Author: Rhys Gregory

A young man has spoken movingly about how football is helping him overcome his addiction to cocaine – and win a place playing for Wales at an international tournament. [aoa id=”1″] Robbie Ray, 21, is a member of Wrexham Inclusion FC which was set up to benefit people who might otherwise not get to play the game due to physical or emotional issues. As a result he’s been picked to for the Welsh team to play in the Homeless World Cup in Mexico City in November along with team mate Reanna Walker, while player-coach Ben Ravenscroft has been chosen to…

A world renowned cellist whose mother is one of the last known survivors of the women’s orchestra at a Nazi concentration camp is heading for St Asaph. [aoa id=”1″] London-born Raphael Wallfisch will be one of the stars at the prestigious North Wales International Music Festival at the city’s cathedral for a concert on Saturday, September 29. The festival, which runs until Sunday, September 30, is being supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Tŷ Cerdd. [/aoa] Wallfisch was born into a family of distinguished musicians. His father, Peter, is an acclaimed concert pianist and his 93 year old…

A ground-breaking art project is helping to cut through the fog of dementia at a care home in Caernarfon. [aoa id=”1″] Residents at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home on the outskirts of the town are taking part in Age Cymru’s flagship cARTrefu programme. The aim of the scheme being funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government and the Baring Foundation, is to encourage and celebrate creativity in older people. [/aoa] The 12-week project has been a big hit with residents at Bryn Seiont Newydd, which specialises in dementia care. Bryn Seiont Newydd’s artist-in-residence, Nia Lloyd-Roberts,…

Swansea University has risen six places into the UK top 30 in the prestigious Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 – its highest ever position. [aoa id=”1″] Swansea University is also runner-up for the overall UK University of the Year title, and has won the Welsh University of the Year title for the second time in three years, cementing its position as Wales’ leading higher education institution. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide ranks universities on nine indicators, including student satisfaction with teaching quality and their wider student experience, research quality, graduate prospects, entrance qualifications held…

The experts have had their say and in July 1883 parks and green spaces in the UK were given a prestigious Green Flag Award. [aoa id=”1″] Now, the Award Scheme is asking the nation to have its say and decide which parks and green spaces should receive the People’s Choice Award for being the UK’s favourites. Whether you enjoy visiting a park or green space to play football, walk the dog, exercise or simply get away from the hustle and bustle, if you think your favourite deserves to be in the top 10 People’s Choice then cast your vote. [/aoa]…

CHC Waste Facilities Management goes from strength to strength as it announces the launch of its new Midlands office this week as part of its phase one expansion plans to support its growing client base. CHC has achieved continued growth over the past several years which saw it included on the Wales Fast Growth 50 list in 2017. This announcement comes after a series of client wins for the waste and facilities management firm, including a multinational logistics company and several international car manufacturers, increasing its client base by nearly 20%. [aoa id=”1″]With its main headquarters in Tywyn, Mid Wales, currently employing…

Family-run housebuilder Llanmoor Homes is excited to announce the formal approval of plans and commencement of ground works at the company’s second development in Caerphilly Borough. The development will use the name of the historic fourteenth century St Barrwgs Church as part of its marketing name of Cae Sant Barrwg. A total of 240 homes are proposed at the development off Pandy Road, Bedwas, and will include a choice of 14 of Llanmoor’s most popular two, three and four-bedroom designs. Llanmoor will provide a total of 60 properties (25% ) of the total by way of affordable housing in accordance with…

St David’s Cardiff has partnered with youth charity The Prince’s Trust Cymru to offer unemployed young people the chance to undertake work experience and training in Wales’ largest shopping destination. [aoa id=”1″]The Get into Retail programme will give the 18-30 year olds taking part the insight and knowledge to kick start careers in retail. Taking place over two weeks, training across the industry will include customer service skills, merchandising, and workshops that will cover mock interviews and CV writing. Following the programme, all of the young people will be supported to help them move into work or further training.[/aoa] As…

A project aimed at reducing barriers to access to end of life care for a variety of groups has shared its findings and its future plans at an event attended by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething. [aoa id=”1″] In Cardiff and the Vale, Marie Curie has been working with people with dementia, people with learning disabilities and people with different or no religious beliefs over three years as part of the Big Lottery-funded Including Diverse Communities in End of Life Care project. The groups were identified based on research around gaps and challenges in palliative care…

Coffee connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cup in the world in Paris, Naples, Barcelona, Turin – and in the heart of Swansea City Centre – according to the Daily Telegraph. [aoa id=”1″] Swansea’s beloved Kardomah Café has been picked out as one of the 50 best coffee houses in the world, for its fine brews, its layers of history, its people watching and its atmosphere. Marcus Luporini, who is at the helm of the Kardomah, alongside his wife Louise, said: “I am chuffed. We are very proud of the Kardomah, and we work hard to make sure it retains its…