Author: Rhys Gregory

A record number of healthcare workers and employers who are going the extra mile have been shortlisted at the third annual Our Health Heroes awards.  [aoa id=”1″] Organised by Skills for Health, National Skills Academy for Health and headline sponsor Health Education England, the awards celebrate the unsung healthcare heroes from across the UK, including those working in the NHS, who go above and beyond in their roles every day. Healthcare professionals submitted almost 500 nominations in the following categories: Integrated Team of the Year; Staff Retention and Wellbeing Employer of the Year; Workforce Planning Team of the Year; Apprentice…

AWARD-WINNING chef Bryn Williams says teaming up with Coleg Cambria to create a ground-breaking food academy is a recipe for success. [aoa id=”1″] Bryn is giving students the opportunity to work and train in his celebrated restaurants, where they will gain invaluable experience alongside the best cooks and kitchen staff in the country. Launched this week at Cambria’s Y Celstryn restaurant in Deeside, the Bryn Williams Academy is the first initiative of its kind in Wales and gives the Denbigh native the opportunity to help plug the ever-growing skills gap in hospitality and catering. [/aoa]A passionate advocate for…

The Heathcock in Llandaff has reopened under new owners Tom and Sarah Watt-Jones. The pub, which opened on Sunday, October 21 is the sister restaurant to the popular and award-winning Hare & Hounds in Aberthin, near Cowbridge. The Hare & Hounds recently received the Bib Gourmand award in the 2018 Michelin Guide, so no pressure on the new restaurant.  The Heathcock pub closed earlier this year and has been shut for a number of months. The new owners have reopened the pub, almost a month to the date of receiving the keys. Having visited The Heathcock on numerous occasions under…

The national airport for Wales is continuing to perform strongly and is well on track to achieve double digit passenger growth at the end of this year. [aoa id=”1″] Passenger figures in September reflected another month of growth, welcoming over 178,681 passengers, which represents an increase of 7% compared to the same month last year. Over the last 12 months more than 1.56 million customers have flown to and from Cardiff, making use of the Airport as a point of departure and a key gateway to the UK. [/aoa] As we move through the autumn, Cardiff Airport is reflecting on…

Finance Awards Wales 2019 has officially launched and open for nominations.  Following the success of the 2018 awards, this year’s nominations can now be submitted, through to January 11th, with the winners announced in a glittering ceremony in Cardiff’s City Hall on Friday 5 April 2019. Organisers promise another amazing evening which will celebrate the talented Finance professionals across Wales. “2019 is our second year and we are delighted to open up nominations for entries from across the Finance sector” Finance Awards Wales MD, Matt Hyde. “Our vision – to recognise, attract and invest in Finance talent is core to…

Wales’ two farming unions have launched a joint principles paper aimed at placing Welsh food, farming, livelihoods, communities and our environment on a firm post-Brexit footing. [aoa id=”1″] The paper, entitled ‘A Welsh way forward’, was revealed by Farmers’ Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts and NFU Cymru President John Davies at a briefing session for Assembly Members and Welsh Government staff on Wednesday, October 24, at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff. The event was kindly sponsored by Paul Davies AM. The publication comes in response to the Welsh Government’s current consultation on future rural and land management policies –…

Welsh rugby team, Cardiff Blues, has joined forces with Christ College Brecon to offer aspiring rugby players a first-class education at the renowned sporting and academic institution. The partnership, which was launched earlier this month, will see the two organisations work in collaboration to enhance educational opportunities while improving the college’s rugby programme. It comes as part of the school’s ambitious investment plan, which includes the expansion of its fitness gym, strength and conditioning coaching and investment in performance analysis equipment. Cardiff Blues commercial manager, Chris Allen said: “We are obviously thrilled to be working with such a well-respected college…

A young woman who has overcome many barriers and challenges in her life has used the Welsh Government’s Traineeship Level 1 programme as a springboard to launch her on a career path. [aoa id=”1″] Mariska Hutton, 20, Twynwroddyn, Merthyr Tydfil left school with no qualifications but has successfully completed the Traineeship together with a NVQ Level 1 Certificate in Retail Skills through training provider PeoplePlus. The qualifications helped her secure a retail placement with the British Red Cross in Merthyr Tydfil, which she hopes will lead to a full-time job. Now Mariska has been shortlisted for this year’s Apprenticeship Awards…

Sustainable organisations and communities across Wales are vying for public votes in the inaugural Sustainable Academy Wales Awards which celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in the sustainability and green energy sectors in Wales.  [aoa id=”1″] Twenty-four finalists across eight categories have been shortlisted by a panel of judges for the public to vote for their favourites.  People can cast their votes at www.sustainableacademy.wales until Wednesday 31 October.  Winners will be announced at an awards lunch on Thursday 29 November in the Principality Stadium, Cardiff. The finalists include a cider project in Anglesey, which was set up to make use of…

Conwy County Borough Council recently approved plans to build 83 homes on Sychnant Pass, Conwy. [aoa id=”1″] Award-winning homebuilder Beech Developments have waited for over 38 months for the plans to be approved to create new homes and fulfil a portion of the housing target, to meet local demand. Despite a series of setbacks and delays, due to conditions attached to the planning permission (which was first submitted in August 2015) at Sychnant Pass Road, the plans were approved following agreement on matters by the council’s most recent planning committee. The 83 homes will be made up of 2, 3,…