Author: Rhys Gregory

Brecon’s only independent optician has secured new ownership, following six-figure bank funding. [aoa id=”1″]Qualified optometrist, Kiranjeet Matharu has used a £164,000 commercial loan from NatWest to purchase First Optic on Bethel Square from its existing owners. Kiranjeet will now focus on growing the business to offer specialised eye care and treatments for the local community, as well as retaining the clinic’s five staff.[/aoa] Founded 23 years ago, First Optic is the only independent practice within a 20-mile radius of Brecon, serving the local community for a range of optometry related services. It also offers dispensary optician services including sight tests…

Welsh business confidence reached its highest level of the year so far in May, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. [aoa id=”1″]Companies in Wales report higher confidence in their business prospects at 28 per cent and higher economic optimism at nine per cent. Together, this gives an overall confidence of 19 per cent. This is the highest level seen in Wales during 2019 and the third highest confidence reading in the UK this month.[/aoa] This more upbeat outlook is also reflected in hiring intentions, with a net balance of 25 per cent of businesses in…

Speed restrictions on the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge will be lifted today (Friday) morning as work by Highways England to remove the toll plaza is completed. [aoa id=”1″]Following the removal of toll charges on the Severn Bridges, work started in January to return both toll plazas to a free-flowing motorway. This will be completed on the Prince of Wales Bridge first with the M48 Severn Bridge following later in June. The 50mph speed limit will be removed and a 70mph speed limit will be in place by 6am on 31 May.[/aoa] The project has involved demolishing the toll booths,…

Swansea’s Wales Airshow is set to be bigger and better than ever this summer as part of the city’s 50th anniversary celebrations. [aoa id=”1″] More than 250,000 visitors are expected on the city’s promenade and waterfront for the action-packed weekend of July 6 and 7. There will be more displays than ever including – for the first time – a Saturday night special. [/aoa] This year’s show takes on extra significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of Swansea being granted city status. A host of exciting attractions are lined up including a comprehensive range of air displays including big…

The Cardiff office of law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has celebrated its fourth anniversary and the appointment of two new partners.  [aoa id=”1″]Rebecca Powell and Joann Bainton both join the firm as partners, bringing a wealth of experience to the already strong team which has provided specialised legal support in commercial property, housing, planning, construction and banking and finance since 2015.[/aoa] Rebecca Powell joins as a partner in the newly formed Procurement team, with experience of advising on procurements across numerous sectors, including housing, construction and infrastructure, energy, education and IT. Joann Bainton specialises in all areas of planning and…

Staff and students from UWTSD’s Lampeter campus have found artefacts dating back to the ‘New Stone Age’ (Neolithic) during an archaeological dig at Llanllyr in Talsarn, Ceredigion.  [aoa id=”1″]This exercise is part of an undergraduate fieldwork module enabling participants to obtain field practice in archaeology.  Excavations have centred on low mounds surrounded by marshland that they believe formed dry ground in the Prehistoric past.  These ‘islands’ of dry ground appear to have been the focus of activity in the Neolithic period (between 4 and 6 thousand years ago) when people left behind traces of activity in the form of flint…

Ahmed Ismail Ali, 34, from Christina Street, Butetown has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of his former partner. The incident began at around 2pm Sunday, February 24, Ali assaulted the 26-year-old woman with a brick at her home in Rutland Street, Grangetown. She managed to escape but he chased her to the nearby Premier Stores in Cornwall Street where he stabbed her numerous times to the neck and head. Several members of the public came to the woman’s aid, police were called and thanks to a quick-thinking taxi driver, within 15 minutes Ali was…

Thanks to the New Theatre, Cardiff  for inviting us along to see the show in exchange for this review. Shrek is another fantastic musical by Cardiff-based production company Orbit, whose performances never fail to impress or entertain. Described as an amateur company, you wouldn’t know it, as Orbit has track record in successful theatre performances, with their first, Oliver, in 1969. Shrek will be their 108th production. [aoa id=”1″]Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical will have you both laughing and singing. We couldn’t help but join in, especially when the famous ‘I’m a Believer’ song rang out. Fair play to Orbit’s…

The Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) Economic Growth Partnership welcomes Welsh Government’s announcement to double its Foundational Economy Challenge Fund to £3 million. The decision aligns with CCR City Deal’s mission to create a more prosperous and economically inclusive region. [aoa id=”1″]Earlier this year, Frank Holmes, Chair of the Regional Economic Growth Partnership (REGP), unveiled the region’s Economic and Industrial Growth plan together with leaders from the Joint Cabinet in South East Wales, London and MIPIM in France. It incorporates an Investment Framework comprising three priorities; innovation, infrastructure and challenge, aimed at improving GVA performance, creating new jobs and leveraging up…

A unique pub on a dementia ward now has its very own brand of alcohol free beer with a very pertinent name – Sundown. [aoa id=”1″]The Derwen Arms, located within Derwen Ward, a 20-bed, all-male dementia assessment unit in Swansea Bay University Health Board’s Cefn Coed Hospital, hit the headlines when it opened earlier this year.[/aoa] Although a local like any other, serving beers and refreshments and with its own pool table and dart board, the beer is strictly non-alcoholic and the darts are made out of plastic, although that hasn’t stopped the pub from being a hit with its…