Author: Rhys Gregory

UWTSD’s Construction Wales Innovation Centre was delighted to welcome 70 pupils from local schools to take part in a day of civil engineering fun, learning and a bridge building challenge as part of the ICE Wales Cymru Engineering Team Challenge. The event, one of a number being held across the country, helped celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) in Wales. ICE Wales Cymru worked with CWIC, CITB Wales, CIOB Wales, Tidal Lagoon Power, CECA, Careers Wales, Regional Learning and Skills Partnership South West & Mid Wales, Atkins and Dawnus to help organise the event on…

THE successful rebrand and £1.2million refurbishment of a long-standing animal supplies firm marked a watershed in the North Wales pet industry. [aoa id=”1″] One year on from the revamp of the former Farm and Pet Place in Abergele, tongues are still wagging at the prospect of further improvements and expansion in the coming months. The rebranded PetPlace has already seen a rise in sales and is focused on creating an experience for pets and their owners with top-quality product lines and services centred on health and nutrition. With plans to roll-out the new look at the group’s other stores in…

As the British public await details of Theresa May’s draft withdrawal agreement with the EU, KPMG has today (14 November) released its latest findings on consumer confidence.  [aoa id=”1″]A survey of 4,015 members of the British public commissioned by KPMG shows that 53% believe that a no deal outcome is likely, 89% foresee some economic disruption, 31% have already cut their everyday spending and even more (41%) plan to do so in the future if a deal is not achieved.  In addition, 53% of the public think their Christmas shopping bill will go up this year because of Brexit whilst…

With the Basic Payment Scheme due to be paid in early December, the Farmers’ Union of Wales Gwent branch are warning farmers to be conscious of fraudsters. The warning follows an alert issued by Gwent Police. This December, Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales is expecting an influx of calls and emails to the farming community, attempting to trick them out of their money. “Following similar annual patterns when farmers receive their funding from the Basic Payment Scheme, the police anticipate they will be targeted by the same attempts to fraudulently part with their cash. “Criminals have…

The 2019 edition of Aberystwyth University’s enterprise competition has been launched, with a £10,000 prize on offer to the winning entry. [aoa id=”1″] Open to all Aberystwyth registered students & graduates of 2018, the InvEnterPrize offers entrepreneurial students an opportunity to develop and pitch ideas to a panel of distinguished Aberystwyth University alumni. The successful entry will be able to invest its winnings in equipment, facilities or professional services to turn an invention or business start-up idea into reality. As well as an investment of £10,000, free office space for one year at the Aberystwyth Innovation & Enterprise Campus is also…

A RURAL expert is urging farmers to be vigilant after six people were killed the in agriculture sector in Wales in just 12 months.  [aoa id=”1″] Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 33 people across Britain were killed in agriculture in 2017/18 – three more on the previous year. These findings have further cemented agriculture’s reputation as the riskiest industry to work in, with it reporting the highest fatal injury rate, which is around 18 times higher than the all industry rate. Six people were killed in agriculture in Wales this year, bringing the total number…

A jewellery designer who has created custom-made pieces for HRH The Prince of Wales, as well as celebrities such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Sting and Andrew Lloyd Webber, has opened a new gallery in Llandeilo to showcase her latest bespoke designs. Mari Thomas, founder of MT Jewellery, has utilised £362,000 worth of funding from NatWest to purchase and refurbish the gallery space in The Old Castle Hotel on Rhosmaen Street, a far cry from her early days when she operated out of her parents’ garden shed. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] The gallery will house Mari’s jewellery collections alongside a rotating showcase of…

Two students and a recent graduate from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David are counting down to compete in the prestigious national finals of the WorldSkills UK Competitionsthat take place in Birmingham later this week. [aoa id=”1″] As the only University in Wales to compete in the UK finals, UWTSD is delighted that current students George Searle and Paul Lawrence along with graduate, Lawrence Edwards – will be given the opportunity to compete against learners from all over the UK in front of over 70,000 visitors at WorldSkills UK LIVE. George Searle and Paul Lawrence – students on the…

Peter Morris launched the mobile eatery in his converted VW van three years ago, and now has a strong following for his tasty woodfired pizzas. [aoa id=”1″] And the Kickstart programme – run jointly by Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and Blaenau Gwent Council – helped Peter with a timely grant of £800 to purchase a BBQ smoker for new and exiting toppings. As well as his regular spot on the Moor, The Little Dragon Pizza Van can be seen at events around North Gwent, Monmouthshire and beyond. Peter is one of the organisers of Brynmawr Street Food Festival, and also…

The organisers of Swansea’s annual gardening competition are recruiting volunteers to serve on its management committee and to join the team of judges in time for the 2019 event. [aoa id=”1″] Specifically, they are looking for a new chairman, vice chairman, secretary and minute secretary, as well as new judges. Anybody interested in helping in any capacity is invited to complete the volunteer application form on the group’s website at www.swanseainbloom.co.uk. Alternatively they can call committee representative Bob Mapp on 01792 299 543, or send an email to [email protected]. All applicants are also invited to attend the group’s annual general…