Author: Rhys Gregory

A team of entrepreneurial school pupils from Port Talbot have been named Wales’ ‘Young Business Dragons’ after winning a national competition for their creative solution to tackling the climate change crisis. Students from Ysgol Bae Baglan in Port Talbot picked up the top title at the Young Business Dragons competition out of over 4,500 year 9 pupils from schools across south west Wales who all took part in the three competition rounds. The annual Young Business Dragons competition, which is organised by Young Dragons and this year was sponsored by Welsh Government, University of South Wales Trinity St David’s and…

An enchanting twist on the classic two-act ballet has opened at the brand-new International Convention Centre Wales. Following sold out seasons at the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium, award-winning international troupe, The Imperial Ice Stars, wowed the audience on opening night, Wednesday 11th December, to begin a run of 35 performances of the spectacular ice show. Set against a backdrop of colourful projections, opulent costumes, magic tricks and special effects, the 23-strong cast of World, European and National Championship-level skaters dance to Tchaikovsky’s glorious score on a frozen stage at the 1,500-seat tiered theatre. The Imperial Ice Stars’…

LEADING finance, accountancy and law firms have joined forces to give talks and advice at a series of free business events. Edward Hughes Solicitors, Bowden Financial Planning, Knox Commercial & Insolvency Solicitors and Williams Denton Accountants are among the most recognised and respected companies in North Wales. They have united to organise Business Four North Wales, an event to be held by the four companies four times a year, with four separate topical themes. The first will take place at Porth Eirias restaurant in Colwyn Bay on Friday January 24, and includes networking, refreshments and the opportunity to sit down…

A WREXHAM schoolboy with severe speech and learning disabilities was a VIP guest at the official opening of a Santa’s grotto which is raising money for the specialist charity centre which helps him and his family. Callum Roberts, 10, who is a pupil at Alexandra School, Wrexham, was there with his mum, Zara Chetwynd, to be one of the first to meet the man himself at Eagles Meadow shopping centre where all the free Christmas activities on offer will be raising money for Dynamic. Dynamic, a Wrexham-based centre for children and young people with disabilities, supports more than 100 young…

Latest figures from a leading trade body reveal that Wales has continued to retain its top position for sales performance at builders’ merchants across Britain. Throughout 2019, the Builders Merchants Federation’s Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) has pitched Wales top out of 11 areas nationwide, in quarter one, two and now quarter three. The latest BMBI report puts Wales in first place nationally for quarter three, with 4.2 per cent year-on-year growth in total builders’ merchant value sales. The BMF’s BMBI is seen as a gold standard in the building materials sector to measure sales activity. International analytics specialist GfK…

Christmas is meant to be a time of fun and festivities, but sometimes our emotional wellbeing takes a hit during the winter months. Many people can benefit from a little extra emotional support during the festive season. This support can be especially crucial for people living with sight loss, especially if they have been recently diagnosed. Receiving help, advice and support at the right time can make a real difference to blind and partially sighted people, helping them to enjoy a magical Christmas. With 13 people a day losing their sight in Wales*, RNIB is urging blind and partially sighted…

Patients at the Marie Curie Cardiff and the Vale Hospice on Bridgeman Road, Penarth, met members of the cast from the New Theatre’s production Cinderella – including the Fairy Gokmother played by the well-known TV presenter, Gok Wan. The New Theatre’s spectacular family pantomime also stars comedian Mike Doyle and Ceri Dupree as The Ugly Sisters. Comedian Phil Butler has also taken on the role of Buttons. The show will be running until Sunday 12 January 2020 and promises a production packed full of sensational special effects, beautiful costumes, music, comedy, dancing, and audience participation. Between performances on Wednesday the…

Potter Alex Allpress and artist Blue MacAskill, graduates from Camberwell College of Arts in London in 2008, have realised a dream of owning their own place where they can build a life together and establish a studio. They have settled in Newbridge-on-Wye, a village nestled in the glorious Wye Valley in Mid Wales where they are bringing up three children and running a successful business. However, success has not come without a few trials and experiments along the way to discover what works and pays and what doesn’t. Now Alex and Blue are looking forward confidently to 2020, having developed…

The award-winning Llangoed Hall, located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, has appointed Sam Bowser as its new head chef, following a successful career at Dormy House. Sam Bowser replaces Nick Brodie – who had been at Llangoed for six years – and is excited to take the next step in a hugely successful career. Having been in the industry for 18 years, Sam’s impressive portfolio has seen him cook in some of the finest kitchens in the UK including Whatley Manor, The Square and Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons. He has spent the last two-and-a-half years as head chef at…

Pioneering Sri-Lankan restaurant group The Coconut Tree will introduce three new, plant-based dishes to their menu to celebrate Veganuary. Available for a limited time only (from 2nd January until 13th February 2020), the new dishes add to the existing 15 plant-based options available on the menu, which is naturally abundant in vegan tropical cuisine. The new vegan dishes on offer at the group’s six restaurants in Cheltenham, Bristol, Oxford, Cardiff and Bournemouth are: TCT Potato – Lightly spiced, oven roast potatoes entwined with caramelised onions, a smattering of chilli and fresh curry leaf. Brinjals – Lightly fried and tossed wambatu (aubergine),…