Author: Rhys Gregory

A woman with more than 20 years of leadership experience within the work-based learning sector across the UK has been appointed the chief operating officer at one of Wales’ top training providers. [aoa id=”1″] Faith O’Brien steps up from a consultancy role to the new position at Welshpool-based Cambrian Training Company, which has regional offices in Llanelli, Holyhead, Colwyn Bay and Builth Wells. The multi-award winning company specialises in the delivery of work-based apprenticeships, Jobs Growth Wales and employability opportunities across a range of industries pan-Wales. Its core business is in the food and drink and catering and hospitality industries.…

Talyllyn Railway has launched an appeal to restore the only coach still operable from the last train on the original Corris Railway 70 years ago. [aoa id=”1″] Originally built for the Corris as their carriage No.8 in 1898 by the Metropolitan Carriage and Wagon Co, the coach was rescued in a derelict condition from a back garden in the 1950s and restored to its former glory. It entered service as Talyllyn Railway carriage No.17 in 1961 and now, nearly 60 years on, it requires some major attention. Very popular and often used for wedding trains, it’s also a royal carriage,…

When it comes to fulfilling your tax and National Insurance (NI) obligations, compliance is everything. [aoa id=”1″] HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has recently highlighted a new area of concern for UK taxpayers, urging those who haven’t already done so to declare any foreign income or profits on offshore assets. Taxpayers have until 30thSeptember 2018 to come forward. Failure to declare any offshore assets and incomes could mean higher tax penalties, one thing leading accountancy firm Bevan & Buckland is keen for its clients to avoid. The introduction of new legislation, namely the ‘Requirement to Correct’, will impact more than…

Specialist energy management firm Egnida has completed the acquisition of three partner companies to help meet future challenges and to improve its offering to customers. [aoa id=”1″] Cowbridge-based Egnida, which is Welsh for ‘good energy’, delivers energy solutions for private and public sector organisations, including procurement, energy efficiency, demand-side management and installing and operating renewable projects. Egnida has now acquired three companies it has worked closely with for a number of years; energy consultancy business Encraft, based in Leamington Spa, and Birmingham-based fleet management firms Logical Vehicle Management (LVM) and Car & Van Lease Supermarket. [/aoa] Andrew Padmore, CEO of…

A new work by one of Wales’ most revered composers which tells the story of the death of Owain Glyndŵr will be premiered at this year’s North Wales International Music Festival. [aoa id=”1″] Composer Brian Hughes, who lives in Gresford, near Wrexham, has written his haunting string orchestral piece, Death of the Skylark, based on a traditional Welsh poem. It will be performed by the festival’s resident orchestra, NEW Sinfonia, at St Asaph Cathedral during the evening concert on Saturday, September 29. The concert will also feature renowned cellist Raphael Wallfisch performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto. The festival, which runs from…

A dedicated charity worker who plays a vital role in keeping vulnerable children safe from trafficking and exploitation has been honoured by North Wales’s policing chief. [aoa id=”1″] Sian Humphreys, who works for Barnardo’s as an Independent Child Trafficking Advocate for Wales, has won the Anti-Slavery Champion title in the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Awards. The fact that almost 40 per cent of all reported cases in Wales come from the north which has the highest number of referrals to child welfare charity Barnardo’s Independent Child Trafficking Advocate (ICTA) service of any police region in Wales and…

A life-saving piece of equipment has been installed at a community centre after a fundraising drive by members of a club who meet there. [aoa id=”1″] The public access defibrillator was unveiled at the Park Way Community Centre in Rhos-on-Sea that’s managed by housing association Cartrefi Conwy. The £1,400 to buy the machine was raised by members of the local Park Way Coffee and Social Club who were inspired by the Welsh Hearts charity’s Shay Hearts campaign. It’s been fixed to the wall by the entrance of the centre and members of the community are being trained how to use…

An “incredible” woman who was born during the First World War has celebrated her 102nd birthday – with a glass of her favourite sweet sherry. According to Martha Elizabeth Hughes, known as Bessie, enjoying an occasional tipple and going for regular walks are among the secrets of her longevity. She lived independently in Brymbo, near Wrexham, where she was born and bred, until she was 101 and moved to Pendine Park’s Hillbury Care Home due to failing eyesight and suffering a fractured hip after a fall. When she was 100 she received a birthday card from her favourite author, Jeffrey…

A NEW range of pies made by men from Wrexham’s Berwyn Prison and dubbed ‘as good on the inside as the outside’ will be launched at a top food festival. The Custodial Pie Corporation was set up by the prison and Dylan’s restaurants with the aim of rehabilitating Berwyn’s men, giving them new skills for the future and enabling them to return to work. A dedicated team of men, supported by prison staff, currently make mouth-watering savoury pies which have been a big hit at food festivals throughout the country and bagged them a host of awards. [aoa id=”1″][/aoa] Just…

Tate & Lyle, a leading global provider of food and beverage ingredients and solutions, is proud to announce that Amy Jackson, Tate & Lyle Bakery Technologist, is one of five shortlisted contenders for the title ‘Food Scientist of the Year’ in the UK Food and Drink Federation Awards 2018. Amy has been shortlisted for her work helping bakers across the UK and Europe to reduce sugar, fat and calories in their cakes, biscuits and other baked goods. From Tate & Lyle’s technical service centre and ingredient blending facility in Mold, Flintshire, Amy has adapted hundreds of product recipes to improve…