Author: Rhys Gregory

A booming bakery firm has clinched a deal to supply a leading retail chain with its new gluten-free range. [aoa id=”1″] The products are being rolled out by the Wrexham-based Village Bakery to a total of 60 Spar stores in North Wales – with another major announcement expected before the end of the year. The family-run company is now receiving enquiries about their own-label Gluten Freedom range from across the UK and a number of European countries. As a result of their expansion, they are now in the process of recruiting 20 new apprentices to become the new generation of…

An innovative new app is triggering musical memories for people with dementia to help them cope with the challenges of daily life. [aoa id=”1″] The program for mobile devices is being developed with the help of residents at the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham who specialise in providing dementia care. The Memory Tracks app is the brainchild of business development expert Gordon Anderson. He is working on it with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Stuart Cunningham, who is also a visiting professor of affective computing at Wrexham Glyndwr University, alongside Mark Brill, Senior Lecturer in Creative Advertising, and Harry Whalley, Lecturer…

ONE in two people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.  [aoa id=”1″] For Cardiff couple Emma Howell and David Gunstone, they each have a parent who has been affected by the disease. Emma’s dad, Mick, was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma late last year and David’s mum, Susan, sadly died from a rare adrenal cancer a few years ago. Passionate about supporting life-saving research, the pair have been chosen to launch Cancer Research UK’s new Cycle 300 fundraising campaign in Wales. [/aoa] Emma, a PR and Events Officer for Cardiff and Vale College, said: “It was…

Macmillan is working in partnership with Ray of Light Wales to host a free programme in Cardiff, to support anyone caring for someone with cancer or any other long-term illness, and help them manage the impact of their day to day responsibilities. [aoa id=”1″] The new programme, called Time and Space, is adapted from Macmillan’s HOPE self-management programme, and will be run by facilitators from Ray of Light Wales, and is designed to support all those in a caring role, whether this is paid or unpaid. Topics the programme will focus on include managing fatigue and stress, communication, managing emotions,…

RCT Council’s new Parking Enforcement Vehicle will begin its patrols across Rhondda Cynon Taf next week, to ensure motorists are parking considerately – focusing on safety outside of schools. [aoa id=”1″] The vehicle will be introduced to coincide with the new school year from Monday, September 3, and will primarily target school pick-up and drop-off periods in the mornings and afternoons. The Council is introducing this measure as a result of concerns raised by parents about dangerous parking. If vehicles are found to be parked unlawfully, motorists could be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of up to £70.…

A leading North Wales green energy company is in the running for a hat-trick of awards at the renewables Oscars next month. [aoa id=”1″] Denbigh-based Hafod Renewables have been short-listed in three categories at the Energy Efficiency Awards, the renewables industry ‘Oscars’ at the Hilton NEC Metropole Hotel in Birmingham next month. They will be presented by Sir Lenny Henry and the Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be BBC Breakfast presenter and sports broadcaster Dan Walker. They are up for RHI and Solar PV Projects of the Year for Caerfallen, Ruthin, and for Orchard House, Llanfairfechan, as well…

Innovative Polish online currency exchange and money transfer company, Conotoxia today announced its new four year partnership with the Wales football team at the FA Wales squad announcement at St. Fagans. [aoa id=”1″]This exciting new partnership is a first in the UK for Conotoxia, who have recorded staggering, exponential growth every year since 2011 — transacting $5 billion in the last year alone, and operating with 26 currencies. The new partnership gives Conotoxia the rights to use numerous sponsorship titles, including ‘Official Money Partner of the National Football Team of Wales’ through to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in…

A former seamstress who switched careers to follow her dreams of nursing is toasting success after landing a top job with responsibility for 39 hospitals. [aoa id=”1″] Linda Jones has risen through the ranks at Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham to be appointed National Matron for the private healthcare group covering its hospitals throughout the UK. It represents a rapid rise to success for the 45-year-old mum-of-one who is currently Spire Yale and Abergele’s Consulting Rooms Matron and Registered Manager, a position she has held for the past six years. Linda, from Marchwiel near Wrexham, starts her new position on…

On Sunday 2 September, the 2018 Ovo Energy Tour of Britain comes to Newport on the first day of its week-long race around the UK. [aoa id=”1″] The riders, including Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, are due to leave Carmarthenshire in the morning and then head to Newport for the finish of the first stage. After riding through Caerleon, they will ride up Belmont Hill and down to Chepstow Road through to the SDR and then into Usk Way for the finishing line in the city centre near the University of South Wales campus. For those waiting in the…

Nearly a quarter of girls aged 14 (22%) said they had self-harmed in just a year according to a new report by The Children’s Society. [aoa id=”1″] One in six (16%) of more than 11,000 children surveyed reported self-harming at this age, including nearly one in 10 boys (9%). The self-harm statistics follow new analysis included in the charity’s annual Good Childhood Report, which examines the state of children’s well-being in the UK.  The report looks at the reasons behind the unhappiness which increases the risk of children self-harming. Based on these figures, The Children’s Society estimates that across Wales…