Author: Rhys Gregory

The venue at Cardiff International Sports Village will face new ventures after acquiring a 5-year naming rights deal with Welsh financial institution, Viola, based in Bridgend. Viola Chairman, Christopher Hamilton, signed the deal with Todd Kelman, Managing Director of the Cardiff Devils and Ice Arena Wales, who says, “Our new partnership with Viola is a perfect fit. Viola is a great, Welsh business with local roots, so it makes so much sense for them to be actively involved with us. It’s going to bring about such a mutually beneficial, positive change and I’m really looking forward to it”. The Arena,…

A dead sperm whale that has washed ashore off the coast of Indonesia has found to have 6 kilograms (kg) of plastic in its stomach. Items found in the whale’s stomach included; 115 plastic cups, four plastic cups, 25 plastic bags with one reported to contain 1,000 pieces of string, and two flip flops. Although it is unlikely that any of these items have come directly from Wales, the devastating images are a wake-up call to all of us to reduce our consumption of plastics. In 2011, Wales became the first nation in the UK to levy a 5p charge…

Partnering one of Qatar’s leading distribution companies Calon Wen will be available in many leading retailers in the country. Calon Wen, a group of 21 organic family farms across Wales producing award winning cheeses, butter, milk, frozen and fresh yoghurt, has received their first order for the entire range. Stuart McNally, Calon Wen’s Sales and Business Development Manager talking about the recent order said:  “The initial order is a sizeable one for Calon Wen and we hope to be trading at 25% exports by the end of next year. This was a conscious decision by the company to diversify into…

Welsh ICE has been chosen to deliver one of four new regional enterprise hubs, with the Campus supporting the South East Wales Valleys region. [aoa id=”1″] The new contract is part of the Welsh Government’s drive to encourage and support entrepreneurism across Wales, and with the Wrexham Enterprise Hub already established in North Wales, will see the addition of four funded spaces in North West, Mid, South West and South East Wales. The hubs are funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and will see over £4m invested to provide supportive spaces and mentoring for new…

Rent Smart Wales, the registration and licensing scheme for landlords and agents with property in Wales, has successfully applied for the repayment of more than £22,000 of rent paid to an unlicensed landlord. [aoa id=”1″] Pembrokeshire landlord Yvette Phillips, of Robert Street, Milford Haven, has been ordered to repay £22,357.71 in housing benefit that was paid to her during the time she was operating illegally after Rent Smart Wales successfully applied to the Residential Property Tribunal (Wales), the independent tribunal for resolving disputes relating to private rented and lease hold property, for the Rent Repayment Order. Trading as estate agent…

An updated agreement entitled ‘Obligatory Responses to Violence in Healthcare’ with regards to violence and aggression towards NHS Wales staff, has been launched today (Wednesday, 21 November 2018) to dignitaries at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. [aoa id=”1″]The Obligatory Responses to Violence in Healthcaredocument between NHS Wales, the Police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been updated from a previous agreement in terms of criminal procedure and sentencing legislation. This includes references to the assaults against Emergency Workers Act 2018, which increases the penalties available to the courts, recognises the aggravating features of such assaults and has been shortened to…

Changing consumer demand is forcing the West’s hospitality sector into an urgent rethink in order to cater for growing numbers of “wellness tourists.” Hospitality specialists at Colliers International say vegan menus, wellness centres, spas and retreats are in increasing demand from a new generation of guests. Ed Jefferson from the firm’s Bristol-based Hotels team said: “Wellness tourism used to be something of a niche activity within the sector but increasing numbers of guests are seeking this kind of stay. “Veganism has made huge strides and the traditional nut cutlet at the bottom of the typical old-school hotel menu is very…

A Management Buyout in 2008 saw Tracey Jones and Dean Beniamous take over the firm from founder Keith Ferguson. [aoa id=”1″] In May 2017 Fergusons, based in Gorseinon, took another important step when it acquired  Pontardawe practice Harvey Peters & Co, in a six-figure investment supported by Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and Development Bank of Wales (then Finance Wales). A year on, and the new practice Fergusons & Peters is increasing staffing levels and its client base, and looking at further expansion. Key to success has been introducing the latest accounting technology to the new firm and helping…

A selfless volunteer who continued supporting brain injury survivors after her own breast cancer and arthritis diagnoses has been shortlisted for a national award. Sally Palmer, 63, has been volunteering at Headway Cardiff and South East Wales for more than 20 years and has helped to raise over £150,000. Her incredible achievements have seen her named as one of three finalists for Headway – the brain injury association’s Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Anthony Gold Solicitors. “I love everything about volunteering for Headway,” said Sally. “When I tell people I work with brain injury survivors they say ‘isn’t…

Sporting clubs and organisations in Ceredigion have benefitted from receiving over £126,000 in funding for 2017/18 through Development grants and Community Chest grants awarded by Sports Wales and delivered by Ceredigion Actif. Community Chest offers grants of up to £1,500 for activities that encourage people to become more active. The grant can also be used to pay for volunteer training and coach education, marketing, club set up costs and new equipment. Clubs and organisations can also apply for up to £25,000 from the Sport Wales Development Grant scheme for activities that can help increase participation and improve standards of performance…