Author: Rhys Gregory

With the nights drawing in and the weather turning colder, households in Wales could miss out on significant savings if they forget to adjust their heating system for the change in temperature.[aoa id=”1″]Poor energy use, in particular leaving heating and lights on by mistake for just four hours a week, is estimated to cost on average £250 per home every year.In response OFTEC, the trade association for oil heating, has issued advice to households in Wales  on how to avoid these expensive mistakes by highlighting some of the most common winter heating myths:[/aoa]Myth 1: Turning the thermostat up high will…

High-Performance IT consultancy DevOpsGroup is promising future technologists a year they’ll never forget through its 2019 trainee programmes.[aoa id=”1″]The fast-growing Welsh tech firm is now recruiting for intern and graduate engineers as part of continued efforts to close the growing tech skills gap, which could result in 800,000 unfilled IT roles by 2020 (according to Computer Weekly).Delivered through the DevOpsGroup Academy, the schemes offer practical work experience and academic training centred around the latest DevOps, Agile, and cloud practices and technologies.[/aoa]James Harvey, head of the Academy, said: “We’re thrilled to be running our internship and graduate programme and supporting a new cohort…

A HOSPICE is on course to open a £500,000 satellite unit that will create 15 jobs and provide vital end-of-life care for patients in isolated areas of north west Wales.[aoa id=”1″]St David’s Hospice plans to unveil the new four-bed inpatient complex in 2019, with building work set to start next April at a converted ward at Penrhos Stanley Community Hospital, Holyhead.The opening will mark a year since the Llandudno facility was merged with Hospice at Home to form one charity covering Conwy, Gwynedd and Anglesey.St David’s is also exploring opportunities in south Gwynedd with the aim of further extending its…

The Real Ale Farm in Bargoed, Rhymney Valley, has again been one of the top four clubs in the country in CAMRA’s Club of the Year awards for the second year in a row. [aoa id=”1″]Housed in the oldest surviving building in the town, the Real Ale Farm offers a range of quality beer which has been selected for flavour and interest. The club aims to promote local producers and brewers of real ale, cider and perry, and hosts numerous charity events as well as the occasional beer festival.The CAMRA Club of the Year competition is run in conjunction with…

Llanishen Leisure Centre celebrates the completion of its major refurbishment programme this week.The major project has included improvements to the fitness and changing areas to update the North Cardiff facility’s look and feel, making a more attractive experience for users. The old gym has been transformed into a new group fitness studio with a sprung floor. The first floor meeting room has been transformed into a dedicated spin room complete with air conditioning and a mood lighting grid. This is already proving very popular, especially the disco light mode![aoa id=”1″][/aoa]Changing areas have also undergone a complete refurbishment. The new changing…

Accountancy and tax experts, Kilsby Williams continues to expand its tax department and invest in young talent.[aoa id=”1″]Tom Davies and Ellie Greenwood have joined the team as tax assistants and both look forward to building successful careers with the firm. The new recruits hope to achieve their ACA and CTA qualifications at their new roles.With three years’ experience under his belt, Tom is no stranger to the industry. After working for Deloitte and HMRC, Tom’s initial role will involve preparing tax returns and supporting a variety of client accounts.Tom said: “I was looking for an opportunity to move back into…

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has welcomed an extension to funding for Glastir agreements, further investment through the Sustainable Production Grant and the continuation of the Farm Business Grant.[aoa id=”1″]FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “The clarity as to where available funding will be spent to 2021 is welcome.”Further contract extension for those in various Glastir schemes will provide additional stability at a time of extreme uncertainty, while continuation of the Farm Business Grant will allow individuals to make important investments to improve farm viability.”Mr Roberts also welcomed additional funding for Sustainable Production Grants, but warned that disproportionate regulations would undermine…

A school ICT technician who abused his position of trust to groom and sexually abuse a child has today been jailed for 5 years.Alex Barnes, aged 22, of Bridgend, pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences at a previous hearing.He pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.Cardiff Crown Court heard, that while Barnes was employed as an ICT technician in a school, he groomed a 15-year-old girl.The offences took place from February to March 2018.The court…

Cardiff-based Sadler Jones has been shortlisted in FedEx’s Small Business Grant contest in the UK.Competing for a grand prize of £20,000, Sadler Jones entered the final competition stage by successfully outlining their ambitions to expand into international markets and their plans for future growth.Sadler Jones, run by Cath Jones, is a luxury stationery company that uses eco-friendly FSC paper to manufacture.Speaking to Wales247, Cath Jones, owner of Sadler Jones said:“I am so excited to be shortlisted for the Fedex UK Small Business Grant. I set up my business a year and a half ago and things have been non-stop ever…

The latest NatWest Wales PMI® data indicated a marginal rise in business activity across the Welsh private sector in November. The slowdown in output growth was reflective of a weaker expansion in new business. [aoa id=”1″]That said, firms continued to increase their workforce numbers and at the fastest rate since September 2017. This was largely in response to a sustained rise in business requirements and efforts to clear backlogs. Concurrently, firms expressed a lower degree of optimism towards future output. The level of confidence was the weakest since March 2013 amid increasing concerns surrounding Brexit.The headline Wales Business Activity Index…