initiative at the city’s indoor market. It means that Welsh bands and musicians are being heard by thousands of Swansea Market shoppers every day it opens. The Music at the Market initiative sees a range of Welsh music played over the famous venue’s sound system. Steve Balsamo, formerly of successful band The Storys, said: “I love Swansea and its market. I was having delicious food there one day and heard the PA system playing some Top 40 music – I thought shoppers and stallholders would…

A fully funded after-work programme designed to support people into starting businesses has launched in Treorchy. Held at the Cwm Farm Shop on Ynyswen Road, in what was once the Burberry clothes factory, the workshops are open to anyone who has an idea or wants to start a business. The 5 to 9 Club™ aims to support individuals with an idea and help them turn it into a fully-fledged business by equipping them with the skills and knowledge they will need to launch and grow. The workshops are held once a week from 5pm to 9pm, to allow those who…

Registrations are now open for the Spartan UK Wales race weekend, which is heading to Glanusk Estate, Crickhowell on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2020. The obstacle course events are organised by Spartan Race, the global leader in obstacle course racing.  All the courses will be packed full of Spartan’s signature obstacles including barbed wire crawls, rope climbs and fire jumps, all guaranteed to get the adrenaline pumping. The races are designed to push racers out of their comfort zone and are perfect for those looking for a new fitness goal to aim for in 2020. The course is…

People working and volunteering in Welsh towns and communities will benefit from a new resource to help them identify opportunities in their areas. Understanding Welsh Places is a bilingual website coordinated by the Institute of Welsh Affairs that presents information on the economy, demographic make-up and local services of more than 300 places in Wales in a quick and easy format. Funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, and the Welsh Government, Understanding Welsh Places will be a vital tool for community groups, planners and policy makers to understand towns in greater detail. This will enable more targeted support for  communities…

A speciality coffee maker who started off roasting coffee beans over a camp stove in his shed is celebrating his sixth anniversary by brewing up a luxurious blend in honour of a top food festival. Barman turned barista Tim Parry is now producing in one afternoon what he previously made in one week and has moved into an industrial unit in Rhyl. He originally launched his business, Mug Run Coffee, in December 2013 – and credits top 10 UK food festival Llangollen Food Festival for getting his name on the map. As a thank you to the festival, he is…

Like many graduates, Sarah Jones found herself finishing University without knowing what career she wished to pursue. Sarah began to apply for various jobs but discovered that there was a lot of form filling. She found herself shifting from job to job, often on short term contracts, and rarely finding any job satisfaction. Following this period, she decided to look for something that was more rewarding and found a job within a local housing association. Her role was customer facing and involved working closely within the communities that the housing association worked. Sarah Jones is today supporting the launch of…

An innovative company that is perfectly placed to meet the needs of customers in the rapidly evolving electric car market drove off with an award at this year’s Powys Business Awards. Electric Classic Cars Limited from Newtown won the Technology & Innovation Award, sponsored by Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, at the annual awards dinner held at Dering Lines, Brecon last Friday night. Organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, the awards showcase business excellence across Powys. Richard Morgan, Electric Classic Cars’ managing director, said: “It’s fantastic to win such a prestigious award. A year ago, I was working from home as a hobby; now…

Tom Cave and co-driver Dale Furniss delivered a personal best performance on this year’s Wales Rally GB – Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship – when he finished an impressive 11th overall and third in the fiercely competitive R5 category. They also collected awards for being the first privateer entry, the first non-WRC registered entry and top Welsh crew. The rally began on Thursday afternoon last week at Liverpool’s Waterfront development. With the first and second finishers in the British Rally Championship nominated to head the field, Tom had the privilege of being flagged away as car two behind…

Set in over 2,000 acres of panoramic parkland, the 5* Celtic Manor Resort in Wales is one of Britain’s finest family-friendly resorts, where guests can enjoy a range of amazing activities. As well as the luxury spa and championship golf courses, there are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer during the October half-term and Hallowe’en period. Whether you fancy heading outdoors for fresh air, fun and fireworks or enjoying an autumn adventure complete with treasure hunts, pumpkin carving or even a spooky themed Afternoon Tea, there’s sure to be something for everyone at the Celtic Manor Resort. Here’s the top five events…

The working world has changed, and it continues to change. Fewer manual jobs exist in most of the developed economies and they have been replaced by office jobs and freelancers, both working across the internet and in the cloud with different technologies. For those that feel left behind, there are a number of skills you can develop to bring your CV back to the present. The good news is that not all of the new skills you need in 2020 require a university degree. Of course, if you are studying for one that’s great. Yet, many older professionals with commitments…