Author: Rhys Gregory

With over 3,000 sites to maintain, tidy and keep safe for local residents and businesses across south Wales, Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, has increased its workforce by more than a quarter in a year, to ensure it delivers a first-class service all year round.  Launched over 22 years ago, Countrywide South Wales has taken on its 80th employee, of which over 90% are client facing roles offering services ranging from grass cutting, shrubbery and gutter clearance to landscaping and line marking. [aoa id=”1″]Headquartered at Port Talbot, Countrywide South Wales has 25 teams operating from six different locations – Baglan Energy Park…

The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is dancing for joy today after revealing that the annual festival attracted more visitors to beautiful North Wales than in recent years. For 73 years, the 3,500 residents of the stunning town of Llangollen welcome the world to Wales with the week-long music and dance festival that promotes peace and goodwill between nations. [aoa id=”1″]A spokesperson for the festival said: “Despite disappointing pre-sales, the weather has been glorious and helped us attract 33,000 visitors throughout the week, with over twenty percent increase on daytime visitors compared to last year and  the highest number of participants for over four years! Specific highlights for…

A rapidly-growing Welsh health technology firm started by a patient suffering lung disease aims to help patients and medics around the world through digital technology. Bond Digital Health was established by entrepreneur Ian Bond, who came up with the idea during retirement. Mr Bond, a lifelong smoker, had been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in his 60s. He became frustrated as he entered the health system and realised something was missing at consultations with his specialist and GP. He found his treatment was often based on subjective recollections rather than real evidence. It led Ian to create a…

The activity will see more than 20 construction professionals, a 53m-tall crane and an articulated low-loader truck remove Landore’s 110-year-old Bascule Bridge for restoration. The lift is being carried out by the Swansea Highways Partnership (SHP) on behalf of Swansea Council. [aoa id=”1″] The bridge – which spans the River Tawe near the Liberty Stadium and weighs around 70 tonnes – is earmarked by the council as a key feature of the immediate area’s bright future. Detailed preparation work for moving it has been taking place on site for several weeks. The aim is to re-install the restored structure next…

A woman from Caldicot who has been living with Type 1 diabetes for almost 25 years is taking on this year’s One Million Step Challenge for Diabetes UK Cymru. Ebony Hussey, 28, was diagnosed with the condition aged three. She is taking part to raise greater awareness of the challenges of life with the condition, increase her fitness and raise funds for the charity. The challenge takes place between 1 July and 30 September and invites people to push themselves out of their comfort zone by taking one million steps over three months and get sponsored for every stride. Ebony…

The Palliative Care team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have improved comfort for families of patients receiving end of life care in the acute hospital setting. The team carried out the National Audit for Care at the End of Life (NACEL) which identified key areas which could be improved to make the patient and family experience easier at what is an already difficult time. Following the audit the Palliative Care team have arranged for six ‘Z beds’ to be available for the use of families so they have somewhere comfortable to relax or sleep over-night during their loved…

The Factory Theatre Company will be returning to the Willow Globe in Mid Wales on Saturday, July 13 with a one-off performance of Anthony and Cleopatra. The company, started by renowned theatre director and master of verse Tim Caroll, has built an outstanding reputation nationally and locally with sell out performances. This group does Shakespeare differently. The actors always set themselves unusual tasks which makes for a thrilling audience experience. They might not know who is playing the other characters in the play until they speak and someone replies, they might decide to only use props provided by the audience,…

One of the UK’s leading insurance brokers has made three key new appointments as it continues to consolidate its brand reputation in Wales. [aoa id=”1″]Towergate Insurance Brokers has engaged Matt Cooper as Healthcare Consultant, Daniel Beament as Business Protection Specialist and John Passey as Group Risk Consultant, all working with Welsh businesses to help them to thrive in this politically uncertain climate.[/aoa] Healthcare Consultant Matt Cooper will be focused on employee wellbeing, advising on private medical insurance, cash plans, dental insurance, travel insurance, health assessments and employee assistant programmes. Matt said: “As one of the major players in the insurance…

Cardiff headquartered Verde Corporate Finance has made a new senior hire with the appointment of Mike Fenwick as Associate Director. [aoa id=”1″] Specialist corporate finance firm Verde Corporate Finance, part of the integrated mergers and acquisition advisory business GS Verde Group has made the hire to increase its capacity at a senior level within its team. Mr Fenwick is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience in a variety of roles assisting both SME’s and multi-national companies with accounts preparation, business planning, raising finance, grants and latterly as a director of finance. Mr Fenwick has developed a particular specialism…

Countingup, the UK’s number one small business banking and accounting app, has announced it is opening a new office on Cathedral Road. [aoa id=”1″]Countingup will focus on providing account management and out-of-hours customer support from the new Cardiff base.  The account management team has already seen several team members join with recruitment currently underway for the customer support team.[/aoa] The office came about following an initial approach from Cardiff City Council who are targeting leading technology companies who are growing rapidly. Councillor Russell Goodway Cabinet Member for Investment and Development at Cardiff Council said: “Cardiff is one of the top…